Monday, June 30, 2025

Padmanateshvara is Manifestation of Divine Power of Dance and Songs in Newar Buddhism, Says Vajracharya

Second and More Advanced Teaching on Padmanateshvara Charya Nritya  Held


Rabin Man Shakya




Portland,  June 6 (Nepal Oregon News): Padmanateshvara is a representation as well as a manifestation  of the divine power of dance and song within Newar Buddhism, seen as a means to achieve spiritual liberation and connect with the cosmic energies.

Co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and senior Charya Nritya Guru Prajwal Vajracharya said this while presiding over the second and more advanced presentation on Padmanateshvara Charya Nritya which was organized on the zoom by Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association on Friday, June 6, 2025. 

Prajwal Guruji - who is himself a well known Charya dancer and an international teacher - started the remotely held  class by offering Padmanateshvara chanting.

Laying emphasis on the importance of Padmanateshvara, the 35th - generation Vajrayana priest said:"Padmanateshvara is considered to be the quintessence of the performing world in Nepal. The artistes, singers and dancers seek blessings from this deity."

Before the starting of a big cultural performance, it is a tradition in Nepal to perform worship to Nasa Dyo or Padmanateshvara to make sure the cultural event will be productive, meaningful and successful, the senior Charya Nritya pedagogue asserted.

Prajwal Guruji mentioned that Padmanateshvara is the source of artistic inspiration, joy, compassion and equanimity.

The online teaching was an opportunity  for the participants to learn more about the Padmanateshvara charya dance. Furthermore, Prajwal Guruji went on saying:"Padmanateshvara is a significant deity in Newar Buddhism, specially associated with the practice of Charya Nritya and Charya Giti which involves dancing and singing as a path to liberation."

Prajwal Guruji reiterated:"Padmanateshvara is considered the main deity for those who follow the path of Charya Nritya practice in Newar Buddhism."

During the zoom teaching, Prajwal Guruji also zeroed in on 108 forms of Avalokiteshvara and said that Padmanateshvara is one of the manifestations of Avalokiteshvara in Newar Buddhism.

Throwing light on various Avalokiteshvaras, the Guruji mentioned that Padmapani, Amoghpash, Aryavalokiteshvara, Shrishtikanta, Anandadi, Six-syllabled Lokeshwar, Hariharvahan, Rakta Arya, Loknath and Sahasrabhuja Lokeshwar are among them.

While demonstrating different pictures of ancient statues and Thangkas of Padmanateshvara in different postures, Prajwal Guruji explained the virtual participants about the Abhanga, Sabhanga, Tribhanga and Atibhanga postures.

The Guruji stated that ancient statues of Padmanateshvara have been found not only in Nepal, Tibet and India but also in countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Mongolia, Pakistan and Afghanistan etc.

The Guruji also explained the meaning of the lyrics of the Charya giti. The Raga of Padmanateshvara charya dance is Lalita and Tala is Ghapa, the Guruji further informed the participants. The Guruji also demonstrated step-by-step the Mudra, hand gestures of the Charya dance devoted to Padmanateshvara.

Prior to teaching of the actual Padmanateshvara charya dance, the Guruji and the zoom participants offered the Refuge dance. After that, the Guruji also performed the Charya Nritya 'Padmanateshvara' for the participants to follow.

Prajwal Guruji's  second and practical teaching on Padmanateshvara charya nritya presented a detailed and comprehensive description of the 10-handed  deity. The first teaching on Padmanateshvara held on May 16, 2025 was more theoretical but the second and advanced teaching focused on the practical aspect of the Padmanateshvara charya nritya. Altogether, 15 people had taken part at the Charya dance teaching. At the end of the online presentation, Prajwal Guruji replied to queries  of the participants.


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Anna Shustrova -- Embarking on a Long Journey of Charya Dance


Portland, June 28 (Nepal Oregon News): Anna Shustrova, who is a successful and talented Charya dancer, a student of Prajwal Guruji, earned her Master of Arts Degree in Philology from Russian State University for the Humanities in 2003 in Moscow. Anna has also successfully completed the course 'Software Quality Assurance' from Portnov Computer School in Los Altos, California in 2014. She is currently the Senior Project Director at PLUS QA in Portland.

Anna, who is a long-term Buddhist practitioner, was born in the family of engineers in Moscow, Russia when Russia was still a part of the USSR. She made a visit to India in 2007 and to Nepal in 2023. In 2012, she moved to the US where she met Prajwal Vajracharya, and started practicing within Newar Buddhist tradition. She also performed her solo dance in 2015 during Maitreya Loving Kindness Relic Tour and many performance at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.

In fact, ever since Anna moved to the US from Russia in 2012, she has been continuously and relentlessly embarking on 'a long journey of Charya dance.' Through these Charya experiences, she has come to embrace her spiritual and compassionate ties to the Newar Vajrayana Buddhism.

Anna Shustrova was interviewed by World Newah Organization - Daily Broadcast (WNO-DB) on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The WNO-DB zoom interview was moderated by Daya Shakya and coordinated by Naresh Shakya.

During the online chit-chat, recalling her childhood, Anna shared that she was even a young pioneer (Soviet version of Boy and Girl Scout) and fondly remembered that she used to wear blue and white uniform with a red scarf. Replying to a query what triggered her interest in Buddhism, she said:"That happened years later when I was at the University. And one of the courses we were asked to choose a topic from the list provided by our professor for research paper  and they just happened to select Buddhism. And as I dived into the material, something resonated. I realized that many of the core teachings such as the concept of reincarnation, Four Noble Truths of sufferings and cessation, and then just the power of one's mind to achieve the highest state of consciousness. So those aligned closely with the beliefs that I already held intuitively. And what began as an academic assignment gradually turned into a personal exploration. I started reading more about Buddhism on my own. Attending lectures and teachings whenever possible and slowly integrating its philosophy into my worldview, my life. It was not a dramatic shift but rather a quite recognition of something familiar like rediscovering in the past."

Shedding light on Buddhism in Russia, Anna stated:"While Russia's official religion is Orthodox Christianity, there are actually three autonomous republics in Russia - Kalmikia, Buryatia and Tuva where Buddhism is a traditional religion. The people of those republics traditionally practice actually the form of Tibetan Buddhism, so Buddhism is not so unfamiliar to Russia in general."

Digging into the past how she met Prajwal Guruji, she said:"When we arrived in the US in 2012, we had one Russian friend -- Alexei Dobry -- who used to be the Pujari at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. I happened to be there at the Vihara during its Fourth Anniversary. I vividly remember, like, sitting at the corner of the temple and noticing this cheerful smile in a Nepali man's face with simple clothes, and he was moving around with his camera taking photos. And I was, like, surprised to learn from a friend that actually this guy was the head priest of the temple. It was not how I thought the priest should look like. So, it completely, like,  challenged my idea of what the priest is. And, later that evening, I stayed for the dance offering and I saw Charya dances being performed live for the first time. And, it was just mesmerizing, like, seeing the Buddhist deities that I knew already from my studies and come alive. And my friend nudged me with her elbow, like, hey - you should be doing that, and I was like - oh, no, no. First, it looked very difficult -- Sanskrit and all the movements and I realized it will require huge dedication if I enter this path, and of course, huge efforts. And, secondly, just the idea of performing alone in front of the audience terrified me." 

Saying that Russian and Sanskrit both are part of Indo-European languages which means they share common links, Anna added:"When studying the Charya dance, many words - they repeat from one dance to another because ultimately Charya songs are the descriptions of the deities. And, you know, deities - they have kind of similar forms. They all have eyes - two or three. They have hands, some deities have multiple hands. They wear crowns. They hold similar objects or sometimes similar colors. So when you learn one Charya dance and song, well, you learn about 50 percent of the next or any future Charya dance. So in my case, my first Charya dance was Green Tara, and it was extremely difficult to learn that very first dance."

How many Charya dances have you performed so far? Daya asked Anna. To this, she replied:" So far, I have performed 19 Charya dances -- Refuge charya dance, 16 Offering Goddess Dance, Green Tara, Yogini Mandala, Vajrayogini, Vajravarahi, Singhamukhi, White Tara, Vasundhara, Mahakala, Pancha Buddha, Akash Yogini, Annapurna, Kurukulla, Nairatma, Manjushree, Padmasambhava, Rakta Ganesh etc."

Emphasizing the importance of initiation, Anna said:"Charya nritya is a spiritual tradition, a quite initiation. In Charya dance, it's very important to get Diksha or initiation. You see, there are two aspects in Charya nritya. One is performmance -- cultural dance, but another side is -- this is spiritual tradition. So you are not just the moves. You are supposed to manifest the deity. It all comes from the rigorous practice, and you start practicing after you receive the initiation from the Vajracharya Guruju."

During the WNO-DB virtual conversation, Anna further said:"Newar tradition is so rich, so beautiful. And besides dance tradition, I had the opportunity to learn several other aspects of Newar Buddhist heritage from Prajwal Guruji -- Nitya Puja, Gurumandala Puja, Naamsangiti, Dharani reciting etc. In Newar Buddhist tradition, the ritual philosophy, art, music and community life are blended in together, integrated as a kind of one living expression of the Dharma."

At the end of the virtual dialogue, Anna replied to the queries of the zoom participants.


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Nepal-US Cordial Ties Stressed




Portland, June 29 (Nepal Oregon News): At an interaction program organized on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Portland  by Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Nepali Ambassador to USA His Excellency Lok Darshan Regmi has emphasized that Nepal-US relations has always been cordial since the diplomatic relations were established between the two nations in 1947.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Nepali Embassy in Washington DC Mr Sharad Raj Aran provided important information on consular services and answered to  questions of the audience.

Speaking on the occasion, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) Prajwal Vajracharya said that the Mahavihara is the only temple consecrated and established  in 2009 in Portland after 350 years in the history of Newar Buddhism.

The Mahavihara has been preserving and sharing the traditions of Buddhist practice, arts and culture held by Newar Buddhists of Nepal. Very soon, the Vihara is going to be transformed  into a Newar Buddhist Museum, Vajracharya informed the community gathering.

Daya Shakya, patron of World Newah Organization, shed light on the historical connection between Nepal and Oregon, whereas Kush Shrestha, Advisory Board Member of NAO, elucidated on the Association's role in providing educational scholarships to the needy people in Nepal.

The interaction program which was conducted  by former NAO president Bharat Baskota was also addressed by Mohan Gurung, former president of Nepal Seattle Society, Narayan Gurung, chair of NAO, Laxman Darlamee, Board of Director for NRNA-NCC-USA, Dr Ekraj Dahal, chair of Intel Nepali Group, Rabin Man Shakya, Sangha Member of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and Punam Glee, NAO's secretary

Meanwhile, Daya presented his book 'Newarology Matters' to the Ambassador on the occasion while His Excellency gave away certificate and trophy to Renuka Magar for her win at the Golf Tournament organized by NAO.





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Graduation Reception Held at Portland Baha


Portland, June 28 (Nepal Oregon News): Sangha member Anirudra Muni Shakya's daughter Isha Shakya's high school graduation from Franklin High School, Portland was celebrated at the Vihara amidst a reception on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

On the occasion, Prajwal Vajracharya extended congratulations to Isha and said that high school graduation is one of the important milestones in life.

Isha's dad Ani and mom Sharon as well as other Sangha members also extended congratulations to the high school grad.

The dinner reception was attended by the Sangha members of the Mahavihara and the Nepali community members.

The graduation party at the Vihara was an evening full of laughter, memories and socializing with family and friends.







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Rituals Held at Vihara for a Devotee from Thailand


Portland, June 21 (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Vajracharya - a 35th generation Tantric Buddhist priest from Nepal - performed a sacred and esoteric ritual at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara for a devotee from Thailand.

The Newar Buddhist ritual Gurumandala Puja was performed to bring back to Jade Emperor.

The Gurumandala Puja Vidhi purification ritual is the most common ritual practiced in Nepal. At all important moments in life, from birth to death, this important Newar Buddhist ritual is performed to remove obstacles and bring spiritual blessings.

The Jade Emperor known as 'Yu Huang Dadi' in Chinese is a significant deity in Chinese mythology and Taoism. He is often considered the ruler of heaven and the supreme deity who oversees all cosmic and earthly affairs.

According to mythology, he governs the heavens and is responsible for maintaining order in the universe. The Jade Emperor is often depicted as a wise and just ruler who rewards good behavior and punishes wrongdoing. Many festivals and rituals are held in his honor especially during the Lunar New Year.


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Sithi Nakha Observed at Vihara


Portland, June 1 (Nepal Oregon News): Sithi Nakha - one of the big cultural festivals of the Newar people, that falls on the sixth day of the waxing moon in the month of Tachhala Thwo, Nepal Sambat 1145, a Lunar Calendar - was celebrated at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA on Sunday, June1, 2025.

The Puja was offered to the Lun Hiti (golden spouts) at the Vihara by Prajwal Guruji. Similarly, lentil cakes 'Wo' mari were also offered to the Pujaris of the temple on the occasion.

Sithi Nakha is a popular Newar  festival that is celebrated right before the start of Monsoon season in Nepal.

The traditional significance of Sithi Nakha lies in the fact that it inculcates on the people the value of conserving water sources and keeping them clean and this has been practiced for centuries.

The festival is the profound expression of devotion and commitment to the earth. The planet Earth is rounnd in shape and Wo mari offered to the planet Earth on this Day is also round in shape.

Sithi Nakha for Newar people is very important because it is on this Day the Newars not only clean and sweep their homes, nearby surroundings, Nanis, Gallis, Bahals, they also purify, clean and mop wells, ponds, stone spouts, springs and other water sources in the neighborhood periphery.


(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya, who is a Newar journalist in USA is also a Life Member of World Newah Organization)  


   

  

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Procession Organized in Portland to Mark 2569th Buddha Jayanti

 Rabin Man Shakya




Portland, May 11, (Nepal Oregon News): On the occasion of 2569th Buddha Purnima, also known as Swan Ya Punhi, a Buddhist procession was organized by the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland on Sunday, May11, 2025 for the first time in the history of Newar Buddhism in USA bringing together Sangha members and Nepalese community activists. Over 80 people showed up at the Vihara to celebrate the Buddha Purnima.

The cheerful and enthusiastic Buddhist procession started from Laurelhurst Park in Portland chanting a Buddha Bhajan 'Jaya Namo Shree' in Nepal Bhasa. The Buddha Bhajan chanting was led by Joshua Proto, a seasoned singer of Charya Giti and Buddha Bhajans.

The American Buddhists and the Nepalese Portlanders joyously walked through the neighborhood streets of Portland carrying Buddha statues, Buddhist flags, Nepali flags, Newar Buddhist musical instruments etc.

The colorful Buddhist flags, Newar Buddhist flags and Nepal's national flags definitely added to the atmosphere of festivity.

The Buddhist procession proceeded along some neighborhood  roads in Portland culminating at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, the first and only one Newar Buddhist monastery in the USA.

Immediately after the procession, the participants started to give a baby Buddha bath before entering the temple. Likewise, Mahamanjushree Naamsangiti was chanted by chief priest of the temple Prajwal Vajracharya and other Sangha members.

108 butter lamps were illuminated during the religious ceremony, followed by Refuge Prayer Dance. Refuge dance (a performance of Buddha Bandana Dance through Charya Nritya) was performed 108 times continuously by the American and Nepali devotees. 

Similarly, a number of Buddha Bhajan songs in Nepal Bhasa (the language of Newar people) namely 'Jaya Namo Shree', 'Tri Ratna Mhasika' and 'Anitya Lumankegu' were presented by Joshua Proto and Adam Bidema.

After that, a Charya dance 'Pancha Buddha' was performed by Prajwal Vajracharya, Joshua Proto, Anastasia Roderick and Adam Bidema, while Neelam Kushwaha came up with a Hindu Bhajan.

Making a presentation on the occasion, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) board member Kuon Hunt said:"NMM was established in 2009 by Helen Appell and Prajwal Vajracharya, and it was the realization of late Ratna Kaji Vajracharya's dream to see the richness and wisdom of Newar Buddhism move beyond the borders of Nepal and out into the wider world.

Co-founder of NMM Prajwal Vajracharya threw light on the relevance of Lord Buddha's teachings while patron of World Newah Organization Daya Shakya dealt on subtle differences between a usual Buddhist flag and Newar Buddhist flag.

Buddha Jayanti program was followed by a pot-luck dinner including Kheer (rice in milk with sugar and nuts) vegetarian cuisines, sweets and fruits.

Buddha Purnima (Swan Ya Punhi) is the Day of Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.

Meanwhile, the first birthday of baby Dewa Ratna Vajracharya, son of Prajwal and Teya Vajracharya was celebrated at the Vihara also on the day of Buddha Purnima.





























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Padmanateshvara is the Lord of Dance with Compassion, Says Vajracharya


Portland, May 16 (Nepal Oregon News): A virtual teaching entitled 'Padmanateshvara: Lord of Dance  with Compassion' was organized by Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association on Friday, 16 May, 2025. The remotely-held teaching, participated by 22 people, was conducted by co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and senior Charya Guru Prajwal Vajracharya.

Prajwal Guruji's talk on Padmanateshvara presented a detailed and comprehensive description of the ten-handed deity. The 35th generation Vajracharya priest also explained the meaning of lyrics of Padmanateshvara charya nritya. Likewise, the Guruji demonstrated step-by-step the mudra and hand gestures of the Charya dance devoted to Padmanateshvara.

The teaching dealt with various aspects of Six Paramita and Ten Paramita vis-a-vis Lord Padmanateshvara. 

Explaining the meaning of the deity's name, Prajwal Guruji said:"Padmanateshvara is a Sanskrit word which means -- Lord dancing on the Lotus". It is the main deity (yidam) practiced by the ancient Vajracharya priests of Nepal, he added.

The noted teacher of Charya dance shared:"Padmanateshvara is known as Nasa Dyo among the Newar people. This is the deity who represents performance arts, the yidam of Charya Nritya. This deity can have male or female forms, with a compassionate and peaceful face and has 10 hands. Padmanateshvara's initial gesture is to indicate the wisdom of the heart, with the second one he touches sky, with the third the earth. All the other symbols he holds in his different hands refer to different Dharma instruments including Mala, Bow, Arrow, Lotus, Vajra Bell, Stick, Axe etc. The blue lotus refers to the gentle, infinite wisdom of the sky, while using your muscles for actions."

Padmanateshvara charya dance is performed in a beautiful rhythm. The deity has five wisdoms and ten virtues, the Guruji informed the participants.

Prajwal Guruji went on saying:"The portrayal and concept of Padmanateshvara is different in Newar Buddhism than the one in Indian tradition. Padmanateshvara is an important deity in Newar Vajrayana Buddhism and is considered to be one of the manifestations of 108 Avalokiteshvaras."

Giving details about Padmanateshvara charya nritya, he said:"This is an ancient form of deity yoga meditation for physical transformation, compassion, joy, loving kindness and liberation." 

The Raga of Padmanateshvara charya dance is Lalita and Tala is Ghapa, he further said.

Laying emphasis on the importance of Padmanateshvara , Prajwal Guruji said:"Padmanateshvara is the quintessence of the performing world in Nepal. The artistes, singers and dancers seek blessings from this deity. Before the starting of a big cultural performance, it is a tradition in Nepal to perform worship to Nasa Dyo to make sure the cultural event will be productive, meaningful and successful."

Chant to Padmanateshvara begins with 'Ananda Shakti Parivarjita Mantra Gharbham', the Guruji stated adding that Padmanateshvara is the source of artistic inspiration, joy, compassion and equanimity.

During the virtual teaching, the Guruji also showed many pictures of the statues and Thangkas of Padmanateshvara. At the end of the presentation, Prajwal Guruji replied to queries of the participants.


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Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Has Become a Place of Scholarly Discussions, Newar Cultural Affirmation: Kuon Hunt


Portland, April 26 (Nepal Oregon News): She is 78 and has been Prajwal Guruji's student and a member of our community for nearly 20 years. She is a senior Charya dancer and is currently writing a book about Prajwal Vajracharya's biography entitled 'Hidden Treasures: The Story of a Vajracharya  Boy from Kathmandu & Newar Vajrayana Buddhism'. She is also a board member of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland. Ms Kuon Hunt was interviewed  by World Newah Organization Daily Broadcast (WNO-DB) on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The WNO-DB zoom interview was moderated by Daya Shakya and coordinated by Naresh Shakya.

In a wide ranging on-line interview, Kuon discussed about how she met Prajwal Guruji, how she was inspired by the Guruji.

In reply to a question about how she was attracted to Charya nritya, Kuon said:"It truly was the idea, the thought that you could embody the divinity that was so inspiring to me, and the idea that this came from Sanskrit, both of those were so inspiring to me. For me, it was a study, it was a walking meditation. It was this, that drew me. Charya is really a Sadhana if you have a pure heart and that is your intent and that's what drew me to Charya."

Recalling her meeting with Prajwal Guruji, Kuon said:"It was a personal connection. It was in 2001 or 2002. I had a friend who had a friend who happened to be Prajwal's dance student Leanne Hunt, who was at that time living in Boise and my friend went to visit her  and came back and said -- gosh, there's this great guy. He's good cook and he's a dancer. And he also teaches this dance. And that dance is all about embodying the divine. And I said I got to meet this guy. I got to do this dance. I don't know anything else but just introduce me. Well, interestingly enough, he lived in Portland and his name was Prajwal Vajracharya." 

She went on saying in the remotely-held interview:"Prajwal Guruji is the youngest son of a well-known family of scholars and priests. He is an internationally acclaimed Charya dancer, and beloved priest and teacher of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. It was he who introduced  Helen to his father's vision and his own mission in the West. It was Helen with her deep personal experience  of Zen, Tibetan and Vajrayana Buddhism over many years who ultimately chose to commit her time and resources to the building of our carefully crafted temple based on Newar design using American builders and integrating many elements, such as, the beautifully carved struts, doors and windows created by craftsmen in Nepal."

Consecrated in 2009, the Temple has become a gathering place for Newars and Buddhists of various sects from throughout the United States. It has become a place of scholarly discussions and Newar cultural affirmation and activity, she said in the virtual interview adding "Our Sangha is a mixed Sangha made up in approximately equal parts of Nepalese and the Westerners giving us a wonderful opportunity to simply learn much."

In response to a question in the zoom conversation regarding the number of Charya dances she learnt from Prajwal Guruji, Kuon answered:"I have learned about 25 Charya dances from the  Guruji. Among them are Padmasambhava, Avalokiteshvara, Arya Tara, Sapta Lochani, Vajrayogini, Singhamukhi, Nairatma and so on."

Further, she shared elaborately in the WNO-DB's virtual event:"Charya is an avenue that really takes the principles of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism and gives  them expression in the world in a way that is interesting and exciting and beautiful. This truly is an opportunity for them as the Charya dancers to embody the divine. I mean, how cool is it to be Singhamukhi, you know, here you are, this is female lion Buddha all over the state. I mean that kind of thing. What about Padmasambhava and all of his power and majesty and magic? What about each of these different deities? I mean they need to imagine themselves as expressing these deities that they've seen perhaps in statues but then suddenly they become the statue. They give it life. They bring that deity forward. It's very exiting for someone for whom that is attractive. Beyond Charya, there's so much they can make their Newar Vajrayana Buddhism come alive."

During the remotely-held dialogue, Kuon threw light on the importance of Mudras, movements and gestures in Charya.


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Buddha Jayanti Cleaning Campaign Organized


Portland, May 4 (Nepal Oregon News): A two-day cleaning drive was launched  on Saturday and Sunday May 3-4, 2025 at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Portland as part of preparation for the 2569th Buddha Jayanti celebrations.

Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, the only Newar Buddhist temple in the West, was built with materials brought all the way from Nepal. They have to be preserved and protected, taking into consideration the differences  of climatic conditions between Kathmandu and Portland.

The doors of the temple, the windows, the Toranas, all the offering Goddess struts, the statues of the Buddha, the Bodhisattvas and the Dakinis, the stupa and most of the decorations were brought from Nepal for Portland's Newar Buddhist temple, and need to be maintained and cleaned appropriately.

The Sangha members and volunteers who offered help with cleaning activities were provided with lunch by Prajwal Guruji.


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Purification Rituals for Guruji's New Home Held


Portland, May 22 (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Guruji and his family moved from the current residence at the Vihara to the new house at South East 45th Avenue.

Home Purification Puja was held at the new residence on Thursday, May 22, 2025 by Prajwal Guruji himself.

Gurumandala Puja and Pancha Bali Puja were performed by the Guruji on the occasion.

Explaining the importance of purification rituals, Prajwal Guruji said:"In the Newar Buddhist tradition, a purification ritual is conducted before people move into a new residence. The purpose of the ritual is to purify the house, to ensure safety from the evil spirits."


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Ihi Rituals for Two Newar Girls Solemnized in Anchorage, Alaska


Portland, May 28 (Nepal Oregon News): For the first time in the history of the Nepalese community in Alaska, USA, an Ihi (bel-bibah) ceremony was solemnized for two Nepali girls by a Vajracharya Guruju.

Lena Shrestha and Karin Shrestha (granddaughters of Rekha Shrestha, and daughters of Bikky Shrestha and Kaori Shrestha) attended a traditional Ihi ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska performed on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 by Prajwal Vajracharya, chief priest at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland and a 35th-generation Vajrayana priest.

Kush Shrestha and Uma Shrestha (from Salem, Oregon) who are related to the Ihi girls were also in Anchorage, Alaska for attending the ceremony.

The word 'Ihi' is the short form of Ihipa which means 'marriage' in Nepal Bhasa. The girls from Newar community take part at the Ihi ceremony before entering the adolescent age.

Girls from Newar community get married at least three times in their lifetime. The first ceremony called 'Ihi' is where pre-adolescent girls make a commitment to bel-fruit (wood apple). The Ihi is followed by 'Bara Tayegu' where girls are again married to the Sun God. The ritual is practiced before the girl hits puberty or before her first menstrual period.

Prajwal Vajracharya -- a Tantric priest in a centuries old Newar Buddhist family lineage -- says:"This ritual has been in practice since hundreds of years. The Ihi ceremony is an important part of the Newar tradition and culture where the young pre-adolescent girls make a commitment to Bel fruit."

"The Bel fruit has a peculiar quality of remaining fresh forever and healthy and long lasting. Wood apple tree can bring conscious mind," the Guruji further says.


(Rabin Man Shakya, a Newar journalist in USA, is also a Life Member of  World Newah Organization.)


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Ambassador Regmi Stresses Nepal-US Cordial Ties

Interaction Program with Nepali Ambassador Organized by NAO By Rabin Man Shakya Portland, June 29 (Nepal Oregon News): At an interaction pro...