Ihi Ceremony Held at Portland's Newar Buddhist Temple
Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): Ihi ceremony of Sanaya and Sahana (daughters of Bibek Bajracharya and Preeti Shrestha Bajracharya from Seattle) and Shivani Shrestha (daughter of Rabin and Sandhya Shrestha from Beaverton) was held at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Saturday, May 26, 2021.
Ihi ritual is a unique tradition in Newah culture. Also, Ihi, like Bara Tayagu, is an important lifecycle ritual for Newah girls. Girls from Newah community in Nepal are married thrice in their life time. The first ceremony is called Ihi where dedication is committed to the Bel fruit (wood apple) by the young pre-adolescent girls.
The second ceremony is "Bara Tayagu" ritual where girls are married with Sun God, and third ceremony is an actual marriage with a man.
During the ceremony held at Portland's Baha, the girls were prepared as little brides dressed in a fancy red and golden colored blouse, saree and shawl.
The Vihara was cleaned for the Ihi ceremony. The little brides walked in around the Buddhist temple three times. Then, the girls were given a laskus (auspicious welcome) at the main door of the temple.
The Ihi girls were measured from head to toe with yellow thread 16 times and then garlanded the thread around their neck.
Gurumandala (purification) puja was performed on the occasion by the priest of Mahavihara Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya. Puja Bha Demas consisting of Sinha, Swan, Jaki, Ita, Goja, Dhup etc were carefully prepared for the ceremony. Auspicious Vajra and sacred Bell were used during the Puja by Prajwal Guruju. Sukunda lamps were also lit. Four men sprinkled water on the Ihi girls who were sitting crosslegged around the Mandala, wishing them health and happiness.
The Tri-Ratna Sharana chanting of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha was performed by the Ihi girls during the ceremony. After Jwala Nhayakan worshipping and Sinha Mu praying, Prajwal Guruju gave a dab of Sinha to the Ihi girls and others who were present at the ceremony.
Different ritual items used at the Ihi ceremony give the Ihi girls various kinds of knowledge and wisdom, said Guru Prajwal. Salt gives knowledge about sea, fruits provide wisdom about nutrition, anchovy teaches them to be frolic, Madan Swan offers knowledge about fragrance, Chaku gives information about sweetness, Taye and Aakhay give wisdom about the origin and end of the world, Paalu gives knowledge about planet's underground and Bhimpu gives knowledge about rock, Prajwal Guruju went on saying.
Also, during the ceremony, pratidaan ritual was offered by using bel, panko paat, two betel nuts and a coin. The father of the Ihi girls put them into his lap and the girls were sworn in that they will always do good things in their lives.
Girls were given the touch of the auspicious Vajra and sacred water was sprinkled on them from Shankha by Guruju - wishing them prosperity, happiness and health. Bali Puja and Naag Puja were also ritualized . Lord Ganesh was worshipped on the occasion.
Chaka Puja was also performed at eight different corners outside of the temple. Prayings were offered to all the Gods, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dakinis. Dhau Sagun, egg and anchovy were offered to the Ihi girls at the end of the ceremony. Gwe Daan and presents were given away to Ihi girls from the family and relatives.
About 25 people who were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 were present at the Ihi ceremony held at the Mahavihara.
(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in USA)
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