This photograph was taken in December 2002 when a small dedicated group accompanied Ngak’chang Rinpoche to Nepal: Ngakpa Trögyal Dorje and Naljorma Dzü’drül Pamo, Ngakma Shé-zér Khandro, Naljorpa Bar-ché Dorje, and Ngakpa Trö-rig.
It was an extraordinary time and none of those who were there with Kyabjé
Künzang Dorje Rinpoche and Jomo Sam’phel will be the same again. Kyabjé
Künzang Dorje Rinpoche looked through the large collection of photographs which Ngakpa
Trögyal Dorje had brought with him and commented on many aspects of the gö kar chang
lo appearance that he saw displayed in the scenes from apprentice retreats. He noticed
Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s green to-nga with delight – and said:
I have only
ever
seen such a to-ngas in thangkas and described in the texts. I will show these photographs to all
my friends to show them that it was still possible to wear the gö kar chang lo in the
world.
On one occasion the group picnicked with Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche and Jomo
Sam’phel in what Ngak’chang Rinpoche
described as:
‘ … desolation row’ – a ruinous area that
resembled a
bombsite; where a buffalo was being butchered; where a pile of festering rubbish was burning;
where dogs were fighting over rancid scraps and rotten bones; where a man was chipping concrete
from old bricks right next to us as we ate; where various other unlikely people carried out
incomprehensible tasks – seemingly unaware of our presence. Kyabjé Künzang
Dorje Rinpoche and Jomo Sam’phel sat in stately fashion – presiding as the Lord and
Lady
of the Charnel Ground. Flies settled on everyone and everything everywhere – but not one
landed
on Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche or Jomo Sam’phel.