A Special Day for All Buddhists — The First Turning of the Wheel of Teaching

Traditionally, the festive events marking the First Turning of the Wheel of Teaching began with a ritual circumambulation around the temple. The monastic Sangha, led by the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia Geshe Tenzin Choydak, performed the ritual “Määdrin Ergts” (the Circling of Maitreya). Circumambulating the khurul, the monks offered special prayers, praising the Buddha of the Future — Maitreya. Believers also took active part in the festive procession, carrying sacred texts on their shoulders. Each of them prayed to the Burkhans for the well-being and happiness of all sentient beings. During the ritual circumambulation, the participants stopped at the four cardinal directions, performing a ritual of ablution and purification. As the monks themselves note, this circumambulation around the temple symbolizes the eternal turning of the Wheel of Dharma.

Afterwards, the festive prayer service began. Addressing those gathered, the Shajin Lama emphasized the significance of this day: “It is important for all of us to practice the Dharma, to live according to the Teaching of Buddha Shakyamuni, to strive to pass its foundations on to our younger generation, for kindness and compassion will bring only great benefit to our society.”

And right now, at this very moment, in the Central Khurul the Venerable Geshe Lharampa Jagba Gyatso is giving a lecture on the topic “The Four Noble Truths.” It was with this that the Buddha began his teaching after attaining Enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago.