Socio- Cultural- Religious

Sarnath has the same importance for Buddhists, as Mecca has for the Muslims or
the Golden Temple in Amritsar has for the Sikhs. Sarnath is, perhaps, the most
significant of all Buddhist holy places, as it is the place where the Buddha
delivered his first sermon, thereby bestowing upon Sarnath the title of birthplace
of Buddhism. In Pali, Sarnath was known as Isipatana, while in Sanskrit it was
known as Rishipattana Mrigadava. `
After his enlightenment in
Bodh Gaya at 528 BCE, the
Buddha travelled to Sarnath to
meet his 5 companions
(Koudanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya,
Mahanama and Asvajita) as he
wanted to share his new
knowledge with them first. The
place where the Buddha first
met his 5 companions in
Sarnath is now the site of
the Chaukhandi Stupa.
Buddhist Religious
Circuit
Important Buddhist
Destinations

Lumbini
Bodh Gaya
Sarnath
Kushinagar
Sravasti
Rajgir
Sankassa
Vaishali

% of
Estimate % of
world
d Budhist
Budhist
Populati Populati
Populati
on on
on
9,250,00
0.8% 1.8%
0
Budhist Architecture from Various Cultures
Sarnath has been developed
as a place of pilgrimage,
both for Buddhists from
India and abroad. A number
of countries in which
Buddhism is a major (or the
dominant) religion, among
them Thailand, Japan, Tibet,
Sri Lanka and Myanmar, have
established temples and
monasteries in Sarnath in
the style that is typical for
the respective country. Thus,
pilgrims and visitors have the
opportunity to experience
an overview of Buddhist
architecture from various
cultures.
Jain Temple Thai Temple

Tibetan Temple Japanese Temple

 Origin of Buddhism

The Big Idea

Buddhism began in India
and became a major religion.

Main Ideas
Siddhartha Gautama searched for wisdom in many ways.
The teachings of Buddhism deal with finding peace.
Buddhism spread far from where it began in India.
Siddhartha
Siddhartha Guatama, or Buddha which
means enlightened one
lived in the 5th century BC born into the
Brahmin caste-led a luxurious lifestyle.
Born in NE India (Nepal).
Raised in great luxury to be a king.
Became troubled by the human misery
that he saw around him everyday.
At 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek
enlightenment and the source of
suffering.
Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs.
Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation,
and found nirvana.
Became The Enlightened One, at 35
under the Tree of Wisdom while
meditating.
Spent the rest of his life traveling and
teaching his ideas
 Teachings of Buddhism

Four Noble Truths

Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one

1.
can escape sorrow.

Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material

2.
goods.

People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach

3.
nirvana, a state of perfect peace.

People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an

4. eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and
salvation.
 Right view

Right Right
concentration intention

Right
Right speech
mindfulness

Right effort Right action

Right
livelihood

The Eightfold Path

 The most important
symbol in Buddhism is
the Wheel of Life which
depicts the cycle of birth
and life
The eight spokes
symbolize the Eightfold
Path

Buddhist teachings &

beliefs were recorded in
a collection called the
Tripitaka
 Buddhism began in India and then became a major religion.

Buddhism branches out

Asoka, one of the most powerful kings in India, became a
Buddhist and spread Buddhism in India and foreign lands.
Buddhist missionaries traveled the world to teach
enlightenment.

Buddhism splits
Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada and Mahayana.
Members of the Theravada followed the Buddhas teachings
exactly.
Members of the Mahayana believed that individual
interpretation was important.
Early Spread of Buddhism
Buddhist Rituals and Practices
Buddhism incorporates a variety of rituals and practices, which are
intended to aid in the journey to enlightenment and bring blessings
on oneself and others.
The practice of meditation is central to nearly all forms of Buddhism,
and it derives directly from the Buddhas experiences and teachings.
Meditation is is the central focus of Zen Buddhism and the only way
to liberation in Theravada Buddhism.

Meditation - Mental concentration and mindfulness

Mantras - Sacred sounds
Mudras - Symbolic hand gestures
Prayer Wheels - Reciting mantras with the turn of a wheel
Monasticism
Pilgrimage - Visiting sacred sites
Veneration of Buddhas and Deities
Regular Worship
In most Buddhist houses, has a special room in the house for a
shrine
- a Buddha Statue, candles, incense.
Many Buddhists meditate
-allows mind to settle
- helps to achieve calmness and clarity
Can worship at home or at a Buddhist temple

A shrine in a Buddhist Temple Room for zazen (sitting meditation

 Various Rituals
Birth Death
Can take baby to monastery Believed to be natural result
Request name with special of being born
meaning Kept in house for 3-7 days
eg. Jokata = Maker of Clarity Body is burned to let the spirit
(fem.) escape
Blessings for: Before death, Buddhist will be
Protection blessed by a nun or monk.
Health
Happiness
Noble Qualities
 Monks
Live in monasteries with few possessions
Full Moon
Celebrate important events in
Buddhas life
Offerings brought for monks
Monks chant blessings
Initiation (entering monk community, called
Sangha)
Can enter at young age
Receive a new Buddhist name
Head is shaved
Bound to code of rules called Vinaya A group of Monks
 THE FESTIVALS OF SARNATH

The main festivals of Sarnath are : the

Kalchakra festival, Buddha Purnima
and the full moon day of Vaisakha. The
latter celebrates the anniversary of
Buddhas birth, enlightenment and
death while Buddha Purnima
celebrates his birth. At this time, all
the Buddha relics are take out in
procession.

The full moon day of Vaisakha (April-

May)
The full moon in the month of Asadh
(July-August)
Buddha Purnima (full moon night -
May)