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)
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