Five Dhyani Buddhas

The essential nature of a bodhisattva or a buddha is that he or she embraces the enlightened qualities of the five buddha families, which pervade every living being without exception, including ourselves. To achieve the realization of these five buddha families or the five dhyana buddhas, it is necessary to abandon the five disturbing emotions of great attachment, anger or aggression, ignorance or bewilderment, pride and envy. When these disturbing emotions are purified and removed, the five wisdoms shine forth. Realization of the five wisdoms is realization of the five dhyana buddhas.

To begin with, we have to understand what the five disturbing emotions (Skt. kleshas) are. The first, which seems to be most powerful, is anger. Anger is an emotion which arises and develops against someone or something one dislikes. If examined carefully, in the short run anger creates pain and in the long run it brings about serious harm. The immediate pain and future harm is to oneself as well as to others is due to the power of one’s own aggression. We therefore need to understand the first negative emotion.

The negative emotion of anger causes temporary suffering for oneself and others for this lifetime. This emotion is so powerful that all negative actions or karma accumulated by wishing harm to others can lead one to take rebirth in the lower realms. For example, intense anger can cause rebirth in the lowest hell realm where there is intense suffering. Therefore anger not only causes suffering and pain in this lifetime, but also causes us to take birth in the lower realms, where even more intense suffering ensues as a result. To be free of the experience of suffering and pain in this lifetime and to be free of the experience of taking birth in a lower realm, it is necessary to employ methods to overcome and eliminate anger and hatred.

When anger is purified and removed, we come to develop and to gradually realize mirror-like wisdom. With mirror-like wisdom, there is no distinction between self and others, there is no separation between self and other phenomena so everything is experienced in unity and harmony. It is called mirror-like wisdom because phenomena appear to the mind in the same way that things appear in a clean mirror, completely accurate with no distortion. Understanding and realizing mirror-like wisdom takes place in the absence of the negative emotion of anger. Realization of mirror-like wisdom is realization of Buddha Akshobhya, who is blue in color. He holds a vajra in his left hand. His activity is pacifying the emotions, in particular, suffering, illness, frustration, and sorrow.

The second dhyana Buddha is the Buddha Ratnasambhava who is realized when the disturbing emotion of pride or ego is purified. Ego is the belief in a self which we all develop from birth as soon as our mind thinks of itself as separate from others. The next three types of pride evolve in this process of selfcenteredness:
(1) We feel that we are better than others who are in a less fortunate situation,
(2) we feel that we are superior to others because we fail to see the equality of ourself and others; and
(3) we feel we are either spiritually or materially better than others.

What causes us to embark upon the journey of ego? When the self believes that it is separate from others, the negative emotion of pride arises in which one believes oneself in some way better than others. From this then arises the belief that there are “good” i.e. things which we believe in and do and “bad” i.e. things that others believe in and do. As long as we believe ourselves to be superior to others, it is impossible to learn from them. So we must give up ego clinging to develop enlightened qualities. A purified mind does not distinguish between pure and impure, good and bad, I and others; rather it experiences all things in equality.

When one is free from pride, realization of the wisdom of equality dawns and one experiences and becomes Buddha Ratnasambhava. Buddha Ratnasambhava’s activity is enriching and as a symbol of his activity of enrichment, he is gold or yellow in color. As a symbol of his ability to enrich all living beings, he holds the precious wish-fulfilling jewel in his hands.

The third dhyana Buddha represents the purification and elimination of the disturbing emotion of attachment or desire.

Desire causes much suffering by being quite distracting and keeping the mind restless and busy. Why? When one is attached to things, one is never satisfied and always craves for more and better things. One is continuously engaged in achieving and acquiring the mind’s desires and only experiences loss and dissatisfaction in one’s life. By understanding this negative emotion and by eliminating it, the third discerning wisdom shines forth. By realizing discerning wisdom, the enlightened mind is experienced and one becomes one with the Buddha Amitabha. It is with this wisdom that one understands and has empathy with each and every living being and appreciates others’ qualities. The Buddha Amitabha’s nature is the absence of attachment and desire and his activity is magnetizing. As already said, attachment and desire lead to the suffering of dissatisfaction, a state in which one always wants and strives for more and better things. Desire determines one’s behavior and not attaining what one desires leads to frustration and dissatisfaction. With the discerning wisdom and the realization of Buddha Amitabha, there is no attachment and desire and thus no dissatisfaction, or craving for more and better things. This realization is so powerful that all things are naturally magnetized as one’s own. There is no energy and force involved as in a state of desire.

The fourth dhyana Buddha is Buddha Amogasiddha. He is realized in the absence of the negative emotion of jealousy which includes being jealous of others’ wealth, success, and good fortune. With jealousy negativity is accumulated. By overcoming jealousy, Amogasiddha and the fourth all-accomplishing wisdom are realized.

Jealousy prevents and impedes an individual from accomplishing his or her own well-being and as a result he or she experiences more suffering and continues developing further jealousy towards those who have more. This is the reason all-accomplishing wisdom is experienced in the absence of jealousy, i.e., when jealousy is removed, all wishes are naturally and effortlessly accomplished.

As long as jealousy determines one’s attitude, one is bound to experience more obstacles in achieving personal success and in accomplishing positive goals. This is why Buddha Amogasiddha’s activity is wrathful. It is with wrath that he removes all obstacles and hindrances preventing spiritual maturation and success. He is green in color, the same color as growing plants symbolizing the numerous activities he employs to remove hindrances.

The fifth dhyana Buddha is Buddha Vairocana, who is realized when the negative emotion of ignorance is overcome. Ignorance is failing to recognize what is wholesome and unwholesome, failing to know the ultimate and conventional truth2 and failing to realize the highest state of dharmata. Ignorance is the root of the negative emotions, so that, for example, it is only out of ignorance that one is angry. One only acts aggressively towards others because one is ignorant that anger will only bring on pain and sorrow to oneself and others. Likewise, it is only due to ignorance that one has pride, desire, and jealousy.

Elimination of the darkness of ignorance is the realization of Buddha Vairocana. The wisdom which shines forth when ignorance is overcome is the wisdom of dharmata, i.e., realization of the highest state. We have failed to realize the true state up until now due to ignorance, and this ignorance causes all the mental confusion and misleading actions. Purification of ignorance engenders realization of the wisdom which sees all things as they really are.

The natural body of the purity of the wisdom of dharmata is Buddha Vairocana. Since the darkness of ignorance is eliminated, he is the clear color of white.

Buddhist items

Buddhism has a special attraction and a sense of pleasure that no other religion can achieve. Buddhist artist working in a surprising style and bring the best of their artistic function in the world. Its paints, structures, statues, architecture and sculpture of Buddha and other traditional equipment are pieces of incredible artistic values and give a glimpse of their lifestyle in the world. The splendid stupas, the Mecca of Buddhist statues and delicious thangka are all the wonders that this group of people can give the world. The Buddhist art has produced some amazing artistic features. But it artistic value that goes far more then Buddhist katas and Tibetan prayer flags. The incredible Bodhi Tree of Lights and Tibetan Thangka are the world famous Buddhist design produced by the artists.



Thangka, singing bowls and mandalas are most unique pieces of Buddhist art. In addition, the Tibetan prayer wheels and mudras are most Tibetan drawings and crafts. The pagodas, Perola, water fountains, secret places and even bonsai are thinking of Buddhist art and culture. The Buddhist art is shown by the true essence of Buddhism if pure, calm and beautiful in the eyes of all spectators.
Buddhist arts and culture back to the 3 century, when an Indian leader Asoka began the campaign for the publication of art and culture of Buddhism throughout the world. The hill of Sanchi means that, in the wake of Buddhism in India began at the age of 3 th century to 12 century. The stupas and pathways are intercepted here with Buddhist symbols and the meaning of Buddhas and lifestyle tells the story of his career and his life. The Buddhist art and culture has an enormous effect on the Buddha and his life.



The majority of Buddhist art comes from the region of Tibet which is famous for its thangkas and singing bowls. These products are famous worldwide for their quality and style design. The thangka which is normally made a painting on a piece of fabric is wrapped and carried in fact represents the purity of Buddhism. He is a valuable means in Buddhism and expression of religion in Tibet. This piece of cloth May seems that as a normal piece of fabric, but it means the enlightened and compassion or wisdom in the Buddhist culture. A typical thangka today is based on the Nepali style, the customs of India and a history of Tibet. Today, trade thangka has become a way to win for the people in Tibetan region that these products are rapidly popular in the world.



Mandalas are also astonishing pieces of sculpture in Buddhism. They also mean the expression of the unique Buddhist culture and tradition. They are asymmetrical geometric and represent a feeling with them. You can find variations of mandalas representing different ideas and beliefs. But the two main varieties are more popular than others. The Cosmic mandalas and medicine Mandalas, the cosmic mandalas represent the transfer of knowledge in the universe while medicine mandalas represent the healing power of Buddha.



In addition to these artistic products, Tibetan singing bowl statue of Buddha, Tibetan prayer flags, Tibetan Buddhist bad, Dorje, damaru, Tibetan incense Buddhist clothings, etc. are also popular in other parts of the world as a representation of Buddhism and their tradition. All these products only for Buddhists artist but a sense naturist and are not made for quality or perfection. You can find more spirituality in their only if you feel and evaluate it naturalism.
Buddhism is a request by the imagination. It shows how a man can be innovative, expression and at the same time can give the message of humanity at large world.

Music Instruments Nepal

Maitreya Buddha

Maitreya is a name that appears in the Buddhist religion referring to the forthcoming historic Buddha. According to the sacred Buddhist literature, the Bodhisattva Maitreya born on earth to bring about the complete enlightenment of a Buddha and teach the dharma. The Buddha Maitreya will be the successor Shakyamuni Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama announced Maitreya as the name of the next Buddha.
The name derives from the Sanskrit maitrī Maitreya meaning friendship caring or compassionate. Curiously, is the only Buddhist iconography of the Buddha which appears seated in a chair, but there are also various other representations that are famous in Mahayana Buddhism.

The best known is undoubtedly of Budai or Budai, a Chinese monk who is remembered as a manifestation of Maitreya.

The prophecy of Maitreya appears in all Buddhist traditions. According to Maitreyavyakarana of Mahayana Buddhism, Maitreya Buddha will come again in Indian subcontinent although the current continents and will be totally different. Born in a sophisticated world spiritually, and at that time to come, humans will have already covered their basic needs and there will be a state of complete world peace. However, that humanity will not remember Dharma, and therefore Maitreya appears to be shown again with clarity.

Ganesh - Ganesha

Hindu God Ganesha or "Lord of obstacles," his name is also written as Ganesa and Ganesh, sometimes referred to as Ganapati is one of the best known and venerated Statue of God. He is the first son of Shiva and Parvati, and "spouse" of Buddhi (also called Riddhi) and Siddhi. He is also called for Vinayaka in Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Vinayagar and Pillayar in Tamil, And Vinayakudu in Telugu. 'Ga' symbolizes Buddhi (intellect) and 'In' symbolizes Vijnana (wisdom). Ganesh is then considered the master of intellect and wisdom. Ganesh Statues are represented as yellow or red, with a big belly with four arms and the head of elephant with a single prey and always mounted on a mouse. Ganesha Sculptures are often represented seated, with one leg raised and curved on top of another. Typically your name is prefixed with the Hindu title of respect 'Shri' or Sri.






Ganesha is the symbol of logical solutions, and should be interpreted as such. His body is human while the head is an elephant, and at the same time his transporter (vahana) is a mouse. Thus Ganesha is a logical solution to the problems, or "Destructor of obstacles". His consort is Buddhi (a synonym of mind) and he is worshipped with Lakshmi (the goddess of abundance) by merchants and men of business. The reason is the logical solution to the problems and prosperity is inseparable.

The cult of Ganesha is very popular even outside India. His devotees are called Ganapatyas.

Bodhisattva Statues

Vajrasattva meaning "Be Vajra" and its offshoot Sattvavajra meaning "Vajra of Being," Vajradhara means "Vajra Holder “and its offshoot or Bodhisattva Vajrapani the "Carrier of Vajra" also commonly known as the "Lord of mysteries, maintain close relations and are sometimes identified by the same entity. There is a strong ambiguity, dhara mean, for example, cover, support, while pani holds, which would reverse the usual translations data above ... The classical Tibetan translation clarifies the situation a bit: Vajrapani handles and pays tribute with welcoming hands, while Vajradhara preserves, and keep in mind.

Vajrapani is most often regarded as the form of Vajrasattva or Vajradhara. The patriarch Kagyupa Naropa is sometimes regarded as the incarnation of Vajrasattva. The master Indian Tilopa , one of the first links in the line of the Rosary Golden Kagyupa, reportedly received his instructions main Buddha Vajradhara, especially the lessons of Mahamudra.

Bhairab

The origin of lord Bhairava back or kal Bhairab in the history of “Dakshayani” or Sati (wife of Shiva)
 








Sati was daughter of the king of gods Daksha and had decided to marry Shiva against the advice of her father, who thought Shiva as an ascetic, he then combined animals and demons against Shiva.
 

One day Daksha organized a yagna ritual a sacrifice where he invited all except the God Shiva and Sati. Later Sati arrived to the yagna where Daksha was speaking openly against Shiva. Sati could not bear to hear her husband insulted and threw himself into the sacrificial fire. When Shiva learned he destructed the yagna, killed Daksha. Then he took the body of Sati on his shoulders and ran around the world madly falling in love, running for days as he would destroy the world. Vishnu, the third god of the trinity, destroyed the body of Sati with his chakra (hard divine), which fell in pieces scattered all over. The places where these pieces have fallen are called the Shakti Peetha. Shiva took the form of frightening Bhairava or Bhairab to stand guard around these places. Hence Bhairava or Bhairab is invoked in prayers to destroy the enemy.

Bhairab - Bhairava

Bhairava or Bhairab is the name of the Hindu god Shiva in a terrifying posture wearing the skull of Brahma, another god of TRIMURTI, the Hindu trinity. Shiva had in effect cut off the fifth head of Brahma. Accordingly, he had to wear this head for years to atone for this mistake.

Buddha Statues

The statues and figurines of Buddha we see all around us are the statues of Shakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama the “Buddha” who was born in Kapilavastu, an ancient province of Nepal, as the son of king Suddhodana and Queen Maya Devi. The Queen had few auspicious dreams before the lord entered her womb from the Tushita heaven.
As Prince Siddhartha Gautama came to the age 28 he renounced the kingdom and lived the life of a mendicant. He sought and attained enlightenment in six years under a pipala tree and became a Buddha, in Bodhgaya. After enlightenment he uttered this stanza:
“Through many births I have passed the builder of the house of pain is gone and I am free from any more births”
Shakyamuni Buddha preached dharma through out his life and the light of the world had gone out and lord passed away into Nirvana at an old age of over 80.
Talking of Buddha statues & figurines, the statues of Buddha are found in a wide variety of poses, the most common of all the type is the sitting Buddha statue in a lotus position. The posture displays inner and outer balance and tranquillity. In meditating Buddha statues the posture of the hand or the mudra, have the fingers of the right hand resting lightly on the left as they lay in the enlightened one’s lap and legs are crossed in a Lotus position. Many Buddha statues sit on a pedestal in a lotus blossom which represents the enlightened being or emptiness.
Another posture is the Abhaya mudra in which the right hand is raised and is the gesture of dispelling fear. Statues calling the earth to bear witness are represented by postures where the right hand is touching the earth below, which displays total faith. And, finally the reclining Buddha statue represents Buddha’s passage into death or Nirvana, as the disciples, angles and gods bade farewell to never returner Shakyamuni Buddha. Medicine Buddha statue symbolizes the belief that Buddha parted knowledge on medicine along with spiritual guidance.
The Mudras or postures of Hands of the Shakyamuni Buddha figures are either in abhaya (Fearlessness), Dhyana (meditation), Dharmachakra Parivartana (turning of the wheel of Dharma or doctrine or religion) and Bhumisparsa (calling the earth goddess to witness the touching of the earth by the right hand)
Buddha statues are hand made and thus they are artisan’s labour of Love, or a loving heart and moving hands giving them shapes in definite postures. The earliest representations of Buddha were mounds erected on the relics of Buddha, also known as “Stupa”. The external decorations on the stupas display the entire life of the Buddha from leaving home to enlightenment and to Mahaparinirvana.
The largest and tallest Buddha statues were found in Afghanistan which were colossal in size and have been much recently destroyed by the Taliban’s. The Statues of Buddha in Nepal are generally made out of gold, granite, bronze, copper, brass, resin, silver, ceramic, wood, etc. And, they are put on sale in a fine work of display in Thamel and Durbar Square in the ancient city of Kathmandu in Nepal or sold in various online Buddha Statues store like http://himalayacrafts.com at wholesale or retail. The standing Buddha statues with flowering robes is also common. And Buddha heads and hands are also found for sale.
All these meanings behind the Buddha statues bring forth the memories of the enlightened master who once walked upon this earth 2500 years ago. In other words they are reminiscences of the “Grand Master”.

Passion for my Nation “Nepal”

Mother, I sense your soul. These few words express empathy towards a nation where dreams do begin but surprisingly never seem to cease where love flows like rivulets from the Himalayas and reach out hearts, where endurance has survived pain, and hands filled with love have pushed the nation on a track of peace and harmony. Peace and harmony that have emerged out of struggle, reflecting that peace that is seen in the silent and forbearing eyes of the god man named Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha whose holy feet touched the dust of this nation many centuries ago.

The sight of Everest touching the sky is like hands of the Nepalese people moving forth into eternal space to hold and embrace the stars.

The process of denouement is slow but steady; the city lights are dazzling and sense of loneliness prevails in narrow streets where night rules. The people are almost dead to the world but Nepal is awake as ever.

Time moves in a horizontal line, from A to B, B to C, C to D but awakening moves in a vertical line, from A to deeper A, from deeper A to even deeper A and so on. For an awakened nation these is no past and no future, only present exists for it.

Awareness or the awakening of consciousness through meditation is the awakening of a mankind and path towards Buddha hood. The awakening of every Nepalese is the awakening of the Nepalese society. Complete mass or a community living and moving in the present just deeper and deeper in a vertical motion.

“Take me to far away country where grief lingers no more…….”

An awakened community is an aware and meditative community, a basis of emptiness and establishment of that faraway country.

But a mass can’t be enlightened, each drop of water makes up the ocean, one Buddha after another makes up a community of Buddha’s

The mountains go zigzag finally disappearing into time. That time which only exists in your mind in your imagination and in your wall clock. Everything exists in the present, and that present moves from one point to another point steadily and quickly.

It is a love affair, an affair of one night stand, between a country and its people. The people can sense something or almost touch it: perhaps it is the soul of a nation, which they are dandling with their imagination.

Imagine you have been stabbed in the chest, a moment and the dragger is to be plunged deep into your heart. Suddenly you are alert and your reaction is in tune with the moment, or suddenly it is as though you and the moment are one present has arisen out of no where and past and future have vanished like shadows.

In a similar situation our country stands and the people are reacting in an instant as though the instant and the reaction have merged into one cry for peace, stability and pathway for hope.

Hope floats even in a sea of complete uncertainty and tears just because the pain is there, the country is consciously moving in a vertical motion – from a deeper anguish in her bosom and the future stir blurred. Let a nation up rise as her people sway in search of a bay.

Let love finds its way, let the sun shine through the clouds and let the rain cease.

The delicate sounds of a song are echoing within their hearts, which have resemblance to many voices of the night. They close their eyes and softly whisper. “Mother, I sense your soul”

The faraway hills seem to have heard them, but they seem to resist the temptation to speak back: surely they are not without a voice, there is a voice if silence with in that resistance.

These voices and these songs of the Nepalese people altogether seem to re- quicken the cosmic pulsation.

बुद्ध Statues

Buddha Statues are a symbol of the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama a man who was born as a Prince in Nepal 2,500 years ago who preached to attain Nirvana, a primary aim of Buddhism to break free of the wheel of Samsara.

“Buddha” is not a name it’s a title, meaning the “enlightened one”, understanding life in the deepest way possible. One can achieve this only by eradicating all the lust from one’s life by engaging in the eight fold path.

A statue of the Buddha effectuates and reminds us of our vows to persevere our spiritual and meditation practices. Buddha statues tranquillises our mind builds up serenity within us to overcome or control the negative emotions of fear, greed jealousy and hatred hence creating a devotion and uplifting the mind and focusing attention from reality of the material world. Anyway the Buddhists consider that the most important function of a Buddha statue is to communicate self-discipline and peace of mind.

Nepal being the land of Buddha’s birth we have a wide variety of Buddha sculptures, Buddha figurines found all over the country in different postures and poses. The most common sculptures of Buddha are Buddha in Padmasana meaning Buddha in lotus position, Meditation Buddha also called Amitabha Buddha, Buddha in Abhaymudra, Buddha in Reclining Position, Dhayni Buddha, Bhaishajya Guru Buddha, Bodhisattva Buddha statues like Manjushri Buddha Statue and the Akshobhya Buddha. Statues of the Medicine Buddha and Maitreya Buddha are also popular where as the most adorable and accepted forms of the statues are the Laughing Buddha or the Happy Buddha. The Laughing Buddha statue is actually a Chinese monk called Ho Tai who was believed to be the re-incarnation of the Buddha by the Chinese people. Each position of the Lord’s statues depicts a different meaning.

Prayer Wheels / Mani Wheels

Prayer Wheels / Mani Wheels

Tibetan prayer wheels also called Mani wheels by the Tibetans are holy ritual objects for spreading and distributing spiritual blessings positive and well wishes for all beings to invoke good karma. A prayer wheel is a wheel on a spindle, and on the wheel are rolls of thin paper, imprinted with numerous copies of the mantra or prayers “Om Mani Padme Hum” these mantras are usually in an ancient Indian script or in Tibetan script which are wounded around an axle in a protective container which is then rotated continuously. Attached to the cylinder is a lead weight with a chain, which facilitates the rotation. Larger decorative versions of the syllables of the mantra are also found carved on the outside cover of the prayer wheel.

According to the Tibetan Buddhists belief chanting these mantras loudly or silently to one, or even viewing them has the same effect which invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. Tibetans spinning the written form of the mantra around in a Mani wheel believe that every rotation of a prayer wheel equals one utterance of the mantra so more copies of the mantra, the more the religious practice will in return help them accumulate merits, replace negative vibes with positive ones, and hence bringing good karma for the future and next life.

Turning the prayer wheel is Buddhist religious exercise a part of their lives, people turn these Mani wheels or Prayer wheels day and night for hours and hours while waking or resting whenever their right hand is free are murmuring the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” over and over again. Buddhist pilgrims use the prayer wheel for meditation and healing.

Buddhists turn the wheel clockwise. Just touching and turning a prayer wheel brings incredible purification and accumulates unbelievable merit. When a Buddhist practitioner walks around the installation in a clockwise direction and rubs each one with the right hand as he or she passes, the wheels are sent rotating. In the interiors, thousands of mantras are thought to be activated as the drums on which they are inscribed rotate.

Tibetans innovated Tibetan prayer wheel, the earliest known mention of prayer wheels is in an account written by a Chinese pilgrim, in 400 AD, while travelling through the area now known as Ladakh. The idea has its origins in a play on the Sanskrit phrase 'to turn the wheel of the law' meaning 'to teach the Dharma' which refers to the event when Shakyamuni Buddha began to preach".

In today’s world Tibetan prayer wheels have not simply remained in Tibet. Since the 1950s, when tens of thousands of Tibetans became refugees, dharma wheels have begun turning in new lands unlike the Tibetan culture. Tibetan prayer wheels vary in size from small (from 3 inches in height) to Larger Tibetan prayer wheels, which may be several yards (meters) high and one or two yards (meters) in diameter containing myriad copies of the mantra, and may also contain sacred texts, up to hundreds of volumes. Tibetan prayer wheel are not only hand held it is common a bucket-sized Tibetan prayer wheels lined up on wooden racks along walking paths circling monasteries and other sacred sites, for the benefit of visiting pilgrims. Large Tibetan prayer wheels are built so that they are empowered by the flowing water, the flaming light, and the blowing wind which drive them, and can later pass their positive karma to all who touch them.

It is also said that if you have a prayer wheel in your house, your house is the same as the Potala, the pure land of the Compassion Buddha.

We here at www.himalayacrafts.com have a variety of selected Tibetan Prayer Wheels for online sale made by qualified and experienced craftsmen from Nepal and Tibetan people living in Nepal. If you want additional information on Prayer Wheel or Mani Wheel simply send us a mail at sales@himalayacrafts.com

Himalayacrafts

Himalayacrafts.com a portal to selected Nepalese handicrafts presenting you with glimpses of the very best of Nepalese handicrafts with pleasant and fabulous online shopping experience unbiased web site reviews, speed delivery, easy-to-navigate and highlighted time and money-saving deals for Nepalese handmade crafts.

Nepal being a land of diverse cultures, languages, ethnicities and religions – has an amazing variety of handicraft products. We have selected and placed our products carefully to give you a large selection of Nepali Handicraft with competitive and affordable prices. You can explore your fascinating handicrafts store with all kinds of Art and crafts from Nepal, ethnic products, Buddhist ritual item, Thangka, Mandalas, Khukuri (khukri), original Pashmina shawl, Cashmere shawl, Nepalese silver jewellery, Nepali musical instruments, Buddha statues, Organic & non organic certified oils, Pashmina product, Aromatic herbs, Singing bowl, Mask, Prayer wheel, Handmade Gifts, Tibetan artifacts, Nepalese handicraft decoration materials, Glass pipes/bongs, Incense, Incense burner/holder, all kind of Nepalese handcrafted metal statues, Resin statues, Silver & gemstone jewellery, great Nepalese Spices and the best of Nepalese handicrafts market from the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. We have wholesale option too so that any body wishes for Nepalese crafts in bulk can order. We are constantly working to improve himalayacrafts.com and make it an unforgettable shopping destination for all your online shopping needs because we strive to satisfy and delight our customers.

Nepalese Handicrafts

Nepalese handicraft history can be traced back to the stone age when human beings were inadequate of tools of any kind. The history of artistic handicrafts only began during the 5th Century A.D., when different religions began to form their bases among the people of Nepal. Hence we see a lot of religious influence on Nepalese handicrafts. Introduced by the Nordic Aryans, mixed with different groups of Mongolians, nurtured by Buddhist and Hindu concepts adapted the taste of market. The historical development of Nepalese handicraft industry is very old although has its rise and falls. According to the reference found in Kautilya's Economics about various productions and exports from Nepal, during the time of Chandra Gupta Mouriya, in fourth century, Nepal was known for quality rainproof woollen blankets. The blankets were made of eight pieces joined together of black colour known as "bhiringisi" as well as "apasaraka". Similarly the good quality blankets are mentioned in the epics of Jain religion "Brihatakalpasutra Vhashya". Various famous Chinese travellers like Wanghunshe and Huansang in 648 A.D. have appreciated Nepalese arts and crafts and the skills of Nepalese craftsmen and artisans in their travelogues. From the beginning up to the mid nineteenth century, the rulers of the country promoted national industries and trade to various measures of production, promotion and encouragement. Saving national industry only imported commodities which were not produced locally. Towards the end of the nineteenth century Nepalese arts and crafts industry and the entire home based industries in general suffered a lot due to the general liberal import policy of the government. Prior to the establishment of British regime over India and entering a peace treaty with Tibet in 1904 A.D. Nepal was interpreted as the main route to Tibet for external trade with other countries. But the treaty of 1904 A.D. facilitated the British to open a new route between India and Tibet through Chumbic Valley and the trade route treaty of 1923 A.D. between Nepal and British India, which was not in favour of Nepal and had very unfavourable effects both on industries and on flourishing trade of the country.

In Nepal, the production of handicraft is an age-old practise. Novel handicraft is also developed in harmony with changing market taste. For the last 25-30 years, export of handicrafts has been growing. The development of handicraft helps the conservation of national heritage and culture of country; which in return contributes to appease poverty by creating job opportunities. The handicrafts of Nepal is produced in a traditional way, from generations to generations leading the footpath of ancestors or from forefather to grandfather to father and to son and this continuity has given the survival to Nepalese handicrafts, preserving their heritage, cultural values, aspects and tradition. In this modern age, Nepalese handicraft has its own existence in the international arena enticing millions of admirals and crafts lovers with it genuine craftsmanship. Today these arts and crafts is one of the major exporting industry of Nepal, earning huge foreign exchange and providing lots of employment to thousands of Nepalese craftsmen, artisans, promoters and businessmen generating revenue to government. There are many online websites on Nepalese handicrafts like http://www.himalayacrafts.com/home/default.aspx consists of major handicrafts exporter selling Nepalese handicrafts in wholesale price. You can browse search engine to search best related sites.

Nepalese Handicrafts can be categorised into two major divisions:

Traditional/ conventional Handicrafts :

Products such as metal statues, ethnic costumes, traditional silver jewelleries, wood carving, religious and ritual objects like bells, vajra, stone sculpture, metal utensil, paubha painting, ceramics, Handmade Paper, Hand Knitwear, filigree, Bell, Vajra products are traditional Nepalese crafts.

Contemporary / Modern Handicrafts :

Products like home furnishing material, floor covering, modern painting, patina products, puzzle toys, macramé's (knot crafts), pashmina, leather products, modern silver jewellery gift ware, decorative items, dolls & puppets, crazy hats, batik, bead Crafts, bone & horn products, natural buttons etc. are some of the modern forms of Nepalese handicrafts.