KATHMANDU: There are many dimensions to Nepal-China relations. From the time of Manjushri till now, there is a momentary bitterness and eternal friendship between the two countries.
Buddha-Bhadra's visit to China in the fifth century, then Yuan Chang's visit to Fayyan's Nepal, the marriage of King Princess Bhrukuti to King Srangchang Gompo, and the craftsmanship of artist Araniko seem to have strengthened Nepal-China relations. The travelogues of the fifth-century Fayyan and the seventh-century UN Chang have helped to confirm Nepali history.
According to Chinese historical sources, King Srangchang Gompo of Tibet and Bhrukuti were married in the 7th century, and the visit of Nepali artist Araniko to China. According to Satya Mohan Joshi's book 'Artist Araniko', the context of Araniko is not mentioned in Nepali historical sources. There is a lot of talk about it in Chinese chronicles.
Araniko's trip to China
Arani is a Nepali architect who went from Nepal to Tibet and then to China and gained fame in Buddhist architecture. He came to Tibet at an early age from Patan. His father is Lakhanna and mother is Sumakhchi. Chinese chronicles do not mention Araniko's birth, childhood or adolescence.
Araniko's biography and work are mentioned in China's History of the Yuan Dynasty, Volume 203. Monk Sudarshan's article quoted in the Chinese chronicle states that the national hero Araniko's White House (Anandabhoomi Magazine, 1 September 2044) was born in Patan in 1245 during the reign of King Abhay Malla of Arani. Later, during the reign of King Jai Bhimdev Malla, he reached Tibet, leading 80 architects.
According to the article, there is an interesting story about Araniko in the history of the Yuan Dynasty. There it is said - ‘Arani's Nipolo i.e. the people of Nepal. The people of that country call him Palupu. From an early age, his intelligence was faster than that of other children. After growing up, he started studying Buddhism. He had the ability to hear and memorize. As he grew older, Arani became proficient in painting and sculpting. He could also make metal sculptures. Emperor Hopili of the Yuan Dynasty ordered the construction of the Golden Temple in Tufan, the first year of his reign, the first year of the coronation of Emperor Kublai Khan. One hundred Kaligarhs were selected from Nipolo to build the temple. But only 80 people wanted to go to Kaligarh. No one could be found to choose the leadership of 80 people. Arani was 17 years old. He said he would lead it. "
Araniko's reputation in Buddhist architecture
The Miaoyingshe Monastery in China has a Sanman entrance with three large doors, a tall building called Kuloor Chuilo on its left and a meditation hut called Long Wu Faiten for monks and nuns. These magnificent Buddhist structures built in the Middle Ages are mentioned in a research by Chinese professor Wang Hong Wei, built by Nepali artist Araniko.
According to Joshi's book Artist Araniko, Araniko built three temples, nine monasteries, two temples and a Taoist palace in Tibet and China during his lifetime.
Chinese scholar Hai Lan calls Araniko a Chinese artist. He mentioned that Araniko had built another huge shrine in Shanxi province. In an article published in The Rising Nepal on August 10, 1980, Lan praised Araniko's art and mentioned the Chaitya of Shanxi Province.
According to Lan, the white chaitya is built in a mandapa with mechanical triangles. The structure raised from its foundation is divided into three sections. The second and third sections have lotus figures. Its base land circumference is 30 and its height is 50.9 meters.
Kublai Khan and Araniko
As soon as he became emperor, Kublai Khan planned to build a magnificent golden chaitya, but at that time there was a shortage of chaitya architects in Tibet. For an architect who knows how to build a chaitya, going to Nepal or India was not an option. As the architect of Nepal was considered to be strong and close, Khan decided to call Nepalis.
Born in Kapilavastu in the early fifth century, Tibetans and Chinese have been influenced by Nepali art since the time of the monk Buddha Bhadra. Yuan Chang of the seventh century also mentioned that the people of Nipolo (Nepal) had mastered the art by traveling to Nepal, and that two thousand Therabad and Mahayani monks were studying in Nepal.
Monk Sudarshan has mentioned that China is familiar with Nepal even from Anshu Varma's book 'Shabdavidya'.
Three hundred Buddhist monks came to Nepal in the 11th century under the leadership of Monk Chinwe. At that time, Nepal was the main destination for Tantric and Buddhist education. At that time, many Tibetans were made disciples by Mahabodhi, Jagadananda, etc. For all these reasons, historians are of the opinion that Kublai Khan decided to take artists from Nepal.
At that time, it was decided to take hundreds of artists from Nepal, but only 80 were ready to travel to Tibet, led by Araniko. At that time, Nepal Mandal was ruled by Jai Bhimdev Malla.
White Chaitya built by Araniko in Tibet.
The Golden Temple was built in Tibet in two and a half years as per the order of Kublai Khan. After completing that work, the team started preparing to return to Nepal. Team leader Araniko, on the other hand, was asked by the emperor's guru, Vagasapaka, to take him to Peking.
Arriving in the Chinese capital, Arani was involved in the construction of the White Chaitya at the behest of the emperor of the Yuan dynasty, which was considered to be a unique Nepali-style architecture. It is mentioned in the Chinese chronicle that it took 8 years to build this temple. This is the year 1271. The white chaitya in the center of Beijing is called Pai Tha (white chaitya) by the Chinese.
It is said that Araniko, who had experience building the Golden Temple in Tibet, was first asked by the Peking emperor to attach a broken arm to an idol. The emperor immediately asked him to make another similar idol. Araniko created such a living human statue that even joints and nerves were clearly visible. The emperor then entrusted him with a large project to build the White House.
Araniko designed the White Chaitya in a combination of Chinese style and Nepali style. Based on the same map that assimilated the architecture of the two countries, a huge white chaitya was created and immediately became popular in China, Tibet and Nepal.
The architecture of the White Temple
The crown is attached to the top of the white chaitya. Gajur is under the crown. Below Gajur, bells are hung around the canopy. Below the bell, 13 sections are made, which is considered to be the symbol of the thirteenth Bhuvan.
According to Buddhism, the thirteenth Bhuvan includes Gyanvati, Nirupama, Samantaprabha, Dharmamedha, Sadhumati, Achala, Durangama, Abhimukhi, Sudurjaya, Adhishthimati, Prabhakari, Vimala and Pramudita.
Below the thirteenth Bhuvan is the knife and below that is the sanctum sanctorum. Below that is the Golchakra and below that are the statues of the Buddhas sitting in the Padmasana. Below that is the upper bedika. Below that is Mrigadava, Dharmachakra, and below the ground are altars and footstools.
