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