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BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY!!
May 10, 2009 Posted By: Administrator |
Today, May 9, 2009, will mark the birth of Buddha’s. There are a few discrepancies concerning Buddha’s actual age, but all agree he is over 2,500 years old. With some of the holiest places in the world for Buddhist’s in Nepal, I was excited to witness the celebration of Lord Buddha’s birthday, or Buddha Jayanti. My boyfriend, being Buddhist, set off to show me the way they celebrate.
First stop would be a morning ride over to Swayambhunath, or as it commonly known to tourists the monkey temple, for a view of the celebration. Swayambhunath is the single most profound expression of Buddhist symbolism in Nepal. Typically we ride the motorcycle to the very top of the temple, from the back road, but seeing as they had blocked it off to all motor vehicles we walked to 365 steps to the top.
The stair case was loaded with jewelry venders, small children, people asking for donations, hundreds of people Nepali men and women making the steep climb on a hot day. The mood was festive and very joyful. We ran into many of our friends, who had come to spend the mid day at Swayambhunath with friends and family.
After making the steep climb we made it to the top where the golden Vajra was waiting to greet us. The golden Vajra a tantric symbol of power and indestructibility and is actually made of bronze. It stands upon a small podium that depicts the twelve animals of the Tibetan year. Up upon the top the temple grounds were crowded with butter lamp venders, water distrubution centers, men, women, and children tossing rice as the numerous temples. We made our round the huge stupa and light butter lamps in two of the small monasteries located on the top of the hill. Puju’s were happening left, right, and center, and after an hour or so in the heat and smoke from the incense we decided it was time to get lunch.
Around both temples that we visited today were Tibetan Buddhist flag everywhere. In Shops and on top of houses these flags, of all sizes imaginable, swayed in the light wind. After having some Newari food in Patan and a short rest at home, we headed to Boudhanath at dusk.
Normally I would be a uncomfortable going to a extremely crowded place at dark, but a difference I have noticed between Hindu festivals and Buddhist festivals is that the people attending Buddhist festivals for instance are less likely to harass and molest other individuals, while Hindu festivals seem to be more aggressive and violent.
Boudhanath at dark lit the sky with thousands upon thousands of butter lamps in hour of the Lord Buddha. With thousands of devotes making their way around the world’s largest stupa and chanting Om mani padme hum (Hail to the jewel in the lotus). It was a magical sight. Some compare this holiday to the Christmas of Buddhism. Again we saw many of our friends and stopped at the Saturday Café, which hosts a beautiful view of the stupa. After some tea and cake we made our way once again around the stupa. With the perfumed air and the sight of hundreds of beautiful devotes, this was a spectacular way to experience Buddha Jayanti.
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