Tradition

Newar Buddhism

The unbroken Sanskrit Mahayana tradition of the Kathmandu Valley — the last living continuation of Indic Buddhism, carried by householder vajracharyas.

Knowledge1

Sites2

Teachings5

Products2

Knowledge

A gilded Newar Buddhist deity shrine with offerings in the Kathmandu Valley

TraditionsNewar

Newar Buddhism

The only surviving form of Indic Mahayana–Vajrayana Buddhism — preserved in the Kathmandu Valley for over a millennium through hereditary Vajracharya and Shakya priesthood, Sanskrit liturgy, and lay devotion to Swayambhu and the Pancha Buddha.

Sacred Sites

extended asia

Swayambhu

The Self-Arisen.

extended asia

Boudhanath

The Great Stupa.

Teachings

circuit

Kathina 2025 — Yampi Mahavihar, Patan

The 2025 Kathina at Yampi Mahavihar, Ibahi, Lalitpur — a Newar Theravada vihar observing the robe-offering at the close of the rains retreat.

Ven. Dharmashobhan Mahasthavira

Gunla 2082 — Day 1: Ven. Dharmashobhan Mahasthavira

The opening day of the Gunla Dharma Desana at Nagarmandap Shree Kirti Vihar. Gunla, the Newar Buddhist holy month — the month-long observance of fasting, scripture reading, and pilgrimage to the courtyards of the Kathmandu Valley.

Dr. Dhammavati Guruma

Gunla 2082 — Day 31: Dr. Dhammavati Guruma

The closing day of the month-long Gunla discourse at Dharmakirti Vihar, Srigha — the founder of the vihar, Dr. Dhammavati Guruma, on the meaning of the holy month's end.

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

Dharma Discourse at Padmavarna Mahayana Vihara — Session I

The opening discourse of the Patan series. The dharma carried across two traditions at once — Tibetan teacher, Newar shrine, shared lineage.

Ellen Coon

Buddhism and Newar Culture in Nepal Mandala

A studio interview with the anthropologist Ellen Coon on Newar Buddhist ritual culture in the Kathmandu Valley — a tradition that has survived because it has refused to separate the religious from the everyday.

Products

Patan Bronze Cooperative

Patan Bronze Buddha · 12 inch · seated

12 inches tall, 8.5 lbs. Bhumisparsha mudra — the moment of touching the earth at enlightenment. Bronze, hand-burnished, with a traditional patina. Comes with a wooden display base.

$2,400 Boudhanath Bowl Cooperative

Tibetan Singing Bowl · seven-metal · large

10 inches diameter, 1.8 lbs. Includes a hand-turned rosewood mallet and a felt-padded cushion ring. Plays a sustained, layered tone — three audible frequencies in the same strike.

$880

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Engaged Buddhism8 Mahayana14 Mindfulness-Based7 Nichiren2 Pure Land5 Theravada16 Vajrayana18 Zen4