PART- I, BUDDHISM.
The visit to the Archaeological Museum at
Sarnath, one of the UNESCO monuments (listed in the 1998 tentative list was a
part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Tour, between 05th February to 08th
February 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website).
Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent
arrangement and personal care. We went to the Sarnath Buddhist monument where
Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment before departing
to Chennai.
Life scene of Buddha, 5th-6th Cent. CE
The Archaeology Museum at Sarnath is the oldest site
Museum, established in 1910. At the initiative of Sir John Marshall, the then Director General of Archaeology in India, a decision was taken in 1905 to construct a site Museum adjacent to the excavated area of Sarnath. The plan of the site museum was prepared by Mr. James Ransome.
The plan of the museum is like a half sangharam or
monastery. The Archaeological Museum in Sarnath has five galleries for the display of sculptures and two verandahs for the display of architectural members. The
antiquities of the museum are datable from the 3rd Century B.C.E. to the 12th Century
CE.
The entrance to the museum is known as Gallery Number 3, as well as the main hall of the museum, in which the pride collections,
the National Emblem of the Republic of India, and the lion capital of the Asokan
pillar are displayed. It has the lustrous polish, a typical feature of the
Mauryan art of the 3rd century B.C.E., which is hitherto unknown in the later
examples. Another the most remarkable example of the Sarnath School of Art, is the
sculpture of Preaching Buddha, exhibiting the famous Dharma-chakrapravartana
Mudra turning the wheel of law along with some other Buddhist-related
sculptures displayed in gallery No. 1. The Shiva killing demon Andhaka
which is approximately 3.25 meters height, the most significant displays in the
Hindu gallery No. 5 along with other Brahmanical Sculptures.
BUDDHISM
In its original form, Buddhism was a
socio-religious reform movement against prevailing rituals & religious
practices. It was simply a code of conduct for leading a simple life free from
miseries. Later on, people started worshiping Buddha as a god. Initially, Buddha
was worshiped only in symbolic form, like a wheel, empty throne, footprints,
stupa, etc. This phase of Buddhism is known as Hinayana, wherein a follower aims
only at his own nirvana by his own efforts. Subsequently, it was believed that
a follower could attain not only nirvana, but Buddhahood could also help others
to attain nirvana. This phase of Buddhism was known as Mahayana. By this time, people started worshiping Buddha images. As time progressed further, it was felt
that the common man cared more for material prosperity in this world than for the
nirvana preached by the religion. So, a new element of eternal bliss (Mahasukh)
was added to the concept of nirvana, leading to Vajrayana's introduction of a large
number of gods and goddesses, including the Saktis.
LIFE OF THE BUDDHA
The Buddha, known as Siddharth Gautam before his
enlightenment, was a prince of a warrior caste named the Sakyan clan of Kapilvastu.
His father was King Suddhodana, who ruled a region corresponding to the modern
borderlands between Northern India and Nepal. Siddharth was born (563 B.C.) in
Lumbini Garden (modern Rummindei in Nepal) under a Sala tree while his mother, Mayadevi, was going to her father's home in Devadaha.
Mayadevi, the mother, died seven days after the child's
birth, and his aunt, Mahaprajapati Gautami, became his foster mother. Siddharth
was married to a very beautiful girl named Yasodhara from an aristocratic family
of the Koliya clan. At the age of 29, and when he was blessed with a son, he left
home at midnight to search for the reason for human suffering while the newly born
child and his mother were fast asleep. This event is termed as
mahabhinish-kramana (The Great Departure).
Siddharth received his first initiation in religion
and philosophy from Alara Kalama and then from Udraka. His acute intelligence
and immense inquisitiveness could not be satisfied by them, so he proceeded to
Uruvela (modern Urel), a village near Gaya. Finally, in deep meditation under a
tree at Bodh Gaya, in eastern India, he achieved enlightenment when he came to
understand the connection between suffering and desire. From this time onwards, Gautama is known as The Buddha Heaving, the enlightenment one.
The Buddha first preached his doctrine to five of
his earlier companions at Rsipatana (Sarnath) near Benaras. He spent his life preaching until his death around 480 B.C. The Buddha's teachings were
initially centered in North-Eastern India, but in later stages, they eventually
spread across South Asia & South East Asia. The light of his preachings is
lightening the whole world.
Gallery No 3
In this gallery, no. 3 or main hall, the lion capital
made of Chunar sandstone measuring 2.31mtr, and glittering with Mauryan polish, stands gracefully. Earlier, it was crowning the Asokan pillar erected at the
deer park. It consists of four parts, each having symbolic significance. (i)
The base is made as a bell or the inverted lotus of sixteen petals, symbolizing creativity, it is followed by (ii) A round abacus carved with four animals
including an elephant, galloping horse, bull, and lion in high relief
symbolizing the four quarters of Anotatta Lake or the life events of Lord
Buddha himself. (iii) On this abacus are four lions seated addorsely with their
mouths wide open and tongues slightly protruding. In turn, these lions were
surmounted by (iv) a wheel of 32 spokes symbolizing the Lord Buddha (having 32
superhuman qualities). The wheel, now in pieces, is displayed at the back of the Lion Capital.
To the left of the lion capital stands a colossal
Bodhisattva image made of red sandstone. It was donated in the 3rd reignal year of
Kanishka by Friar Bala of Mathura. The figure bears inscriptions of the Kushana
period on a pedestal and on the back in Brahmi script. The image is heavy and
powerful. The image was dedicated under the shade of a huge umbrella fixed on
an octagonal shaft standing just behind. To the left of this figure, near the entrance of gallery no. 2, there is another Bodhisattva figure made of locally
available Chunar sandstone. The only difference occurs in the size and figure of the dwarf Yaksha (now damaged). To the east & southeast of the gallery, there
are eight standing Buddha figures characterized by classical Gupta period
characteristics. In most of the figures, the right hand is in Abhay mudra (protection giving attitude) while only in one figure is it in bhumisparsha
mudra (earth touching attitude). The other important figure displayed in this
gallery is standing Tara whose both arms are broken at the elbow. She is putting on
a lower garment and adorned with ornaments of the Medieval period, and at the base, she is flanked by Marichi on her right & Ekjata on her left. Besides, there is
a significant fragment of an umbrella kept in a showcase towards the right side of
the entrance; it is carved with an inscription of the Kushana period mentioning the
four noble truths (chatvari arya satyani) of Buddha's first sermon at
Deerparkle sorrow origin of sorrow. cessation of sorrow and the way leading to
the cessation of sorrow.
LION CAPITAL
Built by Emperor
Asoka (272-232 B.C.E.). This Capital is the noblest creation of the Mauryan art
and forms the national crest of India. It surmounted the inscribed “Asokan
pillar” (preserved at the site in pieces) and was originally crowned by the dharma-chakra symbolizing the turning of the wheel of law by Lord Buddha. The
four addorsed lions looking in the four directions represent the pervading
influence of the "sakyasimha" Buddha and his religion and order. The
abacus supporting the lions is carved with four "great animals",
elephant, lion, horse, and bull, with intervening wheels, suggesting the
ever-active potency of law. This capital represents an artistic emblem of the
first sermon and the establishment of the Buddhist order by Lord Buddha at
Sarnath.
Details of the wheel of the lion capital
This wheel
(The symbol of Buddhist law) originally adorned the 'Lion Capital' as a
crowning member, supported on a short stone shaft. The stone shaft was not
discovered from excavation, but the thickness can be estimated from the mortice
hole, 20.5, in diameter, drilled into the stone between the heads of the
four-seated lions. Four fragments of the rim portion of the wheel and spoke
remains were found. The total number of spokes was presumably 32. These 32
spokes perhaps are indicative of the 32 chief signs of a Great Man (Mahapurusha
Lakshana) as described in the Buddhist text Lakkhan sutta of Dighnikaya.
Pieces of Chakra of Lion Capital 3rd Century BCE
LIFE SCENE
OF BUDDHA (5th-6th Century)
This
episode depicts the first Sermon delivered by the Gautama Buddha at Sarnath.
Gautama is shown seated on a lotus pedestal in the center in a preaching posture.
On his right, Boddhisatva Maitreya is standing with a rosary and cloth. On the left, Boddisatva Avlokitesvara is standing with hands in a bestowing posture. On either
side of Buddha, above the shoulder, there are two flying celestials with garlands.
Under the seal of the Buddha, there is Chakra, flanked by bears and lions.
This panel
depicts the incident of his descent from heaven at Sankisa. Which He has
shown after visiting trayastrinsha heaven and returning to earth with Indra and
Bramha.
Life scene of Buddha, 5th-6th Cent. CE
This
episode is about the grant of a honey pot by a monkey at Vaishali to Lord Buddha.
The Monkey is standing with a honey pot on the right side of the Buddha, and on the left, the monkey is shown falling into a well and dying and getting rebirth in devakula.
The panel
depicts the birth scene of Lord Buddha at Lumbini. Queen Maya, the mother of the
Buddha, is shown standing in the middle, holding a branch of the Saal tree. She was flanked
by Lord Indra and Prajapati (Brahma) on either side, holding child Siddhartha and giving him a bath, and two Naaga kings were shown pouring water from a pitcher on him. Two devas
are also shown above the Naaga king, bestowing flowers on him.
Life scene of Buddha, 5th-6th Cent. CE
The panel
shows the death scene (Mahaparinirvana) of the Buddha at Kushinagar. Here, Lord
Buddha is shown lying on his bed. In front of him are seated the mourning
disciples. Flying celestials are shown with garlands on either side at the top.
This panel
is about the miracle of Sravasti. During the time of Kaushal king Prasenjeeta, Lord Buddha delivered a spiritual speech to some atheists (irreligion) who were
not ready to accept his greatness; therefore, on the demand of a few of his disciples, he performed miracles as Sahasra Buddha. Lord Gautama is shown in the center, seated on a lotus seat and flanked by his images on lotus seats. Seated
figures of devotees are shown below.
Life scene of Buddha, 5th-6th Cent. CE
This panel
narrates the episode of the submission of a mad elephant at Rajgir. Gautama Buddha
taming an elephant, Nalagiri who was charged by Devadutta to kill the Buddha.
Gautama is shown seated in meditation in Bhumisparsha mudra under the Bodhi tree
at Gaya, where he got enlightenment. The right side of the Buddha shows Mara holding
a bow and arrow with the figure of Kama Deva.
Life scene of Buddha, 5th-6th Cent. CE
The panel depicts four important events of Buddha's Life
Kushinagar
The uppermost section illustrates the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar. The Buddha is lying on his right side. Five mourning figures, the cross-legged Subhadra of Kusinagara, monk Upavana, and his great disciple Mahakasyapa of Rajagraha, with four more mourning figures, can also be seen.
Life Scenes of Buddha, 6th Cent. CE.Important events of Buddha's life, Kushi Nagar.
Sarnath
The Buddha is seated cross-legged, expounding the law at Sarnath in the second portion. Bodhisattva Maitreya and Avalokitesvara are standing on either side. On the upper corners, two celestial figures with garlands are depicted on either side.
Life Scenes of Buddha, 6th Cent. CE.
Important events of Buddha's life, Sarnath.
Bodhgaya
The next portion shows the Buddha's enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The Buddha is seated cross-legged in an earth-touching posture. Mara and his two daughters are also visible.
Life Scenes of Buddha, 6th Cent. CE.
Important events of Buddha's life, Bodhgaya
Lumbini
The lowest panel shows the scene of the Buddha's birth at Lumbini. Here, Mother Mayadevi is standing with a branch of salavraksa in her hand. Sister Prajapati is standing to her proper left, and to her right is the infant. To the left of Prajapati, the infant Buddha is receiving his first bath, where two Naga kings are pouring water on him
Life Scenes of Buddha, 6th Cent. CE.
Important events of Buddha's life, Lumbani (last)
Eight Important Places of Buddha's Life
Sarnath
This episode depicts the first Sermon delivered by the Gautama Buddha at Sarnath. Gautama is shown seated on a lotus pedestal in the center in a preaching posture. On his right, Boddhisatva Maitreya is standing with a rosary and cloth. On the left, Boddhistava Aviokitesvara is standing with hands in bestowing posture. On either side of Buddha, above the shoulder, there are two flying celestials with garlands. Under the seat of the Buddha, there are two flying celestials with garlands. Under the seat of the Buddha, there are chakras flanked by bears and lions.
Sankisa
This panel depicts the Incident of his descent from heaven at Sankisa. Which he has shown after visiting trayastrinsha heaven and returning to earth with Indra and Bramha.
Vaishali
This episode is about the grand honey pot stolen by a monkey at Vaishali and given to Lord Buddha. The monkey is standing with a honey pot on the right side of the Buddha, and on the left, the monkey is shown falling into a well and dying and getting rebirth in devakula.
Lumbini
The panel depicts the birth scene of Lord Buddha at Lumbini. Queen Maya, the mother of the Buddha, is shown standing in the middle, holding a branch of the Saal tree. She was flanked by lord Indra and Prajapati (Brahma) on either side, holding child Siddhartha giving a bath, two Naaga kings shown pouring water from the pitcher on him, and two devas are also shown above the Naaga king bestowing flowers on him.
Kushinagar
The panel shows the death scene (Mahaparinirvana) of the Buddha at Kushinagar. Here, Lord Buddha is shown lying on his bed. In front of him are seated the mourning disciples. Flying celestials are shown with garlands on either side at the top.
Sravasti
This panel is about the miracle of Sravasti. During the time of Kaushal King Prasenjeeta, Lord Buddha delivered a spiritual speech to some atheists (irreligion) who were not ready to accept his greatness; therefore, on demand of a few of his disciples, he performed miracles as Sahasra Buddha. Lord Gautama is shown in the center, seated on a lotus seat and flanked by his images on lotus seats. The seated figure of devotees is shown below.
Rajgirh
This panel narrates the episode of the submission of a mad elephant at Rajgirh. Gautama Buddha taming an elephant, Nalagiri who was charged by Devadutta to kill the Buddha.
Bodhgaya
The Goutama Shown seated in meditation in Bhumisparsha mudra under the Bodhi tree at Gaya
KUMARDEVI'S INSCRIPTION (CONTENTS)
1. This
inscription was discovered in March 1908 in the course of an excavation conducted at
Sarnath by Sir John Marshal and Sten Konow.
2. Sten
Konow deciphered this inscription and published it in Epigraphia Indica Vol-IX
In 1908.
3. The
inscription comprises twenty-six verses inscribed in Sanskrit in the Nagri script.
4. The
first two verses contain the invocation of Goddess Vasudhara and the Moon.
5. The
eleven verses give the genealogy and dwell on the virtues of Kumaradevi, the
Buddhist queen of Govindachandra (1114-1154 CE) of Kanyakubja (Modern Kannauj).
6. Verses
fourteen to twenty mention the genealogy of the Gahadavala family of
Govindachandra.
7. The
succeeding two verses specify that Kumaradevi built a vihara at Dharmachakra
(Modern Sarnath) and that she caused a copper plate to be prepared in
connection with the Teaching of the Lord of the wheel of law and then restored
the image of the Lord as it existed in the old days.
8. The
queen's praise is sung in the twenty-fourth verse, while the last two verses inform
that the inscription, which is called Prashasti, was composed by the poet
Shrikunda & engraved by Vamana.
Kumaradevi's inscription, 12th Cent. CE.
Bodhisattva
The
Buddhists believe that the world is composed of five primordial cosmic elements: Samjna (name), vijnana (consciousness), Rupa (form), samskara
(conformation), and vedana (sensation). These eternal cosmic forces are defined
in Vajrayana as the five Dhyani Buddhas, namely Amitabh, Akshobhya, Vairochan,
Amoghisiddhi, and Ratnasambhav, respectively. These five Buddhas are the
progenitors of the five families of deities constituting the whole of the Buddhist
pantheon. The queens of Dhyani Buddhas are called Budha Shaktis. The
Bodhisattvas are deities deriving their origin from the five Dhyani Buddhas.
They not only seek to win salvation but also aim at becoming a Buddha by
passing through transmigration. The term Bodhisattva is applied to them until
they achieve Buddhahood. The female counterparts of Bodhisattvas are known
by the generic name of Saktis. Tara is the common name applied to a specific
group comprising a large number of feminine deities in Buddhism.
Many Hindu
deities were also incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon; notable among those are
Mahakal, Ganesh, and Saraswati.
Boddhisattava, Padmapani 12th Century CE Bodhisattva, 5th Century CE
Vajrapani, 11th Cenury CE
Buddha in
Preaching Posture (Dharmachakrapravartan Mudra).
The image
is a masterpiece of the Gupta period, known as the golden age of Indian art, wherein Buddha is seated cross-legged in the attitude of preaching Dharmachakrapravartan
Mudra. The first sermon at Sarnath on a seat having folded legs. The halo on
the back is carved with a pair of celestial figures holding a tray of flowers
in the left hand on either flank and floral scrollwork all around. Buddha's head
is marked with short spiral curls turned towards the right (dakshinavarta), a
protuberance (usnisha) on top of his head, elongated ears, half-closed eyes, and
folded neck. The monastic robe, which covers both the shoulders, appears only
in outline near the arms. The back slab up to the shoulders is embellished with a similar floral scroll pattern appearing on the halo. Two crocodiles (makara) emerge from the foliage, surmounting both ends of the horizontal bar. The pedestal of
the sculpture depicts a wheel on the throne in the center with a couchant deer on
either side. The wheel symbolizes the 'wheel of Buddhist law' which Gautama
Buddha turned at Sarnath, and the deer indicates the deer park (mrigadava) where
his first sermon was preached. The remaining space is taken up by seven human
beings seated on either side with their hands clasped before the chest &
heads tonsured. These human beings putting on the monastic robe are five monks, namely Mahanama, Ashwajit, Bhaddiya, Vappaji & Kaundinya
(Panchabhadravargiya), who left him at Bodhgaya, and the remaining figures, a woman & her child on the left side, seem to be the donors of the sculpture. In
the figure, the Lord Buddha appears divine, spiritually illuminated, and a superhuman being. Besides, the modeling of the figure suggests the master is in a state of bliss.
Preaching Buddha, 6th Cent. CE
Preaching Buddha, 6th Cent. CE
Preaching Buddha, 12th Century CE
First
Sermon & Teaching of Buddha
After
enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha started his journey to Rishipattana near Benaras
for the propagation of his newly acquired doctrine and delivered his first sermon
in 528 BCE to his erstwhile first five monks and thus turned the wheel of law.
India witnessed a great upheaval with the appearance of a mighty personality in
Gautam Buddha. While revolting against the prevailing religion, he strongly
emphasized the transcendental aspect of the teachings and enriched it with a
wealth of ethical refinement. The master emphasized ethical attainment and
spiritual purity as the chief characteristics of nobleness. According to him, it is not birth but character that should be honored. The levelling influences of
Buddhism, with its beautiful mosaic structure interweaving ethical principles
with humanitarian impulse, gained the heart of the country to such an extent
that not less than three-fourths of Indians embraced this religion.
Buddha's
first sermon at Rishipattana is devoted to the formulation of four noble truths, and they are the essence of his teachings. The middle path that the perfect one
has found leads one both to see and to know, which further leads to peace, discernment, enlightenment, and nirvana.
The whole
of Buddha's doctrine is based on four noble truths (chatvaryariya
sacchani). These are:
1.
Sufferings
2. Cause
of suffering
3.
Sufferings can be suppressed
4. Way to
accomplish suffering
Then the
Lord taught the Middle Path as two extremes- sensual indulgences and self-mortification.
Ought not
to be adopted by the recluse. The Middle Path, understood by the Tathagata,
gives vision and knowledge and leads to calm realization, enlightenment, and
salvation. Moreover, the Middle path is the Eightfold path, namely-
1. Right
understanding
2. Right
thought
3. Right
Speech
4. Right
Action
5. Right
Livelihood
6. Right
effort
7. Right
mindfulness
8. Right
concentration
The middle
path is a path of enlightenment, a means of deliverance from suffering.
Preaching Buddha, 5th Cent. CE. (with inscription)
GOLD HOARD
FROM SARNATH
An
accidental discovery on 31.05.1990 unearthed one baked clay pot containing a few
gold objects in the premises of a Myanmar temple adjacent towards the west of the
excavated area of Sarnath. These antiquities were probably related to their
high religious value as they retained religious symbols popular in Buddhist
religion and art.
The pot,
which was partially broken at its base, contained objects of high antique
value, although the majority of objects were very fragile and broken. This
collection consists of objects of gold, gold foil, copper, copper plated with gold
clay wrapped in gold foil, and beads of semi-precious stones, etc. These objects
were made using three techniques: molding, embossing, and cutting.
The
objects made with gold were of various forms, i.e., wheel, replica of the stupa,
triratna symbol, beads, and flowers, etc. Besides, there are some figures like
flying celestial and standing human beings (Buddha?) and human faces, etc. One
stamped gold foil with three Brahmi letters 'i-ka, pa (?)', and tha, and one cross
in the circle was also found. Based on these letters, the above-mentioned antiquities are dated to the 2nd-1st century B.C.E.
The items with stamped and embossed designs are composed of thin gold foil, which indicates their use as offerings. The Myanmar temple, which is the find spot of this hoard, is located very close to the Asokan pillar of Sarnath. Since the pillar site appears to be the nucleus of the worship area, the objects found may be for ritualistic purposes.
Buddha with different mudrasBuddha in Bhumisparsha mudra 5th Century CE Buddha in protection mudrs with umbrella, 5th Century CE
Buddha in protection mudrs with umbrella, 5th Century CE
Buddha in protection mudra with umbrella, 5th Century CE Buddha, 6th Century CE
Buddha in protection posture, 5th Century CE
Buddha, 5th Century CE
Buddha, 5th Century CE
Buddha in protection posture, 5th Cent. CE Tara 11th Century CEVotive Stupa, 11th Century CE
Siddhaikavira, 5th -6th Century CE
Jambhal and Vasudhara- 10th-11th Cent. CE Miracle of Shawash, 6th Cent. CE
Image of Vashudhara, Late medieval
Ramgram Stupa, 1st Century BCE
Neelkantha Avalokitesvara
Architectural fragment
Architectural fragment
Architectural fragment A decorated Column 5th Cent. CE
PC-website
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
