Gunla

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Gunla

Last Update on May 7, 2024 ــ Views 0

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Gunla (Nepal Bhasa: गुंला)

Gunla (Nepal Bhasa: गुंला) (also spelt Gumlā) is the tenth month in the Nepal Sambat Lunar Calendar, the national Lunar Calendar of Nepal. It corresponds to August of the Gregorian Calendar. Gunla is a holy month for Newar Buddhists when they recite the scriptures, observe fasts and visit places of worship playing devotional music. It is one of the most important events in Newar Buddhism. The practice of observing the sacred month is descended from the rains retreat dating from the Buddha’s time when monks stayed in one place and taught the Dharma. The Buddhist Newar community celebrates the Gunla Festival every year from Shravan Shukla Pratipada to Bhadra Shukla Pratipada. This entire month is regarded as a chance to accumulate Dhamma (religion).According to tradition, Buddhists from all three sects of Hinayana, Mahayana, and Bajrayana circumambulate Buddhist Stupas, Chaityas, and Monasteries to show their devotion to Lord Buddha and reflect on him during this festival.

According to Buddhist Literates and Culturologists, even before the construction of the Swayambhunath Mahachaitya, it was customary to circumambulate and serve the chaitya, during that time, it was known and called as ‘Gunla Dhamma’. According to the Language Genealogy, King Bikramdev instituted the Gunla Dhamma tradition for Buddhist followers from Shravan Shukla Pratipada to Bhadra Shukla Pratipada for a month. In Nepal Bhasa, the words ‘Gun’ and ‘La’ signify nine and month, respectively. As a result, the transitions of this month are known as Gunlathwa and Gunlaga, as this festival is celebrated nine months after the start of Nepal Sambat.

According to the Swayambhu Puran, the valley of Kathmandu was once a large lake. The ascetic Bipassu (Vipass) Buddha visited at one point and put a lotus flower seed in this pond before leaving. When the lotus flower bloomed, Swoyambhunath emerged as the Dharmadhatu Jyoti on top of it. Maha Manjushree arrived as a pilgrim from Mahachin (Now China) to see Swoyambhunath and the Dharmadhatu Jyoti that developed from it. He arrived in Chobhar and established up residence with his two wives, Varada (Kesini) and Mokshada (Upakesini), on the right and left sides of the Chobhar Hill, and using his Khadga (a big sharp sword) he cut the gorge in the hill so that the water can flow out from the lake. After the water receded, Mañjuśrī (Sanskrit: मञ्जुश्री) established a city called Manjupattan.The regular religious ceremony of Dhamma was initiated on the hill where Jyotirup Swayambhu arose after the founding of Manjupattan. Chaitya Sewa was the name given to this type of service. According to Mythology, the Chaitya service was dubbed ‘Gunla Dhamma‘ after Dhamma Guru Shantikaracharya, a Mahayana religious leader, built Swoyambhu Mahachaitya in the location where Swoyambhu was enthroned as a light.

In Gunla (Nepal Bhasa: गुंला)

Devotees bathe early in the Morning, clean themselves with Traditional Instruments, Recite Hymns, and Circumambulate the Bahal, Chiba, Bihar , Chaitya, and Gumba while chanting mantras during the Gunla festival around Bhaktapur City and other Buddhist temples playing Gunla Bajan Hymns. The musical bands represent various localities of the city. The devout recite the scriptures at home and sacred courtyards. Some undergo fasting. Another devotional activity during Gunla is Dyo Thāyegu (द्यः थायेगु) when devotees make little Stupas out of Black Clay using a mold.