Swayambhu Mahachitaya (World Heritage Sites)– For Partner School, Scoala Gimnaziala Vasile Alecsandri, Baia Mare, Romania Thanking to entire school team and respected project coordinator Daniela B. Buda, me ISA coordinator Anil Kr. Yadav (Tyagi Anil Marut) posting article computerized by our one genius student of grade 5, about Swayambhu Mahachitaya in her own word.  AVS - ISA (International School Award) Journey 2019/20

‘‘History and symbolic reflection of Swayambhu Mahachitaya’’

Hello dear friends, from Scoala Gimnaziala Vasile Alecsandri, Baia Mare, Romania, School, and respected project coordinator Daniela B. Buda madam we are very happy to get updates about Romania Cultural Heritage sites.

Me, Avilasha Pathak, grade 5, from Annapurna Vidya Sadan School, Kathmandu Nepal, sharing here about ‘‘History and symbolic reflection of Swayambhu Mahachitaya’’ to you all, Under the AVS - ISA Journey 2019/2020.

It was very fabulous time for me, to know in details about Swayambhu Mahachitaya stupa by visiting. I must thanks to British Council, Connecting classroom project, our school and all teachers, mainly Shobha Pathak, Puja Gurung, Malati Gurung and Tyagi Anil Marut for this grand opportunity.

If I start sharing about my learning in details now, it will be difficult for you to register in your mind. So for now, I will share only about ‘‘History and symbolic reflection of Swayambhu Mahachitaya’’

Swayambhu Mahachitaya Stupa is one of the most ancient and holy shrines in the Kathmandu valley and has been an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination since 5^th century AD.

According to the 15^th century Swayambhu purana, Lord Buddha planted a miraculous lotus that radiated a brilliant light and blossomed in the lake that once covered the Kathmandu Valley. This lotus later transformed into a sacred hill on its own and the place came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning ‘Self-Created’ or ‘Self-Existent’.

A large illusion of Sakyamuni Buddha was seen on top of the lotus. This illusion was seen by Manjushri, who came in search of the place. Near the Swayambhu Stupa a shrine has been erected where Manjushri stood to empty the lake and left his footprints on sacred ground. These monuments mark the birthplace of the Kathmandu Valley, which developed into the country of Nepal.

According to the etiquettes of bodhisattva, he should keep his hair short and clean. However, he let his hair grow down and got infected with lice. It is said that these lice jumped out and became monkeys. Thus, the hill is full of monkey.

Legend says on top of Swayambhu Mahachitaya hill stood a natural crystal stupa. Buddha, when visiting the place, declared that it was a wish-fulfilling stupa and whoever is touched by the wind that passes over the stupa receives the seed of liberation from the cycle of existence.

Swayambhu Mahachitaya is regularly visited by thousands of pilgrims including Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari Buddhists of central and southern Nepal, and even people of other faiths.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, goes back to ancient times. The earliest written record of the Great Stupa of Swayambhu is a 5th century stone inscription. Honored by kings, monks, and pilgrims alike, the stupa has been restored and repaired on numerous occasions.

In 1349 it was damaged by an invading Muslim army and later repaired by King Saktimalle Bhalloka.

In 1505, the yogin Sangye Gyaltsen added the wheel and spire to the stupa’s dome.

In 1614 the 6th Shamarpa had shrines built into the stupa in the four cardinal directions. Several important Kagyu lamas held a consecration ceremony in 1750 after a major renovation.

The famous Bhutanese master Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche (1918-2003), the late abbot of the Bhutanese Drugpa Kagyu Monastery on the western side of the stupa, came to Nepal in order to assist his uncle, the Drukpa lama Sherab Dorje, in restoring and maintaining the stupa during the early 20th century. The most recent renovation of the Swayambhu Stupa was completed in May 2010, around 1500 years after its construction. The dome of the stupa was re-gilded using gold (20 kg). However, a few regions of the temple were destroyed by lightening in 2011 and earthquake in 2015.

The base of this stupa is cube shaped. On all four sides, there is a pentagon shaped Toran. On each side of the stupa, a pair of eyes is present. This indicates that the God is omnipresent. Above each pair of eyes, there is another eye, which is the eye of wisdom. There is Panch Buddha (five Buddhas) on each side of the stupa. Walk a past the stairs leading to the temple and you will find two lion statues guarding the entrance. This staircase is the most recommended route that pilgrims take to enter the stupa, on foot. However, if you are ready to drive to the west side of the stupa, you can find another entrance; with lesser steps.

At the bottom of the staircase on the eastern side, there is a large gate with 12 feet tall Tibetan prayer wheel. It would take two strong people to move the wheel. For every revolution, a bell sound is heard. Near the gate, there are numerous small wheels for tourists to spin and perform prayers. Right before the stairs, you will find three 17th century Buddha statues. These statues are worshipped by women. Along the stairs, you will find many inscribed Tibetan stones. You can also spot small shops where merchants sell such stone replicas to tourists. The stairs will take you through forest region inhabited with numerous monkeys.

The main stupa building is a white domed structure. The stupa is filled with numerous statues and artifacts. From the tower, you can find a 13 level golden spire. The umbrella on top of the spire holds a bowl full of precious stones. There are numerous other shrines around this main building. Each one was donated by kings and other political figures.

To know about the area around the Stupa in short, you can also refer this diagram. ……. Turn one side and show with finger.

Hopefully, I am able to clarify you about ‘‘History and symbolic reflection of Swayambhu Mahachitaya’’. If you want to know more about Swayambhu Mahachitaya, please write in comment, I will try my best to update more things. You can also refer videos link and pictures of our trip, I will ask my ISA Coordinators to post for you all. Thanks