Nepal, the Nation of Many Gods 

cctv.com 02-17-2005 16:40

Wherever you go in Nepal, in the city, the countryside, or even the snow-covered mountain ranges, there is the sense of something popular and strong. It's religion. And it's not just because of the many religious monuments, temples and shrines in every corner of the nation. Religious rites are an indispensable part of everyone鈥檚 daily life. Today, we present the forth part of this series, Nepal, the nation of many Gods.

The ancient city of Patan, five kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. The diversity of the medieval culture that allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy, which makes for impressive sightseeing for visitors today. As one of the eight world cultural heritage sites in Nepal, this whole square is a cluster of fine pagoda temples and stone statues. At every step one comes across a piece of art or an image of a deity, testifying to the consummate skill of Patan's anonymous artists.

Sakyamuni Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. Twenty five hundred years ago, the Lord Buddha is believed to have been born in Lumbini in southern Nepal. There have been some disputes as to whether Lumbini is truly the birthplace of Buddha, but there is a variety of evidence in Lumbini itself that undoubtedly prove it to be the birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha.

"In 623 BC, Buddha was born in this place in Lumbini. In 249 BC, Emperor Ashoka of India came here and erected this stone pillar, known as the Ashoka pillar. In 1895, a German archaeologist discovered the pillar, which is the solid proof that Buddha was born here."

The main attraction at Lumbini remains the sacred garden, which possesses all the treasures of this historical area, such as the Ashoka pillar and the Mayadevi temple. Recent excavations have turned up a stone bearing the imprint of a foot, indicating the exact place of birth of the Lord Buddha. Lumbini is a place unknown to many, but a destination worth a visit to simply experience its spiritual ambience. For centuries, it has drawn Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world.

Religious practices are an important part of the Nepalese people's lives. Mythologies of various Hindu gods and goddesses abound this country and cultural values are based on the philosophies of holy books like the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana. Though Nepal is the only Hindu kingdom in the world, many other religions like Islam, Christianity, and Bon are practiced here. For centuries, the different religions of Nepal have lived side by side in harmony. That's one of the things that most impresses so many tourists while touring the country.

Wonderful nature with wonderful people. There are few countries in the world that match this godly, unvarnished and harmonious people. Nepal, a lasting impression of peace and divinities!

Editor:Hu Hang  Source:CCTV.com