Phalgunanda Explained

Honorific Prefix:राष्ट्रिय विभूति (National Hero)
Mahaguru Phalgunanda Lingden
Native Name:महागुरू फाल्गुनन्द लिङ्देन
Native Name Lang:Binamra Pathak
Birth Name:Phalgu Nath Ananda
Birth Date:10 November 1885[1]
Birth Place:Ibhang, Dandagaun, Ilam
Death Date:4 April 1949[2]
Death Place:Imbung (Panchthar)
Nationality:Nepali
Occupation:Cleric and scholar[3]
Known For:Socio-religious reforms
Parents:Jaganbaj Lingden & Hangsamati Lingden

Mahaguru Phalgunanda also known as "Mahaguru Phalgunanda" or Phalgunanda Lingden (1885–1949) was a leader of Kirat religion in Nepal Kirat people of Nepal.

Early life

Falgunanda Lingden was born on 10 November 1885 in Ilam district of Nepal.

Career

He is known as Mahaguru (the great teacher), especially among the Limbu, Rai, Sunuwar, Yakhkha, Lohorung, Dhimal, and Jurel Kirat people. He is credited with the continuation of the ancient Kirat religion on puritan principles, which include vegetarianism, a ban on alcohol, and following Limbu traditions and scripts.[4] He is remembered for his socio-cultural and religious messages. His main messages included calling for a ban on animal sacrifice, since it raised social expenditures on celebrations such as births, weddings, and funerals. He also called for the elimination of social orthodoxies and supported running a school for children, especially through their mother tongue.

Beliefs

He believed that education brought knowledge to wash one's heart clean, which he considered was the only key to emancipation. For Falgunanda, emancipation is the Ultimate Truth to realize God. His philosophy features love and non-violence. He built many shrines. He died in 1949.[5]

The Nepal Postal Services Department issued a postal stamp in his honor as part of its Distinguished Personalities Series in 1993. He is the 16th luminary of Nepal.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Local governments announce public holiday on Phalgunanda Jayanti.
  2. P.34 The culture and religion of Limbus By Chaitanya Subba,K.B. Subba, 1995
  3. Rex Lee Jones, Kinship and Marriage Among the Limbu of Eastern Nepal: A Study in Marriage Stability, University of California, Los Angeles, 1973
  4. European Bulletin of Himalayan Research, issues 25-28, Südasien Institut, 2004
  5. Nepal Government, Postal Services Department, Nepal Philatelic Bureau, Kathmandu
  6. Web site: Kirat Yakthung Chumlung. www.chumlung.org.np. 3 September 2019.