Though many people have heard of the monastic ordination, lesser known is the white skirt, long-hair, non-celibate Buddhist tradition which does not require renouncing the world. Ngak'chang Rinpoche shared about his promise to Kyabjé Düd'jom Rinpoche to continue the white skirt tradition and gave an inspiring teaching about it's importance. When Ngak'chang Rinpoche first began teaching this tradition in the West, very few people had heard it of it. Now, his ordained students all over the world represent and share the tradition.

The Aro-Sangha from both coasts were incredibly kind and gracious and created a vivid atmosphere at the ordination, charged with energy and the vibrant wisdom of the Aro tradition. They generously gave precious gifts and offered much warmth, practical help and support. Troma Rig-tsal Rinpoche was deeply moved by their generosity. Larold Miller took these photographs and took the time to make them available for us.

Troma Rig-tsal Rinpoche received the ordination name Ngakma 'ö-Zér A-Dzé Min'gyür Khandro Rinpoche which means: Imperturbable unchanging light rays dancing in the sparkling Sky of the Richness of the Primordial A. Currently, she has continued to use the refuge name previously given to her by Ngak'chang Rinpoche, Troma Rig-tsal, though many of our older sangha met her as Kali Ma, a name she was given thirteen years ago. Names in the Buddhist tradition play a role in the development of the practitioner in the path and serve as an inspiration and a marker of powerful turning points in the path. This turning point marks another era in our sangha as we humbly receive this blessing and inspiration from Ngak'chang Rinpoche and Khandro Dechen and renew our dedication to expressing the full scope of the Yogic tradition of Buddhism in the West.

- Derrick Seng-ge Pawo