The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56.11) is the Buddha’s first discourse, given to his five former companions at the Deer Park in Isipatana, near Bārāṇasī. Buddhists remember it on Esala Poya.
The Middle Way
The Buddha begins by describing two extremes that a seeker should avoid: indulgence in sense pleasures, which is low and unprofitable, and self-torment, which is painful and equally unprofitable. Avoiding both, he found a Middle Way that leads to peace, insight and Nibbāna — the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Four Noble Truths
He then explains the Four Noble Truths: suffering, its origin in craving, its cessation, and the path. For each truth he describes three stages of knowledge — knowing the truth, knowing what must be done about it, and knowing that it has been done. Only when all twelve aspects were complete did he declare his awakening.
The first disciple
As the Buddha spoke, the monk Koṇḍañña gained the “eye of Dhamma”, understanding that whatever is subject to arising is subject to cessation. He became the first person to realise the Buddha’s teaching, and the wheel of Dhamma was set in motion.
Yaṃ kiñci samudayadhammaṃ, sabbaṃ taṃ nirodhadhammaṃ.
Whatever is subject to arising is subject to cessation.