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In a significant milestone, and following years of training, mentorship and encouragement from a number of eminent lamas, Rigpa has just completed its first full drupchen in English. Around 150 pioneering practitioners gathered at Lerab Ling to invoke the blessing of Tara for 7 days, practising Chime Phakme Nyingtik 24 hours a day. More than 50 entrusted Practice Holders arrived early to undertake a week of training and to help with the preparations. The week was marked by laughter, friendship and a supportive atmosphere as many people tried things for the first time.
This March, the first group of twenty-one Buddhist practitioners graduated from the Buddhist Chaplaincy course, created by the European Buddhist Union in collaboration with Dharma Gate University in Budapest, the oldest Buddhist university in Europe.
A new course is already in the planning for autumn 2027.
The place of the feminine in Tibetan Buddhism is a rich topic of discovery — and self-discovery.
In the next event in this project we will gather for three online Open Conversations featuring Buddhist teachers Elizabeth McDougal, Sarah Jacoby, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, Kirsten Deleo and Marcia Schmidt. Follow online on Prajna on 5, 6 and 7 June.
We pay tribute to Elisabeth Nowotny was a cherished and beloved member of the German Sangha, a wonderful Dharma teacher and friend to many, and a true pioneer in Rigpa. Elisabeth passed away on her 80th birthday on 19th March.
We are delighted to welcome a new member into the monastic community of Lerab Ling. After two years of dedicated probation, Alexandre has received the getsul ordination from Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche on March 8th, 2026, at Urgen Dorje Choling Monastery in Pharping, Nepal. He now bears the Dharma name of Ngawang Yeshe Wangpo.
At the invitation of Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, members of Rigpa’s monastic sangha are honoured to be participating in a gathering of over 5000 lamas, monastic and lay practitioners to receive the precious Kama transmissions bestowed by Kyabjé Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche.
In November the Amsterdam Rigpa Centre was the venue for a very successful renewed gathering of Rigpa Yeshe—after a break of several years. Read about the fun gathering, and more gatherings to come!
Three years after being formally entrusted, nearly 200 Teachers and Practice Holders gathered in person and online at Lerab Ling for their first big collective meeting. This historic 7-day gathering combined celebrating Sogyal Rinpoche's legacy with reflection, discussion and exchanges on the challenges and inspirations of holders, creating what many described as an inspiring international family reunion.
An ‘AI and Wisdom symposium’, initiated by a group of Rigpa students will take place in London next month. The symposium will explore how the Buddhist understanding of self, mind and consciousness can revolutionize the way we relate to AI. Read more about this revolutionary event.
Rigpa and Lerab Ling were honoured to host this gathering which brought together students following the Longchen Nyingtik lineage—the Nyingtik Tsapö transmissions bestowed by Kyabjé Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and Tulku Rigdzin Pema Rinpoche. Read about this special event.
The last of the six stupas in Rigpa’s stupa project was constructed at Dzogchen Beara, in miraculous weather, amid many rainbows and sun halos—and then consecrated on September 8—by Tulku Rigdzin Pema Rinpoche. Watch a moving short video of the construction and consecration.
On the advice of Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, the construction of a new statue of Guru Rinpoche has just been completed on the hilltop at Lerab Ling. The statue, which faces in the direction of the temple, has been constructed with the aspiration to fulfil all of Mayum-la’s wishes, to benefit Lerab Ling, and to accumulate merit.
Rigpa Senior Teacher, Kirsten Czeczor passed away on 21 August, 2025. Some of her close sangha friends share their memories and a beautiful tribute to a dear friend and dharma sister.
The goal of this year’s European Buddhist conference was to reflect on the future of European Buddhism—how to stay true to our traditions without being closed to change. The conference explored how Buddhism might evolve in this era of profound social, technological, and environmental changes. Ane Sonam shares her reflections on the conference.
A group of Rigpa students from Australia, Netherlands, Ireland and Mexico are feeling incredibly grateful and celebrating, having recently graduated from the 7-year ‘Home Retreat 2.0’ programme. The graduation group shares their transformative experience.
What makes being a translator in Rigpa such a profound, inspiring, and transformative experience? Rigpa’s translators share their personal insights into the joy and meaning they find in this role - with some unexpected surprises!
Have you ever considered doing a practice retreat of a few weeks or months, or a nyenpa retreat but you’re wondering what the experience might be like?
Adele Hersey from the UK sangha shares with us her deeply personal experience of doing several months of retreat in Dzogchen Beara and how doing retreat both deepens her dharma practice and supports her to deal with life’s challenges. Read Adele’s story.
The Irish Sangha and friends from all over the world gathered together for three special events with Patrick Gaffney in March. It was a wonderful week to spend time together, receiving profound teachings on the mind and meditation.
What is the most precious thing we, as Buddhist practitioners, have to offer our family, sangha friends and others close to us at the time of their death? It is to practise for them and sponsor practices on their behalf. At this crucial moment, there is nothing of greater importance than to pray for their liberation or at least a better rebirth.
To begin we would like to thank everyone who made possible Rigpa’s main projects of 2024: the Temple in Dzogchen Beara, the powerful stupas in Lerab Ling, Dharma Mati Berlin, Sukhavati and Tashi Ding, and to hold two major Drupchens with Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche… What wonderful accomplishments! Emaho! What’s next in 2025?
