List of Mahaviharas of Newar Buddhism
Newar Buddhism is one of the branches of Buddhism. One of the major elements of this branch of Buddhism is Mahavihara (महाबिहार) or Baha or great monastery. These monasteries have served as centers of learning in Newar Buddhism. These monasteries generally are built as a courtyard surrounded by two storied buildings consisting of halls.[1] Some of these monasteries have been founded as early as fifth[2] to twelfth century [3] Many of these mahaviharas are listed as historical monuments of Nepal.[1] The following is a list of these mahaviharas [1][2][4][5] -
| Mahavihara (Sanskrit) | Nepal Bhasa name | Location | Founded | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maitripura Mahavihara | Kwa Baha (Kwatha Baha) | Kathmandu Thamel | Built by Bakbajra who brought Kashisoyambhu (Shreegha Vihar) from Kashi | |
| Henakara Mahavihara | Dhwaka Baha | Kathmandu | 7th century [2] | Damaged in earthquake of 1934 [2] |
| Hemvarna Mahavihara | Gan Baha | Kathmandu | ||
| Ratnaketu Mahavihara | Jhwa Baha | Kathmandu | ||
| Suratshree Mahavihara | Takshe Baha | Kathmandu | ||
| Kanakachaitya Mahavihara | Jana Baha | Kathmandu | Annual festival held | |
| Keshchandra Paravarta Mahavihara | Itum Baha | Kathmandu | 1381[6] | Known for Keshchandra and Gurumapa (Official Website) |
| Ratnakirti Mahavihara | Makhanbaha | Kathmandu | ||
| Mulashree Mahavihara | Mubaha | Kathmandu | ||
| Mantrasiddhi Mahavihara | Sawalbaha | Kathmandu | ||
| Rajakirti Mahavihara | Tebaha | South of New Road, Kathmandu | 5th century AD [2] | |
| Shreekhanda Mahavihara | Shikhamu Baha | Kathmandu | ||
| Brahmachakra Mahavihara | Ombaha | Kathmandu | ||
| Bajrasheel Mahavihara | Ikubaha | Kathmandu | ||
| Munisangha Mahavihara | Mikhabaha | Kathmandu | ||
| Kirtipunya Mahavihara | Laganbaha | Kathmandu | ||
| Manisingha Mahavihara | Musunbaha (Inner) | Kathmandu | ||
| Manisangha Mahavihara | Musunbaha (Outer) | Kathmandu | ||
| Vikramashila Mahavihara | Bhagwan Baha | Thanbahil, Kathmandu | Visited by Pandita Atisha Shrijana of Nalanda in 1041,[7] houses Saharsha Prajnaparamita dated 1223 AD [8] | |
| Hiranya Varna Mahavihar | Kwabaha | Lalitpur | 12th century by Bhaskara Deva Verma [9] | Houses Prajnaparamita dated B.S.1282 (A.D. 1226-1227)[1] |
| Rudravarna Mahavihara | Uku baha | Lalitpur | ||
| Ratnakar Mahavihara | Ha Bahal | Lalitpur | ||
| Yasodhar Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Jyesthavarna Mahavihara | Tanga Baha (Chaku Baha) | Lalitpur | Contains an inscription dated N.S. 245 (1125 A.D.)[1] | |
| Dharmakirti Mahavihara | Ta Baha | Lalitpur | ||
| Dattanama Mahavihara | Dau Baha | Lalitpur | ||
| Gunalakshmi Mahavihara | Dhum Baha | Lalitpur | ||
| Chakravarna Mahavihara | Cuka Baha | Lalitpur | Founded by Manadeva I [1] | |
| Bajrakirti Mahavihara | Wam Baha | Lalitpur | Inscription dates back to N.S.561 (1441A.D)[1] | |
| Rudradeva Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Vaishyavarna Mahavihara | Guji Baha | Lalitpur | Housed a manuscript dated N.S. 373 (1253 A.D.)[1] | |
| Mayuravarna Mahavihara | Bhinche Baha | Lalitpur | ||
| Jayamanohara Mahavihara | Su Baha | Lalitpur | ||
| Sri Vaccha Mahavihara | Si Baha | Lalitpur | Houses a Pancharaksa manuscript dated N.S. 509 (1389 A.D)[1] | |
| Baladhar Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Akshyashwara Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Raksheshwara Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Lokakirti Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Napichandra Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Gopichandra Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Lalitchandra Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Saptapur Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Padmoccha Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Rajashree Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Manimandap Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Chandrasurya Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Jayashree Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Gustala Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Lokakirti Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Thaveer Patra Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Kamukanama Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Itiraja Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Basuraja Mahavihara | Lalitpur | |||
| Laskadyo Baha | Bhaktapur | |||
| Inacho Baha | Bhaktapur | |||
| Tadhi Chen Baha | Bhaktapur |
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Historical Monuments & World Heritage Sites, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Asiatravel
- ↑ Hiranya Varna Mahabihar
- ↑ Article:थथुप्वीं आचागुथिया छगू सन्दर्भ, Author: Anarratna Bajracharya, Language: Nepal Bhasa, Publication: Sandhya Times
- ↑ Historical and World Heritage sites of Lalitpur (Nepali)
- ↑ Lonely Planet
- ↑ Lord Atisha in Nepal - The Thambahi & the five stupas foundations according to the Bromston itenery by Hebert Declear, Journal of Nepal Research Centre Vol. X 1997
- ↑ Article: Bhagwan Bahal, Author:Damodar Pradhan
- ↑ Lumbini.org