A Newar Buddhist merchant caste of Kathmandu in Nepal
This article is about a Nepalese community. For the town in Russia, see Uray.
Urāy (Nepali: उरे) (alternative names: Udaaya, Udās) is a Newar Buddhist merchant caste of Kathmandu in Nepal. They are a prominent community in the business and cultural life of Kathmandu.[1] Urays have played key roles in the development of trade, industry, art, architecture, literature and Buddhism in Nepal and the Himalayan region.[2][3]
The name Uray is said to have been derived from the Sanskrit term "upāsaka" which means "devout layman". The Uray follow Newar Buddhism and speak the Newar language as their mother tongue.[4] They are believers in non-violence in personal relations and ritual practices.[5][6]
^Smith, E. Gene (2001). Among Tibetan Texts: History and Literature of the Himalayan Plateau. Wisdom Publications. ISBN0861711793, 9780861711796. Page 88. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
^Gellner, David N. and Quigley, Declan (1995). Contested hierarchies: a collaborative ethnography of caste among the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Clarendon Press. ISBN0198279604, 9780198279600. Page 76.