Capturing Tibetan Culture in Photos as it Flourishes at Nepal’s Boudhanath Stupa

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Tibetan Child

As you fly into Kathmandu airport, you might note at the last minute just before landing, a huge white circular structure with a golden triangular tower adorning it, which soars above all other buildings in the surrounding area.

That’s the Boudhanath Stupa. Situated on the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu city, in the area known as Boudha, this stupa, or dome-shaped Buddhist shrine, is revered the world over. And it’s also where the overwhelming majority of Tibetans living in Nepal reside.

An important aspect of the Boudhanath Stupa is that it’s a site where Tibetan Buddhists perform kora, which is the sacred circumnavigation of a structure in a clockwise direction. This practice is said to bring what one might describe in layman’s terms as good karma.

The most popular time of day to perform kora in Boudha is at twilight, when you’ll see hundreds of people walking around the structure.

And as the stupa was built in the 14th century, people have been making this daily pilgrimage for over 700 years, give or take a few pandemics.

Sydney Criminal Lawyers was on the ground in Boudha to get a glimpse of Tibetan culture, which sadly, China is trying to wipe out in the colonised nation of Tibet. 

The Boudhanath Stupa: one of the most important Buddhist sites on Earth
The Boudhanath Stupa: one of the most important Buddhist sites on Earth
Tibetan monks and nuns conducting their daily kora, or circumnavigation of the shrine
Tibetan monks and nuns conducting their daily kora, or circumnavigation of the shrine
Tibetan laypeople also make the daily pilgrimage
Tibetan laypeople also make the daily pilgrimage
A mala is an important Buddhist implement. Holding 108 beads, the practitioner flicks one between thumb and finger after reciting a mantra
A mala is an important Buddhist implement. Holding 108 beads, the practitioner flicks one between thumb and finger after reciting a mantra
The entrance to a small temple that adorns the side of the stupa, with a snow lion statue beside it
The entrance to a small temple that adorns the side of the stupa, with a snow lion statue beside it
Some devout Buddhist practitioners will prostrate – kneel down on the ground and stretch out fully – at every step they take around the stupa for hours on end
Some devout Buddhist practitioners will prostrate – kneel down on the ground and stretch out fully – at every step they take around the stupa for hours on end
Even your casually dressed Tibetans will take kora
Even your casually dressed Tibetans will take kora
And so too, do those who wear the traditional garb
And so too, do those who wear the traditional garb
A Tibetan monk recites prayers in a monastery just across from the stupa
A Tibetan monk recites prayers in a monastery just across from the stupa
A nun circumnavigates a huge prayer wheel that must reach close to three metres high
A nun circumnavigates a huge prayer wheel that must reach close to three metres high
At night time, trays of yak butter candles are lit, producing small glittering fields of light
At night time, trays of yak butter candles are lit, producing small glittering fields of light

Paul Gregoire

Paul Gregoire is a Sydney-based journalist and writer. He's the winner of the 2021 NSW Council for Civil Liberties Award For Excellence In Civil Liberties Journalism. Prior to Sydney Criminal Lawyers®, Paul wrote for VICE and was the news editor at Sydney’s City Hub.

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