Book Description

This guidebook highlights multiple stupas, temples and other Buddhist holy sites spread throughout Nepal as told in Sutras and Tantras. I am impressed that a detailed explanation of these holy sites, their principal deities, and historical significance are clearly presented in this work. In particular, this book describes in detail three major Stupas and centuries old historical accounts of the Tibetan Lamas who restored and instilled the gilded copper ornamentation of these hallowed sites. Information otherwise not widely known is also covered in this book such as the fact that the great 5th Dalai Lama granted a stipend for a Stupa caretaker, as well as the fact that the great 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas made contributions towards the major restorations of the revered Swayambunath and Boudhnath Stupas. In addition, there is a particularly well researched section on the temple built by Lichavi King Shiva Deva, the grandfather of Princess Bhrikurti, the Nepalese wife of King Songtsen Gampo. It includes the related history of the arrival of Bhrikuti's father King Udaya Deva to Lhasa for sanctuary and her brother, Narendra Deva's successful return to Nepal, fully supported and led by King Songtsen Gampo and his soldiers. I highly recommend this book, "The Marvelous Music of Narratives.” It is worth reading and indeed is a required companion for all pilgrims, especially those new visitors looking for fuller experience of these sites. Lobsang Shastri, Senior Librarian of Buddhist Digital Resource Center and teacher of Tibetan language in the South Asian Studies Department, Harvard University