Words of the Lamas
Words of the Lamas features concise commentaries and essential explanations of numerous aspects of life from the perspective of Tantra and Dzogchen. These succinct expressions appeared on a monthly basis to provide a growing resource of essential teaching. Their lively style also provides intimate glimpses of the perception and personality of the Lineage Lamas.
Most Words were originally delivered as teachings to Aro apprentices. Some use words and concepts that may be unfamiliar to newcomers; others may by read easily by anyone.
The Meaning of Transmission
Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen The essential meaning of transmission lies in continually experiencing oneself in relation to the Lama.The function of the Lamas – …
Wealth
Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen We were asked for our views on ‘envy’ in respect of ‘giving up materialism as the Buddhist way of life’. …
Defining heresy
Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Heresy is not a popular word, in terms of criticising religious trends. It does not lend itself to the ‘feel …
The Vajra Simpleton
Khandro Déchen Advice from Khandro DéchenNgak’chang Rinpoche and I always recommend that people keep their lives simple – but what might …
If I am a practitioner
Khandro Déchen Being simple does not mean that one becomes monochromatic.Being simple does not mean being stunted in our appreciation of everything …
Riding the Tiger
gö kar chang lo ordination
Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Almost everyone who attends a gö kar chang lo ordination retreat thinks about the possibility of taking ordination themselves at …
Children and Pemakö
Establishing Lhundrüp Tobgyé Ling
Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Lhundrüp Tobgyé Ling is the shortened form of Nga’gyür Yoga’i Drüp-dé Lhundrüp Tobgyé Ling ‘Early-translation Yogic Meditation College where Strength is Gained Spontaneously’. It is a Ngak’phang Dratsang for children – a place where boys and girls from the Pemakö region can receive both a secular education and training which will prepare them—should it be their long-term desire—to become ordained ngakpas and ngakmas.
‘Self’-immolation
gö kar chang lo ordination
Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Vajrayana vows throw a can of gasoline into the splicing room. In terms of practice—within the tradition of Vajrayana—vows encourage …
. . . and the art of ballistics
Ngak’chang Rinpoche ‘ . . . all you accomplish, is a preferable environment in which to find the empty moment in which …
Being Politic
‘ . . . one big diplomat’
Ngak’chang Rinpoche Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche once told me that I was ‘ . . . one big diplomat’. This was not a …
Death
We live our lives as if death were years away, and this is a denial of reality.
Khandro Déchen I worked as a nurse for fifteen years—the last seven of which were in cancer hospice care—so I feel it …
Dzogchen Gar’cham
Gar’cham exists in four modes – outer (phyi), inner (nang), secret (gSang), and most secret (yang gSang). These are known …
Enraged Buddhism
Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen “I’m an engaged Buddhist.” “Congratulations – when is the wedding day?”Buddhism has been engaged from the beginning. There has never …
Fashion
vajra cynicism and vajra naïveté
Ngak’chang Rinpoche It is fashionable—in certain intellectual circles—to be cynical. It is fashionable amongst certain circles of cultic religious devotees, to be …
Fixing to Die Blues
A poetry commentary
Ngak’chang Rinpoche People have asked me—over the years—whether I would ever provide commentary on my poetry. I have usually answered that I …
Heaven and Hell
February 1998 apprentices’ questions, answered by Ngak’chang Rinpoche
Ngak’chang Rinpoche Q Rinpoche, I’ve seen a pattern in myself, where I dampen my own enthusiasm so I won’t be disappointed. I …
Kindness
the power of the awakened mind warrior
Ngak’chang Rinpoche I would like to explore something with you this evening that is so close to my heart that I do …
Living the View
"The idea is to find the ambivalence in every situation and stay with it – know it, feel it, taste it."
Khandro Déchen Living the view means living with the knowledge that Vajrayana is not separate from the stream of reality that you …
Obstinacy
chö-drèd (chos dred) —and— chö khran’gyür (chos mKhrang ’gyur)
We have always regretted the absence of a means of communicating with a ‘Buddhist laity’ – i.e. people who are …
Personality
Personality is of prime importance in the functioning of Vajrayana vis-à-vis the Lama and disciple. The personality, however, is irrelevant …
Q&A - Enthusiasm
Ngak’chang Rinpoche Q Rinpoche, in ‘Spectrum of Ecstasy’ you talk about mirroring each other’s kyil’khors, or mandalas. Could you talk a bit …
Q&A - Non-conceptuality
Ngak’chang Rinpoche Q Within the non-dual state, what happens with memories of things? Do you experience them?R Why would you not experience …
Q&A - On becoming transparent
Ngak’chang Rinpoche Q The hell I often visit is anxiety – what actually is that Rinpoche?R It is what keeps you safe. …
Q&A - Promise & process
The nature of vow-holding
Ngak’chang Rinpoche Question: Is it correct that the vows and the practice of keeping the vows are process as well as promise …
Q&A - The certain time and place
Ngak’chang Rinpoche Rinpoche We have looked—so far—at the certain teacher and the certain teaching. Then there are the certainties of time and …
Q&A - "Where there is a dog there will also be a tail"
Ngak’chang Rinpoche We have to change ourselves in order to accommodate the imperatives of Dharma – not the other way round. Outer …
Realised Losers
rDzogs chen and tantric tonglen
Ngak’chang Rinpoche One has to look at one’s own capacity in the moment. To artificially assume Dzogchen view—and attempt to maintain it …
The ‘either’
a reminiscence of Chhi'mèd Rig'dzin Rinpoche
Khandro Déchen It was always slightly fraught visiting Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche. I never quite knew what he was going to ask me …