Various Buddhist temples and monasteries have been found at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath was regarded as one of the holiest sites in the Buddhist faith in the twenty-first century. It was in Sarnath that Buddha delivered his first sermon, which set the wheel of dharma in motion, and it is also the birthplace of the Sangha (the religious followers of Buddha). This article will explain to you about the historical background and significance of Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Sarnath

• Sarnath is a town in Uttar Pradesh, near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers.
• The word Sarnath originates from Saranganath which means ‘Lord of the Deer’.
• The Lord Buddha visited Sarnath after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya.
• After the Lord Buddha named Sarnath and three other places sacred to his followers before his death, this location became a pilgrimage site.
• The other three holy places and Buddhist pilgrim centers are Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Lumbini.
• It was here, according to legend, that the Buddha first began teaching his followers.
• The Buddhist Sangha was established in Sarnath's Deer Park, where Gautama Buddha proclaimed the Dharma for the first time and Kondanna obtained enlightenment.

Historical Background

• The site includes a stupa (shrine) and the famed lion-capital pillar, which was erected by Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and is now India's state emblem.

• Due to the presence of princes and affluent merchants from Varanasi, Buddhism flourished in Sarnath.
• By the third century, Sarnath had established itself as an important center for the arts, which peaked during the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries CE).
• By the time Xuanzang arrived from China in the 7th century, Sarnath had 30 monasteries and 3000 monks.

Sarnath - Significance

• Sarnath became a prominent center of Buddhism's Sammatiya school, one of the earliest Buddhist schools.
• The existence of representations of Heruka and Tara, however, suggests that Vajrayana Buddhism was also practised here at a later time.
• The famous Gupta period (5th cent CE) sculpture of the Buddha Shakyamuni in the Dharmachakra Pravartana mudra uncovered during the excavations at Sarnath is known as the Dharmachakra Pravartana Buddha.

• The Dhamek Stupa is a huge stupa in Sarnath.
• After reaching enlightenment, the Buddha is claimed to have given his first sermon to his first five students, led by Kaundinya, revealing his Eightfold Path leading to the nirvana at the Dhamek Stupa.

• In Sarnath, Varanasi, the Dharmachakra Jina Vihara was the gift of Kumaradevi, the Buddhist queen of the renowned Gahadavala monarch Govind Ramchandra of Kannauj.
• Images of Brahminist gods such as Shiva and Brahma were also discovered at the site, and a Jain temple (at Chandrapuri) is still located adjacent to the Dhamekh Stupa.
• Shri Shreyansanatha Bhagwan, the 11th Tirthankara, was born at Sarnath.
• It was here that Shri Shreyansanatha Bhagwan experienced four of his five kalyanak (auspicious life occurrences).
• It is the location of Shri Shreyansnath Bhagwan's four kalyanak. A massive ashtakam stupa (octagonal pillar) of 31.4 m (103 feet) in height still stands today, indicating the site's historical significance.
• It is thought to be over 2200 years old. The last structures of Sarnath were built by Kumaradevi, the Gahadvala queen. In 1193, her grandson, Jaichand of Kannauj, was defeated by Muhammad Ghori's general Qutb al-Din Aibak.
• Sarnath was sacked by Turkish Muslims around the end of the 12th century, and the site was looted for building materials.

Conclusion

Sarnath has grown into a Buddhist pilgrimage center for both Indian and international Buddhists. Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, among other nations where Buddhism is a major (or dominating) religion, have built temples and monasteries in Sarnath in the manner of their respective countries. As a result, pilgrims and visitors will be able to see a variety of Buddhist architecture from diverse countries.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the primary significance of Sarnath in Buddhist history?

A) It is the site of Buddha’s birth
B) It is the location where Buddha delivered his first sermon
C) It is the place where Buddha attained Nirvana
D) It is where Buddha's relics were first enshrined

2. Which emperor is credited with building the first stupa at Sarnath?

A) Emperor Ashoka
B) Emperor Chandragupta Maurya
C) King Harsha
D) Emperor Akbar

3. The lion capital at Sarnath is associated with which Indian Emperor?

A) Ashoka
B) Samudragupta
C) Akbar
D) Harsha

4. What architectural feature at Sarnath is most famous and has become a national symbol of India?

A) The Buddha statue
B) The Ashoka Pillar
C) The Stupa
D) The Monastery

5. The Sarnath temple is a significant site for which religion?

A) Hinduism
B) Buddhism
C) Jainism
D) Sikhism

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the cultural and historical significance of Sarnath as a Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Answer: Sarnath holds immense cultural and historical significance as it is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. This event marks the beginning of the Buddhist monastic community and the propagation of Buddha's teachings. Over the centuries, Sarnath has attracted Buddhist scholars and pilgrims from all over the world. It houses important architectural structures, including the Ashoka Pillar, which is a symbol of India’s Buddhist heritage. Sarnath’s role in the spread of Buddhism across Asia, especially to countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Tibet, further emphasizes its cultural importance in the history of India and Buddhism.

Q2: Analyze the impact of the Gupta period on the architectural development of the Buddhist temple at Sarnath.

Answer: The Gupta period had a significant influence on the architectural development of the Buddhist temple at Sarnath. During this period, the temple complex underwent significant modifications, with the construction of the present-day temple structure and the addition of intricate carvings and statues that reflected the classical Gupta style. The period also saw the flourishing of art and sculpture in Buddhism, with detailed stone reliefs and statues that narrate scenes from Buddha’s life. These architectural and artistic developments marked the golden age of Indian art and played a crucial role in attracting pilgrims and preserving the cultural heritage of Buddhism at Sarnath.

Q3: How did the establishment of the Buddhist temple at Sarnath contribute to the spread of Buddhism in Southeast Asia?

Answer: The establishment of the Buddhist temple at Sarnath contributed significantly to the spread of Buddhism across Southeast Asia. As one of the four main pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, Sarnath became a hub for Buddhist monks and scholars, who spread Buddhist teachings throughout Asia. Buddhist emissaries, sent by Emperor Ashoka, helped spread the religion to Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. The architecture, religious practices, and texts originating from Sarnath influenced the development of Buddhism in these regions, establishing it as one of the most important cultural and spiritual movements in Asia.

Previous Year Questions on Sarnath

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is associated with which Indian emperor?

A) Ashoka
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Harsha
D) Samudragupta

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath, with its famous lion capital, is associated with Emperor Ashoka, who is credited with spreading Buddhism in India and abroad.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Explain the significance of Sarnath in the development of Buddhism in India and beyond.

Answer: Sarnath is one of the four major pilgrimage sites in Buddhism. It marks the location of Buddha’s first sermon and the establishment of the Buddhist monastic community. This event marked the spread of Buddha’s teachings, and Sarnath became a center of Buddhist learning and worship. The influence of Sarnath’s religious significance spread beyond India, with Buddhist missions reaching Southeast Asia, contributing to the development of Buddhism across the region.