Why a Retreat Centre?

Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen, along with their teaching students, have offered public teachings and training on a wide range of subjects at many rented venues over the years. Now we are looking for a permanent home for our tradition, to make it more readily accessible to Buddhists and to those many non-Buddhists interested in elements of Buddhist practice, psychology, and philosophy.

This centre will bear the name ‘Drala Jong’ – ‘Sparkling Meadow of Primal Iridescence’ – and will become the primary teaching venue for our spiritual directors.

We have no grand aims for changing the world rapidly. Such proposals tend to be naïve. We aspire rather, to have an influence in terms of how we live, and how we make our tradition available.

Historically Sang-ngak-chö-dzong has rented venues, so access to qualified teachers and teachings is limited to short spaces of time – or else only indirectly through books and articles. There is no opportunity for people to simply call, or visit to ask questions. The vast array of Buddhist inspirational objects in the possession or care of our organisation cannot be on open display, due to their number, size, and the care required to preserve artefacts – some of which are a thousand years old. Since most hired venues are profit-making ventures, costs borne by event attendees are inflated and smaller specialised events not financial viable. A permanent home will open up many more possibilities for us to be of benefit to the interested public.

The Drala Jong project seeks to create a home for the Aro gTér Lineage. Please see the Appeal page for more information about the Drala Jong project and how to help.