Zoom Teaching on 'Pancha Buddha' Charya Nritya Organized

By Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): A zoom teaching on 'Pancha Buddha' Charya Nritya was held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 by Dance Mandala Hong Kong Sangha. The teaching program kicked off with Guru Prajwal Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara offering Namastu to Padma Nateshvara.

Addressing the zoom gathering, Guru Prajwal expressed the view that the Nritya is a religious homage to Five Buddhas.  "Pancha Buddhas are the five transcendental Buddhas of Tantric Buddhism", he said.

Also, lots of knowledge about Pancha Buddha can be found in the book "Lalit Bistar", Guru Prajwal said.

Vairochana Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Ratnasambhava Buddha, Amoghsiddhi Buddha and Akshovya Buddha are the five Buddhas of the Pancha Buddha, said Prajwal adding that each one of them has has their particular posture, color and direction.

(1) Vairochana Buddha: Buddha division - white color - in the center

(2) Amitabha Buddha: Lotus division - red color - in the west

(3) Ratnasambhava Buddha: Jewel creating division - yellow color - in the south

(4) Amoghsiddhi Buddha: Karma division - green color - in the north

(5) Akshovya Buddha: Vajra division - blue color - in the east

Speaking about the Charya giti 'Pancha Buddha', Guru Prajwal said that the Raga of the 'Pancha Buddha' giti is Lalita and the Tala is Jati.

On the occasion, Guru Prajwal danced the Pancha Buddha nritya while Joshua Proto, a Sangha member sang the Charya giti in the zoom.

The Charya Nritya teaching zeroed in on the dance movements and according to Guru Prajwal, the participants have to go into a meditative state and let their body flow in movements.

The teaching also manifested different hand and finger mudras and artistic movements of legs. 

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in USA)