Stupa: Boudhanath (Kathmandu)
Nepal, Miscellaneous Subjects | Stupa PageSubjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Ngagchang Shakya Zangpo
- Masterworks
- Confusions: Swayambhunath
- Others...
Video: Boudhanath Stupa
The stupa was built by the Tibetan Nyingma teacher Ngagchang Shakya Zangpo [BDRC P1698], regarded as the 1st Yolmo Tulku, who is dated to the late 15th and early 16th century. Shakya Zangpo was a teacher of Ngari Panchen Pema Wangyal (1487-1542 [BDRC P1699]) which helps to date the chronology of his activities.
Only one painting has been identified, HAR #77571, that depicts Shakya Zangpo along with an identifying Tibetan name inscription.
The Boudhanath stupa was constructed in the early 16th century as a round dome-like structure. The thirteen steps of the spire and parasol were added much later. In the 20th century a small village grew around the stupa. In the late 1960s through to the 1990s dozens of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries were founded in the adjacent vicinity.
Study Topics & Resources:
- Founder: Ngagchang Shakya Zangpo (b. Late 15th century)
- Initial construction in the first half of the 16th century
- Discovery of a Revealed Treasure History Text, 16th century
- Later additions of the Spire & Canopy, 18th & 19th century
- Tibetan Textual References, Travelogues & Biographies
- Published Resources, English Language (below)
Jeff Watt [updated 9-2024]
Book Review Videos:
- Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley
- Power Places of Kathmandu, Hindu & Buddhist Holy Sites in the Sacred Valley of Nepal
- Nepal Mandal, A Pilgrim's Guide to the Kathmandu Valley
- Pashupatinath: The Divine Glory of the Guardian Deity of Nepal
- The Great Stupa of Boudhanath by Keith Dowman
Bibliography:
Nepal Mandal. Keith Dowman. Pema Publishing, 2020. Vajra Publications, 2022.
Power Places of Kathmandu: Hindu and Buddhist Holy Sites in the Sacred Valley of Nepal. Kevin Bubriski & Keith Dowman. 1995.
Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley. Keith Dowman, 2007. Vajra Publishing, 2018.
The Buddhist Holy Sites of Nepal. Rinchen Dharlo. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, English version 2020.
Legend of the Great Stupa. Keith Dowman. Dharma Publishing, 1973.
