THE FIRST SERMON

The Buddha has accepted the invitation to teach the Dhamma. He now considers who he should teach it to first. He thought of several wise men he knew, but then deities appeared to him to tell him that they had died. 

Finally, he remembered the Band of Five Elders who had attended to him early on, during his struggle for Enlightenment. In his mind, he saw that they were living in the deer park near Benares. He set off to find them. 

As he approached, the five did not pay him due respect, as they still believed that he had strayed from the path of Enlightenment when he abandoned his harsh practices of self-mortification. They thought he had given up and returned to a life of luxury. 

Yet, when they saw him up close, his glowing personality caused them to treat him kindly but still as an equal, not as an exalted one. 

The Buddha told them that he would teach them the Dhamma, and that if they followed his teachings, they would attain the supreme holy life they were looking for. 

The five were doubtful. If extreme asceticism had not given Siddhattha Gotama wisdom, how could his more relaxed lifestyle bring wisdom or holiness? 

The Buddha reassured them a second time, and a third time. 

Finally, they believed him, and sat in silence to listen to his teachings. As he taught them, the five began to see the true nature of life, and to find supreme peace. After hearing the four noble truths, Kondanna, the eldest, was the first to attain sainthood.