A venue to host Honoured Guests

In addition to providing a home base for the Aro Tradition in the UK (http://www.arobuddhism.org/) Drala Jong will provide a venue to host guest teachers from around the world. In recent years Sang-ngak-chö-dzong - our UK registered charity - has invited teachers such as Lopon P Ogyan Tanzin Rinpoche (see below) and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche (pictured here) to teach in Britain. Unfortunately we've never been able to host such honoured guest teachers in the manner or for the time that we would like, due to the physical and financial constraints of rented venues.

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche is the lineage head of the Repkong ngakpas - the largest dra'tsang (tantric college) of ngakpas in Tibet. Lama Tharchin Rinpoche (http://www.vajrayana.org/) last visited in 1996, when we were able to host him giving public teachings on the Seven Line Song of Padmasambhava, according to the commentary of Mipham Rinpoche. It was during this visit that Lama Tharchin Rinpoche publically gave students of Ngak'chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen the instruction to use the epithet 'Ngak'chang' when refering to our teacher - as previously we had addressed him as Ngakpa Chögyam Rinpoche. We hope Drala Jong will furnish generations who visit with the inspiration to become 'great masters of mantra' - 'Ngak'chang' - and that we will be able to host other teachers of such kindness, accomplishment and erudition as Lama Tharchin Rinpoche to benefit all who have an interest in the teachings of the Nyingma Tradition in Britain.

The little boy in the picture is young Robert - the son of Ngak'chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen. It is also our intent that Drala Jong be a family friendly centre, able to accomodate students with children, and able to host family retreats for those with either practicing (Buddhist) or non-practicing partners.