Our Teachers
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.
On this page
- Masters of the Nyingma Lineage Guiding Rigpa
- Rigpa's Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders
Masters of the Nyingma Tradition Guiding Rigpa
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 Rinpoche, Neten Chokling Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Tulku Rigdzin Pema Rinpoche and Western teachers Andy Karr, Chagdud Khadro, Dungse Jampal Norbu and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel.
In addition, Rigpa is honoured to regularly host the head of the Sakya school, His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and one of the most senior teachers of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism His Eminence the 7th Kyabjé Yongzin Ling Rinpoche.
Rigpa's Teachers
& Practice Holders
Along with these masters, a group of Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders were formally entrusted 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.
Supported by Rigpa’s Spiritual Advisers and great masters of the Nyingma tradition, a group of Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders were formally entrusted to take the lead in guiding our community’s study and practice.
‘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.
‘Teachers’ specialise in one or several Dharma topics connected to the path of study and practice, such as meditation, foundations of Buddhism, lojong, madhyamaka, Vajrayana preliminary practices (Ngondro), and so on.
‘Practice Holders’ lead Vajrayana group practice for the Rigpa community around the world, contributing to the continuation of the vibrant tradition of Vajrayana in Rigpa.
Rigpa's Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders
| Image | Name | Info | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Gaffney | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Dominique Side | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Lama Yönten | Senior Practice Holder | VIEW | |
| Ane Sangye Chozom | Senior Practice Holder | VIEW | |
| Tenpa Rabgye | Senior Practice Holder | VIEW | |
| Pia Artigas | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Valerie Baker | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Alain Beauregard | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Karin Behrendt | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Susan Browne | Senior Practice Holder | VIEW | |
| Damien Brohon | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Philippe Cornu | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Mauro De March | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Seth Dye | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| María García Quesada | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Ian Ives | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Gail Kollner | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Sherab Leypoldt | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Verena Pfeiffer | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Sébastien Reggiany | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Pascal Rey | Senior Practice Holder | VIEW | |
| Ruth Seehausen | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Claudia Thurn | Senior Practice Holder | VIEW | |
| Jan Van Der Breggen | Senior Teacher | VIEW | |
| Damien Van Effenterre | Senior Teacher | VIEW |