NRNA USA Oregon Chapter Gets New Leadership under Jangbu Sherpa

 Oregon Chapter's Newly Elected Office Bearers Sworn-in in Portland, USA amid a Gala Function

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Aug 7 (Nepal Oregon News): The swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of Non-resident Nepali Association - National Coordination Council (NRNA NCC USA) Oregon Chapter kicked off on Sunday, Aug 6, 2023 amid a gala function at the US West Coast Taekwondo Hollywood School in Portland.

The chief guest of the swearing-in ceremony was Diwakar Maharjan, a noted Taekwondo Guru and founder president of the Oregon chapter. The NRNA event was presided over by newly elected Oregon chapter chair Jangbu Sherpa.

Octogenarian Nepali Portlander Devi Laxmi Maharjan felicitated Nepalese community leaders in Oregon and newly elected chapter office bearers by wrapping traditional Nepali Khata on them.

Mr Jangbu Sherpa was already sworn in as Oregon chapter's newly elected president at a recent NRNA conference in Chicago. That is why NRNA Oregon's immediate past president Laxman Darlamee gave the oath of office to the newly elected office bearers.

Those who were given oath of office were newly elected office bearers of NRNA Oregon chapter: Kamal Kumar Shrestha - vice president, Kiran Adhikari - secretary, Nileema Ozha - women's secretary, Ranjita Pariyar Ojha - treasurer, Sanad Thapa - chapter youth coordinator, Minu Karki Maharjan - chapter board member, Birendra Thapa - chapter board member and Padam Thapa - chapter board member.

Laxman Darlamee, immediate past president and recently elected member of the board of directors of NRNA USA gave away certificates of election to the newly elected office bearers.

Certificates of election were issued by the National Election Commission, NRNA NCC USA. 

On the occasion, certificates of honor were presented to Raju Mali, Ganga Sharma, Bharat Banskota, Daya Shakya, Shuddhodan Ranjit and Kush Shrestha by chief guest Maharjan.

Speaking on the occasion, outgoing chapter president Darlamee threw light on the works done by NRNA and said that NRNA is a formidable global organization.

The newly elected Oregon chapter president Jangbu Sherpa  reciprocated to the sentiments expressed by the outgoing president and committed to follow the trail blazed by his predecessors.

Also, speaking on the occasion, chief guest Maharjan, community leaders Raju Mali, Ganga Sharma, Bharat Banskota, Daya Shakya, Shuddhodan Ranjit, Kush Shrestha also stressed on  the need for further coordination between NRNA Oregon chapter and Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO).

The swearing-in ceremony, which was attended by more than 100 Nepalese Portlanders including NAO activists,  NRNA members  and representative of Nepal Oregon News, was followed by a Nepali style dinner.

(Photos: Courtesy of Padam Jung Thapa)

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America) 

Bhimratharohan Crucial Ritual in Newar Culture

Bura-buri Janko of Ramesh and Kalpana Shakya Celebrated in California

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, August 1 (Nepal Oregon News): A senior age 'Janko' religious ceremony of Ramesh Shakya and Kalpana Shakya was held at San Mateo, California on Friday, July 30, 2023. Mr Ramesh Shakya is a former professor at Amrit Science College under the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu.

The Bhimratharohan ceremony of the Shakya couple was solemnized by Prajwal Vajracharya, chief pujari at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, the only Newar Buddhist temple in the USA.

Bura-buri Janko related rituals, such as, Homa Puja, Nag Puja, Kalash Puja and Bali Puja were ritualized by Prajwal Guruju.

According to Prajwal Guruju, "When a man or woman turns 77 years, 7 months 7 days and 7 hours, there is a special ceremony to perform. The Janko observance calls on the Goddess of long life - Usnisavijaya - to purify Karma and bestow the blessing of good health and long life span."

Bhimratharohan is a crucial and essential ritual in Newar culture and important lifecycle ceremony in a life of a man, said Prajwal Guruju.

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Interaction on Yoga Organized in Portland

Portland, July 21 (Nepal Oregon News): A Yoga Therapy and Motivational Class for Healthy Living with Yoga teacher Subarna Lal Chitrakar was organized at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

The interaction with the Nepali Yoga teacher was attended by about 20 people. Prior to the starting of the Yoga program, Prajwal Vajracharya of the Mahavihara gave a brief introduction of Mr Chitrakar.

Subarna Lal Chitrakar is a former colonel at Nepalese Army. He has served and participated in Nepal Army's peace keeping operations in a number of conflict-ridden countries across the world.

Speaking on the occasion, Chitrakar said:"If you want to live healthy and happy life without a doctor, then you should practice Yoga."

During the brief  one-hour Yoga class, Chitrakar threw light on Khatkarma, Hath Yoga, Astanga Yoga, Food Therapy, Ayurveda Therapy, Natural Therapy, Yoga Lifestyle and Yogic Anatomy and Physiology.

Chitrakar - who has been in journey on spiritual life for 30 years - shared about spirituality, Yoga, Dhyana, Sadhana and natural way of living with the community members of Portland, USA.

The Yoga interaction program was followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner.

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Tibetan Yoga Retreat Held at Portland's Newar Buddhist Temple

Portland, July 24 (Nepal Oregon News): A week-end three day Tibetan Yoga Retreat was held at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara from Friday-Sunday July 21-23, 2023.

The three-day weekend retreat which was conducted by Dr James H. Bae was participated by 12 people.

Dr James H. Bae is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. 

For 25 years, Dr Bae has dedicated his focus on research, education and clinical work in the area of mind body medicine.

Dr Bae's particular focus is on the intersections of traditional Asian Medicine, Yoga and Contemplative Practice.

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Weekly Activities in Vihara Continue

In July, as usual and as always, Dharani chanting on Zoom was conducted once a week every Tuesday. Manjushree Naamsangiti chanting was held on Full Moon Day of August 1, 2023. 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 of every Friday.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newar journalist in USA)

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