About the First Turning of the Wheel of the Teaching

On July 24 Buddhists all over the world celebrate the Day of the Turning of the Wheel of the Teaching. The Turning of the Wheel of the Teaching is one of the twelve deeds of Buddha Shakyamuni reflected in his biography. After the Buddha attained Enlightenment, he gave no Teaching for forty-nine days. Soon the Buddha bestowed a Teaching on his five disciples, dedicated to the “Four Noble Truths.” It is believed that Buddhism arose from the moment Buddha Shakyamuni bestowed this Teaching. In the Buddhist tradition this event is celebrated as the holiday of the “First Turning of the Wheel of the Teaching.” With the spread of Buddhism in Tibet and among the Mongolian peoples, this holiday came to be celebrated by our ancestors. In Kalmykia it is called “Burkhn Bagshin Nomin Kürd ergülsn ödr.” Alongside this, the khuruls celebrate the holiday of the “Circumambulation of Maitreya” (Määdrin ergts). According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya — the Buddha of the Future — will come into our world after the Teaching of Buddha Shakyamuni fades. Buddha Shakyamuni will in turn pass his crown to Buddha Maitreya, who dwells in the Tushita Heaven. There are notes, photographs, and descriptions by travelers about how the “Circumambulation of Maitreya” ceremony was held in the Kalmyk khuruls in the 19th century. During the years of persecution of religion, when there was not a single khurul on the territory of Kalmykia, a group of believers led by Geshe Tugmyud-Gavji (Tsahan Amna aav) would travel each year to Buryatia to take part in the “Circumambulation of Maitreya” ceremony. At present, the “Circumambulation of Maitreya” is held annually at the Central Khurul “Burkhn Bagshin Altn syume” with the statue being carried out and circumambulated around the khurul. On this day the monks read special prayers praising Buddha Maitreya and ask Him to come to our world as soon as possible. The believers turn to Buddha Shakyamuni and Maitreya, pronouncing the following words: Määdrin Gegähän Mangna deerän zalii. Mash ärün setklärn Maani-migzmän umshii. Head of the Museum of the Central Khurul “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” B.V. Menyaev