We all know that Nepal is a south Asian country located between two Powerful countries i.e. China in the North and India in the East, West, and South. The culture of Nepal is identical to its festivals and social norms. Here are many festivals celebrated by different ethnic groups and religions during the year. Nepal’s government, in recent times, has affirmed national holidays for the chief festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Buddha Purnima, Lhosar, Chat, Christmas, and many more. 11% of the total population is following Buddhism. Since Nepal is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, Buddha Purnima and Lhosar are the main festival of Buddhist people. Here are some popular Buddhist festivals in Nepal:
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in ancient India around the 5th century BCE. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha, meaning “the enlightened one.”
The central teachings of Buddhism are based on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths state that suffering exists, suffering arises from craving and attachment, suffering can be overcome, and the path to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for ethical and mental development that leads to enlightenment or Nirvana. It consists of right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
Buddhism also teaches the concept of karma, which is the idea that actions have consequences, and reincarnation or rebirth, where the soul or consciousness of a person is reborn after death. This process is believed to continue until the attainment of enlightenment.
Meditation is an essential part of Buddhist practice, and it involves focusing the mind to achieve a state of calmness and clarity. The Three Jewels of Buddhism are the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), and the Sangha (the community of Buddhist practitioners).
Buddhism has spread to many parts of the world, and there are several different schools of Buddhism, each with its own unique teachings and practices. Buddhism is a non-theistic religion, which means it does not involve belief in a personal deity or god. Instead, it emphasizes self-reliance and the development of inner wisdom and compassion.
What are the facts of Buddhism?
a. Lhosar: Lhosar is one of the popular Buddhist festivals in all Nepal which were followed by Mongolian Nepali people or Tibetan Nepali people in the months of February or March, which is determined according to the lunar calendar. Lhosar is derived from two words ‘Lho’ means year and ‘sar’ means new. Actually, there are three types of Lhosar they are Gyalpo Losar, SonamLhosar, and TamuLhosar. People draw Swastika symbols of harmony and wish superior future in their settlement.
b. Buddha Jayanti: It is another popular Buddhist festival in Nepal that is celebrated on the day of the full moon of the month Baisakha (April or May). Thousands of pilgrims, both Buddhist and Hindu people, from all over the world host Lumbini through this day and they are overstated with prayer flags. At this festival, people wear a white ceremonial dress and eat only vegan food.
c. Mani Rimdhu: This is another Buddhist festival celebrated by Sherpas in eastern Nepal (Everest region) on the full moon of months December. People wear (Monks) a Veli and do some cultural dances related to Buddhism. Mani Rimbdhu festival is also noticeable with high spirits by monks.
d. Tiji Festival: Tiji is an enthralling three-day festival known as the “Chasing of the demons” celebrated every year in the Upper Mustang of western Nepal. It is also known as the name Tenzi festival. Local people wear traditional dress and perform different dances related to their customs and tradition which were organized by Choedhe Monastery. This festival commemorates the conquest of Lord Buddha’s incarnation DorjeSoman. People also observe this festival by dancing and listening to music. Tourists and locals gather annually during the festival which is celebrated for three days.
e. Yartung: The word Yartung means the end of summer in Tibetan and revels in Ranipauwa which is the first step to Muktinath. It is celebrated during the month of July for 3 days. People were gathering to observe this festival. The festival is related to a game horse riding competition. The first day is the royal day which features the (now-ex) king of Mustang, the second day is mostly celebrated by the monks and the third day is for the gala by the laymen (locals and tourists).
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in ancient India around the 5th century BCE. Here are some key facts about Buddhism:
- The Buddha: The founder of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha or the “enlightened one.” He was born in the 5th century BCE in Lumbini, Nepal.
- Four Noble Truths: The core teachings of Buddhism are encapsulated in the Four Noble Truths, which state that suffering exists, suffering arises from craving and attachment, suffering can be overcome, and the path to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path.
- The Eightfold Path: The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for ethical and mental development that leads to enlightenment or Nirvana. It consists of the right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
- Karma: Buddhism teaches that actions have consequences, and this principle is known as karma. Positive actions lead to positive outcomes, while negative actions lead to negative outcomes.
- Reincarnation: Buddhists believe in the concept of reincarnation or rebirth, where the soul or consciousness of a person is reborn after death. This process is believed to continue until the attainment of enlightenment.
- Meditation: Meditation is an essential part of Buddhist practice, and it involves focusing the mind to achieve a state of calmness and clarity.
- The Three Jewels: The Three Jewels of Buddhism are the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), and the Sangha (the community of Buddhist practitioners).
- Schools of Buddhism: There are several different schools of Buddhism, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Each school has its own unique teachings and practices.
- Spread of Buddhism: Buddhism has spread to many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, East Asia, Tibet, and the West.
- Non-theistic religion: Buddhism is a non-theistic religion, which means it does not involve belief in a personal deity or god. Instead, it emphasizes self-reliance and the development of inner wisdom and compassion.
Nepal is a holy land for Buddhists, as it is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha. There are many sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal, including Lumbini, where the Buddha was born, and Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment. Buddhists from all over the world come to Nepal to visit these sites and to learn more about the Buddha’s teachings.
Here are some of the reasons why Buddhists should visit Nepal:
- To visit the birthplace of the Buddha: Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the holiest sites in Buddhism. It is here that Siddhartha Gautama was born in 623 BCE. The site is home to many ancient ruins, including the Mayadevi Temple, which is believed to be the place where the Buddha was born.
- To follow in the footsteps of the Buddha: Nepal is home to many other sacred sites that are associated with the Buddha’s life, including Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment, and Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon. Visiting these sites can help Buddhists to better understand the Buddha’s teachings and to connect with his legacy.
- To experience the rich Buddhist culture of Nepal: Nepal is home to a diverse Buddhist culture, which is reflected in its art, architecture, and festivals. Visiting Nepal can give Buddhists a unique opportunity to learn about and experience this culture.
- To find peace and tranquility: Nepal is a beautiful and peaceful country, which is perfect for those who are seeking peace and tranquility. The many Buddhist monasteries and temples in Nepal offer a place for Buddhists to meditate and connect with their faith.
Since Nepal is a common garden of several casts and ethnic groups, they have their own cultures and traditions, food, and dresses. They have different rituals and festivals bet equal tolerance among each other. Nepal celebrates unique feasts and festivals throughout the year. A Festival tour in Nepal is the best option for you if you are a culture lover. If you are a Buddhist, we encourage you to consider visiting Nepal. It is a truly special place that can offer you a unique and enriching experience.
