Nepal Oregon News : Vajracharya Underscores Need for Preservation of Newar Buddhism, Newar Culture

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Vajracharya Underscores Need for Preservation of Newar Buddhism, Newar Culture

Nepalese Temple 'Nritya Mandala Mahavihara' Celebrates World Newah Day in Portland, USA

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, March 31 (Nepal Oregon News): At a time when Newah culture, Nepal Bhasa and Newah people are being constantly undermined and encroached by the state, the bold decision of the World Newah Organization in July 2017 to observe the last Saturday of the month of March as the World Newah Day is very commendable and praiseworthy.

World Newah Day is an opportunity for the Newah people across the world to renew our commitment for Newah cause in challenging times. Celebration of World Newah Day is a solemn occasion for the Newahs to raise the value of Newah identity.

World Newah Day should be celebrated to remind our government to respect the Newah value and culture and declare Nepal Sambat the national calendar of Nepal. A Newah may be a Buddhist or a Hindu, a Newah may be an Aryan or of a Mongoloid origin but a Newah ultimately is a Newah with Newah values and traditions. Needless to say, "Jhi Newah - Newah He Jui."

Newah culture and Newah traditions are major sources of cultural identity of Nepal. Culture, rituals and religions are the integral part of our national life. Culture and traditions are like the mirrors which catch the glimpses of the whole nation.

Therefore, despite facing threats and encroachment from various state and non-state sources, the Newah people should continue to raise the voice against injustice meted out on them and also to work unitedly to preserve and protect the Newah identity.

Newah civilization is very ancient. In economic terms, Nepal may be a poverty-stricken country, but in the front of arts, culture, rituals and traditions, there are reasons for Nepal to be proud of her cultural heritage, ancient arts and architecture. Lured by the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Himalayan nation, millions of tourists have visited Nepal.

According to Nepal's population census of 2068 BS, demographic representation of the Newah people is only five percent.The same census says that only 3.2 percent of the population speak in Nepal Bhasa as the mother tongue.

If these numbers are true, which I think they are not, it is a wake-up call for the Newahs in Nepal and across the world. Equally alarming is the percentage of Buddhists at 9 percent in the national census in a a country where Lord Buddha, an apostle of world peace, was born.

Meanwhile, a program was organized by Nritya Mandala Mahavihara to celebrate World Newah Day in Portland, USA on Saturday March 30, 2019.

A one-minute silence was observed at the beginning of the program in memory of late Marcus Thomas who passed away last month in Mexico.The Bhimratharohan of Mr Marcus Thomas and Mrs Betty Durham was performed at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on June 25, 2018 as per the Bajrayana Newah Buddhist rituals.

Speaking on the occasion, Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara underlined the need for preservation of Newar Buddhism and Newar culture which are the important ingredients of socio-religious and cultural identity of Nepal.

The fact that Nepalese and foreign scholars have carried out research and Ph Ds on a lot of Newar rituals like Ihi, Chudakarma and Junko etc also reflect the richness of Newar culture and traditions, Prajwal went on adding:"The Mahavihara plans to invite scholars from different countries to participate at the Mahavihara's forthcoming tenth anniversary programs."

Vajracharya also informed the gathering that funds are available at the Mahavihara for conducting research works on Newar rituals and festivals. Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya also answered the questions of the audience and listened to their suggestions. Prajwal extended World Newah Day greetings and wished Newah Portlanders peaceful skies, strong health and success.

Also speaking on the occasion was Anastasia Roderick who threw light on the contributions of Nisthananda Bajracharya and Yogbir Singh Kansakar to the development of Nepal Bhasa literature. Likewise, Sharmista Amatya spoke about the rich cultural heritage of Nepal.

About 50 Newah Portlanders including some Americans attended the program which was followed by a potluck dinner. Present on the occasion were the Sangha members of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (both Americans and Nepalese), activists of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Nepaa Chhen, a non-profit organization of the Nepalese community in Oregon, leaders of Non-resident Nepalese Association, USA Oregon Chapter and representative from Nepal Oregon News, USA.