Section C

Unit 7 Buddhism of Northern Nepal

A Presentation
by
Mahendra Ratna Shakya
2075-01-19/May 2, 2018
Unit 7. Buddhism of Northern Nepal
 7.1. Introduction
 7.2. Buddhist Ethnic groups
 7.3. Prominent sects of Buddhism
 7.4. Prominent Gompas
 7.5. Feat, festivals and Important Buddhist

sites
 1. Introduction
Nepal is divided into Three Regions from the geographical view point.
They are Himalayan Region, Hilly Region and Tarai Region. Among
them Tarai Region covers 17%, Himalayan Region covers 15% and Hilly
Region covers the remaining parts of total land coverage of Nepal
(68%). Northern Part of Nepal is the Himalayan Region which begins
from 3000 meters above the sea level and from 5000 meters there are
snow-bound areas where snow falls from six to twelve months.
The Northern region consists of snow covered Himalayan range.
Therefore, this area is extremely cold. Life is very hard in this area due
to decreasing oxygen pressure, low absolute humidity of the air, low
temperatures, poor transportation facility, isolated or remote
geographical location and poor infrastructure.
There are 16 districts in the Himalayan Region. They are Taplejung, Sankhuwasbha,
Solukhumbu, Dolakha, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, Manang, Mustang, Dolpa, Mugu,
Humla, Jumla, Kalikot, Bajura, Bajhang and Darchula.
Accordingto the Census 2068 BS, total population of Nepal is 2,64,94,504. Among
them 6.73% or17,81,792 people live in Himalayan Region (Nepal Paricaya, Sucana
Vibhaga, 2074). They are Bhotia (Tibetan language speaking group), Sherpa,
Tamang, Gurung and others.
They can't detach from the nature. From the view point of individual and communal
protection, they always worship supernatural forces of surrounding areas. Cultural
transformation and process of urbanization are gradually taking place due to contact
with outsiders and the impact of modern education. Himalayan tourism, agro-
pastoralism, farming, collection and preservation of herbal medicines, means of
local transportation like mountain goats, yaks, and human porters are the income
sources of them. Caravan trading, trekking and mountaineering, production of
woolen rugs, carpets is also their occupations. Most of the Himalayan people follow
Buddhism.

2. Buddhist Ethnic Groups (af}4 hftLo ;d"x)

In Nepal, according to the 2011 national census, 44.6 percent of the population
speaks Nepali (Khas /Parbate, Indo-Aryan language) as a first language. But the large
groups of Tibeto-Burman speakers are found throughout the country.
They include the Newar, the Tamang, the Gurung, the Magar, the Sherpa and other
peoples related to the Bhutia, and the Kirat.
The Kirat were the earliest inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. The Newar are also
one of the earliest groups in Nepal. The Tamang inhabit the high valleys to the
northwest, north, and east of Kathmandu Valley. The Gurung live on the southern
slopes of the Annapurna massif, pasturing their cattle as high as 12,000 feet (3,700
metres). The Magar inhabit western Nepal but migrate seasonally to other parts of
the country.
Bhotias population (Tibetian language speaking group) occupied most of the high

Himalayan region. Other inhabitants of Northern region are:

Singsawas or Holunges of Holung valley around Kanchanjunga,
Lhomis of upper Arun valley
Topkegola people of Taplejung
Sherpas of Solukhumbu
Yolmowa of Helambu in Sindhupalchowk
Byasis of Darcula,
Nyimbas of Humla,
Lopas of Mustang,
Tamangs of Rasuwa
Nyeshangba of Manag
Bhotebahal, Bhotahiti, Lamatar, Bhotekosi River, Bhote Odar, Bhote Chautara etc.

the names of place, hill, rivers of Nepal indicate that these Northern
inhabited people are the indigenous people of Nepal.
The Sherpa, who live to the south of Mount Everest, are famed mountaineers.
Although, more than 1310 picks are identified, the permission for climbing the mountains

are granted only for 146 picks. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa reach the Mount Everest with Edmund
Hillary on 29 May 1953. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first Nepalese woman to climb the
Mount Everest. She reached the top of Everest on 22 April 1993. Angrita Sherpa climbed
Everest ten times.
Selected ethnic groups of Nepal:
   Bhotiya,   Sherpa,   Thakali,   Gurung,   Kirati,   Rai,   Limbu,   Newari,   Pahari,  
 Tamang
3. Prominent sects of Buddhism
There are four major schools in Tibetan Buddhism. They are Nyingmapa, Kagyupa, Sakyapa
and Gelugpa.
Nyingmapa
Nyingmapa means "The Ancient Ones". Nyin =old, pa=follower. The old sect founded by
Santarakshita, Padmasambhava and Thisongdetsan. The Nyingma tradition classifies its
teachings into Nine Yānas, whereas other schools categorize their teachings into the three
yānas or "vehicles“- Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The Nine Yanas are Sravaka, Prateka,
Mahayana + Kriya, Carya, Yoga + Anuttara Yoga, Mahayoga and Atiyoga. Dzogchen practice is
their special method and highest practice through which our mind can be sent to Sukhavati
heaven from Bramharandha or top of the head after death. Initially, Guru Padmasambhava
teaches the method to his 25 disciples. Nyingma sect is spread in Nepal from Olangcunggola
of Taplejug district to Humla and Bajura. There are more than 1050 Gompas of this sect in
Nepal.
Kagyupa - Kagyupa means “Lineage of the (Buddha's) Word”. Ka= teaching and
gyupa=lineage. It is believed that Guru Vajradhara transmitted the teachings to Indian master
Tilopa. According to Mingyur Rinpoche, Kagyupa focused on practice. One should practice
meditation first, realize the Buddha nature first, then the view develops.
Padmasambhava
Tilopa has many teachers from four directions. He learned the teachings of the
Buddha from south, east, north, and west. His pupil is Naropa. From Naropa it
passed to Tibetan pupil Marpa (1040- 1161 AD). This is an oral tradition which is
very much concerned with the experiential dimension of meditation. Marpa is called
the founder of Kagyu School of Buddhism in Tibet. Marpa transmitted his teachings
to Millarepa. Millarepa to Gampopa. Marpa also came to Nepal, Patan Ratnakar
Mahavihar, and learn Cakrasamvara tantra from two Nepalese masters Pandapa and
Chitherpa for three years. He also learn Samvara initiation from Phanthingpa of
Pharping. So Kagyupa is practice lineage. Main view is the practice of development
stage of and completion state.
Kagyupa has many sub-sects. One of them is Karma Kagyu, headed by a Karmapa.
The most recent sub sect is Shangpa Kagyu, which was famously represented by the
20th century teacher Kalu Rinpoche, born in Darjeeling. According to the Gumba
management and development committee Souvenir (2057 BS), Kagyupa sect
Gumbas are found in Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok and Dolkha districts of Northern
Nepal.
Marpa Milarepa
Sakyapa
Sakya – Sa=land, kya= grey and soft. Thus Sakya is the name of the place. The name Sakya
("pale or soft earth") derives from the unique grey or ashes colored and soft landscape of
Ponpori Hills in southern Tibet near Shigatse, where Sakya Monastery, the first monastery of
this tradition, and the seat of the Sakya School was built by Khon Konchog Gyalpo (1034–
1102) in 1073. He was the first Sakya Trizin or Sakya Throne-Holder. At that time Vajrayana
practice was little down in Tibet. They have loose the deeper meaning of Vajrayana. They
drinks and eats. There is no practice of meditation. Then Sachhen Kunga Nyigpo (the son of
Khon Konchog Gyalpo) went to India and meet Indian masters and they come to Tibet and
start authentic Vajrayana. There are five great masters of Sakyapa. They are Sachen Kunga
Nyigpo, Sonam Chheimo, Shakya Pandita, Dhagpa and Chhoegyal Phogpa. In the Sakyapa
tradition the main emphasis is on the development and completion stages of practice. Sakya
sect monastery are found in Sindhupalchok, Dolkha, Sankhuwasabha, Manang, Mustang,
Humla and Bajura districts of northern Nepal.
Sakya lieneage – Mahasidda Virupa > Krishnacarya and Dombi Heruka. Krishnacarya >
Gayadhara (went to Tibet) > Drokmi Lotsawa (Tibetan) >Drokmi was the first Tibetan to
received Lam Dre teaching. Drokmi > Seton Kunring > Zhangton Chobar (appears as an
ordinary person working in other peoples field, but inwardly he was a great yogi) > Sachen
Kunga Nyingpo, the great Sakyapa Lama.
Virupa Present Sakya Trizin
Ratna Vajra Rimpoche
Gelugpa
The Gelug is the newest of the schools of Tibetan Buddhism emerged in the 15th
century. It was founded by Je Tsongkhapa (rf]ª\vfkf 1357–1419), a philosopher and
Tibetan religious leader. The first monastery he established was named Ganden
(which gives an alternative name to the Gelug school, the Ganden-Pa), and to this
day the Ganden Tripa (ly|kf) is the Thorne holder or head of the school, though its
most influential figure is the Dalai Lama. "Ganden" is the Tibetan rendition of the
Sanskrit name "Tushita", the Pure land associated with Maitreya Buddha. The title
"Dalai (Talai) Lama" is given to Sonam Gyatso (1543- 1588) by Mongol Emperor
Altan Khan.
The Gelug School is also called the "New Kadam", because it saw itself a revival of
the Kadam School founded by Atisa’s chief disciple Dromtön in 1056 C.E. The Kadam
School was a monastic tradition in Tibet, founded by Gelugpa focuses on Vinaya
School and celibate monastic life. Special emphasize on study Buddhist philosophy,
logic, and then practice. They also practice Vajrayana.
The monasteries of Gelugpa sect are found in Sindhupalchok, Solukhumbu and
Taplejung districts of northern Nepal.
Tsongkhapa
incarnation of 14th Dalai Lama
Manjushree Tenzin Gyatso

Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu monks have Red Hat at

formal occasions, Thus they are called Red Hat Sects
But Gelug sect monk have Yellow Hat
Karmapa (Black Hats) The Black Hat sect is properly
known as Kagyu Karma orKarmapa.
4. Prominent Gompas
According to a journal published by Local Development Ministry, Gumba
Management and Development Committee in 2056 BS, there are 375 registered
Gompas in northern Nepal. Among them the majority number is Nyigma tradition. The
Gelugpa has only three Gompas at Sindhupalchok, Solukhumbu and Taplejung district.
Similarly, Sakyapa has 12, and Kagyupa has 23 Gompas in northern Nepal. Nyigma sect
is Vajrayana sect which is very popular in northern Nepal. Padmasambhava is the
prominent person in this sect of whom Nyigma followers took as a second Buddha.

Thupten Choling Gompa of Solukhumbu

Thupten Chöling monastery is established by Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche (7"lN;u
l/Dkf]5]) in the 1960s in the Solu Khumbu district of northeastern Nepal.
Over 900 monks and nuns (80% of whom are Tibetan refugees) live there, under
Trulshik Rinpoche's care. In 1977, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche visited Thupten Chöling
and stayed for several months, giving empowerments and compendium or collection
of Sadhanas.
 Dzogchen practice is very popular in Nyigma. The Gompa has north
east face with two stories. A large number of nunneries are
constructed around the monastery. It looks like a small village inside
the forest.
Bigu Gompa, Dolakha
Bigu is at 8400 feet, north east of Kathmandu, near the Tibetan border. In Dolakha
district, it’s close to Sindhulpalchok. Both districts are one of the most strike by the
earthquake and all the aftershocks. 90% of the buildings are destroyed in this area.
It is a great Nunnery Gompa where more than 300 nuns live. There are Sherpa
villages near the Gompa. In Sherpa language Bigu means seed. The monastery was
founded in 1934 by Bhutanese Dukpa Lama. 80 nuns live there. The Gompa belongs
to Dukpa Kagyu.
Tsarang (Charang) Gompa, Mustang
The village of Tsarang is just south of the walled town of Lo Monthang, the capital
of the Kingdom of Mustang in North Western Nepal. Muatang became a part of
Tibetan Gunthang or sometimes it became under the Khas Kingdom of Karnali
Region. It is independent kingdom of Lo or Lo Bo in 1440. Its capital is Monthang.
Jumli attack here in 17th century. Due to not knowing the pronunciation of Tibetan
language they name the town Mustang instead of Monthang. They joined the
lower Lo kingdom into Jumla and called the king of upper Lo kingdom as 'Mustangi
Raja'. Charang Gompa was built by Mustangi Raja Amepala in 15 th century. This
Royal Gompa has the room for two thousand monks. At that time 1000 monks live
there. The real name of the Gompa is 'Thupten Sedup Chorling. Today only a few
monks are there. . [Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (Nepali: जिग्मे दोर्जे पलवर विष्ट 1930-2016) was the
26th and last unofficial King of Mustang }
The monastery is made up of several buildings and structures. Some are in the
process of being renovated and others are in a state of serious disrepair. The inner
walls of the main temple are painted with murals depicting the deities of the
Medicine Buddha mandala. They have recently been cleaned and restored.
Charang Gompa, Mustang
Shey Gompa, Dolpa
Shey Gomba Dolpo region is the most remote and least developed district in Nepal.
Although a few anthropologists and geographers had explored the region, the entire
district was closed to trekkers until 1989 when the southern part of Dolpo was
opened to organized trekking groups. Peter Mathesons book "The Snow Leopard
and Snell grove - Himalayan pilgrimage" highlights the mystique and attraction of
Dolpo. Shey Gompa was established in the eleventh century. It belongs to Kagyu
sect. The altar images are of Guru Rimpoche, Shakyamuni and Milarepa. The Lama
of the Gompa was the reincarnation of Marpa, the founder of Kagyu in Tibet.
24-1-2075 May 7, 2018

5. Feast, festivals and Important Buddhist Sites Losar Festival

Lhosar (Losar) is one of the major festivals of Nepal which is celebrated widely with in all Nepal. Losar
originally is a "new year" festival in Tibetan Buddhism. Etymologically, 'Lho' means year and 'Sar' means new.
Losar is celebrated from Japan to Tibet and as far as South-East Asia, occurs in February or March but from
Kailash to Dardistan celebratae in December or January. According to traditional Tibetan history, Nyatri
Tsenpo was the first ruler of the Tibet in about 127 BC. The year of his enthronement marks the first year of
the Tibetan calendar; Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is celebrated in his honor.
There are four types of Lhosar celebrate in Nepal. Losar is the national festival of Nepal. It is celebrated by
the Mongolian Nepali people or Tibetan-Nepali people. It is the main festival of the Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung
and Thakali.
Tola Lhosar falls on Paush sukla pratipada observed in Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet
Tamu Lhosar falls on Paush sukla dvadasi, observed by the Gurung’s
Sonam Lhosar falls on Magh Sukla Pratipada ,observed by Tamang, Sherpa, Gurung and Thakali. People go to
Monasteries, Stupas and Chaityas and perform ceremonial rituals there.  Now-a-days Tamangs in Kathmandu
and nearby gather in Tudikhel to celebrate of Soman Losar. They organized different programs there. The
attractions are generally pooja, Lok Dohari competitions, Food Festivals, Dramas, etc.
Gyalmo Lhosar falls on Fagun Sukla Pratipada observed by Sherpas of Nepal. First observed by Chengis Khan
in the 13 th century to mark the victory over Tibet. It is also called King’s Lhosar.
Sonam Lhosar is farmers where as Gyalmo Lhosar is Kings Lhosar or big Lhosar
Losar rituals are concerned with inspiring a creative attitude, to establish a
basis for a good New Year. Although the festival begins from the first day of
the New Year, the actual rituals start from the second last day of the last
month of the year. On that day they cook guthuk a special kind of food
prepared from nine kinds of ingredients like meat, corn, rice, potato,
vegetables, soybean etc. The last day of the last year is called New Year's Eve.
People decorate their houses; prepare puddings (a cooked sweet dish), wine
and pass the time eating, drinking, dancing, singing and playing games. The
first day of the New Year is celebrated by carrying water from lu spirit to the
house and worship lu and other villages deities using chhyang. After that
Ahhimmar chho, a kind of offering made of sugar, flour and butter, is
distributed to each member of the family with blessing for long life, good
health, wealth and good luck.. The next day they visit other houses for good
wish taking and giving of blessings. Generally the process continues for five
days. All the people celebrate this festival of New Year by cleaning, wearing
new clothes, eating good foods performing traditional dances, songs, telling
jokes and creating overall happy atmosphere.
During this time, Tibetan monasteries and temples undertake specific rites to expel negative
habits from the old year, so these will not be carried into the New Year. The lamas and monks
will do a week of rituals, some of which culminate in the well-known lama dances. The monks
and nuns are also free to dancing, eating, playing, singing etc.
Dumje Festival
The Sherpas of Solukhumbu observe a number of festivals. Dumje is an important festival
among them. It is observed for four days at Junbesi Gompa every year in April. The same
festival is observed in January at the Gompa of the Lamobagar Village of Dolakha District. In
this festival Lamas worship the gods Mahakal and Dharmapalas. They perform dance to please
the gods. While performing the dance the outsiders are not allowed to see it. It is believed
that the outsiders might carry evil spirits along with them. They make an effigy (k'tnf) of bad
spirit and drive it away from the village. The attendants prey to gods to protect from the evil
spirits and bad planets to prevent them from doing potential harm. They offer white scarf to
all the mask dancers considered as the embodiments of divine spirits. On the next day Lamas
also perform the drama of Lamgdharma and how he was assassinated by the monk Dorje of
Lhalung and how he fled away to Amdo. On the third day the Gompa will decorate and lit the
butter lamps and make tormas of different varieties such as cow headed, pig headed, horse
headed, and snake headed tormas. After long worship they were burnt and destroyed. On the
fourth day the villagers offer the foods for monks. Male and female attendants perform dance
and songs in the evening.
The first person to start the festival was Lama Sangwa Dorje, who is also the founder of the earliest monasteries of  Khumbu region.
He first started the festival in Pangboche about 360 years ago, in order to coincide it with the birth anniversary of  Guru Rimpoche.

 The festival is performed by the Tengboche Monks in Tengboche, Namche

Bazar, Khumjung and Pangboche of Khumbu and Junbesi of Solukhumbu.
Among these, the festival in Namche is the most interesting and popular one.
The festival is celebrated in all the  Sherpa settlements during the month of
May or June and also the Sherpas of Kathmandu and Helambu regions
participate in dancing on this day. Dumji is celebrated with dancing, drinking
and merry making (joyful) along with rituals and dances by the monks.

Sābthuk the last Dance of the festival at Tengboche Gompa Dumje at Lukla Monastery, Khumbu
Tiji Festival
Tiji is a fascinating annual three-day festival consisting of Tibetan rituals that
celebrate the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang kingdom from
destruction. The festival is indigenous to Lo-Manthang, Upper Mustang.
"Tiji" the name is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim" which means

"Prayer for World Peace". This festival commemorates the victory of Lord Buddha's
incarnation Dorjee Sonnu over a demon called Man Tam Ru a vicious creature
feeding on human beings and causing storms and droughts cf“wLa]/L / ;'Svf.
Two types of Tiji are observed-
1. Ordinary Tiji - Mustange Raja, the king of Mustang will present
2. Lama Tiji - observed with the presence of chief Lama Khempo.
The Tiji festival usually takes place around mid-May and lasts for 3 days. The monks
of Lo Manthang's "Choedhe" monastery perform ritual dances during the
celebration. The harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a dance called "Tsa Chham" on the
first day), the birth of Dorjee Sonnu as the demon's son (on the second day called
"Nga Chham") and the attempt to return the demon to Lord Buddha's realm (on the
third and final day) are enacted during the performances.
Tiji Festival 2017

Celebrate the grand Himalayan annual

fest Tiji "Prayer for World Peace" in Lo
Manthang this May.
The Tiji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe Monastery, which
belongs to the Sakya sect of Buddhism. The monastery is headed by a Rimpoche.
Manirimdu Festival
Manirimdu is considered as one of the important festivals of the Sherpas of
Nepal Himalayan region. This is observed in the month of October or November.
In Solu, this is observed at Chiwong monastery located at an altitude of
approximately 10,000 ft above the sea level. The term manirimdu is derived from
'mani' and 'rildup' which means 'the practice of the mani pills'. However on this
festival, the 13 different dances are performed by the Lamas of the monastery.
For this celebration, the Tibetan reincarmated Lama Thulsig Rimpiche of
Thubtemchholing monastery located north of Junbesi, is requested to preside
the ceremony at Chiwong Gompa. Majority of the monks of Thutenchholing
monastery participate on this festival.Chiwong Gompa is highly decorated during
this festival. The attendants come with beautiful dresses and ornaments. Various
pujas, dance, mantras recitations will perform. At the end of the festival pills and
consecrated water distribute for the longevity of the attendants. The same
festival is observed at the Tyangboche monastery in Kathmandu.
Yartung Festival
Horses are an important part of the culture and landscape in Manang. Horses are the
means of transport as a vehicle and also used for the wars. Every year, people in
different villages in Manang district celebrate Yertung festival of horse race. People
celebrate Yertung at Ranipauwa on the way to Muktinath. The Yartung fair festival is
celebrated all over Mustang and is especially celebrated in Muktinath during August
full moon day every year. The festival is observed at the free time of villagers after
harvesting wheat and sowing potato, buckwheat and radish in the field. The villagers
are divided into number of sub-groups to participate the horse race. It is very
interesting and beautiful festival. They also sing the song related to festival. It is called
yertung song. The Gompa Lama performs puja and offers untouched chhang at the
race spot to protect from bad planet and evil.
Yartung begins from the invitation to Mustange Raja by local villagers. After the
approval of King the festival starts with procession followed by king and Royal family
of Lomanthang. Participants start singing dancing and enjoying. On the second day
women enjoy the charm of the festival under the leadership of Queen. On the third
day the lamas of Gumba celebrate the festival. The festival ends with the best rider
awarded.
Important Buddhist sites of Northern, Eastern Nepal
1. Maratika Cave (Halesi Mahadev)
Maratika cave is located in the District of Khotang, Halesi VDC Ward
No. 4, Sagarmatha Zone, Eastern Nepal. It is a famous cave for
pilgrimage to Nepal. It is the place where the great master, the
second Buddha Padmasambhava and his sacred consort Mandarava
obtained the realization of the Immortality of Life in this wonderful
cave. It was also blessed by the three family Lords - Manjushree,
Vajrapani, Awaloketesvara. It is a pilgrimage destination for those
seeking long life and Padmasambhava practice and peace of mind.
Inside the cave there is Shiva Linga of Halesi Mahadeva. There are
Maratika Cave, Khotang Halesi, Halesi Mahadev and Maratika
Monastery. Maratika is less visited tourism destination with limited
lodging facilities.
2. Muktinath
Muktinath is a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists located in
Muktinath Valley at an altitude of 3,710 meters in Mustang, Nepal. The
site is close to the village of Ranipauwa, which is sometimes mistakenly
called Muktinath. The ancient name of this place in Sri Vaishnava
literature, before Buddhist origin, is Thiru Saligramam. This houses the
Saligram shila, considered to be the naturally available form of Narayan.
It is also one of the 51 Shakti peeth or the power places.The Buddhists
call it Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means "Hundred Waters".
For Tibetan Buddhists, Muktinath is a very important place of dakinis,
goddesses known as Sky Dancers, and one of the 24 Tantric places. They
understand the murti to be a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, who
embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. The Tibetan Buddhist tradition
states that Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, the founder
of Tibetan Buddhism, had meditated at Muktinath on his way to Tibet.
3. Lo Gekar Gompa
Lo Gekar is one of the oldest Gompa of Nepal situated
in the Lang Chen ri hill which divide Mustang with
Dolpo. It is said that Lo Gekar is older than Samye
monastery, the first Gompa, of Tibet. It was founded in
Nyingmapa order. It is believed that Padmasambhava
visited the place in 8th century and he hid his teachings
all over the Himalayan region. The first hidden scriptures
of Padmasambha were found in Lo Gekar. Due to this
hidden treasure, Lo Gekar is famous as Treasure
pilgrimage. It is called Nidhi Tirtha or gTerma Neylhor.
Unit 8 Theravada Buddhism in Nepal
Theravada Buddhism is the oldest sect of Buddhism. Its literature is preserved
in Pali language. Buddha gave his teachings in Magadhi language. Pali means
palana or preserve. Magadhi language is later called Pali, because it is the
language in which Buddha's teachings are preserved.
Usually there are four ranks in Buddhist Order (Sangha) of monks and nuns.
They are 1. Sramanera/Sramaneri, 2. Bhikshu/Bhikshuni, 3. Sthavira/Sthavira
and 4. Mahasthavira/Mahasthavira. Those novice monks who are not yet at
the age of twenty are called Sramanera or Sramaneri. They are not full
ordained monks. After the completion of the age of 20 years by birth, He or
She can took full ordination and those fully ordinated monks and nuns are
called Bhikshu or Bhikshuni.
The full ordained monk is again entitled as 'Sthavira' or 'Thera' after the
completion of 10 years of his monk life. In the same way the Bhuksunis are
called 'Sthavira' or 'Theri'. Similarly, those monks who spend 20 years of his
monk life are called 'Mahasthavira', or 'Mahathera'.
Therefore, 'Thera, Theri' are the elder monks and nuns. They follow the Buddha's
teaching, Pali vinaya rules or discipline. Theravada is the doctrine of Theras which is
preserved in Pali Tipitaka. Buddha's original teachings are preserved by Theras.
Therefore, Theravada is the original doctrine of Buddha.
In the Second Buddhist Council, the order of the monks split into two groups. They
were orthodox Shthaviravada or Theravada and liberal Mahasanghika. From the both
sects several other sub sects were emerged until the Third Council. Theravada was
preserved up to present in western and southern countries like Burma, Thailand, and
SriLanka.
Theravada Buddhism is existed at the life time of the Buddha in Kapilavastu, the
kingdom of Shakyas or the home land of the Buddha now in western Nepal. According
to Sarvastivada Vinayavastu, Bhikshu Ananda visited Nepal valley during the life time
of the Buddha. It is believed that Theravada Buddhism spread in the valley during the
life time of the Buddha and was flourished during Licchavi period. But due to the
popularization of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and Hindu influenced state
policy in Nepal Valley, it was disappeared in late medieval period. Theravada
Buddhism revives from the 19th century.
1. Revival of Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism (TB) began to revive in India in the 19 th century. Anagarika Dharmapala
of SriLanka plays a significant role in revival of TB in India. In 1891 he founded Mahabodhi
Society in Kolkata for the restoration of the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodha Gaya. In 1893
he published a magazine "Mahabodhi" to propagate Buddhism specially Theravada. At that
time Jagatman Vaidya of Kathmandu went to Kolkata for education. He met Dharmapala and
was very influenced by his idea about Theravada Buddhism. He studied intermediate course
in Kolkata. According to the advice of Dharmapal, he changed his name and called himself
'Dharmaditya Dharmacarya'. Then he studied Buddhism and Pali language. He brought the
series of Mahabodhi publications, magazine and books to Kathmandu and try to convince his
friends. He founded a community of Buddhist followers 'Buddhopasaka Sangha' in the
resident of Dharmaman Sahu for the revival of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal. Again he
founded Buddhopasika Sangha in Patan Illanani in the leadership of Hiramaya and
Dhanamaya Upasika. He renovates Kindol Vihar at Svayambhu and made it the center for the
propagation of Theravada Buddhism. Buddha jayanti is stated to celebrate from Buddha Era
2469. He published Buddhist magazines in Nepal in the name of 'Buddhism','Buddhism and
Nepal Bhasa' etc. In 1928 December 'All India Buddhist Summit' was organized in Kolkata. He
was the General Secretary of Summit. 24 Buddhist organizations from Nepal and India were
participated the Summit. Then he returned to Kathmandu.
At the same time Kyanchya Lama came to Nepal from Tibet. Lama gives his
Dhamma discourses at the house of Dharman Sahu and later at the Manjushree
Parvat Svayambhu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kirtipur. At that time Prem Bahadur
Shrestha (Mahaprajna) was very much influenced by Lama's teaching and reached
Keung, Tibet to become a Buddhist monk. He was ordained as Mahayani monk
Gelung along with his five friends. But after the few months of his ordination he
came back to Nepal and the Rana Government exiled him from the country. Then
he went to Kusinagar and took ordination according to Theravada monastic system
from Chandramani Mahathero in 1928. He was named Mahaprajna. In 1930
another Tibetan monk (Vaidya Kulaman Sinha of Itum Baha) took ordination from
Candramani. He was named 'Sramanera Karmasil'. A novice Theravadin monk
Karmasil came to Kathmandu and walk for alms. He was the first Theravadin monk
to walk on the streets of Kathmandu for alms.
2. Theravada Monasticism
Sramanera Karmasil first stayed at Chodel (Adesvara) Katnmandu. Then at the request of
Baran Sahu (Darmaloka Mahasthavira) he came to Kindola monastery. Bhikshu Mahaprjna
went to Bhojapur to spread Theravada. Sramanera Amritanada (became Sramanera in 1936)
also came to Bhojapur. They spread Buddhism in Bhojapur. Bhikshu Mahaprajna made a
Buddha image for the Bhojapur monastery. But both of them sent to prison at Bojpur by local
authority and then after exiled them. In 2001 BS Prime Minister Juddha Samshera call all
Bhikshus of Kathmandu and order them not to propagate Buddhism in Nepal. But the monks
did not agree the order. Then eight Threravadin monks were exiled from Nepal. They went to
India. With the help of Dharmodaya Sabha founded in India, and SriLankan monk Venerable
Narada, Buddhist Monasticism was reestablished in Nepal. Exile monks were returned to
Nepal. Then after many Theravada monasteries were built after the democracy of 2007 BS.
There are at present 122 Theravada monasteries (in Kathmandu Valley 64+ outside Valley 58)
in Nepal. The monks have to follow 227 vinaya rules and nuns have to follow 311 rules. They
do not take meal after noon. They spend celibate life.
Nun's Sangha was already lost in Theravada Buddhism. Thus the female monks appeared in
Nepal are called 'Anagarikas'. They observed only ten vowes or precepts. They also do not
take meat afternoon and follow celibacy. There is Anagarika Sangha in Nepal.
3. Theravada Buddhist Practice
In
Theravada Buddhism the main virtue practiced are Sila, Samadi and Prajna (Morallity,
Meditation and Realization).
Sila (Morality)
Monks practice 227 silas or precepts and Anagarikas practiced 10 silas. Lay followers are

called 'Upasaka and Upasika'. They follow Pancasila, the five precepts such as to abstain from
killing beings, to abstain from stealing, to abstain from sexual misconduct, to abstain from
lying, and to abstain from intoxication.
Similarly,
they do not do 10 kinds of Unwholesome actions such as killing, stealing, sexual
misconduct, lying, slandering (pisuna vaca), harsh speech (pharusa vaca), vain talk
(samphapalapa vaca), covetous or greedyness (abhikkha), ill-will (vyapada), wrong view
(Micchaditthi).
They perform 10 meritorious actions
1.Dana- giving charity or generosity 2.Sila- morality, 3.Bhavana- meditaion, 4.Apacayana-
recerence to elders and holy persons, 5.Veyavacca- service in wholesome deeds, 6.Patidana-
transference of merits,7.Pattanumodana- rejoicing in others' merit, 8.Dhamma savanna-
listening to Buddha's teaching, 9.Dhamma-desana- expounding the Buddha's teaching,
10.Ditthijukamma- straightening one's right view.
Samadhi (meditation)
There are two types of meditation described in Theravada Buddhism. They are Samatha
and Vipassana. Samatha meditation is the concentration of mind or the tranquility of
mind. There are 40 types of Samatha meditations are described in Pali literature.The
passions or defilements are pacified in this meditation. The passions are ceased in
Vipassana meditation. Vipassana meditation brings us into Nirvana the liberation.
Prajna (wisdom)
Lokika Prajna (Mundane wisdom)
There are five types of realizations in Samatha meditation. They are the attainment of
First Meditation, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Meditation. The other realizations are
Four Arupa or formless meditations.
Lokuttara Prajna (Supramundane wisdom)
Thereare four types of realizations. They are Srotapatti, Sakridagami, Anagami and Arhat.
Srotapatti is the first step of realization brings us in the current or flow of Nirvana. Arhat
hood is the final Nirvana. After attaining it one will not take rebirth again. It is the
complete stage of Nirvana.
 This whole system, Sila Samadhi and Prajna, is called 'Arya Astnangika Marga' or 'The
Noble Truth of Eightfold Path'.
1. Revival of Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism began to revive in India in the 19th century. Anagarika Dharmapala of
SriLanka plays a significant role in revival of TB in India. In 1891 he founded Mahabodhi
Society in Kolkata for the restoration of the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodha Gaya. In 1893
he published a magazine "Mahabodhi" to propagate Buddhism specially Theravada. At that
time Jagatman Vaidya of Kathmandu went to Kolkata for education. He met Dharmapala and
was very influenced by his idea about Theravada Buddhism. He studied intermediate course
in Kolkata. According to the advice of Dharmapal, he changed his name and called himself
'Dharmaditya Dharmacarya'. Then he studied Buddhism and Pali language. He brought the
series of Mahabodhi publications, magazine and books to Kathmandu and try to convince his
friends. He founded a community of Buddhist followers 'Buddhopasaka Sangha' in the
resident of Dharmaman Sahu for the revival of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal. Again he
founded Buddhopasika Sangha in Patan Illanani in the leadership of Hiramaya and
Dhanamaya Upasika. He renovates Kindol Vihar at Svayambhu and made it the center for the
propagation of Theravada Buddhism. Buddha jayanti is stated to celebrate from Buddha Era
2469. He published Buddhist magazines in Nepal in the name of 'Buddhism','Buddhism and
Nepal Bhasa' etc. In 1928 December 'All India Buddhist Summit' was organized in Kolkata. He
was the General Secretary of Summit. 24 Buddhist organizations from Nepal and India were
participated the Summit. Then he returned to Kathmandu.