Q. In which way Sarnath is associated with Lord Buddha?
(a) He resided there
(b) He was born there
(c) He ruled there
(d) He preached his first Sermon there
Ans: (d) He preached his first Sermon there
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) He preached his first Sermon there.
Sarnath is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is associated with Lord Buddha because it is the place where he delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or “Turning the Wheel of Dharma.” This sermon marked the beginning of Buddha’s teaching of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which form the core principles of Buddhism.
After attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Lord Buddha traveled to Sarnath to meet his former five ascetic companions and share his newfound understanding of the nature of suffering and the path to liberation. It was in Sarnath that he delivered his first sermon, thereby establishing the Buddhist Sangha (community of monks) and propagating his teachings to others.
While Lord Buddha is associated with several significant places, such as Lumbini (his birthplace) and Bodh Gaya (where he attained enlightenment), Sarnath holds particular importance as the site of his first sermon.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d) He preached his first Sermon there.