Ngakpa (tib. སྔགས་པ sngags pa) is a non-monastic practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Padmasambava (Tib. Guru Rinpoche) founded it in the 8th century so that lay people could receive spiritual and cultural education. Traditionally, ngakpas have long hair and wear white robes. They can marry and have children. The Ngakpa lineage continues today and nowadays there are many Ngakpa Masters in Tibetan.

“Two communities of Sutra and Mantra practitioners, shaven-headed monks and long-haired Yogins, with the view of the Middle Way and the conduct of the Vinaya, and the ultimate union of the generation and completion stages, the Great Perfection—This is the great secret tradition of Ancient Translations in the Land of Snows, With its six qualities of greatness.”

His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche