At which place did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon and formally begin his public teachings?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the life of Gautama Buddha and the key places associated with important events in Buddhism. Exams frequently ask which place is connected with his birth, enlightenment, first sermon and death. Knowing that his first sermon marks the formal beginning of his teaching career helps you answer this type of question quickly and also understand the significance of Sarnath in Buddhist tradition.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks where Buddha started his teachings, meaning where he gave his first sermon.
• Options include Lumbini, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar.
• We assume the standard Buddhist tradition regarding the four key sites of Buddha's life.
• We must match each place with the correct event.

Concept / Approach:
According to Buddhist tradition, after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Gautama Buddha travelled to the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi (Benares), where he delivered his first sermon to his five former companions. This event is called Dharmachakra Pravartana (setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma) and marks the formal beginning of his public teaching career. Lumbini is associated with his birth, Bodh Gaya with enlightenment and Kushinagar with his Mahaparinirvana (passing away), so Sarnath is the correct answer for the first sermon.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites and their associated events.Step 2: Lumbini in present-day Nepal is where Queen Maya is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama.Step 3: Bodh Gaya in Bihar is where Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became the Buddha under the Bodhi tree.Step 4: Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon to the five ascetics, beginning his public ministry.Step 5: Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is associated with his Mahaparinirvana, the final passing away of the Buddha.Step 6: Therefore, the place where Buddha started his teachings by giving his first sermon is Sarnath.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any standard history textbook or introduction to Buddhism lists the four key sites with their matching events in exactly this way: Lumbini – birth; Bodh Gaya – enlightenment; Sarnath – first sermon; Kushinagar – Mahaparinirvana. Exam guides and previous years' question papers regularly test this mapping. Sarnath is specifically described as the place of the first sermon, confirming it as the correct answer here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lumbini: Important as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, not as the place where he began his teachings.Bodh Gaya: Site of enlightenment, where he realised the Four Noble Truths, but he delivered his first sermon later at Sarnath.Kushinagar: Place of his Mahaparinirvana (final passing away), marking the end, not the beginning, of his teaching career.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Bodh Gaya and Sarnath because both are crucial early events in Buddha's spiritual journey. Another mistake is to think that the place of enlightenment is automatically the starting point of public teaching. To avoid confusion, remember a simple sequence: Lumbini – birth; Bodh Gaya – enlightenment; Sarnath – first sermon; Kushinagar – death (Mahaparinirvana).

Final Answer:
Gautama Buddha began his public teachings by delivering his first sermon at Sarnath, near Varanasi.