Christmas Celebration at Corinne's House in Portland

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Dec 26 (Nepal Oregon News): Corinne Nakamura-Rybak, a board member of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and her husband John Rybak, an active Sangha member hosted a Christmas dinner at their residence in Southeast Portland on Monday, Dec 25, 2023.

Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland and his wife Teya De Sesa and John's mom also attended the Christmas dinner. Sangha members Gabriel Quitslund, Aniruddha Shakya, Naveena Shakya and others were also present on the occasion.

The Christmas party, which was an amazing and fun-filled event, was not just wining and dining, it was also an opportunity for friendly interaction among attendees.

The party attendees and children had an opportunity to play a game called "Watch Your Mouth" as well as table-tennis (ping pong) in the basement.

Today more than ever, Christmas has become a world wide celebration, a celebration observed by Christians as well as non-Christians all over the world. Kudos to Corinne and John for organizing the event.

(Rabin Shakya is a Newah journalist in USA)

Charya Nritya Veterans Perform Dances to Mark NMM's 14th Anniversary

 Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Celebrates 14 Years with Various Programs

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Nov 11, (Nepal Oregon News): Various programs were organized all day long on Friday, Nov 10, 2023 to mark the fourteenth anniversary of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) in Portland, USA.

The anniversary celebration kicked off with Gurumandala  and Mamaki Puja which  were ritualized by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya, a 35th - generation Vajrayana priest and participated by six other Sangha members: Joshua Proto, Anna Shustrova, Adam Bidema, Anastasia Roderick, Naveena Shakya and Gabriel Quitslund. 

108 auspicious butter lamps were lit on the occasion followed by a refuge dance.

Meanwhile, evening celebrations of the anniversary started with educational Buddha Bhajans. Buddha Bhajans like (1) Dasaparamita Purna Yana, (2) Jaya Namo Sri (3) Najato Namo Buddhaye and (4) Tri Ratna Lumanki were performed by Joshua Proto, Anna Shustrova, Adam Bidema and Susan Morningstar.

Similarly, Sunil Thapa sang a song ' Phoolko Aankha Ma' on the occasion.

Likewise, speaking at the event, Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya highlighted on the activities of the Mahavihara and underscored the need for further promotion and preservation of Newar Buddhism in the USA.

The NMM's fourteenth anniversary event was followed by an international Charya dance show at the Mahavihara and on the zoom.

Vesta Coradini from Brazil performed Green Tara charya dance where as Hong Kong Dance Mandal team demonstrated Padmasambhava charya dance and Vajrasaraswoti Sloka Vajra dance. The Vajra dances from Hong Kong were performed by Lingling Lee, Dr Tina Ho, Dr Eliza My Lau, Shira Chan, Patty Chan, Saldon Wu, Mary Lau, Sin Ying Leung, Wing Yee Lam, Sam Ng and Dickon Kong.

Also, on the occasion, different charya nritya dances were beautifully and skillfully performed  by veteran charya nritya dancers of the US Dance Mandal.

(1) Rakta Ganesh charya dance by Joshua Proto

(2) 16 Offering Goddess dance by Pepper Kocseb, Lilli Morell, Susan Morningstar, Neelam Kushwaha, Phyllis Moses 

(3) Nairatma charya dance by Dara Daniels

(4) Vajrasaraswoti charya dance by Anastasia Roderick

(5) Maha Manjushree charya dance by Adam Bidema

(6) Vajrayogini charya dance by Alysha  Graham

(7) Annapurna charya dance by Anna Shustrova

(8) Aakashyogini charya dance by Bobby Romansky

(9) Prajna Paramita charya dance by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya

(10) Mahakala charya dance by Corinne Nakamura - Rybak.

The evening program was hosted by Sangha member John Rybak at the temple and anchored on the Zoom by NMM board member Kuon Hunt. About 70 people participated at the NMM's fourteenth anniversary celebrations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served to the participants.

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Prajwal Guruji's Visit Aims to Promote Newar Buddhism in Chile

Portland, Nov 20 (Nepal Oregon News):  Charya nritya is an important part of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism. It originated in Nepal Mandala. This ancient and medieval dance dates back to more than 1,000 years and is a religious discipline of the Buddhist priests of the Kathmandu valley, who perform the dances as part of their esoteric meditation, practices, ceremonies and rituals.

Prajwal Vajracharya, who is a priest from one of the Vajracharya Buddhist lineages of Nepal, said this while addressing a 3 - day workshop 'Dance as a spiritual discipline - Charya Nritya' organized  by Young Khachod Ling (YKL-Chile) at  Colegio Francisco Varela in Santiago on Friday thru Sunday Nov17-19, 2023.

In discussing the history of Newar Buddhism in Nepal, Prajwal Guruji, a 35th generation Vajrayana priest, also mentioned the visits of Vipaswi Buddha, Shikhi Buddha, Vishwabhu Buddha, Krakuchanda Buddha, Kashyapa Buddha and Kanakmuni Buddha to the Nepal Mandala.

Historical evidences have been found that Krakuchanda Buddha and Kanakmuni Buddha were also born in Lumbini area in Nepal, the Guruji added.

Although Newar Buddhism is one of the oldest, few people in the world are familiar with it, said Prajwal Guruji. He also stressed the need for promotion and dissemination of Newar Buddhism in countries like Chile.

Dwelling on Charya Nritya, he said that it is a meditational dance that tells us stories of the inner qualities and awakening of Buddhist deities.

During the presentation, Prajwal Guruji threw light on historical Namo Buddha where Prince Mahasattva fed a hungry tigress by sacrificing himself.

Princess Charumati, daughter of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor of Magadha, is credited to have founded the monastery at Chabahil called Charumati Vihara, which is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries of Nepal, the Guruji informed the Chilean participants.

During Prajwal Guruji's visit to Chile, the Chilean participants were able to explore Newar Buddhism, the cultural and symbolic content of Charya Nritya dance, as well as fundamental principles for performing the Refuge dance and the 16 - Offering Goddess dance.

The workshop on Newar Buddhism and Charya Nritya  was followed by a slide presentation. Likewise,  Sloka of various deities were also performed during the workshop.

Besides the three day workshop, Prajwal Guruji also gave a free talk and demonstration 'Sacred Dances of Nepal: Charya Nritya and Chacha' on Thursday, Nov 16, 2023.

Joshua Proto, a Sangha member of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, was with the Guruji during his visit  to Chile.

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Charya Nritya Blooms in Argentina during Guruji's Visit

Portland, Nov 26 (Nepal Oregon News): Various teachings on Charya Nritya and workshops on  Tantric Vajrayana Buddhism were organized  for four days Nov 22 - Nov 25, 2023 during Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya's  short visit to Argentina at the friendly invitation of Tantric Revolutionary Center (TRC). 

It was the first time  that Newar Vajrayana Buddhism was taught within Argentina, according to TRC. And it was the first time Charya Nritya dances bloomed in Argentina during Prajwal Guruji's recent visit to that country.

A certificate was also handed over on Nov 22, 2023 to Prajwal Vajracharya by the Faculty of Philosophy, History and Oriental Studies of University of Salvador for hosting a presentation on 'Introduction of Newar Buddhism'.

An introductory talk on Newar Buddhism and Charya Dance by Prajwal Guruji was organized by Los Cedros Foundation on Thursday, Nov 23, 2023.

Likewise, a sacred dance workshop by Prajwal Guruji was held on Nov 24, 2023 at DurgaMaa, Valentin Gomez.

During the all-day long workshop, various Charya nritya dances -- Green Tara, Vajrasattva, Vajravarahi and Guru Rinpoche -- were also performed and demonstrated by Prajwal Guruji, one of the senior-most Charya Nritya pedagogue in the world.

The workshop on Sacred Buddhist Dances of Nepal was an opportunity for Argentinians  to get familiar with fundamental training in Charya Nritya dance, a unique Newar Buddhist Tantric tradition from Nepal dating back over a thousand years that uses physical body as a vehicle for liberating the mind.

During the workshop, Prajwal Guruji threw light on Newar Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism.

He also touched on the ancient and medieval Tantric Mahasiddhas like Shantikaracharya, the first Vajrayana Tantric guru of the Nepal Mandala, Surat Vajra Vajracharya, Lila Vajra Vajracharya, Manju Vajra Vajracharya and so on.

Singing is the mantra, dancing is the meditation. When you combine the two - dance and song - that becomes He Vajra Tantra, from where liberation comes. Through it, you grow spiritually, and you can liberate yourself from the bondages and limitations, Prajwal Guruji went on saying adding that Vajrayana tradition is based on Tantric Buddhism.

In Sanskrit, Charya Nritya means dance as a spiritual discipline, said Prajwal Guruji adding that this is an ancient Vajracharya Buddhist dance tradition that until recently was unknown outside the circles of initiates who perform it.

Also, on Saturday, Nov 25, 2023, Prajwal Guruji empowered 17 Argentinians  with the Dikchha of Padmanateshvara by performing Newar Buddhist Tantric rituals.

Joshua Proto, a Lama of TRC and a Sangha member of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihar was with the Guruji during his workshops in Argentina. 

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Anna, Stacie and Adam Perform Charya Dances at Nepal Festival 2023 in Bellevue, WA

Portland, Nov18, (Nepal Oregon News): Dance Mandal Portland team consisting of Prajwal Guruji's students Anna Shustrova, Anastasia Roderick and Adam Bidema performed rare Charya dances at Nepal Festival 2023.

Dabuli's eighth annual cultural event 'Nepal Festival 2023' was organized in collaboration with City of Bellevue on Saturday, Nov 18 at Bellevue College, Bellevue, Washington.

On the occasion, Anna Shustrova performed charya nritya dance 'Annapurna'. Likewise, charya dance 'Avalokiteshvara' was offered by Adam Bidema while charya dance 'Vajrayogini' was demonstrated by Anastasia Roderick.

The focus of Nepal Festival 2023 was to preserve the Newah and Nepali culture in the community and also provide an opportunity for the broader public to experience the very rich and unique but often inaccessible culture.

Dabuli's Nepal Festival 2023 provided an artistic platform  for different indigenous and ethnic communities of Nepal to demonstrate their tradition and showcase their rich cultural heritage.

(Rabin Shakya is a Newar journalist in America)

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Auspicious Wedding of Prajwal Guruju and Teya Held at Pureland Farms, California

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Dec 4 (Nepal Oregon News): The auspicious marriage ceremony of Guruju Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and Teya De Sesa took place on Sunday, Dec 3, 2023 at Pureland Farms in California. The wedding ceremony was solemnized by Tibetan Lama Dr Nida Chenagtsang.

About 40 people attended the nuptial ceremony at the Pureland Farms and 40 people witnessed the ceremony on the zoom. Co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Helen Appell, Prof Dr Miranda Shaw, Dr Tina Ho and journalist Karen Greenspan were among them.

Relatives of Teya: her father and brother, and board member of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Kuon Hunt spoke on the occasion and wished happiness and prosperity to the newly married couple.

All the guests at the wedding ceremony including the Sangha members of Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara wrapped auspicious Khata on Teya and Prajwal Guruju.

Also, on the occasion, Sangha members Corinne Nakamura-Rybak, Anastasia Roderick and Crystal Marie James offered auspicious Sixteen Offering Goddess Dance Mudra, also known as Sodasha Lasya in Sanskrit.

Nepal Oregon News extends sincere and hearty congratulations to the newly wed couple and wishes them blissful conjugal life.

Earlier, on the day of wedding, Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya put forward a proposal for matrimony with Teya at the kitchen of the Pureland Farms in California.

With Prajwal and Teya, it was a case of love at first sight at the kitchen of the Pureland Farms several months ago. 

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Virtual Teaching on 'Pancha Tara' Charya Nritya Organized

Portland, Dec 24 (Nepal Oregon News): A teaching and presentation on Pancha Tara Charya Nritya on the zoom  was organized on Saturday, Dec 23, 2023 by Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association (HKBSA).

The teaching on Pancha Tara was conducted by Guruji Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a 35th generation Vajrayana priest and co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.

Majority of the virtual participants for the teaching on 'Pancha Tara' were the Sangha members of the Hong Kong Dance Mandal.

18 people including Nritya Mandala Mahavihara's co-founder Helen Appell,  journalist Karen Greenspan, Audrey Mazur and Dr Tina Ho took part at the remotely-held teaching while six Sangha members of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara were present in person at the Portland Baha temple during the teaching.

There are 108 Taras according to Newar Vajrayana Buddhism, Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya said and added that 21 of them are prominent ones. The Guruji also shed light on Bhrukuti Tara, Lochana, Mamaki, Vajradhatveshvari and other Taras.

Pronouncing the Tara mantra, "Om Tare Tutare Ture Svaha", Prajwal Guruji expressed the view that Taras are important deities in Newar Vajrayana Buddhism.

Prajwal Guruji's teaching zeroed in on Arya Tara (Green Tara) who is usually depicted as a compassionate being ready to step down from her lotus throne to offer comfort and protection from all of  the sufferings the sentient beings experience in the world.

The teaching presented a detailed and comprehensive description of Pancha Tara and threw light on various aspects of Green, White, Yellow, Blue and Red Taras. 

"In Sanskrit, the name Tara means star. Tara brings forth life and she is the Great Compassionate Mother, and embodiment of wisdom and the Great Protectress," the Guruji told the virtual participants.

The remotely-held teaching by Prajwal Guruji also dealt with the interrelationship between the Pancha Tara and the Pancha Buddha.

Giving details about the Charya Nritya 'Pancha Tara', the Guruji said:"In the Charya Giti 'Pancha Tara', the Raga is Nata and the Tala is Jati. This Nritya can be performed by one dancer or five dancers."

During the teaching, the Charya Giti on 'Pancha Tara' was chanted by Prajwal Guruji. The Guruji also demonstrated the 'Pancha Tara' charya nritya for the zoom participants.

At the end of the teaching, Prajwal Guruji answered to a number of queries of the participants. When Prajwal Guruji was asked to throw light on the importance of Taras, he went on to say that the Taras are the female Bodhisattvas  of compassionate activities, the supreme mothers and collective manifestation of the enlightened activity of all the Buddhas.

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Christmas Celebration at Corinne's House in SE Portland

Portland, Dec 26 (Nepal Oregon News): Corinne Nakamura-Rybak, a board member of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and her husband John Rybak, an active Sangha member hosted a Christmas dinner at their residence in Southeast Portland on Monday, Dec 25, 2023.

Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland and his wife Teya De Sesa and John's mom also attended the Christmas dinner. Sangha members Gabriel Quitslund, Aniruddha Shakya, Naveena Shakya and others were also present on the occasion.

The Christmas party, which was an amazing and fun-filled event, was not just wining and dining, it was also an opportunity for friendly interaction among attendees.

The party attendees and children had an opportunity to play a game called "Watch Your Mouth" as well as table-tennis (ping pong) in the basement.

Today more than ever, Christmas has become a world wide celebration, a celebration observed by Christians as well as non-Christians all over the world. Kudos to Corinne and John for organizing the event.

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Garbha Dharan Puja Held

Portland, Dec27 (Nepal Oregon News): A Garbha Dharan Puja for Teya De Sesa was ritualized by Prajwal Guruji on Wednesday, Dec 27 2031 at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland.

Kalas Puja, Mamaki Puja were conducted on the occasion. The purpose of the Garbha Dharan Puja  is to remove obstacles, do away with anxiety and stress, extend prosperity and wellbeing  to the mother and baby (fetus).

Teya is the spouse of Guruji Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya.

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Bara Tayegu Rituals for Two Newar Girls Solemnized in Tacoma, WA

Portland, Dec 28 (Nepal Oregon News): Bara Tayegu rituals for two Newar girls Sanaya Bajracharya and Sahana Bajracharya was performed by Prajwal Guruji in Tacoma, Washington on Thursday, Dec 28, 2023.

Sanaya and Sahana are daughters of Bibek Bajracharya and Shristi Shrestha Bajracharya.

Bara Tayegu - which is one of the important life cycle rituals of Newar women - is one of the traditional rituals which has been performed in Nepal for centuries. In Newar Vajrayana tradition, Bara Tayegu is a ritual carried out for young girls before the start of menstruation and usually followed by another important lifecyle ritual called 'Ihi' (bel bibah).

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Shraddh Rituals Performed in Honor of Late Tamrakar

Portland, Dec 22 (Nepal Oregon News): Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya performed the death rituals appropriate to the passing away of Madan Sen Tamrakar at his son Mrinal Sen Tamrakar's house in Portland on Friday, Dec 22, 2023.

Barkhi Phukaya Yayegu (end of mourning period) ritual, the Mamaki Puja and others were also conducted during the ceremony by the Guruji. The Shraddh rituals are conducted so that the heavenly journey of the deceased soul after death is comfortable and stress-free.

Madan Sen Tamrakar, 67, passed away on Dec 12, 2023. His antyesthi samskara (funeral sacrament) was held in Portland on Dec 13, 2023. Late Tamrakar is survived by his wife Gyani Sen Tamrakar, son Mrinal Sen Tamrakar, daughter Shintiya Shrestha and four grand children.

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Weekly Activities in Vihara Continue

On Tuesday, Dec 26, Manjushree Naamsangiti recitation was conducted by the Vihara to mark the Yomari Punhi (full moon day). In December, as usual and as always,  Dharani chanting on zoom was conducted once a week Tuesday evening. Similarly, Sadhana practice and Buddha Bhajan singing practice were held on each Wednesday evening. Likewise, the practice of singing Charya giti was performed in the mornings every Friday.

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(Rabin Shakya is a Newar journalist in America)

Devi Saraswati Quintessence of Learning, Wisdom and Meditation

An Engaging Talk and Comprehensive Practice on Vajrasaraswati Charya

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Oct 15 (Nepal Oregon News): An engaging talk and comprehensive practice on Goddess Vajrasaraswati Charya Nritya and Charya Giti was organized on the zoom by Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association (HKBSA) on Saturday, Oct 14, 2023.

The talk as well as the charya nritya practice on Goddess Vajrasaraswati was provided  by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on the zoom from the Newar Buddhist temple in Portland, USA.

Addressing the zoom gathering, Vajracharya, a noted Charya nritya guru said:"Even as Goddess Saraswati is prayed and respected in Hinduism, she is also worshipped and adored in Newar Buddhism as well as in Tibetan Buddhism. In fact, she is known as Vajrasaraswati in Newar Buddhism and Yangchenma in Tibetan Buddhism."

Throwing light on the iconography of Vajrasaraswati devi, Prajwal Guruji, who is also a scholar on Newar Vajrayana Buddhism, said:"The Goddess of poetry, arts, music and learning is a four handed deity seated on a white lotus wearing a crown and white saree. Saraswati's bahan (vehicle) is a white swan while she holds Veena (a musical instrument), a book 'Prajnaparamita' and a garland in her hands. One of her hands holding a book signifies that she is the epitome of true knowledge and another hand holding a flower garland represents the power of meditation and spirituality."

Saraswati's four arms symbolize a multitude of concepts: her immanence and transcendence, her front arms portray the Goddess'  divine power in the material realm whereas the back arms in the spiritual realm. They also symbolize four learning-related personality traits of mind, intelligence, consciousness and ego, the Guruji added.

He went on saying that Saraswati's iconography also captures the quintessence of music, knowledge, wisdom and meditation. That is why, according to Newar Buddhism, Vajrasaraswati devi is a swan riding goddess who liberates the world with her wisdom and knowledge, he further said.

Saraswati is not just adored in Nepal, Tibet (China), and India, she is also worshipped in Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Buryatia (Russia) and many other countries, the Guruji said adding:"In Newar Buddhism, Vajrasaraswati is a protector deity who upholds the Buddha's teachings."

The subtle difference of Goddess Saraswati in Hinduism and Buddhism is that devotional part is more important in Hinduism while, in Buddhism, Saraswati is the quintessence and embodiment of wisdom, knowledge and meditation, he told the zoom participants.

Because she is white in color, has one face and occasionally three eyes, Vajrasaraswati is frequently compared to and regarded as White Tara, the Guruji said.

On the occasion, a refuge dance and sixteen offering goddess dance was also performed by Prajwal Guruji.

The presentation focused on Vajrasaraswati charya nritya and charya giti. The charya giti of Vajrasaraswati Devi tells us about the iconography of Goddess Saraswati, her divine power, the embodiment of knowledge, wisdom and meditation, what she is holding, what she is wearing and her bahan (vehicle), the Guruji informed the zoom participants.

"This charya dance is named after the Goddess - Vajrasaraswati devi. Vajrasaraswati charya dance is one of the ancient classical charya dances  of Newar Vajracharyas. This dance is performed especially as a devotion to Vajrasaraswati devi," said Prajwal Guruji.

He informed the participants:"The melody or Raga for charya nritya of Vajrasaraswati may be different, but we do it in the Raga of Vajrasattva charya giti."

Prajwal Guruji also performed the charya nritya dance 'Vajrasaraswati' during the teaching. The charya giti on the occasion was vocalized by Sangha member Leson Baker. In Vajrasaraswati charya dance, hand mudra is crucial, symbolic movements of fingers, hands and legs are skillfully timed with general body movements and facial expressions, Prajwal Guruji added.

The Guruji answered to numerous questions of the participants. The teaching on Vajrasaraswati was attended by 25 people from different countries on the zoom and 7 participants took part from the temple. 

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Prajwal Guruji, Others Honored with Certificate of Appreciation at NAO AGM and Dashain Event

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and a leading Charya Dance teacher in the world was honored with Certificate of Appreciation at 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Dashain celebration event which was organized by Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) on Friday, Oct 20, 2023 at Aloha Grange, Beaverton.

The certificate of appreciation mentioned:"This certificate is proudly presented to Prajwal Vajracharya and team for promoting the traditional Charya dance and showcasing the Nepalese culture in the Rose Festival Starlight Parade, 2023."

The certificate of appreciation was signed by NAO president Daya Shakya and secretary Ganga Sharma.

Vajracharya has been honored with numerous awards and certificates by different organizations in the past.

Meanwhile, Jangbu Sherpa, president of Non-resident Nepalese Association USA Oregon  chapter and Laxman Darlamee, NRNA USA Board of Directors member were other personalities who were also presented with certificates of appreciation for their contributions to the community.

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Anniversary Cleaning Campaign Organized

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): A two-day cleaning drive was launched on Saturday- Sunday, Oct 28 - 29, 2023 at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM), Portland as part of preparation for the fourteenth anniversary celebration of the NMM. 

During the cleaning drive, not only were the doors and windows of the Mahavihara cleaned, but the idols and small statues of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were also cleaned. The Chiva Dyo located on the premises of the Vihara was also cleaned.

The volunteers who offered help for cleaning were provided with Newah-style lunch by Prajwal Guruji.

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Vihara Celebrates Prajwal Guruji's Birthday with a Gathering

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): A gathering was organized to celebrate the birthday of Prajwal Guruji on Oct 8, 2023 at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.

It is to be noted that 10.8 (Oct 8) is an auspicious figure in Newar Buddhism.

About 35 Sangha members and community members attended the birthday gathering.

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House Blessing Ritual Performed

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): A house-blessing ritual was performed by Prajwal Guruji at the home of Corinne Nakamura-Rybak and John Rybak at south-east Portland in October, 2023.

Corinne is a board-member of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara whereas her husband John is an active Sangha member.

The purpose of the ritual was to purify the house, to ensure its safety and prosperity, said Prajwal Guruji.

Similarly, a purification ritual was also performed in October, 2023 by Prajwal Guruji for the hairdressing salon owned by a member of the Nepali community in Beaverton.

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Weekly Activities in Vihara Continue

In October, as usual and as always, Dharani chanting on Zoom was conducted once a week every Tuesday evening. Similarly, Sadhana practice and Buddha Bhajan singing practice were held on each Wednesday evening. Likewise, the practice of singing Charya giti was performed in the mornings every Friday.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in USA)

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Prajwal Guruji, Others Explore Little Known Caves in Nepal

 Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Sept 28 (Nepal Oregon News): During his month-long visit to Nepal (Sept 1-27, 2023), Prajwal Guruji, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, was able to attend various programs, meet important personalities, visit important Buddha Dharma related places and most notably visit less explored caves of Nepal.

No doubt, Nepal is well-known  as a country of temples, stupas and chaityas. But Nepal is also renowned for its ancient and medieval caves that are well-known  but at the same time there are also historical caves in Nepal that are not well known and that are less accessible to the people.

Prajwal Guruji and other Sangha members Teya DeSesa, Anna Shustrova, Dmitry Skvortsov along with Rajya Laxmi Shakya and other local people embarked on a  journey to have a  view of some of the little known and little seen Buddhist caves of Nepal. One of them is Guru Rinpoche cave at Temal, Sindhupalchowk.

The banner at the gate of the cave says:"Welcome to the auspicious place Temal. The holy place is like eight auspicious marks."

A member of Prajwal Guruji's month-long trip to Nepal - Teya DeSesa - says:"Unknown to most tourists with Google maps offering no help, Prajwal set out to find the hidden cave of Nagarjun. Above lie two more caves, difficult to traverse during the current monsoon season, home to many aggressive mosquitoes and leeches."

Teya further says:"Prajwal and a small team reached the second cave, called 'Buffalo cave'. The third and final reachable cave called 'Middle cave' was a beautiful site to gaze upon, especially after hours of hiking and climbing countless stairs." 

Meanwhile, on Sept 18, 2023, Prajwal Guruji  together with Teya DeSesa, Anna Shustrova, Dmitry Skvortsov and Natalia Sanders also visited Itum Bahal and Itum Baha Museum which was launched only last year. There are 18 Vajrayana Buddhist Mahaviharas in Kathmandu and Itum Baha  is the largest among them. Itum Baha is rich with ancient heritages. 

Prajwal Guruji and the team also visited National Art Museum of Nepal in Kathmandu and Spiritual Arts Gallery in Patan during their visit to Nepal. While in Nepal, Prajwal Guruji also had a meeting with Kathak Guru Honey Shrestha and Arun Shrestha  (author of a book entitled 'Charya: Dancing Away to Nirvana'). The Guruji along with Anna, Dmitry, Teya and Alla Zakharova were able to attend a Kurukulla puja ceremony at Shree Padma Bhandar Mahayana Buddhist Monastery. Similarly, Prajwal Guruji together with other Sangha members also visited Namobuddha, Bhadrakali and many other historical and religious sites in  the Kathmandu valley. Likewise, Prajwal Guruji was also felicitated by Bajracharya Club in Kathmandu.

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Lama Lena's Teachings on "Introduction to Dzogchen" Held at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara

Portland, Sept 7, (Nepal Oregon News): A teaching on "Introduction to Dzogchen and View of Six Paramita" by Lama Lena was held at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Portland on Wednesday, Sept 6, 2023. Lama Lena's teaching event was coordinated by Phyllis Moses,  a Sangha member of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. 

During the teaching, Lama Lena discussed what Dzogchen is and how to practice it.

Lama Lena's teaching presented a detailed and comprehensive description of Dzogchen and importance of Six Paramita: Dana (Generosity), Sila (Morality), Ksanti (Patience), Virya (Vigor), Dhyana (Meditation) and Prajna (Wisdom).

Throwing light on Dzogchen, Lama Lena said:"The beginning of Dzogchen is the same as the end of Dzogchen, which is that Buddha nature is just inherent in you. It is already there."

Lama Lena went on saying:"You do not have to acquire it, be good enough for it, develop it, or any of these things. It is inherently present and always has been."

Lama Lena added:"It is the true, infinite, open awareness which arises naturally as the innate, luminous, lucid vitality which itself is the innate, shimmering, sparkling creativity which is inherent in all life."

Lama Lena also answered to numerous questions of the participants. About 25 people attended in person at the Mahavihara while 15 people took part at the teaching through the zoom.

For in-person audience as well as for  the zoom participants, Lama Lena's teaching was an event that gave the participants  an opportunity to be enlightened  with the ideas about Tibetan Buddhism.

Lama Lena (Yeshe Kaytup) is a teacher of Direct Mind Perception Meditation (Dzogchen and Mahamudra) and a lineage holder of several Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Her informal style is precise and direct; and she is revered by students around the world for her exceptional ability to share profound teachings in a clear, poetic and humorous way.

Beginning in 1972, Lama Lena spent three years studying with Lama Thubten Yeshe at his monastery in Nepal. She then spent seven years in retreat and practice in a small cave above Tso Pema under the tutelage of her root teacher, Ven Wangdor Rimpoche. From then on, she continued to travel extensively with him as his main translator and assistant. 

At the request of H.E. Zigar Choktrul Rimpoche and Ven Wangdor Rimpoche - as well as many Western and Tibetan Dharma students, Lama Lena has been travelling, teaching and translating from the lineage she holds.

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Powerful Flute and Tabla Performance Livens Portland Baha

Portland, Sept 31 (Nepal Oregon News): A powerful classical flute performance by world famous bamboo flute master Steve Gorn and Tabla playing by renowned multi-instrumentalist Benjy Wertheimer was organized at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Saturday, Sept 30, 2023.

At the beginning of the musical performance, Guru Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, gave a short introduction of Steve Gorn and Benjy Wertheimer.

I am very happy that Steve and Benjy are here at the Newar Buddhist temple to offer the classical Hindustani musical performance, Prajwal Guruji said.

The enthralling and mesmerizing Bansuri performance of Steve was accompanied on Tabla by Benjy.

And there is no doubt that Steve and Benjy are musicians with a penchant for Hindustani classical music.

Steve Gorn has performed Indian classical music on the Bansuri Bamboo flute in concerts and festivals throughout the world. A disciple of Sri Gour Goswami of Kolkota, and Pandit Raghunath Seth of Mumbai, he is well known to audiences in India and the West.

He has been praised by critics and leading Indian musicians as one of the few Westerners recognized to have captured the subtlety and beauty of Indian classical music.

A Grammy winner and five time Grammy nominee, Steve Gorn is creating a new idiom, a music that combines the essence of classical Indian tradition with a contemporary world music from a virtuoso mastery, generating a vibrant fusion, alive and accessible to Western ears.

Benjy Wertheimer is an award winning musician, composer, vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist equally accomplished on Tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar and keyboards.

Benjy has performed and recorded with such artists as Krishna Das, Deva Primal and Miten, Jai Uttal, Walter Becker of Steely Dan, virtuoso guitarist Michael Mandrell, Tabla Master Zakir Hussein, and renowned bamboo flute master G. S. Sachadev.

He has also opened for such well-known artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter and Narada Michael Walden. Benjy is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed world fusion ensemble 'Ancient Future'.

The concert was one of the rare opportunities for a limited number of audience at the Newar Buddhist temple in Portland to dive into the ocean of raga with bamboo flute master Steve Gorn and multi-instrumentalist Benjy Wertheimer.

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Naamsangiti Chanted for a Month during the Gunla Dharma at Portland's Newar Buddhist Temple

Portland, Sept 17 (Nepal Oregon News): One month of Gunla Dharma - which is one of the most important and  auspicious  times in  Newar Buddhism - was observed at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in person and in the zoom from Aug 17 to Sept 16, 2023 by chanting Maha Manjushree Naamsangiti.

The participants who chanted Naamsangiti for the whole month of Gunla included Sangha members of the Mahavihara (Newars, Chinese and American Buddhists) from Oregon, as well as from Nepal, Hong Kong, Finland, New York and California.

Prajwal Guruji participated at the month-long Naamsangiti chanting event through the zoom, because he was in a Nepal trip during the period of Gunla Dharma. He also took part at the Naamsangiti chanting held at Mantrasiddhi Mahavihara in Kathmanndu.

Prajwal Guruji said:"In Vajrayana Buddhism, Naamsangiti is one of the most important preachings of Shakyamuni Tathagata. It consists of 167 verses and Mantra sentences."

The Guruji added:"Naamsangiti is the quintessence of Buddhism because it summarizes all the Buddha's teachings."

The far-reaching importance of Naamsangiti lies on the fact that Manjushree Bodhisattva is the embodiment of all knowledge, Prajwal Guruji went on saying.

At a time when a lot of heritage, historical and religious scriptures are on the verge of extinction,  disseminating the sacred Tantras and preachings is essential to keep them alive, said Prajwal Guruji adding:"That is why Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA is committed to protect, promote and preserve these sacred things."

Meanwhile, a Paru Bhoye was also organized on the last day of Gunla month at Portland's Newar Buddhist temple by Suva and Uppa Shakya.

It is to be noted that the Mahavihara has been organizing Manjushree Naamsangiti recitation on every full moon day of the month since July 2020. Also, Naamsangiti is recited daily at the Mahavihara during the month of Gunla (Nepal Sambat Lunar Calendar) in person and on the zoom. 

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA.)