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Description:
The article studies the rites and rituals of Newar Buddhists on which little research has been done. Buddhism as practiced by the Newar community of the Kathmandu valley has several unique features not found in other countries where Buddhism is practiced. The author writes that the clergy of Newar Buddhists are the Bare, a caste made up of two sub-divisions, the Shakya and Vajracharyas. The article describes the structure of bahas with the main deity of the sangha called "kwapa deo" in Newari. The article discusses Newar Buddhist initiation rites. Initiation rites into the sangha are held at irregular intervals. The initiation ceremonies take place on five different days spread over an eight-day period. The whole initiation is popularly referred to as "bare chuyegu" though this name properly refers only to the rites which take place on the third and main day. The article includes details on the practices or rites and rituals of all five days with photographs. It includes 11 leaves of plates. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2007-01-04)
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