Buddhism -- China -- Tibet.; Buddhism -- India -- Rituals.; Buddhism -- Nepal -- Rituals.; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Buddhism.
摘要
Richly photographed details of the peace ceremonies of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. From the chapter "Sakya Monlam Chenmo, Boudha 1994," One of the great holy places of Nepal, Boudha has long been a central
place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists of all traditions. For centuries, pilgrims and travelers passing through Nepal
have stopped here to pray at the ancient stupa that is Boudha's treasure. The stupa is known as Bodhnath, Lord of
Enlightenment, or as Jarungkhashor, a name related to the history of its construction. Probably the oldest stupa actively
worshipped, Bodhnath stands on a place revered as a center of natural mandalas. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, it is
located at the Kathmandu Valley's strongest convergence of power. The Bodhnath Stupa rises from a huge four-tiered plinth;
each of its levels provides large numbers of pilgrims ample space for circumambulation and meditation. From each side of the
square harmika that crowns the stupa, pairs of eyes look out on the four directions. Between the eyes is the numeral one, a
reminder of the non-duality that underlies all appearances. Rising from the harmika is a four-sided pyramid symbolic of
Mount Meru, the great mountain that forms the center of our world system. The thirteen steps to the top call to mind
thirteen stages on the path to enlightenment. A great parasol surmounts the pyramid, culminating in the stupa's spire. From
its central mandala to the top of its spire, the Great Stupa is rich in cosmic symbology.
