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Chokur Duchen, or Wheel Turning Day, celebrates the first teaching given by the Buddha, also known as the first turning of the wheel of dharma.
As one of the four main Buddhist special days, First Turning of the Wheel Dharma Day is a day where the karmic effects of actions performed are multiplied one hundred million times, making this a very auspicious day to raise awareness of and express gratitude for the Sangha Jewel.
Join us as Geshe Ngawang Tenley offers the Eight Mahayana One-Day Precepts this morning. With an altruistic motivation, one takes eight vows (to abandon killing, stealing, sexual activity, lying, intoxicants, eating at improper times, listening to music or wearing adornments, and sitting on a high bed or throne) before dawn and promises to keep them for twenty-four hours. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Spiritual Director of our mother organization the FPMT, encourages us to take precepts on these special Buddhist holidays such as today, since the karmic effects of both positive and negative actions are increased many times and the benefit we receive from keeping these vows is incredible. If you want to know more about this practice and the ceremony, please see the ceremony text and various commentaries at the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
The ceremony text can be found in this FPMT article.
His Holiness Trijang Dorje Chang describes the benefits of taking the precepts, in this article from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
Note: Certain black foods should be avoided when taking precepts: eggs, onion, garlic, radishes, alcohol, meat.
There is no requested donation, but offerings for the altar such as flowers, cookies, tea lights, saffron or fruit are appreciated.
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