Understanding the Dhammacakka Pavattana Sutta : หน้า 15/263

be practised by anyone, giving access to the highest attain- ments — even attainments on a par with that of the Lord Buddha himself. That the Buddha was able not only to understand Dhamma teachings, but to teach them in a way that allows us to un derstand them as well as Himself, is a further illustration of the unique capability of the Lord Buddha. Moreover, in keeping with the Great Compassion of the Lord Buddha for the beings of the world, it would be for a further forty-five years of his dispensation that the Buddha would expand upon the foundations of virtue outlined in the Dhammacakka pavattana Sutta with deeper but comple mentary teachings — and in spite of the volume of teach ings in complete absence of internal contradiction. The content of the Dhammacakka pavattana Sutta taught to the "group of five" [pañcavaggiya] monks led by Koṇḍañña, is familiar to the ears of Buddhists throughout the world — because anyone wishing to understand the teachings of Buddhism, needs first of all to have an under standing of the Buddha's first teaching. When studying the Dhammacakka pavattana Sutta stu dents will find it useful not only to study the Sutta in transla tion, but also to learn how to chant the Sutta in its original Pali language. Committing the Sutta to memory by chant ing is advantageous when it comes to reflection upon and hence understanding of the Sutta. If you cannot yet memo rize the Sutta, it is advantageous even to listen to the Sutta being chanted by those who can. Even the confidence or faith that the chanting of the Sutta brings blessings to one's life can pave the way towards an understanding of the Sutta — this is perhaps why the chanting of the Dhammacakka pavattana Sutta is traditional in certain royal or civil cer-