In this interview I am joined by Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a tantric priest in a centuries old Newari Buddhist family lineage, and master of the religious dance tradition of Charya Nritya.
Prajwal Vajracharya recounts his upbringing and early training, explains why his lineage was kept secret for hundreds of years, the reasons for its emergence into public awareness, and why his family received criticism for opening up their sacred secrets.
Prajwal describes the holy dance tradition of Charya Nritya and details its layers of spiritual meaning, impact on the subtle energetic body, and emphasis on embodied awakening.
Prajwal also shares the application of Charya Nritya to meditation, deity yoga, and ritual, and reveals the stages of enlightenment in the Newari Buddhist tradition.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep227-the-vajra-master-prajwal-ratna-vajracharya
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
00:54 - Prajwal’s sacred family lineage
02:53 - 800 years of secrecy under oppressive Hindu rule
04:14 - Newari family rituals of the 10 paramitas
06:20 - 2200 years of lineage
07:38 - Secret Newari tantric masters
10:40 - Prajwal’s remarkable father, Ratna Kaji Vajracharya
12:48 - Prajwal’s family dynamics
15:23 - Learning holy dance at 8 years old
16:32 - The meditative training process of Charya Nritya dance
17:53 - The importance of the five Buddhas and their animals
19:56 - Charya Nritya key to enlightenment
20:44 - Embodying the deity
21:24 - Inner, outer, and secret mudras
22:12 - Practice in every moment
22:56 - The power of hand mudra
24:37 - The outer mudra of nature
25:20 - The role of sitting meditation
26:52 - Making a mind connection to the deity
27:40 - Becoming one with the deity
28:37 - The effect of holy dance on the audience
29:36 - Embodied vs intellectual dharma
30:31 - Breaking the secrecy and facing opposition
35:36 - Powerful subtle body effects
37:30 - Ritual and working with spirits
39:06 - Stages of Newari enlightenment
42:13 - Prajwal’s teaching activities
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To find out more about Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, visit:
- https://www.dancemandal.com/
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
