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 MahaviharaShikhamu Baha Kathmandu
Brahmachakra Mahavihara Ombaha Kathmandu
Bajrasheel Mahavihara Ikubaha Kathmandu
Munisangha Mahavihara Mikhabaha Kathmandu
Kirtipunya Mahavihara LaganbahaKathmandu
Manisingha Mahavihara Musunbaha (Inner) Kathmandu
Manisangha Mahavihara Musunbaha (Outer) Kathmandu
Vikramashila MahaviharaBhagwan BahaThanbahil, 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 MahaviharaUku baha Lalitpur6th century CE by Shiva Deva[10]
Ratnakar MahaviharaHa Bahal Lalitpur
Yasodhar Mahavihara Lalitpur
Jyesthavarna MahaviharaTanga Baha (Chaku Baha) Lalitpur Contains an inscription dated N.S. 245 (1125 A.D.)[1]
Dharmakirti MahaviharaTa Baha Lalitpur
Dattanama Mahavihara Dau Baha Lalitpur
Gunalakshmi Mahavihara Dhum Baha Lalitpur
Chakravarna MahaviharaCuka Baha Lalitpur Founded by Manadeva I [1]
Bajrakirti MahaviharaWam Baha Lalitpur Inscription dates back to N.S.561 (1441A.D)[1]
Rudradeva Mahavihara Lalitpur
Vaishyavarna MahaviharaGuji Baha Lalitpur Housed a manuscript dated N.S. 373 (1253 A.D.)[1]
Mayuravarna MahaviharaBhinche Baha Lalitpur
Jayamanohara MahaviharaSu Baha Lalitpur
Sri Vaccha MahaviharaSi 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 BahaBhaktapur
Inacho BahaBhaktapur
Tadhi Chen BahaBhaktapur

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Historical Monuments & World Heritage Sites, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Asiatravel
  3. ↑ Hiranya Varna Mahabihar
  4. ↑ Article:थथुप्वीं आचागुथिया छगू सन्दर्भ, Author: Anarratna Bajracharya, Language: Nepal Bhasa, Publication: Sandhya Times
  5. ↑ Historical and World Heritage sites of Lalitpur (Nepali)
  6. ↑ Lonely Planet
  7. ↑ Lord Atisha in Nepal - The Thambahi & the five stupas foundations according to the Bromston itenery by Hubert Decleer, Journal of Nepal Research Centre Vol. X 1997
  8. ↑ Article: Bhagwan Bahal, Author:Damodar Pradhan
  9. ↑ Lumbini.org
  10. ↑ Rudravarma Mahavihar Temple Preservation Committee

External links

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