Talk and Booksigning with Ngak'chang Rinpoche

Every religion uses the power of voice to inspire and deepen the meaning of verse or scripture. In the world of the Vajrayana Buddhism of Tibet, this is called Dön-pa (’don pa), which means ‘chant’ or ‘liturgical recitation.’ Practicing dön-pa we pay attention to the words while chanting. There are two types of dön-pa: Sutric and Tantric. In Sutric dön-pa it is the meaning of the words which is the focus. In Tantric dön-pa the words are used as a guide to visualization.

In the Yogic traditions of the Inner Tantras, there is another method of using the voice as a powerful means of Buddhist practice. Yang (dByangs) or Dzogchen Gardang (rDzogs chen sGar gDangs) are terms we usually translate as ‘Yogic Song.’ With Yogic Song the meaning of the words or mantras are not conceptually followed; the primary function is finding the presence of awareness in the dimension of the sound itself, rather than using the voice as a way of deepening meaning.

Ngak’chang Rinpoche will discuss the method of Yogic Song from the Aro Tradition, and introduce several melodies, performed both with traditional instruments and voice alone. There will be ample time for questions.

Rinpoche will also be signing copies of 'E-mailing the Lamas from Afar,'new from Aro Books. In 'E-mailing' Rinpoche and his wife and co-teacher Khandro Déchen reply to the e-mail questions of their students, questions which concern the full range of the students’ lives, from the fine points of Buddhist teachings to the nitty-gritty details of relationship, work, family life, and interpersonal conflict. They demonstrate, through concrete examples, the unconditional applicability of Vajrayana Buddhist teachings and practice to all realms of experience. This book carries into the 21st century the teachings of an ancient spiritual tradition—non-monastic Vajrayana Buddhism, the vehicle of transformation and of direct essential understanding of the nature of mind, within the activities and circumstances of ordinary human life.

Copies will be available for purchase.