Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, May 7, (Nepal Oregon News): Various programs were organized at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara to celebrate 2567th Buddha Jayanti on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The Buddha Jayanti programs included: kids procession around the Mahavihara, Baby Buddha Bath, Naamsangiti Chanting.
Likewise, 108 butter lamps were illuminated during the religious ceremony, followed by the dancing of Refuge Prayer Dance, a Charya Nritya dance, 108 times continuously by all American and Nepali devotees present.
At the Buddha Jayanti event, Prajwal Vajracharya, a priest and ritual master of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism threw light on the importance of Buddha Purnima celebrations.
Several Buddhist Bhajan songs were presented by Joshua Proto, Anna Shustrova and Adam Bidema.
At the end of the program, a talent show was held. Sangha member Naveena Shakya came up with a poem on Buddha Jayanti while Axi Nityananda (an American devotee) entertained the audience by presenting a Jataka Tale - Buddha as the Rabbit "How the rabbit got on the moon."
Likewise, Daya Shakya, president of Nepali Association of Oregon, made a short presentation on Spiritual Vocabulary in Nepalese Buddhism.
In what has become a good tradition, the annual Buddha Jayanti program in Portland, USA provides the American Buddhists and Nepalese community members to celebrate food, share greetings and interact with each other. Obviously, Buddha Jayanti celebration is also a sure way to enliven and enhance the Newar Buddhist traditions and customs demonstrating the aspirations of the American Buddhists and Nepalese Portlanders to keep up the Newar Buddhist traditions alive.
More than 100 people (American Buddhists and Nepalese community members) participated at the Buddha Jayanti function in Portland, USA.
The evening Buddha Jayanti event was followed by a Kheer dinner (rice cooked in milk with sugar, cashews, cloves, cardamoms, raisins, coconuts etc) along with sweetmeats like Jeri and Lalmohan and other Achars, curries and delicacies.
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Portland's Dance Mandal Duo Perform Charya Nritya (Dances) at Himalayan Fair, Berkeley
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| Vajravarahi charya nritya dance |
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| Ekajati charya nritya dance |
Portland, May 24 (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Vajracharya, one of the seniormost Charya nritya guru and his student Bobby Romansky performed various Charya dances at the Himalayan Fair in Live Oak Park in Berkeley on Saturday-Sunday, May 20-21, 2023.
Prajwal Guruji presented two Charya dances - Vajravarahi and Ekajati while his student Bobby offered Padmanateshvara and Avalokiteshvara charya dances at the Himalayan Fair. On the occasion, Prajwal Guruji also briefly spoke about the meaning and history of the charya dances.
Earlier, Prajwal Guruji also offered volunteer service for the preparation of the Fair along with member of the organizing committee Rajesh Shrestha.
Meanwhile, the program -- which kicked off with a welcome by Sri Devi and blessing by monks from Sera Jey Monastery -- was also participated by a wide spectrum of famous singers and dancers. Numerous booths showcased Himalayan arts and crafts, food, travel and trekking.
The Himalayan Fair was launched in 1983 by Arlene Blum along with Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Lama Kunga of the Ewam Choden Center. Blum was part of the Bicentennial Everest Expedition in 1976 that set an altitude record for American women.
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Virtual Teaching on Amoghasiddhi Buddha
Portland, May 14 (Nepal Oregon News): A virtual teaching on Amoghasiddhi Buddha was organized by Hong Kong Institute of Buddhist Studies on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The zoom teaching on Amoghasiddhi Buddha was conducted by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya, chief priest of the Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.
Prajwal Guruji, who is a scholar on Newar Buddhism, said:"Pancha Buddhas or Five Buddhas are the five transcendental Buddhas of Newar Tantric Vajrayana Buddhism. Vairochana, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava, Akshobhya and Amoghasiddhi Buddhas are the Pancha Buddhas."
Pancha Buddhas including Amoghasiddhi are Sambhogkaya Buddhas and work relentlessly for the wellbeing of all sentient beings, added the Guruji.
Amoghasiddhi in Sanskrit means 'unfalling success', said the Guruji adding that Amoghasiddhi is the last among the Five Buddhas who represents purified form of jealosy.
He is believed to protect or destroy every ounce of envy or jealosy from the heart of people who meditate on Amoghasiddhi Buddha, said the Guruji.
Throwing light on 'Om Amoghasiddhi Ah Hum', Prajwal Guruji, a 35th generation Vajrayana priest, said: "Amoghasiddhi's mantra is Abhaya which means fearlessness. Amoghasiddhi is associated with the Tantric rite of fearlessness and with success or siddhi."
The virtual talk presented a detailed and comprehensive portrayal and description of Amoghasiddhi Buddha.
Addressing the zoom gathering, the chief pujari at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara said: "Amoghasiddhi Buddha is depicted in green color holding double vajra. His consort is Arya Tara and his vehicle (vahan) is Garuda."
During the address to the zoom participants, Prajwal Guruji touched on Sapta Naga (seven serpents). Sapta Naga were the ones that protected Siddharth Gautam Buddha during his Tapasya in the forest from rains and storms, he further said.
Prajwal Guruji went on saying:"Amoghasiddhi is the only Buddha who has a canopy of snakes over his head. Among the Pancha Buddhas, Amoghasiddhi is represented in the stupa, chaitya or Chibaha Dyo facing to the north."
Twenty participants from Hong Kong took part at the zoom teaching on Amoghasiddhi. At the end of the virtual teaching, Prajwal Guruji answered to the questions of the participants.
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Vihara Organizes Potluck Picnic at Laurel Hurst Park for Starlight Parade Prep
Portland, May28 (Nepal Oregon News): A potluck picnic was organized by Nritya Mandala Mahavihara at the Laurel Hurst Park in Portland on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
The potluck picnic, which was attended by the American Buddhists as well as Nepalese community members, was organized as a rehearsal for participating at the Starlight Parade in Portland to be held on June 3, 2023.
Speaking briefly on the occasion, Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara said:"Our Mahavihara has been selected for the Rose Festival Starlight parade this year. Our participation in the parade is an opportunity to showcase our identity and culture to the Portland community."
The focus of our participation is to give an introduction to Portlanders about various Charya dances including the Pancha Buddha, said Prajwal Guruji and added:"Our participation will also feature Living Goddess Kumari, Lakhe Dance, Dhime Baja, Nepalese ladies in Haku Patasi and Dupatta saree. Sherpa community members are also expected to take part."
The Starlight is an annual parade held in Portland, Oregon as part of the Portland Rose Festival.
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Weekly Activities in Vihara Continue
In May, 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 Nepali journalist in America)
