First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma Day (Chokhor Duchen)

Chokhor Duchen or the “Festival of Turning the Wheel of Dharma” commemorates Buddha Shakyamuni’s first turning of the wheel of Dharma, by teaching the four noble truths in Sarnath, India, seven weeks after his enlightenment.  It occurs on the fourth day of the sixth Tibetan lunar month.

On holy days such as Chokhor Duchen, it is traditional to take one-day, sojong, vows to accumulate merit and purify negative karma.  The sojong vows are a simplified version of monastic vows, and include commitments to abstain from music, food after midday, and sexual activity for one day.  We will take sojong vows beginning at 8:00 am.  The ritual takes approximately 45 minutes.

It is said that all virtuous and non-virtuous activity performed on holy days is multiplied millions of times.  It is also considered auspicious to bring offerings of flowers and fruits to the temple at holy days.