Newar Buddhist Temple in Portland, USA Marks Eighth World Newah Day with Events like Newah Bhoye, among Others

 Newah Traditional Games 'Lon daa-ya, Khaau daa-ya' and 'Ekandhala' Displayed during the Celebration

By Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, March 29 (Nepal Oregon News): Nritya Mandala Mahavihara -- the only one Newar Buddhist temple in USA  --  marked the eighth World Newah Day (WND) with various events: Singing of Newah National Song,  Introduction on 8th WND Short Slide Show,  Interaction with American Pujaris of the Vihara, Recitation of Poems, Presentation on 'Activism of People in Nepal', Revival of Newah Traditional Games, Buddha Bhajan in Nepal Bhasa, Presentation on 'Nutritional Concept of Newah Bhoye and Health'.

However, most importantly, the main attraction of the Day was the Newah Jhwo Bhoye (a Newar feast tradition in which participants or guests are seated crosslegged on long mats). It was kind of a mini Newar food festival organized at the end of the program to mark the Day.

The Newah Jhwo Bhoye is organized every year at the Newar Buddhist temple in Portland to mark the annual World Newah Day. Newar and American guests sat crosslegged in a line, and Sangha volunteers served them Baji, Bhutee, Waaun Chaa, Chhoyela, Khasi La,  Musyaa Palu, Wo, Cauli Tarkari, Achaar, Kha Ya La (Kawaf), Pukau (Bhuttan), Simpuu Kwaa, Aaloo Tama, Lain Kwa, Mee Kwa, Paun Kwa, Dhau, Sisa Busa, Maree, Brownies, Desserts, soft drinks and wine.

21 different kinds of Newah foods were served on traditional green Lapte plates.

Equally remarkable and worth mentioning event of the Day was the playing of Newah traditional games 'Lon daa - ya, Khaau daa - ya' and 'Ekandhala' which are on the verge of extiction. 

Daya Shakya, patron of the World Newah Organization (WNO) made a presentation on 'Introduction on 8th WND Short Slide Show'. His talk presented a detailed and comprehensive description on the history and activities of the WNO established in 2011 by the London declaration, and its decision in 2017 to observe the last Saturday of the month of March as World Newah Day.

Further, during an interaction with the American Pujaris of the Vihara, Adam Bidema, Anastasia Roderick, Anna Shustrova, Joshua Proto and Teya Desesa shared their experience performing daily Nitya Puja rituals at the Vihara.

A Buddha Bhajan 'Vasundhara' was beautifully rendered in Nepal Bhasa by Sangha members Joshua Proto and Adam Bidema.

Moreover, on the occasion, Sangha member and temple pujari Naveena Shakya recited a poem entitled 'Destination', reiterating the relevance and importance of Newah movement whereas Sangha member and temple pujari Adam Bidema made a presentation 'Activism of People in Nepal' applauding the role of Vihara in promoting Newar Buddhism in USA.

Former president of Nepali Association of Oregon Ganga Sharma recited a poem by David Hargreave entitled 'Language Lesson' which was then translated in Nepal Bhasa for the audience by Daya Shakya.

Co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Prajwal Vajracharya expressed his happiness that the World Newah Day is celebrated at the Vihara every year and extended his gratitude to the Sangha members and community members for actively participating at the World Newah Day in Portland, USA.

Secretary of the Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) Punam Glee emphasized Vihara's role as important in the Nepali community and informed that a program dedicated to celebration of Bikram Sambat New Year is to be organized in Corvallis, Oregon soon.

Finally, taking the floor, Portland's noted chef Bikram Vaidya shed light on nutritional concept of Newah Bhoye and its health benefits.

The program in Portland dedicated to eighth World Newah Day was attended by about 80 people: Sangha members of the Vihara and community members including representatives of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Nepa Chhen, a non-profit organization and Nepal Oregon News.

 

(Rabin Shakya is a Newah journalist based in Portland, USA)