| Dharmekh
Stupa (6th century) |
Sarnath, India |
Click on an image to enlarge
The stupa at Sarnath marks the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. First constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (2nd century B.C.) it was later rebuilt by the Maryan and Gupta dynasties, attaining its present form in the early 6th century. During the colonial period Colonel Cunningham drilled a shaft down the center of the stupa and discovered a tablet with the word Dhamekha, which is believed to be a corrupted form of Dharma Chakra, meaning "turning the wheel of the law." It coincides with the records of Buddha's first sermon, when he "set the wheel of law into motion."
The present stupa is 31.3 meters tall and 28.3 meters wide. Swastika and lotus wreath designs cover the lower portion.
Bibliography:
All images copyright 2001 Kaye Yeo Ahn, MArch graduate student at Yale University.
Tadgell, Christopher The
History of Architecture in India.
Phaidon Press, Limited.
Singapore. 1990
http://www.buddhanet.net/sarnath.htm