
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.

Temple Open Every day 8am -9am weekday and weekend 9am-10am for Meditation
Upcoming Events
1)The Attunement Residency
2)Retreat on Mara Roast
3)Chant for peace
4)16 Year Anniversary
5)Mantra, Dharani Chanting
6)Buddhist Bhajan and Sadhana practice
7)Yogic singing practice
8)Full moon Namasangiti chant
All in pacific Time
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The Attunement Residency
Sept 8-14
more info: https://harryandsamek.com/
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Retreat on Mara Roast
Sept 29- oct 5th
Every fall, our community comes together for the most unique week on our calendar:
The Mara Roast.
Think of it as part tantric retreat, part ritual fire ceremony, part deep-dive into the heart of Vajrayana practiceβwrapped in the warmth and quirk of Portland community life. This is where we gather to βroast Maraββnot out of anger, but as an act of transformation, composting our doubts, fears, and tired habits into the fuel for wisdom and joy.
If youβve ever wanted to take your practice beyond books, screens, and weekend workshops, this is the week where the teachings come alive in the room, in the ritual, and in your own body-mind.
The Teachers & What Theyβre Bringing
Weβve lined up an extraordinary roster of lamas, each bringing transmissions, empowerments, and practices youβre unlikely to find all under one roof anywhere else.
Guru Prajwal Vajracharya
The Six PΔramitΔs β The Foundational Values of Buddhism
From generosity to wisdom, these perfections are the Bodhisattvaβs toolkitβand theyβre just as relevant in 2025
Lama Fede Andino
The Complete Vajravidharana from the Termas of DΓΌddul Dorje
A rare and potent ritual cycle for purification, protection, and empowermentβstraight from the hidden treasure teachings.
Lama Dorje Sherab
Lhatsun Jigme Shitro Teaching
Plus a Direct Introduction from Longsal through the Bardo, sealed with a HUMβdirectly pointing to the nature of mind in the space between lives.
Lama Celeste Palavecino
PrajΓ±ΔpΔramitΔ β The Heart of the Buddhas
Teaching and empowerment into the mother of all Buddhasβthe wisdom that perceives emptiness.
Lama Jillian Narayan
The Lord of Generosity β Jambhala
Includes Dharani transmission and a smoke offering to call in prosperity and clear away material obstacles.
Lama Joshua Proto
Astrological Teachings of Grahamatrika
A Vajrayana astrological system that connects the movement of the cosmos to your spiritual path.
Lama Christos Christodoulidis
The 12 Links of Interdependence
A deep dive into dependent originationβpaired with a White Tara Empowerment for longevity and healing.
Ericson Proper
Geshe Chekawaβs Seven Points of Mind Training
Classic Lojong wisdom for cultivating compassion and transforming adversity into awakening.
Why Portlanders Love This Event
This isnβt a livestream or a conferenceβitβs about showing up in person, sharing tea, and practicing together.
Youβll receive transmissions and empowerments that are traditionally only given face-to-face.
Our sangha blends deep spiritual discipline with the laid-back, creative energy Portland is famous for.
Youβll walk away with living practices you can integrate into daily lifeβwhether youβre in a meditation hall, at your job, or cycling across the Burnside Bridge.
Join Us
Reserve your spot at vajrakula.com/mara-roast-2025.
Space is intentionally limited to keep things intimate, so once we fill up, thatβs it.
π₯ Letβs gather, light the fire, and roast Mara together. π₯
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Come and join for Chant for Peace
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16 Year Anniversary
November 10 Monday all day
Authentic Ritual 8pm to 12 noon
Lunch 12-2pm
2-3pm,108 butter lamp and refuge dance offering
Dharma Teaching 3-4pm
Buddhist Bhajan 4-4:30pm
Dance offering 5-7pm and dinner
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On weekly program in vihara
Mantra, Dharani and Sutra Chant
Every Tuesday at 6pm (on line 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. Itβs 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 (online or in person )
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(online or in person )
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 Buddhaβs 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 itβs establishment, 365 days a year. It has been 14 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.
