Gurung Buddhism

Dhurba Bahadur Gurung |May 06 2023 | 2 years ago , 8 min, 15 sec read| Gurung Buddhism| 1557 views|
Gurung Buddhism

The Gurungs originally inhabited the southern slope of the Himalayan mountains in central Nepal, and now they are living in all parts of the country and expanded abroad as well. The Gurung called them Tamu in their mother language. The Gurung society is developed with the combination of three counterparts (Khegi, Paidi, and Chogi) priests, astrologers, and, gentlemen, and their history is preserved in the myths and legends of Tamu Pye Ta Lhu Ta (Oral text for Gurung rituals and culture). In the context of priests (Khegi) there are three major priests (Pachyu, Klhebri, and Lama) employed in the Gurung community whereas Pachyu and Klhepri recite oral texts to put an end to all evils and the Lama recite the text written in the classical script (Ume Lipi) for purification of mind and body, and prosperity. And the gentleman (Chogi) of the Gurung society played the role of task division among three priests in accordance with the Gurung language, culture, and religion. When the first Gurung lama clan Faiba Chan Rimrache came after being ordained from Nar Fu valley of Manang, the history of Lama employed in the Gurung society seems to be started at Khol- So-Thar on the southern slope of the Annapurna Himalayas where the Gurung civilization first emerged. Hence, the first lineage home of traditional lamas is Nar Khola of Manang and the second phase of the Gurung lama’s lineage is found in the Serib Mustang when they went to learn Mustang instead of Manang. Since then, Gurung lamas are practicing both the lineages of (Manang and Mustang) as a traditional Buddhist ritual for a continuation of the tradition. When Tibetan were exiled to Nepal and India after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959, gradually some changes are found in the Gurung lamas as an impact of it. They became more familiar with the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and started to take ordination and education from them and played the role of dharma teachings in the Gurung community. According to Kerlo (origin story of Gurung), there are mentioned 9 Maha Baudha and 12 Maha Baudhas which assert that the Gurung community adopted Buddhism 1200 years ago while they were inhabited in Mustang. Those Lama priests are using yet to perform the ritual in some Gurung clans. These Lamas were known as Bonpo Lama as they adopted and exchanged some Gurung Cultural chanting Matras in Gurung Language. Later on, the Gurung Lama adopted traditional culture like Rhi Tenba which means to snatch the dead person’s soul from the Ghost, for which Lamas has to perform a dance to trap or catch the Ghost. The Lamas dancing around the (effigy) statue of the dead person have to wear a colorful robe as a sign of Peaceful deity and wear the Mask of the angry God as a sign of the Krodhi Deity. Kra Saar (oiling and combing the hair of the dead person). Food offerings by the Kul and Kutumba etc. When looking back at the adaptation process of Buddhism in the Gurung Lamas, it does not seem that they are unanimously practicing Buddhism in the Gurung community. It seems different from each other by their clan, lineage, and ordination they received. Such as some are still practicing as their predecessor did in the past at Nar fu Valley in Manang and Mustang, practice according to Kerlo, and the later practices are varied according to their ordained Tibetan monasteries which they follow the teachings and rituals. Therefore, for the uniformity of Gurung Buddhist rituals and practices, the concept of Gurung Buddhism has been necessary to propagate Buddhism based on practicing Gurung culture and rituals. Aiming to associate with the Gurung Buddhist organizations, the Federation of Gurung Buddhism has been established in 2022 to practice Buddhism with an emphasis on maintaining Gurung Culture and Rituals and to promote the Gurung Lamas for the preservation of Gurung rituals. The main campaigner of the concept of Gurung Buddhism is associate members of Tamu Baudha Sewa Samiti Nepal, Mr. Dhurba Bahadur Gurung (Rt. Inspector SPF), and Mr. Puspa Bahadur Gurung (Buddhist college teacher). The main objectives of this federation are as follows. Since the community is not literate in pure Buddhist philosophy, the culture-based Buddhism practice needs to be promoted among the Gurung Community Although ritual and cultural practice is the identity of a people, it does not eventually help to liberate the people but it does motivate them to liberate. It is no doubt that the ultimate goal meet at the end is the contemplation of Buddhist teachings therefore the Buddhist texts which are preserved in Pali, Sanskrit, and Tibetan scriptures are to be translated into Nepali language to taste the nectar of dharma for the Gurung community which is another main objective of this federation. Similarly, the Monlam (Prayer) chanting is a beautiful part of Buddhist practice which could be another way of attracting women groups of laities in the Gurung community. Since the Gurung culture is based on animism (Bon) culture, the practice of animal sacrifice is still being practiced among the Gurung community which are polarized sects among them. Besides them, some are still in the dual practice of Buddhism and Bonism as an impact of their traditional practices. The federation has emphasized Pancha Shila which is a single means that everyone can come under Buddhism in the Gurung Community therefore it has been mandatory for performing death rites and any rituals. It could be worth to commit the laities on Panchashila No killing or sacrifice of Animals or any living being No stealing. Not to take anything which is not given or asked. Not to practice sexual misconduct. Not to be attracted to another’s wife or husband. No lying to others. No misused of drugs or refraining from intoxicating items like tobacco and alcohol. Triple Refuge is also committed to chanting in the Nepali language. Buddha Dharma Sanghma, Ma janchhu Saranma Danadi maile gareko punye dwara Buddhai Siddha ho Jagato Hitaye