This Autumn 2021 DCC Newsletter Special Edition is lovingly created to honour the memory and celebrate in a small way what would have been the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche's 90th birthday.
Several months ago Trudy was delighted to re-discover amongst old files, photographs taken by Gerry Kopelow of Namgyal Rinpoche's Memorial Service held at the Dharma Centre in November 2003: 'Seeing faces, once again after almost 18 years, so many of us. Our younger selves. Others now long gone. Our sadness and our joy. Our coming together to create beauty and pay homage to a being who had touched every person in that tent so very deeply. I felt strongly that these photos ought to be shared and sent a link to Marion and Marta knowing their connection to the DCC would make these photos a wonder to behold.'
After sharing the photos we thought about all the DCC visitors and practitioners who had never met “Sir.” We reflected how so many of the people who now study with our present-day teachers never met, yet are so strongly influenced by this extraordinary being. He was heard to have said: 'The Dharma Centre is my body', and here we are, serving him still. The idea came into being to dedicate this issue of the DCC Newsletter to Namgyal Rinpoche. Through the voices of this small number within the countless many who spent time and studied with Rinpoche, we present some memories and stories. We acknowledge that we have not asked enough people and we’ve missed some whom we probably ought to have asked. Yet each story herein has been gifted to this newsletter and each is so heart-warming and heart-felt that we hope everyone reading this newsletter will get some sense of the vastness of this Teacher’s loving and compassionate presence.
The newsletter also includes updates from our hard-working Board of Directors as well as retreat testimonials and news about upcoming retreats. Please read the article about the AGM — board nominations are welcome and needed for this year’s Dec 5 AGM.
If you have a story you’d like to share — please get in touch!
Stay safe. Stay well.
Marion & Trudy (Co-editors)
We respectfully acknowledge that the Dharma Centre of Canada is located in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations. The Dharma Centre also acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity. We are all Treaty people. We also recognize the unique history, culture and traditions of Métis, Inuit, and other First People for their wisdom, contributions and teaching.
As Rinpoche’s 90th birthdate draws near, I am flooded with memories of glorious birthdays celebrated with him. I was so fortunate to be with Rinpoche on Oct 11th each year in diverse locations, from coral reefs, to deserts, to safaris, on freighters off the coast of Africa in the Arctic or the Antarctic and more.
by Terry Hagan
Read MoreTo undertake the view, meditation and conduct requires great mental intent. And to practice, discover and keep unfolding the nature of profound intent is the essence of dharma.
by Lama Mark
Read MoreI am convinced that the adventure began eons ago, but let’s keep this exercise to relative time. So where to start, what story shall it be? Why not the beginning: 1982 in Victor Harbour, SA, Australia.
by Matt Wright
Read MoreNamgyal Rinpoche started teaching regularly in Western Australia in 1985 and returned every year until 2003. We built him a house adjacent to the retreat property near Balingup, about 3 hours south of Perth city.
by Michael Bobrowicz
Read MoreI have been asked to write a few words on Naymgal Rinpoche and some of my memories.
What to say ? How do you describe a Being who was so outside the realm of what we normally encounter ?
by Jack Connelly
Read MoreEarlier this year, I was reflecting fondly on all the natural science explorations that we did with Namgyal Rinpoche. I conjured up a weekend retreat called Exploring the Universe based on these memories, complete with ‘loot bags’ of magnifying lens, pencil crayons, bubbles…
by Linda Hochstetler
Read MoreWhat would happen if your teacher pulled the rug beneath your feet, and nothing was there? No frame of reference to determine where you are or when you are. Or if you are?
by Rob McConnell & Karen Russell
Read MoreI met Namgyal Rinpoche in 1987, during a time of crisis, and hoped that he could help me heal. In fact, I asked him straight out. I asked him to trust me and to accept me as his student. He said, “Come back in twenty-five years and ask again.
by Shelley Cohl
Read MoreMy long-time Dharma friend, John de Jardin, introduced me to Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche some forty-five years ago. John felt that my identity as a freelance mystic was pretty flimsy, and that an authentic teacher was what I needed.
by Gerry Kopelow
Read MoreIt was on Saturday, October 18, 2003, the second last day of a two-week Dharma course given by Namgyal Rinpoche at our family's cottage situated at Lake Constance at the northern border of Switzerland looking toward Germany. Rinpoche regularly came to teach in this beautiful place after 1981;
by Michael & Eva Gohl
Read MoreAsked to contribute to this special edition celebrating the life of Namgyal Rinpoche took me into a morning of rich reflection. So much to contemplate. So many events spread over half a century of living and involving uncountable numbers of beings.
by Tarchin Hearn
Read MoreChange, change, change is an appropriate board theme for this Dharma Centre newsletter. Change of seasons and many changes at the DCC!
by Christine Wihak
Read MoreThe Dharma Centre of Canada is asking members to submit nominations for potential Board Members. At the AGM on Dec. 5, 2021, eight positions on our nine-member Board of Directors will become vacant.
Read MoreAt the DCC Members Meeting in May, the Board declared that our highest Dharma Centre Renewal priority is to build a new Temple that better meets our needs – one that all our Sangha and Teachers can use.
by Monique Truax and David Berry
Read MoreI was asked to write a piece to share my experience of Venerable Sonam Senge’s online retreat in August 2021 on ‘Unfolding Through Art’.
by Jane Marenghi
Read MoreAfter months and months of being homebound, working, attending meetings and trying to stay connected with people via Zoom, I wasn’t sure about doing an on-line retreat at home.
by Patricia Steckley
Read MoreTo retreat, to be in the quiet, the stillness… is much easier to do when at the Dharma Center. Regular daily distractions in my home are not encountered here...
by Kim Rose
Read MoreI discovered the Dharma Centre of Canada in the mid 2000s, not long after building a cottage in the area. I have been attending retreats, on and off, since then.
By Kirk Cooper
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