Nepal: Artists in Lalitpur repaint Buddhist manuscript with gold as religious rituals

Updated:2 years, 11 months ago

Lalitpur (Nepal), Aug 01 (ANI): A group of painters are restoring a Buddhist book that is eight centuries old with gold in the courtyards of the Golden Temple in Nepal's historic Patan Durbar Square. The 800 years old “Pragya Paramita” Buddhist scripture is being renovated by artists by reinstating the faded words and rewriting those damaged over the course of time. All the scripts in this holy manuscript are in the “Ranjana” script (the oldest form of Newa: scripture) and are written with gold. Believed to have been first inscribed during Abhaya Malla’s regime before the unification of modern Nepal, the scripture is believed to have been prepared by Ananda Bhichhu (monk). Kept in the Golden Temple at other times and recited on a daily basis, the Purushottam Maas (also called Mala Maas) gives a break to daily recitation when the artists gather together to renovate the ancient manuscript. The word “Pragya” means ‘intellect’ and “Paramita” means ‘wholeness’ thus making the meaning intellectual wholeness. It is followed and read in those countries which follow Mahayana Buddhism which aims to secure enlightenment. In this golden word manuscript, the eight thousand verses delivered by Gautam Buddha to one thousand three hundred and fifty disciples are recorded. It is believed that Buddha delivered those verses some 2500 years before. The month which does not have Surya Sakranti is called Mala Maas which means there is no solstice of the Sun between one Aunsi “Amavasya” to another “Amavasya”. Sankranti means the entry of the Sun from one zodiac to another. Purusottam Maas comes with a difference of 32 months, 16 days and 6 hours. This Buddhist manuscript in case of tearing or permanent damage beyond repair is rewritten on a special “Lokta” commonly known as “Nepali Kagaj” and locally known as “Nilpatra” which is made from the fibres of a plant called “Daphne Papyracea”- only found in Nepal.

Top Videos

Updated:2 years, 5 months ago

Amid dry winter in Kashmir, snow-clad Bangus Valley in Kupwara district emerges as winter wonderland

Updated:2 years, 5 months ago

Grand welcome given to sculptor Arun Yogiraj at Bengaluru Airport

Updated:2 years, 5 months ago

Injured WB CM Mamata Banerjee meets West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose

Updated:2 years, 5 months ago

Couple set goals! Husband to lead Sikh Regiment, wife to command ICG contingent in R-Day Parade

Updated:2 years, 5 months ago

Inside India’s and Air India’s first Airbus A350 with luxurious seats, new interiors

Updated:2 years, 5 months ago

J-K: Srinagar’s Ghanta Ghar comes alive with spectacular Tricolour lighting

Nepal: Artists in Lalitpur repaint Buddhist manuscript with gold as religious rituals

Top Videos

Related Video

Security deployment, curfew expose governance crisis in PoGB

Watch! Latest visuals emerge as Middle-East situation worsen amid escalating Iran-Israel war

Kyoto hosts cooking test to certify foreign Japanese cuisine chefs

People of Nepal, leaders vote to elect new government after Gen-Z ptotest | Nepal General Elections

Nepal: Thousands of voters leave Kathmandu ahead of Polls

PoJK: Health workers protest in Muzaffarabad over ending allowance demands

UN Rights chief praises India’s civil society

Nepali Interim PM urges voters to participate ahead of Thursday’s silence period

Foreigners soak in Holi Festivities at Kathmandu Durbar Square

Rapper-turned-Mayor Balen Shah enters PM race, launches Kathmandu campaign

“India understand the danger of Nuclear armed...” Middle East expert on Iran-Israel, US war

Geneva: UN event flags blasphemy law abuse in Pakistan and Bangladesh

UN event flags blasphemy law abuse in Pakistan and Bangladesh

Deal or war? All eyes on Geneva as US-Iran delegations resume nuclear talks ‘

Nepal’s election campaign turns increasingly hybrid

“Pakistan PM would have died if”: Trump’s most explosive claim on India-Pak War during SOTU address

Must Watch! This expert shares key insights on India-Canada ties ahead of Mark Carney’s India visit

Details of NSA Ajit Doval’s visit to Canada emerge Indian envoy to Canada Dinesh Patnaik’s full intv

Nepali Muslims observe first Friday of Ramadan with mass prayers

Watch! India-U.S. deal, Russian oil, Quad & more… Ambassador Sergio Gor shares major updates