A Celebration of Buddhist Heritage
Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, May 1, (Nepal Oregon News): Buddha Jayanti also known as Buddha Purnima and Swan Ya Punhi is the most important and sacred festival in Buddhist tradition, celebrating the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and passing (Mahaparinirvana) of Lord Gautama Buddha. It falls on the full moon day of the month of Baisakh.
A vibrant Buddhist procession with a number of Sangha members and Nepali community activists was taken out from local landmark Laurelhurst Park to the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.
Immediately after the procession, the participants started to give a baby Buddha bath before entering the temple. This beautiful act of pouring water over the little baby Buddha statue symbolizes the purification of one's own heart and mind from greed, anger and ignorance.
108 butter lamps were illuminated to symbolize the dispelling of darkness, accompanied by a meditative Refuge dance (a performance of Buddha Bandana Dance through Charya Nritya) was performed 108 times continuously by the American and Nepali devotees.
Also, to mark the occasion, Mahamanjushree Naamsangiti was chanted by Prajwal Vajracharya along with other participants of the celebration.
Speaking on the occasion, president of Nepa Chhen - a Nepali nonprofit in Portland - Daya Shakya threw light on the history and activities of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.
Likewise, a brilliant presentation on "Lumbini - Birth Place of Buddha" was made by Shreya Shrestha, an architect. She analyzed various historical facts to prove that Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal.
An interesting part of the program was the question - answer episode between Daya Shakya and Prajwal Vajracharya in which the Guruji shed light on various aspects and importance of morning and rituals at the Vihara. The Guruji also elaborated on distinctive ritual practice of Newar Buddhism.
Similarly, a number of Buddha Bhajan songs in Nepal Bhasa (the language of Newar people) namely Jaya Namo Shree, Najato, Tri Ratna Mhasika and Anitya Lumankegu were presented by Joshua Proto, Casey Redman, Ashley Low, Teya Vajracharya and Matt Costagno.
Sangha member Dechen Lhamo enthralled the audience with flute playing.
Sangha member Naveena Shakya recited a poem in Nepali language "Buddha Aau Timi Pheri" (Buddha, Please Come Again).
On the occasion, Pancha Buddha Charya Dance was performed by Prajwal Vajracharya, Corinne Nakamura, Anastasia Roderick and Joshua Proto.
The Buddha Jayanti celebration was followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner.
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Six-week Foundational Course on Charya Dance Wraps up
Portland, May 10 (Nepal Oregon News): A six-week long - Foundational Charya Nritya Teaching Series - which was organized every Sunday at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland from April 5, 2026 was wrapped up on May 10, 2026.
Wrapping up the six-week foundational course, Prajwal Guruji, a 35th generation Vajracharya priest said this is the foundation and pre-requisite for learning other deity dances.
The foundational course laid the groundwork for all to-be-continued studies in the tradition of sacred Buddhist Charya dances of Nepal, Prajwal Guruji told the participants in his concluding remarks.
The Guruji extended congratulations to the Charya Nritya course participants for successfully completing the foundational class.
The Guruji went on saying:"You learnt the history of this ancient practice. You also studied how to train your bodies in the movements, exercises, hand and foot mudras, and techniques that are the foundations of Charya dance and practice the Refuge and the Sixteen Offering Goddess dances."
Prajwal Guruji further reminded the course participants:"You don't practice charya as a form of entertainment. But you do it as a form of spiritual movement, as meditation, as prayer, as Sadhana."
Matt Costagno, Dira Osland, Hank Loos, Clay Stenhilbur, Hawk Grubb, Ashley Low, Jennifer Pepper Koscis, Susan Morningstar, Lisa Ovelar and Naveena Shakya were the participants of the Six-week Foundational Charya Dance.
Two of the participants shared their views about the course:
Ashley Low: "The Foundations of Charya Nritya class was a wonderful introduction to the sacred dance of Newar Buddhism. Prajwal's lectures connected us to this sacred dance traditions and its history in Nepal, its significance within Newar Buddhism, and the deeper meaning of every element in the dances we practiced. His dance teaching was wisdom through movement. It was a gift to learn from such a master , thank you, Prajwal."
Naveena Shakya: "From this foundational Charya class, I got an opportunity to acquire more information about Newar Buddhism and Charya Nritya. Thank you so much Prajwal Guruju for teaching those ancient and medieval Charya steps. I learnt that mindfulness practices are very important to be happy and peaceful in your life. I am grateful to Joshua and Stacie and to all the fellow participants as well."
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Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association Celebrates International Dance Day
International Dance Day was celebrated by Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association (HKBSA) on the zoom as well as live at the Portland Baha on Friday, May 1, 2026.
The world famous day in the field of dance and culture was observed by HKBSA in collaboration with the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara with the presentation of several Newar Buddhist Charya dances online as well as live at the Vihara in Portland.
The International Dance Day was created and proclaimed by the Dance Committee of the International Theater Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO.
Dr Tina Ho, who was the master of ceremony at the event, said:"The Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association has been working hand in hand with the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara to enhance and promote the Newar Buddhist Charya dances in the world."
The International Dance Day event kicked off with Avalokiteshvara Sloka charya dance which was performed by Joanna Lai, Pamela Chan, Fiona Yiu and Suen Tan Mei. Avalokiteshvara also known as Guan Yin or Chenrezig, is widely beloved throughout the Buddhist world. The deity embodies the beauty of universal compassion in its most accessible and recognizable forms: softness, kindness and gentleness.
After that, Vasundhara Charya Nritya was presented by Shira Chan. Vasundhara is the Goddess of Harvest, the Earth Mother and nurtures all her children. Golden-yellow, like the element Earth, she is adorned with jewels and ornaments, symbolizing her association with wealth and abundance.
Likewise, Kurukulla Charya dance was demonstrated by Sin Yin Leung. Kurukulla is a female Tantric deity in Vajrayana Buddhism associated with magnetizing enchantment and spiritual power. She is often depicted in red, symbolizing passion and transformation, and holds a flower, bow and arrow, representing attraction and influence.
Similarly, Arya Tara charya dance was offered on the zoom by Patty Chan. Arya Tara is green and embodies compassionate activity. The deity 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.
Furthermore, Vajrasattva Charya Dance was put on the stage by Dickon Kong. 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.
Meanwhile, Vajrayogini charya dance was a beautifully choreographed performance by Dr Tina Ho. Vajrayogini is a primary female Buddha. She is semi-wrathful, bright and dances joyfully, without shame or fear, glorifying in her femaleness. She drinks the nectar that fuels her in the intensity and clarity of an uncompromising motivation to cut through ignorance while embracing all accessible energy.
Moreover, Padmanateshvara charya nritya was beautifully displayed by Anastasia Roderick, a Sangha member of the Vihara. Padmanateshvara is the deity who represents performance arts. Padmanateshvara possesses ten hands. His 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.
Besides, Singhamukhi charya dance was performed by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya. The lion-faced Dakini symbolizes an enlightened female female like a lion-king. There is also the skull rosary/mala which represents the undertaking of the various feelings and moods of sentient beings and the snake represents the treasure.
Further, Mahakala Charya dance was rendered by Joshua Proto. 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 look. He wears a tiger skin, bone ornaments, and snakes and is destroyer of all fears. Like Vajrapani, he dance upon the negative forces that fuel the path to enlightenment.
Also, Simhanado Lokeshvara and Sadaksari Lokeshvara Charya dances were displayed by Ada Ip and Ayumi Cheng.
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'Spring Blossoming Dance Offering' Held at Vihara
Portland, May 15 (Nepal Oregon News): A program "Spring Blossoming Dance offering" showing amazing and incredible Newar Vajrayana Buddhist Charya dances was organized at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Students of the Foundational Charya Dance Course performed Mandala Dance - Refuge and Sixteen Offering Goddess dances. The dance performers were: Dira Osland, Ashley Low, Jennifer Pepper Koscis, Susan Morningstar, Clay Stenhilber, Hank Loos, Hawk Grubb, Lia Ovelar and Naveena Shakya.
Later, Vajrasattva charya dance was presented by Rev Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya. Vajrasattva embodies the state of being to which all Mahayana Tantric practitioners aspire, namely the adamantine state of full enlightenment.
Likewise, Green Tara charya dance was performed by Jennifer Pepper Koscis. Through graceful mudras, precise steps and meditative gestures , the charya dancer embodies the enlightened energy of Arya Tara, blessing devotees with protection, wisdom and swift liberation from obstacles and sufferings.
Similarly, Vajrayogini charya dance, on the occasion, was offered by Anna Shustrova. This is an embodied spiritual discipline where the Charya dancer visually and energetically transforms into Vajrayogini and the embodiment of supreme, enlightened wisdom.
Finally, Vajrapani charya dance was rendered by Rev Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya. Vajrapani is a wrathful Bodhisattva dark blue in color, with bloodshot eyes, and an angry glare. He holds a bell in his left hand and a Vajra in his right and wears a tiger-skin garment, snakes wrapping around his body and ornaments made of bones and skulls.
All the Charya giti songs on the occasion were vocalized by Charya giti singer Joshua Proto. The program 'Spring Blossoming Dance Offering' was conducted by Anastasia Roderick. The program was attended in person by more than 40 people at the Vihara.
