Unpacking the Buddha's First Discourse

Welcome back to Unpacking the Buddha’s First Discourse! In Episode 11, we dive deep into a pivotal moment—when even the Buddha himself held back from declaring enlightenment. Why? Because his knowledge and vision of the Four Noble Truths hadn’t yet been thoroughly purified. What does that mean? Why does it matter? And how does this subtle condition ripple across the whole framework of awakening? This episode unpacks one of the most layered sentences in the entire sutta—exploring purification, humility, and the sweeping scope of the Buddha’s realization. Let’s get into it.