The Redecorated Shrine Room
Craft Retreat, June 2004
The shrineroom at Aro Khalding Tsang – the home of Ngala Nor’dzin and Ngala ’ö-Dzin – is decorated in the colours of a traditional Nyingma gompa. The ceiling and area of wall above the picture rail, is a deep blue – the colour of a clear Himalayan sky. Below this is a deep area of yellow – the colour of sunlight. Then there are two stripes, one of orange and one of green. The lower part of the wall is a deep red. The picture rail is gold and the shrine cabinet is deep red. In this shrine room the curtains as the two windows have been made by Ngala Nor’dzin to match the colours and stripes of the wall.
She comments:
When people hear of the colours of the shrine room they sometimes express concern that it will be a rather dark room and a little claustrophobic with so many strong colours. However, on entering the room they are surprised to discover that it has a bright and airy atmosphere. Because the colours used are the natural colours of the landscape, the effect is light and relaxing. The colours of the room lift one’s spirits and are in no way oppressive. We count ourselves most fortunate in having such a room in our home to use for our daily practice.
