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Early Buddhism · Theravāda
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
Dhammacakkappavattanasutta (SN 56.11)
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Historical context
SN 56.11 presents a teaching to the group of five ascetics at Varanasi and is central to Buddhist accounts of the first turning of the Dharma wheel.
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What is this text?
The discourse rejects two extremes, sets out the noble eightfold path, and presents the four noble truths as tasks to be understood and completed.
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Key ideas
- The middle way avoids two extremes
- The four noble truths include practical tasks
- Insight is described as a turning of the Dharma wheel
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Selected passage
Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One woke up by understanding the middle way.
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Original-language text
ete te ubho ante anupagamma majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā
Ancient Pāli text: public domain; root text data CC0.06
English translation
Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One woke up by understanding the middle way.
Translator: Bhikkhu Sujato
Bhikkhu Sujato translation: CC0 1.0.07
Chanting, recitation & pronunciation
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How to listen
- Identify the language, recitation tradition, performer, and recording context before comparing styles.
- Notice cadence, repetition, breath, and silence without treating one performance as universal.
- Use the linked edition to distinguish the canonical text from editorial summary and modern translation.
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Sources & further reading
SN 56.11: Rolling Forth the Dhamma Wheel
Translator: Bhikkhu Sujato
SuttaCentral
CC0 1.0 per SuttaCentral licensingRead at source ↗Community Discussion
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