Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon

The stream of Buddha's teachings first flowed at this sacred spot in the deer park. For 1500 years thereafter, monastic traditions are known to have flourished at this sacred site.

In the 3rd. Century Emperor Ashoka is known to have erected the 15.24m high column, with four lions: symbolizing Ashoka's imperial reign and Buddha's religious rule.




Sarnath is home to the 6th Century "Dharmekha" stupa. Dhamekh stupa is a cylindrical tower, 143 feet x 93 feet. The stones in each layer were held together by iron clamps, the tower itself, dating back to the Gupta period. Sarnath was razed to the ground in 1194 by Qutbuddin Aibak. Dhamekha stupa houses a stone tablet, to mark the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon. The stupa stands tall at 31.3 m high and 28.3m. in diameter, with finely chiseled lotus wreaths, running over carved swastikas.

If you remember the movie Banaras, you would remember the visual importance given to this stupa. The most dramatic use of the stupa was done, when Babaji is shown playing flute, on the death of Soham, symbolising the liberation of the soul and complete Nirvana state attained by him.

We shall continue the ...first sermon....


courtesy... The history of Buddha....