A Tribute to Elisabeth Nowotny

March 26, 2026Rigpa e.V.

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 during its early years. Elisabeth passed away on March 20, 2026, on her 80th birthday.

As Maureen Cooper said, “Her love for Rinpoche and his work burnt very bright. There was no effort too great for her to make. With her passing goes a huge piece of Rigpa’s history.”

Whether or not we knew Elisabeth, the following memories and recollections from those close to her remind us of her beautiful qualities and her significant contribution to Rigpa since its early days.

Words from Herbert Winkler:

For decades, Elisabeth has been one of the most important and influential pioneers of Sogyal Rinpoche’s and Rigpa’s work in Germany and beyond.

She met Rinpoche in 1986 and subsequently attended every Rigpa retreat in Europe together with her late husband, Heinz Nowotny. Both devoted themselves enthusiastically to study and practice, primarily using their own notes from the teachings and the audio recordings available at the time.

Thanks to Sogyal Rinpoche’s frequent teaching engagements in Germany and the annual winter retreats in Kirchheim, the German sangha grew rapidly. At Rinpoche’s request, Elisabeth therefore began offering regular weekly study and practice evenings in Munich several years before the book’s publication, together with Tom Geist, the late translator of the book *The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying* (TBLD).

In 1992, Elisabeth also participated in the famous three-month retreat at Lerab Ling. Toward the end of that retreat, the first steps were taken to develop a teacher training program, as Rinpoche had foreseen that the book *TBLD* would spark growing public interest in the teachings.

This is exactly what happened in Germany when the book was published in 1993. Since there was a need within the Sangha for qualified instructors who could authentically teach the teachings in various locations and centers, Elisabeth, in collaboration with Rigpa International and the late Tom Geist, began to develop, establish, and conduct a well-structured, regular instructor training program. She later regarded this as her personal legacy to the Sangha.

As the saying goes: Behind every strong woman stands a strong man. What Elisabeth accomplished so wonderfully would not have been possible without the selfless support of her loving husband Heinz, who cared for her, especially as her physical mobility declined.

Elisabeth was, on the one hand, unwaveringly devoted to Sogyal Rinpoche and his teachings, and on the other hand, bound to the Sangha with immeasurable devotion.

With joy and enthusiasm, she cared for everyone who sought her advice or guidance, and thanks to her extraordinary memory, she remembered everyone with whom she had formed a meaningful connection

Memories from Karin Behrendt

Karin, who has known her for a long time and worked closely with her, writes:

Elisabeth, a pioneer from the very beginning, one of the few who attended Sogyal Rinpoche’s summer retreat in the Pyrenees as early as the summer before the first Kirchheim retreat in 1986… A pioneer, a great practitioner, a determined teacher… and as she herself said recently: “My legacy, I believe, is the instructor training.” Some of you may not have had the chance to meet her, but I think her photo radiates her strength and joy! Perhaps there will soon be a moment to share our shared stories—I can picture her right now in Kirchheim, late in the evening, selecting suitable video clips for the next day… or with her husband Heinz at Lerab Ling…. May her wish for enlightenment for the benefit of all come true.

Many of the people I’ve been speaking with these days remember the instructor training in Bad Zwesten with Elisabeth very well.

Oliver Peters shared:

Our wonderful Elisabeth Nowotny passed away last night on her 80th birthday. I have known Elisabeth since 1990, and she built up the German instructors’ sangha with so much love and dedication, guiding it with her love and care. She always saw and embodied Sogyal Rinpoche as her great protector and master.

She sometimes said that she felt and visualized Sogyal Rinpoche behind her, and how he strengthened and held her. Together with her husband Heinz, she has dedicated herself to this path since the mid-1980s; they were together in Prapoutel, at the first Dzogchen retreat in 1992 at Lerab Ling, and they participated in the three-year retreat. She has received teachings and empowerments from all the great masters of our lineage, such as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Dzogchen Rinpoche, Jigme Puntsok Rinpoche, Trulshik Rinpoche, Yangthang Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Khandro Tsering Chödrön, Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche, and many, many other masters.

She is most certainly in the hearts of Guru Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche, and Amitabha. Please direct your practice and heartfelt prayers toward Elisabeth Nowotny, that she may have a peaceful journey through the bardo. Thank you for everything, Elisabeth. We love you.

From Maureen Cooper

Maureen, also a long-time Rigpa student, says:

Elisabeth was always interested in the big picture and wanted to contribute to Rinpoche’s international vision, as well as working so hard for Germany. From 1995—2000 she was an active member of the international Curriculum Team headed up by Bert van Baar and responsible for the Streams Programme. Her input and hard work were invaluable.

From 1995—1998 she was one of the national study and practice directors who made up the Lerab Ling Retreat Team—seeing to the running of the retreats at every level and often caring for a group at the same time. These were special retreats where the retreat team was in training with Rinpoche to take back his training to their respective countries.

She attended several international teacher training retreats with me (and sometimes Ian Maxwell) and was always serious and committed about reproducing the trainings nationally.

Her love for Rinpoche and his work burnt very bright. There was no effort too great for her to make. With her passing goes a huge piece of Rigpa’s history.

From Dorothea Breick, Lerab Ling

Dorothea recalls that Sogyal Rinpoche always called Elisabeth the ‘Lioness of Rigpa Germany’.

Lioness of Rigpa Germany, as Rinpoche called you.

May you accomplish the path of luminous great perfection

With deep gratitude for your exemplary conduct as a practitioner, your unshakable devotion to Rinpoche, your commitment to Rigpa, and your love and care for so many of us, as a teacher, mentor, and friend

Love from Lerab Ling

At a meeting of teachers and practice center directors in Germany, we envisioned how Elisabeth, together with Rigpa teachers Andreas Ritter and Kirsten Czeczor who both passed away in 2025, would support the young Yangsi of Sogyal Rinpoche in a future life and continue their journey with him.