Sarnath

Sarnath, also know as Mrigadava (deer park), situated 10 kms north east of Varanasi, is one of the holiest places of the Buddhists. It is here that Buddha came, after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya and gave his first sermon or preached, 'Maha-Dharma-Chakra Pravartan' (in Buddhist terminology) which literally means, set  the 'wheel of dharma' or law rolling, more than 2,500 years ago. In this sermon, he preached the doctrine of Buddhism, by revealing to the world the middle way (the way of life of a monk on the path to enlightenment) , the four noble truths and his Eight fold path - the path to end sorrow, achieve inner peace, enlightenment and ultimate Nirvana.  

There are different versions to it, but the common belief is that Buddha preached his first sermon to the five ascetics with whom he fasted and meditated for six years before his enlightenment. Even though the ascetics had lost faith in him after Buddha broke his fast or penance which were the order of the day among the ascetics then, when he came to Sarnath to find them they felt impelled to rise and pay him homage. These five ascetics became the first converts to Buddhism and formed the first 'Sangha', for popularising the teaching of the great ascetic, world-wide. Every Buddhist seeks to visit Saranath once in his lifetime. 

Although Sarnath was amongst one of the first Buddhist pilgrimage site to be explored by the British, it was Anagarika Dharmapala, a Buddhist in the early 19th century who was instrumental in the restoration of Sarnath's monuments which was in a state of decay and neglect. Through his writings, speeches and pleadings to wealthy Indians and westerners he raised money not only for the restoration of the site but also for the construction of 'Mulagandhakuti Vihara'- a Buddhist temple (1931) in the Deer Park.

There are a number of twentieth century Buddhist temples in Sarnath, built and maintained by monks from Tibet, China and Japan, but the main attraction is the Deer Park with its ruins of several monuments. On the way to the deer park is the 'Chaukhandi Stupa' the spot where the Buddha met the five ascetics, dating back to the fifth century or earlier. During Emperor Akbar's time, an octagonal tower was built on top of the stupa by his Governor Govardan to commemorate Humayun's visit to the place. Inside the deer park is the 'Dharmekha Stupa' which is believed to be the spot where Buddha gave his first sermon.

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