The meaning of the name Namkha Ösal (Tibetan: ནམ་མཁའ་འོད་གསལ།), Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche taught, is twofold. First, “Namkha” means “space.” Since space is open and empty in nature, it can accommodate anything. We also need this spacious quality in our minds so we can learn and gain new qualities. Therefore, Rinpoche expressed his heartfelt aspiration for this dharma center to serve as a cause for beings to connect with this spacious quality and open their hearts.  Secondly, “Ösal” (Tibetan: འོད་གསལ།) means “luminosity.” Rinpoche pointed out that “if we take a look at this spacious, open mind of ours, we’ll see it is bright and luminous.” To see this luminous quality, we need to kindle the lamp of wisdom. Therefore, Rinpoche added to his heartfelt aspiration for this place to raise the lamp of prajña and dispel the ignorance of ourselves and all sentient beings.  Furthermore, there is a historical figure called Namkha Ösal. He was a great meditator, living in the 1600s in Tibet. While he also practiced Mahāmudrā, he is widely renowned as an accomplished yogi of the Dzogchen tradition.  In various historical life stories of Namkha Ösal, we can see that he is considered both an emanation of Repa Shiwa Ö (12th century and one of the heart sons of Milarepa) and Melong Dorje (13th century, lineage holder of the Vima Nyingthik). Thus, the blessings of the gurus of both Mahāmudrā and Dzogchen are present and he became, retrospectively, the first Ponlop. Making this auspicious connection is another reason for giving Nalandabodhi Taichung’s new temple the name Namkha Ösal.