Diwali Series Part 1: Diwali outside of Hinduism

This year, we'll be looking at Diwali from an uncommon perspective, that of the Jains and Buddhists.

Let's start with the Jains.

Jains celebrate Deepavali to celebrate the enlightenment of the founder of Jainism.

Buldings belonging to Jains are decorated with lighted lamps and offerings are made to Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Some Jains fast, visit Jain temples and visit the important Jain pilgrimage site, Nalanda.

A famous idol of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, in India

Now, let's move on to the Buddhists.

Most Buddhists do not celebrate Diwali. The exception is the Newar Buddhists. Newars are a major ethnic group in Nepal. There are about 162,000 Newar Buddhists.

Newar Buddhists pray to Lakshmi and important Himalayan Buddhist deities such as Dipankara Buddha, over the five days of Diwali, while some also celebrate the Nepalese version of Deepavali called Tihar. The Newari version of Diwali is called Swanti. Tihar is celebrated by both Buddhists and Hindus, and we will be delving deeper into this festival in the next post.

A statue of Dipankara Buddha in Nepal