Sarnath is located at 10 Kms from Varanasi where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to the five holy men; preaching the middleway to final 'NIRVANA’.It is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon.

All the 1,000 buddhas , after demonstrating the attainment of enlightenment at Vajrasana, proceed to Sarnath to give the first turning of the wheel of Dharma. Shakyamuni also walked from Bodhgaya to Sarnath to meet the five ascetics who had left him earlier. It is said that coming to the Ganges, he crossed it in one step, and it is where King Ashoka later made Pataliputra his capital city.

During the first watch of the night the Buddha was silent, during the second he made a little conversation and at the third began the teaching. At the spot where all the buddhas first turn the wheel, 1,000 thrones appeared. Shakyamuni circumambulated those of the three previous buddhas and sat upon the fourth. Light radiated from his body, illuminating the 3,000 worlds, and the earth trembled. Brahma offered him a 1,000-spoked golden wheel, and Indra and other gods also made offerings, all imploring the Buddha to teach.

Thus, inviting the gods and all who wished to hear, Shakyamuni began the first turning of the wheel of Dharma. He taught the middle way, that avoids the extremes of pleasure and austerity, the four noble truths, and the eightfold path.

The teachings included in the collection known as the first turning of the wheel, which began here, extended over a period of seven years. Other teachings, such as those on the Vinaya and on the practice of close placement of mindfulness, were given elsewhere, but the wheel was turned twelve times at Sarnath.

Formerly, two great stupas adorned the site. Only the Dhamekha remains, assigned by its inscription to the sixth century. Hsuan Chwang describes that Ashoka's pillar, which stood in front of the stupa, was so highly polished that it constantly reflected the stupa's statue of the Buddha.

Deer Park was also the location of Shakyamuni's deeds as a bodhisattva in former lives. Hsuin Tsang mentions a number of stupas commemorating these near the monastery: one where the bodhisattva offered himself as the deer; another where, as a six-tusked elephant, he offered his tusks to a deceitful hunter; and a third where the bodhisattva had been a bird, with Maudgalyayana and Sariputra as a monkey and an elephant.

The last and largest monastery constructed before the Muslim invasion was Dharma-Chakar-Jina Vihar, erected by Kumardevi, wife of King Govinda Chandra, who ruled over Benares during 1114 to 1154. In 1194 AD, Kutubuddin Aibak, the Muslim conqueror, levelled the city to the ground. Sarnath became a forest of debris below which the historical ruins remained buried. Of the two great stupas which adorned the city only the Dhamekha remained which is of the 6th century.

PLACES TO VISIT

DHAMEKHA STUPA
This is the most conspicuous structure at Sarnath. From the top of the stupa a stone tablet with an inscription “Dharmekha” was found which points out that this is the spot where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Dhamekha seems to be a distorted form of Dharma Chakra which means turning the wheel of the Dharma. It is also believed that at this place the five ascetics who left Gautama Buddha in Bodh Gaya used to live in huts. The original stupa was constructed by Ashoka. It was expanded and enlarged several times upto the 12th century CE. The structures here were destroyed by repeated invasions - and by gradual neglect - and what are seen today are the results of repeated reconstruction efforts. The present size of the stupa is 31.3 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower portion of the stupa is covered completely with beautifully carved stones. The stones in each layer are bound together by iron clamps. This tower dates back to the Gupta period.

Dhamekha is believed to be the sacred place where the voice of Buddhism was first heard. Many dignitaries of Buddhist countries visit this place for seeing this sacred stupa and to worship the Buddha. Tibetans Buddhist circumambulate it chanting 'Om mani padme hum'. The first discourse of the Buddha was on the 'Wheel of Law'. The wheel symbolises samsara (world), the eternal round of existence which goes on and on, life after life because of ceaseless cravings and desire.

ASHOK PILLAR
This pillar records the visit of Emperor Ashoka to Sarnath, in the 3rd century BC. The lion symbolises both Ashoks's imperial rule and the kingship of the Buddha. The four-lion capital was adopted as the emblem of the modern Indian republic.

CHOUKHANDI STUPA

The brick remains of the Stupa, dates from the Gupta period, and is said to be the site, where the Buddha was reunited with his five disciples, who had previously deserted him. Standing on a terraced rectangular plinth, the Stupa is capped by an octagonal Moghul tower, built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his father's visit to the place.

MULAGANDHA KUTI VIHAR
This is a modern temple built by the Mahabodhi society in 1931. The entrance of the vihara, is dominated by a huge bell, a gift from Japan, and the interior contains a beautiful life-size golden image of the Buddha, and colourful murals and frescoes painted by a Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu. One can also see the bodhi tree whose sapling was brought from a tree in Sri Lanka, which in turn originated from the original tree under which Buddha sat in Bodh Gaya and gained enlightenment 2,500 years ago.

The archeological museum at Sarnath houses several Buddhist sculptures and relics. The Mahabodhi library here houses a rich collection of Buddhist manuscripts and writings.

HOW TO GET THERE
Sarnath is 9.6 km by road from Varanasi, and is linked by a regular bus service. Nearest airport, Varanasi (32 km), is connected with daily flights from Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta and Kathmandu.

WHERE TO STAY
Birla Rest House, Hotel Varanasi Ashok, Clarks Hotel, Hotel De Paris, Tourist and Dak Bungalow in Varanasi.

THE SARNATH PROGRAM
Sarnath, near Varanasi, India, 2001 For February 2001, we will encourage those who wish to experience more silence and fully engage in the daily timetable to stay in the meditation centre, itself, during the time of their stay. Others have the opportunity to stay in nearby monasteries and guesthouses in Sarnath. There are several local restaurants for vegetarian meals. Sarnath acts as a wonderful resource for people daily to explore with others their experiences and understanding.

Our timetable includes yoga, meditation, inquiry, public talks, questions and answers. Teachers and assistants facilitate daily small groups meetings. These group discussions include such themes as dealing with fear and anger, relationships, the nature of awareness, studies of Buddhist texts, depths of meditation and liberation.

The intention with our 30 days in Sarnath is to provide a resource for daily Dharma teachings and practices under the guidance of experienced teachers and assistants. We wish to encourage Dharma students to participate in the programme for as many days as possible.

Every morning for 45 minutes starting at 9.45 a.m., we will give practical information to new arrivals about the programme as well as initial meditation instructions and the five precepts observed by the sangha.

Every Wednesday
It is our intention to keep every Wednesday afternoon from 12 noon free. There will be a group meditation and talk for those who wish to come to the nearby park where the Buddha gave his first Dharma talk. Others may wish to organise their own events on that day in Sarnath. There are people in the Sangha with a variety of skills. They may wish to share and explore their understanding with others at this time. During the month, we will also make a time for an invitation for reflection between teachers and students.

Every Thursday
On this day, we will offer a one day retreat from 5.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. This retreat will include comprehensive meditation instructions, inquiry, evening talk and small group meetings with teachers on meditation practice. It will be a day of silence except for inquiry and small groups.