The development of Vihara culture in Nepal

The study of vihara culture necessitates an understanding of the features, significance and development of Buddhism in Nepal. However, first the term "vihara culture" needs to be defined. In Newar Buddhist tradition, the vihara plays a significant ritualistic and religious role in society. It is a holy complex where religion and religious practices become overt and it is publicly demonstrated through a host of activities, both internal - performed inside the sacred shrine regularly on a calendar basis - and external - performed in the complex regularly or occasionally with wider participation of the Buddhists of the vihara localities. Such activities range from regular worship to mass celebrations and performances. The vihara, with its sacred and secular complexes, deities and objects, priests and devotees, remains the main focus of all activities. The optimum objective of the activities is to solemnly demonstrate union with the Buddhahood or Enlightenment. In order to understand the status of Buddhist religion, culture, rites and rituals of Nepal, a cursory look at vihara culture is imperative.