In short: Āsāḷha Pūjā, also called Dhamma Day, is the full moon of July. It remembers the Buddha's first teaching, "Rolling Forth the Wheel of Dhamma" (SN 56.11), where he taught the Middle Way and the Four Noble Truths. The next day, the three-month Rains Retreat begins. In 2027: Sunday 18 July.
☸ The first teaching
"Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One understood the middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace."
SN 56.11 · The Middle Way · Four Noble Truths
✦ How to mark it
- 📖 Read the first sermon
- ☾ Choose one habit to keep for the Rains Retreat (how it ends)
- 🪷 Sit in the evening
Questions people ask
What is Asalha Puja?
The July full moon on which Buddhists remember the Buddha's first teaching to five companions at Isipatana (Sarnath), 'Rolling Forth the Wheel of Dhamma' (SN 56.11). In 2027 it falls on Sunday 18 July.