Question

Buddha delivered his first sermon at_____________.
A. Sanchi
B. Sarnath
C. Kapilvastu
D. Vaishali

Answer 1

Hint: 1. Buddha's first sermon in a deer forest is a popular subject in medieval Buddhist art.
2. This event is known as 'Dhamma Chakka Pavattana' meaning 'turning the wheel of dharma'.
3. In the first sermon he taught the Four Noble Truth.

Complete Answer:
- Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath in a Deer forest, where he also attained enlightenment. Buddha is seated in a full yogic position with his monastic robe drawn over both shoulders and his raised hand gesturing the turning of the wheel of dharma (dharmachakra mudra).
- Sarnath has been variously known as Mrigadana means "deer-park" and 'Isipatana' is the name used in Palis canon and means the place where men landed.
- Sarnath is a holy place and it is located 10 kms away from northeast of Varanasi. The great emperor the Ashoka, visited the holy land around 324BC and constructed a Stupa. He is considered among the first followers who spread the Lord's messages across Asia during his regime.
- Buddhism flourished in Sarnath in part 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).

A. Sanchi is not the correct option as it is a Buddhist complex located at Sanchi Town in MP.
B. Sarnath is the correct option as Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath.
C. Kapilvastu is not the correct option as Siddhartha Gautama spent 29 years of his life here.
D. Vaishali is not the correct option as it is a great Buddhist Pilgrimage and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.

Hence the correct answer is Option B.

Note: 1. Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya and Lumbini and the other three places considered holy and listed as Buddhist pilgrim centres.
2. Sarnath is one of the four major holy Buddhist sites as was sanctioned by Lord Buddha himself.
3. Sarnath has also received international importance from several Asian communities and countries.