Buddha Shakyamuni

Since He not only comprehends but also expounds the doctrine and enlightens others, He is called a Sammā Sambuddha - a Fully Enlightened One - to distinguish Him from Pacceka (Individual) Buddhas, who only comprehend the doctrine but are incapable of enlightening others.

Having decided to proclaim the Dhamma for the benefit of men and gods, the Buddha reflected on people who should be His first listeners. It occurred to Him that it was nothing but right to share His Teaching first with Alara Kalama, His former guru in spiritual search.^{1 c26, 7 c5, 8 c4}

"He will understand this profound Teaching if I were to teach him first," the Buddha thought. Then He came to know with Dibbachakkhu (His Divine Eye) that He had expired one week back.^{2 p46}

Next, He thought of Uddaka Ramaputta as the suitable listener, but found out he had, unfortunately, died the night before.

As the third alternative, He thought of the Five Ascetics, who kept company and attended to His needs, during the time He practiced self-mortification. They were still practicing as a group, at Rishipattana or Isipatana Deer Park, near Varanasi or Benaras.^{3 p93}

Therefore, He decided to visit them and teach His Dhamma to the Five Ascetics.

As Buddha neared the forest of Sarnath, one of the five ascetics, Aàhvajit saw Him walking toward the forest they were in. He ran back to his four companions and announced the news.

They all agreed that they would not receive Him with respect and not stand up when He came because Siddhartha had broken His practice vow when they parted ways and left the path of asceticism. Nevertheless, in spite of their decision, when Buddha approached them, they spontaneously stood up in greeting. They could not help it.^{2 p47}

One of His old disciples fetched water, as was the Indian custom, so Buddha might wash His hands and feet. One fetched a stool so He could sit. Another took Buddha's begging bowl. They all attended to Him. The splendour of His presence was so evident that they could not resist Him.

Then the Buddha delivered His first ever Sermon. The Sermon is recorded in the Vinaya text Mahavaggapali, and respectfully recited as 'Dhammacakka-ppavattana Sutta' everywhere in the Buddhist world. It explains how futile it is to practice extremes, and the way to attain the Four Noble Truths.^{1 c26, 2 p49, 7 c6, 8 c4}

At the end of the Sermon, Kondanna attained the first stage of the Path, the Sotapannahood. As he was the first ever disciple to attain any stage of sanctification in the Buddha's missionary career, he is called Anna Kondanna (Kondanna, the Attainer).

Over the next two days, the Buddha divided the five ascetics into two groups. The group of two went on alms-search the first day during which time the Buddha instructed the remaining three. On the next day, the group of three went out for bringing alms, while the Buddha instructed the group of two. Having been instructed this way they all attained Sotapannahood and were ready for further instruction.^{2 p49}

The Buddha then addressed all five of them together and delivered Anattalakkhana Sutta. On the hearing of that Sermon, which explains soullessness, all the five ascetics attained Arahanthood.

Eventually, the Five Ascetics formed the first Sangha. Hence, the first formation of the Triple Gems (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) was completed.

In 2007, the chief Abbott of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Singapore) Ven. Chao Khun Fa Zhao_BBM went on a pilgrimage to Sarnath, India.

Located 12km northeast from Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath remains as one of the most revered pilgrimage centres. It is believed that after attaining Enlightenment at Bodhgaya, it was here at Sarnath, where the Lord Buddha preached His First Sermon (Middle Way to Nirvana), sanctified as Maha Dharma Chakra Parivartan.

Sarnath contains some of the more remarkable stupas, such as the Great Dhamekha Stupa.

This is the most conspicuous structure at Sarnath. Colonel Cunningham bore a shaft from the top centre of the stupa and discovered a stone tablet on which an inscription was written with the word Dhamekha which mentioned that this was the spot where the Buddha delivered His First Sermon.

Dhamekha seems to be a distorted form of Dharma Chakra, which means turning the wheel of the Dharma. It is believed the Five Ascetics, after leaving Lord Buddha, used to live in this spot in Sarnath.

The original stupa was believed to be constructed by Emperor Ashoka, to propagate the Teachings of Lord Buddha all over India. The present size of the stupa is 31.3 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower portion of the stupa is covered completely with beautifully carved stones. The design consists of a broad band of Swastika (fylfot) carved in different geometrical patterns with a finely chiselled lotus wreath, running over and below the swastikas.

The pillar by Emperor Ashoka (273-232 BCE), that marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha is also located here (alongside numerous stupas and monasteries), and the Lion Capital atop this pillar is now India's National Emblem.

The Chaukhandi Stupa marks the place where the Buddha met his first five disciples, which are the five Pañcavaggiya monks, who left him in Bodhgaya before His Enlightenment. It was also here that the Buddha first preached the Dharma to His five disciples and, started the "Wheel of Dharma".

The first sutta that Lord Buddha taught was Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. But there are other different suttas that were preached by Lord Buddha in Deer Park, such as the Anattalakkhana Sutta and the Saccavibhanga Sutta. He also preached about the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and also prescribed the Eight-fold Path.

Sarnath was previously known as Mrigadava, or "Deer Park". Saranth is also known as Isipatana, meaning the place where holy men fell to earth. The name is based upon the legend that when the Buddha was born, devas came down to announce His birth to five hundred holy men. The holy men all rose into the air and disappeared, with their relics falling to the ground.

The current name Sarnath means "Lord of the Deer", and relates to another old Buddhist story in which the Bodhisattva was a deer who offered his life to the king, in place of the doe that the king was originally planning to kill. The king was so moved that he created the park as a sanctuary for the deer.