108 Lokesvaras series Episode 3: The Origin of Buddhism in Nepal

It is often said that millions of Christians go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. And millions of Muslims visit Mecca, as millions of Buddhists come to Nepal and this saying leads one to realize that Nepal is sacred for being Buddha’s birthplace. But more so for its own sake as Nepal has always been the origin of Buddhism.

For the longest time in China studies and understanding of Buddhism in Nepal lags far behind that of Buddhism in India. And while the Buddha was born in Nepal yet it is not the state religion there today. One may ask why and how in the first place did Buddhism spread into Nepal?

Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty commissioned four grand and significant stupas in Patan. As following the Ashoka stupa the emperor decreed for many other places to have their respective stupas big and small. All the other stupas you see were coming after the Ashoka stupa. They reflect Ashoka’s contribution because if it were not for him the Dharma would have disappeared.

The 2,500-plus-year-old Buddhism enjoyed royal patronage over long in India through the Maurya and Gupta dynasties and flourished for quite some time there. The grand Shakya master of the 5th century Buddhabhadra was recorded as one of the Nepali high-ranking-monk to visit China the earliest. Then during the Licchavi dynasty, the king of the region that is Tibet today, Songtsen Gampo married the royal princess of Nepal Princess Bhrikuti, marked the entry of Buddhism into Tibet. Dharma teachings prevailed and many temples constructed, including the famous Jokhang in Lhasa.

Nowadays, Nepal has been the center for Buddhist pilgrims, But then again, is it true that Nepal is the origin of Buddhism? and that it is the motherland of Vajrayana? Please stay tuned for more….

More Related:
Episode 1: Prelude - Origin of the 108 Lokesvaras
https://tv.093.org.tw/en/video-detail/1203
Episode 2: Dharma lost to the world
https://tv.093.org.tw/en/video-detail/1204
Episode 3: The Origin of Buddhism in Nepal
https://tv.093.org.tw/en/video-detail/1205
Episode 4: The Origin of the 108 Lokesvaras in Nepal
https://tv.093.org.tw/en/video-detail/1206
Episode 5: Representations for Inheritance & Revitalization
https://tv.093.org.tw/en/video-detail/1207
Avalokitesvara Trailer - Yearning for Dharma - The Origin of the 108 Lokeśvara
https://tv.093.org.tw/en/video-detail/1145
The 108 Lokesvaras - Maestro Sculptor LIN Jian-Cheng
https://tv.093.org.tw/en/video-detail/1200

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