Blood and Bodhisattvas: Sacrifice Among the Newar Buddhists of Nepal

Introduction

Vajrayāna Buddhism, as practiced by the Newar Buddhists of the Kathmandu Valley, is unique because of its caste system, priestly ritual activities, and the absence of a celibate community. This paper examines the prevalence of sacrifice in Newar Buddhist ritual.

Sacrifice in Newar Buddhism

Sacrifice is an important aspect of Newar Buddhist rituals, especially those related to Bungadya (Karuṇāmaya or Rāto Matsyendranāth), a divine embodiment of compassion. The importance of sacrifice in the Bungadya ritual cycle is consistent with Newar Vajrayana Buddhist orthopraxy.

The practice of blood sacrifice by Newar Buddhists appears anomalous due to a comparison between current practices and interpretations of ancient monastic texts. The motivations behind these sacrifices were likely present when Buddhism was in India, and adherents may have responded similarly to contemporary Newars.

Sacrifice in the Festival of Bungadya

Bungadya is a significant deity in Nepal, and his annual chariot procession (rath jātrā) is an important festival. The myth explaining the origins of Bungadya's annual procession is essential to understanding the sacrifices offered.

The story says that 1,400 years ago, Nepal suffered from a twelve-year drought. King Narendradeva learned from a priest named Bandhudatta that bringing Bungadya to Nepal would end the drought. Bandhudatta, Narendradeva, and Lalita Jyāpu went to Karmarup to find Bungadya, who was the cherished son of demon parents. Bungadya stole away to help Nepal, and his mother pursued him. Bandhudatta turned Bungadya into a bee and placed him in an ewer (kalas) to escape. At the Kathmandu Valley's edge, Bandhudatta appeased Bungadya's mother by promising that Bungadya would be the guardian of Nepal and providing a feast of meat. The demoness queen allowed Bungadya to proceed, and a procession formed in his honor. As they entered the valley, rain ended the drought.

The annual jatra reenacts this procession and is said to cause the monsoon rains every year. The chariot procession primarily occurs in Patan, except every twelfth year when it begins in Bungamati. Bungadya attracts followers from various groups, including Tibetans and Parbatiya. He is revered as a manifestation of Padmapāņi Lokeśwar by Newar Buddhists from the top two sub-castes.