The Rigpa Scholarship Fund

Supporting the Vision of Sogyal Rinpoche

"Within the next ten years I would like Rigpa to be firmly established for the future, as a vehicle for the transmission of the extraordinary teachings of Ösel Dzogpachenpo in the modern world.

What is most important is for all of us to keep the teachings and the lineage authentic and for us all to become genuine practitioners of the Dharma, for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This is the vision of Rigpa and it is in the true spirit of bodhichitta, as we are working to make a lasting contribution to the Dharma for the future of humanity." Sogyal Rinpoche, Losar 2011

The Central Importance of the Sangha

When we asked Rinpoche recently how he saw his work continuing in the future, Rinpoche spoke straight away of the central importance of the Sangha—how a main body of his students would hold a key role in safeguarding his vision and transmitting his lineage of teaching and practice, for the benefit of others.

The Future is Now

Rinpoche also said something rather telling: ‘Don’t make plans for some distant time in the future, the future is now!’ This is why, ever since the three year retreat, Rinpoche has placed increasing emphasis on the need to train and prepare a group of students who are able to serve Rigpa both now and in the future as teachers, instructors, translators, scholars and practitioners.

Notwithstanding the greater question of the future, right now there is a need for students who are specialized in the practices, or who have studied and trained to become instructors and teachers.

Opening and Deepening the Path

Rigpa is opening up and reaching out to more and more people, through Rinpoche’s prodigious tours as well as our bold new meditation course. All those new students now entering Rigpa are in need of the best possible guidance and support.

Centres around the world are deepening the Vajrayana practices that they hold and the presence of students who have completed appropriate retreats and trained thoroughly in the authentic tradition, is essential.

For these reasons, supporting students who are training to become holders of Rigpa’s path of study and practice is an immediate as well as long-term priority.

Please consider making a donation now to the Rigpa Scholarship Fund online.

The amount we need to maintain the continuity of our current scholarships is approximately €100,000 per year. Thanks to those who already contribute on a regular basis to the Scholarship Fund, we will be able to distribute just over € 47,000 this year in support of students in training.

In order to meet our planned target, we still need to raise €53,000 this year—therefore, please do help us!

Thank you for supporting Sogyal Rinpoche’s life’s work in this way.