Beyuls
Centuries ago, texts were discovered in Tibet describing BEYUL, hidden-lands where the essence of the Buddhist Tantras is said to be preserved for future generations. These revered scriptures are attributed to Padmasambhava, the eighth-century Buddhist adept celebrated as Guru Rinpoche, who helped to establish Buddhism in Tibet. They describe valleys reminiscent of paradise that can only be reached with enormous hardship. Pilgrims who travel to these wild and distant places often recount extraordinary experiences similar to those encountered by spiritual practitioners on the Buddhist path to Liberation.
From a Buddhist perspective, sacred environments are not places to escape the world, but to enter it more deeply. The qualities inherent in such places revel the interconnectedness of all life and deepen awareness of hidden regions of the mind and spirit. Visiting such places with a good motivation and appropriate merit, the pilgrim can learn to see the world differently from the way it commonly appears, developing and enhancing the Buddhist virtues of wisdom and compassion.
Guru Padmasambhava is said to have forecasted in the presence of Tibetan King Trisong Detsen and others at Samye Monastery :– “in the future when there will be warfare, strife, and difficult circumstances in the world, good people and dharma practitioners should travel to ‘Beyuls’ or hidden valleys situated south of the Tibetan Himalayan range for refuge.”
Guru Padmasambhava empowered 104 of these havens in Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim and Bhutan - places where there would be perpetual peace and prosperity, and where spiritual progress would be facilitated.
Out of the 104 beyuls, only 7 are well documented - 4 of which are in Nepal.
The 4 Nepal Beyuls are ‘Kyimolung’ (Valley of Peace ) in the Gorkha district, ‘Namgo Dagam’ ( Valley of Heavenly Gate Half Moon ) in Rasuwa district, ‘Yolmo’ ( Valley of Snow Enclosure ) in Sindupalchowk district and ‘Khenpalung’ ( Valley of Artemisia ) in Sankhuwasabha district.
Shambhala Trekking’s Buddhist scholar guides, who have done thorough research on this subject, and who have personally visited these places, will guide you with full explanation of these sacred valleys, as Beyuls are also associated with certain Buddhist practices. All of these valleys lie off the main trekking trails in very picturesque and unexplored areas and offer unique scenery and culture. Meditation classes will also be offered during these trips as an option.
