buddhism during early medieval nepal maṇḍala (733 ad – 1396 ad)

309 Pages·2017·7.82 MB·English

BUDDHISM DURING EARLY MEDIEVAL
NEPAL MAṆḌALA
(733 A.D – 1396 A.D)

A Dissertation
Submitted to the Dean's Office, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of
Tribhuvan University in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
in
BUDDHIST STUDIES

By
INDRA SIDDHI BAJRACHARYA
T.U. Regd. No. 201-64
Ph.D Regd. No. 18/2064
Tribhuvan University
Kathmandu
2014
i

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

We certify that Mr. Indra Siddhi Bajracharya has written this thesis entitled
"Buddhism During Early Medieval Nepal Maṇḍala. (733 A.D – 1396 A.D)" to
meet the fulfillment of the requirement of PhD in Buddhist studies under our
supervision. He had consulted and used available sources to complete this
thesis. To the best of our knowledge, the thesis or a part there-of has not yet
been previously submitted for any other academic accomplishment. We hereby
recommend the dissertation for final examination by the Research Committee
of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University in
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
in BUDDHIST STUDIES.

.................................................
Supervisor
Dr. Bhadra Ratna Bajracharya,
Dean,
Lumbini Buddhist University.

...............................................
Co-supervisor
Dr. Purushottam Lochan
Shrestha,
Head,
Department of Culture,
Bhaktapur Campus
Date:
ii

APPROVAL
iii

DECLARATION

I declare that this PhD thesis titled "Buddhism During Early Medieval Nepal
Maṇḍala. (733 A.D – 1396 A.D)" submitted to the Dean’s office, Faculties of
Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur is my own
original work. It was prepared under the supervision of my supervisor Dr.
Bhadra Ratna Bajracharya. I due acknowledge the information collected from
different sources, for the preparation of this thesis. I have not used or submitted
this thesis for any other degree or purpose.

______________________
Indra Siddhi Bajracharya
iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am very much grateful to my supervisor Dr. Bhadra Ratna Bajracharya, dean
Lumbini Buddhist University and chairman Lotus Research Center, for his
proper guidance and encouragement right from the beginning and throughout
the preparation of the thesis "Buddhism During Early Medieval Nepal Maṇḍala.
(733 A.D – 1396 A.D)".
I would also like to express my thanks to my co-supervisor Dr. Purushottam
Lochan Shrestha, head of culture department, Bhaktapur Campus, for his
suggestions and encouragement.
I express my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Milan Ratna Sakya, head of central
department of Buddhist Studies, T.U and Dr. Naresh Man Vajracharya, former
head of central department of Buddhist studies, T.U. for their guidance and
procedural arrangements in proposal defense, seminars. Without their proper
advice and suggestions, writing of this would not have been possible.
I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to dean and assistant dean sirs for
their instructions and support in compiling this thesis as per the rules of the
university.
My thanks also goes to Lotus Research Center, Lalitpur and its staffs for
providing books, magazines and other resources required for this work. The
Lotus research Center an organization dedicated to preservation of Buddhism
and Buddhist cultural heritage of Nepal, headed by my supervisor Dr. Bhadra
Ratna Bajracharya also provided me opportunity to fully use their library and
texts therein.
v

My special acknowledgement to National Archive, Mr. Siddhi Ratna Sakya,
script expert, for their cooperation in acquiring required information and Punit
Sakya and Nikita Siddhi for undertaking computer works.
Besides, my thanks also goes to my friend Surendra Man Bajracharya, for his
cooperation and encouragement.

Indra Siddhi Bajracharya
2071 BS
vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Letter of Recommendation i
Approval ii
Declaration iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables xii
List of Photographs xiii
Glossary xiv
CHAPER I: INTRODUCTION 1-7
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 2
1.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study 3
1.4 Limitation 4
1.5 Significance 4
1.6 Research methodology 4
1.7 Organization of Dissertation 5
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW 8-70
CHAPTER III:BUDDHISM DURING EARLY MEDIEVAL
NEPAL 71-111
Introductory Background 71
3.1. Years of Confusion or Trouble 73
vii

3.2. Nepal-Tibet Relation 74
3.3 Indian Scholars in Nepal 75
3.3.1. Sāntarakṣait 743 A.D – 749 A.D. 76
3.3.2 Padmasaṃbhava in Nepal 743 A.D – 747 A.D. 78
3.3.3 Visit of Kamalsila: 762 A.D. 81
3.4. Siddhacāryas in Nepal 82
3.5. Beginning of a new era or the Nepal saṃvat 84
3.6. Buddhism during early Medieval Nepal 85
3.7. Visit of Dipankara Sri Jana Atisā: 980-1054: 87
3.8. Contributions of Nepalese Buddhist scholars 91
3.8.1. Līlāvajra 92
3.8.2. Gautamsri 93
3.8.3. Advayavajra: 965-1030 A.D. 94
3.8.4. Mahākarunā 95
3.8.5. Vāgiśvarakirti and his contributions 95
3.8.5. Paṇḍita Kuladutta śaramā 96
3.8.6. Anupaṃvajra and his contributions 97
3.9. Siva Deva III and Śaṃkarācārya Episode 99
3.10. Coming of Sunayasrimisra 100
3.11. Buddhist Scholar Ratnarakṣita and his contribution: 101
3.12.1. Tibetan Buddhist scholars in Nepal 101
3.12.2. Visit of Mar-pa-do-pa 102
3.12.3. Visit of Tibetan Bhikhu Marpā Lho-brag-pa (1012 A.D.-1097
A.D.) 102
viii

3.12.4. Visit of Milarapā (1040-1021 A.D.) 103
3.12.5. Visit of Dharmaswāmī (1197-1264 A.D.) 104
3.13. Abhayamalla (1216-55 A.D.) 106
3.14. Exposition of Nepalese Artisans and its expansion in foreign country 107
3.15. Introduction of Aniko and his works 108
3.16. Muslim Invasion and its impact on development of Buddhism
(470 NS) 109
3.17. Rise of Sthiti Malla and his socio religious policy (1382-1395) 110
Chapter IV: VIHĀRAS AS THE CENTRE OF BUDDHIST
ACTIVITIES 112-147
4.1. Svayambhū as Source of Buddhist Unity 113
4.2. Vihāras (monasteries) 114
4.3. Vihāras as residence of celibate and household monks 116
4.4. Conversion of celibate monks into householder monks 117
4.5. Classification of MedievalVihāras of Nepal Mandala 121
4.6. General Features of Mahāvihāras (Bahāand Bahis) 123
4.7. KachāBahā: (Branch Vihāra) 127
4.8. Relation between Mubahā-and KachāBahā 128
4.9. Pravajyā or Initiation 128
4.10. Saṅgha of Householder Monks 133
4. 11. Āchā:luyegu or initiation of Āchāryaand other initiations 134
4.11. Initiation of elders of Saṅgha or thāpā:luyegu 137
4.12. Moral Obligation of the Saṅgha members 138
4.13. The rites and rituals of Bahā and Bahi (Vihārs) 141
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4.13.1. Nitya: Pūjā (daily rituals) 141
4.13.2. Regular rituals 142
4.13.2.1 Vratas or Religious Observance: 142
4.13.3 Annual Rituals 144
4.13.3.1 Busadãn:(Birth anniversary): 144
4.13.3.2 Annual Assemblies 144
4.13.3.3 Buddhist Ordination 144
4.13.3.4 Panchadān offering 145
4.13.3.5 Bahidyo display 145
4.13.4. Occasional rituals 146
4.14. Medieval vihāras as Center of Buddhist Activities 146
Chapter V: Buddhist Society, Culture and Traditions 148-197
5.1. Buddhist society 148
5.2. Newārs as oldest inhabitants of Nepal maṇḍala Newārs 149
5.3. Buddhism: as a folk religion 150
5.4. Buddhist communities of Nepal maṇḍala 152
5.4.1. Śākyabhikṣu 153
5.4.2. Vajrācārya 155
5.4.3. Lay devotees of Buddhism 157
5.4.3.1 Urāyas 158
5.4.3.2 Sāyamis 159
5.4.3.3 Jyāpus 159
5.4.3.4 Others 159
5.5. Development of socio-cultural activities 161