BY RITEE KARMACHARYA
This year, friends of Nepal-New Jersey held their annual Buddha Jayanti event on the thirteenth of May with a new twist- they also celebrated Nepal Culture Day. Held at the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara in Princeton, the event featured prayers, kid’s art projects, story times, speeches, dance performances, and even a parade. Led by a carriage built by members of FONNJ, attendees took laps around the large Buddha statue featured at the temple.
A bell ringing ceremony initiated the start of the event, where FONNJ President Roshan Karmacharya and former President Tulsi Maharjan delivered a speech then rang the bell at the peace garden. Members of the youth team have been working on the Peace Garden every other Sunday. “We’ve been working on the garden, fixing it up and cleaning. It symbolizes peace and diversity and inclusion within all religions. People of all races and religions are welcome to visit.” said Avash Lamichane, a volunteer part of the youth team. They have transformed what was the plain patch of land next to the temple into a beautiful garden with a pathway which includes flags, flowers, painted rocks, and decorations.
The youth chapter, a new group started under FONNJ, is a program catered towards the younger generation, where they participate in volunteering events, fundraisers, leadership opportunities, and more. “Our focus was on fostering a sense of unity, where individual identities were set aside, and each team member made an equal contribution and exerted their efforts. Alongside our offerings to Lord Buddha, a symbol of reverence and inspiration, which held great significance for us, we also dedicated ourselves to ensuring the success of Nepal Day.” said Suresh Shrestha, a leader of the youth team.
Nepali school students performed during the event. These students were taught by Kabina Singh. “Every Sunday we start Nepali class with the Nepali anthem since 2021,” Kabina Singh, the teacher of the group, said. The American national anthem followed, sung by Sahara Maharjan, a youth team member. A welcoming speech talking about the meaning of Buddha Jayanti and why it’s important to celebrate was delivered by Nepal Consulate General Bishnu Gautam before Pragya Shrestha and Ritee Karmacharya took over to MC the event. “I was nervous at first, but it was fun to announce the activities with Ritee. We also read the story of Buddha’s life to the audience.” said MC Pragya, a Rutgers freshman studying biology.
A parade led by a carriage carried by members of the organization with a mini statue of Buddha inside of it followed, and all guests walked around the large Buddha statue three times. FONNJ members worked together to build the carriage, symbolizing a rath in order to honor the god. Fruits, flowers, and dhoop were laid out in front of the temple as an offering. Guests carried flags and dressed in their cultural attire to show their Nepali pride. Students from the Old Bridge Nepali Class performed to a variety of songs featuring Buddha and unity between different ethnic groups within Nepal. Kabina Singh and Menuka Udas led prayers where everyone sat together and chanted the Buddhist prayer “Namo Tassa.”
As the event concluded, guests helped themselves to authentic Nepali food, which included rice, cheura, aloo tama, and more. Members of FONNJ contributed to the food and most brought something along with them.
According to Dr. Maharjan, Founding President, “It was great to see diverse groups of people representing various ethnic communities from Nepal as well as various communities. 35 years ago, when I first came to New Jersey, I had to drive one hour to go to Buddhist Vihara, now it’s only 15 minutes from my home. It was great to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday with a diverse group of people including American and other South Asian friends. I would like to congratulate youth Leadership team members for their dedication and commitment to promote and preserve Nepalese cultural heritage in America. We look forward to having an even greater event next year with everyone’s participation”.
“The event was a huge success,” President Karmacharya says. “It had an amazing turnout and it was even better than we expected,” he added. If you missed out on this year’s amazing event, be sure to join next year!
Before end of the event, three trees were planted in memory of the FONNJ families who had passed away this year. “People are welcome to come plant a tree at the peace garden in memory of a lost one.” said FONNJ President Roshan Karmacharya.
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Photos provided by Bhushan Shrestha, Rakesh Shrestha and Bikash Shrestha
The Asha Project 