The sermon concluded that:
1. All things are a source of suffering from the constant
cycle of birth, disease, old age and death.
2. Desire or the inability to obtain what one desires is the cause of suffering resulting from cause and effect.
3. Freedom from suffering can be obtained after the complete cessation of desire.
4. The last of the Four Noble Truths is the Middle Way, or the path between extremes of asceticism and indulgence leading to the eliminating of desire. The Eight-Fold Path consists of possessing the correct: Views, Resolve, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, and Meditation (or Concentration).
Secondly, the day is considered to be the birth of Buddhism, as the Buddha departed the location where he obtained his enlightenment two months earlier and then, coming to a forest area in the city of Pharansi, he showed favour to five ascetics who became his followers