The design on the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal symbolizes wisdom, harmony and nirvana.

[Kathmandu] When Nepal is mentioned, one usually thinks of the Himalayas, which has nurtured countless saints. But do you know that in the south-west part of this revered as the teacher of the Three Worlds and the father of the four kinds of birth? This being is the world renowned Shakyamuni Buddha. Because of His arrival into the dark and dirty mundane world, an innumerable number of sentient souls yearning for liberation were illuminated. His boundless compassion and love was applauded by both human and heavenly beings. Even now, after more than two thousand years, people are still thankful and remember the infinite merits of the Buddha.

On His birthday, all the temples and pagodas in Nepal hold celebrations. Taking this opportunity, a Quan Yin messenger took with her Suma Ching Hai's sample booklets to the two most famous temples near Kathmandu, hoping to offer the supreme Sound of Truth to sincere followers of the Buddha.

The Boudhanath Stupa, is the largest in all Nepal. It is a big thirteen level pagoda standing on a white dome. One can see the Buddha's eyes painted on all four sides of the pagoda. A third eye is placed between the eyebrows, symbolizing supreme wisdom and the ability to see through all illusion. One can also see the nose in the shape of a question mark, which represents the number 1 (Ek) in Nepalese. This symbolizes unity and harmony. The umbrella-like top depicts nirvana.

The second temple is called Swayambhunath, and it's located on the western outskirts of the city. According to legend, it was here that Buddha Manjushri discovered the "lotus flower". This Buddhist pagoda has a history of over two thousand five hundred years. It is said that Emperor Ashoka visited the location in 2 B.C. On all fours sides of the Swayambhunath Stupa, one sees the all-encompassing, compassionate eyes of the Buddha and the wisdom eye that's often mentioned in Buddhism.

At these two temples, there is an endless number of sincere followers who go to the front to bow and pay their respect. They pray in silence, hoping that the grace of the Buddha will be with them forever, and that the all-knowing Light of Buddha's wisdom will soon lead them back to the Buddhas' land. Without doubt, now the compassionate grace and care of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas has actually arrived silently. Master's blessing, just like nectar, has been sprinkled all over, nourishing the entire ice-capped mountain region.