Ngakpa Jig'med

Within the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, there are two distinct styles of ordination. One style is monastic and many people are familiar with the red-skirted, shaven-headed monks. The other style, less well known, is that of the gö-kar-chang-lo (white skirt, long hair) to which we belong.

Explained simply, the monastic style of ordination works through renunciation. The gö-kar-chang-lo style works through transformation - where our everyday circumstances become the stuff of practice.

In Nepal it is often hard to find a Ngakpa (one of the gö-kar-chang-lo) partly because the monks are more numerous, but also because in Tibetan society there is a tendency for Ngakpas to wear the red skirt. However, they may still be discerned by their uncut hair.

So it was wonderful today to meet with Ngakpa Jig'med who also seemed delighted to meet us - fellow white skirt, long hair practitioners.