Newa- The originals

 Editor's word- "This is an article on Newa, an ethnic group of people who's origin is Kathmandu. Here in this article I am trying to share the history and myths of Newa origin in my own narration. This is based on what I heard from scholars, elders and debates. Furthermore, it is based on some mythological books I read and what and how it could possibly be the origin of Newa. Narration will start from the origin of kathmandu valley but the examples as a proof would be spoken on some old events older than the origin of the valley, that has a readon. The article is entirely based on speech format rather than formal writing.

Entire land of Nepal and Himalayan region were like the lands titled as "tapovan- the sacred land favourable to practice meditation and to escape from worldly activities". The geographical structure of Nepal made it more attractive place since the myth. This entire region was magical that every where it was beautiful and blissful. It was called tapovan since in Himalayas lived Lord Shiva. In hilly region lived Gods and "Yakchchya(s)- demigod(s) or super human(s)". Below lived general people. When I am saying that Shiva lived in himalayas some people may think upon what about "Kailash parvat". Since stories of gods are descriptive and the image we make in our mind is as human form. Only difference we make Shiva and general human, is he has supreme powers. Here what I want to point out is-

"Shiva was like a human so that means he must have lived like us. He has his family life that could have been spent in himalayas different that his Sadhana sthan".

Sadhna Sthan means a place where one does practice, duty. So we believe that Shiva lived here. The proof of it is, in Tokha- an old village where a community has been conducting rituals and culture that relates to "Dakchhya Prajapati- Who's arrogance lead him to be beheaded by Shiva and later on was revived by him with the head of a goat". The people over there still follows that ritual that was started since the myth after that incident happened there. Shiva and Sati story is a Love story about destiny. It tells that the system of time is greater than the creator himself. Shiva is a supreme soul who gave up to time for moral values. [We will make a new post in coming future on this too based on the old mythological story book from hindu religion.] There are many places in Nepal where the proofs are claimed there.

Tale starts around the origin of the Kathmandu valley. In the myth it is said that Kathmandu valley was a beautiful big lake. Then a Chinese Scholar Guru Maha Manjushree visited this beautiful lake with his two wives. The purpose of this visit was to authenticate the "Swoyambhu stupa- an original Buddhist Shrine that appeared on it's own". Since Maha Manjushree was a great scholar, he met Yakchchhyas residing around the lake. Yachchhyas were safeguards of the lake since inside it was the swoyambhu. So, to facilitate people to reach there, Maha Manjushree won the debate with the communities of Devta, Yachchhya, Nag, Kinnara, Daitya, Danav and Manav. So he was granted to drain the water out of the lake. And in return inside the valley all of them were given places to live where they wished for. So since then they started to live there. Inside the valley were some hills one among them is Swoyambhu. Newa people are believed to be the first people who reside there that could be one among these super humans or those who got chance to be close to these communities.

Yachchhya's are those who creates anything by magic. They make beautiful things and they remain inside of their own creation and enjoy it's nature. If they make beautiful forest then they live inside it in any form they want like plants, flowers, trees, pond or any species. They can appear or disappear within it. Kinnaras are those who plays  musical instruments or dance such a way that no one can turn their eyes away from them. Dev's were those who likes to be polite and serve others who needs help. Daitya are the cruel community that are ignorant and always seeks to fight with anyone among or with anyone others. Danav are those who are inborn as daityas but living in moral values. Who has strength but prefers to use wisdom. And manav are humans who are weakest of all those but yet capable if their weapon, chetana is used fully. 

So, in the myth it's written that newa people were taught by Maha Manjushree. He taught Newa people to read and write. To the intelligent ones, taught tantric practice to protect their communities from supernatural beings. Newa people with the influences of the supernatural beings got super intelligent that they became very good in Arts. Either it be Sulpture art or it be cooking or tailoring or music. They were very good in Drawings and paintings as well. They were good at all forms of arts. 

"ART is something that consumes  time, practice, progress, devotion in any form that relates to the sensation of 5 sense organs".

 Newa people knew everything about arts since then. That is the reason that when newa people celebrate, they show their full capacity of their skill they got. They wear their own cloths manufactured by themselves, they cook best foods that includes 84 different recipes that is world's best diet plan that can bring appetite to anyone and can cure health issues with it. They play many different types of musical instruments and sing folklory that produces such frequencies that can help people to get peace, joyful mood, or even cure health issues like headaches upset stomach et cetera. Newa civilization is the only Asian civilization that has more than one scriptures. Their literature has 3 scriptures that are Ranjana lipi, Bhujimoh lipi, and Prachalit lipi. Ranjana lipi is recognized as Nepali national scripture in World. Newa people always practice those since Maha Manjushree taught them. They are the best for any art forms that has been there from tradition. Since the origination of Swoyambhu and the residence of Newa is same domain, this kathmandu valley it is believed that newa since the origin of valley are buddhist. The practice of tantric Buddhism having acceptance for sacrifice, alchohol consumption, meat consumption. However, all those later in different time periods got resemblance to hindu culture. And again in different time period as Valley was ruled by different Royal families that most probably made many modifications in Newa culture and tradition. But still there are some specific cast of people they are Buddhist since their practice of it was the main profession of them that did not change. Even if we go 200 years back, till then some of the Maha Bihar and Bahi had some educational Buddhist Academies were run but that was stopped by the Nepali Kings. They were so jealous of newa people regarding their skill and Buddhist practice that they ignorantly destroyed the culture of Mahabihar, Bahi schooling of newa. The books that could spell a magic were destroyed. However this destruction was not solely since Nepali but from other periods too except Lichhivi and Malla periods. In Lichhivi period Newa and this Kathmandu was the most developed country. It show cases the beautiful arts and artifacts made in wood, stone, metal and mural arts. The architecture of Pagoda temples are the world's one of the finest design that has strong foundation, beautiful and strong architecture construction. It is also said that the best civilization module in terms of sustainable development of entire country and country men was perfected in this period. Then in Malla period it is said to be the best example period of Preservation and respect for the ancient assets. Like such Nepal has been updated and preserved in past. But all this time newa never gave up their practice thinking this is not anymore same country. Who ever won newa people in past they became newa since they loved the peaceful nature, welcoming attitude to new people and their joyful life style influenced them and turned them into newa.

Newa people being capable to change anything remained silent. Although this was a path of Buddhism. Keeping peace is the best solution what Buddha said. Here at this point let me give you a hint that there are two perspective in Buddhism. Tantric Buddhism practice that is Bajrayaan says Buddhism is there since the origin of time but other Buddhism says that is since the birth of Lord Buddha who was born in human form to bring peace in the world and is considered to be the light of the Asia. Like in Tibetian Buddhism there are Ningmapa, Kagyupa, Sakyapa and Ghelupa in Newa Buddhism there are 3 stages of Buddhism Mahayaan, Hinayaan, and Vajrayaan. So in Mahayaan and Vajrayaan Buddhism, it has many similarities of practice like Hindu religion regarding some affairs like alcohol and meat consumption where as Hinayaan is about being a monk that is being a vegetarian and practice peace and meditation and strict practice to live away from moh maya.

Therefore, Newa people are talented artist, brilliant merchants, and peace loving Buddhist  residence of Kathmandu valley.