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Published: October 25th 2007
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Buddhist Complex at Sarnath
Bhodi Tree, Buddist statues, and First Sermon Monument Today I went to Sarnath which is 10 km northeast of Varanasi. Sarnath is as scared to Buddhists and Varanasi is to Hindus. In 528BC, The Buddha came to the Deer Park to preach the Dharmachakra, the Wheel of Law, his first major sermon after attaining enlightenment. Sarnath was one of India’s ancient centers of learning and many monasteries flourished here.
The Dhamekh Stupa marks the spot where Buddha delivered his sermon to his five disciples. The tower is 28.5 metes in diameter and 42.6 meters high. There are eight niches around the stupa which once contained images of the Buddha. Not much of the original artwork survives on the outside of the stupa, but there are some spots that hint at the former glory. Nearby is the base of the Dharmarajika Stupa which was built by the Emperor Asoka to contain the Buddha’s relics. The relics now reside in a silver casket in a nearby Buddhist temple. There are also the remains of a number of monasteries and temples on the grounds. Adjacent to the complex is a park with spotted deer which gave the area its original name of Deer Park.
Next to the temple that now
Prayer Flags
Prayer flags from all over the world hang near the Bhodi Tree in Sarnath contains the relics, there is a Bodhi tree planted in 1931 that is surrounded by 28 images of the Buddha. At the base of the tree is a monument depicting Buddha reaching while five disciples listen attentively. The temple and its environs were established by Anagarika Dharmapala, the founder of Maha Bodhi Society of India. He did much to preserve Sarnath, as well as the nearby location of Bodh Gaya, and helped introduce Buddhism to the western world. The monument depicting the Buddha giving his sermon was added in 1989 with generous assistance form Myanmar Buddhist devotees.
The Archaeological Museum in Sarnath is impressive and most importantly, contains the Ashokan Lion Capital, India’s national emblem. The capital originally stood atop the Ashokan pillar, the remnants of which can be seen on the grounds of the Dhamekh Stupa.
It only took about two hours to visit all of these places. There were a few other interesting-looking places, including an International Peace monument and anther large stupa, but the taxi driver wouldn’t stop and said that these places were only for Indians (which I highly doubt). I think he had somewhere else to be and I was back at the
Buddhist Monk at Prayer
A series of Buddhas encircle the Bhodi tree and represent different periods in the Buddha's life. hotel by 12:30pm. I think three days in Varanasi is a day and a half too long! You need to see one evening ceremony on the back of the Ganges, take one sunrise boat ride along the river, wander the market for a few minutes, visit Sarnath, and get out! I spent almost four hours this afternoon lounging by the hotel’s swimming pool where I finished “The Kite Runner”. I was in tears near the end of the book and one of the pool boys kept staring at me!
My car doesn’t come until 1:00pm tomorrow and I’m not sure what to do with myself between now and then. I’ll get dinner tonight and then sleep in in the morning. It may be back to the pool for a few hours tomorrow!
The irony isn’t lost on me: I came to India partly to learn more about Buddhism and to evolve along the “Buddish” path. The longer I stay in India, however, the less and less Buddish I become! I know you’re supposed to be able to put your beliefs to use when challenged, but I am clearly not nearly as Buddish as I thought I was or
The Buddha's First Sermon
Sarnath is the location where the Buddha gave his first sermon on the Wheel of Law after reaching enlightenment. This monument was provided by Buddhists from Myanmar. as I'd like to be!
Tomorrow, I fly back to Delhi and the get picked up for the four to five hour drive to Haridwar.
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