Introduction
In the age old history of Nepal, ‘Guthi’ derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Goṣṭhī (गोष्ठी) means gathering or meeting of cow-herders (gopalas). It is a traditional socio-cultural and economic institution working for the socio-economic benefit of the Newar community.
History
The term ‘Guthi’ was first found in an inscription (shilalekh) at Pashupati dated 1403 A.D and another one at Lembati, Lalitpur, dated 1406 A.D. Guthi is primarily related to the operation of life rituals from birth to death. These ancient rituals have been passed down from generation to generation in the Newar community. It is a symbol of unification and regulation of the socio-cultural life of this community. Newar has been a popular community in Nepal since its early history. A more often used word while speaking in Nepalese society is Newar Samudaya, which means Newar Community.
“Levi (1905: 221) states that the Newar community came from the north into the Kathmandu Valley with the great Buddhist Bodhisattva Manjusri. Regmi (1960: 60), believes that the Kirati, who settled in the Valley around the seventh century BC, were probably the ancestors of at least one group of Newar. Nepali (1965: 31) also discerned South Indian and Austro- Asian elements in their descent. Fiirer-Haimendorf (1956: 15) does not rule out either influence, but in his opinion there is no evidence that the Newar have not inhabited the Kathmandu Valley since prehistoric times 6 . However, the Newar have evolved into a culturally independent people over the centuries from a large number of different migrant groups.”
The evidence above indicates that one group of Newar ancestors came from north or south and settled in the Kathmandu Valley since ancient history. Thereby, the Kathmandu Valley is the first homeland of Newars. The Newar community belongs to Hindu or Buddhist religions. Furthermore, Newars have characteristics of peaceful nature, faith in religion, honesty in dealings, harmonious relationships, lovers of culture, and skillful in trading, craftsmanship, and cultivation businesses.
Functions of Guthis
People of Nepal and earlier even Kings contributed or donated in cash or kind for construction or renovation of temples, chaityas, viharas and monasteries since centuries ago. Land donations were also made to a Guthi as it is considered a super deed in Nepali culture and people who make land donations are also well respected in the society. Guthi generates revenue through the cultivated or leased land or assets to fulfill religious public services such as maintenance of temples, public shelters, water sprouts and organizing of chariot processions along with providing fellowships for arts and other professions.
In essence, music and dances are major activities of Guthi especially in feasts and festivals.
In a religious sense, Guthi performs the dances in the name of various Hindu gods and goddesses by worshipping them. In a service-oriented sense, Guthi performs funeral rituals along with other forms of communal services such as maintenance of religious sites, installation of idols of various gods and goddesses, maintenance of water sprouts, shelters, irrigation canals and roads.
However, In the political-ideological framework, Guthi system is not regarded as a collectivistic institution formed for solidarity but a continuation of feudalistic system in which poor tenants are exploited by feudal lords in the name of preserving the religion. Tenants have no legal rights on the tilling land and the cultivated harvests who have been doing that work since several generations.
Types of Guthis
There are a number of Guthis practiced in the Newar Samudaya (Community). Primarily concerned with religious and cultural aspects are two Guthi’s namely Raj Guthi i.e. State Run Guthi and Niji Guthi i.e. Private Guthi.
Moreover, in Nepal, many social reformers have also contributed for the establishment of social and cultural Guthis now and then. For example. Sitaram Guthi, a multi-purpose trust, was established in 1940 B.S (Bikram Sambat) for carrying out many activities like running school, constructing temples, resting places and physical infrastructures as trails and management and promotion of religious, cultural and social works. The Government also established a Guthi Sansthan (corporation) in 1964 to manage the all Guthis of Nepal especially for the nationalization of the land donated to Guthis. Sansthan generate revenue by leasing the land to individuals or companies or by building business complexes to rent them to fund practiced rituals and festivals of the country. Now, Sansthan owns almost 1.45 million ropanis of land across the country along with 2,335 public guthis incorporated under it. And in the rough estimation, there could be five thousand ‘private Guthis’ in operation.
Criticism and Controversy
At various points in Nepal’s history, both the state and its rulers have occupied or nationalized Guthi-endowed lands for personal or state use. Rana era palaces, government buildings, including Singha Durbar and a number of hospitals were once land cultivated by trustees from Guthis. The nationalisation and occupation of Guthi lands have wiped out many Guthis and also resulted in financial crises, directly impacting heritage conservation.
Government had once tried to replace the Guthi Sansthan/Corporation and nationalize both public and private Guthis by bill. Newars’ community of Kathmandu Valley came out with mass protests and outrage that had compelled the government to withdraw that controversial bill.
Guthi is often criticized because this system is based on the feudalistic production system in the name of religious enrichment. It is actually a form of land endowment made for religious or philanthropic purposes. It is deeply attached to the socio-cultural realm. Marxists are tagging it as a reminiscence of feudalism that practised from generations.
Guthis have been in existence even before our country was formed. So, sensitive matters like religion, culture and tradition are above the state power. Each stakeholder has the responsibility to preserve the age-old traditions and modernize without destroying its originalities. Undeniably, Guthis are our cultural and social capital. Social capital is the key foundation for prosperity. Guthis’ social network helps to build the public parks, pilgrim’s rest houses, traveler’s guesthouses, hospitals, schools and many more as liked by our ancestors in the true spirit of religion to serve the society.
Government has to control the misappropriating activities and intentions through the amendment of laws and policies. It is the duty of the government to protect the rights of Guthiyars (Trustees) and promote the Guthi cultures with modern mechanisms. Guthi Sansthan should have to be more empowered to promote Guthi and their overall development, not only targeting land encroachments and other property confiscation.
Interconnection between Guthi and Spirituality
Guthi is a social evidence of selfless service to the society. The spirit of Guthi is religious feeling with no discrimination to anyone. Mutual respect, co-existence, cooperation and peace are the major social aspects that attract the people towards exploring serenity i.e. inner peace. People have deep faith to venerate different holy shrines. They have ideals to go to immortality from mortality. They wish to get salvation while alive and even after death. Philanthropic thoughts bring people to live in spirituality. They are constantly seeking out different ways to get the realization of salvation. Their inner feelings and sentiments take them to the realm of divine power. This power takes the people to spirituality which has brought inner silence to the persons’ life by serving to the religions sites.
Spirituality is related to the religion of personal responsibility, science of psychic phenomena and philosophy of laws of life. Spiritual association creates serenity in the mind of people and enlightens the life philosophy. Social and economic problems could be overcome by spirituality. Spirituality would be inculcated by religious philosophy, yoga education, yogic therapy and so on. This enhances Hindu philosophy, nationalism and spirituality.
Spirituality is an integral part of Guthi. In Newar community worship and offerings to God and Goddess are primary concerns of Guthi. This attracts meditation through the silent soul chanting of holy words with closing eyes in front of Gods and Goddesses. Guthi performs multiple activities as per need and urgency of Newar community or groups to their members.
Guthi and spirituality – both are concerned and interconnected with inner satisfaction and peace through the selfless dedication for the societal well being in many respects. A kind of spiritual light would be kindled by doing noble works to benefitting the larger section of the society.
Conclusion
Guthi was purely inspired by the true spirit of humanity and welfare of mankind. In Guthi, spirituality is an inherent part and presence in all spherical activities. Due to the development of education, health, communication, science and technology, Nepalese youths are not much interested in the traditional Guthi culture. The reason behind is that the present education system is more focused on materialistic culture so they are attracting towards western civilization. The educated people have to pay attention towards the larger benefits of Guthis in the modern context by solving the existing problems and difficulties. The pride of our national culture – Newari Guthi is highly praised by the foreigners and scholars too.
Nepalese youths have to explore innovative ideas through research and development in the Guthi culture. It will definitely open the numerous doors of opportunities if the young generations have shown keen interest to find out new social enterprises that are hidden in our age-old traditional cultures with their modernization without destroying its originalities. Finally, this will promote our heritages and tourism businesses and enhance spirituality dimensions in the national and international arena. Last but not least, other hidden sociocultural gems of Guthi could have to be explored through separate and distinct in-depth studies and broadly to shed light on the various future entrepreneurship prospects too.
References:
- https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2019/06/23/the-guthi-system-should-be-regarded-as-important-intangible-cultural-heritage-prof-david-gellner/
- http://www.aioiyama.net/lrc/papers/cbhnm-ppr-6.htmfile:///C:/Users/Toshiba/Downloads/85-Article%20Text-318-1-10-20060914.pdf
- https://english.onlinekhabar.com/guthi-system-in-nepal-and-perpetual-debate-win-win-deal-is-possible-and-inevitable.html
- https://english.onlinekhabar.com/guthi-system-in-nepal-and-perpetual-debate-win-win-deal-is-possible-and-inevitable.html
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