billylettersAugust2010b

Mana Bajracharya

Gunla

(August 11 - September 9)

I woke up this morning with the sound of drumming and the tinkling of cymbals in my ears - the unmistakable sound of Gunla, the month long period of dharma activities, which is observed by Nepali Buddhists, particularly the Jyapu farmers. It comes at a time when the main agricultural work of planting the rice is over, and the farmers have free time to perform religious practices.) This year, the monsoon was a little late, but it has developed nicely.) This holy month also coincides with the traditional period of the monsoon retreat, when the Buddha and his monks did not wander about, but stayed in one place, practicing meditation. It was practical for the sangha not to move around during the rains, when the roads were muddy and there was flooding. Also, the proliferation of insects and worms in the soil made it difficult to walk without causing suffering to sentient beings.
In Kathmandu most people go to Swayambhunath temple every morning. Many start as early as 4:00 in the morning playing traditional musical instruments like drums, flutes and cymbals.

This is a holy month, meant for taking vows, for fasting, pilgrimages, penances and abstinence from meat, alcohol etc. according to one's inclination. The festival starts fifteen days prior to the full moon in August or early September and lasts until the fifteen days that come after.

On Swayambhu, pilgrims spin the prayer wheels around the hill and around the stupa. They pray before the images of Buddha, light small butter lamps, and stop at the temple of Sitala Ajima, the Goddess of Smallpox

The visit to the stupa is always in the early morning and by mid- morning most are back at their daily chores or at their jobs.
During the month priests are invited to pray and recite the Buddha's teachings. Devout Buddhists read from holy manuscripts and sing hymns.

Musical bands go out on the streets, playing their drums and flutes. These bands are well organized, and many are obliged by family traditions to play in such groups during festivals.

In the evenings, hymns are sung in the Buddhist temples (vihars). It is also during Gunla that the popular Pancha Daan (Five offerings) ceremony is held in Patan. This is the ceremony of offering the devout "begging monks" five kinds of food. It commemorates the day Prince Siddhartha (who later became the Buddha) started his life as an ascetic. Feasts are held in honor of the revered monks. Large statues of Buddha and relics are displayed at the important squares.

Mataya, the Newari festival of lights also takes place during Gunla.

Also during Gunla, many Buddhist housewives make small images of the Buddha from clay. They are said to make as many
as 125,000 of them by the end of the holy month. The images are then taken in a procession to the river, while chanting hymns, and then, discarded after completing the rituals. Many other special days, such as Nag Panchami (August 14) and Janai Poorni/Gaijatra (August 24/25) fall within this month, and they are celebrated simultaneously.
The day after Gunla is finally over, a massive picnic takes place at the Swayambhunath hillside. A huge crowd of devotees assembles here to spend the day enjoying an all day feasting and merrymaking, accompanied by plenty of music.

love and pranams,
Billy