Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) was established and consecrated on Nov 10, 2009. The inauguration rituals of the Mahavihara was carried on by Prajwal Vajracharya himself and senior Gubhaju Yagyamanpati Bajracharya and Sugat Bajracharya who came to the US from Nepal for the launching rituals of the first Newar Buddhist temple in Portland, USA.
"The chronicles are testimony to the fact that the last Newar Buddhist Mahavihara was constructed in the Kathmandu valley 350 years ago, and no Mahavihara has been built ever since. Therefore, the historical and chronicled significance of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMM) in Portland lies in the fact that this Newar Buddhist temple was consecrated after 350 years followed by the launching of the last Newar Buddhist Mahavihara in Nepal," says Prajwal Vajracharya, a 35th-generation Vajrayana priest, who is also the co-founder of the Mahavihara in Portland. No doubt, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara is the outcome of the lofty ideas and endeavors of late Buddhist scholar Ratna Kaji Vajracharya, Helen Appell and Prajwal Vajracharya.
In fact, Helen Appell - a Buddhist practitioner and ordained Vajrayana priest - is the founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. Helen made a lasting and significant contribution by helping to establish the first Newar Vajrayana temple in Portland, and therefore, the establishment of USA's first Newar Buddhist temple in 2009 was the outcome of Helen's generosity and her vision.
Helen came to Charya dance with a constellation of talents, experience and knowledge that uniquely prepared her to delve into this sacred art and become a major figure in its establishment, Prajwal Guruji said of her.
By the way, the wedding ceremony of Prajwal Vajracharya and Teya De Sesa was solemnized at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara on Jan 27, 2024 by priest Helen Appell as per the Newar Vajrayana traditions. All traditional Newar Vajrayana rituals and chantings including Gurumandala Puja and Kalash Puja were performed by priest Helen during the wedding. The wedding ceremony at the Vihara was a historical moment because the nuptial-tie between a Vajracharya Guruji and an American woman was solemnized for the first time by a Westerner Vajrayana female priest.
Also, when the Mahavihara celebrated its third anniversary in 2012, it was priest Helen who elaborately performed Gurumandala and Homa Puja. Usually, the Pujas were ritualized by Prajwal Guruji in other anniversary celebrations.
Helen, who is trained in Sanskrit, Tibetan, woodcarving, music, painting and Indian classical singing, is also deeply involved in Charya Nritya. She has taught and performed Charya Nritya internationally including in Brazil.
In an article entitled "First Newar Buddhist Temple in the USA" published in 'Matina' (quarterly magazine from London -- year 4, No. 12, Kachhala, Nepal Sambat 1130), Prof Dr Miranda Shaw rightfully said:"Nritya Mandala Mahavihara was a project not of the Newar community living in America but rather the dreamchild of dynamic-duo Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya and Helen Appell."
No doubt, the Newar people, indigenous to the Kathmandu valley in Nepal adhere to a distinctive form of Buddhism -- Newar Vajrayana Buddhism. Their histories predated Buddha Shakyamuni and they have preserved the textual language of their practices in Sanskrit. The Newar Buddhist monastery in Portland has always been championing the cause of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism and Newar culture in USA ever since its inception in 2009. Nitya Puja is performed twice a day at the Vihara by the Pujaris in the morning and in the evening.
"This Vihara is a ritual and performance space as well as a library of old and new Buddhist texts. We celebrate the Newar Vajrayana Buddhist tradition through ritual and Charya dance, enlivening Buddhist teachings with art and devotion. Soon, this Vihara is going to be transformed into a Newar Buddhist Museum in Portland," says Prajwal Guruji.
Macha Junko, Ihi, Bara Tayegu, Brata Bandha, Chudakarma, Ihipa (Wedding), Bura-Buri Junko etc are all essential parts of lifecycle rituals in Newar Buddhism. All these lifecycle rituals were performed by Prajwal Guruji in the past 15 years at the Vihara and outside. Mha Puja, Yenya Punhi, Gun Punhi, Yomari Punhi, Shakimila Punhi, Paru Bhoye, Sithi Nakha, Panjaran are just some of the Newar festivals that the Mahavihara has been celebrating with the community since its inception.
All Full Moon Days are observed by the Vihara by chanting Naamsangiti. Dharani chanting on zoom is conducted once a week every Tuesday evening. Similarly, Sadhana practice and Buddha Bhajan singing practice are held on each Wednesday, whereas the practice of singing Charya giti is performed in the mornings every Friday. However, major activities of the only Newar Buddhist temple in the USA are the celebration of Buddha Jayanti, celebration of its anniversary and celebration of World Newah Day every year.
Charya Nritya is a Buddhist ritual dance with a history going back to more than 1000 years. Charya dance is a meditational dance that tells stories of the inner qualities and awakening of Buddhist deities. Preservation and promotion of esoteric Charya dances and Newar Buddhism was the raison d'etre of the inception of the Mahavihara in 2009.
In an article "Moving the World with Sacred Mudra: Buddhist Dance from Nepal to Oregon to Brazil" published in 'NW Dharma News' (winter 2013, vol 26, #4), founder of the Mahavihara Helen Appell says:"Charya Nritya came straight from the Kathmandu valley to Portland via Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, the main lineage holder outside Nepal."
Helen further said in the article: "Traditionally practiced behind closed temple doors by the indigenous Newar Vajrayana priests of the Valley known as Vajracharyas, the dance has spread through Prajwal's vision. In Nepal, in 1996, Prajwal created an organization, Dance Mandal, which has been benefiting many who may observe or practice it."
Newar Portlanders see Nritya Mandala Mahavihara as the religious and cultural bulwark, an object of veneration and outlet for their cultural and socio-religious activities. Many Newar Portlanders have also mentioned it as one of the quintessential aspects of Prajwal Guruji's unrelenting commitment for preservation of Charya Nritya, rituals, Newar arts and culture. In fact, the Newar Buddhist monastery in Portland has made celebrating the Newar festivals and observing the Newar ceremonies centerpiece of its activities. Balancing personal works, trips to different countries, Charya dance teachings, observing Newar festivals and keeping up the Newar rituals are not always simple but Prajwal Guruji is focusing on what is important in the long run for the community.
In a zoom interview with World Newah Organization Daily Broadcast (WNO-DB) on April 26, 2025, Kuon Hunt, Board Member of the Mahavihara and Charya Nritya dancer, said:"The Newar Buddhist temple has become a gathering place for Newars and Buddhists of various sects from throughout the United States. It has become a place of scholarly discussions and Newar cultural affirmation and activity."
Kuon went on saying during the WNO-DB chit-chat: "Our Sangha is a mixed Sangha made up in approximately equal parts of Nepalese and the Westerners giving us a wonderful opportunity to simply learn much."
In September 2022, WNO had designated Prajwal Vajracharya as its Cultural Ambassador (Buddhist Rituals) recognizing his role and contributions in promoting Newar Buddhism in USA. Likewise, a special award of appreciation by WNO-USA chapter was also presented in June 2022 to Prajwal Guruji for his dedicated support and contributions to Newar 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. Vajracharya has also been honored with numerous awards by different organizations in the past.
Prajwal Guruji says:"Portland with its diverse Nepalese population is a microcosm of community at large. Community participation is very crucial in the Vihara's activities. We have been performing lifecycle rituals for Newars as well as non-Newars too."
Commitment and dedication to promote and popularize the esoteric Charya dances and Newar Buddhist rituals have always been among Prajwal's core strength. Just as, significantly, however, Prajwal's Charya dance career and experience mirror the trajectory of history of dissemination of esoteric Charya nritya in the West. And fifteen year history of the Mahavihara is closely interrelated with the history of creativity and dedication of founder Helen Appell and co-founder Prajwal Vajracharya.
Nritya Mandala Mahavihara's inception 15 years ago was guided not only by objectives of enhancing the cultural and artistic activities, but the Vihara also presents its credentials as a uniting force of the Newar Buddhists in Oregon.
The Nritya Mandala Mahavihara has been able to carve out a niche of its own in the role it has played in the process of dissemination and promotion of rich Newar traditions and Vajrayana Buddhism. The Portland Baha is maintaining the Samskaras and rituals which are the cornerstone of Newar Buddhist civilization. The Vihara, as the first and only one Newar Buddhist monastery in USA to cater the religious and spiritual needs felt by the Newar Buddhists and community members across Oregon, has a tremendous task ahead.
(Dr Rabin Man Shakya, a Portland based Newar journalist, is a Sangha member of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. He is also a Life Member of World Newah Organization.)
