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The Revival of Theravāda Buddhism and Its Contribution to Nepalese Society

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The Revival of Theravāda Buddhism and Its Contribution to Nepalese Society THE REVIVAL OF THERAVĀDA BUDDHISM AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO NEPALESE SOCIETY Phra Sujan Maharjan A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) International Master’s Degree Programme Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E. 2549 ISBN 974-364-509-8 THE REVIVAL OF THERAVĀDA BUDDHISM AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO NEPALESE SOCIETY By Phra Sujan Maharjan A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) International Master’s Degree Programme Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Bangkok, Thailand B.E. 2549 ISBN 974-364-509-8 (Copyright of Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University) i The Graduate School, Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University has approved this Thesis as a part of education according to its curriculum of The Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies ……………………….. (Assist. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Somjin Sammāpañño) Dean of Graduate School Thesis Examination Committee: ……………………… Chairman (Phra Metheeratanadilok) ………………………… Member (Assist. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Somjin Sammāpañño) ………………………… Member (Dr. Phramaha Tuan Siridhammo) ………………………… Member (Assist. Prof. Dr. Watchara Ngamcitchareon) ………………………… Member (Assist. Prof. Dr. Banjob Bannaruji) i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research could have not have been completed without the kind encouragement and assistance of professors, friends, and others. I would like to thank them all for their help. I would particularly like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Assistant Professor Dr. Phramaha Somjin Sammāpañño (Buddhist Studies) and Assistant Professor Dr. Banjob Bannaruji (Buddhist Studies) for their valuable advice and suggestions from the beginning to end of the work. They impressed upon me the importance of studying Buddhist history and the contributions of Buddhism in Nepal. Their kind suggestions and encouragement motivated me to complete the research and the thesis. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the lecturers and staffs of Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University, who from the beginning have tirelessly given their advice and co-operation. Others contributed to the research. First of all, I would like to thank Venerable Bodhigyana, supervisor of Vishwa Shanti Vihara and incharge of Pariyatti Education exam for providing official documents and information. I extend my thanks to Venerable Ananda, Lecturer at Tribhuwan University, who helped me to contact Tribhuwan University for information. I also like to thank all the monks, nuns and lay devotees of Nepal for their kind help and co-operation during interviews and observation. My special thanks go to Professor David N. Gellner, Lecturer at Oxford University, England, who allowed me to use his personal library during my visit to the United Kingdom, and for his valuable advice. I also would like to thank Venerable Dr. Dhammasami of the Oxford Buddhist Vihara for providing lodging and for helping me to use the Oxford University Library, and Mrs. Doreen Parera from the United Kingdom who gave her valuable time to read ii and edit most of the thesis. I am also grateful to Phra Dr. Sugandha Dhammasakiyo and Phra Vipassi Dhammaramo for their support, for providing me with valuable documents, advice, comments, and for guiding me through to the completion of the thesis. Further, I thank venerable Pannamurti, Bhikkhu Khemik Suddhasilo, Bhikkhu Santosh Santoso and samaneras Buddharatna, Dharmaratna for their king generosity. I would be remiss if I did not mention my classmates and companions on this long march. Particular thanks go to Miss Apiramon Damrongsiri and Miss Nonthaporn Damrongsiri for their kind help in many ways. Further, my special thanks to Namthip Srichan for her kind generosity and for encouraging me to complete the course. Most of all I am obliged to His Holiness the Most Venerable Somdet Phramaharajmangalacarn, Abbot of Wat Paknam Bangkok, who is my preceptor and who gave me every moral support. I came to Thailand through his patronage and he has continued to encourage me to study and to provide his kind advice. My study would not have been completed without financial support. Therefore, I take this opportunity to thank Buddhist Affairs of Thailand and the IMAP Buddhist Studies programme of Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University for providing scholarships covering my B.A. and M.A. work at the University. Finally, I would like to thank Venerable Chander Bodhi, founder of the Punjab Buddhist Society, UK, for kindly supporting me on my visit to England and for encouraging me to complete the thesis and all those who has helped and supported during research work. Phra Sujan Maharjan Thesis Title: The Revival of Theravāda Buddhism and Its Contribution to Nepalese Society Researcher: Phra Sujan Maharjan Degree: Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) Thesis Supervisory Committee: Assist. Prof. Dr. Phra Maha Somjin Sammāpañño Assist. Prof. Dr. Banjob Bannaruji Date of Graduation: 15 August 2006 ABSTRACT The objectives of this thesis are to study of the origin,development of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal along with its contributions to Nepalese Society. The results of the study are as follows: for many centuries, Nepal, the country where the Buddha was born, was unknown with Theravāda Buddhism, the oldest unbroken Buddhist tradition from the time of the Buddha. At the beginning of the 19th century the Theravāda was revived in Nepal, its country of origin, by the people of Nepal. Considered an alien faith, the men who initiated the Theravāda revival faced many difficulties from the society and from the Government of Nepal. They were imprisoned several times and exiled from the country for the offence of teaching Buddhism. However, through their strong dedication and belief in the Buddhist teachings, the Theravāda was finally reintroduced to Nepal. The revival campaign was strengthened by the Theravāda ordinations of Nepalese who then returned to Nepal as Theravāda missionaries. The movement for the revival of Theravāda Buddhism in Nepal has played important roles in raising the awareness of the Nepalese and in the development of Nepalese society. Therefore, it has been a unique impact and contribution on society. The establishment of Buddhist organizations, the support of the Government and the favour of the Kings were main factors in the promotion of Buddhism over a wide area. The establishment of Buddhist monasteries, Buddhist organizations, and Buddhist training centres, as well as international relationships were the main bases upon which the development of Theravāda Buddhism in Nepal was achieved. The contributions of Theravāda Buddhist countries to the Theravāda revival campaign in Nepal were indispensable and should not be forgotten. Theravāda Buddhism contributes to Nepalese society in different aspects such as literature, education, social welfare and customs, along with others. The number of Buddhists is increasing day-by-day and the popularity of Buddhism has drawn attentions of the State into Buddhist activities. From an alien religion, Theravāda has become familiar to the society and integrated into the country and has won the hearts of people. Theravāda Buddhists are involved in various kinds of social work and are specialists in various corners of Nepalese society. Almost all the monks and nuns are involved in many different fields for the betterment of Nepalese society and for promotion of Buddhism for the welfare, goodness and happiness of the all. Theravāda Buddhism is flourishing and running in right track once again in the country where the Buddha was born. i List of Abbreviations A.D. = Anno Domini ANBM = Akhil Nepal Bhikkhu Mahasangha/ All Nepal Bhikkhu Association B. C. = Before Christ B. E. = Buddhist Era BKK = Bangkok Bkt = Bhaktapur B. S. = Bikram Samvat BPEC = Bauddha Pariyatti Education Council C. E. = Common Era Chap. = Chapter Comp. = Compiled by D.D. = Dharmāditya Dharmācārya DVMC = Dharmashringa Vipassana Meditation Centre Ed. = Editor/edition Etc. = Et cetera / and others Fig. = figure ii JBR = Jung Bahadur Rana JIABS = Journal of International Association of Buddhist Studies IBMC = International Buddhist Meditation Centre Ibid = Ibiden/ in the same page, i.e. same source which has been cited in the immediately preceding note Illus. = Illustrator, illustrated by Kath = Kathmandu Lpr = Latitpur MCU = Mahachulalongkorn University NBPEC = Nepal Bauddha Pariyatti Education Council NBPS = Nepal Bauddha Pariyatti Sikksya N.S. = NEPAL SAMVAT N.d. = No date Op.cit. = Opere citato/ as referred PGD = Post Graduate Degree PPMV = Pranidhi Purna Mahavihara SBTC = Sangharam Bhikkhu Training Centre Sec. = Section iii Tr. = Translator T.U. = Tribhuwan University Ven. = Venerable Vol. = Volume VSV = Vishwa Shanti Vihar WFB = World Fellowship of Buddhist Conversion Year A. General system 1. Nepal Samvat + 937 = Bikram Samvat 2. Nepal Samvat + 880 = A. D. 3. Nepal Samvat + 1423 = Buddhist Era 4. A.D. + 57 = Bikram Samvat B. Particular System 1. Nepal Samvat + 936 (Kartik- Caitra) = Bikram Samvat + 937 (Kartik – Aswin) = Bikram Samvat iv 2. Nepal Samvat + 879 (Kartik –Pausa) = A. D. + 880 (Pausa – Aswin) = A. D. + 880 (Pausa- Aswin) = A. D. 3. Nepal Samvat + 1422 (Vaisaka –Aswin) = Buddhist Era + 1423 (Kartik- Caitra) = Buddha Era CONTENTS Approval Page i Abstract ii Acknowledgement iv List of Abbreviations vi Conversion Years viii List of Tables and Figures ix Chapter: I INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background and Significance of the problem 1 1.2.
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