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About
Bodnath |
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Bodnath (also called Boudha, Bouddhanath or Baudhanath or the
Khāsa Caitya) is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in
Kathmandu, Nepal. It is known as Khāsti in Nepal Bhasa,
Jyarung Khasyor in Tamang language or as Bauddha by speakers
of Nepali.
The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The
ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx
of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the
construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around
Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most famous
tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.
Bodnath is situated about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and
northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive
mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.
Buddhist stupa of Bodnath, its big, rounded, white base
crowned with a tower and pyramid on which Buddha's all-seeing
eyes are painted. Strings of prayer flags fluttered over us as
we walked clockwise around the temple among busy pilgrims, the
air resounding with bells, horns and chanting. |
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History of Bodnath |
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The
Gopalarajavamsavali says Boudhhanath was constructed by the
Nepalese Licchavi king Śivadeva (c. 590-604 CE); though other
Nepalese records date it to the reign of King Manadeva (464-505
CE).Tibetan sources claim a mound on the site was excavated in
the late 15th or early 16th century and the bones of king
Amshuvarma 605-621 were ascertained there. However, the Tibetan
emperor, Trisong Detsän (r. 755 to 797) is also usually linked
with the construction of the Boudhanath Stupa.Yolmo Ngagchang
Sakya Zangpo from Helambu resurrected Boudhanath. |
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Legend of the Construction of the Stupa according to Tibetan
Buddhist Mythology |
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"The
village that encloses the great Kaoyapa tower is usually known
by the name of Boddha which in Tibetan is called Yambu Chorten
Chenpo. Yambu is the common name by which Kathmandu is known in
Tibet; and Chorten Chenpo means great tower. The real name of
the tower in full is, however, Ja Rung Kashol Chorten Chenpo,
which may be translated into: "Have finished giving the order to
proceed with." The tower has an interesting history of its own
which explains this strange name. It is said in this history
that Kasyapa was a Buddha that lived a long time before
Shakyamuni Buddha. after Kasyapa Buddha's failure, a certain old
woman, with her four sons, interred this great sage's remains at
the spot over which the great mound now stands, the latter
having been founded by the woman herself. Before starting on the
work of construction, she appealed the King of the time, and
obtained permission to "proceed with" building a tower. By the
time that, as a result of great sacrifices on the part of the
woman and her four sons, the groundwork of the structure had
beencompleted, those who saw it were amazed at the prominence of
the scale on which it was undertaken. This was especially the
case with the high officials of the country, who all said that
if such a poor old dame were allowed to complete building such a
fantastic tower, they themselves would have to devoted a temple
as great as a mountain, and so they decided to ask the King to
disallow the further progress of the work. When the King was
approached on the matter his splendor replied: "I have finished
giving the order to the woman to proceed with the work. Kings
must not eat their words, and I cannot undo my orders now." So
the tower was allowed to be finished, and hence its unique name,
"Ja Rung Kashol Chorten Chenpo." |
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Mythology |
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The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which
enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in
the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the
ancient and smaller stupa of Cā-bahī (often called 'Little
Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the
Bagmati river to Patan thus bypassing the main city of
Kathmandu (which was a later foundation).Tibetan merchants
have relaxed and offered prayers here for many centuries.
When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many
decided to live around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is said to
entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha. Bouddhanath stupa is
the most liked sightseeing place in Kathmandu. |
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Buddhist |
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An
Apsara of previous life, Jajima was born in a very ordinary
family of the earth after the reduction of her religious merit
from the heaven. She had four husbands. She gave the birth of
four sons from each of her husband. Tajebu was born from horse
trader, Phajebu from pig trader, khijebu from dog trader and
Jyajebu from poultry business man. They had most religious
ability, so they decided to construct the largest chhorten
(stupa). The land, necessary for the construction of stupa was
made available by Majyamija. The constructions of stupa were
started in a speed. The construction materials like soil, bricks
and stones were carried on elephants, horses, donkeys etc.
Majyamija died after the construction of almost four stories of
stupa after four years. And after the three years of ceaseless
efforts, the sons constructed The Baudha stupa. It took almost
seven years to complete the construction of the stupa. It is
believed that thousands of Buddhas and heavenely Deities in-carvneted
as Lama in the Bauddha stupa. |
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