Sarnath has the same importance for Buddhists, as Mecca has for the Muslims or
the Golden Temple in Amritsar has for the Sikhs. Sarnath is, perhaps, the most
significant of all Buddhist holy places, as it is the place where the Buddha
delivered his first sermon, thereby bestowing upon Sarnath the title of birthplace
of Buddhism. In Pali, Sarnath was known as Isipatana, while in Sanskrit it was
known as Rishipattana Mrigadava. `
After his enlightenment in
Bodh Gaya at 528 BCE, the
Buddha travelled to Sarnath to
meet his 5 companions
(Koudanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya,
Mahanama and Asvajita) as he
wanted to share his new
knowledge with them first. The
place where the Buddha first
met his 5 companions in
Sarnath is now the site of
the Chaukhandi Stupa.
Buddhist Religious
Circuit
Important Buddhist
Destinations
Lumbini
Bodh Gaya
Sarnath
Kushinagar
Sravasti
Rajgir
Sankassa
Vaishali
% of
Estimate % of
world
d Budhist
Budhist
Populati Populati
Populati
on on
on
9,250,00
0.8% 1.8%
0
Budhist Architecture from Various Cultures
Sarnath has been developed
as a place of pilgrimage,
both for Buddhists from
India and abroad. A number
of countries in which
Buddhism is a major (or the
dominant) religion, among
them Thailand, Japan, Tibet,
Sri Lanka and Myanmar, have
established temples and
monasteries in Sarnath in
the style that is typical for
the respective country. Thus,
pilgrims and visitors have the
opportunity to experience
an overview of Buddhist
architecture from various
cultures.
Jain Temple Thai Temple
Main Ideas
Siddhartha Gautama searched for wisdom in many ways.
The teachings of Buddhism deal with finding peace.
Buddhism spread far from where it began in India.
Siddhartha
Siddhartha Guatama, or Buddha which
means enlightened one
lived in the 5th century BC born into the
Brahmin caste-led a luxurious lifestyle.
Born in NE India (Nepal).
Raised in great luxury to be a king.
Became troubled by the human misery
that he saw around him everyday.
At 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek
enlightenment and the source of
suffering.
Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs.
Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation,
and found nirvana.
Became The Enlightened One, at 35
under the Tree of Wisdom while
meditating.
Spent the rest of his life traveling and
teaching his ideas
Teachings of Buddhism
Right Right
concentration intention
Right
Right speech
mindfulness
Right
livelihood
Buddhism splits
Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada and Mahayana.
Members of the Theravada followed the Buddhas teachings
exactly.
Members of the Mahayana believed that individual
interpretation was important.
Early Spread of Buddhism
Buddhist Rituals and Practices
Buddhism incorporates a variety of rituals and practices, which are
intended to aid in the journey to enlightenment and bring blessings
on oneself and others.
The practice of meditation is central to nearly all forms of Buddhism,
and it derives directly from the Buddhas experiences and teachings.
Meditation is is the central focus of Zen Buddhism and the only way
to liberation in Theravada Buddhism.
Mulagandha-Kuti
Ashoka Pillar
Sarnath Museum
http://apnabanaras.blogspot.in/2013/08/dharma-chakra-jina-vihar.html/
BODHI TREE
The sapling of the Bodhi tree was
brought from the famous tree in
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which in
turn originated from the original
tree at Bodhgaya, under which the
Lord Buddha attained
enlightenment about 2,500 years
ago.