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)
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