Aspirant Academy
ENHI

RAS question

Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta) at:

Correct answer: (C) Sarnath.

Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta, at Sarnath near Varanasi after attaining enlightenment.

  1. (A)

    Bodh Gaya

  2. (B)

    Lumbini

  3. (C)

    Sarnath

  4. (D)

    Kushinagar

Explanation

Sarnath is the site linked with Buddha's first sermon after enlightenment. The NCERT source places Sarnath about 10 km from Varanasi and states that Buddha delivered his first sermon there after gaining enlightenment. The standard explanation identifies the precise setting as the Deer Park, also called Mrigadava or Isipatana, at Sarnath. This event is remembered as Dharmachakra Pravartana, the turning of the Wheel of Law. In that sermon, Buddha taught the five ascetics, known as the Panchavargiya Bhikkhus, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. That is why Sarnath, not the other major Buddhist sites, is the answer.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Bodh Gaya marks Buddha's enlightenment, whereas the first sermon came later at Sarnath after that enlightenment.
  • (B) Lumbini is associated with Buddha's birth, not with the first sermon to the five ascetics.
  • (D) Kushinagar is associated with Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, while the Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta was delivered at Sarnath.

Concept

This tests the Buddhist pilgrimage-site mapping within ancient Indian history: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar are often confused. RAS repeats this concept because a single place-name can identify a major event in Buddha's life.

Source

Related questions