Rigpa is an international network of 117 centres and groups in 24 countries, the One Rigpa Network, offering the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is based on an authentic tradition, yet also relevant and beneficial for people in the modern world. Rigpa offers courses and seminars on meditation and compassion, as well as a complete path of study and practice for every stage of the Buddha’s teachings.
Who are we?
Rigpa was founded in 1979 by Sogyal Rinpoche, a Buddhist teacher from Tibet, who is also the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Rigpa has the gracious patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and each national Rigpa association has charitable and non-profit status.
Learn more about Sogyal Rinpoche on rigpa.org website.
Meditation and Compassion through to traditional Buddhist studies
Our courses and programmes share simple meditation techniques and methods for training in compassion, which have been developed over centuries, yet help us deal with the challenges of everyday life. Meditation and compassion have been shown to be beneficial in many different ways, including bringing peace of mind, tackling stress, depression and other mental health problems. They can also help us to develop more kindness and warm-heartedness for ourselves, our families and those around us.
For those who wish to go deeper into studying and practising Buddhism, Rigpa also offers study and practice programs including courses in the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition of Tibet, a traditional study college (shedra) and short and long practice retreats (drupdra).
Inviting teachers of all traditions
A unique feature of Rigpa’s event programme is that it regularly hosts teachers of all Tibetan Buddhist traditions who give teachings and empowerments, as well as Buddhist masters of other lineages, and teachers from different spiritual traditions.
Such diversity is a continuation of the Rimé or ‘non-sectarian’ approach, advocated by Sogyal Rinpoche’s master Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö who was an incarnation of one of the initiators of the Rimé movement—the great 19th century master Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.
Buddhism and western science: In more recent years this open spirit of enquiry has also resulted in an active and a mutually illuminating dialogue with experts from other disciplines, both spiritual and scientific, that continues to develop Tibetan Buddhism in particular, including through Rigpa’s conference programme.
Rigpa’s Teachers and Practice Holders
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.
Read more about Rigpa’s Teachers and Practice Holders in Ireland
Rigpa in Ireland
Here in Ireland, Rigpa has established a presence in four city centres (Athlone, Cork, Dublin and Limerick) and a number of study groups elsewhere, as well as being home to Dzogchen Beara, Rigpa’s retreat centre in West Cork. We offer a place where everyone, regardless of age, background, of all faiths or none, is welcome to come and explore the methods and techniques that come from the Buddhist tradition.
Charitable Status
Rigpa Ireland is a non-profit voluntary organisation, a company limited by guarantee, Company Registration Number 492745, a registered charity, Charities Regulatory Authority ref. 20076450, and has confirmed charitable status from the Revenue Commissioners, ref. CHY 19478
Its work is supported entirely by contributions and donations from students and friends of Rigpa Ireland and carried out by the voluntary effort of its members and friends.
The Financial Statements of Rigpa Ireland are published annually and available here:
2022 Audited Accounts (PDF)
2021 Audited Accounts (PDF)
2020 Audited Accounts (PDF)
Rigpa Ireland has adopted the Code of Governance of the Charities Regulatory Authority, a code of practice for good governance of community, voluntary and charitable organizations in Ireland.
Contact
General inquiries: info@rigpa.ie
Communication: communication@rigpa.ie
Finance: finance@rigpa.ie
Rigpa Moving Forward – Insights and Learnings from a Journey
In July 2017, serious complaints were raised regarding the relationship of Rigpa’s founder, Sogyal Rinpoche, with some of his students. In response to the complaints, Rigpa undertook a number of reforms. Alongside taking practical measures, we have reflected on how we contributed to this situation as a community.
Click here to read more about our insights and learnings from this journey.
If you, or someone you are in contact with, need support, several avenues are available to you. Find out more here.
Rigpa Leadership and Governance
A new federative structure is now in place that ensures Rigpa continues to work harmoniously as one organisation internationally. It includes accountable transparent decision-making; the highest priorities are rigorous financial and fundraising processes and reporting.
Read more about Rigpa’s Management teams.
Throughout this period of change, Rigpa continues to focus on its vision to offer the Buddhist teachings of meditation, compassion and wisdom to the modern world. Its centres around the world continue to offer courses, programmes, seminars and retreats led by Rigpa teachers and instructors, as well as and visiting teachers and lamas, especially from the ‘ancient’ Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Rigpa Code of Conduct
The Rigpa Code of Conduct reflects both contemporary secular and Buddhist ethical standards, seeks to identify unacceptable kinds of behaviour, and establish a straightforward pathway for reporting breaches of conduct and resolving grievances.
Read the Rigpa Code of Conduct
Read the Shared Values and Guidelines of the Rigpa Community
Rigpa Grievance Procedure
We are committed to creating a culture where every person feels confident and empowered to give feedback fearlessly, express their concerns and report unethical behaviour.
Any actions you take to resolve or raise concerns about your situation will depend on things like what the problem is, how serious it is, how urgent it feels and how satisfying you think a particular step might be.
The options outlined under the Grievance Processes in Rigpa go from the informal to the formal and can guide you in the appropriate procedures for raising concerns, resolving difficulties or grievances.
Below you will find the contact information for the Rigpa Ireland national grievance Council. The main role of the Council is to confidentially receive, investigate and advise on resolving formal complaints in a compassionate, fair and impartial way. It may also act as a support body for a member to consult in deciding on what steps to take in resolving difficulties.
Confidential email address: grievance@rigpa.ie (Mary Moriarty, Aidan McGarry)
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