Lama Ngawang Norbu
Resident teacher and spiritual director of Casa Virupa. Born in Barcelona in 1991, he has been a lama of the Sakya school since 2020 and is director of the LAC.
How he works
Teaches
He teaches the Dharma with rigour, warmth and vitality, combining the heritage of a lineage with contemporary language.
Accompanies
He supports personal processes, guides practice and sustains the community network. He lives here and teaches every week.
Initiates
He promotes contemplative, cultural and community initiatives. In 2022 he conceived and launched the LAC (Laboratorio de Artes Contemplativas, Contemplative Arts Laboratory).
Inspires
He inspires artistic practice as a contemplative path: he accompanies musicians, artists and creators in making their work a space of presence, listening and meaning.
Meet the Lama
His path
Born in 1991, Lama Norbu is a teacher of Vajrayana Buddhism in the Sakya tradition. He encountered Buddhism in 2007 and, since 2010, has practised in the Sakya tradition under the guidance of various teachers of the lineage, as well as of other Vajrayana schools. In 2014 he presented the Casa Virupa project to Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, head of the lineage, who accepted it. Casa Virupa opened its doors at the end of 2015 and in 2016 Gongma Trichen Rinpoche officially blessed it as a Sakya centre. In 2020 he formally appointed him lama (teacher) of the Sakya school.
Biography
Lama Ngawang Norbu (Román Sánchez Orpella) was born in Barcelona in 1991. As a teenager he was an avid reader, always with a book in his jacket pocket, and at the age of 13 he discovered music, improvisation and jazz and began to play the saxophone. At sixteen, moved by a spiritual restlessness, he searched on Google for a retreat place and found the Cistercian monastery of Solius, in Girona. There a young monk, with whom he shared a passion for music and who practised Buddhist meditation, recommended zazen to him. After that experience, he began meditating at a dojo in El Born before going to school. From Zen he came to Tibetan Buddhism through the Sakya Tashi Ling community, and was later involved in the early days of the Sangha Activa centre. After his studies in the Faculties of Humanities and Philosophy, he decided to devote himself fully to the study of the Dharma.
Teachers and lineage
Today, Lama Norbu has been spiritual director of Casa Virupa since its founding in 2015 and leads the centre's training programmes, including the meditation programme. In 2022 he conceived and launched the LAC (Laboratorio de Artes Contemplativas, Contemplative Arts Laboratory), of which he is also director.
Head of the Sakya lineage
S.S. Gongma Trichen Rinpoche
Head of the Sakya lineage, known for the breadth of the teachings he has received, his numerous solitary retreats and his work spreading the Dharma throughout the world. He is considered an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, and the Dalai Lama called him "the king of yogis". He blessed the beginning of Casa Virupa and is one of Lama Norbu's principal teachers.
Teacher
S.S Ratna Vajra Rinpoche
Eldest son of the previous Sakya Trizin and regarded as one of the most accomplished teachers of Tibetan Buddhism. He has received teachings and empowerments from most of the great Vajrayana masters of the twentieth century, and is known for his scholarship and the rigour with which he transmits the philosophy. He has practised retreats since the age of twelve, including the Hevajra retreat, and travels constantly to give empowerments.
Teacher
S.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche
Son of Gongma Trichen Rinpoche and the next teacher in the Sakya line of succession. He received from his father most of the empowerments, transmissions and essential instructions, and trained at the Sakya monastery and university in India. He is a great upholder of the practices and rituals associated with Vajrakilaya. He travels the world teaching and has created the Sakya Academy Project.
Teacher
Asanga Vajra Rinpoche
Young teacher of the Sakya lineage, recognised as the reincarnation of Apang Tertön and grandson of H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Rinpoche. He has received a traditional training since childhood and is emerging as a key figure in the transmission of Buddhism in the twenty-first century.
Teacher
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Recognised by Gongma Trichen as one of the reincarnations of Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, his root guru is Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He founded the Dzongsar Institute in Bir, as well as retreat centres and monasteries in Derge and Sikkim, and oversees two monasteries in Bhutan. He is the author of several books and of award-winning films, and teaches continuously throughout the world.
Teacher
Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche
Younger son of Terton Kangyur Rinpoche, recognised from childhood as the incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lödrö by the Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He holds the Atisha lineage, has perfected the teaching of lojong and has a profound knowledge of Vajrayana. He is one of the figures guiding the Padmakara Translation Group.
Frequently asked questions
What Buddhist training does Lama Norbu have?Show answer
He has practised and studied in the Sakya tradition since 2010, with teachings from H.H. Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, H.H. Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, among others.
Which lineage did he train in?Show answer
The Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, with a Rimé approach: open to texts and practices from other schools.
Why a small community?Show answer
Because truly accompanying someone takes time and closeness. We would rather know each person than fill halls.
Where does he teach?Show answer
At Casa Virupa, in person and online, and at the LAC's retreats and gatherings. His upcoming teachings are in the agenda.
Lama Norbu in pictures
Contact Lama Norbu
Lama Norbu personally accompanies those who practise here on an ongoing basis, through notes, letters or in-person interviews.
