Naljorpa Rangdröl Dorje

Naljorpa Rangdröl Dorje became an apprentice of Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen in 1991 and was ordained in Holland in 2000. As a Naljorpa his practice has been oriented toward silent sitting and yogic practices, especially sKu-mNyé. He learned several of these unusual psycho-physical exercises at the first open teaching retreat he attended and has made them a part of his daily practice since that time. He credits this daily practice for his general good health and vitality and feels that he is still learning many of the more subtle and interesting aspects of this apparently unique system.

Rangdröl (a/k/a Virge – named by Ngak’chang Rinpoche after Virgil Earp) teaches sKu-mNyé at both public and apprentice-only retreats. He sees sKu-mNyé as an extremely valuable and accessible practice that can be approached by anyone, regardless of their current level of fitness and athletic ability. He feels that by proceeding slowly—with an awareness of individual capacity—anyone should be able to learn a few of these exercises and progress to the point where the ancillary benefits of the system can be realised.

Naljorpa Rangdröl became interested in Buddhism when he met a group of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s students in Wyoming in 1972. He later participated in several training programs at Karmé Chöling in Vermont. In 1978 he moved to Tokyo, Japan where he taught English and studied with a Soto Zen teacher for over ten years. In 1990 he returned to the States – meeting Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen shortly thereafter.

Naljorpa Rangdröl is known for his quiet manner, easy-going smile and non-academic approach to the Buddhist teachings. He has a strong interest in the arts and crafts of the Aro tradition and has made many of the chöd drums used by the Sangha in their group and personal practice of yogic song.