
THE BUDDHA PREACHED HIS FIRST SERMON TO
THE FIVE MONKS AT THE DEER PARK IN VARANASI.
At the Deer Park at Baranasi, the
Buddha met the five ascetics, Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji
all of whom He had known before. He delivered His first sermon to them.
It is called the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta which sets the wheel of the
Dhamma in motion. The ascetic Kondanna who was at His childhood Name-giving
Ceremony became the first to see light in the Dhamma and attained Sotapanna,
the first stage of Sainthood.
Later, all attained Arahantship after hearing the Anatalakkhana Sutta (the
Discourse which deals with No-Self).