The Draining of the Lake
painting on cloth
by Lama, 1995
Private Collection

The foundations of Newar Buddhism are largely articulated in the Swayambhu Purana, a text that explains the sacred history of Nepal and the existence of the Swayambhu Mahacaitya. The text conveys the story of how the bodhisattva Manjusri came to Nepal from China in order to take darshan of the lotus resting on the lake that was, then, the Kathmandu Valley. Five brilliant rays of light, the colors of the five Dhyana (Jina) Buddhas, emerged from the lotus. These lights are understood to be Swayambhu Jyotirupa, the Adibuddha and 'Self-arisen Light Form" of the Valley.

According to the sacred history, the Kathmandu Valley has always been a sacred place. Even when the Valley was a lake, beings of all types traveled from distant locations to make pilgrimage. Because the Valley was filled with water, it was uninhabitable by human beings. Manjusri bodhisattva cut a gorge with his mighty sword and drained the lake that that humans could dwell in this sacred land.

This painting shows the sacred lake, home to various important nagas (serpents). At the bottom of the thangka, Manjusri cleaves a gorge with his sword, causing the water of the lake to drain out. At the top right is Manjusri's paradise, and at top left is the Swayambhu Mahacaitya.