Travel Date: April 7, 2018
Deer Park (Sarnath)
The place where Buddha first preached, where he preached the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to five ascetics, marking the founding of Buddhism. Sarnath is one of the important holy places of Buddhism, located about 10 kilometers north of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Sarnath is famous for the first Dharma wheel of Sakyamuni Buddha here, and is a milestone in the history of the spread of Buddhism. Sarnath is one of the four holy places of Buddhism (the other three are: Bodh Gaya, Vulture Peak and Kushinagar). The Sanskrit name of Sarnath is “Mrigadava”, which means “forest where deer play”. It is said that this place was once a place where many deer lived, hence the name.
There are many Buddhist sites in Sarnath, which are important places for believers and tourists to worship.
1. Dhamek Stupa: It is said to be the place where Buddha first preached, about 34 meters high, and is the most famous building in Sarnath.
2.Sarnath Heritage Park: Contains many relics, such as monasteries, pagodas and the remains of ancient temples.
3. Ashoka Pillar: Built by Ashoka in the third century BC, it is engraved with Buddhist decrees and has four lions carved on the top of the pillar (the source of the Indian national emblem).
4. Sarnath Museum: Displays many important Buddhist relics, including the lion statues on the top of the Sarnath Pillar.
Sarnath attracts Buddhist believers and historians from all over the world, and holds many Buddhist commemorative activities every year. It is not only a holy place in the minds of Buddhists, but also a symbol of world cultural heritage. The solemnity and peace of Sarnath are not only a remembrance of the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha, but also carry the continuation and development of Buddhist beliefs for thousands of years.
鹿野苑
佛陀首次布道的地点，他在此向五位苦行僧宣讲四圣谛和八正道，标志着佛教的创立。鹿野苑（Sarnath）是佛教的重要圣地之一，位于印度北方邦瓦拉纳西以北约10公里处。鹿野苑因释迦牟尼佛在这里初转法轮而闻名，是佛教传播史上具有里程碑意义的地方。鹿野苑是佛教四大圣地之一（其他三处为：菩提伽耶、灵鹫山和拘尸那罗）。鹿野苑的梵文名称为“鹿野林”（Mrigadava），意为“鹿群嬉戏的森林”。据传，这里曾是众多鹿栖息的地方，因此得名。
鹿野苑现存许多佛教遗址，是信徒和游客参拜的重要场所。
达美克佛塔（Dhamek Stupa）：相传为佛陀初次说法的地方，高约34米，是鹿野苑最著名的建筑。
鹿野苑遗址公园：包含众多遗迹，如僧院、佛塔和古代寺庙的残基。
阿育王石柱：由阿育王在公元前三世纪所建，上刻佛教法令，柱顶雕有四头狮子（印度国徽的来源）。
鹿野苑博物馆：展示了许多重要的佛教文物，包括鹿野苑石柱顶端的狮子雕像。
鹿野苑吸引着来自世界各地的佛教信徒和历史学者，每年举行多次佛教纪念活动。它不仅是佛教徒心目中的圣地，也是世界文化遗产的象征。鹿野苑的庄严与平和，既是对释迦牟尼佛教义的追忆，也承载了千年来佛教信仰的延续与发展。
Varanasi
Varanasi also known as Benares or Kashi, is one of the oldest cities in India and among the world’s most ancient continuously inhabited cities. Located on the western bank of the Ganges River in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is revered as the spiritual capital of India. It holds immense religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.
瓦拉纳西
瓦拉纳西也被称为贝拿勒斯或喀什，是印度最古老的城市之一，也是世界上最古老的连续有人居住的城市之一。瓦拉纳西位于印度北方邦恒河西岸，被尊为印度的精神之都。它对印度教徒、佛教徒和耆那教徒具有巨大的宗教意义。
