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.
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