Chokhor Duchen, one of the four great holy days of the Tibetan calendar, is today. Also known as the Festival of Turning the Wheel of Dharma, Chokhor Duchen commemorates the anniversary upon which Shakyamuni Buddha first began teaching the Dharma. For seven weeks after his enlightenment, the Buddha did not teach. After this period, Indra and Brahma offered a dharmachakra and a conch shell and requested Shakyamuni to teach. Accepting, Buddha Shakyamuni turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time at Sarnath by teaching on the Four Noble Truths.
Today, just like any other day, is a perfect opportunity to engage more earnestly in one’s practice. May the Buddha Dharma flourish and spread forth to all sentient beings in the 10 directions!
oṃ mune mune mahāmunaye svāhā
Mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha