Saṃyukta Āgama

379. Turning the Dharma Wheel

Translated from Taishō Tripiṭaka volume 2, number 99

Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in Vārāṇasī, at the Deer Park of Ṛṣipatana. At that time, the Bhagavān addressed a group of five bhikṣus, saying:

[1] “Thus is the Noble Truth of Suffering, a teaching that has never been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. [2] Thus is the noble truth of the accumulation of suffering, [3] thus is the elimination of suffering, and [4] thus is the path that leads away from suffering: teachings that have never been heard before, and which are to be contemplated. When doing so, they give birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi.

[5] “Moreover, you should be know the wisdom of the Noble Truth of Suffering, a teaching that has never been heard, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. [6] Then knowledge of the Noble Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering will be severed. This is a teaching that has never been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. [7] Moreover, from elimination of the accumulation of suffering, the Noble Truth of the Elimination of Suffering is thus known, and being known it is realized. This is a teaching that has not been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. [8] Therefore, the Noble Truth of the Path that Leads Away from Suffering is known, and from this it is cultivated. This is a teaching that has never been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi.

[9] “Moreover, bhikṣus, with knowledge of the Noble Truth of Suffering, knowledge is then produced. This is a teaching that has not been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. [10] Moreover, when the Noble Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering has been known, then its severence is produced. This is a teaching that has not been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. [11] Moreover, from awareness of the Noble Truth of the Elimination of Suffering, its realization is produced. This is a teaching that has not been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. [12] Moreover, from awareness of the Noble Truth of the Path that Leads Away from Suffering, its cultivation is produced. This is a teaching that has never been heard before, and which is to be contemplated. When doing so, it gives birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi.

“Bhikṣus, in regard to these three turnings and twelve practices of the Four Noble Truths, if they had not given birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi, then amongst all the devas, māras, brahmās, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas who hear the Dharma, I could not have achieved liberation, gone beyond, and departed. I also would not have had the self-realization of the attainment of Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi. Yet I have, from the three turnings and twelve practices of the Four Noble Truths, given birth to vision, wisdom, understanding, and Bodhi. Amongst the devas, māras, brahmās, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas who hear the Dharma, I have gone beyond and achieved liberation, and have had the self-realization of the attainment of Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi.”

At that time, when the Bhagavān had spoken this Dharma, Venerable Kauṇḍinya, along with eight koṭīs of devas, left the dust and dirt far behind and attained the pure Dharma Eye. At this time, the Bhagavān addressed Venerable Kauṇḍinya, “Has the Dharma been known?” Kauṇḍinya addressed the Buddha, saying, “It has been known, Bhagavān.” Again Venerable Kauṇḍinya was addressed, “Has the Dharma been known?” Kauṇḍinya addressed the Buddha, “It has been known, Sugata.” Because Venerable Kauṇḍinya has known the Dharma, he is called Ājñātakauṇḍinya.

After Venerable Ājñātakauṇḍinya had thus known the Dharma, the earth spirits took up the cry: “The Bhagavān, in Vārāṇasī at the Deer Park of Ṛṣipatana, has turned the Dharma Wheel three times with twelve practices, that all the śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas, and all the devas, māras, and brahmās, have not truly turned before. This brings many true benefits, true peace and happiness, and compassion for the world; its meaning brings benefits, prosperity, and peace to devas and humans, increasing the devas and reducing the asuras.” After the earth spirits had taken up the call, then the devas of empty space, Cāturmahārājika Heaven, Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, Yāma Heaven, Tuṣita Heaven, Nirmāṇarati Heaven, and Parinirmitavaśavartin Heaven each instantly took up the call in succession, all the way up to the Brahmā Heavens. Then the brahmā retinue took up the cry: “The Bhagavān, in Vārāṇasī at the Deer Park of Ṛṣipatana, has turned the Dharma Wheel three times with twelve practices, that all the śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas, and all the devas, māras, and brahmās, have not truly turned before. This brings many true benefits, and true peace and happiness; its meaning benefits all devas and humans, increasing the devas and reducing the asuras.”

Because the Bhagavān has turned the Dharma Wheel in Vārāṇasī at the Deer Park of Ṛṣipatana, this sūtra is therefore called the Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra. After the Buddha had spoken this sūtra, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha had truly said, and blissfully practiced in accordance.