Question

What is the first discourse that the Buddha had delivered at the Deer Park in Sarnath called?
A. Mahaparinirvana
B. Mahamastakabhisheka
C. Mahabhinishkraman
D. Dharmachakrapravartana

Answer 1

Hint: Buddha gave his first sermon to five people/disciples at the deer park and in this sermon, he spoke of the basic concepts of Buddhism. He got enlightenment from Bodh Gaya and from here he went to Sarnath to deliver his first sermon.

Complete answer: This particular incident in the life of Buddha is called Dharmachakrapravartana or it can also be said as ‘turning of the wheel of the sacred law’.
Dharmachakrapravartana Sutta is the Buddhist text in which there is the record of the first sermon delivered by Buddha at the deer park in Sarnath. Four Noble Truths is the main topic of this sutta. According to Buddhists, this was the first sermon given by Buddha after the attainment of enlightenment.

Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree which was situated by the Neranjara river in Bodh Gaya. The first written recording of the teachings of Buddha was done after 100 years of Buddha’s passing. Before that, the teachings of Buddha were passed down in an oral tradition.
Option A - Mahaparinirvana - It refers to the ultimate state of Nirvana and this was the state that Buddha entered into.
Option B - Mahamastakabhisheka - When abhiseka is done to Jain images on a large scale it is referred to as Mahamastakabhisheka.
Option C - Mahabhinishkraman - It is also referred to as the great departure when Buddha left his home at the age of 29.
Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

Note: Lumbini was the place where the Buddha was born and 5th to 4th century BC was his time period. Currently, there are three schools of Buddhism - Vajrayana, Mahayana and Theravada.