Harmony Beyond Religion: The beautiful Hindu-Buddhist Unity in Nepal

 

 

 

Mankind has witnessed countless conflicts and wars in the name of religion, yet there exists a remarkable — and often underestimated — exception that has endured for more than a millennium.

 
This exception is none other than the unique and harmonious relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal — a unity that has withstood the test of time and continues to shape the spiritual and cultural path of the nation. Buddhism and Hinduism have usually been considered tolerant philosophies.

Both of these religions originated in the eastern half of the world and have many similar philosophies and concepts. So, there unity is seen all over the word but Nepal's culture has taken it to a next level since centuries. 

 Let me explain this amazing unity with the relevant examples:

THE LIVING GODDESS

     

 Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley has been worshiping the living goddess Kumari since the 6th century and later formalized it in the 17th century. This is an extremely unique tradition and most likely one of it's kind. It has it's own significance but for now let's understand how it represents the Hindu Buddhist unity in Nepal. 

This tradition basically includes a girl that is worshiped by the people of Nepal usually Newars and also the entire Hindu community of Nepal. This ritual has had a very significant role in giving a distinguished  spiritual identity to Nepal. 

The girl to be worshiped is chosen from a Buddhist Newar family (usually Shakya or Bajracharya) which is later worshiped by the priests and the worshipers of Hinduism and Buddhism. The "Kumari" is said to be a reincarnation of a Hindu goddess Taleju Bhawani or Durga. This ritual practice beautifully integrates Hindu philosophy and the Trantric Buddhism's aspect from Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. 

 

THE LAND OF BUDDHA

     .Lumbini the birth place of Buddha can be considered as the marker monument of Hindu Buddhist unity. Here the people of both religion come together to celebrate, embrace and experience the true peace and wisdom brought by Buddha. 

THE VALLEY OF TEMPLES

      

 The Kathmandu valley (including the cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur) has a remarkable number of temples and monuments. Here are the temples of both Hindus and Buddhists.

Here lie the Buddhist stupas of Boudhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) where Hindus perform the rituals of Vajrayana Buddhism. In the other hand there lie the Hindu temples and monuments where Tibetan Buddhists  come to worship the deities like Kal Bhairav, Ganesh, Vishnu and many more. Here The Newar community, native to this region, uniquely practices Vajrayana Buddhism while simultaneously participating in Hindu rituals.

 

 

 

The land of Nepal is the cultural jewel where:

 faiths don’t compete — they complement.