On April 25, 2015, Nepal was shaken by one of the most devastating earthquakes in its history. The 7.8-magnitude quake reduced entire villages to rubble, destroyed schools, and claimed over 10,000 lives. Millions of people were left homeless, and more than a million children suddenly found themselves without classrooms or a safe place to learn.
Among the hardest-hit regions was Nuwakot District, where destruction was nearly total. In this time of grief and uncertainty, the teachings of the Lotus Sutra—that true compassion must be lived through action—became the guiding light for what would soon become Honmon Butsuryu Shu (HBS) Nepal.
Aerial view of the stupa along with the temple
Moved by the suffering of the Nepali people, monks and members from Myoshinji Temple in Japan, under the leadership of Master Nagamatsu Seijun, came forward to help. What began as a humble effort to offer relief soon blossomed into a lasting mission of faith, service, and unity.
The first HBS relief mission took place on August 14, 2015, in Chimteshwor Village, Bidur Municipality, Nuwakot. Monks and volunteers distributed food, clothing, and shelter materials to families who had lost everything. Soon after, aid reached Samundra Devi Village in Shivapuri Municipality, extending comfort and support to even more survivors.
The temple grounds — where the next generation grows in peace and compassion
As the emergency phase passed, HBS Nepal turned its attention to rebuilding lives through education. Thus began the Samundra School Reconstruction Project—the organization’s first major undertaking. Instead of temporary classrooms, HBS committed to constructing strong, earthquake-resistant buildings using earth-bag technology, providing safety, durability, and dignity to children and teachers alike.
This was not merely construction work; it was a living expression of Buddhist compassion—a demonstration that prayer becomes real when joined with action.Through these acts of service, HBS Nepal embodied the message of the Lotus Sutra—that compassion must reach all people, transcending distance, culture, and circumstance.
Amid these efforts, one young volunteer became a lasting symbol of selfless devotion. Obara Akira, a 27-year-old member from Japan, joined the Samundra School project with heartfelt sincerity. He carried supplies, encouraged villagers, and brought smiles to children who had lost so much.
For him, the mission was not just charity—it was the true practice of Buddhism: dedicating one’s life to the happiness of others. Tragically, on November 16, 2015, while engaged in this compassionate work, Akira lost his life.
Inner view of the temple
To honor his sacrifice, HBS Nepal built the Shanti Dharma Stupa in Shivapuri-7, Nuwakot. Rising 15 meters high, the stupa stands as a monument of peace, gratitude, and unity—a memorial not only to Akira but also to all who perished in the earthquake. His spirit continues to inspire the vow of HBS Nepal: to serve others with courage and compassion.
Nearly a decade after its founding, HBS Nepal has grown from a relief initiative into a thriving Buddhist community rooted in faith and service. The sangha now has a central temple in Kathmandu, guided by both Japanese and Nepali monks—including the first ordained Nepali monk—and supported by around 400 members.
HBS Nepal has been actively promoting the wonderful teachings of the Buddha in Kathmandu, Nuwakot and other cities in Nepal. The organisation has also been recognised as an NGO in light of its tireless efforts to support social and charitable activities in the fields of education and social support for vulnerable groups. The HBS Nepal Centre holds many events, such as yoga sessions, Japanese language training, study sessions, sports events, kids' days, volunteer programs, and training workshops, in an effort to bridge the cultures of Japan and Nepal by taking the best from both to enrich people's lives.
The Samundra School continues to educate hundreds of children each year, while the Shanti Dharma Stupa remains a sacred site of peace, remembrance, and prayer.
What began in the ashes of tragedy has evolved into a living Dharma movement, uniting Japan and Nepal in a shared mission of compassion. Through chanting, study, and action, HBS Nepal carries forward the timeless message of the Lotus Sutra—that true happiness arises when we dedicate ourselves to the well-being of all living beings. Let us all unite in this sacred mission of happiness for all beings.