Overview
Nepal is known worldwide for carrying a unique spiritual and religious value. After all, according to the Tripitaka, the Buddha was born in the Lumbini grove within the Sakyan empire, located within the boundaries of Nepal. Along with this, Nepal sees all three forms of Buddhism, Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana flourish within it making it excellent for pilgrimages and buddhist spiritual tours.
Originally referred to as Siddartha, the Buddha is known by many names around the world now. The story of his enlightenment is almost universal now and his teachings have touched the souls of many. Born to the head of the Sakyan republic Suddhodhana whose capital was in Kapilavatsu ,Nepal, Siddartha renounced his royal status, left his home and went in search of the way to end suffering.
From his birthplace in Lumbini, to his parinirvana in Sarnath, India he taught many people the way to liberation. The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path and his teachings on morality and meditation, and more esoteric topics like Tantra are have been passed down through over 2500 years. Nepal, unlike India has been fortunate enough to have retained much of its Buddhist heritage and Buddhism has flourished here alongside Hinduism forming a culture seen nowhere else.
Accessible Adventure’s Spiritual Buddhist Tour will have you explore the various holy Buddhist sites within Nepal and visiting Monastaries and listening to teachings by spiritual gurus. Obviously one of the main highlights of this tour will be the Queen Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini. It is here that the Buddha was born to Queen Mayadevi as he held a tree branch and it is here that the Buddha took seven steps immediately after birth. You will be able to see the footprint of the infant Buddha at the Temple.
Right next to the temple are various ruins and included along them is an ancient Ashokan era Pillar. Emperor Ashoka of India constructed pillars marked with the ancient Brahmi script in the various places of religious importance nearly 2300 years ago and in Lumbini he marked a pillar locating the birthplace of the Buddha. Around the main temple are constructed various monasteries in both Theravada and Mahayana style. These monasteries were constructed by individual countries that have been touched by the Buddha’s teachings. Here you will find monasteries conducted by countries like Srilanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and others, giving you plenty of room to meditate and learn.
Around the Kathmandu Valley are also plenty of Buddhist sites. The Swoyambhunath stupa located atop a hill and the Bouddhanathstupa are two extremely fascinating and important spiritual locations each with a mesmerizing story of its creation and importance. Thousands of visitors from all over the world including China, Sri Lanka, Japan and others come visit the temple and the numerous monasteries and temple surrounding them.
The Namobuddha monastery lying in the town of Dhulikhel outside Kathmandu is a place of great spiritual learning and healing. The view of the hilly vistas itself is breathtaking too. A similar experience is to be had at the Kopan monastery where you will get a spiritual experience like no other.
The ancient city of Patan also is an important place where the Buddhist Newars practice an esoteric form of Buddhism called Vajrayana Buddhism. Within the many allies in the city lie courtyards belonging to the many monastaries or Viharas, called Bahal in the local tongue. Here, tantric Buddhism remains alive and practices by the many Sakyas and Vajracharyas. With intricate wood work and metal forming on display, you are sure to be amazed.
