Introduction

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen

Khandro Déchen and I are delighted to write this introduction to Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo’s first book. We have known her since 1980 when she became our first student – closely followed by her husband Ngala ’ö-Dzin Tridral.

In 1989 Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo entered vajra commitment and became our first disciple. It was Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo who first requested ordination as a ngakma (sNgags ma) and thereby initiated the fulfilment of our promise to Kyabjé Düd’jom Rinpoche – to establish the White Tradition of ordained non-celibate Vajrayana practitioners in the West. This tradition is also known as the gö kar chang lo’i dé (gos dKar lCang lo’i sDe) which means simply ‘white skirt / long hair series’.

In the light of Düd’jom Rinpoche’s sublime guidance we firmly believe that the ordained non-celibate tradition which Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo represents, will be of the most profound value in the West. For a peaceful world to exist, children must have the example of parents who are intrinsically non-violent and who approach their vows in terms of admiring and respecting each other as men and women.

Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo is a full-blooded joyously committed mother and marital partner who gloriously appreciates her husband and is gloriously appreciated by him. What better example could their children have – and what better example could their students have.

Ngala Nor’dzin Pamo brings to her book a wealth of experience as an ordained ngakma and as a woman who is utterly acquainted with the day-to-day exigencies of people’s work-a-day lives. Her depth of understanding is an inspiration to all because it is available to all – through the same avenues as she herself followed. We wish her a wide and enthusiastic readership and trust that many will be thus drawn to her teachings and to those of her teaching partner Ngala ’ö-Dzin Tridral. Their students will be richly rewarded.

Aro sPrul sKu – sNgags ’chang Chos dByings rGya mTsho
and
A ye sPrul sKu – mKha’ ’gro bDe chen Rol pa’i Yes shes