Guru Viking Podcast Ep352: Mahāmudrā of Newar Buddhism - Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya
Mar 13, 2026
Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a 35th-generation Newar tantric priest and Charya Nritya master, discusses dance, mudrā, and movement as embodied paths to Mahāmudrā. He outlines four levels of Mahāmudrā, shows a refuge mudrā sequence, and explores communal practices that cultivate compassion. He also shares Jātaka tales and the role of ritual magic in Newar Buddhism.
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Dance And Song As Full Bodily Meditation
- Newar Buddhism treats dance and singing as meditative embodiment that awakens body, speech, and mind together.
- Prajwal teaches Charya Nritya as a conscious movement and mantra practice to fully awaken bodily channels and perception.
Four Stages Of Mahamudra As Social Practice
- Mahāmudrā in Newar Buddhism is a lived quality: stages move from maintaining personal happiness to generating communal compassion and finally knowing past, present, and future.
- Prajwal maps four levels: personal contentment, built consciousness shared in community, diagnostic healing presence, and full temporal awareness.
Create Small Guti To Build Practical Compassion
- Build compassion by organizing local mutual-aid groups (guti) that pool small contributions and host monthly gatherings.
- Prajwal suggests $10-per-family style collections and youth presentations to fund community help and keep younger generations engaged.