Introduction

In this episode I travel to deepest of Wales to visit Drala Jong, the headquarters and retreat centre of the Aro gTér sect of Tibetan Buddhism. 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. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep234-dzogchen-valley-aro-gtr-sangha Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 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 02:46:26 - 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 03:05:26 - Organised religion 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: - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxvlIXraR8zs4j4vNebA8os&si=BJvxADcKcGuUPOSc To find out more about Drala Jong, visit: - https://www.drala-jong.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James