My Writing

An Introduction to Gunla Dharma[1]

-       By Thakur Krishna Uprety

Background

There are two types of traditional calendars that are followed by the inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley. The first one is Bikram Sambat (B.S), and the second is Nepal Sambat (N. S.). In the B. S. calendar, both Solar dates (Gates) and Lunar dates (Tithis) are incorporated, whereas in the N. S. calendar mainly based on Lunar dates (Tithis). This Lunar calendar is strictly followed by the Newar Communities in the Kathmandu Valley for all types of spiritual activities.   This is why it is also called the Newar calendar. It is regarded that the Newar calendar was established in the 9th century A.D.

It is said that according to chronicles and the history of the Kathmandu valley, so much credit goes to a man of generosity and compassion Late Shankadar Sakhwa who became the cause of the inception of Nepal Sambat which definitely started a new era in the soil of Nepal. Late Sakhwa was a merchant who paid all debt of the people in the valley. In order to honor and glorify his generous act of dana (donation) for freeing the people from their debts, the Malla rulers then initiated a new calendar which is known as Nepal Sambat.

Introduction

Like other calendars Nepal Sambat also has 12 months which are Kachala, Thinla, Pohela, Silla, Cilla, Chaula, Bachala, Tachala, Dilla, Gunla, Yanla, and Kaula. Each month has two fortnights – Full Moon fortnight and New Moon fortnight. Each fortnight has fourteen Lunar dates (Tithis) starting from Pratipada to Purnima and Pratipada to Aunsi respectively.

The word “Gunla (गुँला)” comes from one of the names of the 12 months of Nepal Sambat. If we look at the above-mentioned months, the tenth month is Gunla. The word “Gunla” is made of two syllables. They are ‘gun’ + ‘la’. In Newari ‘gun’ means either ‘jungle’ or the number ‘nine’ and ‘la’ means month. So, it means the ninth month of the Newari calendar or Nepal Sambat. Here “Dharma (धर्म)” means special spiritual practices. So in Gunla Dharma, one month is fully devoted to spiritual practices for the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Actually, the observations and celebrations of Gunla Dharma are in the tenth month right after the completion of the ninth month of Dilla. It starts from Gunlaathwa Paaru (गुँलाथ्व पारु) to Yanlaathwa Paaru (ञलाथ्व पारु) which is exactly from Shrawan Shukla Pradipada to Bhadra Shukla Pradipada.

Objective

1.   To provide introductory information on Gunla Dharma.

Key Words

Gunla Dharma (गुँला धर्म) - Gunlaathwa Paaru (गुँलाथ्व पारु) Yanlaathwa Paaru (ञलाथ्व पारु) - Panchadan (पन्जराँ / पञ्चदान) - Dyah Thāyegu (द्यः थायेगु) - Bahi Dya Bwayegu (बहि द्यः ब्वेगु) –- Chaa Chwo Wanegu (चा च्वँ वनेगु) - Ratnamandal Darshan (रत्नमन्दः दर्शन).

Gunla is the holiest month for the Newar Buddhists in which they recite the scriptures, observe fasts and visit places of worship by playing devotional music. It is one of the most important months in Newar Buddhism. Each and every activity done in this month is part of overall Gunla Dharma practices. The practice of observing the sacred month is descended from the rains retreat dating from the Buddha's time when monks stayed in one place and taught the Dharma.

According to traditional beliefs, during primitive times, too much rain would fall. Due to this rain, the mud houses during the time would get devastated, moreover, floods and landslides would add melancholy in people's lives. So, in order to downturn the melancholy, and be safe from floods and landslides, people would go to Swayambhu playing the devotional music as it was in an elevation.

Devotees celebrate the holy month by making daily early morning pilgrimages to Swayambhu Mahachaitya and Janbaha Dyo in Kathmandu and other Buddhist temples in different parts of Kathmandu valley which are accompanied by playing various Gunla Bajan music. The musical groups from different communities and localities carry and represent various local and native music, hymns and traditional musical instruments. The devotees also recite the Buddhist scriptures at home and in sacred courtyards and some undergo fasting as well.

Another devotional activity during Gunla is Dyah Thāyegu (द्यः थायेगु) when devotees make little stupas out of black clay using a mold and pray for a month and later it is flown into the river which marks the end of Gunla Dharma.

The main musical instrument to play during Gunla are Dhaa (धाँ), Naubaja (नौबाजा), Muhaali (मुहाली) and Nyeku (न्यकू) but in the present day, all communities from different localities play a different traditional musical instrument which is one of a good way to promote and preserve the traditional musical instrument.

Nyeku is a special musical instrument made out of wild buffalo horn. The special group from Patan also visits Swayambhu on a certain day and plays Nau baja.

Another special and remarkable event during Gunla is Panjaran or Panchadaan (पन्जराँ / पञ्चदान). It is the alms-giving festival. Males of the Bajracharya and Shakya communities make an alms round of the city and devotees give them rice grains, money and other offerings. At the same time, the shrines are set up with Buddha statues and paubha scroll paintings at private homes, courtyards and on the roadsides from where the gifts are distributed. The event is held on different dates in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.

The next remarkable ceremony observed during Gunla is Bahi Dya Bwayegu (बहि द्यः ब्वेगु). On the first day of the second fortnight of Gunla, large images of the Dipankara Buddha and paubha paintings are put on display in sacred courtyards and this ceremony is known as Bahidyah Bwayegu. These statues and paintings are visited by different communities, which is known as Bahidyah Swahwanegu (बहीद्यः स्वःवनेगु), where the musical bands followed by residents of the locality visit the sacred courtyards in a procession to view the exhibits. The festival occurs on the day after the full moon and coincides with the Saa Paaru (सा-पारु) festival.

One of the interesting ceremonies during Gunla is Chaa Chwo Wanegu (चा च्वँवनेगु). Chaa Chwo Wanegu literally means to stay overnight. This is observed just a day before Panjara in Kathmandu. On the very night, before Panjara, people from different places, especially from southern Lalitpur come to visit Swayambhu at night and stay overnight. There is a tradition to visit Swayambhu overnight compulsorily for those families whose members have passed away in that year. The family member offers different offerings to the deity there and they light up the oil lamp too. It is also believed that on that night the replica of Swayambhu stupa comes on the sky in the form of clouds. This is also known as Ratnamandal Darshan (रत्नमन्दः दर्शन).

Major Buddhist Activities in Gunla Dharma

1.   Throughout the month of Gunla Newar Buddhists go to visit Swayambhu and all other Buddhist Shrines located in nearby places.

2.   They invite Gurujus to Bihara and homes and the Mahayani Texts Navagrantha are recited there. It is meaningful to say that this is the month for the recitation of Navagrantha so it is Gunla.

Note: I think that keeping one in isolation (jungle) from worldly life for a month in a year is also Gunla as another meaning of “gun” is a jungle.

3.   It is customary that At Lalitpattana in Lalitpur people circumambulate Baha, Bahi, Chaitya and the Idols of Bodhisattva by playing Shringaveri and Gunla musical instruments from early morning.

4.   Pancadana celebration is observed on the eighth day of Gunlathwa. It is celebrated in memory of King Sarvananda as he offered Pancadana to Dipankar Buddha along with the monks at Dipavati town. It is observed in Kathmandu on Gunlaga thirteenth day. 

5.   On the day of Gunlatwa Purnimaa which is celebrated as Gunpunhi by eating a combination of nine types of legumes called Kwanti (क्वाँति).

6.   Gunlaga dvitiya is celebrated as the Day of Victory over Mara by Lord Buddha. The next day is celebrated as the Festival of Lights. It is also Gaijatra Day and Victory over Mara Day in Newari Calendar. It is regarded that the next day the defeated Mara family came to Buddha and worshipped him. It is the main significance Mataya Festival.

 7.   The images and drawings of Buddha Bodhisattva are exhibited at the Bahabahi throughout the Gunla month. 

8.   There has been a tradition to visit the Nine Bahis in Gunla month which are Guintah Bahi, Ee Bahi, Kwanti Bahi, Dhapaga Bahi, Ubaha bahi, Cikan Bahi, etc. 

9.   Another tradition that still exists is that Dhamma Teaching programs are organized in various Biharas.

Additional Celebrations

The 5th day of the bright fortnight is Nag Panchami, a day dedicated to serpents and their worship. The 1st day of the dark fortnight is Sāpāru or Gai Jātrā when processions are held in memory of family members deceased in the past year. The participants wear cow costumes and make a tour of the city.

The 8th day of the dark fortnight is the festival of Krishna Janmashtami which celebrates the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna. Gokarna Aunsi falls on the 15th day of the dark fortnight or Amai. This is Father's Day and is also known as Bauyā Khwā Swayegu literally, it means Looking on Father's Face).

Conclusion

When we closely look at the spiritual practices and the various celebrations of Newar Buddhists in the Kathmandu Valley, we find that they seem to be all a kind of mixture of the three traditions of Buddhism – Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Moreover, a mixture of the Hindu tradition is also found in Newar Buddhism.

Gunla Dharma and its spiritual practices in Newar Buddhism give a sense of religious coordination between the main three Nikayas of Buddhism and Hinduism. It is a good example of friendly co-existence, a harmonious and peaceful way of life in a society where people of different faith and beliefs have been living together for centuries.

Gunla Dharma is an important spiritual sadhana in Newar Buddhism. It is a wonderful tradition of Newar Buddhists from generation to generation. It is a special occasion for the purification of the mind and body through spiritual practices and austerities as well as a celebration of life.

  It is seen that the new Newar Buddhist generation follows, observes and celebrates Gunla Dharma with full of joy and enthusiasm. Now it is the responsibility of this new generation to preserve and maintain this valuable culture as the invaluable gift of their forefathers so that Gunla Dharma would continue as a live culture in the Kathmandu valley for future generations.

References:

1.      https://askmeaboutnepal.com/gunla-dharma/

2.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunla

3.     https://www.shankerhotel.com.np/blog/2021/8/7/what-is-gunla-dharma

4.     https://www.facebook.com/ancientkathmandu/photos/

5.     https://www.gobhaktapur.com/events/gunla/

6.     https://bhaktapur.info/gunla/

7.     https://www.enepalese.com/2022/07/360192.html

8.     http://viewsonnepalmedia.blogspot.com/2020/07/gunla-dharma-and-naam-sangiti.html

9.     https://english.hamropatro.com/date/2079-4-13


[1] This seminar paper was presented at and submitted to Theravada Buddhist Academy, affiliated with Lumbini Buddhist University, Lumbini Nepal, for the partial fulfillment of the Fourth Semester of the Master’s Degree in Theravada Buddhism.

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