Description
Phra Chedi Sadaeng Pathom Thesana (พระเจดีย์แสดงปฐมเทศนา) is one of 5 sacred pagodas on a cliffside road near Wat Tham Apai Damrongtham, which was founded by the Sakon Nakhon monk Phra Ajahn Wan Uttamo. This chedi honors the first sermon of the Lord Buddha. It was built from 2001-2003 at a cost of over 2 million baht. It is a replica of the Dhamek Stupa located Varanasi, India, which marks the precise location of the Buddha's first sermon.
Inside Phra Chedi Sadaeng Pathom Thesana is a large hall with five brass Buddha statues in the posture of the first sermon. Inside the interior wall there are also 14 standing Buddha images cast in brass. Unfortunately, this interior room is not always open. On the grounds outside the stupa are several reindeer, a four headed lion, and a Dharma wheel, all of which are carved from mountain sandstone. About 40 meters away is an orange and white shrine with statues of Buddhas, monks, and wildlife.
The first sermon of Lord Buddha is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (or Sutra), which translates to "The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma". Delivered around the 5th century BC, the sermon marked the beginning of the Buddha's teaching mission after he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree (visit the nearby pagoda Phra Chedi Si Maha Pho, which honors this event).
In his first sermon, the Buddha explained the 4 Noble Truths, which are as follows:
1. Life is characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction. He identified various forms of suffering, including birth, aging, illness, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair.
2. Suffering arises from craving or desire, particularly the craving for sensual pleasure, the craving for existence and becoming, and the craving for non-existence and annihilation.
3. Suffering can be overcome by the complete cessation of craving and the attainment of Nirvana, the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice.
4. The Eightfold Path is the means to end suffering. This path consists of right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
It takes a little under 2 hours to reach Phra Chedi Sadaeng Pathom Thesana and nearby Phu Pha Lek National Park from Sakon Nakhon city.
