Panchadana ceremony and Dipankara Buddha procession to revive Kathmandu’s centuries-old Buddhist tradition

Kathmandu — A centuries-old Buddhist tradition rooted in generosity and community remembrance will return to the heart of Kathmandu this week as devotees gather for a Panchadana offering ceremony and a grand procession of Dipankara Buddha to commemorate the Samyak Mahadan, one of the Newar Buddhist community’s most revered rituals.

The event, scheduled for Shrawan 13 to coincide with Guru Purnima, will take place at Mahabuddha Mahavihar in Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 27. Organizers say the ceremony is intended to preserve the memory of the Samyak Mahadana, a major almsgiving festival traditionally observed every 12 years but not held for the past 24 years.

Preparations are underway with the support of Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s acting Mayor Sunita Dangol and Ward Chairman Yogesh Kumar Khadgi, who pledged their commitment to ensuring the event’s successful organization.

According to Mahabuddha Mahavihar senior monk Sangharatna Shakya, the ceremony will bring together 85 revered figures, including and the living deities Ganesh and Bhairav, Shakya elders, Thaypas, representations of Dipankara Buddha from Buddhist monasteries and sacred courtyards across Kathmandu. Devotees will offer “Panchadana” — five traditional forms of alms that symbolize generosity, compassion and merit in Buddhist practice.

The event will begin at 7 AM with the ceremonial seating of the Dipankara Buddha images. The Panchadana offering ceremony will follow from 9 AM – 11 AM.  At 12:30 PM,  a procession carrying the Dipankara Buddha images will wind through Mahabouddha, Ason, Tyoda, Inbahal, Kamalachhi and Bhotahiti before reaching Ason Dabali, one of Kathmandu’s historic public squares. Ritual prayers and worship will continue until 7 PM. 

Kathmandu is home to dozens of historic Mahavihars, or Buddhist monasteries, many associated with the Shakya and Bajracharya communities that have preserved Newar Buddhist traditions for centuries. The city also contains 16 historic “bahis”—monastic courtyards that continue to serve as important religious and cultural centers.

The Samyak Mahadana, traditionally held at Swayambhu, is regarded as one of the largest Theravada-influenced almsgiving ceremonies practiced by Nepal’s Newar Buddhists. The last festival was held in 2003, despite the tradition calling for it to take place every 12 years.

Organizers say this year’s Panchadana and Dipankara Buddha procession is intended not only as a religious observance but also as a cultural reminder of the importance of reviving the full Samyak Mahadana tradition for future generations.