Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, Jan 10 (Nepal Oregon News): Ancient temples and stupas in the Kathmandu valley are important parts of Nepal's national heritage. It is so painful to say that many of the temples and stupas are in the dilapidated condition, many have been stolen away.
Nritya Mandala Mahavihara's (NMM) co-founder Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya said this during a virtual presentation 'e-heritage' organized by World Newah Organization (WNO), USA chapter on Saturday, Jan 9, 2021.
Vajracharya during the live virtual presentation said that Nepalese traditions like Rice Feeding Ceremony, Ihi, Bara Tayegu, Chuda Karma, Bratabandha Wedding and Bhimratharohan are important life cycle events which have so much meaning.
Dwelling on the rich historical heritage of Nepal, he said it is the spirituality that helped to create so many unique and intricate masterpieces of arts and culture in the past.
In his talk, Prajwal confirmed Nritya Mandala Mahavihara's readiness, as always, to get involved as much as possible in matters concerning the preservation of Charya dance, life cycle rituals and festivals and traditions of the Newah people.
In fact, the NMM's contribution for protecting and promoting Nepalese Buddhist heritage and rituals in the USA is known to everyone in the Nepalese community in the USA and beyond.
He emphasized that Swayambhu stupa is considered to be the oldest historical monument in the Kathmandu valley. " But I do not know how old. All the evidences have been burnt or thrown away in the rivers. Swayambhu Nath existed before civilization started in the Kathmandu valley," he said.
The virtual interaction between Vajracharya and other zoom participants was interesting and useful because he also displayed pictures of many temples, stupas, Vahas, ritual objects and so on. He also explained their religious and cultural significance.
Noting that cultural and traditional values have always been sacred to the Newah people, Prajwal threw light on the preponderance of historical monuments, stupas and temples in the Kathmandu valley. He said :"Every five minutes walk, you find the Viharas, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are living there."
Prajwal also shed light on various parts of the stupas and temples. Speaking of Toran, which is a big decorative and metallic piece on the entrance of the Vihara, he said:" There are lots of areas for study and research in Toranas alone. Usually, five Buddhas are carved in a Toran."
Speaking about ancient masonry, metal and wood carving, and, other arts and architecture in medieval Nepal, he said these are the things which provide tourists with unprecedented opportunities for sight-seeing and delving into the past history.
A number of scholars from around the world come to Nepal to learn something. So many books have been published about the arts, heritage and culture of Nepal. So many scholars are doing Ph Ds and other research works about the Nepalese arts, culture and rituals, Prajwal said.
Prajwal also recollected important contributions made by late pundit Asha Kaji Vajracharya and his father late pundit Ratna Kaji Vajracharya in promoting the value of Newah Buddhist culture and rituals.
Prior to the virtual talk, Pramesh Shrestha of the World Newah Organization (WNO), USA chapter gave a short introduction of pundit Vajracharya who is also the director of Heritage Division, WNO, USA chapter.
(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in America)
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