NABA Aims to Promote Newar Buddhism, Newar Culture

Newah American Buddhist Association formed

Rabin Man Shakya

With the objective of acting as a bilateral forum for promoting Newar Buddhism, Newah arts, culture, traditions and festivals and promoting Buddhism related activities in Nepal as well as in the US, Newah American Buddhist Association (NABA) has been set up  recently in Kathmandu.

Maintaining friendship and cordial relations between Newah Buddhists of Nepal and of the US will be the prime concern of the Association.

NABA is to champion the cause of raising Buddhist awareness, disseminate principles of non-violence and peaceful coexistence.

NABA's establishment recently will be guided not only by the objectives of promoting Newar Buddhism and Newah heritage but also by creating a forum that is dedicated to act as a bridge between Newah Buddhists of Nepal and the US.

Similarly,  the purpose of NABA is not only to enhance Newah identity, Newah culture and heritage, but it will also work to promote Newah literature and Newah media in USA.   

Dr Rabin Man Shakya, a Newah journalist in USA,  has been nominated as the president of the Newah American Buddhist Association while Mr Dil Ratna Shakya is the general secretary of NABA.

Likewise, Associate Professor Dr. Sushil Bajracharya, Mr. Swaraj Shakya, Mr. Siddhi Ratna Shakya and Naveena Shakya have been nominated as the members of the NABA.

It is to be noted that NABA offices are located both in Kathmandu, Nepal as well as in Portland, USA.

Shatabdi Purush Joshi and Others Felicitated in Kathmandu

Dr Rabin Man Shakya


Portland, Nov 9 (Nepal Oregon News): At a program organized at Hotel Yellow Pagoda in Kathmandu by Mettagaar (House of Friendship - in Pali language) recently, three prominent Newah personalities were felicitated.

The Mettagaar program kicked off after illuminating twenty five traditional Bodhi Matas.

Those felicitated were Man of Century Satya Mohan Joshi, poetess Narayan Devi Shrestha and Ven Vichhu Kondanya Mahasthavir.

As a matter of fact, Shatabdi Purush Mr Joshi has been honored and felicitated many times and in many ways, but  Mettagaar felicitation was a unique and unprecedented  honor for the renowned scholar of Nepal Bhasa and Newah culture.

(Shatabdi Purush Satya Mohan Joshi with journalist Dr Rabin Man Shakya at the program.)

Mr Joshi was honored by wrapping a Khata, traditional Newah Lhasa Sahu red cap, Jama, Tash Ya Washa at the program.

On the occasion, Mr Shanta Ratna Shakya, convenor of Mettagaar also handed over Mettagaar Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr Joshi.

Likewise, Newah poetess Narayan Devi Shrestha was bestowed the title of "Paa Meela". It was the Immediate Past "Kumari" (Living Goddess) Matina Shakya who handed over the honor to poetess Shrestha.

Similarly, Ven Vichhu Kondanya Mahasthavir was decorated with the title of "Aggadhammadeshaka" at the same program.

Mayor of Kathmandu Bidya Sundar Shakya, Newah indigenous leader Malla K Sundar, former Newah ministers were among the distinguished guests at the program.

Speaking on the occasion, prominent Newah litterateur Bhusan Prasad Shrestha underlined the need for preservation of Newah culture and traditions.

Shatabdi Purush Mr Joshi threw light on the history of Newah culture and Buddhism and expressed the view that a number of Newah luminaries including Bhrikuti and Arniko had gone to Tibet centuries ago and had disseminated ideas of Newah culture and Buddhism.

On the occasion, Shatabdi Purush Mr Joshi felicitated different Newah personalities including journalist Dr Rabin Man Shakya, Associate Professor Dr Sushil Bajracharya and physicist Dr Mahendra Man Shakya by wrapping the Khatas on them.

Prominent Newah singer Bhriguram Shrestha, former colonel of Nepali Army and singer Purna Bahadur Shakya and Annapurna Gyanmala Bhajan Khala presented songs and bhajans at the program conducted by Ms Pratisara Sayami.

The news about Mettagaar felicitation of distinguished Newah personalities was covered by Bodhi TV, Nepal Bhasa Times and Jhigu Swaniga daily newspapers.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newar journalist in USA)