Charya Nritya Blooms in Japan during Guruji's Visit
Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, Nov 23 (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara visited Japan from Nov 13 - Nov 23, 2025. Leader of Nepalese Esoteric Buddhism Charya Nritya Association - Yuko Okomoto - a Japanese nun coordinated Prajwal Guruji's visit to Japan. Yuko is also Prajwal Guruji's Charya dance student.
Yuko Okomoto studied at Tribhuvan in Kathmandu and is fluent in Nepali and Nepal Bhasa.
Prajwal Guruji visited many monasteries and sacred sites in Japan to teach and perform esoteric charya dances.
A lunch program was organized with students at Wanowa Cafe in Osaka on Nov 14. The Guruji held fieldwork with the students at Tenno-Ji temple the same day.
On Saturday, Nov 15 Prajwal Guruji visited Kannon-Ji temple at Ando (Kashihara city). A chanting was performed by Prajwal Guruji at the Kannon-Ji temple. Similarly, Prajwal Guruji performed Vajrasattva and Mahakala charya dances, whereas Yuko Okomoto presented Arya Tara charya dance.
The event was followed by a lecture by the Guruji on Newar Buddhism. The Guruji offered Sodasa Lasya and Refuge dance together with the students. After that, a speech on "Kashihara City's Old Buddhism" was delivered by Historical Museum Director. Similarly, ssinging bowl, crystal bowl original composition dance and native American drum performances were offered on the occasion.
Likewise, on Sunday, Nov 16, in Osaka Gurumandala Puja was performed by Prajwal Guruji for students. Eight students took part at the Gurumandala Puja. The Guruji highlighted the religious significance of the Puja. Underscoring the importance of Das Paramita in Charya Dances, Prajwal Guruji also mentioned that Charya Nritya is a Buddhist ritual dance with a history going back to more than 1,000 years. An empowerment (Dikchha) on deity Padmanateshvara was also conducted for Japanese students by Prajwal Guruji, a 35th generation Vajrayana priest. On the same day, he also held a special class on the importance of Charya Nritya for the Japanese students.
Another Gurumandala Puja was ritualized on Monday, Nov 17 for the students of Tokyo. The number of students attending the Gurumandala Puja was five. The Puja in Tokyo was followed by Charya Nritya class and a dinner with the students.
Similarly, on Nov 18, Prajwal Guruji was taken to Nihon temple -- 1500 years old temple built with single rock and 1500 Arahatas. The same day, at Hospice Clinic 'Hanano Tani', Prajwal Guruji presented Vajrasattva charya dance while Yuko Okomoto offered Manjushree charya dance. Yuko also threw light on the importance of hand healing. Later, in the evening, Daal-Bhat-Tarkari was offered to Prajwal Guruji at the house of Hospice Clinic's doctor.
A Facebook post of Yuko Okomoto on Nov 18 says: Yukari Nabeda, who is a freelance writer and writes a lot of articles, wrote about the program in Chiba in the 'Bohichi Shimbun'. In his write-up, Nabeda focused on Charya nritya, Newar Buddhism, Ratna Kaji Vajracharya annd Prajwal Vajracharya. Nov 19 and Nov 20 (Wednesday and Thursday) were spent by the Guruji visiting surrounding monasteries and temples and a visit to Shin-Okubo, Tokyo.
Meanwhile, writing on his social media platform Facebook on Nov 20, Japanese Buddhist scholar Tanaka said:"Prajwal Vajracharya is now visiting Japan. I met him on Nov 20 at Solmari Restaurant, Okubo, Tokyo. I noticed that the Sahujee is my old friend Kashi Nath Tamot's nephew." The Buddhist scholar presented his book to Prajwal Guruji at the Solmari Restaurant.
On Friday, Nov 21, Prajwal Guruji was taken to Kanaya Sea Port in Higashi Obama (Fukui prefecture). Kanaya Sea Port is famous for multiple Buddhist monasteries and temples. "There was a Buddhist temple even at the top of the mountain," Prajwal Guruji said, adding "I had the privilege to visit couple of those historical temples in Kanaya Sea Port.
Prajwal Guruji offered a performance at a museum in Higashi Obama. The tour was coordinated by Mr Kawamura.
Moreover, on Nov 22, Saturday, a workshop on Gurumandala Puja was organized at Wakasa Historical Museum. A lecture program was held at the museum. Speaaking on the occasion, Prajwal Guruji said:"Gurumandala Puja is performed, teaching the practice of purifying the body, speech and mind. The Gurumandala Puja is very commonly used for any rituals in Newar Buddhist traditions. In this practice, you become Vajrasattva. To become Vajrasattva, there is an elaborate process tocreate and enter into Mandala. This is a thousand year old ritual carried on by Vajracharya priests as carried on to the present day. The Gurumandala Puja is so important that without it there is no Mahayana, no Vajrayana in Nepal."
Furthermore, the same day, Prajwal Guruji performed three Charya nritya dances at the museum: Prajnaparamita, Mahakala and Vajrasattva, whereas Yuko Okomoto presented Green Tara and Manjushree charya dances.
Prajwal Guruji was the guest of Dharma Lama ji for the evening on Saturday. Dharma Lama is a Nepali entrepreneur and artist in Japan.
Besides, Sunday, Nov 23, was marked by a visit to Toga village. Toga is connected to Tukuche village in Nepal by sister city ties. Paintings of artist Gautam Ratna Vajracharya (Prajwal Guruji's eldest brother) were on display at a museum in Toga village.
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Prajwal Guruji's Visit Aims to Promote Vajra Dance Activities in Hong Kong
Portland, Dec 2 (Nepal Oregon News): Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya's visit to Hong Kong was followed by his solo pilgrimage to Japan. The Guruji was in Hong Kong for a week from Nov 25 to Dec 1, 2025.
A teaching on 'Kaya, Vaka Chitta' was organized by Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association (HKBSA) on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025 at Utpala Meditation Center in Hong Kong. Prajwal Guruji's presentation on 'Kaya, Vaka, Chitta' was participated by 35 people in Hong Kong.
Addressing the Hong Kong students, the Guruji said:"Kaya is the body, Vaka is the speech and Chitta is the mind." Prajwal Guruji went on saying that any Mudra that is made cannot be separated from Kaya, Vaka, Chitta." The Guruji further said:" Our every gesture and movement in dancing is connected with body, speech and mind."
Prajwal Guruji inspired students of Hong Kong Dance Mandal with his teaching on how to embody Kaya, Vaka Chitta and connect through learning Kaya Mudra, Vaka Mudra and Chitta Mudra. During the teaching, Prajwal Guruji discussed how certain movements and Mudras effect health and shared yogic exercises for healing of hands, feet and energy channels.
Saying that Kaya, Vaka Chitta are the ways to achieve the enlightenment, the Guruji threw light on the connectionof Kaya, Vaka, Chitta with the Charya dance.
Likewise, a lecture program on "Who is Dakini/Yogini?" was organized on Thursday, Nov 27, 2025 at Utpala Meditation Center in Hong Kong. Prajwal Vajracharya was the key-note speaker. The lecture event on Dakinis was attended by 35 Hongkongers. Addressing the event, Prajwal Guruji underlined the importance and relevance of Dakinis in Newar Vajrayana Buddhism.
A yogini/dakini is a dynamic female spirit or deity in Newar Buddhism, representing the enlightened feminine principle and serving as a key element for spiritual awakening, the Guruji added. Prajwal Guruji said:"Dakinis are energetic beings in female form, evocative of the movement of energy in space."
The Guruji added:"Dakinis are often depicted as wrathful and semi-wrathful yet compassionate figures who can be purely spiritual beings, highly accomplished spiritual practitioners."
Meanwhile, an Empowerment (Dikchha) and Full Teaching on Deity Vajravarahi (Vajravarahi Retreat) was organized for three days from Friday - Sunday, Nov 28-30, 2025 at Hong Kong Buddhist Association Shaten Center.
The full teaching and empowerment was conducted by Prajwal Vajracharya, a 35th generation Newar Vajrayana Buddhist priest. It is to be noted that for the practice of Sadhana of Vajravarahi, an initiation or empowerment (Dikchha) is always required. Twenty Hongkongers took part at the 3-day long Vajravarahi retreat.
First two days of the retreat were devoted to the comprehensive - theoretical and detailed teaching about deity Vajravarahi, while the last day was programmed for practical teaching of Vajravarahi charya dance and empowerment (Dikchha).
Saying that deity Vajravarahi's worship is very popular in Nepal, the chief pujari at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA, informed the participants that a special shrine is dedicated to the this Dakini in Lalitpu, Nepal.
The three-day symposium was an opportunity for the Hongkongers to acquire comprehensive and detailed knowledge about the deity Vajravarahi. Prajwal Guruji, who is one of the seniormost Charya Nritya pedagogue in the world, also informed the participants that there are a number of Charya gitis dedicated to goddess Vajravarahi.
The co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in USA went on to say:"In Newar Tantric Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajravarahi is one of the most revered female deity who protects Newar temples and buildings. Varahi refers to any of the four boar-headed deities who preside over the Nepal Mandala.
Throwing light on the iconography of the goddess Vajravarahi, he said:"Vajravarahi, who is one of the manifestations of Vajrayogini, is red in color and stands on a reclining body of Bhairava in dancing posture." Further elucidating on the female deity's iconography, the Guruji said:"Vajravarahi holds a Kartri in her right hand on level of head and holds a Kapala filled with blood in her left. The deity carries a Khatvanga stick surmounted by three skulls. She wears a garland of fifty severef heads and various gold ornaments."
"Vajravarahi is the quintessence and embodiment of compassion. But when she was chased by evil creatures, she would hide under the ground, protecting herself with the help of her boar's mouth. Vajravarahi is the mother of all Dakinis and she is innvoked to destroy enemies," said the Guruji adding that she is the Dakini who can move ahead transforming malice and malevolence into compassion andkindness."
In this Charya dance, the performer channels Vajravarahi's energy to invoke her qualities of wisdom and compassion. The Vajravarahi charya nritya is a ritual enactment of her divine attributes, using Mudras (hand gestures), Mantras, and symbolic movements, the Guruji told the participants in Hong Kong.
During the teaching, Prajwal Guruji also conducted the fundamental movements and dance teaching. The Charya Nritya teacher demonstrated hand and finger mudra and showed different steps of the dance 'Vajravarahi'. He also explained in detail the meaning of Charya giti 'Vajravarahi' which was written in Sanskrit. Finally, the Guruji also performed the Vajravarahi charya nritya for the participants. At the end of the teaching, every day, Prajwal Guruji answered to the questions raised by the Hong Kong participants.
Likewise, a teaching on 'Understanding Maha Mudra through Mudra' by Prajwal Guruji was held at Utpala Mediatation Center in Hong Kong on Monday, Dec 1, 2025.
This teaching emphasized spiritual yoga through subtle fluidity of movement, breath and stillness.
Mudra Yoga, according to Prajwal Guruji, leads to experience and understanding of the bodies and our own individual Mudras, culminating in realization of Maha Mudra (highest realization).
Prajwal Guruji participants with simple movement gestures and positions from his lineage of deity yoga.
At the end of Prajwal Guruji's Hong Kong visit, several members of Hong Kong Sangha and participants expressed their views and comments about their experience with the Guruji's teachings:
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The Power of Empowerment in Vajarvarahi
By Dr Tina Ho
Chant loudly
With me wholeheartedly
Enjoy the Vajravarahi song
Immersed in the melody
Feel every word
Coming from my mouth
Coming from my spirit
In a split second
My inner body is open
A beautiful voice is coming from my navel
The laughter of youth
Neither notions nor pretense
Just as what it is
My body became hollow
Every note I can hear
Crisp sound in chanting
Vajravarahi
Please no hesitation
Activating your energy
Guiding me
Dancing in every moment
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Leaning on Experience in Prajwal's
Teaching Tour 2025
Dr Eliza My Lau
I am grateful to Prajwal for coming to Hong Kong and sharing so many wonderful teachings, as well as inspiration I experienced during the retreat and the public talks.
We were reminded of the outer, inner and secret aspects of any Buddhist practice. I found the depth of this experience especially relevant to my Charya dance practice. Every movement, every gesture, down to the minutest details, begins with an outer manifestation. However, all are to be realized as secret - the dissolution of all forms into spaciousness, where everything is possible but nothing truly exists. The depth and profoundity of Charya Nritya are beyond language and conceptual understanding.
The Vajravarahi dance is the main focus of the retreat. It exemplifies the profoundness of Charya Nritya through the dancer's bodily expressions - outer, inner and secret - and the witness of the transformation of Kleshas and wisdom, the bliss of emptiness, the ultimate transcendence, and the freedom of clear light.
The teaching of Maha Mudra by Prajwal reminds me of the path of the Bodhisattva - the nobility of the heart rooted in pure motivation to bring about true happiness in this life and beyond. This serves as a very important reminder for any practitioner : the root cause of Buddhahood is Bodhichitta - the wish and total commitment to help all sentient beings see the truth and realize who they truly are.
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By practicing Charya Dance, I have
Found a Better Version of Myself
By Dickon Kong
Time has flown by over the past few days under the nurturing guidance of Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya in Hong Kong. Now I must wait another year to see him here again.
This marks my third year attending Guruji's classes in Hong Kong. Three years ago, I began with no knowledge of Buddhism or Charya dance. At that time, Dr Tina Ho recommended that I join Guruj Prajwal's classes when he came to Hong Kong in 2023 classes, something moved me to commit to practicing it.
By practicing Charya dance, I have found a better version of myself - more humble, happier, and free from worries.
This year Guruji Prajwal taught us the Vajravarahi dance. What fascinates me most are the nine emotions embodied in the form. Guruji Prajwal explained that each emotion is like a coin with sides: good and bad. Negative emotions can transform into positive ones if we are willing to.
Practicing the Vajravarahi Charya dance allows us to experience all nine emotions within a single performance and to embody that transformation. It is quite challenging, and it has become my main goal for the coming year - to learn, through this dance, that I always have a choice.
I will always treasure Guruji Prajwal's teachings, and look forward to his return to Hong Kong to guide us again in 2026.
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Inexpressible Thanks to Guru Prajwal
By Saldon Wu
To me, all the teachings: "Body/Speech/Mind", "What is Dakini", "Vajravarahi Retreat" and "Mudra and Maha Mudra" are like the Indra's Net in the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), interconnecting, inter-reflecting and inter-resonating. Each reflects the whole.
Very overwhelming !
It is a great reminder on how to lead my life.
What is next is to walk Prajwal Guruji's talk, and ground the teachings in my system. I still don't know what is my essence/talent, what to offer the world. Yet, from here and now, I will move on, and let it unveil along the path.
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Vajravarahi is So Powerful and Yet So Compassionate to All Sentient Beings
By Elaine Pang
