Prajwal Guruji Performs Guru Rinpoche (Padmasamvabha) and Padmanateshvara Charya Nritya Dances at Himalayan Fair, Berkeley

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, May 23 (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya -- one of the senior most Charya Nritya gurus in the world and a prominent ritual master of both the Charya Nritya dance tradition and other ritual forms performed by the Newar Vajracharya lineage -- participated at the Himalayan Fair at Live Oak Park, Berkeley, California on Saturday - Sunday May 21 and 22, 2022.

On the occasion, Rev Guruji Prajwal performed two meditational and esoteric Buddhist Charya dances at the Himalayan Fair on both days: Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)  Charya dance and Padmanateshvara charya dance.

 (Prajwal Vajracharya performing Padmasambhava Charya nritya dance at  the Himalayan Fair.)



Padmasambhava nritya is one of the important and precious Charya nritya dances in Newar Buddhism,  according to Prajwal Guruji. Padmasambhava, who was a powerful and influential Tantric Buddhist, was called upon to Tibet in the eighth century to disseminate Buddhist philosophy and teachings in Tibet.

Om ah hum vajra guru padma siddhi hum is the Vajra Guru Mantra related to Padmasambhava. Padmasambhava is a totally enlightened being, a fully awakened one, a Buddha, says Prajwal Guruji adding Guru Rinpoche is wrathful and smiling, wrathful like Vajrapani.

Padmasambhava,  who usually wears a red hat, is dressed  with various attires  of different colors usually the yellow one. The deity is seated on a lotus with colorful petals. 

(Prajwal Vajracharya  offering Padmanateshvara charya nritya dance at the Himalayan Fair.)




Padmanateshvara (Nasa Dyo) is the deity who represents performance arts, the yidam of Charya Nritya - the Lord dancing on Padma.  Padmanateshvara's (who possesses ten hands) initial gesture is to indicate the wisdom of the heart, with the second one he touches heaven, with the third  the earth. All the other symbols he holds in his different hands refer to the Buddha Dharma, and about one making decisions to follow this path. 

The initiation into Padmanateshvara is to incarnate the wisdom by dancing, and by dancing, share it with all, says Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya.

Charya Nritya is a Newar Vajrayana Buddhist ritual dance with a history going back to more than 1,000 years. Charya Nrityas are performed by Newar Buddhist priests known as Vajracharyas as part of their esoteric meditation practices and rituals.

The Himalayan Fair offered a wide spectrum of award-winning stage performers. The entertainment featured a wide range of international groups performing traditional music and dance with vibrant ethnic, religious and traditional costumes.

Live Oak Park in Berkeley was transformed into a bustling Himalayan Bazaar with thousands of visitors.  

There were numerous booths and stalls showcasing Himalayan Arts and Crafts, Himalayan Food, Travel and Trekking and Kids Booth and one of them was also a booth of World Newah Organization, an umbrella organization of Newar people living across the world.

Founded in 1983 by Arlene Blum, the Himalayan Fair is an annual celebration of the arts and culture of the Himalayan region and its people.

 The Fair offered a rare occasion to experience a Himalayan festival including some of the best world music and traditional music and dance from the Himalayas along with amazing food, shopping and people.

Arlene Blum led the first female expedition, up the world's 10th highest peak -- Annapurna in 1978. Blum was part of the Bicentennial Everest Expedition in 1976, setting an altitude record for American women. 

Arlene's climbing feats are preceded by a career as a biochemist at the University of California, Berkeley. Arlene founded the Himalayan Fair with a Tibetan Buddhist Monk -- Lama Kunga of the Ewam Choden Center.

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2566th Buddha Jayanti marked in Portland with Various Events

 

Portland, May 26 (Nepal Oregon News): Buddha Jayanti is  a very auspicious day for Buddhists all over the world.  2566th Buddha Jayanti was celebrated at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) in Portland, USA on Sunday, May 15, 2022 amid various programs.

A procession was taken out around the temple at the Mahavihara accompanied by children who played kids' music. Buddha Purnima celebrations started at the Mahavihara with the chanting of Maha Manjushree Naamsangiti by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya and other Sangha members in person and in the zoom.  Before the Naamsangiti chanting, devotees gave bath to Baby Buddha. 

108 butter fed diyos (candle-like lights) were illuminated during the religious ceremony. Likewise, Refuge Dance (a performance of Buddha Bandana Dance through Charya Nritya) was also performed 108 times continuously by American and Nepali devotees.

Several Buddhist Bhajan songs were presented on the occasion by Joshua Proto, Casey Redman,  Mario Mastrangelo  while music on drum was played by Satya Vayu (an American).

At the end of the function, a talent show was held. Sangha member Naveena Shakya recited a poem entitled 'Buddha Was Born in Nepal' which was written by her in 2018 and was published in a Buddhist magazine in Nepal. Poonam Ghimire, a physics instructor at the University of Portland also presented a short poem. Ganga Sharma, secretary of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) lauded talent of Buddha Bhajan group. Carline Schossau  spoke about arts and presented a gift to the Mahavihara. Likewise, Daya Shakya, president of NAO also recited poems of famous Newah poet Durga Lal Shrestha in the zoom.

The program was followed by a Kheer dinner (rice cooked in milk with sugar, cashews, cloves, cardamoms, raisins, coconuts etc) along with Sel Roti, Barfi, Maarpa and other Newah delicacies.

According to Guruji Prajwal of the Mahavihara, about 100 people attended the Buddha Jayanti program in person at the Mahavihara while 25 other people from Nepal, USA, Hong Kong and Canada took part at the event in the zoom.

 Talking to Nepal Oregon News, Guruji Prajwal said:"Lord Gautam Buddha was born to the Queen of Kapilvastu Mayadevi and King Shuddhodhan in 623 BC as Prince Siddhartha on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Baisakh."

Guruji Prajwal, who is a scholar of Newah Vajrayana Buddhism, said:"Born and brought up in the royal palace, Prince Siddhartha left his palace and consort and newborn son in quest of liberation of mankind at age 29."

Guruji further added:"Siddhartha Gautam attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya after meditating in various places for nearly six years."

Prajwal who is a priest and ritual master of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition of Nepal went on saying:"Lord Gautam Buddha's birth, enlightenment and Nirvana took place on the full moon day of Baisakh. That is why the Buddha Jayanti Day is very sacred and auspicious for the Buddhists."

"The celebration of Buddha Purnima in a number of countries across the world highlights the significance of Buddhism as a major religious force in the world with an estimated 480 million adherents," the Guruji said. 

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Buddha Jayanti Cleaning Campaign Organized

Portland, May 9 (Nepal Oregon News): Nritya Mandala Mahavihara is the only one Newar Buddhist temple in the West. One of the most important peculiarities of this Newar Vajrayana Buddhist temple is that it was built with materials brought to Portland all the way from Nepal.

Doors of the temple, the windows, the Toranas, all the offering Goddesses, idols of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Dakinis, Chaitya (stupa) were brought from Nepal for the Newar Buddhist temple in Portland. They have to be preserved and protected taking into consideration  the differences of climatic conditions in Kathmandu and Oregon.

Keeping the temple clean is very important, says Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of the Mahavihara adding:"The cleanliness drive is carried out twice a year -- for the temple's anniversary and for Buddha Jayanti celebration."

Stressing on the need for a clean and green temple, Vajracharya says that cleanliness is crucial for us because it builds up a healthy environment around the temple.

The Buddha Jayanti cleaning campaign which, which was volunteered by the temple family members, was launched on Saturday and Sunday - May 7 and 8, 2022. The volunteers who offered help for cleaning activities were provided with lunch by Prajwal Guruji.

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Ihi Rituals of Three Newar Girls Organized

Portland, May 4 (Nepal Oregon News): Three girls from Newar community attended an Ihi ceremony at California Bay area on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the house of Niroj Tamrakar.

The Ihi ceremony of Urna Tamrakar (daughter of Niroj and Karishma Tamrakar), Neebha Nakarmi (daughter of Gautam Nakarmi and Geeta Chitrakar) and Shaleen Basukala (daughter of Binay Basukala and Sushmita Joshi) was ritualized by Prajwal Vajracharya who is a a senior priest and ritual master of the Vajrayana tradition of Nepal.

Prajwal Vajracharya says:"This ritual has been in practice since hundreds of years. The Ihi ceremony is an important part of the Newar tradition where the young pre-adolescent girls make a commitment to the Bel fruit (wood apple). The Bel fruit has a peculiar quality of remaining fresh forever and healthy and long lasting. Also, wood apple tree can bring conscious mind."

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Rice-feeding Ceremony Held at the Temple

Portland, May 7 (Nepal Oregon News): One of the important purposes of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA is to preserve and promote Newar culture and traditions. Life cycle rituals are crucial parts of our Newar culture. The significance of Macha Janko (rice-feeding ceremony) which is the first important life cycle ritual in a life of a person has to be seen against a backdrop of such important traditions.

The rice-feeding ceremony is a celebration in which a child is first fed rice, according to Prajwal Vajracharya, chief pujari at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA.

Throwing light on the significance of Macha Janko rituals, Prajwal Guruji said:"Although centuries old tradition, modern science has established  the fact that child's digestive system is capable of processing solid food when he or she is approximately six months old which is why Macha Janko is held for when a baby boy or baby girl turns six months old, but it can vary between a daughter or a son."

Meanwhile, a rice-feeding ceremony or Macha Janko of Avnee Maharjan (daughter of Pravin and Ambika Maharjan) was held at the Mahavihara temple. The religious rituals were performed by the Guruji at the temple.

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Weekly Activities in Vihara Continue

In May, as usual and as always, Dharani chanting on zoom was conducted once a week every Tuesday. Similarly, Sadhana practice and Buddha Bhajan singing practice were held on each Wednesday. Likewise, the practice of singing Charya giti was performed on every Friday.

( Rabin Man Shakya is one of the few Nepalese journalists in America)

Nepal's Amazing Sacred Buddhist Charya Nritya Dances Performed at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya

(Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya and Anna Shustrova performing Amoghasiddhi and Arya Tara charya nritya dance.)

Portland, April 30 (Nepal Oregon News): A program showing amazing and incredible Newar Buddhist charya dances was organized at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Friday, April 29, 2022. The program which showcased sacred and esoteric Newah Buddhist meditational charya dances was followed by a brilliant presentation 'Culinary Journey to Nepal' by well-known Newah chef Vikram Vaidya and sumptuous Newah style dinner  prepared by him.

The program was participated by 40 people, mostly the Americans, in person at the temple and in the zoom by 25 people. 

Prior to the starting of the cultural show, Sangha member John A. Rybak, who skillfully conducted the program, said that Charya nritya is a Buddhist ritual dance with a history going back to more than 1,000 years.

Charya meditational dances are performed by Newar Buddhist priests known as Vajracharyas as part of their esoteric meditation practices and rituals, Rybak added.

The program of sacred Buddhist charya dances of Nepal kicked off with the Rakta Ganesha charya nritya which was performed by Sangha member Joshua Proto with flying colors. Lord Ganesha is not only a protector of Dharma practice and prosperity, but he is also known as a deity who removes obstacles and difficulties of the human beings. Rakta Ganesha nritya is a mask dance.

On the occasion, Refuge Dance and 16 offering dances were performed by the members of Hong Kong Dance Mandal in the zoom. It is a performance  of Buddha Bandana dance through Charya nritya. Buddhist practitioners take refuge daily in the Buddha - the teacher, the Dharma - the teachings and the Sangha - the community.

The Sixteen Offering Dances, also known as Sodasha Lasya in Sanskrit, are sixteen dance postures representing various musical instrument offerings as well as other sense offerings. Refuge dance and Sixteen offering dances were performed by Hong Kong Dance Mandal members: Dr Tina Ho, Shira Chan, Jennifer Tang, Teresa Tsui, Patty Chan, Mary Lau and Chin Chin Chang.

Maha Vairochana charya nritya on the occasion was offered by Dr Tina Ho of Hong Kong Dance Mandala Sangha in the zoom as well. Vairochana is considered the supreme Buddha among the Pancha Buddha. Vairochana statues are mostly depicted in white color.

Amoghasiddhi and Arya Tara charya dance was put on the stage by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya and Anna Shustrova. In what appeared to be an amazing and astonishing performance, charya dancer duo Guruji Prajwal and his student Anna during the nritya have gone into a meditative state and let their bodies flow in movements with incredible hand and finger mudra. The Goddess Arya Tara and transcendent Buddha Amoghasiddhi are both green in color and as partners create perfect all-accomplishing activity that benefits sentient beings. The feminine energy of foundational wisdom and the male energy of skillful means - dance and interact in mutual recognition, respect and harmony.

Charya dance 'Vajrasattva' was carried out by Sangha member Riaz Khan. Vajrasattva is considered the essence of all the peaceful Buddha families. Vajrasattva is peaceful in appearance, white in color with one face and two hands, seated in vajra posture. Vajrasattva has upright gold vajra in right hand at the level of the heart while his left hand carries a vajra handled bell turned up at the left hip.

The Charya dance 'Mahakala' was well rendered by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya. Mahakala is a wrathful protector deity, dark blue in color and awesome to behold. He is beautiful and splendorous with his short and stout body, huge belly and angry face. The Taa and Kanta Dub Dub (little handy drum) playing with the tinkling sounds of Ghunghuru makes the Mahakala dance scary and terrifying at times. Mahakala wears a tiger skin, bone ornaments and snakes and is destroyer of all fears. Like Vajarpani, Mahakala dances upon the negative forces that fuel the path to enlightenment. Mahakala nritya is a mask dance.

Vajrayogini charya dance was performed by Anna Shustrova. Vajrayogini is one of the ancient classical dances of Nepal Mandala. Vajrayogini dance is performed as a ritual devotion to Goddess Vajrayogini.

All the Charya dances performed by Prajwal Guruji and other Sangha members during the program were beautiful and fascinating and were able to reflect the stories of the inner qualities and awakening of Buddhist deities. Sangha member Joshua Proto sang Charya giti for all the Charya dances performed on the occasion. Joshua is a seasoned and skilled Charya giti singer. Taa (little cute cymbals) was played by Joshua and Kanta Dub Dub (little handy drum) was beaten by John Rybak.

Second part of the program was the presentation on Newar food by chef Vikram Vaidya. Throwing light on the culinary heritage of Nepal, Vaidya said that art of cooking has been passed down for generations.

Newar people are known for food heritage, he reiterated. While Vaidya was making presentation, the Sangha volunteers started handing over appetizers ( a kind of Sagun) to participants to keep the guests moving throughout the evening. Appetizers consisted of mung beans batter, flavored with ginger juice and shaped into thin pancakes, topped with a hard-boiled quail egg and sauteed  and sundried whole anchovy.

Saying that Sagun is only found in Newar culture, Vaidya told the audience that Sagun is a giving tradition to wish good luck.

"Sagun is also offered during the life cycle rituals: birthdays, coming of age rites, old age rites, and the New Year etc," he informed the participants.

Vaidya's talk presented a detailed and comprehensive description about the rich and diverse Newah food heritage.

Other food provided to participants during the dinner were: Salad, Entree: Yogic Platter, Dessert and Shikerni. Newah style Kheer was one of the many items liked by the participants.

Chef Vikram Vaidya was born and raised at Ason Tole in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vaidya spent years in the hospitality business before starting a culinary career. His hospitality training started in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from Western Culinary Institute, Le Cordon Bleu, he worked at renowned restaurants and hotels with top chefs. He traveled around the world, studying international culture and cuisines with chefs and locals and working with farmers.

Chef Vikram Vaidya making a presentation on Newah food heritage.

Joshua Proto dancing Rakta Ganesh charya nritya.

Mahakala charya nritya dance presented by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya.

Charya nritya dance Vajrasattva being carried out by Riaz Khan.

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Vajrayogini charya  nritya dance by Anna Shustrova.

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A Unique Civilization on Verge of Extinction, Says Shakya

Portland, April 30 (Nepal Oregon News): A round-table interaction on Global Newah Movement - that focused on how we move forward to achieve the goals for the next decade - was organized at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Six observers participated in-person at the round table interaction at the temple of Portland Baha while 20 other people from around the world took part via zoom. Daya Shakya, patron of the World Newah Organization, was the keynote speaker on the occasion.

Throwing light on the objectives of the World Newah Organization, Shakya said the main objective of WNO was to connect the Newah people around the world in a democratic forum and alliance with purpose to support and help our compatriots in Nepal in their struggle for achieving their aspirations and dreams for freedom, political and human rights and overall development in every aspects of their daily life.

Stressing the need for elaborate works and plans for promoting and preserving Newah language and culture, Shakya expressed the view that it is a unique civilization that is on the verge of extinction due to loss of language and formal education to new generation.

Laying emphasis on the importance of firm goals and plans, he said the main purpose of the program held at Portland's Newah Buddhist temple was to draw attention or awareness on Newah identity in global perspectives.

Shakya added:"The landmark of sowing a seed on the Newah movement in America began with celebration of New Year Nepal Sambat in 1991 AD and Newah people of America exchanged the message of Bhintuna in Washington DC area."

The virtual interaction program, Daya said,  is an example of how we can aim to raise Newah awareness among different people across the world.

Speaking on the occasion, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Prajwal Vajracharya said that the Newah Buddhist temple was created in 2009 in Portland, USA to promote Newah Vajrayana Buddhist tradition and practices, to preserve promulgate Charya nritya and its music and crafts - such as the making of masks, costumes and jewelry used in the dances - as well as to protect and preserve sacred Buddhist art of Nepal.

Scholar on Newah Vajrayana Buddhism Vajracharya expressed the view that avenues must be explored to create job opportunities for those who earn their certificates and degrees in Nepal Bhasa, otherwise it just will be beating about the bush.

Dr Tina Ho from Hong Kong Dance Mandal offered the hope that cooperation between Hong Kong Dance Mandal and US Dance Mandal would help make Newah Buddhist heritage known to the world.

Newah Dey Daboo's former president Naresh Tamrakar, Ratna Jyoti Shakya, Bidi Kayastha, Krishna Kayastha from Canada, Naresh Shakya, Vikram  Vaidya, Paubha Sayami, Sushil Tamrakar, Bidya Dali, Crystal Marie James, Dina Shakya, Pramesh Shrestha of WNO USA chapter, Keshar Man Tamrakar of Newah American Daboo and Dr Narayan Rajbhandari and so on had participated from the zoom.

Likewise, Dr Rabin Man Shakya, Aniruddha Shakya, Ishan Shakya and Adam Bidema had taken part at the interaction in person at Portland's Newah Buddhist temple.

The interaction was focused on world Newah movement, issues on Newah identity and plans and projects to revive Nepal Bhasa language and Newah culture.

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Lhuti Punhi Observed at Portland's Newah Buddhist Temple

Portland, April 16 (Nepal Oregon News): Thousands of devotees take holy bath in the sacred spouts at Balaju, Kathmandu during the auspicious Bais Dhara Mela on the full moon day called 'Lhuti Punhi.' On the same day, devotees also visit Nagarjuna Hill to  offer prayers to a Buddhist chaitya situated there. 

Lhuti Punhi is an auspicious day for the Newar Buddhists in Nepal. According Swayambhu Purana, Nepal Mandala used to be a huge lake in the ancient times. Vipaswi Buddha sowed a lotus flower in the center of the lake which emitted brilliant radiance of Swayambhu. Lhuti Punhi or Purnima is celebrated to commemorate it.

Lhuti Punhi was observed at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Saturday, April 15, 2022 by reciting the Manjushree Naamsangiti. Naamsangiti was recited on the occasion by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya, Joshua Proto, Riyaz Khan, Adam Bidema, Pepper Kocsis, Kai Hakomori, Naveena Shakya and Dr Rabin Man Shakya.

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Vajracharya Calls on Rinpoche Duo

Portland, April 26 (Nepal Oregon News): Co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and prominent Newah Vajrayana Buddhism scholar Prajwal Vajracharya called on Yamgi Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche at the Maitripa College in Portland on Monday, April 25, 2022.

Yamgi Rinpoche is the president of Maitripa College in Portland while Mingyur Rinpoche is a renowned Buddhist scholar from a Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu.

Dance Mandal Nepal and Prajwal Guruju's students in Kathmandu are providing Charya Nritya training to Mingyur Rinpoche's disciples from his monastery since 2018.

On the occasion, Prajwal Guruji visited library, auditoriums and administration offices of the Maitripa College. In course of the visit, Prajwal Guruji acquired information about the ongoing activities at the college. Discussions, on the occasion, were focused on Charya Nritya and various updates about the Newar Buddhist temple in Portland.

Earlier that day, a brilliant lecture on mind was presented by Mingyur Rinpoche at the hall of the Maitripa College. The program was jam-packed with the guests. The lecture program was also attended by 100 participants in the zoom.

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Virtual Webinar on Gurumandala Puja Wraps Up

Portland, April 23 (Nepal Oregon News): The 12-week long virtual webinar on Gurumandala Puja (which kicked off on Feb 5, 2022) was wrapped up on Friday, April 22, 2022 at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland.

The virtual webinar which was conducted by Guruji Prajwal and which was hosted by Yangchenma Arts & Music was attended by 45 participants from 15 different countries of the world.

The concluding ceremony of the webinar on Gurumandala Puja was attended by Sangha members -- Joshua Proto, Anna Shustrova, Gabriel Quitslund, Riyaz Khan, Adam Bidema and Naveena Shakya at the Mahavihara. All the practical and theoretical aspects  of Gurumandala Puja were covered during the international webinar.

The 12-week long virtual webinar on Gurumandala Puja was organized to make it more known abroad and promote ritual significance of Gurumandala Puja.

Meanwhile, weekly activities -- Dharani chanting, Sadhana practice, Buddha Bhajan practice and Charya giti singing practices -- were conducted on a regular basis at the Mahavihara and in the zoom.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America)