About Nepal

Nepal is between India and China and is roughly 500miles by 120miles long and wide. It has a population of around 25 million people. Many of the people live in the Southern part on flat land known as the Terai. The rest are spread throughout the country in small villages. Nepal is divided into about 60 ethnic groups, including Gurkhas, Sherpa’s, Thakalis and Barhmans, each having their own culture and traditions with at least 45 different languages. The vast population of Nepal is Hindu, Buddhism generally makes up the rest.

Kathmandu
Kathmandu is Nepal’s capital city. It is full of narrow alleys and has wonderful Temples and Palaces built by the Newars who are famed for their spectacular legacy of Architecture. From memory, I think we were told that Nepal itself used to be known as Kathmandu. We will be staying in the Thamel district, which we have been told was mostly fields 35 years ago. It is now a tourist area with many shops and Hotels. Kathmandu is very colourful and vibrant, although it is over crowded with much traffic congestion and pollution. The population of Kathmandu valley is near 1.5 million. So much of Kathmandu is ancient and it’s easy to feel as though you have stepped back in time over hundreds of years. The city is about 4400 feet above sea level. There are numerous Temples, Stupas (Buddhist monuments) and many other religious buildings throughout the city. The most famous Stupa in Kathmandu is the Great Stupa of Bodhnath where many Buddhist come to worship. The Great Stupa represents the enlightened mind of Buddha. It also represents the receptacle mind of the Buddha, in the past, present and future.

Fact: Durbar Square Kathmandu is home to the Kumari ‘Living Goddess’ a young girl who is believed to be the reincarnation of the Hindu Goddess Durga.

Goddess Durga is the consort of Shiva. Goddess Durga was created by the gods to destroy a powerful, buffalo demon Mahisasura. She is represented in her powerful form with 18 hands holding 18 weapons in each hand. Dashain is known as Durga Puja, for it is the worship of Mother Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is compassionate when treated to generous offerings of blood and spirits.

Buddhism
The Buddha was born in Nepal. The Buddhist religion first arrived in 6th century BCE and it is said, was introduced by the Indian emperor, Ashoka.

The Four Noble Truths
Life is suffering.
The cause of suffering is thirst or desire.
Ending desire ends suffering.
Which means taking the Noble Eightfold Path: right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

By following the Eightfold Path eliminates materialism and a state of Nirvana, where desire is eliminated, will be reached. Buddhism is a way of life and runs on a system of philosophy and morality. Buddhism was founded in Northern India in about 6th century BCE when Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment, this was not the first Buddha and it is believed not to be the last. I found out that it is possible that we all could become Buddha and reach Buddhahood.

89% of the population of Nepal is Hindu. There is a long tradition of acceptance between Hinduism and Buddhism and you will often see Buddhist Prayer Flags hanging over Hindu temples.

Sherpa History
Sherpa means, “people from the east,” Eastern Tibet. The Sherpa people fled to Nepal from Mongol invasions approximately 500 years ago. Sherpa’s are Buddhist people and mainly follow the “red hat” sect of Buddhism. Sherpa’s perceive the earth as mother earth, water is her blood, soil is her flesh and rocks are her bones. In death they will become one with the earth. Sherpa’s are loyal people and are dedicated to the trekker and mountaineering expeditions and will often only become Sherpa guides after they have first trained as porters for many years. The most famous Sherpa settlements are in Khumbu in the Everest region. The Khumbu is also famous for Yeti sightings. Most Sherpa settlements are above 2500m. The Sherpa’s frequently name their children after days of the week. The Sherpa guide will deal with all communication and even cook for the trekker. All Sherpa guides I met spoke very good English.