The First Discourse of the Buddha

by Rewata Dhamma, Ajahn Sumedho (Foreword)

After enlightenment, the Buddha delivered his first discourse to five disciples in Deer Park, India. Known as the Four Noble Truths, this lesson forms the foundation and essence of all the Buddha's teachings. It contains all the necessary information and instruction for us to become free from suffering and gain insight into the truth of enlightenment. The First Discourse of the Buddha includes a history of the Buddha's life, background on Buddhism, and a contemporary translation of and commentary on the Four Noble Truths.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 1996

About the author

Born in Burma in 1929, Venerable Rewata Dhamma was one of the foremost scholars of Abhidhamma in modern times. He obtained his Ph.D. from Varanasi University, India, in 1967. That year he also edited and published the two-volume Abhidhammattha Sangaha, including a commentary he wrote in Hindi. For this work, he received the Kalidasa Prize from the Hindi Academy for one of the outstanding books of the year, and it still remains a university textbook in India. In 2000 the Government of Myanmar awarded him the prestigious title of Aggamahāpaṇḍita (foremost great scholar). Venerable Rewata Dhamma wrote several other important books including The First Discourse of the Buddha (1997), The Buddha and His Disciples (2001), Emptying the Rose-Apple Seat (2003), and The Buddha's Prescription (2005). He also coauthored A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma with Bhikkhu Bodhi (1993). Venerable Rewata Dhamma passed away in May 2004.

Reviews

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a practitioner in my mid to late teenage years, I wished to revisit a matter further. I am an advocate to ad fonts (returning to the roots), however, this term tends not to be applied to traditions others than Western ones. In this instance, I intentionally mean the return to the origins of all faiths. And in this account, I intend to do just that with Buddhism.

Revisiting reflections on the meditations and psychological mechanisms within Buddhism has been helpful to hear from a scholar and practitioner. Rewata clearly and helpfully exposits the position of the Buddha and the internal dialogue one is considered to need to undergo to achieve enlightenment. Other that Buddhism does not give us salvation and its historical theories for creation are not grounded in science but unfettered mystic forecasting, Rewata offers deep psychological insights into the meditative process. For example, vipassana meditation (deep awareness of mind and body connection) is needed before achieving further along the four Noble Truths on the way to samadhi (Enlightenment; knowledge and liberation from suffering).

The discourse returns to the core of the Theravada Buddhism teachings which come from the Buddha himself who confers his wisdom and understanding to five bhikku (male monastic monks) who then achieve arahant (highest status of a disciple of the Buddha and one who has attained englightment) status.

Rewata happens to live in my home city, Birmingham UK. I have thought more than once about speaking with him about his practise and beliefs. And most of all, have a dialogue on matters of eternal importance.

[Sam Hummel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed by the Dharma Sutra. Clearly, I'm an impoverished reader because billions of people have found the wisdom of this Sutra to be invaluable. Basically, what I took away is that the path to enlightenment is to police yourself in 8+ different ways at all times. Sorry, I love myself way too much to regard myself with so much distrust and vigilance. I'm a good (human) being who just wants to enjoy existence, like a rabbit or a cricket or a bird. I've never seen a rabbit, cricket, or bird that looked like it's attention was focused on struggling against itself.

[Rob Fisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

there's so much that has been added on to this first discourse to promote various types of buddhism (e.g., zen buddhism, tibetan buddhism). it's good to go right back to the source. buddha's own teachings are the most enlightening for me and this author does a good job of not getting too much in the way.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic explanation on the foundation of Buddhism.