Fresh flowers could be seen everywhere. Birds were singing cheerfully. There was happiness in the air; everything appeared to be calm and peaceful. It was a refreshing sight. Buddha himself was filled with happiness. His mind was free from all darkness and pain. For days and weeks he stayed near the Tree of Enlightened, enjoying the delight and happiness only a Buddha knows. Then he thought, “It was so difficult for me to reach the end of suffering and become a Buddha. I had to work so hard for so long. When I see how blind and ignorant most people are, I wonder if there is anyone who can understand the truths I have discovered. How could I possibly teach them? Perhaps it is better for me to live the rest of my life in the forests alone and enjoy the happiness of being a Buddha myself. ” Then he heard an inner voice, which said, “Please do not forget us! We are the suffering begins of the world. We have been waiting for this moment ever since your birth, and even before that. Please teach us. Unlike you, we are still suffering.” But Buddha thought, “Who will be able to follow the teaching I have to give? Who will try hard and long enough?” And the inner voice came again: “It is true that our minds are enveloped in ignorance. But for some people this ignorance is not so thick. They will be able to understand you. For their sake, please teach us all the truth path!” Buddha smiled and said “Of Course, I shall teach. I shall do everything I can. However, one will have to help himself out of troubles. They will have to help themselves. They must want to hear the teachings of the truth before anyone can help them. But whoever comes to me with an open mind will find that I am ready to teach them.” Then he thought “Form where shall I start to teach? Whom shall I teach first? Who shall be my first student? ”Then he remembered Arada and Udraka, the two teachers he had met six years before. “ I shall teach them, but I can see that they have already die and left this world.” Then he recalled those five men who had lived with him for so long in the forest and decided to teach them. He knew that he would find these man in the Deer Park near Benaras. He decided to go there and begin his work. Benaras was very far away and Buddha walked slowly through village and farm. People who saw him were attracted to him. He moved with dignity and grace. He had and aura of calmness tha delighted the people. Finally, he reached the Deer Park and saw the five men. As Buddha went to them, they immediately felt that there was something very special about him, they automatically stood up as he drew near. With great respect they prepared a seat for him and welcomed him and said, “We are honoured to have you here Siddhartha.” Buddha thanked them for the welcome. Then he told them that he had discovered the truth and now that he was with great respect, “O Buddha, please teach us what you have learned, so that we too many awaken.” After that, Buddha delivered his first teaching. It is called ‘Turning the Wheel of the Dharma’ and ‘Dharma’ is the truth he discovered. “There are four Nobles Truths, he began, The first is the Noble Truth of Suffering. Life is full of the miseries of old age, sickness, death and unhappiness. People follow pleasure but get only pain. Even pleasant things lose their charm after some time. One cannot find complete satisfaction anywhere. “The second is the Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering. A person suffers when his mind is filled with greed and desire. The third is the Nobel Truth of the End of Suffering will come to an end. We shall experience a peace and happiness that is beyond words. The fourth truth is the Noble Truth of the Path. This path leads to the end of all suffering. If we avoid harming all other living begins, if we sharpen and focus our mind, and if we gain wisdom, each of us can reach perfect happiness, the end of all misery. ” These great words impressed the five men. “Please teach us the path to perfect wisdom and happiness and we shall be your followers.” They said. Then Buddha began to teach. The world was to become a better place now.
The Luminous Life of Buddha ( မဟာလူသား မြတ်ဗုဒ္ဓ ) Edited by SHYAM DUA TINYTOT Publication