Nritya Mandala Mahavihara preserves & shares the traditions of Buddhist practice, arts, & culture held by the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley region of Nepal.
Established in Portland, Oregon in 2009, our center is the first Newar Vajrayana Buddhist temple in the West. 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.
We bring together people from diverse traditions to study and practice Buddhism and its related sacred arts and to share cultural gatherings and life cycle rituals essential to the Nepalese community. We hold the traditions of the last living current of Sanskrit Buddhism, integrating each aspect of life into spiritual practice.
The temple is open daily 8 to 9 a.m., and on weekends, from 9 to 10 a.m. These times are for meditation.
Upcoming Events
1)Foundation Classes Coming up
2) Buddha Jayanti Cleaning party
3)Buddha Jayanti Celebration
4)Mantra, Dharani Chanting
5) Sadhana practice and Buddhist Bhajan
6)Yogic singing practice
7)Full moon Namasangiti chant
All in pacific Time
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Buddha Jayanti Cleaning party
April 25nd Saturday only
Buddha’s Birthday is approaching on the full moon of Saturday May 2nd, and we are so excited to celebrate together at the Vihara on Saturday, May 2nd. To prepare our sacred space for this special event, we are hosting our biannual Cleaning Party on April 25 Saturday 10-5pm . Whether you can spare an hour or the whole day, your help cleaning the temple (inside and out!) and the courtyard is a beautiful offering and deeply appreciated. It’s always a festive, joyful time of community and service—we truly can’t do it without you!
The Details:
When: Come at your convenience anytime during the Saturday
Food: Lunch will be provided for all volunteers.
RSVP: Please text me if you plan to come so we can prepare enough foodThank.
you for your dedication and for making our Vihara shine!
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✨ Join Us for Buddha’s Birthday Celebration ✨
We invite you to join our community at the Vihara for a day of devotion, light, and joy as we celebrate the birth of the Buddha. This sacred day, known as Vesak, commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing.
Special Welcome Ritual
As you enter the Vihara, we invite you to participate in the traditional Bathing of the Buddha. This beautiful act of pouring water over the statue symbolizes the purification of one's own heart and mind from greed, anger, and ignorance.
🕒 Event Program
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM | Namasangiti Chant
Opening our hearts through the sacred recitation of the "Chanting the Names of Manjushri."4:15 PM – 5:30 PM | 108 Butter Lamps & Refuge Dance
We will light 108 butter lamps to symbolize the dispelling of darkness, accompanied by a meditative 108-times refuge dance.5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Buddhist Bhajan
Devotional songs and music to lift the spirit.6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Open Mic
A space for community members to share poems, reflections, or short stories.7:00 PM onwards | Community Veggie Dinner
We will conclude the evening with a delicious vegetarian feast. You are most welcome to bring and share your favorite cuisines!
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On weekly program
Mantra, Dharani and Sutra Chant
Every Tuesday at 6pm (online only)
Dharani literature has existed for over two millennia in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. Widespread around the world and especially in the Nepalese Buddhist community, Dharanis are typically used to prevent misfortune, remove obstacles, heal and protect. Dharanis are also used in life cycle rituals and other practices.
To keep this practice alive, we are going to practice every Tuesday at 6pm, please come and join us. It’s free. Portland time. Please join 10 minutes before.
Free to Join on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81675243031?pwd=YXBsZk52U3M3YXFFNS9nd1ZpdmVFUT09
Meeting ID: 816 7524 3031
Passcode: 328871
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Sadhana Practice +Buddha Bhajan
Every Wednesday 6pm
if you are interested on Meditation and Sadhana Here is the link
(just for the practitioner)
Free to Join on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81543420523?pwd=b3ZCQi9yTWVIR2h2R2FrUllMRnFLdz09
Meeting
ID: 815 4342 0523
Passcode: 8872
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Singing practice
Every Friday at 8am
The songs of Charya Dance are a sadhana of deity yoga practice in simple Sanskrit. Anyone interested in learning these songs and about the singing tradition please join
Free to Join on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81779088506?pwd=eVNFMjdhWFZGMThoZmt1QUxpYlNTZz09
Meeting ID: 817 7908 8506
Passcode: 426161
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Full Moon
167 Verses of Manjusri (Namasangiti)
The Nama-samgiti is considered amongst the most advanced teachings given by the Shakyamuni Buddha Nama-samgiti was preached by Shakyamuni Buddha for his disciple Vajrapani and his wrathful retinue in order to lead them into Buddha-hood The essence of the Nama-samgiti is that Manjushri bodhisattva is the embodiment of all knowledge. The Nama-samgiti is a short text, only circa 167 verses and a prose section. It is a fraction of the vast Sutra. The Nama-samgiti contains all of the Buddha’s dharmas. Therefore, all sentient beings should definitely study and recite the manjushri-nama-samgiti.
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Vihara has Vacancy for Pujaries
As you know, our vihara has been doing daily puja in the temple since it’s establishment, 365 days a year. It has been 16 years with out missing a day.
Over time some pujaris have moved away or their circumstances have changed, so that now there is a vacancy for some days. If you want to learn to do the ritual, we will be training individuals one-on-one by appointment in the morning at 8am on weekdays and on weekends at 9am. This is a volunteer opportunity. It is especially good for those who meditate and want to learn a different way of meditation by doing daily puja. In the training you will learn the meaning and significance of each element of the ritual. This Newah Vajrayana Buddhist ritual has been passed down from the 3rd century and is critical to the life of our vihara. Maintaining this practice not only benefits the vihara, but also helps those who perform it to grow in their own spirituality. Anyone who is interested is welcome. You do not need any background.
If you want to donate your time and practice, please contact Prajwal Vajracharya 503-807-5252prajwalguvaju@gmail.com
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Sanskrit Buddhist practice & culture from the ancient crossroads of the Nepal Mandala, now shining in the West.
