Transformation
Drangsong Foundation
Our organization was first established as a US nonprofit in 2015 under Ngakmang Foundation. Originally we worked primarily to support the community of Ngakpas (Tibetan yogis) in the Rebkong area of Amdo, Northeastern Tibet.
Over the years, our focus gradually shifted to include projects outside the Rebkong Ngakpa tradition. This expansion of our activities made it timely for us to assume the new name of Drangsong Foundation in 2023.
Drangsong is a Tibetan term (drang srong) that translates the Sanskrit word ṛiṣhi. Wisdom beings connected to the medical and spiritual traditions of India and Tibet, they are the ancestors of human higher knowledge, and predate national and sectarian divisions. We work in devotion and dedication to their teachings, and aspiring to create conditions for their knowledge to thrive into the future.
The Tibetan term drangsong has additional meaning:
- དྲང་ drang | righteous, truthful, upright
- སྲོང་ srong | to straighten, correct
Thus Drangsong are beings embodying truth, righteousness, and uprightness. The teachings of Sowa Rigpa, the Tibetan Science of Healing, were transmitted by the Medicine Buddha manifesting as a Drangsong.
Our logo is based on the seven stars of the Big Dipper constellation, who are the seven original Ṛiṣhis in ancient Indian tradition. The words surrounding are a calligraphic rendition of the Tibetan word Drangsong (དྲང་སྲོང་།) written in spontaneous inspiration by the Tibetan master Anam Thubten Rinpoche.
