Unpacking the Buddha's First Discourse

The very first breakthrough in the Buddha’s teaching didn’t happen in a palace or a monastery—it happened right there on the riverbank, when one of five weary ascetics finally saw the truth for himself. The Buddha, overjoyed, cried out: “Koṇḍañña has indeed understood!” From that moment, Koṇḍañña was remembered as “Añña Koṇḍañña—Koṇḍañña Who Has Understood.” This was more than just a name. It was the birth of the Saṅgha, the moment the Dharma leapt from the Buddha’s own realization into another human heart.