3 years ago
Each and everyday Nepalese celebrate special festivals. Identically, today and tomorrow i.e. tenth and eleventh of the eighth month of Nepali lunar calendar are historically as well as traditionally important dates.
This year's festival falls on 8th and 9th January. Sanskrit Buddhist followers from Kathmandu Valley perform different exoteric and esoteric rituals to mark this special day.
According to Swayambhu bhattarak upadesh, Kathmandu Valley was a Lake. On the full moon of Chitra, Vipasswi Buddha planted the seed of a thousand Petal lotus from which emerged a five wisdom light which was later turned into stupa.
Inorder to see this many Buddhas and bodhisattvas also came to the lake. In order to protect this Light source forever Manju Devacharya the emanation of Bodhisattva Manjusri drained water from the Lake.
Shri Swayambhu Dharmadhatu Jyoti literally means light of Self-arisen suchness. To witness this magical event Manjudeva travelled from Wutai shan.
In order to protect Swayambhu from future deterioration Manjudeva, with his wisdom sword drained the lake water and appointed Dharmakara as king, who continued development of Nepalmandal civilization. Therefore, this day marks the starting of civilization in the Valley.
Yet, from the root of the Lotus; water was oozing out . This springwater oozed so vigorously as if it was to form Lake once again.
A triangular spring source was discovered.‘If this isn't blocked then the valley might soon turn into the lake.’ thinking this Manjudeva perform
ed an exoteric ritual and abided in ‘Jala Stambha Samadhi’. This Jala Stambha Samadhi or meditation of water blender is said to control water elements.
At transition midnight where the end of ninth and the beginning of tenth Manjudeva get blessings from Hevajra and Nairatma aka Guhyeshwari. After this violent water loss from the spring was closed and white milk like liquid i.e. Amrita only remained. This site is now known as Purano Guheshwori.
Nairatma embodies realization of pudgala-Nairatma , the not-permanent-selfness of a person. She represents infinite space, the limitless expanse of her awareness. She flows through the universe without impediment.
She has transcended ego-centered existence. She is the one who understands the mysteries and depths of life.
Always poised to sever negative mind states wherever they arise and pulverizes illusions and returns them to their original state as a mere play of light, a rainbow of energy, shimmering in empty space.
The term Naitramya indicates nirvana or sunyata. Thus, they carry great significance in Vajrayana Buddhism. Also the notion of Amrita oozing out carries great closeness with Vajrayana use of elixir.
This day is celebrated by Buddhist originally from the valley.
Celebration of this not only marks the past events but also is considered powerful enough to bestow mundane accomplishments as well as transmundane accomplishments of Nirvana.
Rituals are being conducted at personal, family, community and monastery level for the celebration of Hevajra Day.
