Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025, Venue, Date, Ashadha Purnima, & Wheel of Dhamma

Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025

Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025 celebration is going to take place on 10 July 2025, which coincides with Ashadha Purnima, which is widely known as “Purnima” or “Full Moon Day” of the Ashadha month as per the Hindu Lunar calendar. Dhammacakkappavattana Divas is one of the significant days across Buddhist traditions worldwide and is often observed with teachings, meditation sessions, and religious ceremonies. 

The event is going to be observed in the primary venue for national-level observance in India in Sarnath, located in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. This location is also revered as the sacred site where Buddha delivered his first sermon, making it a perfect spot for organizing various religious and cultural events. All these events are hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the International Buddhist Confederation, and the Mahabodhi Society of India. 

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What is Ashadha Purnima?

Ashadha Purnima is celebrated as the full moon day in the month of Ashadha, falling between (June-July). This day in the Buddhist context holds immense importance in the auspicious celebration of Gautama Buddha delivering his first sermon. The alignment of Ashadha Purnima with the Dhammacakkappavattana Divas makes this day a day of sacredness of this full moon day in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions.

It is also important to note that Ashadha Purnima is also observed and widely acknowledged as Guru Purnima in Hinduism. This event honours teachers and sages, especially Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata. This convergence of Guru Purnima and Dhammacakkappavattana Divas makes the day a spiritual blend of knowledge, wisdom, and guidance. To mark this day auspiciously, the religious ceremonies, meditation, acts of generosity, and teachings are conducted. 

International Buddhist Confederation

International Buddhist Confederation, often abbreviated as IBC, is a global Buddhist organization that is headquartered in New Delhi. This confederation was established with the larger aim of creating a unified Buddhist platform across various traditions and nations. Hence, IBC plays a crucial role in organizing Dhammacakkappavattana Divas celebrations on both national and international levels. International Buddhist Confederation organizes numerous seminars, outreach programs, and cultural activities, thereby contributing to India’s Buddhist diplomacy and heritage promotion. Understanding these initiatives of IBC helps the UPSC aspirants in understanding and connecting with religious observances to soft power and international relations under GS paper II. 

Mahabodhi Society of India

While referring to Dhammacakkappavattana Divas, it is also important to build equal understanding of the  Mahabodhi Society of India, which was founded in the year 1891, by Anagarika Dhamapala. This society is among the most important institutions which is dedicated to the revival of Buddhism in India. Hence, it has become an important society, playing a huge role in the restoration of the Buddhist pilgrimage sites such as Bodh Gaya and Sarnath. To add this importance to the sites every year, the Mahabodhi Society of India organized celebrations, lectures, and religious rituals on the occasion of Dhammacakkappavattana Divas. By doing so, it contributes to the preservation of India’s Buddhist heritage, aligning it closely with the cultural heritage themes of the UPSC Syllabus and being relevant to GS. 

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Wheel of Dhamma

Wheel of Dhamma, or what is most often referred to as Dharmachakra, is one of the universal symbols of Buddhism. This Wheel of Dhamma signifies the Buddha’s teachings and the continual progression of spiritual understanding. When Buddha delivered the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, he metaphorically “set the wheel of law in motion”. This Wheel of Dhamma traditionally has eight spokes, each representing one of the aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path. All these paths lead to the cessation of suffering. 

It is this very Wheel of Dhamma that appears in India’s national emblem, reflecting the country’s deep-rooted Buddhist influence. Making the symbolism of the wheel a prime example of how spiritual philosophy can be embedded in statecraft and ethics, which are often discussed in the UPSC Ethics paper.

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