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.
During my first meditation interview with Namgyal Rinpoche I asked, “How can I serve you”? Rinpoche looked at me. “I think the Pagoda needs painting. What colour should it be?”
Shelane Donoghue
Read MoreMy first retreats at the Dharma Centre of Canada (DCC) were in the Fall of 2017 with Lho Ontul Rinpoche and Lama Mark….
Monique Truax
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