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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
