Drukpa Tshe-zi is one of most auspicious and significant occasion for Buddhists all over the world. This auspicious day falls on the 4th day (Tshe-zi) of the 6th month (Drukpa) of the Tibetan lunar calendar. It marks the day on which Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths to his first five disciples in the Deer Park at Sarnath, more than 2500 years ago, after attaining enlightenment.

When the Buddha set out to give teachings for the first time, a thousand thrones appeared before him. He made circumambulation of the first three thrones, which belonged to the three past Buddhas. He sat upon the fourth, in a cross-legged posture. Hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered from all the three realms. Among them were his five disciples, the gods Indra and Brahma, the Bodhisattvas of all ten directions and the protectors of all directions. Brahma formally requested Buddha to begin his teachings by offering him a golden wheel with a thousand spokes, which represented the opening of the hundred doors of the dharma by the thousand Buddhas. Indra offered a white conch shell with its opening turned to the right to symbolize the flourishing of Dharma and sounding its fame out in all ten directions, thus awakening the world from the slumbering darkness of ignorance. Both of these eminent gods again and again requested Buddha to turn the wheel of Dharma, and they prayed “May all sentient beings be freed from the root of suffering by turning the wheel of doctrine. By merely hearing the sound of Dharma, the suffering of life can be ended. Therefore, may you live a long life, giving teachings many times over for the sake of all sentient beings.”

At that moment, a pair of golden deer appeared from the forest and gazed reverently at the golden wheel. The deer represent the union of the dual eyes of compassion and wisdom. Since then it has become customary to place a wheel held by deer on each side of the entrance to a temple, symbolizing the teachings of the Buddha and the wisdom the teachings bestow.

All morning Lord Buddha remained silent. He said nothing, which was good because it gave space for everybody to clear their minds and marshal their thoughts to focus on the scared gathering they were participating in. At noon, Buddha spoke on various subjects to refresh their minds. In the late afternoon a calm, cool breeze offered welcome relief to the attendees of the gathering. This was the Fourth day of the sixth month of the lunar Calendar, the day when Buddha gave his first sermon, at the time of year when temperatures are at their highest, and the heat-laden air is heavy and humid. Finally, Lord Buddha straightened his body and formed both hands into a teaching gesture. He formally invited everyone to listen attentively to his teachings. "All beings throughout the three thousand worldly realms who are interested in listening to my teachings, please come and enjoy my words. Here I shall teach in all languages, including those of gods, nagas, yakshas, flesh eating spirits and of humans." The Buddha gave his first teachings to the group of five ascetics: Anjanata Kaudinya, Ashvajit, Vaspa, Mahanama and Bradrika.

The Buddha Taught the Four Noble Truths which comprise the essence of Buddha's teachings. The truths are:

The first Noble Truth is the Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Dukkha).

The second Noble Truth is the Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudaya).

The third Noble Truth is the Truth of the End of Suffering (Nirhodha) or the Realisation of “Nirvana” and

The fourth Noble Truth is the Truth of the Path that leads to the end of Suffering (Magga/Marga), which eventually leads to Nirvana.

Thus, the four Noble Truths provides a complete explanation of human suffering, as well as a process of a path that leads to happiness, inner peace and compassion.

In Sikkim, the festival is observed with much traditional and religious fervour to offer prayers to Lord Buddha for turning the wheel of Dharma. The monasteries across the State hold prayers and religious ceremonies while the devotees and pilgrims visit monasteries and sacred holy places to offer prayers, light butter lamps for the well being of all sentient beings.

The Government of Sikkim has notified this day as a government holiday to honour the importance and significance of this day.
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