Prajnaparamita is the Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom, Says Prajwal Guruji
Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, Oct 18 (Nepal Oregon News): The second and advanced on-line teaching on "Prajnaparamita Charya Nritya" which was organized by Hong Kong Dance Mandal on Friday, Oct 17, 2025 was started by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya by chanting Prajnaparamita Mantra: "Gate Gate Para Gate Para Sangate Bodhi Svaha".
The Mantra expresses the idea of wisdom and interconnectedness that we do not exist independently but that we arise in dependence of the whole universe.
Addressing the zoom teaching, Prajwal Guruji said:"Prajnaparamita is a Sanskrit word for perfection of wisdom. Therefore, Prajnaparamita is the perfection of transcendental wisdom, teaching that everything is essentially emptiness.
Prajwal Guruji, who is Chief Pujari at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, said:"In Buddhism, emptiness (sunyata) means that all phenomena, including ourselves, lack inherent, independent existence. Emptiness of self, emptiness of phenomena, non-duality, and emptiness as potential are the key aspects of sunyata."
That being said, the Guruji added:"Lack of inherent existence, interdependence, not nothingness and the key to liberation are the essential parts of the meaning of sunyata."
The Guruji's teaching presented a detailed and comprehensive description on Prajnaparamita sutra.
According to Prajwal Guruji, Indra, Vajrapani and Shariputra are profusely mentioned in Prajnaparamita Sutras. Shariputra asking questions and getting replies are relevant in Prajnaparamita Sutra.
During the virtual teaching, Prajwal Guruji also threw light on Madhyamaka Nagarjuna and Advaita Vajra Sangraha. Similarly, he shed light on 16 different hells in Buddhism saying that they are divided into two categories : eight hot hells and eight cold hells.
Likewise, the Guruji also elaborated on Five Skandhas or senses stating that they are the five components of a person in Buddhist philosophy. They are - form, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness.
Deity Prajnaparamita is often depicted in Thangka paintings or Paubhas holding a lotus and a Prajnaparamita Sutra, the Guruji went on saying:"As the mother of all Buddhas, Prajnaparamita symbolizes the insight that enables one to cross from the shore of delusion (samsara) to the shore of clarity (nirvana).
While the first part of the teaching zeroed in on theoretical aspect of Prajnaparamita, the second one focused on the Prajnaparamaita charya dance.
The 35th-generation Vajrayana priest also said:"Prajnaparamita is considered one of the most effective goddesses to help one reach enlightenment. Prajnaparamita charya dance is a living expression of this Goddess and the wisdom she embodies."
Prajnaparamita charya nritya is a sacred Newar Buddhist ritual dance from Nepal that honors Prajnaparamita, the 'perfection of wisdom' goddess, he said.
During the online discourse, Prajwal Guruji sang the charya giti 'Prajnaparamita' and explained zoom participants about the meaning of the Charya lyrics.
Prajwal Guruji also performed Prajnaparamita charya dance multiple times for the virtual participants demonstrating leg and hand movement, gestures and finger mudra.
"The Charya dance is a form of meditation and devotion, combining dance and chanting to create a powerful spiritual practice", the Guruji continued.
The teaching program was attended by four persons at the Mahavihara and participated by 20 people on the zoom. At the end of the remotely-held teaching, Guruji Prajwal answered to the questions of the participants.
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Vihara Greets Nepal Sambat New Year 1146 with Purification Rituals
Portland, Oct 23 (Nepal Oregon News): Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, the first and only Newar Vajrayana Buddhist monastery in the West, welcomed and greeted Nepal Sambat New Year 1146 in Portland, USA by performing purification rituals on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025. The Puja was solemnized by Prajwal Vajracharya, chief pujari at the Newar Buddhist temple.
The Nepal Sambat New Year purification event at the Portland Baha was participated by 21 devotees.
On the occasion, a Mandala - which is a cosmic diagram for ritual realms of Buddha and Bodhisattvas, representing various cosmic energies - was also drawn for each participants.
A Puja Sankalpa consisting of raw rice, beaten rice, dry fruit, red and yellow color powder, flowers, a little cow milk, three Gojas (small torma), three Jajankas, three coins etc were carefully prepared for each participant who were seen sitting cross-legged at the temple.
On the occasion, participants were also given time for a short meditation. Similarly, a long pasuka (sacred thread) was used, spread and passed over onto all the New Year purification participants. Jointly held by each, then broken into individual Kokha for each, it represented their unity as one Sangha.
The traditional community ceremony honored oneself and others by making offerings of purified elements and was guided by using one's own Mandala of sand.
The new year purification event was followed by a Nepali-style dinner.
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Indian Classical Music Concert Held at Vihara
Portland, Oct 25 (Nepal Oregon News): A powerful Bansuri and clarinet performance by world famous flute master Steve Gorn and Tabla and esraj playing by renowned multi-instrumentalist Benjy Wertheimer was organized at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland on Friday, Oct 24, 2025.
The enthralling and mesmerizing Bansuri and clarinet performance of Steve was accompanied on Tabla and esraj by Benjy.
Michael Stirling, who is a gifted and well-known Hindustani classical virtuoso was also present at the concert as a part of audience. The concert was attended by 35 people.
Michael, writing on his social media platform on Monday, Oct 27 said:"What a beautiful gathering of open hearts and big ears! Wish you could have been there to experience it. Friday's Indian Classical music event at the Vihara was off the charts heavenly. Extraordinarily gifted artists."
Michael further added in his Facebook post:"Steve Gorn, bansuri and clarinet, Benjy Wertheimer, esraj, Tabla and vocals gave one of the most astounding and delicate performance I have encountered."
He further mentioned in the FB post:"They gave us Raags Bhagashri, Chandrakauns, Charukeshi, Megh and Shree Raag. And their own collaboration, Priyagita. Their offering was delicate and deep and on occasion, humorous. (Both guys definitely have a sense of humor.)"
Steve Gorn has performed Indian classical music on Bansuri Bamboo flute in concerts and festivals throughout the world. A disciple of Shri Gour Goswami of Kolkota, India, and Pandit Raghunath Seth of Mumbai, he is well known to audiences in India and the West.
A Grammy winner and five times Grammy nominee, Steve Gorn is creating a new idiom, a music that combines the essence from a virtuoso mastery, generating a vibrant fusion, alive and accessible to Western ears.
Benjy Wertheimer is award winning musician, composer, vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist equally accomplished in Tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar and keyboards.
The concert was one of the rare opportunities for a limited number of audience at the Newar Buddhist temple in Portland to dive into the ocean of raga with bamboo flute master Steve and multi-instrumentalist Benjy.
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Prajwal Vajracharya, Among Others, Sworn in as Spiritual Director of NRNA USA Oregon Chapter Amidst a Function
Portland, Oct 27 (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, has been elected as Spiritual/cultural Director of Non-resident Nepali Association (NRNA) USA Oregon chapter.
Vajracharya was given oath of office for the position of Spiritual/cultural Director of NRNA USA Oregon chapter by Chapter president Shuddhodan Ranjit amidst a swearing-in ceremony held at Nekusing Memorial Theater in Portland on Sunday, Oct 26, 2025.
Similarly, Dr Rabin Man Shakya, a Sangha member of the Mahavihara was also sworn in as the Media Director of the Chapter at the same program.
On the occasion, the newly elected NRNA Oregon chair Ranjit was given oath of office by the immediate past president Jangbu Sherpa.
The entire new team for 2025-2027 was given oath of office by new president Ranjit.
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Nepal Bhasa Movie 'Indira Dhime Maicha' Screened at Vihara
A charity show of Nepal Bhasa movie 'Indira Dhime Maicha' was organized at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Portland on Thursday, Oct 30, 2025.
Khin, Nay Khin, Paschima, Dhime etc are the traditional instruments of the Newar people of Nepal. But playing these instruments was predominated by the males and boys only.
The movie 'Indira Dhime Maicha' revolves around the passion and desires of a courageous and talented daughter of Bhaktapur - Indira Lachhimasyu - to master the art of playing the Dhime drums.
Given the then prevailing patriarchal tradition, the odyssey that Indira was embarking on was definitely not going to be an easy one.
The challenges faced by Indira were indeed formidable, but at the end of the day, she was able to achieve her dream with the struggle, determination and commitment.
The first bio-epic Nepal Bhasa movie which is set in the historic, religious and culturally rich city of Bhaktapur is directed by Surendra Tuladhar. The leading protagonist 'Indira' was played by Rojina Suwal.
The movie was also screened for the community members by Nepa Chhen, a non-profit, at the Nekusing Memorial Theater, Portland on Saturday, Oct 25.
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CAPS (Corbett Arts Program with Spanish) Students Visit Nritya Mandala Mahavihara
Portland, Oct 7 (Nepal Oregon News): A group of 52 students from two middle schools class rooms for the CAPS program (Corbett Arts Program with Spanish) sixth, seventh and eighth graders visited the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, the first and only one Newar Vajrayana Buddhist monastery in the West, on Tuesday, Oct 7, 2025.
The purpose of the visit by CAPS students was to gain a basic understanding of the Newar Vajrayana Buddhism and of the history, worship and practice in the Mahavihara.
On the occasion, Prajwal Guruji threw light on the history of Nepal, its rich culture, traditions and heritage. He also explained students about the importance of Das Paramita.
The Guruji also discussed how certain movements and Mudras effect health and shared yogic exercises for healing for hands, feet and energy channels.
Prajwal Guruji demonstrated the steps, movement and Mudras of Refuge dance. Finally, the young school students were able to perform Refuge dance together with the Guruji at the temple.
Corbett Arts Program with Spanish (CAPS) is housed in the historic Springdale School two miles west of the main Corbett School Campus. This is a K-8 program serving 170 plus Corbett district students.
Later, the CAPS said in a statement:" We had a wonderful time visiting you and hope we can visit the Vihara in about three years. We are sending a Thank You card as well."
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Weekly Activities in Vihara Continue
In October, as usual and as always. Dharani chanting on zoom was conducted once a week every Tuesday. Similarly, Sadhana practice were held on each Wednesday evening. Likewise, the practice of singing Charya giti was performed in the mornings of every Friday.
(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)
