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.
Our vision is to establish a retreat centre providing a vibrant and sustainable base for non-monastic Buddhist practice in Britain. To accomplish this, our plan is divided into three sections.
Phase One. The first two years, focuses on establishing a solid base, capable of supporting the major teaching and retreat activities which Sang-ngak-chö-dzong currently arranges in Britain using existing resources.
Phase Two. Years three and four, focus on the known projects which a retreat centre would facilitate – but which represent additional activities not currently undertaken due to constraints such as the lack of a suitable venue (linked to other factors including costs and time).
Phase Three. The final section, focuses on the long term. It involves work which would become possible following the successful establishment of a thriving retreat centre. Included is a five-year Business Plan, covering Phase One and elements of Phase Two.