Spirituality of Nepal
How do spiritual symbols lend to the cultural design of a place?
The winds that blow between the majestic Himalayan mountains and through the blooming Nepali valleys are like bells of a temple. They ring in various notes, tugging on your spirit to slow down, to ground yourself in the present, to take in what’s around you and find that breath of inner peace.
It’s this aura of local mysticism and spirituality that radiates throughout Nepal, seeping into the very fabric of its cities and towns. The thoughtfully designed temples with their deeply-held symbols, the colourful prayer flags, rustling prayer wheels, sweet-smelling incense sticks and more – all fill the air with a fervent hope for some kind of spiritual intervention. Whether it’s on the high-altitudes of the Himalayas or in the agriculture-rich lowlands.
As Hinduism, Buddhism and even shamanism have long shared space in this country’s faith, their inextricable connection to Nepal’s culture is evident everywhere there. In fact, the lines between religion, spirituality and culture are so intertwined, they together shape the daily lives of those in Nepal.
Unleashing the Sacred Message of Prayer Wheels
If there is one symbol that makes spirituality seem really accessible even in the most remote parts of Nepal, it would probably be the prayer wheels. A continuous whir and click of the prayer wheels as they turn, vibrates into the silence of the mountainous paths just as it does at the devotee-filled urban shrines. And into the universe, the person who turns the wheel is said to release and multiply the blessings of the prayers contained within the wheel.
Hollow inside, the cylindrical prayer wheels often contain paper scrolls with one of the most sacred messages or mantras of Buddhism – Om Mani Padme Hum. In fact, each syllable of this mantra carries a deep meaning and embodies the essence of Buddhist spirituality. That of a path to enlightenment, with purity of mind, body and speech, through wisdom and compassion.
Despite being a centuries-old ritual originating even prior to Tibetan Buddhism, the turning of a prayer wheel continues to remain a culturally-sacred practice. So much so, you see anyone encountering a row of prayer wheels on their path ensuring they thoughtfully go around it clockwise and turn the wheels as they pass. Partaking in this practice, the locals recognize that the prayers being released goes beyond just benefiting the individual but are also intended to foster universal well-being.
Although now a commonplace, there is a certain level of artistry and craftsmanship that goes into the making of the prayer wheels. The intricate carvings and inscriptions leave behind a Buddhist artistic legacy, on top of its already deep cultural and spiritual significance.
Spreading the Blessings of Prayer Flags
The vibrancy of Nepal’s spirituality couldn’t be better expressed than through the colourful prayer flags that are found from the corners of temples to the heights of mountaintops. This auspicious symbol comes alive in a sequence of five colours, each representing one of the natural elements around us. That is, the purity of the wind and air, the energy of the fire, the nurturing of the water, the fertility of the earth and the openness of the sky.
Bearing similar mantras like the prayer wheels, the prayer flags are often strung in high places where they can catch the wind. After all, the intention is for the prayers and blessings printed on these colourful pieces of cloth to be carried far and wide. Occasionally, prayer flags are hoisted vertically to signify the sacredness of the site and invoke protection to the area.
It is said that the origin of the prayer flags can be traced back to the indigenous people of Tibet who followed the shamanistic religion of Bon. Once used during healing ceremonies and for protective energies, this symbol seamlessly found its way into Tibetan Buddhism.
However, hanging up these prayer flags now surpass religious affiliations and have become an integral part of Nepal’s cultural traditions. With it comes a shared understanding among locals that the prayer flags bless the environment and everything in it, spreading a sense of peace and positivity. Even the many foreign trekkers walking the mighty Himalayan paths, cling to the hope that these prayer flags safeguard their journey.
Although they may seem as mere cloth strung on a string, the weight of the message they carry is not taken lightly. As the prayer flags flutter in the wind, for the locals, they serve as a reminder of one’s connection to the land and of fostering compassion for each other.
Stacking the offerings of the prayer stones
An image often associated with the success of an arduous trek up the Himalayan mountains, is that of the weary yet relieved trekkers standing in front of a pile of stacked rocks covered in prayer flags at the highest point of their trek. One may not think too much of these rock piles. But each of those stones have been intentionally placed there by those who travelled the very same paths before them.
Stacked as an offering to please natural deities, the stones are said to ripple out a kind of positive energy. Back in the day, travellers also placed food atop these rocks, as an offering to those making it to the point after a similar tiresome climb. This showcasing a kind of compassion that is known all too well in Nepal and very much linked to their spirituality!
But, it’s not just on the heights of the mountain passes that one can find such stacked rocks. Along hiking trails and close to village entrances and monasteries, smooth slabs of stones with the sacred inscriptions lie in full display. These are the prayer stones. Serving as landmarks, spiritual offerings and tools for meditation and spreading blessings, their base message is still the same. Rooted in Buddhism, they nudge one towards a path of enlightenment and compassion.
Awakening the spirit of the senses
Practising spirituality in Nepal often transcends into a sensory experience with lights, sounds and smells. Rituals of lighting lamps, ringing bells and burning incense sticks come bearing deep symbolisms among both Hindus and Buddhists.
Gracefully dancing to the air around them, the flames of the lamps symbolize more than just a triumphant battle of good over evil. They are said to serve a bigger mystical purpose.
For Buddhists, lamps with a butter base are meant to illuminate the mind, providing the path to knowledge and understanding. In fact, it is common among Buddhists to use lamps to represent the victory of light over darkness. Where ignorance is a darkness of the mind, the light of wisdom is the only thing that is said to overcome it.
For Hindus, the light from these lamps is also believed to guide goddess Lakshmi to their homes, to bless them with good fortune and happiness. Many devotees also place these lamps in key areas of their homes and public spaces, to invite a divine presence to enhance the atmosphere.
While lamps offer light, incense fills a space with wisps of aromatic smoke. Crafted from local natural sources such as Himalayan juniper, cedar and sandalwood, traditional incense becomes a form of divine offering.
For devotees, burning incense is intended to purify their space for sacred practices, prayers or even meditation. The pleasant smell and the gently rising smoke are said to create the perfect ambience for a heightened spiritual experience. Burned in various spiritual and religious settings, including shamanastic rituals, the incense smoke is believed to carry prayers to the heavens and even unseen worlds.
Such an integral part of both the spiritual and cultural heritage of Nepal, incense happens to be one of the most sought after tourist souvenirs. And, it guarantees to deliver on what it claims – invoking a nostalgic sense of Nepal’s spiritual connection.
The third element of this sensory-oriented spiritual experience comes in the form of a calming, reverberating sound of a bell. In Hinduism, bells are supposed to create a bridge between the human and spiritual worlds. The power of the sound is said to awaken the deities, inviting that divine presence into a space, while thwarting any evil spirits away.
In Buddhism, the bells are also intended to create a space conducive to meditation and spiritual focus. This mood-relaxing atmosphere created by the bells is also replicated in the Himalayan singing bowls, with a claim of healing the body and mind.
Elevating the powers of the Himalayan horns
The last thing one would normally want to see when walking along isolated mountain villages and trails are well-preserved heads and skulls. But, on the high altitudes of the Himalayas, yak heads and horned skulls of blue sheep are held with nothing but deep reverence and sacredness.
Yaks, native to the Himalayan region, are an indispensable part of the local culture and livelihood. While withstanding the harsh climate at those heights, yet offering itself for everything from human food, clothing and fuel, it is no wonder yaks are almost elevated to the stature of god by the locals. Symbolizing strength, resilience and prestige, yak heads often tend to be found hanging on the walls of village homes. On the other hand, placed on trekking paths, the symbolic horned remains of yak and local blue sheep are said to ward off evil spirits, offering protection to all those passing by.
It is evident that for many of these mountain-dwelling and yak-herding communities, their cultural heritage and spirituality are tied to the land and the creatures dwelling on it.
Harmonizing the worship and mindfulness of sacred sites
The practice of spirituality in Nepal best displays its vitality at its various monastery and temple complexes found across the country. Often featuring the indigenous Newari architecture, these complexes become the aesthetically stimulating symbol of spirituality. And, what’s more fascinating is the harmonious coexistence of both Buddhism and Hinduism, often within the same temple complex.
One such religious holy site is nestled between the jaw-dropping Annapurna and Dhaulgiri mountain ranges of the Himalayas. The Muktinath temple complex, with its Hindu shrines & temples adjacent to a Buddhist monastery, offers a unique juxtaposition of unity in spiritual diversity.
With the only temple outside of India that is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, Muktinath has become an important pilgrimage site, particularly to those followers seeking salvation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is said that Lord Vishnu, after being cursed, came to Muktinath to meditate and achieve salvation. Now this site offers that same promise of salvation to devotees.
At the same time, for Buddhists, this is believed to be the site where Guru Rinpoche (who is touted as the founder of Tibetan Buddhism) meditated and achieved enlightenment. And within this complex, is the statue of Avalokiteśvara – the face behind the sacred mantra of Om Mani Padme Hum.
An everyday scene of hundreds of devotees climbing the long set of stairs up to the temple complex, right from the first rays of the morning sun, is a testament to the significance of the site to both the local culture and religious belief systems.
Several kilometers east, is the famous Swayambhunath temple complex overlooking the densely packed Kathmandu valley. The key striking feature is the beautifully designed, massive Buddhist stupa at the heart of the complex. Holding important religious relics while creating space for meditation, the stupa is said to foster a deep connection to something greater than oneself. But closely intermingled in this complex is the opportunity for Hindus to worship their deities as well, including goddess Hariti, the protector of children.
However, it’s not just the devotees that bring spirituality to life here. Rather it’s the family of animate monkeys that have made this site their home for centuries, earning Swayambhunath the moniker – the Monkey Temple. But make no mistake, these frolicking monkeys have come to be considered equally holy and sacred in both religious traditions. It serves as another reminder how interconnected Nepal’s spirituality is with creatures of the land.
Not too far from there is the Kathmandu Darbar square and the Patan Darbar Square – home to some of the most intricately carved temple structures and Buddhist pagodas. Once the royal palace for the powerful ancient ruling dynasties, these complexes are a fine display of superior Newari artistry and craftmanship. With ornate brickwork, stone and wood carvings, they have been a place for hosting everything from royal coronations to religious festivals. Walking through this ancient architectural marvel that is actively in use daily, is like unravelling the present in the past.
Within this Kathmandu complex of primarily Hindu temples exists a bizarrely distinct practice that bridges the connection between Buddhism and Hinduism even further. One that has existed for over three centuries and survived through several regimes. One that is said to revolve around a young living goddess incarnate.
At the Kumari Ghar (or Kumari temple), lives a young Kumari, who is said to be a living manifestation of Hindu warrior goddess Taleju. As per tradition, a Kumari is chosen from a Buddhist clan of goldsmiths and silversmiths, and then housed at this revered site. She remains a Kumari until reaching puberty, at which point she loses her divine status and then the search begins for the next Kumari. According to legend, choosing a young girl for the goddess to possess so that people can continue to worship her, was started by an 18th century king of the Malla dynasty — a practice closely resembling the selection of a Tibetan spiritual teacher (‘lama’).
It becomes quickly clear that visiting these religious sites is also a part of the regular routine of local residents. And where such access is limited, blessings are designed to flow in another way. In fact, in several villages, the associated spiritual elements are integrated into the very design of the place.
This is unmistakably evident in a number of areas where the village entrances and exits are designed like a stupa. Known as chortens, these stupas serve not only as markers for important sites but are also said to invoke blessings and a positive, protective energy to all those passing through the village. Similarly, on some of the village entrance and exit archways, one comes across a trio of pagoda style stone pyramid structures. These are said to represent the three pillars of Buddhism – wisdom, compassion and power.
With any visit to Nepal, one may begin to wonder if the country’s culture and design is an epitome of inter-religious unity.
Where culture meets spirituality
Exploring a place such as Nepal through its spirituality sheds light into not only the rich cultural and religious heritage of the place, but also how it gets lived out in the daily lives of the residents. And it’s refreshing to see how everyone from devout pilgrims to spiritual seekers wholeheartedly embrace each other’s spirituality. So much so that the country’s national flag with two triangles symbolizes the Himalayas and represents both major religions, Buddhism and Hinduism. After all, mountains are a perfect backdrop for any kind of spiritual reflection.
Travel Tips
Tip for the Open-Minded Traveler
Keep an eye out for any symbols of spirituality sacred to the local residents of the place you visit. See how many of those symbols appear in public spaces.
Tip for the Curious Traveler
Dig deeper into the origin, meaning and importance of the spiritual symbols of a place to the locals. Explore if any of those symbols have been integrated into the design of a place and why. (Example: Stupa-style village entrance)
Tip for the Reflective Traveler
Consider whether symbols of spirituality have increased their visibility, stayed the same or declined over time in the place you are living in or visiting. Think about what that trend reveals about the spiritual and cultural values of the place.