Swayambhu
Religion & Ancient Crafts: Swayambhu
The site of Swayambhu Mahachaitya is the age old cradle of Bajrayana Buddhism, a tradition unique to Kathmandu valley. The legend of Swayambhu is also the legend of the creation of Kathmandu Valley. According to Swayambhu Purana, the valley of Kathmandu was a beautiful lake called Kalidaha and was renowned for its meritorious water. The Adibuddha Vipaswi Tathagata, during his pilgrimage to this lake, threw a lotus seed into the lake and predicted that this will make a flower with one thousand petals and atop the flower will appear the eternal light of the self created, the Swayambhu Dharmadhatu. Over eighty thousand years later, the lotus bloomed.
This was to be a spiritual house of all the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas symbolized by the five Dhyani Buddhas: Aksobya in the East, Ratnasambhava in the South, Amitabha in the West, Amogha Siddhi in the North and Vairochana in the Center. The Vairochana is represented by the eyes painted on the hermika and his physical niche is placed next to Aksobya.
Ages later, Bodhisattva Manjushri came from Tibet to pay homage to the site. With a wish to settle the valley, he cut a gorge at Chovar using his sword Chandahasa. The water flowed out and the valley became fertile. The nagas or serpents living in the lake were pacified and were given various places to live in peace. The valley was then settled for humans.
Religion & Ancient Crafts: Swayambhu
In the Dwaperyuga, the Swayambhu Purana adds that a Chaitya was erected at the site of the light of the self-created, so that the Dharmadhatu would be protected in Kaliyuga. This pious act was done by Shantikar Acharya, a Vajracharya convert. He also made a temple for each of the five elements wind, earth, fire, water and sky.
The Chaitya sits on a rock forming the hillock. The history of the hillock as a religious site goes back to early Lichchhavi time (5th Century AD), attested to by an inscription as well as two Chaityas from the period. The earliest recorded renovation of the Chaitya is from 1129 AD. The current form dates from the renovation carried out in 17th Century.
The hemispherical garba is made of brick and stone. The hermika carries the eyes of the Vairochana watching all the directions. The eyes were painted in the late Malla period.
On top of the hermika, the spires of gold plated tiers symbolize the thirteen stages to Nirvana. The spire is crowned by gold chhatra, which covers the tree of the earth, Yashin, a timber pole that goes into the garba below.
Many prayer wheels are kept around the temple of Swayambhunath and thousands of Tibetan mantra ‘Om Mane Padme Hum’ is written inside each prayer wheel so that the one who rotates it once is believed to be read out the mantra thousand times. Tibetan believers pour lime down the Chaitya as a ritual to cure illnesses of family members. Many Lungtas offered to Buddha can also be seen around the Swayambhunath.
According to Nepal Purana, it is believed that Bishnudev-the forefather of Manadev built this temple. It is developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage site during Lichchhavi Dynasty. While there was vast change in the structure of stupa in Malla period. In 1406 AD Muslim king Samasuddhin Illiyad had destroyed it. Later on Harsha Ballav had renovated it and in different period the different ruler had renovated it while the present structure was set in the reign of Rajendra Bikram Shah.
Religion & Ancient Crafts: Swayambhu
The Swayambhu site is situated on a hillock about 77m high from the ground level and 1370m above sea level. It is 3 km north-west of Kathmandu which takes 15-20 mins drive. To get the top, most people choose to walk up the hill, which itself is believed to be an act that can wash away sins. Here, one can see the scene at the bottom of the hill, as groups of worshippers prepare for the walk up. The decorated gate through which one enters Swayambhu can be seen in the background. Varieties of botanical herbs & shrubs could be found around the jungle of Swayambhu. Various types of architectural temples as well as the view of Kathmandu valley can be seen from Swayambhu. Models of different architectural temples such as Harati Temple which is in Pagoda style and Anantapura & Pratapapura of Shikhara style can also be seen in Swayambhu. The temples, monasteries and some of the other important things that we can see in Swayambhu are:
• Shantipura: This temple is also known as Akashapura and dedicated to the sky or space. It is named after its founder, Shantikar Acharya, who is said to have taken Samadhi inside. The sanctum, without an image, is accessible only to the Buddhist priests who have learnt Tantric practices. Worship is offered in the sanctum twice every month. The wall painting in the foyer depicts the scenes from the Swayambhu Purana.
• Agnipura: Over this platform, at one time, stood the temple dedicated to element fire.
• Samegu Mahavihara: This Vihara of the officiating priests of the Swayambhu Chaitya, the Buddhacharyas, has the shrine in the ground floor.
• Harati temple: This temple is dedicated to goddess Harati for Buddhists and Shitala for Hindus, this two tiered temple attracts worshippers for the protection of children against diseases. Harati is Ajima, the primal mother. Saturdays and Tuesdays are special days auspicious for the worship called Chhayeki Puja.
• Nagapura: This pit temple is dedicated to nagas or serpents, the original aquatic lords of the lake.
• Karmaraja Mahavihara: This Tibetan monastery of Kagyupa sect was built in 1954 and carries a large image of Buddha.
• Anantapura & Pratapapura: These two temples on the north-east and south-east of the chaitya are in Shikhara style and dedicated to Vajrayana deities. Both were built by King Pratap Malla in mid 17th century AD and were named after his consort Anantapriya and himself.
• Vasupura: The temple is dedicated to earth, the goddess of wealth and abundance. The current structure is as rebuilt in 1982 AD.
• Vayupura: The temple is dedicated to element air.
• Jyotikirti Mahavihara: This Mahavihara was established in 1393 AD, this bahil is defunct as a religious institution now. Recent renovation retains only the shape of the temple of the guardian deity and the court to some extent.
• Devadharma Mahavihara: This Mahavihara was founded about 1780; the current structure is from the Rana period when it was rebuilt after a fire. Bhutanese Buddhists use the premises. The lower part is a public sattal.
• Bajra-Dhatu-Mandala: The gilt Bajra represents the sword Chandahasa of Manjushri. It is also the symbolic representation of Aksobhya. Although the Vajra was installed by king Pratap Malla in the middle of 17th Century AD, the Mandala underneath appears older. The twelve animals depicted in the lower part represents the month of the Tibetan year.
• Yogambara: The lineage deity of the Vajracharyas, this Yogambara was brought here from Sankhu, a village in the north-east of the valley.
• Peacock: Sitting atop the pillar, the peacock is the mount of the Adi-Buddha of the west direction, Amitabha.
Religion & Ancient Crafts: Swayambhu
Although it is a Buddhist temple, the site is also holy to Hindus, who make up the majority of Nepalese. Today, the temple rivals the Himalayas as a symbol of Nepal, and is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by beautiful jungle and Amideva Peace Buddha Park in the west, Natural history museum in the south & Anandakuti Vihar in the north-west and Manjushri Temple in the south-west.
Sources & Pictures: Various websites and google images.
