Teaching Couple
Ngala Nor’dzin & Ngala ’ö-Dzin
Ngala Nor’dzin and Ngala ’ö-Dzin first met at the Lam Rim Buddhist Centre in South Wales. They immediately liked each other and soon became firm friends. They both felt as if they were rediscovering an old friendship. They married in 1985. They also both met Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen at the Lam Rim Centre. In the early 1980s Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen gave teaching retreats there four times a year. These were the early days of their teaching and also the early days of the Lam Rim Centre – and so Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen taught there to help support this new Buddhist venue. At that time there were more yoga and Ta’i Chi courses than Buddhist courses at the Lam Rim Centre and the residents also enjoyed Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen’s visits.
Ngala Nor’dzin and Ngala ’ö-Dzin quickly became devoted to Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen as their Tsawa’i Lamas and entered into Vajrayana commitments with them. Ngala Nor’dzin and Ngala ’ö-Dzin have been highly involved with and committed to the growth of the ‘Confederate Sanghas of Aro’ since its inception.
Ngala Nor’dzin laughs when she remembers:
There
was a time when I wrote the newsletters by hand, organised all open retreats,
and cooked for the retreat attendees. Ngala ’ö-Dzin looked after the
mailing list, and was in charge of our first publications. We worked with
Ngak’chang Rinpoche closely in those days – making curtains for the shrine
room, cooking meals, and preparing for the visits of Lama Yeshé Dorje Rinpoche
and Khordong gTérchen Tulku Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche who both came to
Cardiff to visit us.
They both still work tirelessly for their own sangha and for the Aro gTér Lineage.
According to the vows of the Khandro Pawo Nyi-da Mélong Gyüd (mKha’ ’gro dPa bo nyi zLa me long rGyud) Ngala Nor’dzin and Ngala ’ö-Dzin take each other as teachers, and find their relationship of great significance in their practice. Their relationship is a manifestation of their lives as practitioners, and a source of inspiration for those who know them. The warmth and friendship they share—together with the relaxed and intimate atmosphere that surrounds them—inspires confidence in their apprentices and even in those who meet them casually. Their sons Daniel and Richard—who were caring, gentle and lively as children—continue to demonstrate consideration, kindness, and cheerfulness through their teenage years.
Ngala
’ö-Dzin comments:
Ngak’chang Rinpoche
and Khandro Déchen told us that they have no doubt that the warrior
qualities—which Daniel and
Richard display—are a direct reflection of how we apply
the teachings of the Khandro Pawo Nyi-da Mélong Gyüd as a couple. They
regard this teaching as being of great significance to the world. They
point out that happy loving parents who evidently trust and respect each other
– are going to raise children who will contribute to a happier more loving
world.
