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The Buddhist tradition of Tibet is recognised as one of the world’s most unique and distinctive spiritual cultures. It is especially respected for the profound wisdom and inner sciences upon which it is based, and its expression of the highest human ideals of compassion, tolerance and peace.
This section provides a simple introduction to Buddhism and to the wisdom culture of Tibet.
Tibetan Buddhism
Sogyal Rinpoche's teachers
Buddhism was introduced to Tibet in the eighth century by the great master and saint Padmasambhava.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet.
In Tibet, there is a tradition of recognizing incarnations of great masters who have passed away. Sogyal Rinpoche, Rigpa's founder and spiritual director, was recognised as an incarnation of Tertön Sogyal.
In Tibetan Buddhism, great importance is placed on the way in which the Buddha's teachings have been transmitted from master to student in an unbroken lineage down to the present day. Sogyal Rinpoche was raised by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, one of the most outstanding spiritual masters of the twentieth century. He then went on to study with many other great masters, of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, especially Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche and Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
The teachings of Dzogchen, the 'Great Perfection', are the highest teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, attained enlightenment in India in the sixth century BCE.
“The entire body of Buddhist teachings that
was developed in Tibet remains intact to the
present day. Its foundation has not been
undermined, nor has its pinnacle been destroyed.
We think of our tradition of Buddhism as a gift
we have to offer the world. And all that we,
the teachers of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition
would ask is that you accept our offering,
enjoy it, make use of it, and benefit from it.”
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche
