CHAITYA

Chaitya, a kind of small sized Stupa represents the Universe and is considered to be an important Buddhist sanctuary. Chaityas are constructed in various shapes and sizes, sometimes square and sometimes round, with spires or steps on the capital. Each spire or step represents a heaven. The uppermost portion of the chaitya, the highest pointed structure in the middle, is supposed to be the highest peak of Mount Sumeru, a mythical, glittering mountain top. This highest peak is symbolically depicted as the peak point of enlightenment of the mind of the Bodhisatwas. Such a state of mind is known as Boddhichitta. The Bodhichitta is believed to lose itself to sunya or nothingness or eternity at this point. On the four sides of the chaitya are placed the figures of four Dhyani Buddhas – Akshobhya, Ratnasambhav, Amitabha and Amogsiddhi. The place of Vairochana is in the center. In some Chaityas Vairochana is placed to the east along with Akshobhya.

CHAITRA DASAIN

Dasain festival is observed twice a year in Nepal. Chaitra Dasain is observed in the month of chaitra (March) whereas the other one, Badasain or the bigger Dasain falls in the month of September or during Autumn (October). Chaitra Dasain, seemingly, is given less importance comparatively and is observed on the eighth of the lunar month of Chaitra with various rites and rituals. Goddess Bhagavati is especially worshipped during this festival and animal sacrifices are offered to her. Coincidently, Seto Matsyendranath Jatra also begins on this day.

CHAITRA

The last month of the Nepalese calendar, Chaitra, begins by the middle of March. See Months of Nepal.  

CASTE

The doctrine of the caste system is believed to have been explained by Manu, a learned Bramhin in the days of yore. In the text known as Manusmriti prepared by him, categories and levels of all men are fixed right from their birth based on the clan or the caste they are born into.  Assignment of job, way of life and accountabilities and everything relevant to the person has been prescribed accordingly in the text. The four main castes are the following (of which there are many more divisions and subdivisions):

Bramhana: The priestly caste

Ksetriya: The caste of warriors and rulers

Vaisya: The caste of farmers and traders etc.. 

Sudra: The menial caste

According to this Hindu doctrine, all men originated from the various parts of the body of Bramha, the creator. So, Bramhins originated from his head whereas Kshetriyas, Vaisyas and Sundras are originated from his arms, thighs and feet respectively. So the higher castes are supposed to be served by the lower castes. Although, this type of classification is highly debated and generally condemned or differently interpreted these days, the social structure and its effects are still very much in existence. However, discrimination in the ground of caste is illegal in Nepal.

BYASI

The dwellers of Byas village to the north of Darchula dostrict of far western Nepal and the foothills of the Byas Himal are called Byasis or inhabitants of Byas. Also known as Souka, these Mongoloid animists call themselves Rangey. They have their own unique language and ways of life. Their 12th century scripts are found in the caves. Their dress is known as chyungwala. The ancestral God of the Soukas of Rolpa is Namjung who is the principal deity of Bon. Dhyoula is their native festival. The Byasis conduct trade between Taklakot in Tibet and Darchula district of Nepal. The Front of their houses are festooned with Buddhist prayer flags called dharchyo and they do not observe Hindu festivals like other tribes. According to linguists, the Souka language is somewhat close to the Magar language.

BUTWAL

A town of Rupendehi district, Butaual is the headquarter of the Lumbini zone. Situated between the mountain regions and the terai plains, Butwal is a busy trade centre and an export centre for various agricultural products of the region to India. The exports include rice, tobacco, mustard seeds etc.

BUNGDYO

Bungdyo is the local name of Avalokiteswar who is also known by various names like Rato Matsyendranath or Karunamaya among others. Particularly, as Rato Matsendranath of Lalitpur is situated at Bungamati village, he is known as the God of Bungamati or Bung-dyo in local language. See Rato Matsyendranath.

BUDHI GANDAKI RIVER

One of the seven component rivers of Gandaki river system. Budhi Gandaki has its starting point at Kalmochan lake which is formed by two rivers, one Mawang Khola originated from Ladak Himal of Tibet and the other river originated from Larke Himal. The river of the Gandaki River System forms the boundary between Bagmati and Gandaki zones of Nepal.

BUDHANILKANTH

Situated  eight miles from Kathmandu, Budhanilkantha, the stone image of sleeping Vishnu on a bed of snakes, is an excellent and stately example of sculpturing. Various religious festivals and practices are connected with this place. Annual melas (fairs) especially a twelve-yearly festival, are attended by huge crowds of people from different parts of the country. It has been the traditional belief among Nepalese people that since the king of Nepal was a human form of Lord Vishnu, His majesty may not see the Buddhanilkantha, which too is a form of God Vishnu. Therefore, a miniature replica of this sleeping Vishnu is made at Balaju garden, so that His Majesty may visit it.

The Gist of Buddha’s Teachings

The Sarnath sermon, based on, and also known as The Four Noble Truths is the nucleus of Buddha’s teachings. 

1. Suffering is omnipresent in our life; all forms of existence are subject to it. It is inextricably bound to individual existence, making life basically a succession of suffering experiences.

2. Suffering is caused by all kinds of desires such as desire for possessions, desires for   pleasures and enjoyment, desires for selfish identification and separate individual-centred existence. Desires are rooted in ignorance.    

3. The end of misery can be achieved by conquering over and through total annihilation of desires, cravings and passions of all kinds.

4. The way to end misery is the eight-fold path, which consists of the 1. right views, 2. right intentions, 3. right speech, 4. right action, 5. right livelihood, 6. right kind of effort, 7. Right  consciousness or awareness and 8. right meditation or concentration. In other words: good morals, mental concentration and wisdom. This path is called The Middle Way because it opposes the extremes of both self-indulgence and of ascetics.

Thus, the early Buddhist doctrine is mainly an agnostic ethical discipline, a system of self-training and mind-cultivation, with no theology, dogma or belief in super-natural power. There is also no permanent ego or soul. Self is eternally changing.