Aro Ling Buddhist Art and Meditation Centre is a vibrant and welcoming space located in the heart of Bristol, New Zealand. It serves as a hub for individuals seeking inner peace, self-discovery, and the exploration of Buddhist teachings through art, meditation, and various artistic expressions.
The centre is home to the Aro gTr lineage, a unique Vajrayana Buddhist tradition that resonates deeply with Westerners navigating the complexities of modern life. The teachings of the Aro gTr focus on transforming everyday experiences, rather than striving for an elusive spiritualised existence. Their approach encourages practitioners to cultivate cheerful kindness, courageous openness, and the liberating qualities of generosity, clarity, creativity, determination, and spaciousness.
The lineage traces back to the enlightened women of the Nyingma tradition, beginning with Yesh Tsogyel, the female Tantric Buddha who, alongside Padmasambhava, founded Buddhism in Tibet. The Aro gTr lineage was established by Lama Aro Lingma, a visionary female Lama, in 1909, and it continues to be a small family-based tradition within the Nyingma tradition.
Ngakma M-tsal Wangmo and Naljorpa Jagyr Dorje, an ordained teaching couple, are the dedicated instructors at Aro Ling Buddhist Art and Meditation Centre. They have been long.