Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Embassy of India in Kathmandu organized a special event on Tuesday to mark the auspicious occasion of Ashadha Purnima. Representatives from various Buddhist sects and monasteries in Nepal participated in the celebration, the embassy said in a statement.
“Ashadha Purnima marks the moment when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his initial five ascetic disciples at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. This sermon, which took place after Lord Buddha’s enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, introduced us to the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path,” the embassy said in the statement. “This day is also recognized as the ‘First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma’.”
The celebrations featured ceremonial prayers conducted by the Theravada Sangha, Mahayana Sangha and Vajrayana Sangha. These were followed by the recitation and
dedication of prayers from the Buddhist Sutras.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Prasanna Shrivastava, highlighted the profound significance of Lord Buddha’s teachings, emphasizing that the sacred Buddhist sites in both India and Nepal exemplify the shared cultural heritage between the two nations. He also said that Buddhism has long served as a unifying force between India and Nepal.
