Boudha Mahachaitya (Boudhanath) is one of the world’s largest spherical stupas. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it is a peaceful and sacred pilgrimage site for Mahayana (Himalayan) Buddhists. The massive mandala and Buddha’s all-seeing eyes watch over devotees who circle the stupa (doing kora) with spinning prayer wheels. The area is also a cultural hub with monasteries, thangka shops, and butter lamps lighting the path to enlightenment.
Boudha is surrounded by shops selling various kinds of goods. It’s a thriving marketplace which sells thangka paintings, souvenirs, singing bowls, wooden handicrafts, foodstuffs, and Buddhism related artefacts. On the way, many monks can be seen walking around the circular path, spinning the prayer wheels which reads “Om Mani Padme Hum”. In the center, there is the biggest Stupa built, with the whitewashed dome and Harmika (square tower) that sits on top. This type of design is not built in present Buddha’s stupas. The prayer flags are also based on the five elements, and are always kept in order.
It is said that, in the Buddhist text, this Buddhist monument was built during the third Buddha’s life (Kassapa). This stupa is built based on five universally accepted elements, these being, the earth (represented by the base), water (represented by the dome), fire (represented by the harmika), air (represented by the 13 steps), and the sky (represented by the pinnacle).
In the Buddhist ideology, the numbers 8 or 108 is an auspicious number, so around the dome of the stupa, they have placed 108 statues. The monks also go around the Stupa, in clockwise direction, 108 times to stay away from negative energy. To walk up to the dome, you must take off your shoes and walk in a clockwise direction.
On the Harmika, the Buddha’s eyes are seen looking with serenity. They represent wisdom and compassion. The eyes face all direction,s overlooking the justice and injustices of the world. The nose which looks like a question mark, is the symbol of nirvana, the place where you get peace and eternal life. On the forehead, there is a red circle, which represents the third eye of the Buddha, it is covered by ribbons.
When the Buddha achieved enlightenment, he spoke of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. These have sparked the three sects of Buddhism that are spread all over the world, especially in Nepal, where you can see the rich cultural influence of Buddhism. Nepal would not be the same without the religion, culture, and faith of the people.