Apprenticeship with Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo and Ngala ’ö-Dzin Tridral

“The Tantric path of transformation is well suited to people who are inspired to practice using their everyday life circumstances as the path to realisation.”

Apprenticeship within the Aro gTér Lineage continues the ancient tradition of small groups of students practising and studying with their Lamas. This article sets out to give detailed information on the character, personality and evolution of this approach to spiritual practice. Apprenticeship is a traditional approach, offering teachings and practices that have their origin in the Nyingma Tradition - the assemblage of ancient lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Aro gTér is a cycle of teachings revealed by the gTértön, Khyungchen Aro Lingma (1886 - 1923) and is based entirely in the three Inner Tantras of Nyingma Vajrayana. The Nyingma Lineages trace their origins to the first spread of Buddhism in Tibet, to the time of Padmasambhava and Yeshé Tsogyel. From its foundation, the Nyingma Tradition established two styles of practice: monastic and ngak’phang. The Sutrayana monastic style of practice emphasises renunciation. Its practitioners are known by their red skirts and shaven heads. The Aro gTér lineage follows the Vajrayana ngak'phang style of practice which emphasises transformation. Its practitioners are known by their white skirts and long hair.

The Vajrayana paths of transformation is well suited to people who are inspired to practice using their everyday life circumstances as the path to realisation. The Nyingma ngak'phang lineages practice within the context of ordinary lives: marrying, having children and engaging in the regular day-to-day activities of life.

Relationship is seen as an important aspect of this style of practice. This practice of appreciation can ultimately be extended to include everyone we encounter, and the apprentice group offers a trusting environment in which such pure vision can be nurtured.

From the perspective of Tantra, female teachers are rôle models for women and teachers for men - and men are rôle models for men and teachers for women. This is one of the reasons why in the Aro gTér tradition, having a married couple as teachers is considered extremely important. A teaching couple provides a great opportunity for the practitioner to gain understanding, bringing vitality and reality to the teachings. Another advantage is that the element of romance in devotion to a teacher is undermined and any neurotic ideas concerning sexual relationships between apprentices and teachers are less likely to occur.

The greatest inspiration and rôle model for women, and teacher for men, is the enlightened yogini Yeshé Tsogyel. She is the female Buddha of the Nyingma School. Yeshé Tsogyel was the sang-yum or spiritual consort of Padmasambhava. As an historical figure, Yeshé Tsogyel is the mother of all Nyingma Lineages.

The greatest inspiration and rôle model for men, and teacher for women, is the enlightened yogi Padmasambhava, the second Buddha and founder of Buddhism in Tibet. He is the male Buddha of the Nyingma Tradition, and the sang-yab of Yeshé Tsogyel. Padmasambhava's birth and activity were predicted by Buddha Shakyamuni, who said that a being of tremendous power and compassion would appear after his death, and transmit the teaching and practices of Tantra.

The Aro gTér

Lamas Nor’dzin and 'ö-Dzin feel it is of great importance to continue the tradition of working with small groups of close students and to be able to relate personally to each of their apprentices.

Aro gTér practice is essentially Inner Tantra. This means that yogic song, silent sitting, mantra recitation and sKu-mNyé (physical yogic exercises) play a central part in practitioners' lives. This is a colourful, energetic lineage where craft, thangka painting, namkha (sky-weaving), cham (Tantric dance), playing of instruments, and appreciation of sensory experience are all celebrated. Less emphasis is placed on practices such as liturgical recitation, sadhana (detailed visualisation) and cho-pa (offering practices) than may be seen in other traditions.

The Aro gTér Lineage has been passed down through a line of enlightened women originating with Yeshé Tsogyel and continuing to the great gTértön Khyungchen Aro Lingma (1886 - 1923). Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen are the current lineage holders. Ngak’chang Rinpoche is the incarnation of Aro Yeshé, the son of Khyungchen Aro Lingma. For the survival of the Aro gTér it is necessary to ensure that women teachers continue to emerge and hence special support is given to women, particularly in their practice.

Among the yoginis and yogis of Tibet it was traditional to work with small groups of close disciples. Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin feel it is of great importance to continue this tradition and to be able to relate personally to each of their apprentices. Disciples, such as Lama Nor’dzin and Lama ’ö-Dzin, who have taken lives-long commitments with their own Tsawa’i Lamas and completed the prerequisites of teacher training, are given authority and autonomy to teach their own apprentices, within the Aro gTér lineage. The Aro gTér lineage manifests in terms of small, closely linked sanghas and does not take on a hierarchical structure.

The word ‘apprentice’ was originally chosen by Ngak’chang Rinpoche. It embraces the idea of the student retaining personal responsibility for the length and depth of commitment, and moving towards competency. It distinguishes Aro Lineage practitioners from the students of other teachers, and people who attend public retreats on an irregular and informal basis. It establishes a category of student who is free to leave without reproach. Apprentices are not bound by vows.

Becoming an apprentice is to be willing to change, and to be open to your teacher actively questioning your views.

Apprentices study and practice together in a spirit of real kindness and friendship, instilling an atmosphere of openness and confidence within the apprentice group. Being an apprentice is all that acceptance depends upon. Sanghas of the Aro gTér contain a wide range of personalities, nationalities, people of different sexual orientation and styles of expression. They are united by an interest in the practice, teachings, and lineage, and by their aspiration to be kind people. Their commitment to the path is expressed through joyful enthusiasm and vividness in all aspects of life.

The nature of apprenticeship is based on combining the commitment to being guided, with freedom and personal responsibility. Becoming an apprentice is to be willing to change, and to be open to your teacher actively questioning your views. The Five Precepts give a good idea of the nature of practice within the apprenticeship group.

Apprenticeship

An harmonious and genuine relationship with one’s vajra brothers and sisters is deemed essential in order to enable teaching to occur.

Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin encourage apprentices to make real friendships among the vajra family and to be open, welcoming and generous in spirit to new apprentices. Harmonious and genuine relationship with one’s vajra brothers and sisters is deemed essential in order to enable teaching to occur. Apprentices are responsible for the overall atmosphere of the sangha as well as the teaching environment. Viewing one’s fellow sangha members with openness and appreciation is a crucial practice within the Aro Sanghas and should be taken to heart.

Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin get to know all their apprentices as well as possible, depending on the level of their involvement, and devise individual programmes of study and practice for them. Apprenticeship is a personal relationship that can be both: joyful and bewildering, supportive and confrontative, relaxed and demanding. Apprenticeship can be very gentle, or stretch the apprentice to their capacity, depending on what the apprentice requests. The concept of apprenticeship is that the apprentice retains full responsibility for the style of the relationship.

Involvement with the vajra family also entails contributing to the functioning of the sangha in practical ways, and to its growth. Apprentices have the opportunity to become involved in many interesting and exciting projects, and are encouraged to demonstrate initiative and self direction in originating new projects, under the guidance of their Lamas.

Apprentices are encouraged to make regular contact with their Lamas and ask them frequent questions in order to foster a genuine engagement with the teachings. Apprenticeship entitles people to correspond with Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin, and to personal interviews and visits - which would otherwise not be possible.

Apprentices have the opportunity and are encouraged to regularly attend apprentice retreats, as well as continuing to attend open retreats. Apprentice retreats are arranged entirely by apprentices. Cooking and cleaning up are regarded as essential aspects of the practice of the retreat. Craftwork usually forms part of the timetable of longer retreats. This may take the form of working on various items of practice equipment such as skinning a drum, making a drum tail or creating an appliqué. This has just the same importance as the formal practice of song or silent sitting and it is assumed that apprentices engage in these with the same enthusiasm.

In the Aro gTér tradition, the Lama teaching couple give transmission through dynamic personal instruction; apprentice group question and answer sessions; shared meditation and yogic song; and, by simply being amongst their apprentices. Lamas teach in the style of innermost Tantra, through the simple spontaneity of informal situations.

Study is encouraged as a fundamental aspect of developing understanding of practice and lineage. A programme of study is made available which provides a solid foundation of understanding of the Aro gTér lineage and the practices and theory of the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma School. Enjoyable opportunities for study are frequently available both through study groups and e-mail. Apprentices have access to a range of study and practice material on the apprentice and public websites. www.aroencyclopaedia.org is one of the largest and most informative Buddhist resources on the web.

For apprentice access there is the apprentice website which contains a great deal of in depth material and private teachings given by the Lineage Lamas and other Nyingma Masters.  The material on the private apprentice website contains many rare images and specialised detailed information which requires empowerment and transmission - and which is thus unsuitable for the public website.

A commitment of apprenticeship is to become and remain a friend of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong. Membership allows apprentices to access vision magazine, an online publication which is also an extensive source of teachings and study material. Another commitment of apprenticeship is to write a short autobiography, to be published, along with a photograph, on the apprentice web site. This enables apprentices of all the Aro sanghas in the various parts of the world in which they live and practice, to know a little about each other and feel a connection with other Aro Lineage practitioners.

Sang-ngak-chö-dzong supports the development and work of the sangha of ordained non-monastic practitioners of the Aro gTér Lineage in Britain.

Sang-ngak-chö-dzong is a registered British Charity which supports the Aro gTér lineage, together with similar European and American sister charities. It was founded in 1983 by Ngak’chang Rinpoche with the encouragement of Kyabjé Düd'jom Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma School at the time. Sang-ngak-chö-dzong supports the development and work of the sangha of ordained non-monastic practitioners of the Aro gTér Lineage in Britain. Kyabjé Düd'jom Rinpoche gave Sang-ngak-chö-dzong its name, which means ‘Secret Fortress of Awareness Spell’. Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin were involved in the establishment of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong and are now spiritual directors of the charity with Ngak’chang Rinpoche, Khandro Déchen and Lama Rig’dzin Dorje.

Practical Commitment

Initially apprenticeship is probationary - usually for a period of one year but this can be up to three years.

It is hoped that this article provides information that will enable people who have tasted the experience of Aro Lineage practice at an open event, to reach a mature decision concerning their real interest in experiencing Nyingma Vajrayana through apprenticeship. Questions can be answered and further clarification given if necessary on any Aro Lineage public event.

The teachings are always considered to be beyond price, and therefore no charge is made for them. Part of the practical commitment of apprenticeship is, however, a financial contribution. The purpose of apprenticeship fees is to enable Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin to dedicate their lives to apprentices, teaching, writing and practice, rather than having to earn a livelihood. Having time to write books is of singular importance in terms of establishing the ngak'phang tradition in the West. Details of suggested fees are available from the apprenticeship secretary along with apprenticeship application forms. It is important that financial hardship should never prevent access to the Vajrayana teachings for anyone who seriously wishes to be committed, and alternative methods of contribution can be discussed where necessary.

Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin regretfully cannot accept smokers, or users of illegal drugs. The habit of smoking must be relinquished before acceptance as an apprentice. Smoking is considered harmful both physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Those in any doubt about the damaging effects of smoking are referred not only to the copious Western medical literature devoted to the subject, but also to Kyabjé Düdjom Rinpoche’s pamphlet on smoking. This can be found on the Aro gTér website. Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin are not open to any form of debate on this subject whatsoever.

For those smokers who are seriously interested in Apprenticeship and are willing to commit to giving up smoking, Tibetan medicine, breathing exercises, and purification practices can be offered. These, in combination, help in ridding the psychic and physical systems of toxins. It must be remembered that it takes as long as seven years to clear the system of such toxins. It should be understood that no exceptions are made to this rule under any circumstances.

Initially apprenticeship is probationary - usually for a period of one year but this can be up to three years. This is to allow the apprentice to become fully conversant with the practices of the lineage and develop meaningful relationships with their Lamas and with other apprentices. It should be possible to establish confidence in the Lamas, lineage, practice and vajra family within this time. When a probationary apprentice requests full apprenticeship - gétrug, apprentice tantrika - an interview is arranged with Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin to discuss this. This meeting is an opportunity for the apprentice to raise personal practice and teaching issues, and also for Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin to assess the apprentice’s involvement in study, practice and commitment to the lineage. The movement into full apprenticeship (Gétrug) is seen as an opportunity to establish a deeper level of relationship with Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin, in which any confusions or uncertainties can be resolved.

Ordination

Apprentices who have studied and practised with Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin for five years or more, have the opportunity to consider taking ordination.

Ordained ngak’phang practitioners hold Tantric vows, and this commitment is available to apprentices. Apprenticeship offers the opportunity to engage with the teachings of Inner Tantra without lifelong commitment or the taking of vows, unless the decision is made to seek ordination. Apprentices who have studied and practised with Lama Nor’dzin and Lama ’ö-Dzin for five years or more have the opportunity to consider taking ordination. For this apprentices need to complete certain Tantric practices, solitary retreat and required studies. Qualification for ordination depends upon a well developed relationship with Lamas Nor’dzin and Lama ’ö-Dzin, with the teachings, and with the Sanghas of the Aro gTér. Part of the ordination includes an examination on pertinent questions on Vajrayana theory and lineage history. Ordination is for those long-term apprentices for whom the colour of the tradition and lineage express such power, that they feel no other choice but to be part of it in every aspect of their being. Ordination is for those who have realistically come to regard Lama Nor’dzin and Lama ’ö-Dzin as their root teachers (Tsawa'i Lamas).

Apprenticeship, unlike ngak’phang ordination, is not automatically a long-lasting unending commitment, although it should be approached with this intention. Apprenticeship can be concluded either by Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin or the apprentice at any point. However, apprenticeship should be concluded only after a process of discussion, where to begin with the question of ending apprenticeship is still in doubt. There is no purpose in entering this process if you have already resolutely determined your course of action. This is not only a matter of courtesy, but a matter of making the best possible use of your relationship with the Lamas.

It is not considered to be a fault on the part of any person should they wish to leave apprenticeship. Many paths exist not only within Buddhism but within other religions and spiritual paths, and Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin may be able to advise on alternative directions. After the process of discussion, apprenticeship may be concluded. Should this time come, it is possible to maintain contact with Lamas Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin on a less demanding basis as a ‘Friend of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong’, and through continuing to attend open retreats.

Completed application forms may be sent to the address below. Please mark the envelope Private - for the attention of Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo and Ngala ’ö-Dzin Tridral.

Apprenticeship Secretary
Sang-ngak-chö-dzong
PO Box 65
Penarth
CF64 2WF