Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Comes Alive with Various Programs to Celebrate Its 16th Anniversary
Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, Nov 9 (Nepal Oregon News): A day-long program was organized on Sunday, Nov 9, 2025 to mark the sixteenth anniversary of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM), the first and only one Newar Vajrayana Buddhist shrine in the West.
The sixteenth anniversary kicked off with the ubiquitous Gurumandala Puja which was ritualized by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya. Authentic chantings - seven limbs of most excellent rituals were conducted by the Guruji. The elements of the ritual offering were -- (1) Vandana: Bowing Down, (2) Pujana: Making Offerings, (3) Desana: Confessions of Sins, (4) Modana: Rejoicing in Merit, (5) Adhyesana: Requesting the Teaching, (6) Yacana: Entreating the Buddha to Remain in the World for Aeons and (7) Namana: Dedication of Merits.
The ritual preparation for Vihara's sixteenth anniversary involved many objects including the arrangements of 108 butter lamps, 108 water bowls, 108 Tormas (miniature stupas) and 108 Gulupa or begging bowls.
Gurumandala Puja was elaborately conducted by Prajwal Guruji. Other participants of the Gurumandala Puja were Sangha members: Joshua Proto, Anna Shustrova, Riyaz Khan, Gabriel Quitslund, Naveena Shakya, Adam Bidema, Anastasia Roderick, Uppa Shakya and Pradeep Bajracharya.
Upon the completion of the Puja, Prajwal Guruji dabbed the auspicious Sinha on the forehead of all the participants and guests, offered them flowers and Kokha.
In the last 16 years, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara has continuously served the Sangha or community in many different ways, and credit for this goes to co-founders Helen Appell and Prajwal Vajracharya.
The Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA is the first and only one Newar Vajrayana Buddhist temple in 350 years and it is the first Newar Vajrayana Buddhist monastery built outside of Nepal.
Evening celebration of the anniversary was followed by Buddha Bhajans, Talent Show and International Charya Dance Show in person and online on zoom by the members of Hong Kong Dance Mandal.
Buddha Bhajans, such as, Tri Ratna Lumanki, Jaya Namoshree, Najato, Vasundhara, Dasparamita, Anitya Thwo Sansare etc were rendered in Nepal Bhasa by Joshua Proto, Adam Bidema and Anna Shustrova.
To mark the 16th anniversary, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara came alive with various esoteric and ritual meditative Charya Nritya dances.
Charya Nritya is an important part of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism. It originated in Nepal Mandala. This ancient dance dates back to more than 1,000 years and is a religious discipline of the Buddhist priests of the Kathmandu valley, who perform the dances as part of their esoteric meditation, practices, ceremonies and rituals.
Refuge dance:
The Charya Nritya dance program kicked off with the Refuge dance which was performed by a group of Charya Nritya dancers. Refuge dance is a performance of Buddha Bandana Dance through Charya Nritya.
Rakta Ganesha Charya Nritya Dance:
Rakta Ganesha Charya dance was displayed by Joshua Proto. The Rakta Ganesh charya dance is a sacred, traditional Newar Buddhist ritual dance from the Kathmandu valley. The dance is dedicated to the elephant-headed deity Lord Ganesha, specifically in his red, Tantric form, known as Rakta Ganesha. The image of Rakta Ganesha (Red Ganesh) is generally found along with Mahakala at the entrance of Buddhist monasteries in the Kathmandu valley. Rakta Ganesha is a mask Charya dance. 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.
Akash Yogini Charya Nritya Dance:
Similarly, during the anniversary event, members of the Hong Kong Dance Mandal also presented three Charya dances on the zoom: Akash Yogini charya dance, Vasundhara charya dance and Vasundhara sloka.
Akash Yogini charya dance is a specific, sacred meditative dance within Newar Vajrayana Buddhist traditions of Nepal. Akash Yogini is a powerful, wrathful Dakini also known as 'sky dancer'. Her name reflects her association with space, sky or ether (akasha), symbolizing her unbounded nature. Her dynamic posture and movements symbolize her freedom from conventional limitations. She embodies enlightened wisdom and transformative energy. Akash Yogini charya nritya dance was performed on zoom by Hong Kong Dance Mandal members: Saldon Wu, Tina Ho, Eliza Lau and Lingling Lee.
Vasundhara Charya Nritya dance:
Vasundhara is a female Bodhisattva who symbolizes wealth (including material and spiritual). In terms of iconography, she has three faces and six arms, holding different Dharma objects in her hands possessing different abilities. She is the Goddes of Harvest, the Earth Mother, nurtures all her children. Golden-Yellow, like the element Earth, she is adorned with jewels and ornaments, symbolizing her association with wealth and abundance. Vasundhara Charya dance was offered virtually online by Hong Kong Dance Mandal activists: Sanniti Leung, Dickon Kong, Nora Ng, Patty Chan, Mary Lau and Shira Chan. Likewise, Vasundhara sloka was presented by Sanniti Leung, Venus Chow, Melody Chin, Diana Cheung, Fiona Yiu, Mei Mei Suen.
Yogini Mandala Charya Nritya Dance:
The Charya dance 'Yogini Mandala' was offered by Anna Shustrova, Anastasia Roderick, Corinne Nakamura and Uppa Shakya. Yogini Mandala is one of the traditional Charya dances which consists of deities Nairatma, Vajrayogini, Akashyogini and Jagat Janani. The Yogini Mandala charya dance is a moving, visual interplay of the powerful energies of four semi-wrathful yoginis. They are in Mandala formation in order to replicate the Nepal Mandala created by their temples in the Kathmandu valley. These four intensely female deities provide passion, wisdom and strength of purpose to all Vajrayana Buddhists.
Nairatma Charya Nritya Dance:
The solo 'Nairatma' charya dance was carried out by Uppa Shakya. The mother of selflessness, Nairatma is blue like the limitless clear blue sky. She is the spontaneous wisdom female energy, empty of all projection and judgement. Nairatma holds a chopper, a skull cup, and a staff. She wears a crown of skulls and the hide of a man as she tramples negative forces.
Kurukulla Charya Nritya dance:
Kurukulla charya dance was performed by Anna Shustrova. Kurukulla charya dance is a sacred Buddhist ritual dance that embodies the deity Kurukulla, representing magnetizing energy and enlightened feminine power. Kurukulla is a female Tantric deity in Vajrayana Buddhism associated with magnetizing, enchantment, hypnotism and spiritual power. In iconography, she is often depicted in red, symbolizing passion and transformation, and holds a flower, bow and arrow, representing attraction and influence. The Kurukulla charya nritya is a ritual enactment of Kurukulla's divine attributes, using Mudras, hand and finger gestures, Mantras and symbolic movements.
Arya Tara Charya Nritya dance:
Arya Tara Charya Nritya dance was rendered by Adam Bidema. Arya Tara is an important deity in Newar Buddhism. She appears as female Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism. She is also known as 'mother of liberation' and represents the virtues of success in work and achievements. Arya Tara is green and embodies compassionate activity. She sits in a joyful ease pose with her right leg extended, always ready to come to the aid of beings. She gives generously with her right hand and holds a lotus of parity with her left hand at her heart.
Vajravarahi Charya Nritya Dance:
Vajravarahi charya nritya dance was put on the stage by Corinne Nakamura. Vajravarahi charya nritya dance is part of the broader Charya nritya tradition, a form of spiritual performance practiced by Newar Buddhist priests - particularly the Vajracharyas and the Shakyas of Nepal. This dance is not merely artistic, it is a meditative and devotional act that embodies the qualities of deity Vajravarahi through movement, visualization and ritual. Vajravarahi charya nritya is a more manifestation of the ubiquitous Vajrayogini. She is wrathful, passionate and vibrant red. The Kartika she holds cuts through ignorance and attachment. Her skull cup, filled with nectars she has transformed from foul substances, symbolizing her ability to transform daily life experience into wisdom.
Vajrayogini Charya Nritya Dance:
Vajrayogini charya nritya dance was presented by Riyaz Khan. Vajrayogini is one of the most profound and graceful sacred charya dances of the Kathmandu valley. Vajrayogini charya nritya dance is a sacred meditative ritual dance from Newar Buddhist tradition of Nepal. It is a profound spiritual practice where the performer aims to embody the enlightened qualities of the Vajrayogini through specific movements, visualizations and music. Vajrayogini is a primary female Buddha. She is semi-wrathful, bright red and dances joyfully without shame or fear, glorifying in her femaleness.
Jaya Bacchali Chharya Nritya Dance:
Finally, Jaya Bacchali charya nritya dance was performed by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya. This is a charya nritya which is very ancient and very sacred, coming from deep in the caves and secret rituals of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism. It has never been in public before. It describes a stunning, powerful , fierce liberator, Hevajra. A Tantric deity of prime stature, his very presence shatters ignorance and obstacles. As his divine feet touch the Earth Mandala, the ringing of his ankle bells resonates throughout the three worlds, awakening the consciousness of those who can hear his sound.
All the charya nritya dances presented during the anniversary event was choreographed by Prajwal Vajracharya. Joshua Proto, a seasoned and skilled charya giti singer and Meadow Lisa Wong sang the giti for all the Charya dances and also played the Tinchu.
The role of masters of ceremony for the Charya Nritya Dance event was offered by Kuon Hunt and John Rybak with flying colors. The Damaru drum during the Charya dances was played by John Rybak.
Meanwhile, during the Open Mike event, several people participated, singing and playing instruments and expressing their views. A group charya dance 'Sixteen Offering Goddess Charya Dance' was offered by the Sangha members during the talent show.
Similarly, Neelam Kushbaha presented a devotional song 'Gauripriya', whereas founder president of Nepali Association of Oregon Raju Mali shed light on community activities.
On the occasion, presenting a brief Dharma talk, co-founder of the Mahavihara and senior priest Prajwal Vajracharya said:"Nritya Mandala Mahavihara which is the Foundation for Sacred Buddhist Arts of Nepal, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Charya Nritya and the related traditions of instruments and vocal music, choreography and crafts of making masks, costumes and jewelry used in sacred Charya dances."
To mark the joyous occasion, Satya Bayou played an instrument 'Swar peti' while Joshua Proto offered Raga, and Dechen Lhamo enthralled the audience with Native American Flute playing.
Anna Shustrova and Rabin Man Shakya rendered an old Russian song 'Pod Moskovniye Vechera'.
The sixteenth anniversary program was participated by people on zoom and 80 people at the Mahavihara in Portland in person, and was followed by breakfast, lunch and dinner offered by the Vihara.
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Chandra Ratharohan of Octogenarian Lady Ms Sushila Shrestha Ritualized
Portland, Nov 5 (Nepal Oregon News): A senior age 'Janko' religious ceremony of octogenarian Newar lady Sushila Shrestha was solemnized by Prajwal Vajracharya, a 35th generation Vajrayana priest on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2025.
The Janko ceremony 'Chandra Ratharohan' of Ms Sushila Shrestha, 82, mother of Sugan Munankarmi and mother-in-law of Dhurbesh Munankarmi was held at their residence: 2424 Remington Drive, West Linn.
All Janko related rituals, such as, Gurumandala Puja and other Pujas were solemnized by Prajwal Guruji. Sixteen Chandra Mandalas were also drawn during the ritual as part of 'Chandra Ratharohan' ceremony.
According to Prajwal Guruji, Janko or Bhimratharohan is an age related ceremony celebrating longevity, primarily starting at age 77 years, 7 months, 7days and 7 hours, with subsquent ceremonies like Chandra Ratharohan (around 82-83), Deva Ratharohan (at 88), and Divya Ratharohan (at 99), culminating in potentially a Maha Divya Ratharohan (around 105), all involving symbolic chariot rides and honoring the individual's journey and spiritual life.
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Volunteers Work to Clean up Vihara for Anniversary Event
Portland, Nov 2 (Nepal Oregon News): A cleaning drive of the temple was organized on Saturday-Sunday Nov 1-2, 2025 right before the Mahavihara's 16th anniversary celebrations.
Community members and Sangha members showed up to extend helping hand for the clean-up of the temple and its surroundings.
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, the bell, the praying wheels and most of the decorations were brought from Nepal for Portland's Newar Buddhist temple and need to be maintained and cleaned appropriately
The volunteers were provided with the lunch by Prajwal Guruji.
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