Tour Description
Namo Buddha, also called Tamko Lu Jin in Tibetan, is one the significant Buddhist pilgrimage site situated in a picturesque location in the Kavre district of Nepal. The term "Namo Buddha" translates to "Hail to Buddha" or "Homage to the Buddha" in English. The word "Namo" reflects " with utmost respect, honor, and admiration". That's why, it is used before announcing the name of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. It is believed that, it was built in 4000 BC ago by king in the memories of his youngest son. It has to say that the youngest son was the avatar of Lord Buddha, he selflessly offered his own body to a starving tigresses and her cubs. Furthermore, according to the ancient Buddhist tradition, Namo Buddha is linked to one of the Buddhas' previous lives when he was a prince named Mahasttva. The significance of Namo Buddha is rooted in the Mahayana Buddhist text called the Jataka Tales and it is often referred to as the "Great sacrifice".
Short story about Namo Buddha
Very long time ago a king ruled a small village with 5000 peoples. He had three sons. Two elder sons were very talented in martial arts and strong and the younger son was very bright and kind. One day, the King, Queen and their sons went to visit some places for relaxation with there troops. They found a beautiful place with great scenery, so they decided to stay there. After spending some times with their family three prince were gone for a hunt. A little far from there camp they found a tigresses. Two elder brothers were ready to take down tigresses. Younger brother told them that it is completely wrong to kill. Brothers agreed and decided not to kill. They again looked into tigresses den, she was suffering from pain and hunger. She even cannot lift her head. She had 5 cubs who were also hungry. So, Prince decided to return in the camp. While returning, the younger prince thought that he lived a long life but if that tigresses did not find anything to eat then she along with her children will die very soon. So, he decided to help them by sacrificed his body. Then the younger prince told their brother to go to the camp and he will catch up later. The younger prince returns to the tigresses den and he sacrificed himself to her and her children. On the other hand, their brothers return to their camp. They knew that their younger brother will go to tigresses places so king sent troops to find his beloved son. They found ripped clothes and some of the bones and nails that tigresses leave there. After king and his family heard that tigresses had eaten their beloved son they started to cry in sadness.
Later, the younger prince were reborn as a Great Courage. He wondered what he has done to reborn in the celestial realm of Tushita heaven. He saw that their family were in a pain because of his death. He thought with this unhappiness they would be in a trouble. So, he flew from space to sky to console his parents and brothers not to cry he said that “do not be unhappy life and death is part of the life it is a natural thing please do not be unhappy.” After few words with them he disappeared from there. After that they collected their son’s bones, nails and some clothes in small box and buried in same place. And later they built stupa over there. Peoples were scared to go there because of the fear of tigers. So, people of that placed named it “Namo Buddhaya” which means I take refuge in the Buddha.
Why you should visit Namo Buddha?
It is a beautiful and peaceful place which gives you refreshment from your daily hectic life. It is only 40 km away from Kathmandu. Therefore, you can complete the trip within a day by returning back to Kathmandu or stay overnight there. It is an easy and fast hike from Kathmandu. The cinematic view of Himalaya range and the surrounding countryside from the Namo Buddha gives you joy. You will also get a chance to witness daily life of Buddhist monks and visiting the stupa adorned with colorful Buddhist prayer flags offer a serene atmosphere. Similarly, you can interact with the locals and learn their culture, and traditions as well as taste traditional Nepali cuisine. Enjoying a meal in the vicinity of Namo Buddha can be culturally enriching experience.
Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery
This monastery was established in the 1970 by Khyabje Thrangu Rinpoche that attracts pilgrims, tourists, and practitioners. He established this monastery for study about Buddhist Philosophy, to bring peace around people. We can see many monks around this monastery.
Shedra
Shedra is an institute of Buddhism. It is like a university or philosophy school. We can see Shedra in Namo Buddha.
Panauti
Panauti is a small village located in Kavre District. If you want to go to Namo Buddha you can go through here. It is called that this village was established in a single rock so earthquakecannot harm this village. You can visit here Panauti museum, Mahadev temple etc. We can also explore Newari culture. We can get to know about their religion festivals and cultures. People celebrate here Makar Mela festival in every 12 years in the middle of the January. You can reach Namo Buddha in 1 or 2 hours from here.
Best time to visit Namo Buddha
You can visit Namo Buddha anytime weather and season won’t be a problem to visit. But if you want to see a picturesque scenery of mountains, flora and fauna then march, April, October and November will be best the best month.
