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.
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.
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.
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.
A day-long program was organized on Saturday, November 10, 2018 in Portland, USA to mark the ninth anniversary of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.
 |
| Saptavidhanuttarapuja (Sat puja). |
 |
| Special guest from Japan Yuko Okomoto presenting world peace chant based on Tendaichu tradition of Japan. |
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."
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. |
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) |
No comments:
Post a Comment