Although 60% of the population of Nepal is Hindu, the country has a rich Buddhist tradition. A prince of the Sakya clan, Siddhartha Gautama, was born in Lumbini (Nepal) some 500 years BC. He lived in the kingdom of Kapilivastu until he renounced his position and wealth at the age of 29 years to develop a better understanding of suffering. Six years later, after that many years wandering in the forests and plains as an ascetic, he achieved "enlightenment" upon his realization of the causes of suffering and the way out of suffering. This event took place under a great pipal tree in a forest in northern India. Prince Siddhartha is now known as the historical "Buddha", the one who is fully aware. The Buddha taught that we all can develop that same level of awareness by living a life of non-violence, compassion for others and harmony with nature and other beings.
In 1994, Japanese Buddhists constructed the 71st of 100 planned World Peace Pagodas, this one in Pokhara, Nepal, in order to convey the message of peace embodied in the teachings of the Buddha. The smaller images included here are of two of the four statues of the Buddha embedded in the Pokhara pagoda: the sitting Buddha in Bodhgaya (site of his enlightenment) and the standing Buddha in Sarnath (site of his first teaching). Both sites are in India.
The pagoda sits several hundred meters above Pokhara, overlooking Phewa Lake, one of my favorite hiking destinations as I prepare for Annapurna.
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