Yomari Punhi - an Important Festival of Newar Culture - Celebrated at Nepalese Temple in Portland, America

Newah Community in Portland, USA Loves Its Yomaris

Rabin Man Shakya

(Making Yomari together) 

Portland, Dec 23 (Nepal Oregon News): Yomari Punhi, one of the popular festivals of the Newah people of Nepal was celebrated this year with a lot of enthusiasm on Dec 22, 2018. Punhi means full moon day in Nepal Bhasa, the language of the Newah people of Nepal, and Yomari is a steamed dumpling which is made from rice flour with Chaku (a kind of sweet and solid molasses) and crushed sesame seeds.

Yomari Punhi is a post-harvest festival which falls on Thinla Thwo Punhi and which is the shortest day in Nepal. Newah farmers by this time have already filled their Bhakaris with paddy. This festival is celebrated with the wish and hope for better life and prosperity.

On the day of Yomari Punhi, programs of traditional masked dance are organized at the villages of Harisiddhi and Thecho at the southern part of the Kathmandu valley.

Yomari is also a symbol of Pancha Tatwo which consists of fire, aqua, air, sky and land. Rice flour represents land, molasses is taken as fire, water as aqua, empty space in yomari as sky and sesame seeds represent air.

(How is Yomari making going on?)

Today, unlike 20 years ago, celebration of Yomari Punhi is not just confined to Nepal, it is celebrated by the Newah people across the world. Yomari Punhi was celebrated by the Newah people living in Oregon, USA at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Portland on Saturday with much fanfare and huge enthusiasm.

About 50 Nepalese and Americans from Oregon took part in a Yomari Punhi program at the Mahavihara. Among them are Prajwal Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Daya Shakya, vice president of World Newah Organization, Bharat Banskota, president of Nepali Association of Oregon and journalist Dr Rabin Man Shakya of Nepal Oregon News, USA.

The Newah people of Oregon were seen sitting in a big circle inside the temple of the Mahavihara to make the traditional Yomari dumplings.

(Volunteers lending a helping hand.)

Sitting cross-legged in a circle, participants started making Yomaris to keep the guests moving throughout the evening. 

The Yomari Dayekegu program was participated by Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya and Maa Padma Laxmi Karanjit. Likewise, Pramod Karanjit, Dina Shakya, Bharat Banskota, Sharmista Amatya, Kabindra Amatya, Kusumabati Bajracharya, Anjali Vajracharya, Uppa Shakya, Suva Shakya, Pawan Pradhan, Naveena Shakya, Bijaya Maharjan,  Kabitanjali Amatya and Palistha Shakya were among the volunteers making the Yomaris. Also volunteering for Yomari Dayekegu were Kuon Hunt, Dale Hunt and Karen Pradhan.

For the Americans guests, the Yomari snacks were a welcome taste allowing them a chance to try a traditional Newah food which offer greater health benefits too. The program was followed by a potluck dinner.

(Yomaris are very yummy!)

 I remember back in 1970s our family in Kathmandu used to prepare the regular Yomaris and also Yomaris in the forms of deities, gods and goddesses like Kumar, Ganesh, Laxmi and Kuber to offer them to Goddess Annapurna. I remember during my childhood days, we as kids used to go to our neighborhoods in Kathmandu to ask for Yomari on this day and used to chant the traditional rhyme:

Tya Chhin Tya
BakachhinnTya
Lata Pata Kulechan
Juchhin Tya Yomari Chwamu
Uki Dune Haku
Byusa Maku 
Mabyusa Phaku
Byumha Lyase
Mabyumha Buri Kuti

Newahs of Portland also sang the same rhyme at the program. Similarly, on the occasion, Mahayana Sutra Mahima gatha was recited by Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya, Daya Shakya, Pradeep Bajracharya, Rabin Man Shakya and Pramod Karanjit.

(Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya, Pradeep Bajracharya,  Rabin Man Shakya and Pramod Karanjit reciting Mahayan Sutra Mahima.)

Newah heritage is full of myths, legends and folklores. And according to one of the mythologies related to Yomari Punhi, the emergence and origin of the Yomari Punhi celebration kicked off from Panchal Nagar which is Panauti today. The myth goes on to say that a married couple in Panchal Nagar had an unexpected and unprecedented paddy yield and that they made a new kind of bread that was made of the rice flour and was shared with the fellow village folks who really appreciated and loved it and hence the name Yomari (favorite bread).

According to the same folklore, the farmer couple presented Yomari to God of Wealth - Kuber - who was walking incognito. The God of Wealth rewarded the farmer couple with the riches.

There are many traditions and activities associated with Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara but it is always looking for new ways to expand and explore those activities.

(Maa Padma Laxmi Karanjit giving away Yomaris to the guests.)



(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is one of the few Newah journalists in America)

Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Moves to Centerstage in Nepalese Community in Oregon, USA

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Dec 21 (Nepal Oregon News): The Nritya Mandala Mahavihara - which is the only Nepalese  Buddhist temple in the USA so far - has  moved to centerstage in Nepalese community in Oregon by observing the age-old festivals of the Kathmandu valley and keeping alive the traditions and culture of the people of Nepal.

Promoting, preserving and protecting traditional and cultural values of Nepal are not an easy work, but Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland is giving it a shot. The establishment of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland in 2009 has paved the way for local Nepalese Portlanders to carry on with lots of ritual and cultural ceremonies like the way it is done in the Kathmandu valley.

Balancing personal works, trips to different countries, Charya dance teaching,  observing Nepalese festivals are not always simple, but Prajwal Vajracharya is focusing on what is important in the long run.

Meanwhile, a Dakila ritual ceremony was held recently at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland to commemorate the first anniversary of my mother Man Shova Shakya's demise.

Dakila (first anniversary of a person's demise) related rituals like 'Bhawana Puja' and 'Guru Mandala Puja' were performed by Prajwal Guruju. Bhawana Puja consists of offering flowers, sinha, raw rice, water and dhun (Nepali incense stick).The religious ritual during the Dakila tradition involved a number of objects including - Dhun, Dewa, Sukunda, Ita, Goja, Jajanka etc.

The Guruju chanted  gatha for the eternal peace of the deceased and wished for the accommodation in the Sukhavati Bhuvan.Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya on the occasion using Gan (Ritual bell) and Vajra chanted religious rituals praying for Vajrasatwo and Pancha Buddha. He said our universe is made of Panchatatwo: earth, water, fire, air and sky. We also offer praying to Vajra Satwo which provides salvation to humankind, said Prajwal Guruju.

At the end of the Dakila ritual, a Sira Daan in the name of my deceased mother was offered  to Prajwal Guruju. Me and my family express deep gratitude to Prajwal Guruju for finding time for the Dakila rituals despite his busy schedule.

Well, the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara has made celebrating the Newah festivals and observing the Newah style ceremonies centerpiece of its activities.

In fact, many Nepalese living in Portland know Prajwal for his commitment and dedication to enhance Nepalese arts, culture and traditions in Oregon.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America)

Amritananda Mahasthavir and Nepal-Soviet Relations

By Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Former General Secretary, Nepal-Russia Cultural Association

Ven. Amritananda Mahasthavir 

The diplomatic relations between Nepal and Russia (the former Soviet Union) was established on July 20, 1956 AD. The relations between Nepal and the Soviet Union at that time were not just confined to economic, technical, trade, literary and cultural aspects but to Buddhism as well.

Long before the diplomatic relations were established, a Russian Oriental scholar Ivan P. Minayev had visited Nepal during the period of Rana regime along with India, Sri Lanka and Burma in 1874-75. Later on, Minayev published articles in Russian journals about Buddhism in Nepal. Actually,  Minayev was the first Russian to visit Nepal.

In fact, there are a number of dignitaries and luminaries who played a very crucial role in strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations between Nepal and Russia on a public level. One of them is venerable Bhante Amritananda Mahasthavir.

Amritananda Bhante was not just a Buddhist monk. He was a widely known Buddhist personality whose activities zeroed in on research, history, culture and literature etc. Venerable Amritananda  Bhante has written and published hundreds of books on history of Buddhism and its different aspects.

Amritananda Bhante is a towering and pioneering personality who had worked very hard to publicize and disseminate the ideas and studies about Buddhism. "Buddhakalin Grantha" is the magnum opus of late Bhante. Actually, he is one of the most erudite  and learned Buddhist monks of Nepal.

The venerable late Bhante was a multi-dimensional personality and a quintessence of knowledge, scholarship and erudition.

 The Venerable Bhante rendered valuable help in bringing out the "Dharmodaya" monthly magazine from Kalimpong, India in 1947. The monthly magazine, which was mouthpiece of the Dharomodaya Sabha, strived to popularize and publicize Theravada Buddhism.

In an article entitled "Theravada Buddhism in Nepal" published in the magazine "Kailash", Ria Kloppenborg says:"The venerable Amritananda returned to Nepal in 1941 from a period of study in the Vajirama in Colombo, under the guidance of Narada Mahathera,  a well-known and active Sinhalese monk.

Kloppenborg further says:"He became involved in the works of the Nepalese Buddhists on several occasions and used his diplomacy and reputation to the advantage of the Theravada cause."

I had the opportunity to greet and be blessed by Amritananda Bhante and Sudarshan Mahasthavir at various programs organized by the then Nepal Soviet Cultural Association at Jamal Tole, Kathmandu. Likewise, I also had an opportunity to be blessed by Lama Bhante Hambo Dorje Gamboyev from Soviet Buryatia when he was in Kathmandu on a friendly visit.

It is to be noted that Buddhism has deep roots in the lives of the people in Buryat, Kalmik and Tuva Autonomous Republics of the Russian Federation and in Russian cities like Irkutsk and Chita. Buddhism is also a key factor in our bilateral relations. Buddhism spread to Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva Autonomous Republics of the Russian Federation through Mongolia and Tibet. And it was luminaries like Arniko, Bhrikuti and others who spread Buddhism in Tibet, according to historical chronicles.

My father late Pushpa Ratna Shakya was also one of the people who contributed in promoting Nepal-Soviet relations in people-to-people level. Actually, my late father was one of the founders of the Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association.

At age 19 in 1975, I became an active member of the then Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association which was then located at Jamal Tole, (opposite of Tri-Chandra College) in Kathmandu. Later on, I had the honour of becoming the general secretary of the Nepal-Russia Cultural Association from 1998 to 2002. Very few people know that late Venerable Sudarshan Mahasthavir was also the president of the Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association and that late Amritananda Mahasthavir was in the former Soviet Union several times on friendly visits.

It may be a coincidence but nearly half of my life was spent in countries like the former Soviet Union and the United States of America. For about a decade, I was in the former Soviet Union for higher studies.

According to the Western propaganda, there was no freedom of religion in the USSR. But Amritananda Bhante said that he saw people in Ulan Ude (capital of Buryat Autonomous Republic under the Russian Federation) carrying  out Buddhist rituals freely. As a matter of fact, Buddhism was the third most prominent religion in the former Soviet Union after Christianity and Islam, it still is in Russia.

Late Amritananda Mahasthavir was invited at the Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association at Jamal Tole, Kathmandu to share his experience about his visits to the Soviet Union.

Addressing the gathering at the conference room of the Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association in 1978, Ven Amritananda Mahasthavir said that the people in Soviet Buryatia and other autonomous republics of the USSR were free to exercise their rights to carry on Buddhist rituals.

Late Amritananda Bhante also expressed  the  view that the Buryati Soviet  Buddhists had a lot better lifestyle conditions than in other countries.

I remember late Amritananda Bhante saying that the Buddhists in Soviet Buryatia had unprecedented respect for the monks, a lot more honour, warm hospitality and kindness prevalent than in our country.

During his interactions at the Nepal-Soviet Cultural Association, I always found Amritananda Bhante to be supportive of friendly relations and mutual cooperation between Nepal and the former Soviet Union.

The Soviet cooperation for expansion of Science Faculty of the Anandkuti Vidyapeeth was also very remarkable. At that time, some sections of the people went on to the extent of wrongly calling the late Bhante "pro-communist".

Meanwhile, late Bhante Amritananda had played a significant role in organizing the Fourth World Buddhist Convention in 1956 in Nepal. The convention was participated by representatives from 37 countries. Before 1951, Nepal was totally an isolated country during the Rana regime. The Fourth World Buddhist Convention also paved the way to further expand Nepal's diplomacy with rest of the world.

Likewise, during the repressive regime of Rana autocracy, the Buddhist monks of Nepal were banished twice. Late Amritananda Bhante also played a proactive role in bringing a Sri Lankan delegation in 1946 headed by Bhante Narad Mahathera who requested the Rana Prime Minister Padma Shumshere JBR to lift the ban on Nepalese Buddhist Bhantes. After that, the Nepalese Buddhist Vichhus were allowed to come back to Nepal.

Finally, in conclusion, there is no doubt that Amritananda Bhante had played a constructive and positive role in enhancing and enriching the Nepal-Soviet Buddhist relations still at the time when our country was the Kingdom of Nepal and Russia was the Soviet Union.


While celebrating the centennial birthday anniversary of the late Bhante, the Nepalese people will always remember his illustrious and trail-blazing works coupled with his indomitable resolve to make Nepal a secular country.

Actually, there is no doubt that Amritananda Mahasthavir was one of the founding pillars for strengthening Nepal's Buddhist relations not only with the former Soviet Union but with other friendly countries like Burma, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Mongolia and so on.

Halimali Exihibition (Sakimana Punhi) in Portland, America: Promoting Newar Culture in USA

 

Newar Buddhist  Temple Organizes Halimali Bwoyegu  Program in Portland, USA to Observe Sakimila Punhi


Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): Nepal is rightly described as the land of festivals and cultural carnivals. Festivals are a quintessential part of the life of the Newah people. Similarly, festivals are important factors that enliven the Nepalese culture. They have added to the cultural richness of the nation.

It goes without saying that festivals, rituals and traditions, which are the embodiment of a nation and national glory, are always in need of three Ps (preservation, protection and promotion).

In this age of globalization, thousands of Newah people have settled in different countries. Newah families and their children living abroad are familiar with major Newah festivals but many of them may be unaware about festivals like Sakimila Punhi.

It is with this purpose in mind that a Halimali Bwoyegu program (artistic display of different fried grains including  wheat, puffed corns, fried  soya beans, and peanuts and different kinds of fruits) was organized at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Saturday, Nov 24, 2018 to celebrate Sakimila Punhi.

The Halimali Bwoyegu program on the occasion of the Sakimila Punhi organized at a Buddhist Mahavihara with participation of a Buddhist Guruju is the first time in the entire history of the Nepalese community in the USA.

On the Day of Sakimila Punhi, people from Newah community of the Kathmandu valley celebrate the day by making display of different grains, puffed corns and fruits.

Different Bhajans (religious hymns) are also recited on the same day.

The Halimali exhibition in  Portland, USA is a testimony of the fact that today the celebration is not confined to just the Kathmandu valley or Nepal only.

(Nepalese Portlanders preparing Halimali Bwoyegu)

Sakimila Punhi (also known as Sakimana Punhi) is one of the full moon days in Nepal Sambat calendar on which the Newah people eat boiled arum, sweet potato and different fried grains.

Halimali Bwoyegu program in Portland was led by Guruju Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya and participated by Pradeep Vajracharya, Kusumabati Vajracharya, Dina Shakya, Naveena Shakya, Pramod Karanjit, Sharmista Amatya, Ranjeeta Shrestha, Palistha Shakya and other Nepalese Portlanders.

(Prajwal Guruju (far right) and other participants chanting Buddhists Tutas.)


On the occasion, Prajwal Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara shed light on the importance of celebrating festivals like Sakimila Punhi.

Vajracharya underlined the significance of Halimali carnival with the health point of view.

Vice president of World Newah Organization Daya Shakya said that celebration of Sakimila Punhi in Portland, USA demonstrated its growing relevance and importance.

In addition, various Buddhist Tutas like Naam Sangiti, Bandeshree and Daan Balen were recited by Guruju Prajwal and other participants that included Nepalese Portlanders and some American Buddhists of the Mahavihara.

Likewise, at the program, octogenarian Buddhist activist Shanta Ratna Shakya (now on a visit to the US) chanted Sheel Prarthana and Tri Ratna Gatha.

(Octogenarian Buddhist activist Shanta Ratna Shakya chanting Sheel Prarthana.)

Shakya, who was the president of Gyanmala Bhajan Khala, Swoyambhu and Nepal Rastriya Gyanmala Samiti, also performed some Gyanmala bhajans.

"Gyan Mata Sita" written by Maha Pragya Bouddha Rishi and "Ragami Nugalaya Gunu Gunu Noyeka" written by Durga Lal Shrestha were the bhajan renditions performed by Shakya.

At the end of the program,  artistic Halimali display was jumbled and mixed up as per tradition by small kids who were present at the ceremony.

(At the end, kids  jumbling and mixing up Halimali)

The program which was participated by about 50 Newahs and Americans from Portland was followed by a pot-luck dinner. Attendees at the program included Sangha members of the Mahavihara, office bearers of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Nepaa Chhen, NRNA-USA-Oregon Chapter and representative of Nepal Oregon News.

(Dinner is ready.)

(Shanta Ratna Shakya, left, Prajwal Vajracharya and Anastasia Roderick.)

(Group photo)


(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in America)

First Ever Buddha Puja ( Nepali Theravada Style) Solemnized at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA

Dr Rabin Man Shakya


Portland, Nov 25 (Nepal Oregon News): Buddhism today is one of the prominent religions of the world with an estimated 480 million adherents.  The fact that there are thousands of Buddhists in Portland, USA alone is a testimony to it. According to a report,  seven percent Americans claim to be Buddhist.

Three prominent sects of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana and Bajrayana. You can find followers of all these sects of Buddhism in Portland also.

According to information from the media and the social media, a lot of activities and programs are being carried out daily at different Buddhist temples and Vihars in Portland.

Likewise, the first ever Buddha Puja in Theravada tradition was solemnized Friday Nov 23, 2018 at Nritya Mandal Mahavihara, Portland.

It is to be noted that Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland is the only one Nepalese Buddhist vihar (temple) in the USA.

Rice, beaten rice, fruits, cookies, flowers for offering to the Tathagata.

Buddha Puja was performed by octogenarian Buddhist activist Shanta Ratna Shakya, currently on a visit to the USA. Sheel Prarthana and Tri Ratna Vandana were chanted by Shakya during the Buddha Puja.

Founder of Mettagaar Dharma Parivar Shanta Ratna Shakya briefly addressing the gathering.

Prior to the ceremony of Buddha Puja, different items like rice, beaten rice,  bakery, candies, flowers and water etc were handed and passed over to each participants and finally offered to the Tathagata at the Mahavihara.

Rabin Man Shakya and Naveena Shakya lighting the candles in front of the Tathagata.

On the occasion, Shakya who is also the founder of Mettagaar Dhamma Parivar in Kathmandu threw light on the procedures of Sheel Prarthana and how Buddha Puja  is performed.

Actually, Tri - Ratna in the Sanskrit language means three jewels whereas it is Ti - Ratana in the Pali language. 

There is no doubt that Buddhism is not just a religion, it is also a universal philosophy. So in the practice of Buddhism, Tri - Ratna Vandana comprises (1) the Buddha or the Tathagata: I go to the refuge of the Buddha (2) the Dhamma: I go to the refuge of the Dhamma (doctrine, religion or philosophy) and (3) the Sangha: I go to the refuge of the Sangha (the monastic order or association or community)

Tri - Ratna Vandana is the classic Buddhist salutation to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.

Chanting of Tri Ratna Vandana.

 Speaking on the occasion, Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya of the Mahavihara said that Lord Buddha's teachings are more relevant today than ever.

Vice president of World Newah Organization Daya Shakya expressed the view that he was blessed to join the ceremony in which chantings were performed in Pali language - so peaceful and so divine.

Shakya throwing light on procedures of Sheel Prarthana.

About twenty people - Nepalese Portlanders as well as American activists of the Mahavihara - were present at the Buddha Puja ceremony.

Nice smiles.

Group photo.


(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America)

Mha Puja Quintessence of Newar Culture

Nepalese Community Observes Mha Puja, Nepal Sambat 1139 in Portland, USA

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

A collective Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat 1139 celebration was organized by Nepa Chhen at 

Nekusing Memorial Theater in Portland, USA on Thursday Nov 8, 2018.

Garlands of flowers were offered on the photo of Shankhadhar Sakhwa, the founder of Nepal Sambat, and also on the photo of late Padma Ratna Tuladhar, the first initiator of Nepal Sambat Bhintuna Rally in Nepal.

The traditional ceremony of group Mha Puja in Portland was ritualized by Buddhist Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya, chief pujari and co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (which is the only one Newar Buddhist temple in USA) by performing different Pujas and chanting Mantras.


(Guruju Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya ritualizing the Mha Puja ceremony in Portland, USA. Also seen in the photo is octogenarian Buddhist activist Shanta Ratna Shakya from Nepal  who was on a visit to the USA.)

The Mha Puja rutuals were intended for the prosperity and longevity of life for participants. The Mha Puja program was participated by about 80 people from Portland and from outside of Portland and outside of the US.

In what has become a good tradition, the annual Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat New Year celebration provides the Newah as well as non-Newah community members a fun way to share greetings and interact with each other. Obviously, Mha Puja celebration which is quintessence of Newar culture,  is also a sure way to enliven and enhance the Newah traditions and customs, demonstrating the aspirations of the Nepalese Portlanders to keep up the Newah traditions alive.

The Mha Puja program in Portland focused on the rituals and traditions of the famous Newah festival. The main highlight of  Mha Puja is the worshipping of the Mandala to purify the soul and mind. Actually, in Nepal Bhasa, the language of the Newah people, Mha Puja literally means the worship of the self. Therefore, observing of collective Mha Puja by Nepa Chhen in Portland is avery constructive and praiseworthy tradition.


(Mha Puja participants sitting cross-legged in front of the Mandalas)

Over eighty Mha Puja Mandalas were drawn on the floor for each participant. Cheerful Nepalese Portlanders were seen sitting cross-legged in front of their respective Mandalas. Notable participants on the occasion were octogenarian Buddhist activist Shanta Ratna Shakya (currently in the US for a visit), Daya Shakya, vice president of WNO and Diwakar Maharjan, president of NRNA-NCC-USA Oregon chapter, Rajesh Maharjan, president of Nepaa Chhen and journalist Dr Rabin Man Shakya of Nepal Oregon News, physicist Dr Mahendra Man Shakya from California and Yuko Okomoto from Japan. Most of the cultural and ritual procedures were followed while performing the collective Mha Puja.

As instructed by Buddhist Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya, the Mha Puja Mandala was worshipped by each participant by offering flowers, by sprinkling and stamping colored paste "sinha" on the Mandala. All the Mha Puja participants were given a dab of colored paste "sinha" on their foreheads, provided sacred thread "kwokha" and a bag of Masala Pwo and fruits. Then, the Nepalese Portlanders were presented  with hard boiled egg, dried anchovy fish and wine which was poured down from a Newah-style "anti" into a small "khola"  and got refill three times in a row followed by a lavish dinner.


(Mha Puja participants being given a dab of "sinha")

At the end of the Mha Puja program, president of Nepa Chhen Rajesh Maharjan felicitated different new guests by wrapping Khada on them. Those felicitated were from Nepal, Qatar, Japan and the US.


(Nepa Chhen president Rajesh Maharjan wrapping Khata on  senior Buddhist activist Shanta Ratna Shakya, currently on a visit to the US)


(Personalities who were honored by wrapping sacred Khata)



(Enjoying the Mha Puja event)

A group photo of the Nepalese  ladies during the Mha Puja event.





(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America)

Nepalese Temple Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Celebrates Its Ninth Anniversary in Portland, USA with Various Charya Nritya Dances

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya


A day-long program was organized on Saturday, November 10, 2018 in Portland, USA to mark the ninth anniversary of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. 

The program kicked off in the morning with the popular Newah ritual of Saptavidhanuttarapuja (Sat Puja), Seven Limbs of Most Excellent Ritual. The Buddhist religious rituals were performed by Guruju Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.

Saptavidhanuttarapuja (Sat puja).

Special guest from Japan Yuko Okomoto presenting world peace chant based on Tendaichu tradition of Japan.

The religious rituals during the traditional ceremony involved a number of objects including the arrangement of 108 butter lamps, 108 water bowls, 108 Tormas (miniature stupas) and 108 gulupas (begging bowls)

During the program, special guest from Japan Yuko Okomoto presented world peace chant based on Tendaichu tradition of Japan.

Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya said that 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 the crafts of making the masks, costumes, and jewelry used in dances.

Prajwal added: "The Nritya Mandala troupe practices a sacred Buddhist dance form that for hundreds of years has been virtually unknown outside the circles of those who perform it. This ancient ritual dance dates back to over more than 1000 years and is a religious discipline of the Buddhist priests of  the Kathmandu Valley, who perform the dance as part of their esoteric meditation practices, ceremonies and rituals."

He went on to say: "Since its inception in 1996, Nritya Mandala has performed in Asia, Europe and North America. Classes and workshops are also offered on this sacred art form."

The elements of the 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).

On the occasion, a live presentation on "Lachi Caitya Vrata and Procession in Banepa during Gunla and Sringabher Avadana Buffalo Horn Caitya Worship" was made by Assistant Director,  JSIS Academic Services of the University of Washington Dr Linda Iltis.

Assistant Director, JSIS Academic Services of the University of Washington Dr Linda Iltis making a live presentation on "Lachi Caitya Vrata and Procession in Banepa during Gunla and Shringabher Avadana Buffalo Horn Caitya worship.

The presentation was followed by live interaction between Dr Iltis and the program participants.

Also, on the occasion,  different Charya dances were presented. Saptalochan dance, Mahakal dance, Avlokeshwor dance, Bajrayogini dance and Singhamukhi dance etc were presented by Yuko Okomoto, Anastasia Roderick, Anna Shrustova, Corinne Nakamura-Rybak, Bobby Romanski and Phyllis Moses.

Dancers of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihar presenting Pancha Buddha Charya nritya dance.

Vajrasattva Charya nritya dance.

Vajrayogini charya nritya dance.

Singhamukhi (Singhamukha) Charya nritya dance.

At the end of the program, Shanta Ratna Shakya,  founder of Mettagaar Dhamma Parivar (currently on a visit to the USA) honored Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, Ms Padma Laxmi Karanjit and vice president of World Newah Organization Daya Shakya by wrapping Khada on them and presenting books and souvenirs.

Senior Buddhist activist Shanta Ratna Shakya (currently on a visit to the US) briefly addressing the event.

Shakya honoring Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya by wrapping Khata on him.

Shakya felicitating Padma Laxmi Karanjit by wrapping Khata on her.

Octogenarian Buddhist activist Shakya presenting books to World Newah Organization vice president Daya Shakya.


(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America)

Shuddhodan Ranjit Finally Wins Legal Battle

Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Former Associate Editor
The Rising Nepal

The entire Nepalese community in Oregon was stunned, surprised and disappointed when former president of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) and a respected taekwondo instructor Shuddhodan Ranjit was arrested last year in November 2017 on charges of inappropriately touching three girls who were under the age of 14 when the alleged abuse occurred. Then, in March 2018, Ranjit was accused of sexually abusing two other children who were students at taekwondo school owned by him.

Almost a year later, Ranjit was not found guilty by a jury on Friday Oct 26, 2018 on charges of sex abuse. Judging by the posts in the Facebook and likes and comments, it looks like the entire Nepalese community in Oregon was overwhelmed over Ranjit's legal victory in the court.

The verdict of the jury clearly gave Ranjit a clean chit - to clear his name acquitting him of all sex abuse charges. Shuddhodan's acquittal points to the fact that the charges were trumped up and possibly motivated. What if the whole episode is all a scam? What if this all is orchestrated by a mastermind to discredit Ranjit?

The fact that the mastermind of this ugly episode has never been punished, that means that they simply do not want to look for the person. They knew exactly who masterminded it.

But what about the one year of trials, tribulations, jail time, stress, court appearances that came hard on Shuddhodan and his family? One whole year of ordeal, a year of dilemma. It is a serious matter of gravity.

Shuddhodan's acquittal is already reviving familiar questions of whether the legal system is riddled with loopholes and problems that pose a risk to lives of innocent and respected people.