The Cult Of Amoghpash Lokeshvara In Kathmandu Valley

The Cult of Amoghpash Lokeshvara in Kathmandu valley. By

Min Bahadur Shakya Director Nagarjuna Institute of Exact methods A center for Buddhist Studies

Abstract: Amoghpasa Lokeshvara is a multi-armed form of Avalokiteshvara that seems to have been popular in Nepal since the medieval ages. The name suggests that he is the Lord of the world with infallible noose which leads suffering sentient beings to enlightenment. In Nepal as much as 360 forms of Lokeshvaras are found in devotional hymns or stavas but only 108 forms of Lokeshvara can be found in pictures or paintings with iconographical details. With a close survey of these images we can tentatively conclude that "Lokeshvara" is said to be a deity or a bodhisattva or a Buddha who vows to do welfare of all sentient beings. The word "Lokeshvara" is the union of two words i.e loka + ishvara= Lokeshvara i.e lord of the world. Although in Buddhism the concept of inherent existence of Ishvara or god is denied in philosophical aspects yet in common parlance Newar Buddhists regard all Buddhas or Bodhisattvas as Lokeshvara. The paper deals with historical and legendary origin of the deity Amoghpasa Lokeshvara, its related rituals performed at popular Buddhist monasteries of Patan and Kathmandu by Newar Buddhist devotees. Hundreds of magnificent images of Amoghpasa Lokeshvara flanked by green and White Tara can be found installed in Buddhist monasteries of Nepal The paper also deals with iconographical data of Amoghpasa Lokeshvara together with Amoghpasa Mandala and its deities therein It concludes with a synopsis of sutra on Amoghpasa hrdaya together with critically edited Sanskrit text.

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