初しょ転てん法ぽう輪りん

also: しょてんぼうりん · しょてんほうりん

Meanings

first turning of the wheel of Dharma; setting in motion the wheel of the law

Buddhist term referring to the Buddha's first sermon after enlightenment, in which he expounded the Four Noble Truths and set the Dharma in motion. Used in doctrinal and historical contexts.

釈しゃく尊そんは鹿ろく野や苑おんで初しょ転てん法ぽう輪りんを行おこなったと伝つたえられている。
It is said that Shakyamuni performed the first turning of the wheel of Dharma at Deer Park.
初しょ転てん法ぽう輪りんの教おしえは四し諦たい八はっ正しょう道どうにまとめられる。
The teaching of the first turning of the wheel is summarized in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Kanji

初first time, beginning
転revolve, turn around, change
法method, law, rule
輪wheel, ring, circle

Related words

転てん法ぼう輪りん
Refers to the turning of the wheel of Dharma in general, not specifically the first sermon. 初転法輪 is the initial, foundational event.
法ほう輪りん
The wheel of Dharma itself, a symbol of Buddhist teaching. 初転法輪 is the act of setting that wheel in motion for the first time.

Written forms

初転法輪
- しょてんぽうりん
  Standard kanji spelling for this Buddhist term. The reading しょてんぽうりん is the most common pronunciation.
- しょてんぼうりん
  Alternate reading with rendaku on 法. Less common but still encountered.
- しょてんほうりん
  Rare reading without rendaku. May appear in older or more formal Buddhist contexts.
しょてんほうりん
しょてんぼうりん

Etymology

From 初 (first) + 転 (turn) + 法輪 (wheel of Dharma). A direct translation of the Sanskrit term dharmacakrapravartana, referring to the Buddha's first sermon.