Excavation Site, Sarnath

After his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha came to Sarnath, looking for his five former companions. He found them in Sarnath, near the Chaukhandi Stupa.

History says that Buddha gave His first sermon to the five disciples at the spot known as Dhamekh in Sarnath.   This famous event in the life of Lord Buddha is called the ‘Dharma Chakra Pravartana’ or setting the ‘Wheel of Law’ in motion. Thus for Buddhists, this place marks as one of the four most sacred places associated with Lord Buddha with the other three being Lumbini, the site of birth; Bodhgaya, the site of enlightenment; and Kushinagar, the site of nirvana of Lord Buddha.

The Buddha started the discourse by advising the five ascetics to give up two extremes. These were indulgence in sensual pleasures and the tormenting of the body. He advised against too much sensual pleasure because these pleasures were base, worldly, not noble and unhelpful in spiritual development. On the other hand, tormenting the body was painful, not noble and also unhelpful in spiritual development. He advised them to follow the Middle Path, which is helpful in seeing things clearly, as they are, and in attaining the knowledge, higher wisdom, peace, and enlightenment or nirvana.

This place also marks the foundation of the first ‘Sangh’ that included Lord Buddha and around 60 monks among others. The place became significant archeologically when in 1798 Mr. J. Duncan reported about a stone box that contained a casket of green marble, which was exposed while the Dharmarajika Stupa was being dismantled by the workers of the Dewan of King of Benaras, Chet Singh. Over the time, several other excavation works were carried out in and around this structure. One such initial excavation work unearthed a stone tablet which revealed that this Stupa was known as Dhamekh which historians generally believed to be a distorted form of Dharma Chakra meaning turning the Wheel of Dharma.

Buddhist pilgrims from around the world including many national and international dignitaries visit the Stupa to circumambulate it and offer prayer to Lord Buddha.

The Buddha spent the next rainy season in Sarnath at the Mulagandha-kuti vihara. The Sangha having grown to 60 in number, the Buddha sent them out to teach the Dharma to others

Sarnath was previously known as Mrigdava, “deer park” and Isipatana, meaning the place where holy men fell to earth. The latter name is based on the legend that when Buddha was born, devas came down to announce it to 500 holy men. The holy men all rose into the air and disappeared and their relics fell to the ground.

The Emperor Ashoka who took several measures to spread the Buddha’s message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, had embarked on a tour to Sarnath around 234 B.C. It was around that time that he built the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath and several other monuments to commemorate his pilgrimage to Sarnath.

Dhamekh Stupa holds an important place as it signifies the “seat of the holy Buddha.” Buddhist pilgrims of different countries visit this place for circumambulation or Parikrama of this sacred Stupa and to offer worship to Lord Buddha.

Buddhism flourished in Sarnath because of the support of kings and wealthy merchants based in nearby Varanasi. By the 3rd century Sarnath had become an important center for the arts, which reached its zenith during the Gupta period (4th-6th century AD). When Hsuan Tsang visited from China in the 7th century, he found 30 monasteries and 3000 monks living at Sarnath.

Sarnath became a major center of the Sammatiya school of Buddhism, one of the Nikaya of Hinayana schools. The presence of images of Heruka and Tara indicate that Vajrayana Buddhism was also practiced here.

At the end of the 12th century, Sarnath was sacked by Turkish Muslims. The site was subsequently plundered for building materials and has remained in ruins until the present day. The site was entirely deserted until 1836, when the British began excavations and restoration.

Sarnath has been developed as a place of pilgrimage, for Buddhists. A number of countries such as China, Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar, have established temples and monasteries in Sarnath in the style that is typical for the respective countries. There also exists a Vishwa Shanti Stupa near the Tibetan temple close by the Sarnath complex. Thus, pilgrims and visitors have the opportunity to experience an overview of Buddhist architecture from various cultures. 

Buddha Purnima is celebrated to mark the birth, enlightenment and salvation of Gautam Buddha. Celebrations are held every year at most Buddhist sites and pilgrims from around the world throng to Sarnath. Since it falls on a full moon night, the festival is called Buddha Purnima in India. Day-long prayers along with free medical camps for the poor are held during this day. In the evening, lamps are lit at the Bodhi Tree, and other significant places. Devotees place the statue of Buddha in a basin filled with water and flowers symbolizing the divinity of his teachings. With vegetarian delicacies, hymns and offerings such as candles, flowers and incense; the auspicious day of Buddha Purnima is celebrated with much fervour.