Ngagpa

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In Tibetan Buddhism and Bön, Ngagpas (sNgags-pa) or male practitioners (female practioners are knowns as Ngagmas or Ngagmos) are non-monastic practitioners of such disciplines as Vajrayana, shamanism, Tibetan medicine, Tantra and Dzogchen amongst other traditions, disciplines and arts. Significant lineage transmission is through oral lore. Traditionally, Ngagpa often sport uncut, loosely worn hair. There are family lineages of Ngagpa, with the practice of a particular yidam being passed through family lineages. That said, a Ngagpa (inclusive of both sexes) may also be deemed anyone thoroughly immersed and engaged in the practice of the teachings and under the guidance of a lineage-holder, and who has taken the appropriate vows or samaya and had the associated empowerments and transmissions.

Historically, Ngagpa may marry, have children and work in the world, though they are required to devote significant time to retreat and practice and in enacting rituals when requested by, or on behalf of, members of the community.

While Ngagpas may perform many different rituals and energetic workings, many are rites of passage, they are particularly known for performing birth rituals, weddings, funerals, divinations, and pacification of ghosts or nature spirits and exorcisms. Typically, Ngagpas live with their families in villages, but many Ngagpas also congregate in Bönpos, the Ngagpa equivalent of a monastery. Some Ngagpa are comparable in practice to the Mahasidda, indeed, the Mahasidda may be correctly referred to as Ngagpa.

References

Müller-Ebeling, Claudia and Christian Rätsch and Surendra Bahadur Shahi (2002). Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas. Transl. by Annabel Lee. Rochester, Vt.: Inner Traditions.