Home > Nepalese Temple and a panorama of Buddhist artwork > About the Nepalese Temple
Nepal enjoys a rich tradition of Buddhist art, concentrated in the Kathmandu Valley area. The rich forestry resources contributed to the creation of a unique wood architecture. Nepal is also well-known for its Buddhist artwork, especially after the 13th century, when it became the only country in South Asia to produce Buddhist art. As Buddhism spread across the continent, they widely influenced Tibet and East Asia.
The Nepalese temple rebuilt in the Nepal-Buddha Pavilion is a replica of the Harati Mata Temple in Swayambhunath.
Nepal holds a tradition of wooden architecture making great use of the rich forest resources. It has developed incomparably unique temple architecture, despite the Indian influence. This temple employs the pagoda style, a traditional architectural style from 14th to 15th century. It uses sal, which is a fast-growing tree similar to sandalwood. The hard expensive wood is cut out from the Himalayas.
As Harati Mata is a protector goddess of children, the temple is widely worshipped and many people bring their children along on visits in Nepal.
Nepalese Buddhist temples are mostly square with tiered roofs. The most common number of tiers is two or three, but temples with one to five tiers exist. In a temple structure, there is a small inner temple where the principle image of Buddha is enshrined and Buddhists individually worship from outside the door.
One other feature of Nepalese temples is that it integrates many delicate sculptures, ornaments, and goldworks. Elaborate sculpting decorates the pillars that support the roof.
For the construction of this 8.5 meter-high 4.1 meters-long-and-wide temple, 200 Nepalese artisans specializing in traditional architecture spent a year sculpting, and after it was carried into the 2005 EXPO venue. There, 20 Nepalese artisans put it together which took another four months.
The Shakyamuni Trinity Statue which was made in Nepal is enshrined in the temple. The golden figure symbolizes the authority of Buddha who continues to attract faith from all parts of the world for two thousand and several hundred years.
The Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the center is enshrined on a lotus flower seat and sits in a “Kichijo-za” or “Good Fortune” pose. The right hand takes the “Semui-in” pose (A pose which removes people’s fears and gives them gladness), while the left hand is rested on the lap.
In the Shakyamuni Trinity, the one on the left side of Buddha is Manjusri riding a lion.
Manjushri, with a treasured sword in her right hand and prajñā sutra in her left, is a Bodhisattva and she represents the wisdom of Buddha. She is believed to purify the mind with her clear wisdom, and her sword of wisdom cuts through all delusions. In Northern Buddhism, Manjushri represents the world-renounced Bodhisattvas and plays an important role in “Vimalakiirti-nirdeza-sutra”, “Buddhavatamsakanama-maha-vaipulya-sutra”, and “Saddharmapundariika-sutra”.
On the right side of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Samantabhadra riding an elephant follows. Along with Manjushri, Samantabhadra also represents Mahayana Buddhism. While Manjushri is the Bodhisattva of wisdom, Samantabhadra is the Bodhisattva of compassion, and symbolizes the Buddha’s act of compassion. Samantabhadra appears in “Buddhavatamsakanama-maha-vaipulya-sutra” and “Saddharmapundariika-sutra”, and He started to gain faith in Japan from the Heian era, when belief in the Saddharmapundariika-sutra began to spread.
To completely attain the dharma of Shakyamuni Buddha, it requires wisdom and religious austerity, and it is also said that it will be complete when the wisdom of Manjusri and austerity of Samantabhadra comes in harmony.
The golden spire is called gajur, which indicates the head of god. The gajur is equivalent to a five-story stupa, and symbolizes the five elements of universe, Space, Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth in Esoteric Buddhism.
Birds with their wings spread are placed at the curved edges of the roof.
The gold-plated roof is a symbol of spiritual purity. Pure gold is used in the most holy temple, and it is considered as a token of ultimate respect to the enshrined Buddha image.
The bells hanging from the edge of the roof are called ghantis, and the sound is offered to Buddha along with the worshippers’ faith.
The long metal flags hanging from the spire are said to be paths for the gods' to come down.
The windows are called the Windows of God, which are said to be used by Buddha and gods to see the deeds of followers.
Below the decorations in four corners of the sloping roof, metal flags hang out, which have reliefs of the Four Heavenly Kings. (North: Vaisravana, West: Virupaksa, South: Virudhaka, East: Dhrtarastra)
Various sculptures decorate the angle brace, their delicate art grasping the hearts of the people seeing them. Beasts are depicted on the four corners of the roof, and their power is not only to hold the weight of the roof, but it is also believed to prevent invasions from evil spirits.
The crown at the edge of the roof is called a Mukut and expresses Goddess Tara.
Tara means “pupil”, and it said that she was born from the tears of Avalokiteśvara, pitying the people he could not save.
The bronze gong on the outside of the temple tells the arrival of worshippers. The godly sound delivers people's prayers to Buddha.
Stone memorials called Caitya and Dharmadhatu are placed surrounding the temple; north, south, east, and west. Caitya mainly has reliefs of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Five Buddhas, while a mandala of Manjushri is depicted on the Dharmadhatu. The Vajra above the Dharmadhatu is a double-ended sword in Esoteric Buddhism, symbolizing the wisdom of Buddha that cuts through all delusions.
When you look up, you will notice an image of Buddha depicted by letters. The image, drawn like watercolor painting, is a feature of Nepali art. The soft colors give peace of mind to the people who see it.
The center letter representing Buddha and the eight that surrounds it, constructs a mantra meaning “I will take refuge in Buddha”. It is said in Nepal that if one recited these words from the bottom of the heart, he/she shall be freed from illness and unhappiness, and will be gifted with happiness and peace.
