An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c45.329

v2.c45.329

**Sarnath**, Dt Varanasi, 5 km to the n. of Varanasi city, where Buddha preached his First Sermon (in Buddhist terminology turned the Wheel of the Law) after his enlightenment at BODH-GAYA and which thus became one of the four holiest places to the Buddhist world. The centre, known in late historical times as Sad-dharmacakra-mahā-vihāra, is one of the richest in Buddhist antiquities ranging in date from the times to Aśoka down to the 12th century. Aśoka built here one of his Dharmarājikā Stūpas and near it erected a pillar surmounted by a magnificent capital of four addorsed lions and inscribed on it an edict threatening dissenting monks and nuns with excommunication. For centuries thereafter the place continued to be a focus of structural and sculptural activity.