Religion
Because of the occupation of China and the following cultural revolution in Tibet, the importance of Buddhism has increased in Nepal and India. Many Nepalese profess Hinduism as well as Buddhism. The boundary between these two religions is hardly distinguishable. Although Nepal is the only official Hindu kingdom in the world, you can also find here small groups of Christians and Muslims. The kinds of religion can be divided according to the altitude. It is true that people living in mountains believe in Buddhism. In lowlands Buddhism was replaced by Hinduism and in the central heights people practise rituals. We can meet with rituals all over the country.
Wizards are healers and magicians who carry out their rituals in private. They prophesy, pick herbs, and turn evil ghosts out. The inhabitants are divided into the castes. In what caste a man is born, in this caste he dies. Hinduism contains large number of gods. It is so vast that it is impossible to count them up. It is up to a believer to decide which god he will worship. Among the most popular and the main gods are: Brahma - the Creator and the Lord of the Universe, Vishnu - the incarnation of dignity and even the temper, also the protector of the Universe. Shiva is the destroyer and the god of fertility and life. He belongs to the most worshipped god in Nepal.
Buddhism, Hinduism
We can see holy men of Sadhus around Hindu cathedrals. Holy men profess Shiva who sits on the peak of the mountain Kailas and from his curls the massive river Ganga springs. Some of them apply ash on their bodies to emphasize the god - destroyer. They paint a trident-shaped sign on their foreheads. They live on charity. They carry only Shiva symbols - a trident, drum, and corals. They live near ghat to be close to death. The most popular god is Ganesh. He is infallible and charitable. Hanuman symbolizes readiness to help. There are many other gods, such as Parvati, Krischna, Buddha and so on. Hindus want to merge into god, but the aim of Buddhist is nirvana. When Buddha was at death's door, he said: "Don't believe in my words only because Buddha said them. Scrutinize everything. Be light for yourselves."
Buddhism is a philosophy and psychology rather than a religion. Its teachings consist of 108 volumes that contain 84 000 teachings. The doctrine developed for 1,500 years in India and more than 1,000 years in Tibet. Thanks to religious and ethnic diversity there are so many feasts in Nepal that they merge fluently. In February The Tibetan New Year (Losar) is celebrated.
Celebrate
The Shiva's Night (Sivaratri) is the next interesting feast. Holy men from the whole Nepal come here to celebrate it. The Phagun is a spring feast. It lasts one week and people splash themselves with color water. In April The Nepalese New Year is celebrated. Then Raato M. Jaatra follows. Before eyes of Patan inhabitants a cart with a high tower moves and a dummy Machendranath (deity of rain) is located on it. The cart can move only in days which are specially determined as suitable by astrologers. On the occasion of Buddha's birthday thousands of pilgrims come to stupa Swajambhunath to execute blessing. Ritual dances are practised under the stupa. In autumn the biggest feast Dasain is held. It is originally a Hindu feast and it is celebrated all over the country. It lasts two weeks. In this time families visit each other, they wine and dine, and give presents to each other. Sacrifices for goddness Durgy are obligated. Means of transport and personal things are splashed with blood of the sacrifices to get
the goddness Durgy's energy. Towards the end of the year Tihar- a feast of light is celebrated.
Mani Rimdu
is very important for Buddhists. Monks dance continously all day long.They wear special costumes made from brocate. Dancers symbolize devils, protectors, spiritual members, and mystical authorities. The dances also symbolize the triumph of Buddism over religion bon. Among dances we can see the deer, the dance of yak or very impressive dance of hats. Amusing scenes are added during the dances that are accompanied by ritual music based on handy drums, bells, and horns.
Wrote by: Martin Uhlir
Translated by: Jana Uhlirova
Photos: Martin Uhlir
