The first discourse of Buddha at Sarnath is called?
VerifiedAnswer: Dharmachakrapravartan
Explanation:
The first sermon delivered by Buddha at Sarnath is known as Dharmachakrapravartan, which literally means "turning the wheel of dharma" or "setting in motion the wheel of law." This historic event took place around 528 BCE at the Deer Park in Sarnath, near Varanasi, marking the beginning of Buddha's teaching mission that would span over four decades.
After attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Buddha initially hesitated to share his profound realizations, considering them too complex for ordinary people to understand. However, he was eventually convinced to teach, and he chose to deliver his first discourse to five ascetics who had previously been his companions during his years of severe penance. These five ascetics - Kondanna, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahanama, and Assaji - became his first disciples and formed the original Buddhist Sangha (monastic community).
In this momentous sermon, Buddha introduced the core principles of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths explain the nature of suffering (Dukkha), its origin (Samudaya), its cessation (Nirodha), and the path leading to its cessation (Magga). The Eightfold Path provides practical guidelines for ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom development.
The metaphor of the "wheel of dharma" is deeply significant in Buddhist tradition. The wheel represents the cyclical nature of Buddhist teachings and their continuous movement through time and space. Just as a wheel moves forward by turning, Buddha's teachings were meant to progress and spread throughout the world. The wheel also symbolizes completeness and perfection, as Buddha's teachings provide a complete path to liberation from suffering.
Sarnath holds immense historical and religious significance as the birthplace of the Buddhist Sangha and the location where Buddhism as an organized religion began. Today, Sarnath is one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, along with Lumbini (Buddha's birthplace), Bodh Gaya (place of enlightenment), and Kushinagar (place of Buddha's death). The site features ancient stupas, monasteries, and the famous Ashoka Pillar, which bears the national emblem of India - the Lion Capital.
