21
The Asala Festival
July 2, 1966
At the time of the full moon in July, the great Lord Divino (the present Buddha, formerly known as Lord Maitreya) honors the Anniversary of the first sermon given by his great Teacher, Lord Gautama (now Lord of the World) when Lord Gautama became the Buddha many centuries ago. Each year Lord Divino gives forth the same sermon to the Brotherhood and their chelas who gather in the garden of his home in the Himalayan Mountains, adding to it a short address of his own.
The Radiation goes forth for twenty-four hours before and twenty-four hours after this ceremony takes place, and the wise chelas will turn their attention to Lord Gautama and Lord Divino at some time during July 2, 1966 and draw back into their own worlds and environment the illumination and blessings released.
This wonderful sermon is very simple so that the original disciples who heard it could remember it. It stresses following the Middle Way, that of living a good life in the outer world, rather than either the extreme of becoming an ascetic or following the worldly life of the average individual. Again and again the Noble Truths which Lord Gautama presented are given forth for contemplations
Right Belief Right Exertion
Right Thought Right Remembrance
Right Speech Right means of livelihood
Right Action Right Concentration