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Buddhist Circuit - Nepal

Author: Mr. Bikram PandE KAJI, Dr. Ramesh Dhungel  and Experts

There are numerous Buddhist pilgrimage sites scattered across Nepal from the majestic  Himalayas to the  beautiful Terai.

In the Terai of Nepal we have the most important pilgrimage centre Lumbini, which is located in Rupandehi district. In and around Lumbini and Kapilvastu we have dozens of important pilgrimage and archeological Buddhist sites including Tilaurakot, Niglihawa, Gotihawa, Sagarhawa, Kudan, Ramgram, Sainamaina, Arorakot and Dohani.

In Kathmandu Valley there are Buddhist centres such as Swoyambhu (Phagpa Shingkon), Bauddha (Khasti or Jyarung Khashor in Newar and Himalayan Languages accordingly), Chabahil (Salag-dolag), Charumati Bihar and Manjushree’s place, Hiranyavarna Mahavihara (Golden Temple), Mahabauddha Patan, Four Ashokan Stupas in Patan. There are also important sites such Ashura Cave and Monastery is located in Pharping where Buddhist Bajra Guru (saint) Padmasambhava had meditated and received enlightenment.  (Biography of Padmasambhava). Around Kathmandu Valley there are places like Risheshwor (Chhumig Jyangchhub) and Namobuddha (Tagmolujin).

In the Himalayan region, we have important Buddhist pilgrimage sites such as Lobogekar (Gar Gompa) in Upper Mustang, and Guru Shangphug in Thak Khola, lower Mustang. In the middle region of Mustang, Chhumig Gyachha or Salamevar (Muktinath) is also a very important Buddhist pilgrimage centre.

Besides these places in the western Himalayas, we have a spiritual hidden land commonly known as Beyuls in Himalayan languages, where Guru Padmasambhava meditated and places like Mahamanjushree’s spiritual sites.

According to the Mahaparinirvana Sutra (the sutra of the Great Demise), in the last discourse of the Buddha (6th BCE), he spoke about the sacredness of certain places associated with his life. These were:

Lumbini: The place where he was born;

Bodhgaya: The place where he attained enlightenment;

Sarnath: The place where he preached his first sermon;

Kushinagara: The place where he attained Mahaparinirvana.

The Buddha emphasised that devotees should visit and venerate these holy places as a way of purifying their thought, speech and action. In other words, pilgrimage to these holy places would energise the devotees to make progress on following the Buddha’s Eightfold Path. It is widely believed today that pilgrimage to these holy places with the correct attitude can help devotees advance on the path of the Dhamma (Dharma).

In the 3rd century BCE, roughly two centuries after the demise (Mahaparinirvana) of the Buddha, the Indian Subcontinent came under the rule of Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty. After having fought many battles, Ashoka embraced the teachings of Buddha (Dhamma). He dedicated the rest of his life to spreading Dhamma. He erected rock edicts bearing inscriptions of Dhamma, sent missions to far-off lands to disseminate Dhamma, and undertook Dhamma pilgrimage to the four sacred places mentioned in Mahaparinirvana Sutra and the four places where Buddha performed miracles. Indian Emperor Ashoka is said to have  erected a pillar indicating the palace of Buddha’s father. 

These four places where Buddha performed miracles were:

Rajagriha: The place where the Buddha tamed the elephant Nalagiri;

Vaishali: The place where a monkey offered honey to the Buddha;

Shravasti: The place where the Buddha performed the miracle of pairs; and

Sankisa: The place where Buddha descended from Tushita heaven.

The four sacred places and the four places of miracles are together known as Atthamahathanani or the Eight Great Places. Pilgrimage to these eight shrines is known as ‘Dhamma yatra’ (Dhamma expedition) or a pilgrimage of piety. Every Buddhist has a desire to visit these sites in their lifetime.