Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, March 27 (Nepal Oregon News): Fifth World Newah Day was observed at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA on Saturday, March 26, 2022 with various scholarly presentations, singing of a Buddha Bhajan and reciting of a poem in Nepal Bhasa.
But, most importantly, the center of attraction on the occasion was the Newah Jhwo Bhoye (a Newah feast tradition in which participants or guests are seated on long mats). It was kind of a mini Newah food festival organized at the end of the program to mark the Day. The Newah Jhwo Bhoye was very unique and unprecedented in the sense that it is the first Newah Jhwo Bhoye organized in Portland, USA after the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. The Newah as well as American guests were seen sitting cross-legged in a line whereas the Sangha volunteers were seen busy serving Baji, Rice, Chhoyela, Bhuti, Simpu Kwa, Aalu Achar, Lain Achar, Tofu Curry, Musya Palu, Pachhai Tarkari, Dhau, Sisa Busa and even Jeri Mari and Dudha Bhari and so on. According to Guru Prajwal Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM), 21 different kinds of food were served on the occasion. The Bhoye was served on the 'Kayan Yagu Dema' (Newah traditional brass plates) in stead of the 'Laptes'.
On the occasion, prior to Newah Jhwo Bhoye, making a brilliant presentation on "Identification of Newahs", Prajwal Vajracharya, a scholar on Newah Vajrayana Buddhism, said that so many temples and historical monuments were created by the Newah artisans in the ancient and medieval periods.
Displaying interesting and unique pictures of Newah temples and stupas at the program, Guru Prajwal who is also co-founder of NMM, said:"Ancient temples and stupas built by Newah architects and sculptors in the Nepal Mandala are part of Nepal's glorious national history."
Lauding the artistry and craftsmanship of ancient Newah architects and sculptors, Prajwal Vajracharya, who is a priest of one of the Vajracharya Buddhist lineages of Nepal, said:"Temples, stupas and historical monuments scattered throughout the nook and corner of Nepal Mandala on the one hand show the flair of the Newah people to arts, sculpture, stone carving, masonry, carpentry, and architecture, you can see so much arts reflected on the doors, windows and Toranas at the temples, and on the other hand indicate the significance of religious reverence and harmony."
Noting that cultural and traditional values have always been sacred to the Newah people, Rev Guruju Vajracharya shed light on the preponderance of historical monuments, stupas, Viharas and temples in the Nepal Mandala. He said:"Every five minutes walk, you find the Viharas, the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other deities are living there."
Vajracharya, who is also Chief Pujari at the Newar Vajrayana Buddhist temple in Portland went on saying:"Keeping our Newah identity alive and saving our cultural and ritual traditions in the USA, that is a formidable challenge, but we are committed to it."
On the occasion, Daya Shakya, patron of World Newah Organization (WNO), made a presentation on "From Gallis and Nanis to the Alleys of Halin."
Daya's talk also presented a detailed and comprehensive description on the history and activities of the World Newah Organization established in 2011 by the London Declaration, WNO decision in 2017 to observe the last Saturday of the month of March as World Newah Day (WND).
In discussing the activities and objectives of the WNO, Daya Shakya also a Nepalese community leader in Oregon, said WNO was launched to act like an umbrella organization of all the Newah forums and associations in Nepal and abroad.
Exploring the avenues of the broader Newah movement, Shakya said WNO is a global entity to discuss the Newah issues among the wide range of underprivileged and deprived groups.
Our annual WND celebration is an important national as well as international event of the year for the Newahs, one that the WNO has been holding since 2018 to disseminate the idea that civilization of Newah people should be recognized, he added.
Another important and relevant presentation on "Newah Culinary Heritage: Medical Cuisine of the World" was made by well-known Newah chef Bikram Vaidya. He said:"Each dish served during feasts and festivals have symbolic significance."
Vaidya, who is also former faculty at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland, said:"Different kind of foods are presented for different occasions, considering the seasonal climatic conditions and nutritional needs for human body."
During the presentation, Vaidya showed different pictures highlighting the Newah food to be used on different occasions and festivals.
Vaidya shared the information that Kwati (a thick soup consisting of various beans) has a historical significance in Newah culture because when food supply used to be scarce, Kwati provided farmers with much nourishment during monsoon's busy-crop planting season.
Similarly, talking about the diverse Newah cuisines, Vaidya said:"There are over 200 dishes in Newah cuisines. Food is essential part of Newah culture".
"Community members come to celebrate festival, bring everyone together. Food is the biggest part of our culture. Without food, there is no festival", he said.
Lavish gastronomic affairs is the key during ritual and religious ceremonies. Newars are renowned for their festivals and feasts, Vaidya concluded.
During a brief presentation, Dr Rabin Man Shakya of the Nepal Oregon News threw light on the role and contribution made by Guru Prajwal Vajracharya and the Portland's Newah Buddhist temple for protecting and promoting Newah Buddhist heritage and rituals in the USA.
Dr Shakya said:"World Newah Day (WND) is an opportunity for the Newah people across the world to renew our commitment for Newah cause in challenging times. WND is a day to reflect on the messages and teachings of late Newah luminaries."
Expressing the belief that various activities carried out by Hong Kong Dance Mandala Sangha and Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara would enhance and enrich Newah culture and rituals in Hong Kong and the USA respectively, Dr Tina Ho from Hong Kong said in the zoom:"We do not want to let Newah Buddhist rituals and Charya dances disappear totally."
Dr Tina Ho, a prominent Charya dancer in Hong Kong, said:"Newah Buddhist Charya dance is an esoteric dance form that used to be exclusively performed by Vajracharyas within the Newar community. We are also students of Prajwal Guruju. Hong Kong Dance Mandala Sangha is always committed to promote and preserve the esoteric Newah Buddhist traditional dance."
Similarly, a poem in Nepal Bhasa "Bhingu Bicha Yaye Nu" (Let's think in a good, positive way) was recited by Sangha member Naveena Shakya.
A Buddha Bhajan was performed eventually on the occasion by Joshua Proto, Casey Redman, Mario Mastrangelo, Riyaz Khan and Yadav. The Bajan (a kind of drum) for the Bhajan was played by Satya Bayu (an American artist).
About 40 people (including Newahs and Americans) participated at the Portland's World Newah Day celebrations at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara whereas 10 people from Hong Kong, Nepal, USA, India and Canada took part at the program from the zoom.
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Sitar Concert Held at Portland's Nepalese Buddhist Temple
A Sitar concert by Josh Feinberg was organized at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Saturday, March 19, 2022. This was the first Sitar concert at the Portland Baha - attended by over 45 people -- after the relaxation of the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.
Nevertheless, masks were mandatory at the concert, so was the proof of vaccination or negative test result of COVID-19 within last 72 hours.
At the beginning of the concert, Guru Prajwal Vajracharya - senior pujari at the Mahavihara - gave a short introduction of musician duo Josh Feinberg and Ravi Albright.
The enthralling and mesmerizing Sitar rendition of Josh Feinberg was accompanied in Tabla by Ravi Albright.
Prior to the beginning of the Sitar concert, Maestro Feinberg said:"I am performing in Portland for the first time in two and half years. I am so happy to be playing music again."
Remembering about the hardships during the pandemic, the noted Sitarist said:"The last couple of years have been so hard for me and so many others. I am filled with a sense of gratitude for my kids, my music and the ability to do what I love - spending my time creating music, teaching and bringing beauty and joy into the world."
Josh went on saying:"I am so grateful to be offering this music at the Mahavihara, a beautiful Nepali dance temple, with my long time friend and exuberant Tabla player Ravi Albright."
Josh, on the occasion, performed (1) Basant Pancham Taal Ki Sawari + Tintal, (2) Charukesh in Sitarkhani and (3) Bhairavi Dadra.
Josh's new album 'Time does not exist for light' was released in Australia early on in COVID-19.
Josh Feinberg is celebrated as one of the world's leading young Sitarists, and is hailed as one of the most original and dynamic Sitar maestros of his generation.
As a Jewish-American-Hindustani artist, Josh is a self described 'musical immigrant' in the field of Indian classical music.
Ravi Albright, who is a professional Tabla player, is the founder of Seattle Tabla Institute in Seattle, Washington, and also the adjunct faculty of music at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. Ravi has been a student of North American Indian classical tabla drumming in both India and the US since his youth. He is one of only a few ganda-banda (formally recognized) disciples of Pundit Anindo Chatterjee of Kolkata, India.
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Falgun Purnima Observed at Portland Baha
Falgun Purnima was observed at the Nritya Mandala Mahavirara, Portland on Thursday, March 17, 2021 by reciting Manjushree Naamsangiti.
Naamsangiti was recited by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya, Joshua Proto, Riyaz Khan, Naveena Shakya and Dr Rabin Man Shakya at the Mahavihara.
However, Naamsangiti was also recited in the zoom and was participated by 10 other people from Hong Kong, India and America.
Each Purnima (full moon day) is sacred and holy for the Buddhists. Although the holi festival on the day of Falgun Purnima is basically a Hindu tradition, the other two events: Chakan Dyo Jatra and Gurumapa Yat Ja Nakegu events also coincide on the Day of Falgun Purnima. Chakan Dyo and Gurumapa events are related to Newah Vajrayana Buddhism.
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International Virtual Webinar on Gurumandala Puja Going On
The 12-week first international virtual webinar on Gurumandala Puja hosted by Yangchenma Arts & Music, Los Angeles is going on very successfully.
The virtual webinar is being attended by 45 participants from 15 different countries of the world.
Co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and its chief pujari Prajwal Vajracharya is conducting the international webinar.
According to Guruji Vajracharya, this month, the participants were taught about the meaning and scope of the Gurumandala Puja.
Guruji Vajracharya who is also an expert on Newar Vajrayana Buddhism, said:"In broader sense, Guru refersto the Buddhas, the Dharma and the Sangha while Mandala's meaning goes beyond the body, speech and mind of oneself whereas Puja means rituals and worshipping."
Therefore, Gurumandala Puja can broadly be defined as the worshipping of the body, speech and mind for attaining Nirvana, the Guruji added.
The webinar on Gurumandala Puja is going to be wrapped up on April 23, 2022, said Guruji Vajracharya.
It is to be noted that Gurumandala Puja is one of the oldest and most important rituals of Newah Vajrayana tradition.
Meanwhile, regular Dharani reciting was held once a week on each Tuesday virtually while Sadhana practice and Buddha Bhajans were conducted in the zoom as usual on every Wednesday. Also, Charya giti practice is being held once a week on Friday at the Mahavihara in the zoom.
( Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is a Newar journalist in America)
