Facade of a Cave Depicting Gautam Buddha Delivering His First Sermon at Sarnath

Facade of a Cave Depicting Gautam Buddha Delivering His First Sermon at Sarnath

Ajanta Caves, Gupta Period,5th Century CE

        The Ajanta sculptor created various images of Lord Buddha.  Here we see him delivering his first sermon at Sarnath. This sermon is called "setting the Dharma Chakra  (the wheel of Law) in motion." 

          Dharma, in ancient India, did not mean religion. It meant "righteous conduct." Buddha with his eight - fold path of righteous conduct is said to have set the Dharma into motion. Dharma also means "duty" as in your duty towards your family, community, and nation. It also meant "Law" as in Dharmashastras  ( Law Books). It was felt that if everyone performed their assigned duties, society would function without friction and factions. Unfortunately, today we are obsessed with "right". But we are least bothered about "duties" which we to our families, neighbourhood,  community, and nation. Mahabharata says, " where there is Dharma (duty or Law), there is peace and prosperity." Dharmashastras claim "those who protect the Law, the Law protects them." 

         Perhaps the time has come to restart the wheel of Dharma and to follow the Middle Path annunciated by Lord Buddha. For, in ancient wisdom lies our modern reality and practicality.