Buddha's first teaching after his enlightenment

The Buddha's first teaching after his enlightenment is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, or "The Discourse on the Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma". He delivered this iconic sermon in the Deer Park (Isipatana) in Sarnath, India, to his five former ascetic companions.

Core Details of the First Sutta

• The Middle Way: The Buddha introduced the Middle Path (Majjhima Patipada), which avoids the two extremes of sensual indulgence and severe self-mortification. [1, 2]

• The Four Noble Truths: He outlined the foundational tenets of his awakening: the truth of suffering (dukkha), its origin (craving/attachment), its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.  

• The Noble Eightfold Path: The practical method to end suffering, consisting of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.