If we observe the present situation of Newar Buddhism, a tremendous impact from modern Theravada Buddhist movement can be seen.

1.On the Nature of Monasticism.

In an attempt to list the most important points of controversy against the traditional view of Newar Buddhism and Buddhist modernism of Theravada, they are on the very nature of monasticism. As stated earlier, Newar Buddhists lacked the foundation of monastic upgrading. So the Theravadin monks who are trained in Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka even charged Newar Buddhists as having no disciplinary rules. The basis of their charge is that Newar Bajracharya and Shakyas are lay Buddhists and no celibate monks.

So the non-practice of Pratimoksha rules by Newar Buddhist system is one major disagreement and distasteful event for the new Theravada Buddhists of Kathmandu Valley.

2.Performance of Yajna (Ritual of Sacrificial Fire)

The performance of sacrificial fire (Homa Yajna) according to Buddhist Tantric system is another feature distasteful to Buddhist modernism. Homa Yajna ritual is performed according to Kriya and Carya Tantra system which is quite unknown in Theravada system. For Theravadins the act of Yajna is basically a Hindu practice and hence they assumed this practice as heretical.

3. Wrathful and Peaceful Deities and its Worship

Newar Buddhists are familiar with multifarious pantheon according to Guhyasamaja Tantra, Cakrasamvara Tantra, Kalacakra Tantra, and others which they use in their paintings and sculptures. For example: Avalokiteshvara is the most popular Boddhisattva among Nepalese society. There are many temples dedicated to this Bodhisattva. As much as 108 varieties of Avalokiteshvara's forms are found in the paintings, stone sculptures and wooden arts. Rational jusification of myriad forms of deities are not familiar topic to Theravada believers. So they labelled Newar Buddhist system as believers of Ishvara.

4.Varieties of Rituals and Ceremonies

Theravadins are familiar with a simple form of ritual called Paritrana and Buddha Puja whereas Newar Buddhists use a varieties of rituals called Dashakarma starting from the birth of a child until his death. It seemed to them these practices are heretical.

5.Denial of Mythology

Traditional Buddhists believe in superhuman aspect of Lord Buddha as described in Lalitavistara Sutra whereas Thervadins stress the human aspect of the Buddha. They denied every form of mythology and miracles. Although they are not consistent to their principles.

6. Lack of Learned Scholars and Experts

In modern Theravada tradition, many Buddhist monks and nuns seemed to be well educated and they are active in teaching to the local mass but on the other hand, there are conspicuous lack of learned scholars and teachers in Newar Vajrayana Buddhism thereby resulting on disrespect to the tradition itself.

7. Lack of Systematic Meditation System

Modern Buddhists seemed to have taken great interest on Vipassana meditation. To satisfy these needs, traditional masters of Newar Vajrayana Buddhism could not organize the systematic meditation courses. As a consequence, most Newar Buddhists seemed to have taken great interest on meditation system on S. N. Goenka or Mahasisayadaw.

On the other hand, the meditation techniques of Vajrayana Buddhism seemed to be very popular in the west and the rest of the world because they were administered by the worthy and learned Tibetan Buddhist masters. In this way, in order to preserve Newar Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, it is strongly felt the need for scholarship and monasticism. If it is limited to Buddhist rituals only, the result will be obviously, a gradual disappearance of the Dharma itself.