Phalgunanda

For Rural Municipality, see Phalgunanda Rural Municipality.

राष्ट्रिय विभूति (National Hero) Mahaguru Phalgunanda Lingden
महागुरू फाल्गुनन्द लिङ्देन
Born	Phalgu Nath Ananda 10 November 1885[1] Ibhang, Dandagaun, Ilam
Died	4 April 1949[2] Imbung (Panchthar)
Nationality	Nepali
Occupation(s)	Cleric and scholar[3]
Known for	Socio-religious reforms
Parent	Jaganbaj Lingden & Hangsamati Lingden

Mahaguru Phalgunanda (Nepali: महागुरु फाल्गुनन्द) also known as "Mahaguru Phalgunanda" or Phalgunanda Lingden (1885–1949) was a leader of the Kirat religion for the Kirat people of Nepal.

Early life

Falgunanda Lingden was born on 10 November 1885 in Ilam district of eastern 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 emphasizes 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]

References

1. "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. "Kirat Yakthung Chumlung". www.chumlung.org.np. Retrieved 3 September 2019.