Bara Tayegu Tradition: An Important Ritual of Newar Culture

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): Bara Tayegu ritual signifies a lot in Newah Vajrayana tradition. The Vajracharyas, Shakyas and other Newah Buddhists have been honoring this tradition as a significant sacrament for young girls. It is a Newah ritual in which a young girl is hidden in a sunless room for twelve consecutive days.

Bara Tayegu - which is one of the important life cycle rituals of Newah women - is one of the traditional rituals which has been performed in Nepal for centuries. In Newah Vajrayana tradition, Bara Tayegu is a ritual carried out for young girls before  the start of menstruation.

Meanwhile,  a Bara Tayegu ritual for Amrita Nakamura, Arya Tara Shakya, Beena Tara Shakya and Trisha Shrestha  was performed at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara for three consecutive days from May 14 to May 16, 2021.

Back in good old days, Bara Tayegu was performed for 12 days in Nepal. That is because at that time girls and women were deprived of education. And during a short period of 12 days, girls were provided with good sanskara, education health awareness and discipline, said Guru Prajwal Vajracharya.

Today more than ever, boys and girls are getting equal opportunity for education, health and sports etc. Keeping pace with changes in life and society, even in Nepal Bara Tayegu is not performed as comprehensively as before, Vajracharya added.

Bara Tayegu of four girls kicked off at the Mahavihara on May 14 Friday with offering of Kisali, with Bhawana Puja and installation of Bara Khya (Bara ghost).

There was necessary arrangement of Bara Pasa for the girls during the period of Bara Tayegu. There were lots of activities for Bara girls during the three day 'hidden' ritual. Kusumabati Bajracharya and Jaya Shakya brought Chhusya Musya for the girls. Kolan Buigu tradition and Yakandhala pebble games were also played during the period.

Refuge dance and walking meditation was taught to Bara girls by Corinne Nakamura, short lessons of mindful Yoga training by Ashley Low and talks on awareness, discipline and protection by respective mothers.

On Sunday, the last day of Bara Tayegu, the girls were taken out from the hidden room Then, they were allowed to give a look to the Sun God from the reflection of water. After that, they were given a laskus (auspicious welcome) to the temple.

Gurumandala puja and Bali Puja were also performed by Guru Prajwal. Ayala, Thapin and Thwon were offered to Bara girls during the Mamaki puja signifying  that the girls are on the threshold of becoming young women. Mohani Sinha or Haku Sinha was dabbed on the forehead of Bara girls  by Guru Prajwal for protecting against hypnotism and overcoming different obstacles.

The Bara Tayegu ritual wrapped up on Sunday, May 16 with the bestowing of blessings by Guru Prajwal and giving away presents to the girls from the family. 

That the Nepalese people living in Oregon and the US west coast are celebrating traditions like Bara Tayegu is a testimony to the fact  that Newah people and Nepalese people still do not forget our culture and traditions even in America. And the role played by the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara - the only Newah Buddhist temple in the West - in preserving and protecting the cultural and traditional heritage of the Newah people like Bhimratharohan, rice feeding ceremony, Ihi, Bara Tayegu and Bratabandha etc is very commendable and praiseworthy. 

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in USA)

Buddha Jayanti Observed in Portland, America amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Buddha Purnima Celebrations Kick Off with Gurumandala Puja

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, May 31, (Nepal Oregon News): At a time when the United States is slowly recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, Lord Buddha's 2565th birthday or Buddha Purnima was celebrated at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara amid various programs.

Buddha Purnima was celebrated in person at the Mahavihara as well as in the zoom. Although all the Nepalese and American participants who were present at the Buddha's birthday celebrations were fully vaccinated, still masks were used by them.

Buddha Purnima celebration started with the Gurumandala Puja which was ritualized by Guru Prajwal Vajracharya and other participants of the Puja were Anastasia Roderick, Gabriel Quitslund, Joshua Proto, Matthew Bourgeous and Naveena Shakya. During Gurumandala Puja, among other rituals, a long pasuka (sacred thread) was used, spread and passed over to all the Gurumandala participants and other guests.

Gurumandala Puja was followed by Maha Manjushree Naamsangiti chanting at the Mahavihara as well as in the zoom in the morning celebrations. About 15 Nepalese and Americans participated in person in the morning celebration at the Mahavihara where as the number of people participating from the zoom from various countries was 20. Kheer lunch with various curries and Achaars was served to the participants at the Mahavihara.

Likewise, the evening celebration of Buddha Purnima started with the illumination of 108 butter fed diyos (candle-like lights) at the Mahavihara. Guru Prajwal Vajracharya threw light on the importance of Buddha Jayanti celebrations.

A Refuge Dance ( a performance of Buddha Bandana Dance through Charya Nritya) was performed 108 times continuously at the Mahavihara by Nepalese and American devotees: Guru Prajwal Vajracharya, Anastasia Roderick, Joshua Proto, Matt Bourgeous, Anirudra Shakya, Naveena Shakya, Ashely Low, Casey Redman, Mario Mastrangelo, Stormi Hoebelheinrich and Kusumabati Bajracharya

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Likewise, on the occasion, a Pancha Buddha nritya was performed by Guru Prajwal and other community members. Also, on the occasion, Dharani recitation was held at the Mahavihara and in the zoom. About 15 people recited Dharani in person at the Mahavihara whereas 22 people from across the world in the zoom.

The evening Buddha Jayanti program was followed by a Kheer dinner (rice cooked in milk with sugar, cashews, cloves, cardamoms, raisins, coconuts etc) along with Dudhvari and other delicacies.

Speaking to a journalist from Nepal Oregon News, Prajwal Vajracharya of the Mahavihara said  that the Mahavihara has been celebrating the Buddha Purnima every year with various programs.  

The celebration of Buddha Purnima in Nepal, Hong Kong, the US and in a number of countries across the world highlights the significance of Buddhism as a major religious force in the world with an estimated 480 million adherents.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)

NRNs are not Diaspora, says Daya Shakya

Nepal Oregon News reporter

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): The upcoming election of Non-resident Nepalese Association - National Coordination Committee - USA is being looked with keen interest and curiosity by the Nepalese communities throughout the United States.

From the state of Oregon, NRNA-USA Oregon chapter president Daya Shakya is also in the election fray for the board of directors position. Likewise, Oregon's Nripendra Dhakal is also in for the position of general secretary in the upcoming NRNA contest.

Talking to Nepal Oregon News,  Shakya said:"Non-resident Nepalese (NRNs) living across the world are just emigrants, not diaspora, not even a part of diaspora."

The very practice of the people in the NRNA leadership positions to use the word 'diaspora' for the NRNs all over the world is not only inappropriate and irrelevant, but also misleading, he added.

Also, so far, NRNA - ICC has not given due recognition to the status of chapter organizations. "I will relentlessly work for getting this recognition to the chapter organizations," Shakya asserted.

Similarly, the slogan of "Nepalis for Nepalis" should be broadened and inclusiveness should be extended to this motto, he said.

Nepal Oregon News is of the view that NRNA should not be a political platform and NRNs should not be contracted by viruses of political maneuvers and bickering. Sadly enough, NRNA has always been  plagued by political affiliation.

Nepal Oregon News extends good luck and best wishes to Nripendra Dhakal and Daya Shakya who is also the president of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO).

Dance Mandal Hong Kong Sangha Celebrates Buddha's Birthday

 Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, May 19 (Nepal Oregon News): Buddha's  birthday is a Buddhist festival which is celebrated by Buddhists across the world commemorating the birth of Prince Siddhartha at Kapilvastu, Lumbini in Nepal.

A virtual program was organized by Dance Mandal Hong Kong Sangha on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 to celebrate Shakya Muni Tathagata's 2565th birthday.

Addressing  the zoom gathering, Guru Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara said that Buddha Purnima is the most sacred and most important festival in the Buddhist world.

Underlining the importance of Lord Buddha's teachings, priest of the Mahavihara Vajracharya said that the Buddha's preachings are more alive, more practical and more relevant today more than ever at a time when  our world is mired into different problems of wars, civil wars, violence and pandemic etc.

Talking about life of Buddha, Vajracharya gave a detailed description of Buddha's life from his birth at Kapilvastu, Nepal up to his enlightenment and Nirvana, by displaying useful and interesting pictures about Buddha's life.

On the occasion, Eliza Lau, Dr Tina Ho and Saldon Wu of Hong Kong Dance Mandal threw light on how Buddha's birthday is celebrated in China and Hong Kong. As Eliza said, usually, in Hong Kong, people visit Buddhist monastery and give a bath to child Buddha's idol.

Also, during the zoom event, Uppa Shakya from Hermiston, Oregon presented a lovely Charya dance "Pancha Buddha".

The virtual program was followed by 108 Refuge Dance by Prajwal Vajracharya, Gabriel Quitslund and Aniruddha Shakya at the Mahavihara followed by all the zoom participants from Oregon, California and Hong Kong. Daya Shakya expressed his views about Buddha based on Chitta Dhar Hriday's "Sugat Saurav".

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post on May 18, 2021, Dr Tina Ho of Dance Mandal Hong Kong Sangha wrote:"Thank you our teacher Prajwal R. Vajracharya to celebrate Buddha's birthday with us this morning. According to Newari calendar, we will have another Buddha's birthday celebration on next Tuesday too. Welcome!"

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)

Itumbaha: A Live Newar Buddhist Heritage in Nepal Mandala

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): A virtual conversation on heritage entitled "Itumbaha: A Live Newah Buddhist Heritage in Nepal Mandala" was organized on Saturday, May 1, 2021 by World Newah Organization (WNO) - USA chapter. The presentation on that theme was made by Daya Shakya, a linguist and writer based in Portland, USA.

Addressing the zoom gathering, Shakya said that there are 18 Vajrayana Buddhist Mahaviharas in Kathmandu and Itumbaha is the largest Mahavihara among them. Itumbaha is rich with ancient heritages, he added.

The Sanskrit full name for Itumbaha is Shree Bhaskara Deva Sanskarit Keshchandra Krit Paravarta Mahavihara.  The name itself gives information that the Mahavihara by the name of Paravarta (pigeon) was constructed by Keshchandra during the reign of King Bhaskara Deva, Shakya went on saying.

Shakya said:"There are two other small Viharas and many Nanis in the periphery of Itumbaha. The main Baha is popularly known as Keshchandra Mahavihara and it also houses Kwapa Dyo - Akshobhya Buddha."

Keshchandra was the person who donated money and time to build the Mahavihara, Shakya reiterated.

According to a myth, a demon called Gurumapa helped Keshchandra to carry and bring a lot of gold, and with that wealth Keshchandra constructed Itumbaha. Later on, Gurumapa started becoming a big menace, as he started abducting small kids for his food.

With the order of Keshchandra, Gurumapa was held up and was ordered to stay at Tundikhel for good. In turn, Gurumapa will be offered once every year on the  Day of Falgun Purnima a huge feast consisting of one Muri cooked rice, cooked meat out of a whole buffalo, Ayla (traditional liquor) and Thwon (traditional white beer). This tradition is still alive and there is a provision of Guthi for this purpose.

Mahavihara like Itumbaha is a great heritage of Nepal, said Shakya underlining the need for preserving and protecting the ancient and medieval Mahaviharas of Kathmandu.

"A number of life cycle rituals, such as, Chudakarma and Ihi, are performed in the Mahaviharas of Kathmandu," Shakya added.

"All the Shakya boys and male persons living at and around Itumbaha who have been ordained with Chudakarma at the Mahavihara have to perform the San Yayegu rituals for seven days turn by turn all year around. This kind of ritual is carried out in all Mahaviharas of Kathmandu, though," Shakya observed.

"Gulan Bajan is another one of the important activities of the Mahaviharas in Kathmandu. That is why there is a Keshchandra Mahavihara Gula Bajan Khala. They recite Naamsangiti and other Tutas during the Gunla month at the Itumbaha," he said.

At the end of the virtual talk program, Shakya answered the questions of distinguished participants. The virtual e-heritage program was conducted by Pramesh Shrestha of the WNO-USA chapter while it was moderated by co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Prajwal Vajracharya.

Daya Shakya who is  the patron of World Newah Organization is also president of Nepali Association of Oregon and NRN-USA Oregon chapter. He has also been instructor in Nepali, Nepal Bhasa and Sanskrit at Mount Hood Community College and Portland Community College.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in America)

Despite Ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, April Sees Plethora of Events by NMM

Nepal Oregon News reporter

At a time when local community organizations are badly affected by the on-going coronavirus crisis, the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) in Portland is abuzz with various events and programs in April, as in the preceding months. Most of the programs were organized by the Mahavihara itself, while some of them were organized  in collaboration with associations like Dance Mandala Hong Kong Sangha.

For example, a zoom teaching on Padmasambhava Nritya was organized by the Dance Mandala Hong Kong on Saturday, April 3, 2021. The virtual teaching on Guru Rinpoche was participated by 35 people from the US, Hong Kong, Canada and Germany. Prajwal Vajracharya's talk and teaching presented a detailed and comprehensive portrayal of  Guru Rinpoche's role and contributions in Biddhism. Guru Rinpoche was more than a Bodhisattva, he is like a Buddha," said Vajracharya.

On the same day, on April 3, 2021, a virtual talk program on "On a nineteenth century chronicle of Nepal" was organized by World Newah Organization (WNO) USA chapter. The scholarly presentation was made by Dr Manik Bajracharya who is currently living and working in Germany.

The talk presented a detailed description about traditional historical writings in Nepal, characteristics, typology and about some published and unpublished Vamsavalis.

The zoom talk on Vamsavali was conducted by Pramesh Shrestha of the WNO-USA chapter while it was moderated by co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Prajwal Vajracharya.

Similarly, a regular weekly Dharani recitation was held on every Tuesday in the zoom by the Mahavihara. According to Prajwal Vajracharya, the Mahavihara has been organizing Dharani recitation in the zoom every Tuesday for over a year with the objective of publicizing the importance of Dharani.

Likewise, regular Sadhana practices were held in the zoom on every Wednesday  by the Mahavihara. Usually, 15 people from the US, Hong Kong and Canada participate in the Sadhana practices.

Sadhana practice brings positive changes in life and it has lots of benefits for mental as well as physical health, Prajwal said.

Similarly, Charya Giti practice is organized every Friday at 8 AM in the morning in the zoom, and participants include people as far as from Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, Washington, California and Oregon.

Charya Giti is mostly performed and led by Joshua Proto, a Sangha member and participated by others in the zoom. Other Sangha members Leson Baker and Dina Shakya as well as Hong Kong Sangha members Lin Lin and Tina Ho also sometimes perform Charya giti.

"Sacred Buddhist Dance of Nepal" is a three month weekly course with pundit Prajwal Vajracharya. This course is offered live in the zoom from Feb 20 to May 8, 2021 every Saturday.

Ninety minutes class on zoom every Saturday on Charya Nritya is, so far, participated by 50 students from 15 countries across the world, says  Guru Vajracharya.

Likewise, an impromptu second and advanced  teaching by Guru Prajwal Vajracharya on Padmasambhava Charya Nritya was organized in the zoom on Saturday April 17, 2021 by Dance Mandala Hong Kong Sangha.

The second teaching on Padmasambhava Charya Nritya was an advanced one that dealt with subtle and intricate aspects of the Charya dance and its steps. The dance teaching not only demonstrated enlightened qualities through gestures but it also manifested the facial and eye experience and physical movements.

Meanwhile, a virtual talk on Apsaras in China (Dunhuang) and Nepal was organized on Saturday, April 24, 2021 by Dance Mandala Hong Kong Sangha. The talk on Apsaras in China (Dunhuang) was presented by Dr Tina Ho of Hong Kong Sangha while the presentation on Apsaras in Nepal was made by Prajwal Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. The talk program in the zoom was participated by 25 people from the USA, Canada and Hong Kong.

Dr Tina Ho's presentation dealt with Apsaras in Chinese Buddhism and murals in ancient Chinese caves while Prajwal's talk presented  comprehensive details on Apsaras in the Newah Buddhism.

Likewise, a virtual reciting of Manjushree Naamsangiti was organized by the Mahavihara to mark the Lhuti Punhi, a Full Moon Day, on April 27, 2021. Fifteen people from the USA, Hong Kong and Canada took part at the Naamsangiti recitation ritual through the zoom.

It is to be noted that the Mahavihara has been organizing Manjushree Naamsangiti Recitation on every full moon day of the month since July of the last year.