View allAll Photos Tagged Existence
Shot at Salkumar'23 this photo shows the existence and survival of life with trees and plants and how those two are related.
*BOOM*
The new Existence.
Home of BOOM, SMP, fable, Modd.G, Bodyline (soon), Miseria and Minettes. Main locations of Skream and Muse & Amuse.
USS OLYMPIA
Resting aside Becuna, a WWII sub.
This is a wonderful and majestic piece of history
now docked in Philadelphia to be experienced if you can.
However, it's future existence and location
is very much in question so
please take advantage and get to see it.
Here are a few interesting links/references to review
www.phillyseaport.org/ships_olympia.shtml
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Olympia_(C-6)
www.theolympian.com/2011/01/27/1521428/sink-the-uss-olymp...
www.google.com/#q=uss+olympia&hl=en&rlz=1W1ADRA_e...
It is the oldest steel hulled warship afloat today.
It is the oldest half sail/ half steam ship remaining.
It is the first naval vessel to use refrigeration, a big step.
It was the flagship at the famous battle of Manila Bay
commanded by Commodore George Dewey.
Name: USS Olympia
Namesake: Olympia, Washington
Ordered: 7 September 1888
Builder: Union Iron Works
San Francisco, California
Laid down: 17 June 1891
Launched: 5 November 1892
Sponsored by: Miss Ann B. Dickie
Commissioned: 5 February 1895
Decommissioned: 9 December 1922
Reclassified: CA-15, 17 July 1921
CL-15, 8 August 1921
IX-40, 30 June 1931
Fate: Museum Ship. Future disposition is uncertain.
General characteristics
Displacement: 5,586 tons
Length: 344 ft 1 in (104.88 m)
Beam: 53 ft 0.625 in (16.17028 m)
Draft: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
Propulsion: vertical triple-expansion steam engine
2 × screw propellers
Speed: 20 kn (23 mph; 37 km/h)
Range: 13,000 nmi (15,000 mi; 24,000 km)
Complement: 33 officers and 395 enlisted men
Armament: 4 × 8 in (200 mm)/35 cal Mark 4 guns (2x2),
10 × 5 in (130 mm)/40 cal guns (later replaced with 5 in (130 mm)/51 cal guns) (10x1),
14 × 6-pounders (57 mm (2.2 in)) (14x1),
6 × 1-pounders (37 mm (1.5 in)) (6x1),
4 × Gatling guns (4x1),
6 × 18 in (460 mm) above-surface torpedo tubes, firing Whitehead Mark 1 torpedoes
Armor: Deck: 4.75 in (121 mm) on slopes; 2 in (51 mm) flat
A Bangladeshi sex worker looks on at a brothel, in existence for at least a century, in Madaripur. — AFP Photo
“This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is a flash of lightning in the sky. Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.” - Buddha
Okunoin, Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan
see this large on black
My photo stream on black pix.garethwong.com
===
by @GarethWong
Talk's video: youtu.be/UTXF9F1ICu8
"Deprived of meaningful work, men and women lose their reason for existence; they go stark, raving mad." Fyodor Dostoevsky
(C) 2010 riyadh_ju@yahoo.com
My grandmother from my mother's side - she suffered from massive stroke 18 years back and since then she has been living with us. She raised my mom, me and my sister and she has been more than our existence to us. With the span of time her body mechanism is failing one after another. Three years back, the house physician prescribed tube feeding for her nutrition and survival. Since then she has been living like this. Now a day she cannot move at all and can barely speak. Till to date she has been very pious - still tries to pray in her own ways.
The almighty is never wrong but never dared to justify his action!
A few months ago I read a post about this ancient monument, I was unaware of its existence.
I logged into my Google Maps and recorded it as one of my desired places to visit.
Today Thursday 15th November 2018 Scotland basked in a beautiful Autumn sunshine, my favoured shooting conditions, I packed my Nikon and drove the 25 miles to the site.
Historic Environment Scotland maintain the monument , thankfully they have done a magnificent job, I truly believe it is important to preserve history for the generations to come.
I had a magnificent two hours recording my experience, I never fail to feel overwhelmed by the wealth of history that surrounds Aberdeen and the shire.
Thank's to Historic Environment Scotland for their detailed information on this site.
Ancient Monument - Kinkell Church - Inverurie Aberdeen Scotland.
Kinkell Church, built in the 1200s, is a classic medieval Highland church: simply designed and rectangular in shape. But the liturgical features installed in the 1520s are anything but plain. The stone sacrament house in the north of the church is an especially fine fixture.
Kinkell was refitted for Presbyterian worship following the Protestant Reformation of 1560, and declared redundant in 1771. Much of the building was dismantled and building materials recycled for use in a new kirk.
KINKELL CHURCH
• Kinkell Church, dedicated to St Michael, consist of the remains of a simple rectangular medieval parish church, of which only the N, W and part of the E
wall are upstanding.
The church was partly remodelled, perhaps on more than one occasion,
including in the early 16th century, when an elaborately carved Sacrament
House was built into the E end of the N wall.
Within the church is the monument of Gilbert de Greenlaw, killed at the battle
of Harlaw in 1411; the stone was re-used for a Forbes burial in 1592
CHARACTER OF THE MONUMENT
The church appears to have come on record in the early 13th century. Kinkell
was a mother church, or plebanus, and had dependent chapels at Dyce,
Drumblade, Kemnay, Kinnellar, Kintore and Skene.
This connection, which
was of long standing, may have arisen if Kinkell’s origins was that of an ecclesiastical foundation, rather like a minster, with an extensive parochia.
This would push back its origins considerably.
From the 14th century, certain revenues of the church evidently pertained to the Knights Hospitallers, although it is also recorded as an independent parsonage during the 14th century.
Any connection with the Hospitallers came to an end in 1420, when the church
and its annexes were erected into a prebend of Aberdeen Cathedral.
From a date and a set of initials on the sacrament house, it is apparent that in 1524 Alexander Galloway, rector of Kinkell and canon of Aberdeen Cathedral,
paid for the splendid sacrament house built into the E end of the N wall.
He appears to have been paying for further work the following year as a carved stone panel depicting the crucifixion, dated 1525, and with Alexander’s initials (three times), is built into the N wall (only a bronze replica survives; the original
was removed to Aberdeen Museum in 1934 and subsequently lost).
The church was abandoned in 1771 when the parish was amalgamated with
Keithhall. It was partially demolished to provide building materials for the new
parish church.
Archaeological Overview
There have been no recorded archaeological investigations at Kinkell.
The archaeological potential of the monument is extremely high and any excavation is very like to come across human remains, and perhaps also earlier church
buildings on the site.
Artistic/Architectural Overview
The church is fragmentary and devoid of features apart for the sacrament
house, the crucifixion panel and a single jamb of what must have been a large,
traceried E window. The simple oblong plan of the church suggests that the
basic form of the church dates from the early 13th century, with much late
medieval remodelling.
2/3
• The sacrament house is a particularly fine, and unique, example of this type of
medieval church fixture. It was an aumbry, or wall cupboard, designed to
reserve the host in appropriate reverential surroundings.
• The sacrament house at Kinkell shares several features with others found in
the NE, associated with Galloway, but is unique due to its cross shape. The
aumbry is flanked by two buttresses with crocketed finials. Between these is a
panel, which although badly defaced, appears to have been ornamented with a
monstrance supported by two angels (a very common motif found on other
sacrament houses associated with Alexander Galloway). Above this panel is a
corbelled and battlemented cornice, and above this is an oblong panel, which
probably contained a crucifixion scene, but is now empty. Flanking the
pinnacles are two panels, each filled with scrolls, which are of different forms
although the inscriptions on the scrolls were meant to be read as one and
state: ‘Here is preserved that body which was born of a virgin’.
• The crucifixion panel has a representation of St Michael, the archangel (to
whom the church was dedicated) to the right of the crucified, the Virgin on the
left and under her a priest, perhaps representing Galloway himself as donor,
standing beside an altar on which are Galloway’s initials.
• The sacrament house and the Crucifixion panel appear to have been part of a
liturgical revival in the diocese of Aberdeen during the early decade on the 16th
century. Alexander Galloway appear to have been a central figure in the move
to ensure parish churches had the fittings for the proper worship of God, and in
particular devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He erected several sacrament
houses in churches he was involved in; Kinkell and its dependents at Dyce and
Kintore, and at King College, Aberdeen and may have been influential in the
decision of his colleagues, Alexander Spittal of Auchindoir and Alexander Lyon
of Turiff, to erect those in their respective churches. Galloway also donated a
font to Kinkell, which now is now in St John’s Episcopal Church, Aberdeen.
• The construction of the sacrament house may have been part of a wider
reorganisation of the chancel area of the church, and it is tempting to suggest
that the great E window may have been a part of this re-organisation, although
details of this moulding may be more consistent with a 14th or 15th century
date.
Social Overview
• The church is currently used as a recreational attraction. It receives little other
community use.
Spiritual Overview
• As a parish church in use for some six centuries, the site has the potential to
inform our understanding of medieval Christianity, the aspirations of the
rectors, vicars and ministers who served the church and the congregations
who worshipped in it.
• The burial ground was in use until fairly recently, and may still be in use for
occasional burials. People still visit family graves and memorials.
Aesthetic Overview
• The church and burial ground are located in the haughs of the River Don,
amongst arable farmland which adds to the appreciation of this monument.
The church has been pointed with a hard cement mortar that give the walls the impression of crazy paving.
The sacrament house, the replica crucifixion panel,
3/3 the window jamb are fine architectural details which are aesthetically very striking, and provide some idea of the glories of this once very fine church.
• The graveslab of Gilbert de Greenlaw, killed at the Battle of Harlaw, which would originally have been a ledger slab, is a particularly detailed carving of an armed knight.
What are the major gaps in understanding of the property?
• Do further historical sources or references survive.
• Nothing is known about the archaeology and earlier history of this site.
The church is an example, although much ruined, of a church which was remodelled in the 16th century.
The sacrament house is a particularly fine example of this type of church
furnishing, and the only example which takes the form of a cross.
Sacrament houses are physical manifestation of an important aspect of late medieval
Christianity; the veneration and adoration of the Body of Christ in the form of the consecrated host.
The church is closely associated with Canon Alexander Galloway, who encouraged a liturgical revival in the diocese in the early 16th century.
The site has high archaeological potential, but as a place of burial over centuries so the scope for research-led invasive excavation is not high.
Associated Properties
St Fergus’, Dyce, Auchindoir Church, St Machars Cathedral, Kintore Church,
States of Existence developed during the winter & spring terms by the 2015 Choreography Workshop students, includes both solo and group work that focus on the idea of the individual in relation to 'other.' The following question is presented: How is individual identity created? To see more about Knox's Dance program: www.knox.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/dance
copyright © 2009 Ryan sprague. All rights reserved
Please Email..nikon_001@yahoo.com for permission to use photo
Mocap animations by Susan Sloane.
ARTIST STATEMENT
"One of my research interests focuses on the use of Motion Capture (Mocap) in the creation of computer animated portraits.
"I'm interested in the notion that Mocap is a document of existence in the same way that a photograph or a piece of video footage is. It is not one moment captured in time but a document of movement and identity removed from a specific time and place.
"Within these works I attempt to capture a sense of stillness and perhaps the mundane using motion captured sequences as the basis for the portraiture."
Collaborative documentary in situ of the salon exhibition, the study gallery of modern art, poole (04-08 nov)
Aforementioned penis cakes and popcicles, some with yummy frosting oozing out. Go ahead, put one in your mouth; it's fun for all ages...
The superpower called China isn't only about booming economy and budding metropolis.
In its core, its still the ancient country which has gone through a lot of struggle in the earlier decades.
Very early morning, an old worker carrying his valuables in the old traditional way
Guilin,Guangxi,China.
----------------------
Getting back to the photos of Guilin/Yangshuo/Longsheng. It was the finest travelling experience in China and I feel the photos arent getting its due staying in the archives:P. So I am thinking of uploading them consecutively, the series may well run for 10-15 days!!
These images are being used by the Plymouth Morris Men with permission of Dr Sanjay Shama and Alan Stewart.
Integration through Culture: Dance, Dance, Dance.
The event aims to create an awareness of integration in the multicultural society we live today through dance, to realise the full potential of our co-existence and to promote racial and cultural harmony among different communities. Up to 18 dance styles including: Belly; Salsa; African; Morris; Classical; Ballet; Bollywood; Western; Chinese; Folk; Nepali and Djing.
Organised by Dr Sanjay Sharma *** Local Caption *** dance, music, dancing, theatre.
Yursi, age 20, tends to cocoa seedlings at the Forsaka nursery in Jalin Village, Jentho, Aceh.
The Forsaka Nursery is a new pilot initiative set up by Fauna and Flora International (FFI) which will benefit over 300 families, in 6 villages in the area. The nursery is growing seedlings for cocoa plants, Mahoni trees (used for timber) and other trees in order to provide free seedlings to local farmers to enable them to diversify their crops. The area is one of the worst hit by illegal logging and farmers currently survive by growing groundnut or rice, a subsistence existence.
The project employs 40 men from the local community who work at the nursery and some of the 300 farmers are already in discussions on how to set up a co-operative to sell their produce once they have planted their new crops.
The project also educates the farmers on best practices, use of organic manure and fertilisers and provides them with knowledge on how to preserve the environment.
The nursery is part of the Aceh Forest and Environment Project, a World Bank Multi Donor Fund program which is supported by UKaid from the Department for International Development.
The project aims to protect the Leuser and Ulu Masen forest ecosystems form illegal logging. The 3.3 million hectare area in the northern part of Aceh province, is the largest contiguous forested area in South East Asia. It is seen as a rich provider of environmental and economic benefits for the 2 million people living in Aceh.
View an audio slideshow of this story at:
Image credit: Abbie Trayler-Smith / Panos Pictures / Department for International Development (DFID)
This bubble is only about one inch in diameter - it floated past me when I had my camera in hand. I love the way the sun reflects across it's thin surface.
Biri Island, Northern Samar -
A rain two hours ere the dawn didn't falter us to go on with the shoot. We have endured a kilometer and waistline level salt-water walk to Makadlaw rock formation. Scuttling clouds and blessed sunrise stunned us.
(Not a HDR photo)
Balinese cremation, or Ngaben, is a purification rite intended to free the spirit from its temporary earthly house and facilitate the journey to its next existence.
There was a handwritten note on a message board in Ubud announcing a cremation on the following day. We signed up, and for 8,000 Rp ($1), someone would provide transportation to and from the village in which the cremation was taking place. The next morning, about 12 people, mostly locals, piled into a taxi van and we were taken to the village. Shortly after arriving, we saw a group of men walking though the streets carrying a large cow. The cow, known as a lembu, is made of paper and light wood and is and believed to be the vehicle of the spirits. We followed as they made there way to a clearing on the edge of the village which serves as the cremation site (photos 1 &2). We, the tourists, had no information, nor idea as to what to expect or at what time the activities were scheduled to commence.
After the limbu had been placed at the cremation site, we ended up waiting around the village with no idea as to what to expect or when it might happen. While waiting some girls came by offering clove cigarettes (photo 10), another person offered rambutan they had just picked from the trees overhead. Fortunately, another person lead me to the home of the deceased. In the home’s courtyard, a number of persons had gathered (photos 5, 6, 7 & 8) and there was a large number of spiritual offerings (photos 3 & 4). The remains of the deceased were laid out on an elevated bamboo platform where a priest was performing rituals (photo 9). The night before the cremation, holy water was collected from a main temple to be used in preparing the body and during the cremation ceremony.
Once the priest had completed the preparations, the body, wrapped in white sheets was carried to, and placed in a casket. The casket was carried through the village (photos 15, 16 & 17) to the location where the wadah (photos 11 & 12) - a large throne-like structure - had earlier been placed. The wadah stood on a large platform made of bamboo. The casket was placed on the wadah and, accompanied by two sons (photo 18), carried by dozens of men through the streets of the village (photos 20, 21 & 22) in a frenzied manner. The men carrying the wadah changed directions often, going in circles and often backtracking in an effort to confuse the earthly spirits and enable the deceased to escape the earthly spirits.
Once the procession arrived at their ultimate destination – the cremation site (photos 23 & 24), the casket was lowered from the wadah and carried overhead to the location where the lembu was placed earlier (photos 26 & 27) . The remains, wrapped in white cloth (photo 28), were removed and placed in the lembu through an opening in the cow’s back. With the priest overseeing the proceedings (photo 30), a hose was attached to the rear of the lembu (photo 32). The hose ran up to a canister of fuel that was suspended overhead in a palm tree (photo 31). Using fire from a holy source, the fuel was ignited and the lembu began to burn (photos 33 and 34). As the intensity of the fire increased, the lembu became engulfed in flames (photos 35, 36 & 37). Once the fire consumed the lembu and it’s contents, the ashes were transported to the coast and ultimately taken to sea, to be spread in the water symbolizing the final separation of the soul from the body.
States of Existence developed during the winter & spring terms by the 2015 Choreography Workshop students, includes both solo and group work that focus on the idea of the individual in relation to 'other.' The following question is presented: How is individual identity created? To see more about Knox's Dance program: www.knox.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/dance
History of Kraków
First indications of the existence of Krakow approximately stem from the 7th century. In the next following centuries the tribe of Vistulans (Wislanie) populated Krakow, after they centuries ago in the as "Lesser Poland" or Malopolska known region had settled down. From the year 965 stems the first document from Krakow, as Abraham ben Jacob of Cordova, a Jewish merchant, in his book referred to the trading center of Krakow.
In 1000, the Diocese of Krakow was founded and in 1038 declared capital of the Piast dynasty. The Wawel castle and several churches were built in the 11th century and thus the town rapidly grew. 1241 the Mongols invaded the city and burned down Krakow without exception. 1138 Krakow became the seat of the senior prince. 1257 Kraków was awarded its town charter and a city map was drawn up, which remained until today. This one included the arrangement of the checkerboard street configuration with a centrally located market. On the market following the seat of the city government was built. From the historical trading functions until today only the Cloth Halls remained. But on the market not only trade agreements were closed but also courtly and urban festivities celebrated. Furthermore, the urban center served for executions. The defensive walls were built, which surrounded the city and linked it to the Wawel. In the south of Wawel Castle in 1335 the city of Kazimierz was created. By Royal command it was surrounded by defense walls and the churches of St. Catherine, of Corpus Christi and the "Na Skalce" were built. End of the 15th century, Jews settled the later Cracow district. 1364 the Cracow Academy of King Kazimierz Wielki was founded, the famous Polish Jagellonen-University.
With the last king of Jagellonian dynasty, Krakow flourished. The Wawel castle was rebuilt in Renaissance style, the well known Zygmunt chapel was built and the Cloth Halls as well as the patrician houses have been restored. During the reign of King Sigismund III. Vasa the baroque style received introduction in Krakow. The Baroque University Church of St. Anne and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul were built in this period. In 1607 Warsaw was declared headquarters of the King, but Krakow retained its title of the Royal capital. Furthermore, it remained the place of coronations and funerals. Middle of the 17th century, the city was devastated by the Swedes, what at the beginning of the 18th century was produced again.
After the first partition of Poland, Krakow became a frontier town. Austria declared the settlement Podgorze separated city. After the second division in 1794, began the Polish national uprising. After its decline and the third partition of Poland the town fell to the Austrians, which on Wawel Hill caused numerous devastations and adapted buildings to the wishes and needs of the Army. 1809 Cracow was affiliated to the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. After the defeat of Napoleon, Krakow in the Vienna Convention of 1815 was declared Free City of Kraków. Then the remains of folk hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko and of Prince Jozef Poniatowski were brought back to the city. 1820-1823 on the rise of St. Bronislava a hill in honor of the leader of the popular uprising was built. Instead of the city walls, which were largely destroyed, they laid out supporting beams. 1846 Krakow lost its independence and the Austrians erected again on the Wawel barracks and they surrounded the Wawel with fortification complexes. However, Austria but has proved less tyrannical and so the city enjoyed a certain degree of growing cultural and political freedom. 1918 Krakow became the independence back.
Before the outbreak of the Second World War, in Krakow lived about 260,000 inhabitants, of which 65,000 belonged to the Jewish religion. During the war, also Krakow became witness of German war crimes. The for the greater part Jewish district of Kazimierz was eradicated. The Jews from now on lived in ghettos where they either were deported from there to Auschwitz or immediately shot. In spite of the plundering of the Nazis, Krakow became no scene for military combat operations and thus the only large Polish town escaping this fate. Therefore, its old architecture still almost completely is intact.
After the surrender of Germany and the Polish liberation, hastened the Communist government to inspire the traditional life and the city with a large steel plant in Nowa Huta. But the intensive rebuilding of the economy and industry rather promoted an ecological disaster. Buildings that had survived the war undamaged were now devoured and destroyed by acid rain and toxic gases. Carbon dioxide emissions grew so powerful that this has remained a serious and grave problem of the city. After the fall of the Communists and the fall of the Iron Curtain Krakow has benefited greatly from tourism and has adapted itself to a large extent to the Western culture.
States of Existence developed during the winter & spring terms by the 2015 Choreography Workshop students, includes both solo and group work that focus on the idea of the individual in relation to 'other.' The following question is presented: How is individual identity created? To see more about Knox's Dance program: www.knox.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/dance
The Artane Band have been in existence since 1872, and to date; have played for every President and Taoiseach of Ireland, three Presidents of the United States, three Kings and Queens of the United Kingdom,as well as many other heads of state, in their long history. They have a unique and long standing relationship with the GAA and are a well known feature of all Ireland Sundays. The Artane Band are perhaps best known for their appearances in Croke park; but are now equally well known as concert and ensemble players of the highest regard.
Canada had recently offered the Long-neck tribe people(Padong), who are refugees in Thailand citizenship. Unlike the younger generation, the older generation is tired of their constant moving and would prefer to stay in Thailand, just like this lady. Unfortunately, her son had decided to move to Canada and will be leaving her behind.
When struggle ends
Failure starts,
But when person bows down
With the weight of struggle
What to do?
Who will help?
Poem by TADASHA TRIPATHY
Sarnath is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, India.
The Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath about 5 weeks after his enlightenment. Before Gautama (the Buddha-to-be) attained enlightenment, he gave up his austere penances and his friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, left him and went to Isipatana.
Isipatana is the name used in the Pali Canon, and means the place where holy men (Pali: isi, Sanskrit: rishi) landed.
After attaining Enlightenment the Buddha, leaving Uruvela, travelled to the Isipatana to join and teach them. He went to them because, using his spiritual powers, he had seen that his five former companions would be able to understand Dharma quickly. While travelling to Sarnath, Gautama Buddha had to cross the Ganges. Having no money with which to pay the ferryman, he crossed the Ganges through the air. When King Bimbisāra heard of this, he abolished the toll for ascetics. When Gautama Buddha found his five former companions, he taught them, they understood and as a result they also became enlightened. At that time the Sangha, the community of the enlightened ones, was founded. The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was given on the full-moon day of Asalha Puja. Buddha subsequently also spent his first rainy season at Sarnath at the Mulagandhakuti. The Sangha had grown to 60 in number (after Yasa and his friends had become monks), and Buddha sent them out in all directions to travel alone and teach the Dharma. All 60 monks were Arahants.
Several other incidents connected with the Buddha, besides the preaching of the first sermon, are mentioned as having taken place in Isipatana. Here it was that one day at dawn Yasa came to the Buddha and became an Arahant. It was at Isipatana, too, that the rule was passed prohibiting the use of sandals made of talipot leaves. On another occasion when the Buddha was staying at Isipatana, having gone there from Rājagaha, he instituted rules forbidding the use of certain kinds of flesh, including human flesh. Twice, while the Buddha was at Isipatana, Māra visited him but had to go away discomfited.
A stone pillar marks the spot where the Buddha preached his first sermon. Nearby was another stupa on the site where the Pañcavaggiyas spent their time in meditation before the Buddha's arrival, and another where five hundred Pacceka Buddhas entered Nibbāna. Close to it was another building where the future Buddha Metteyya received assurance of his becoming a Buddha.
Buddhism flourished in Sarnath in part because of kings and wealthy merchants based in Varanasi. By the third century Sarnath had become an important center for the arts, which reached its zenith during the Gupta period (4th to 6th centuries CE). In the 7th century by the time Xuan Zang visited from China, he found 30 monasteries and 3000 monks living at Sarnath.
Sarnath became a major centre of the Sammatiya school of Buddhism, one of the early Buddhist schools. However, the presence of images of Heruka and Tara indicate that Vajrayana Buddhism was (at a later time) also practiced here. Also images of Brahminist gods as Shiva and Brahma were found at the site, and there is still a Jain temple (at Chandrapuri) located very close to the Dhamekh Stupa.
At the end of the 12th century Sarnath was sacked by Turkish Muslims, and the site was subsequently plundered for building materials.
Sarnath has been developed as a place of pilgrimage, both for Buddhists from India and abroad. A number of countries in which Buddhism is a major (or the dominant) religion, among them Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, have established temples and monasteries in Sarnath in the style that is typical for the respective country. Thus, pilgrims and visitors have the opportunity to experience an overview of Buddhist architecture from various cultures.
WIKIPEDIA