Nepali Community in Oregon Pays Glowing Tributes to Gen-Z Martyrs
Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, Sept 14 (Nepal Oregon News): A candle-light vigil was organized at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA on Saturday, Sept 13, 2025 by NRNA-USA Oregon chapter and Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) in memory of the lives lost during the recent Gen-Z movement in Nepal.
The brutal crackdown on Gen-Z's anti-corruption protests recently by the notorious UML - Nepali Congress coalition government led by KP Oli has, so far, resulted in the deaths of 72 innocent people.
The candle-light memorial at the Newar Buddhist monastery in Portland kicked off with the playing of national anthem of Nepal.
This was followed by a one-minute silence, a moment of reflection, respect and tributes to lives lost during the Gen-Z protests.
Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and a 35th generation Vajrayana priest performed 'Durgati Parishodhana' chanting in Sanskrit in memory of the Gen-Z martyrs.
Likewise, during the candle-light service, Lama Lhotsang Sherpa ritualized 'Tong Shak', (a chanting in Tibetan and Sanskrit). 'Tong Shak' is prayers to 35 Buddhas.
The candle-light memorial was also addressed by various Nepalese community leaders in Portland: NRNA-Oregon chapter president Shuddhodan Ranjit, Nepa Chhen president Daya Shakya, community leaders Raju Mali, Kush Shrestha, Bharat Baskota, Ek Raj Dahal, Raja Shrestha, Ganga Sharma, Jangbu Sherpa and NAO secretary Punam Glee.
Daya Shakya informed the candle-light vigil participants that during this year's Kumari Jatra, tears fell down from the eyes of the Living Goddess Kumari, and added that when it happens, there is usually a big socio-economic or political turmoil in the country.
Likewise, Shuddhodan Ranjit said:"NRNA-USA Oregon chapter prays the Buddha for eternal peace of the departed souls and extends heart-felt condolences to all the members of the bereaved families of the Gen-Z martyrs."
Young students like Ruja Bista and Shreya Shrestha also paid homage to the lives lost during the Gen-Z movement.
A number of Nepalese Oregonians were seen inside the temple of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara lighting the candles and then putting them on a large tray during the candle-light memorial.
The candle-light service was attended by more than 100 Nepalese Portlanders.
Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and Nepal Oregon News extend gratitude to all the vigil participants for such an overwhelming and emotional event.
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Zoom Teaching on Prajna Paramita Organized
Portland, Sept 19 (Nepal Oregon News): A zoom teaching on 'Prajna Paramita Vajra Dance' was organized on Friday, Sept 19, 2025 by Hong Kong Buddhist Studies Association. The on-line teaching was conducted by Guruji Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA.
During the virtual presentation, Prajwal Guruji who is the 35th generation Vajrayana priest, said:"Prajnaparamita is a Sanskrit word for perfection of wisdom."
Prajnaparamita is the perfection of transcendental wisdom, teaching that everything is essentially emptiness, observed the Guruji.
The remotely-held teaching dealt with various aspects of Prajnaparamita. Saying that Parikalpana (imagination), Parinispanna (perfection) and Paratantra (dependence) are three categories of emptiness within Prajnaparamita, Prajwal Guruji also comprehensively threw light on 16 different emptinesses.
Laying emphasis on the importance of Prajnaparamita devi in the Newar Vajrayana Buddhism, Prajwal Guruji said that she is the Mother of Buddhas who embodies this wisdom and appears in many Sutras and Tantras.
This wisdom is centered on the concept of Sunyata or emptiness, which highlights the impermanence and interconnectedness of all existences, Prajwal Guruji added.
The teaching also dealt on Dharani and Prajnaparamita Hridayam Sutra. According to the Sutra, form is emptiness, emptiness is form, no eyes, no ears, no nose, no taste, no mind, no object of mind, no suffering, no origin, no cessation and no attainment, no non-attainment. Bodhisattva relies on and abide in the perfection, said the Guruji.
True enlightenment is the end of suffering. Eliminate attachments and the poisons for true freedom and a love beyond concept, this is the essence of Prajnaparamita, added the Guruji quoting the Sutra.
Prajwal Guruji stated:"The Mantra of the Perfection of wisdom is: Gate Gate Para Gate Para Sangate Bodhi Svaha (Gone, gone beyond, gone compeletly beyond, to enlightenment).
This Mantra expresses the idea of wisdom and interconnectedness that we do not exist independently but that we arise in dependence of the whole universe, Prajwal Guruji continued.
Prajwal Guruji went on saying:"Sunyata or emptiness is the core heart of the Vajrayana Buddhist philosophy. Prajnaparamita is the source of wisdom. Perfection of wisdom leads to the path of enlightenment."
Giving details about the Charya Nritya 'Prajnaparamita', the Guruji said:"This Charya dance is named after the female Buddha - Prajnaparamita devi. Prajnaparamita charya dance is one of the ancient classical Charya dances of Newar Vajracharyas. This dance is performed especially as a devotion to Prajnaparamita Devi."
During the remotely held discourse, Prajwal Guruji also sang the Charya giti of Prajnaparamita and explained zoom participants about the meaning of the charya lyrics. Chant to Prajnaparamita charya nritya begins with:"Biswo rupi sarba indriya sworupi/ triloka bhakta ati eka rupi//, the Guruji said quoting the lyrics.
Prajwal Guruji informed the participants of the virtual teaching:"Raga for the Prajnaparamita charya nritya is Hindola and its Tala is Matha." The Guruji also demonstrated step-by-step the Mudra, finger and hand gestures of the Charya dance dedicated to Prajnaparamita Devi.
At the end of the on-line teaching on Prajnaparamita Devi, Guruji Prajwal answered to the questions of the participants
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Yenya Punhi Celebrated in Portland, USA
Portland, Sept 6 (Nepal Oregon News): Yenya Punhi, which is the biggest street cultural festival of Kathmandu, was celebrated on Saturday, Sept 6, 2025 at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA by organizing a traditional Jhwo Bhoye.
About 60 Newar Portlanders and some American guests took part at the Yenya Punhi feasting. Yenya Punhi is also known as Samay Baji Punhi, because Samay Baji is served in the houses of the Newar people of Kathmandu on the Day of Yenya Punhi.
Yenya means the festival of Kathmandu in Nepal Bhasa, the language of the Newar people of Nepal.
Yenya festivities consist of two major cultural events: Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra. Indra Jatra is the oldest festival of Kathmandu, dating back to the 10th century.
According to historical chronicles, the tradition of Kumari Jatra was launched by Malla King Jayasthiti Malla in 1756 AD whereas Indra Jatra was initiated by Licchavi King Guna Kama Deva in the 10th century. The procession of Dagin, the mother of Indra, takes place after the chariot processions of Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav.
Indra Jatra begins annually on the fourth day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadra. It starts with the erection of the ceremonial Yosin pole in front of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The festival is celebrated by both Buddhists and Hindus across the Kathmandu valley.
Indra Jatra which is observed in the Kathmandu valley continues to be a festival of unity, faith and cultural pride, drawing thousands of devotees and visitors every year.
Speaking at the Yenya Punhi celebration program in Portland, Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara threw light on the history and relevance of Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra while Sanjiv Kumar Lohala made a short presentation on "Bhaktapur Experiences: Med Travel Nepal".
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Prajwal Guruji Elected to Spiritual/Cultural Director of NRNA-USA Oregon Chapter
Portland, Sept 9 (Nepal Oregon News): Prajwal Vajracharya, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, the only Newar Buddhist monastery in USA, has been elected as the Spiritual/Cultural Director of Non-resident Nepali Association (NRNA) - USA - Oregon Chapter.
It was disclosed at a meeting held here in Portland on Tuesday, Sept 9, 2025.
Shuddhodan Ranjit, Raju Mali, Nileema Ozha and Bikram Vaidya have been unanimously elected president, vice president, woman president and general secretary respectively of the NRNA Oregon chapter.
Likewise, Bidhan Lama and Dr Rabin Man Shakya were given responsibility of sports and media directors respectively while Amod Chhetri, Padam Thapa, Dinesh Thapa, and Suraj Parajuli were elected unopposed as the members of the board of directors.
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Week-long Relational Meditation Retreat Held at Vihara
Portland, Sept 14 (Nepal Oregon News): A week-long relational meditation retreat was held at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara from Sept 8-14, (Monday to Sunday) by Samek and Harry Taussig.
The attunement residency - a week of being fully human together - was a brainchild of the hosts Samek and Harry Taussig.
Six young people took part at the retreat organized at the Newar Buddhist monastery in Portland.
The retreat was described as a healthy human community through relational practices and meditation.
The participants engaged in several hours of "relational meditation" each day, building a "relational monastery" for a week. They stayed and practiced at the Portland Baha, the first and only one Newar Buddhist temple in the West.
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"Play of Krishna" Staged at Vihara
Axi Nityananda
On the evening of Sept 20th, Prajwal Guruji and Nritya Mandala Mahavihara welcomed the small theatrical ensemble of Madame Palmetto's Amusement Company into the temple sanctorum for a two-hour theatrical and musical odyssey telling the ancient tales of the early early life of Lord Krishna.
45 people crowded into the beautiful temple to laugh, sing and learn the tales that have shaped the Indian subcontinent for millennia.
Most of the crowd had never been to the Vihara before and were in awe of this beacon of culture and spirituality in the heart of southeast Portland.
Coming from diverse places, all gathering to watch Axi Nityananda take on 9 different characters from the life of Sri Krishna to tell their perspective on being divinely tied to this wild Avatar.
Axi pulled audience members onto the stage, improvised and played with the crowd while weaving the perennial tales.
In between each song Ari Shine, Luz Helena Florez and Yogeshwari led the crowd in singing enchanting devotional bhajans.
At the door of the temple, Dewa slept soundly on Prajwal Guruji's lap, the audience at turns was rolling in laughter, in pin drop silence, dancing in joy, and raptly watching the poetic tale unfold.
Madame Palmetto is extremely grateful to the Vihara for the opportunity to share those spiritual teachings in the tragic-comical form called "The Play of Krishna" and is grateful to the entire Sangha for their commitment to advancing art and spirituality in the world from this sacred hub in the heart of Portland.
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Weekly Activities in Vihara Continue
In September, 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, Nepali journalist in America, is Media Director of NRNA-USA-Oregon State Chapter.)
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