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Lesson 3.1.3 Dhammacakkappavattanasuttaṃ, Part One – Avoiding Two Extremes and Pursuing the Middle Path
After the Buddha attained full enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Uruvelā by realising paṭiccasamuppada (the ‘dependent origination’), he initially remained hesitant to teach the Dhamma. He perceived Dhamma as not so easy to comprehend by beings that were so deeply attached to sense pleasures with their faculties mired in darkness (tamokhandhena āvuṭā). Though after being convinced by Brahma Sahampati that there were indeed beings with little defilements (apparajakkhajātikā) who would be able to perceive the truth, he decided to teach the Dhamma to all for the benefit and well-being of all. After surveying the world, he decided to commence teaching the Dhamma to his five companions (pañcavaggiyā bhikkhū) he previously left at the deer park of Isipatana. He proceeded there and delivered his famous first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattanasuttaṃ.