Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, or "Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma," is the Buddha’s first teaching after enlightenment. It explains the Four Noble Truths: life involves suffering; suffering has cause (desire); ending desire can end suffering; and the Eightfold Path is the way to achieve this cessation. The sutta introduces core Buddhist principles, emphasizing mindful understanding, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. It guides practitioners to realize the nature of reality, ultimately leading to liberation from suffering through wisdom, ethical action, and mental training.