Ep234: Dzogchen Valley - Aro gTér Sangha
I travel to deepest of Wales to visit Drala Jong, the headquarters and retreat centre of the Aro gTér sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
I first interviewed the leaders of the Aro gTér, Ngakchang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen, several years ago in an intimate interview in their home during which they recounted the origin of their treasure-revealed lineage and discussed subjects such as crazy wisdom, mahasiddhas, and compassion as appreciation.
In this episode, Ngakchang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen give a tour of the grounds of Drala Jong, discuss the esoteric geomancy of the site, and reveal the methods used to identify and propitiate the local spirit of the land.
Ngakchang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen detail the methods and practices of the Aro gTér, guide practice sessions in the Dzogchen meditation of sky gazing and other techniques, and tell stories of their lamas such as Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, Chimé Rigdzin Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, and more.
I also meet the ordained caretakers of the centre, witness the sangha in their daily rituals of chanting and song, and receive a lesson in their physical movement system of Kum Nye from lineage specialist Sang-gyé A-tsal.
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - Tour of the grounds
04:01 - Geomancy of the site
05:07 - Appeasing the land spirits
10:17 - The right wing
13:47 - Plans for a statue of Dudjom Rinpoche
17:31 - Plans for the left wing
25:37 - The requirements and procedure of Aro gTér ordination
32:57 - Pilgrimage and normalising Vajrayana religion
35:38 - The main house
42:57 - The shrine room
45:59 - Ritual practice at Drala Jong
46:56 - Range of Aro gTér practices
48:16 - Shiné vs śāmatha
51:19 - The 4 Naljors and approaching Dzogchen
56:20 - Practices of shiné and lhagtong
59:44 - Showing the ritual objects, statues, and thangkas
01:11:08 - Attention to detail and creating a lineage place
01:14:05 - The role of personal shrine rooms and care for ritual objects
01:16:35 - Caring for people
01:18:19 - Weapon collection
01:24:57 - Role of prostrations
01:26:13 - Ngakchang Rinpoche’s reflections on his 70th birthday
01:28:17 - Drala and the practice of relating the natural world
01:31:30 - Why Wales is good for Dzogchen practice
01:35:48 - Ancient woodland
01:37:36 - The caretakers Jagyür and Métsal
01:39:52 - Tour of Jagyür and Métsal’s accommodation
01:44:21 - Living at Drala Jong
01:45:36 - Daily practice regime
01:48:35 - Recent ordination of disciples
01:50:52 - Ngakpa vs Naljorpa ordination
01:52:21 - Origins of Aro gTér ordination lineages
01:54:05 - Weather making for Chime Rinpoche
01:58:31 - Lunchtime song
01:59:54 - Ngakchang Rinpoche gives sky gazing instruction (namkha arte)
02:04:52 - The 21 semdzin of Dzogchen
02:08:28 - Reflecting on having a retreat centre after 30 years
02:09:40 - Meditation on sound
02:10:56 - On the practice of retreat
02:13:06 - 3 part approach and the practice of suspension
02:16:12 - Markers of progress in spiritual practice
02:20:10 - A story of Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
02:21:48 - Anecdote about Dzogchen shouts
02:22:42 - Dreams of Dudjom Rinpoche
02:24:52 - Sang-gyé A-tsal introduces Kum Nye
02:27:29 - Steve receives a Kum Nye lesson
02:31:42 - Post exercise meditation
02:32:50 - Prowling Tiger
02:34:33 - Rising Eagle
02:35:44 - Walking Lion
02:38:18 - Further thoughts on Kum Nye
02:39:04 - Earth Lion Ying'khor
02:43:10 - Space Garuda
02:46:26 - The drinking song of Dudjom Rinpoche
02:49:19 - Wine drinking mudra of Chimé Rigdzin Rinpoche
02:50:41 - Is Dzogchen a religion?
02:52:51 - Taking Dzogchen out of Buddhism
02:56:21 - Imitating culture
02:59:05 - Religion is ‘bigger than me’
03:00:52 - Providing community
03:02:53 - Belonging to a sangha
03:05:26 - Organised religion
03:06:12 - Structure and rules
03:09:46 - Starting new religions vs being part of a lineage
03:11:48 - Unthinking use of language
03:13:23 - The value of being contained by religion
03:14:38 - Inspiration between teacher and student
Previous episodes with the Aro gTer:
To find out more about Drala Jong, visit:
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James