This calendar year has thirteen full moon Poya days and the last full moon Poya day is regarded as Adhi Esala full moon Poya day. Today is Esala Full Moon Poya day. It is three months after the Vesak full moon Poya day. Normally Esala full moon Poya day falls on a day exactly two months after the Vesak full moon Poya day on which day ascetic Siddhartha Gautama attained Buddha hood.  
Seven weeks after the attainment of Buddha hood the Enlightened One was on the lookout for someone who could understand the Truths, the Noble Truth which He realized on His own.  

Pasvaga mahanu, five brahmin ascetics to whom Buddha delivered his first discourse 
His earlier teachers, Alarakalama and Uddaka Ramaputra came to His mind but they were already dead and gone. Then it occurred to him that His previous associates, “Paswaga Mahanu, Kondanna, Bhaddya, Vappa, Mahanama and Assaji, could realize His sublime Dhamma. Kondagngna was the youngest of the Brahmins who were invited to the naming ceremony of Prince Siddhartha and who alone foretold that the Prince would definitely become Buddha. The other four disciples were the sons of the other Brahmins. These five Brahmin disciples had retired to the forest in anticipation of the renunciation of Prince Siddhartha and at Uruwela they had attended to him when he was striving to attain Buddha hood. However, they left him and went to Isipatana when he gave up fasting and penance. When Buddha went to them they were slow to receive Him as they were ignorant of the Enlightenment. After realizing the truth they entertained Him. To them the Buddha delivered the first discourse, Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta (the wheel of righteousness) at Deer Park, Isipatana in Varanasi- Benares.  

Two extremes (anta)

Buddha addressed the five monks and said that two extremes should be avoided i.e. constant attachment to sensual pleasures (Kamasukhallikanuyogaya) and self-mortification (Attakilamathanuyogaya)  

Noble eightfold path

To avoid these two extremes one should follow the middle path, which promotes sight, knowledge, peace, higher wisdom, enlightenment and Nibbana. “It is the Noble Eightfold Path, namely, Right Understanding (Samma Ditti), Right Thoughts (Samma sankappa), Right Speech (Samma Vacha), Right Action (Samma Kammanta), Right Livelihood (Samma Ajeewa), Right Effort (Samma Vayama), Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati) and Right Concentration ( Samma Samadhi)” Gautama Buddha explained to the monks.  

Four noble truths

In Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha has explained the Four Noble Truths viz. Noble Truth that existence involves suffering (Dukkha Ariya Sacca), the Noble Truth of the cause of suffering (Dukkha Samudaya Ariya Sacca), the extermination of suffering (Dukkha Nirodha Ariya Sacca –Nibbana) and the way to the extinction of suffering (Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Ariya Sacca)  
These truths were taught by the Enlightened One at the first sermon at Isipatana Migadaya (Deer Park in Isipatana) after attaining Enlightenment. These are based upon the solid foundation of truths and can be understood by anyone in the universe. They are not beliefs or conceptions which are to be accepted on mere faith and without reason. These truths emerge from the experiences in human life.  
Special qualities of noble truths – tatha, avitatha and anangnatha 
These truths are identified as Noble truths because of their special qualities and characteristics i.e. Tatha-‘true nature”, Avitatha “the understanding of nature” and Anangnatha “non-appearance in another form.  

This can be explained with an example. It is an accepted fact that the dress worn by an upasaka- a lay devotee on the Poya day is white. However, this colour is likely to be changed with a stain of mud, dirt, blood or paint. The four Noble Truths remain unchanged under any circumstances. Only the Noble Truths possess the above qualities. Buddha was only interested in showing us a clear and direct path to true happiness which is Nirvana. The Four Noble Truths form the heart of the Buddha’s teachings. They are called the Noble Truths because they are taught by the Noble ones i.e. those who have a direct perception, of reality.  
Buddhas, Pacceka Buddhas and Arahants are exalted ones who have realized the four Noble truths  
Satya gnana, kruthyagnana and krutha gnana
Buddha has perceived each of these Noble Truths with Satya Gnana, Kruthya Gnana and Krutha Gnana. Satya Gnana is the wisdom to identify the truth. Kruthya Gnana is the wisdom to realize what needs to be done relating to the truth. Thirdly, Krutha Gnana, is the wisdom to realize what is needed to be done has been done. Thus the Buddha has explained the four Noble truths under three criteria.  

Dukkha satya 

Dukkha Satya –the Noble truth of suffering is self-evident. We undergo various sufferings which should be identified as Jathi (Birth), Jara (Aging), Wyadhi (Sickness), Marana (Death), Piyehi vippayogo Dukkho (Departure from someone/what we like), Appiyehi Sampayogo Dukkho (Being with whom/what we dislike) and Yan kiccan na labhati dukkho (failure to achieve what we want) bring us Dukkha or suffering. We undergo all these sufferings because we are born. Sufferings are born by Panchaskandha – the five constituents of the human being, Rupa-( body), Vedana –(feelings), Sagngna- (bear recognition), Sanskara –( mental state) and Vingnana- (contentiousness)  
Dukkha samudaya ariya sacca –noble truth of the cause of suffering 
Dukkha Samudaya Ariya Sacca –the cause of suffering is the second Noble Truth,  
Craving –Loba or Tanha leads to rebirth. Craving (Tanha)is explained as Kama Tanha(sexual desire), Bhava Tanha (desire for existence) and Vibhava Tanha (desire for total extinction at death.) Craving or greed, Aversion or hatred (Dwesha) and Ignorance (Moha) or lack of wisdom are the root causes of suffering. (Dukkha)  
Dukkha nirodha ariya sacca – nirvana ( noble truth of the extermination of suffering)
The third Noble Truth is the cessation of the causes of suffering –Dukkha Nirodha Ariya Sacca which is the Enlightenment or Nirvana, the extinction of craving, Aversion and Ignorance which is a peaceful state where there are no unnecessary experiences as shown by Buddha.  
Dukkha nirodha gamini patipada ariya sacca - the way to the extinction of suffering

The fourth `Noble truth is the Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Ariya Sacca – the way to the extinction of suffering or Dukkha which is the state of happiness. It is the Noble eightfold path. The Noble eightfold factors of path can be divided into three aspects i.e. moral conduct, mental development and wisdom. Samma vacha (Right  speech), Samma Kammanta (Right   Action), and Samma Ajeewa (Right livelihood) can be categorized under moral conduct. Samma Vayama (Right  effort). Samma sati (Right   mindfulness) and Samma Samadhi (Right   meditation) come under mental development and Samma Ditti (Right understanding ) and Samma Sankappa (Right   thought) can be categorized under the aspect of wisdom. To be Right, lying, tale-bearing, harsh speech,  and idle talk should be avoided. We should praise others when necessary. The practice of perfect action involves respect for the life, property and personal relationships of others.