Sarnath: The Sacred Site Where Lord Buddha Delivered His First Sermon

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Sarnath: The Sacred Site Where Lord Buddha Delivered His First Sermon  Updated in 2026:  This article was originally written in 2020 and has now been comprehensively revised with expanded historical analysis, archaeological interpretation, and recent developments in Buddhist heritage preservation . Sarnath holds a foundational position in Buddhist history as the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It was here that he set in motion the “Dhammachakra” — the Wheel of Dharma — formally establishing the Buddhist Sangha and beginning the global spread of his teachings. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, near Varanasi, Sarnath is one of the four principal Buddhist pilgrimage destinations, alongside Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar. Historical Background of Sarnath In ancient texts, Sarnath was known as Isipatana or Rishipattana, meaning “the place where sages descended.” It was also called Migadaya (Deer Park), referencing the f...
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Welcome to AncientBuddha91, a platform dedicated to exploring the rich heritage of Buddhism, ancient history, and archaeological sites across the Indian subcontinent. This blog was created with the aim of presenting well-researched, educational, and authentic information about Buddhist monuments, monasteries, stupas, symbols, and historical developments that shaped South and Southeast Asia.

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