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)
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