Rigpa is an international network of Tibetan Buddhist centres and groups in over 30 countries.

In addition to its centres and groups, Rigpa has two main retreat centres in Europe:

Lerab Ling (France)
Dzogchen Beara (Ireland)

Rigpa was founded 35 years ago by Sogyal Rinpoche, a world-renowned Buddhist teacher from Tibet, who is also the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Rigpa has the gracious patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and each national Rigpa association has charitable and non-profit status.

a. History
In the 1960s and 1970s a number of Tibetan Buddhist teachers came to the West and devoted themselves to discovering how their ancient tradition could be placed within the reach of modern men and women. As a result many people around the world have come in contact withTibetan Buddhism, and derived enormous benefit from its teachings and practice. Among these teachers was Sogyal Rinpoche, and the vehicle that he created to convey the Buddhist teachings was Rigpa. The history of Rigpa, then, is part of the history of how the Buddhadharma came to the West.

b. Doctrinal foundation

Tibetan Buddhism - Nyingma - Rimé

c. Organization (structure)

Sogyal Rinpoche is the spiritual director of Rigpa, and guides the long-term vision. A group of senior Rigpa members, supported by a number of staff and volunteers, helps to put this vision into action at an international level. Each national Rigpa centre is a registered non-profit organisation and has an independent management team and board of governors.

d. Membership (how many members institutional / individual)

8,000 individual students and members worldwide.

e. Activities

Rigpa offers a broad programme of courses, seminars and retreats designed to make the Buddhist teachings accessible and relevant to men and women of all ages, and from all walks of life. For those new to Buddhism, there are introductory foundation courses, which explain how to meditate and give a general introduction to Tibetan Buddhism.
Rigpa also offers a complete and gradual training in the Buddhist teachings and practice. The ultimate goal is to guide and support students so they can receive the highest teachings in the Tibetan tradition, the teachings of Dzogchen, that lead to the direct realization of enlightenment.

Rigpa's international programmes include:
Spiritual Care Programme
“What Meditation Really Is”
Rigpa Online Courses
Rigpa Shedra

Contact:

RIGPA
Rigpa Lerab Ling
L'Engayresque
34650 Roqueredonde
France
+33 (0) 4 67 88 46 00

info@rigpa.org
http://www.rigpa.org/