The first Newari Buddhist temple in the US has been completed in Portland, Oregon, and is about to be consecrated. In order to do so they are trying to bring a priest from Nepal to conduct the ceremonies, but he has twice now been denied a visa to the US. Below is an email I received this morning from Dance Mandal, the organization building the temple:

"Please support our efforts in bringing a priest from Nepal to perform the traditional 3 day consecration for the first Nepalese Buddhist Temple in the West! His visa has been denied twice by the US Embassy Officials stating that he has no evidence that he will return to Nepal. There is no attention paid to the appropriate documents provided and the Consular himself knows nothing of this case and the true facts.

There is very little time. Please demonstrate support by clicking on the link below and signing the petition today so that the Consular may understand the significance of our request.

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/twic...he-west

You can also help through prayers for obstacles to be removed. Join us in spirit in Oregon this Weds. eve.

Thank you for listening and encouraging a fair chance in this process."

For more information also see dancemandal.com/