Byoma Kusuma means Sky Flower in Sanskrit and calls to mind the insubstantiality of phenomena, which lies at the heart of Buddhist philosophy and its doctrine of emptiness.
Byoma Kusuma Buddhadharma Sangha (BKBDS) was established by the Vidyadhara Acharya Mahayogi Sridhar Rana Rinpoche in April 1996 with the goal of disseminating all aspects of the Buddhadharma to those interested in studying and practising it. It was formally registered in March 2007. Headquartered in Bishalnagar, Kathmandu, and with centres in other parts of Nepal, along with the USA and UK, the Sangha offers a range of activities to support practitioners and seekers, both beginners and those more advanced on the path.
Vision and Mission BKBDS seeks to spread a message of joy, happiness and healing to all those who seek it by making the Buddhadharma accessible to them via the unique and dynamic approach to mind transformation introduced by the Vidyadhara Acharya Mahayogi Sridhar Rana Rinpoche.When the Vidyadhara began teaching the Dharma in the early 1990s, very few Buddhist texts were available in Nepali to his growing body of students. In order to rectify the situation, the Vidyadhara established the Byoma Kusuma Translation Committee (Anuvad Samiti), which undertook the translation of several important Buddhist texts from Sanskrit and Tibetan into Nepali. The first such book was Atisha’s Mahayana Matishodan (The Seven Point Mind Training), following which the committee translated, and has continued to translate, several Mahayana and Vajrayana texts into Nepali, as well as prayers and chants into Sanskrit.
Those who wish to practise the Dharma are introduced to, and guided along the path of, the Sad Dharma Ratna Mahamarga Krama (The Precious Path of the True Dharma) — the uncommon series of meditation practices which are based on the classical sutra methods and which prepare the practitioner for full-fledged Vajrayana practice in the future. These meditation practices are easily adoptable by lay practitioners with household responsibilities without compromising the tradition and quality of Buddhist meditation. They focus on mindful practice of Impermanence, Suffering, Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Selflessness, and Emptiness; and they encompass all three vehicles — Shravakayana, Bodhisattvayana, and Vajrayana.
Further, the Sangha organizes regular spiritual activities, including the monthly Bodhipushpanjali, where the Vidyadhara’s teachings are disseminated; guidance sessions for practitioners; and various Pujas and Empowerments (Abhishekas/Wangs).
The Sangha is administered by a council chaired by the Vidyadhara Acharya Mahayogi Sridhar Rana Rinpoche. The council’s role is supervisory, and offers support and advice to the various committees of the Sangha.
Each centre has its own Board or Executive Committee, headed by a President of the Sangha.
The Sangha’s good governance policy is founded on the principle of Bodhichitta, which is the great aspiration to attain liberation for the benefit of all sentient beings. Hence, as part of our social welfare activities, we run various projects and voluntary activities to motivate others on the path; support people in need of healthcare, healing, education, and relief; and to promote local culture through traditional art, etc.