Teachers in Rigpa

Masters of the Nyingma Tradition Guiding Rigpa

Since Rigpa’s founder and main teacher, Sogyal Rinpoche, passed away in 2019, great masters of the Nyingma and Longchen Nyingtik traditions who have taught, guided and given transmissions and instructions to the Rigpa community over many years, continue to do so.

Lamas and teachers who teach regularly in Rigpa centres around the world and online include (in alphabetical order) Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Khamtrul Rinpoche, Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Neten Chokling Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Tulku Ridgzin Pema Rinpoche and Western teachers Andy Karr, Chagdud Khadro, Dungse Jampal Norbu, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Lama Tsering Everest and others.

In addition, Rigpa is honored to regularly host the head of the Sakya school, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and one of the most senior teachers of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche.

Rigpa’s Teachers & Practice Holders

Along with these masters, a group of Senior Teachers and Practice Holders were formally introduced to the Rigpa sangha in August 2021 as those who are requested by Rigpa’s Vision Board & Spiritual Advisors to take the lead in guiding our community’s study and practice, along with the full mandala of Rigpa’s teachers, practice holders and activity holders.

All of Rigpa’s teachers and practice holders are responsible to the Buddhadharma and to Rigpa’s sangha and lineage and therefore they are accountable to Rigpa’s Vision Board and Spiritual Advisors. They all adhere to ethical standards including Rigpa’s Code of Conduct and comply with the laws in each country where they teach and practice.

Rigpa’s Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders

‘Senior Teachers’ are those who take responsibility for overseeing and guiding the study and practice of the Rigpa sangha internationally; they teach on a wide range of Dharma topics and teach both Rigpa Sangha and public audiences.

’Senior Practice Holders’ are the most senior knowledge holders of the lineage of Vajrayana practices held in Rigpa.