Halimali Exihibition 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 Nepali 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.