Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, Sept 14 (Nepal Oregon News): Charya Nritya and Giti (dance and lyrics for Charya nritya) tell us about the iconography of deities and yoginis, about what they are holding in their hands and what they are wearing.
Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and one of the most senior Charya Nritya Guru in the world, said this while addressing a course on "Sacred Buddhist Dances of Nepal" which was organized from Sept 9 - 13, 2022 by Yangchenma Arts & Music at Pure Land Farms in Topanga, California.
Stating that every little thing the deities hold in their hands or wear have a lot of religious and esoteric meaning, Guru Prajwal said that the Charya giti also tells us about their compassion and power, their ability to enlighten and transform, their willingness to come to the aid of struggling practitioners, leading them to liberation.
Charya Nritya is a meditational dance that tells us stories of the inner qualities and awakening of Buddhist deities, added Prajwal who is also chief pujari at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.
Noting that Charya Nritya is a Buddhist ritual dance with a history going back to more than 1,000 years, Guru Prajwal, a scholar on Newar Vajrayana Buddhism, told the participants that these dances are performed by Newar Buddhist priests known as Vajracharyas as part of their esoteric meditation practices and rituals.
Speaking about the musical instruments used with traditional Newar Vajrayana Buddhist Charya dance, 35th generation Tantric Buddhist priest Prajwal said that Tinchu, small hand cymbals and Damaru, small double-headed drum are the only instruments used in the Charya dances.
Informing that, in Portland "We dance more than 50 Charya dances, many of which we have created", the Guru stated:"My father Ratna Kaji Vajracharya collected 556 Charya in his Charya books, volume 1 and 2. Likewise, my brother, who is also collecting ancient Charya giti, has about 1,500 of them he would like to publish."
In discussing the history of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal, Prajwal also mentioned the visits of Vipaswi Buddha, Shikhi Buddha, Vishwobhu Buddha, Krakuchanda Buddha, Kashyap Buddha and Kanakmuni Buddha to the Nepal Mandala.
He also touched on the ancient and medieval Mahasiddhas like Shantikaracharya, the first Vajracharya guru of the Nepal Mandala, Surat Vajra Vajracharya, Lila Vajra Vajracharya, Manju Vajra Vajracharya and so on.
The short course conducted by Prajwal familiarized the participants with foundational movements, mudras and exercises to train the body and wake up the subtle channels, as well as the complete dances of Refuge, 16 Offering Goddesses and Green Tara. The course laid the groundwork for all future deity dances.
Meditation practice, Buddhism study and practice were also the part of the course. Guru Prajwal's lectures on the sacred dances of Nepal presented comprehensive details on Pancha Buddha (Vairochana, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava, Amoghasiddhi, Akshovya), Manjushree, Nairatma, Vajrayogini and other deities.
The course on the Sacred Buddhist Dances of Nepal was an opportunity for Californians to get familiar with foundational training in Charya Nritya dance, a unique Newar Buddhist tradition from Nepal dating back over a thousand years that uses the physical body as a vehicle for liberating the mind.
By uniting movement, visualization and awareness, the course participants were able to learn to emulate and then fully embody the qualities of diverse Buddhist deities - male and female, peaceful and wrathful - and to genuinely express those enlightened qualities through one's own body, speech, mind and activities.
The course was participated by 15 people in-person. During the course, Prajwal Guruji also answered to many questions raised by the participants.
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Prajwal Designated as WNO's Cultural Ambassador
Portland, Sept 15 (Nepal Oregon News): In a recent announcement, World Newah Organization (WNO) has named patrons, advisors and cultural and literary ambassadors of WNO.
The WNO has designated Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya as its Cultural Ambassador (Buddhist Rituals). Similarly, Basov Rajopadhyaya was named as WNO Cultural Ambassador (Hindu Rituals). Likewise, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara's Sangha member Daya Shakya was named Patron of the WNO.
Not long ago, a special award of appreciation by WNO - USA Chapter was also presented to Prajwal Guruji for his dedicated support and contribution to Newah culture and heritage through continued service and promotion in the USA and abroad.
There is no doubt that WNO's nomination of Prajwal Vajracharya as WNO's Cultural Ambassador and WNO - USA Special Award represent recognition and appreciation for Vajracharya's role and achievement in promoting the value of Newar culture and heritage.
Nepal Oregon News extends congratulations to esteemed Guruji Prajwal for being named WNO's Cultural Ambassador and wishes him further success in spreading the values of Newah Vajrayana Buddhism through Vajrayana Buddhist rituals and Buddhist charya dances.
It is to be noted that Vajracharya has been honored with numerous awards by different organizations in the past.
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Ihi Rituals for Three Newar Girls Solemnized at the Portland Temple
Portland, Sept 30 (Nepal Oregon News): Ihi rituals of Ira and Ava Maharjan (daughters of Jasmine and Surya Maharjan from Seattle) and Nova Vajracharya (daughter of Sachi and Prince Vajracharya from Seattle) were solemnized by Prajwal Vajracharya, a priest and ritual master of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition of Nepal, at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Friday, Sept 30, 2022.
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| Three Newah girls from Seattle attended Ihi ceremony, while Prajwal Guruji solemnized the Ihi ceremony on Friday, Sept 30, 2022 at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Portland, USA. |
During the ceremony held at Portland's Newah Buddhist temple, 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. Then, the girls were accorded a laskus (auspicious welcome) at the main entrance of the temple.
After that, the little girls were measured from head to toe by Prajwal Guruji with yellow thread and then garlanded the thread around their neck.
Gurumandala Puja, Mamaki Puja, Kalash Puja and Bali Puja were performed on the occasion by Prajwal Guruji who is the chief priest at the Mahavihara.
Puja Bha Dema 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 Guruji. Sukunda lamps were also lit. Four men sprinkled water on the head of Ihi girls.
After the Jwala Nhayakan worshipping and Sinha Mu praying, Prajwal Guruji gave a dab of Sinha to the Ihi girls. Also, during the ceremony, pratidaan ritual was offered by using bel, paan ko paat, two betel nuts and coins. The fathers of the Ihi girls put them into their laps and the girls were sworn in that they will always do good things in their lives.
Ihi girls were given the touch of the auspicious Vajra and sacred water sprinkled on them from Shankha by the Guruji - wishing them prosperity, happiness and health. Prayings were offered to all the Gods, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dakinis. Dhau Sagun, boiled egg and anchovy were offered to the Ihi girls at the end of the ceremony. Gwe Daan and presents were given to Ihi girls from the parents.
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Macha Janko (Rice Feeding Ceremony) of American Child Frank Held at Portland Baha
Portland, Sept 29 (Nepal Oregon News): A Macha Janko (rice feeding ceremony) was performed for a little boy Frank, son of Sangha members Ashley Low and Casey Redman at the temple of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Thursday, Sept 29, 2022.
Rice feeding ceremonies of infants from Nepalese community are held very frequently across America. But the Anna Prasana ceremony of an American infant performed by a Buddhist Gubhaju at a Buddhist temple is very rare in the USA.
During the Macha Janko, a mandala was drawn and Gurumandala Puja was performed by Guru Prajwal Vajracharya. The Guruji used a variety of mantras, repeated offerings of the five elements in the form of flowers, fruit and rice, incense, water and candle light, as well as ritual objects to complete Macha Janko ceremony.
According to Prajwal Guruji, this important lifecycle ceremony is a large family celebration in Nepal, as it is the first time a child is fed solid food. It signifies his movement from infancy to toddlerhood, where he will be more on his own, moving about, learning and absorbing more of the world around him.
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Yenya Punhi Celebrated by Chanting Naamsangiti
Portland, Sept (Nepal Oregon News): Yenya Punhi (Purnima - Full Moon Day) was observed by the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara by chanting Naamsangiti in the zoom. The Naamsangiti chanting was participated by 10 people from USA, Hong Kong and Austria.
According to Prajwal Vajracharya, in Newar Vajrayana Buddhism, Manjushree Naamsangiti is one of the most important preachings of Shakya Muni Tathagata. It consists of 167 verses and Mantra sentences.
Nritya Mandala Mahavihara has been organizing Naamsangiti Recitation on every full moon day of the month for last three years. Also, Naamsangiti is recited daily at the Mahavihara during the month of Gunla (Nepal Sambat Lunar Calendar).
Likewise, other regular activities of the Mahavihara, such as, Sadhana practice and Buddha Bhajan recitation were conducted on each Wednesday. Dharani chanting was organized, as usual, on every Tuesday and Charya singing practice was held every Friday morning.
(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newar journalist and writer in USA)
