Eds., Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit Newar Buddhism; Zero Degree Nepal, 7/16/20
Vajrayana Buddhism of the Newar, Nepal
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| Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva transformed into Kwan Yin |
The two traditions, Mahayana and Theravada, are the main branches of Buddhism.
However, everyone follows the basic principles of the teaching of the historical Buddha -- though Mahayana seems to ignore him otherwise in favor of devotion to "Cosmic Buddhas" like Amitabha and Vairocana.
The teaching of universal friendliness (metta) and compassion (karuna) are common, but practices vary among schools and disciplines. The Vajrayana tradition, also known as Newar Buddhism, is classified as part of Mahayana.
It includes practices using tantras, mantras (magical incantations), mudras (hand poses), and mandalas (sacred geometry circles) and the visualization of the Buddha and other deities. Vajrayana is popularly known as Tantric Buddhism that developed over 2,000 years ago in ancient Nepal.
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| Newari Buddhist chariot at the Temple of Annapurna, Machindranath Jatra (wiki) |
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It is strongly influenced by Hinduism and Brahmanism. Newar Buddhists still perform their duties and rituals (dharma), passing along ancient knowledge and scriptures from generation to generation.
Most people are only familiar with Tibetan Buddhism, due to its media attraction in the Western world.
For many, the idea of Buddhism only means monks with shaved heads and their saffron, yellow-, and maroon-colored robes.
When visitors come in contact with the Newar Buddhist community of Nepal, they are amazed by the sight of the common lay Buddhists practicing this ancient tradition.
Most Nepali Newars follow Hindu traditions. However, the Shakya, Bajracharyas, and many other Newar Buddhist castes follow Buddhism.
The Newar Buddhist community practices Vajrayana Buddhism with unique customs and rituals.
Newars are the original inhabitants of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley.
They have a distinct way of life, cultural customs, and spiritual traditions. The rich history, knowledge, rituals, and art of the Newari has turned the Kathmandu Valley into a living museum that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Religious and cultural festivals play a major part in the lives of the Newari people of Kathmandu.
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Buddhism of the Newar people
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| Newar Vajracharya priest (Kamal Ratna Tuladhar) |
It has developed unique socio-religious elements, which include a non-monastic Buddhist society based on the Newar caste system and patrilineality.
The ritual priestly (guruju) caste, vajracharya (who perform rituals for others) and shakya (who perform rituals mostly within their own families) form the non-celibate religious clergy caste, while other Buddhist Newar castes like the Urāy act as patrons.
Uray also patronize Tibetan Vajrayana, Theravada, and even Japanese clerics [3]. It is the oldest known sect of the Vajrayana tradition outdating the Tibetan school of Vajrayana by more than 600 years.
Although there was a vibrant regional tradition of Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley during the first millennium, the transformation into a distinctive cultural and linguistic form of Buddhism appears to have taken place in the 15th century, at about the same time that similar regional forms of Indic Buddhism such as those of Kashmir and Indonesia were on the wane.
As a result, Newar Buddhism seems to preserve some aspects of Indian Buddhism that were not preserved in Vajrayana schools elsewhere. More
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