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Difference between revisions of "Swayambhu"

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[[File:Swayambhunath in Kathmandu Vall.jpg|thumb|250px|]][[File:Swayambhunath01.jpg|thumb|250px|]][[File:Swayambhunath-stupa.jpg|thumb|250px|]][[File:Swayamblhu-eart april-2015.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
  
  
 
<poem>
 
<poem>
  Situated about 3 km. from the centre of the city of [[Kathmandu]], [[Nepal]], at its north-western limits, this [[stupa]] or chorten's full [[name]], [[Swayambhunath]], means The Self-manifested Lord.   
+
  Situated about 3 km. from the centre of the city of [[Kathmandu]], [[Nepal]], at its north-western limits, this [[stupa]] or chorten's full [[name]], [[Swayambhunath]], means The [[Self-manifested Lord]].   
  
 
{{Wiki|Swayambhu}} is on a steep hill above the [[Wikipedia:Kathmandu Valley|valley of Kathmandu]], and is believed to derive from a time when, [[tradition]] says, the whole area was under the waters of a vast lake in a territory that was once home to [[nagas]].   
 
{{Wiki|Swayambhu}} is on a steep hill above the [[Wikipedia:Kathmandu Valley|valley of Kathmandu]], and is believed to derive from a time when, [[tradition]] says, the whole area was under the waters of a vast lake in a territory that was once home to [[nagas]].   
  
Vipashwi (Tib. Namparzi) [[Buddha]] is credited with having sown the [[lotus]] [[seeds]] which grew into a giant [[jeweled lotus]] there. Several [[buddhas]] and [[bodhisattvas]] are said to have visited in  prehistoric times including [[Vajradhara]] and [[Manjushri]].   
+
[[Vipashwi]] (Tib. [[Namparzi]]) [[Buddha]] is credited with having sown the [[lotus]] [[seeds]] which grew into a giant [[jeweled lotus]] there.  
 +
 
 +
Several [[buddhas]] and [[bodhisattvas]] are said to have visited in  prehistoric times including [[Vajradhara]] and [[Manjushri]].   
  
[[Keith Dowman]] in A [[Buddhist]] Guide to the Power Places of the [[Kathmandu Valley]] tells us that [[Tibetans]] refer to the [[stupa]] as a grove (Skt. [[chaitya]]), the place of  '[[Phags-pa]] shing-kun' or [[Sublime]] [[Trees]] where:  
+
[[Keith Dowman]] in A [[Buddhist]] Guide to the Power Places of the [[Kathmandu Valley]] tells us that [[Tibetans]] refer to the [[stupa]] as a grove (Skt. [[chaitya]]), the place of  '[[Phags-pa shing-kun]]' or [[Sublime]] [[Trees]] where:  
  
 
         "              ... the [[Jina]] [[Vajradhara]] spontaneously arose from
 
         "              ... the [[Jina]] [[Vajradhara]] spontaneously arose from
 
         the [[Pure Land]] of [[Akanistha]] as a great [[sacred]] [[Tree of Life]]
 
         the [[Pure Land]] of [[Akanistha]] as a great [[sacred]] [[Tree of Life]]
  
         (mChod-sdong [[chen-po]] -- a [[Bodhi Tree]] or [[stupa]]) called [[Jnana]] Gandola {{Wiki|Swayambhu}} (The Self-Sprung [[Temple]] of [[Wisdom]]) which brings [[spiritual]] [[release]] by [[sight]] of it, hearing of it, {{Wiki|reflecting}} upon it, or [[touching]] it. Look into {{Wiki|Newar}} chronicles called the {{Wiki|Swayambhu}} {{Wiki|Purana}} for extensive details on the [[arising]] of thirteen billion times
+
         ([[mChod-sdong chen-po]] -- a [[Bodhi Tree]] or [[stupa]]) called [[Jnana Gandola Swayambhu]] (The [[Self-Sprung Temple of Wisdom]]) which brings [[spiritual]] [[release]] by [[sight]] of it, hearing of it, {{Wiki|reflecting}} upon it, or [[touching]] it.  
 +
 
 +
Look into {{Wiki|Newar}} chronicles called the {{Wiki|Swayambhu}} {{Wiki|Purana}} for extensive details on the [[arising]] of thirteen billion times
  
 
         more [[merit]] (for practising [[mantra]] etc.) in this place than in other great power places, and other [[interesting]] topics. "
 
         more [[merit]] (for practising [[mantra]] etc.) in this place than in other great power places, and other [[interesting]] topics. "
  
Another [[tradition]] says that Manjus
+
Another [[tradition]] says that [[Manjushri]] used his sword to drain the lake that once filled the [[Kathmandu Valley]], and then miraculous [[lotus flower]] came to rest on the spot. [[Manjushri]] was moved to become an [[ascetic]], and like the [[Buddha]] and thousands of other [[yogis]], he cut his [[hair]].  Where the [[strands]] fell, up sprang a grove of [[trees]], and the {{Wiki|omnipresent}} lice that infested the [[hair]] became the monkeys that live there.  Though often referred to by visitors as 'the monkey [[temple]],' many other [[temple]] grounds in the region are also home to troops of them.   
hri used his sword to drain the lake that once filled the [[Kathmandu Valley]], and then miraculous [[lotus flower]] came to rest on the spot. [[Manjushri]] was moved to become an [[ascetic]], and like the [[Buddha]] and thousands of other [[yogis]], he cut his [[hair]].  Where the [[strands]] fell, up sprang a grove of [[trees]], and the {{Wiki|omnipresent}} lice that infested the [[hair]] became the monkeys that live there.  Though often referred to by visitors as 'the monkey [[temple]],' many other [[temple]] grounds in the region are also home to troops of them.   
 
  
{{Wiki|Swayambhu}} was a very small thing when it first appeared, but it grew over time; [[suffered]] demolition from earthquakes and invaders, and was whitewashed and plastered over and restored several times  throughout the years.  An inscription says that [[King]] Maladeva ordered work done on the site in 460 CE, and we know that by the 1200's it was a renowned  [[Buddhist]] center.  In 1346, {{Wiki|Muslim}} invaders broke open the [[stupa]] looking for {{Wiki|gold}}.
+
{{Wiki|Swayambhu}} was a very small thing when it first appeared, but it grew over time; [[suffered]] demolition from earthquakes and invaders, and was whitewashed and plastered over and restored several times  throughout the years.   
  
Via sponsors and {{Wiki|donations}} the building complex has grown until the circumference of the entire site including the land now reaches about  5 km. Pictured above is only the dome of {{Wiki|Swayambhu}}.  The 13 steps of the spire represent the [[levels of attainment]] required of a [[bodhisattva]] in order to achieve [[buddhahood]].
+
An inscription says that [[King]] [[Maladeva]] ordered work done on the site in 460 CE, and we know that by the 1200's it was a renowned  [[Buddhist]] center.  In 1346, {{Wiki|Muslim}} invaders broke open the [[stupa]] looking for {{Wiki|gold}}.
 +
 
 +
Via sponsors and {{Wiki|donations}} the building complex has grown until the circumference of the entire site including the land now reaches about  5 km. Pictured above is only the dome of {{Wiki|Swayambhu}}.   
 +
 
 +
The 13 steps of the spire represent the [[levels of attainment]] required of a [[bodhisattva]] in order to achieve [[buddhahood]].
  
 
     See the levels or [[bhumis]] in Numbers in [[Buddhism]].
 
     See the levels or [[bhumis]] in Numbers in [[Buddhism]].
  
The entire {{Wiki|structure}} is a [[cosmic]] [[mandala]] and the three main parts -- spire, dome and base (which is not shown here) - represent the [[mantra]] of the [[three kayas]].  The various geometric shapes that comprise the entire {{Wiki|structure}} also represent the [[traditional]] [[elements]] such as [[earth]], [[fire]], [[air]] and [[water]]. It is reached via a staircase of 365 steps.
+
The entire {{Wiki|structure}} is a [[cosmic]] [[mandala]] and the three main parts -- spire, dome and base (which is not shown here) - represent the [[mantra]] of the [[three kayas]].   
  
Set around the base of the [[stupa]] is a continuous series of [[prayer wheels]] that are set into {{Wiki|motion}} by the hands of [[pilgrims]] and tourists as the circumambulate the site.  The spinning [[wheels]] are believed to activate [[mantras]] and [[blessings]].  The colorful [[prayer flags]] serve the same function when the [[wind]] sets them in {{Wiki|motion}}.  
+
The various geometric shapes that comprise the entire {{Wiki|structure}} also represent the [[traditional]] [[elements]] such as [[earth]], [[fire]], [[air]] and [[water]].
 +
 
 +
It is reached via a staircase of 365 steps.
 +
 
 +
Set around the base of the [[stupa]] is a continuous series of [[prayer wheels]] that are set into {{Wiki|motion}} by the hands of [[pilgrims]] and tourists as the circumambulate the site.   
 +
 
 +
The spinning [[wheels]] are believed to activate [[mantras]] and [[blessings]].   
 +
 
 +
The colorful [[prayer flags]] serve the same function when the [[wind]] sets them in {{Wiki|motion}}.  
  
 
The dome is sealed today, but there is a [[shrine]] room in which [[monks]] do regular practice.   
 
The dome is sealed today, but there is a [[shrine]] room in which [[monks]] do regular practice.   
  
 
{{Wiki|Swayambhu}} was one of the first stops [[His Holiness]] [[Rigpe Dorje]], the [[16th Karmapa]] made after [[emerging]] from [[Tibet]] in 1970.
 
{{Wiki|Swayambhu}} was one of the first stops [[His Holiness]] [[Rigpe Dorje]], the [[16th Karmapa]] made after [[emerging]] from [[Tibet]] in 1970.
 +
 +
  
 
     More history of this [[stupa]].
 
     More history of this [[stupa]].
  
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
  
     A [[new translation]] of the [[Svayambhu Purana]]: A [[Discourse]] on the Origin of [[Svayambhu]] [[Stupa]] in [[Kathmandu Valley]] by the [[Nagarjuna]] Institute is currently the only complete translation.  
+
     A [[new translation]] of the [[Svayambhu Purana]]: A [[Discourse]] on the Origin of [[Svayambhu Stupa]] in [[Kathmandu Valley]] by the [[Nagarjuna]] Institute is currently the only complete translation.  
 +
 
 +
    It is based on the earliest {{Wiki|manuscript}} dating from  1558 CE (678 [[Nepal]] {{Wiki|Era}}.)
 +
 
 +
The 326-page text has ten chapters comprising 1750 verses and contains a summary in English of all the chapters with an historical introduction. 
  
    It is based on the earliest {{Wiki|manuscript}} dating from  1558 CE (678 [[Nepal]] {{Wiki|Era}}.) The 326-page text has ten chapters comprising 1750 verses and contains a summary in English of all the chapters with an historical introduction.  Both [[His Holiness]] [[Dalai Lama]] and Ven. [[Thrangu Rinpoche]] have given words of [[blessings]] in the foreword.
+
Both [[His Holiness]] [[Dalai Lama]] and Ven. [[Thrangu Rinpoche]] have given words of [[blessings]] in the foreword.
  
 
</poem>
 
</poem>

Revision as of 06:06, 30 October 2015

Swayambhunath in Kathmandu Vall.jpg
Swayambhunath01.jpg
Swayambhunath-stupa.jpg
Swayamblhu-eart april-2015.jpg


 Situated about 3 km. from the centre of the city of Kathmandu, Nepal, at its north-western limits, this stupa or chorten's full name, Swayambhunath, means The Self-manifested Lord.

Swayambhu is on a steep hill above the valley of Kathmandu, and is believed to derive from a time when, tradition says, the whole area was under the waters of a vast lake in a territory that was once home to nagas.

Vipashwi (Tib. Namparzi) Buddha is credited with having sown the lotus seeds which grew into a giant jeweled lotus there.

Several buddhas and bodhisattvas are said to have visited in prehistoric times including Vajradhara and Manjushri.

Keith Dowman in A Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley tells us that Tibetans refer to the stupa as a grove (Skt. chaitya), the place of 'Phags-pa shing-kun' or Sublime Trees where:

        " ... the Jina Vajradhara spontaneously arose from
        the Pure Land of Akanistha as a great sacred Tree of Life

        (mChod-sdong chen-po -- a Bodhi Tree or stupa) called Jnana Gandola Swayambhu (The Self-Sprung Temple of Wisdom) which brings spiritual release by sight of it, hearing of it, reflecting upon it, or touching it.

Look into Newar chronicles called the Swayambhu Purana for extensive details on the arising of thirteen billion times

        more merit (for practising mantra etc.) in this place than in other great power places, and other interesting topics. "

Another tradition says that Manjushri used his sword to drain the lake that once filled the Kathmandu Valley, and then miraculous lotus flower came to rest on the spot. Manjushri was moved to become an ascetic, and like the Buddha and thousands of other yogis, he cut his hair. Where the strands fell, up sprang a grove of trees, and the omnipresent lice that infested the hair became the monkeys that live there. Though often referred to by visitors as 'the monkey temple,' many other temple grounds in the region are also home to troops of them.

Swayambhu was a very small thing when it first appeared, but it grew over time; suffered demolition from earthquakes and invaders, and was whitewashed and plastered over and restored several times throughout the years.

An inscription says that King Maladeva ordered work done on the site in 460 CE, and we know that by the 1200's it was a renowned Buddhist center. In 1346, Muslim invaders broke open the stupa looking for gold.

Via sponsors and donations the building complex has grown until the circumference of the entire site including the land now reaches about 5 km. Pictured above is only the dome of Swayambhu.

The 13 steps of the spire represent the levels of attainment required of a bodhisattva in order to achieve buddhahood.

    See the levels or bhumis in Numbers in Buddhism.

The entire structure is a cosmic mandala and the three main parts -- spire, dome and base (which is not shown here) - represent the mantra of the three kayas.

The various geometric shapes that comprise the entire structure also represent the traditional elements such as earth, fire, air and water.

It is reached via a staircase of 365 steps.

Set around the base of the stupa is a continuous series of prayer wheels that are set into motion by the hands of pilgrims and tourists as the circumambulate the site.

The spinning wheels are believed to activate mantras and blessings.

The colorful prayer flags serve the same function when the wind sets them in motion.

The dome is sealed today, but there is a shrine room in which monks do regular practice.

Swayambhu was one of the first stops His Holiness Rigpe Dorje, the 16th Karmapa made after emerging from Tibet in 1970.



    More history of this stupa.


    A new translation of the Svayambhu Purana: A Discourse on the Origin of Svayambhu Stupa in Kathmandu Valley by the Nagarjuna Institute is currently the only complete translation.

    It is based on the earliest manuscript dating from 1558 CE (678 Nepal Era.)

The 326-page text has ten chapters comprising 1750 verses and contains a summary in English of all the chapters with an historical introduction.

Both His Holiness Dalai Lama and Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche have given words of blessings in the foreword.

Source

[1]