At which place did Mahatma Buddha deliver his first 'Dharmachakrapravartan' ?

The correct answer is Sarnath.

Key Points

• Sarnath, located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is the site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as Dharmachakrapravartan (Turning of the Wheel of Dharma).
• This event marked the beginning of the Buddha's public teaching and the establishment of the Buddhist Sangha (monastic community).
• The sermon was delivered to the five ascetics (his former companions) at the Deer Park (Isipatana) in Sarnath.
• The teachings outlined in this sermon include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which form the foundation of Buddhist philosophy.
• Sarnath is one of the four major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar.

Additional Information

• Dharmachakrapravartan:
  • The term means "Turning of the Wheel of Dharma," symbolizing the spread of Buddha's teachings.
  • This sermon introduced the core principles of Buddhism and set the wheel of Dharma in motion for the first time.
• Four Noble Truths:
  • They are the foundational truths of Buddhism: Dukkha (suffering), Samudaya (origin of suffering), Nirodha (cessation of suffering), and Magga (path leading to the cessation of suffering).
• Eightfold Path:
  • It is a practical guide to ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, consisting of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
• Sarnath's Importance:
  • Sarnath is home to several important Buddhist monuments, including the Dhamek Stupa and the Ashoka Pillar, which carries the Lion Capital (India's national emblem).
• Spread of Buddhism:
  • Following the first sermon at Sarnath, Buddha's teachings spread across India and later to other parts of Asia, becoming one of the world's major religions.