Ngakma Nor’dzin
cover photograph
This photograph of Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo was taken in the Summer of 1997 on retreat in Penarth, South Wales. Ngakma Nor’dzin—together with her sang-yab Ngakma ’ö-Dzin Tridral—are responsible for the development of the third sangha within the the Confederate Sanghas of Aro. Ngakma Nor’dzin was Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s first student, and has been primarily responsible for the evolution of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong and the apprenticeship programme – especially in its inception. She is a skilled sKu-mNyé teacher who has worked closely with Khandro Déchen on the detailed descriptions of the first series of 35 sKu-mNyé exercises. Unfortunately in 2007 Ngakma Nor’dzin suffered a serious horse-related injury to her right knee and had to give up teaching her weekly sKu-mNyé classes in Cardiff at that time. She has now (March 2009) made a full recovery.
This photograph was taken by Khandro Déchen during the sKu-mNyé demonstrations on the ordained retreat in Penarth when the entire first series of 35 Aro gTér sKu-mNyé were taught.
Ngak’chang Rinpoche said of this photograph,
It depicts Ngakma Nor’dzin
Pamo’s presence admirably in terms of her warmth and clarity, and I hope to see it on the
cover of
her book once it is finished being written. Ngakma Nor’dzin
Pamo has much to offer to people in the West who have perhaps not previously encountered such a
kind, approachable, and luminous icon of femininity in a teacher.
Although Spacious Passion was not published until 2006, Ngakma Nor’dzin fulfilled Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s wish and used this photograph on the back cover of the book.
