Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025: Sarnath marks Buddha's first sermon
Synopsis
At Sarnath — the very ground where the Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dhamma — the IBC and CIHTS jointly observed Dhammacakkappavattana Divas on 29 July 2025, bringing together monks, scholars and students to reaffirm one of Buddhism's most consequential moments. With UP's Deputy CM in attendance and trilingual chanting opening the proceedings, the event signalled both spiritual continuity and the state's growing investment in Buddhist heritage promotion.
Key Takeaways
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and CIHTS jointly observed Dhammacakkappavattana Divas at Sarnath on 29 July 2025 .
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya presided as Chief Guest, highlighting Sarnath's cultural and spiritual heritage.
Siri Sumedha Thero delivered the Dhamma discourse on the Buddha's first sermon and its relevance to peace and compassion today.
Sacred chanting in Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan opened the event; CIHTS students performed a skit on the significance of Asadha Purnima.
Raghav Prasad Bhatnagar , Director General of the IBC, delivered the vote of thanks, closing the observance.
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in collaboration with the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), observed Aṣaḍha Purṇima as Dhammacakkappavattana Divas at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, 29 July 2025, commemorating the day the Buddha delivered his first sermon at this very site. The event drew monks, scholars, students and devotees to one of Buddhism's most sacred locations, reinforcing Sarnath's standing as a living centre of Buddhist heritage and learning.
Solemn Opening and Welcome
The programme opened with sacred chanting in Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan by venerable members of the Sangha, setting a contemplative tone at the historic deer park. Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General of the IBC, delivered the welcome address, stressing the importance of preserving and actively promoting the Buddha's teachings in contemporary times.
Dhamma Discourse and Academic Remarks
Dr K. Siri Sumedha Thero, President of the Indo-Sri Lanka International Buddhist Association, delivered the Dhamma discourse, elaborating on the essence of the Buddha's first sermon — the Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma — and its enduring relevance for peace, compassion and ethical living. Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Vice Chancellor of CIHTS, followed with remarks underlining the institute's role in Buddhist higher education and its ongoing collaboration with the IBC to raise awareness about the significance of Aṣaḍha Purṇima.
Cultural Presentation and Student Participation
Students of CIHTS staged a skit depicting the historical and spiritual importance of Asadha Purnima, illustrating the events surrounding the Buddha's first discourse at Sarnath in an accessible and engaging manner. The performance added a pedagogical dimension to the observance, connecting younger generations to the tradition.
What the Government Said
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who presided over the event as Chief Guest, appreciated the initiative taken jointly by the IBC and CIHTS. He emphasised Sarnath's cultural and spiritual heritage and called for promoting Buddhist values of non-violence, harmony and mutual respect across society.
Closing and Significance
The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks by Raghav Prasad Bhatnagar, Director General of the IBC, who expressed gratitude to all participants. This comes amid a broader national effort to position India's Buddhist circuit — anchored by sites such as Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar — as a premier destination for global Buddhist pilgrimage and scholarship. The gathering underscored Sarnath's dual role as both a pilgrimage site and an active seat of Buddhist academic inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dhammacakkappavattana Divas and why is it observed at Sarnath?
Dhammacakkappavattana Divas commemorates the day the Buddha delivered his first sermon — the Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma — at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. It falls on Aṣaḍha Purṇima and is observed at Sarnath because that is the precise site where the Buddha first taught the Dhamma to his five disciples.
Who organised the Dhammacakkappavattana Divas event at Sarnath in 2025?
The event was jointly organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), based in New Delhi, and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath. The two institutions have collaborated to raise awareness about the significance of Aṣaḍha Purṇima.
Who attended the 2025 Sarnath Dhammacakkappavattana Divas celebration?
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya attended as Chief Guest. Other key participants included Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche (IBC Secretary General), Dr K. Siri Sumedha Thero, Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, and students and monks from CIHTS.
What is the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS)?
CIHTS is a deemed university located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to higher education and research in Tibetan and Buddhist studies. Its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, spoke at the 2025 event about the institute's role in Buddhist scholarship.
What is the significance of Aṣaḍha Purṇima for Buddhists?
Aṣaḍha Purṇima marks the full moon day in the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha, traditionally held to be the day the Buddha delivered his first discourse at Sarnath after attaining enlightenment. It is one of the most sacred dates in the Buddhist calendar, observed by communities across India and Southeast Asia.
