Religious practices are an important part of the lives of the Nepalese
people. Mythologies of various Hindu gods and goddesses abound in this
country and cultural values are based on the philosophies of holy books.In
Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism are the two main religions. The two have
co-existed down the ages and many Hindu temples share the same complex
as Buddhist shrines. Hindu and Buddhist worshippers may regard the same
god with different names while performing religious rites.Though Nepal
is the only Hindu Kingdom in the world, many other religions like Islam,
Christianity, and Bon are praticed here. Some of the earliest inhabitants
like the Kirats practice their own kind of religion based on ancestor
worship and the Tharus practice animism. Over the years, Hinduism and
Buddhism have been influenced by these practices which have been modified
to form a synthesis of newer beliefs.
As a result, visitors to this country may often find the religious
practices in Nepal difficult to follow and understand. But this does
not prevent one from enjoying the different traditional ceremonies and
rituals of Nepalese culture. It is indeed a totally new experience of
religious fervor.
Hinduism
Thousands of gods and goddesses make up the Hindu pantheon. Brahma,
Vishnu, and Shiva are three major Hindu gods who have their own characteristics
and incarnations. Each god has his own steed which is often kneeling
faithfully outside that god's temple. Symbolic objects are carried by
the multiple hands of each deity which empowers them to perform great
feats.
Buddhism
Sakyamuni Buddha is the founder of Buddhism who lived and taught in
this part of the world during the sixth century BC. The great stupas
of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are among the oldest and most beautiful
worship sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
The spinning of prayer wheels, prostrating pilgrims, collective chants
and burning butter lamps are some Buddhist practices often encountered
by tourists. A slip of paper bearing a mantra is kept inside the wheels
so that prayers are sent to gods when the wheel is spun. Scenes from
the Buddha's life and Buddhist realms are depicted on thangka scroll
paintings which are used during meditation and prayer ceremonies.
Many Buddhist followers are seen performing these practices in Swayambhunath,
Boudhanath, and other Buddhist sites around the Valley.
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