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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
About twenty people - Nepalese Portlanders as well as American activists of the Mahavihara - were present at the Buddha Puja ceremony.
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. |
 |
| 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) |
No comments:
Post a Comment