“When we speak about the merit of serving the Dharma, there is no greater merit than to serve the Dharma, to serve one's own teacher, to serve the sangha that one is part of. You have to consider yourself very privileged to be able to really serve the Dharma, to serve the sangha, and to serve one's teacher. Whatever you are doing, think of this as a great merit.”
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 2003

Kathryn James, Australia

Kathryn held the two most senior roles in Rigpa Australia over many, many years: National Director and Chair of the Board (both volunteer roles). As Chair of the Board over the past few years, she has been the face of Rigpa Australia in the most challenging and turbulent time in Rigpa’s history. She has also been a key participant in international collaborations in Rigpa during this time.

For many years, Kathryn was the quiet guiding hand behind the scenes in Rigpa Australia, always willing to take a call, and making sure that the right people were consulted. She ensured Rinpoche was well looked after during his long summer stays at Blueys Beach in Australia, and balanced the constant Rigpa meetings and calls with instructing in her local centre in Newcastle and her work as a doctor and with her family. Later, her Rigpa work was juggled with looking after her aging mother at home, and running a hospital in the home for severely sick people before and after their surgery at the local hospital. She is deeply loved by many for her quiet kindness and for always opening her home to anyone in need.

Internationally, Kathryn has been actively involved in Rigpa’s response to the challenges of recent years, and the reorganisation of Rigpa governance internationally. At many international meetings she represented Australia, helped coordinate the meetings and was always a key contributor to whatever topic was being discussed.

‘Holding’ a role has a special meaning in Rigpa, and Kathryn exemplifies what this means: to be clear about what’s required in the role and to own it; to be steadfast and consistent; to recognise and engage with interdependencies large and small, while still maintaining focus on the main things; and to maintain all of this with compassion and humility.

Stephane Vanderzande, Belgium

Stéphane was the (volunteer) National Director of Rigpa Belgium for the last 7 years, stepping down earlier in 2020. However, his contribution was not limited to this role. Since he joined Rigpa in 2003 he has been contributing as an umdze, instructor, event manager for Sogyal Rinpoche’s public talk at the grand BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels in 2016 as well as other lamas visits, managed the Brussels centre shop and media library, coordinated Rigpa Belgium’s communication and supported the Teaching Services area.

Internationally Stéphane was an active participant in annual international meetings over the last 7 years and in the International Coordination Group since its inception in 2016. In these meetings Stéphane would always be thinking from the perspective of the broader vision of Rigpa, while also representing the unique needs of smaller sangha groups, like his national sangha in Belgium.

It is Stéphane’s warmth, generosity, sense of humour and great jokes (and huge laugh) that many sangha friends love and appreciate. Moreover, it is his commitment to and knowledge of the dharma and enthusiasm to explain it, all deeply inspired by Rinpoche’s vision, the lineage and the practice that has inspired Stéphane to offer his time and skills so generously and fully over these years.

Stéphane continues to support the Rigpa Belgium team, is an instructor and activity holder nominee (and hopefully continues to tell great jokes).

Paul Brusa

Supporting and holding the activity of Rigpa in UK has been at the centre of Paul’s life since 1996, when he first came to Rigpa. He has tirelessly put his heart and soul into supporting Rigpa as a volunteer and later as a full time staff member.

Paul’s capacity and energy seem boundless. This ability is certainly drawn from a natural dedication and commitment to Rigpa’s vision for continuing the lineage. His street smart attitude and direct approach meant he could get things done in a way no one else could. One of his earlier volunteer roles was coordinating an army of drivers to transport, on a daily basis, the many lamas, monks, and geshes who attended the teachings and empowerments given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to over 10,000 people in the tent city of Lerab Gar, near what is now Rigpa’s main retreat centre, Lerab Ling in Southern France.

In his role as National Director since 2012, Paul invited and hosted countless Buddhist and Tibetan Buddhist teachers at the Rigpa centre in London—events which created the circumstances for many Rigpa and other dharma students to receive important empowerments and teachings to support them on the next steps of their path. The London Rigpa Centre also came alive during Paul’s time working there, with the blossoming of a small but deeply dedicated community, working and practising together for several years.

Over the years he was a central figure in the regular meetings of National Directors, always able to identify gaps that others might not have seen or anticipated and always diligent in seeing any project or problem through to completion and resolution.

For the Rigpa UK team, particularly during the Charity Commission inquiry, he oversaw a period of extensive change and reform and provided stability and direction at the very time it was most needed. He was extremely skilful and tireless in working with a diverse range of people and brought his open minded and hearted approach to mentor, guide and support others with warmth, passion and humour and somehow always found a way to inspire others and to see and keep focus on the crucial points.

His ability to be flexible and adaptable was probably also aided, quite literally, by his passion for yoga in recent years.

After stepping down from his role as National Director in August 2020 Paul has been taking a break, with a characteristically open mind to what life has in store for him next.

Gabriela Haack

Gabriela Haack is definitely one who is open for a challenge, as is evident in the range of roles she held over the last four years—sometimes several at the same time. Gabriela served as Switzerland’s Finance and Administration Director, Communication Manager, Swiss representative on the International Coordination Group and member of the Swiss Board of Trustees. These roles also meant she represented Switzerland at several international meetings over the last 4 years.

In her kind, gentle manner, Gabriella was never afraid to dig deeper to clarify and get to the bottom of an issue, and often came up with surprising ‘out of the box’ ideas.

She will soon return to Dzogchen Beara to manage the coffee shop and bookstore.

Nadi Breick, Spain

Nadi has been national coordinator of study and practice in Rigpa Spain from 2006 to 2019. She has also been president of the Board of Rigpa Spain, and continues to be one of Spain’s most senior instructors. During this time she has made an incredible contribution through her commitment to the sangha, and her strong devotion to the lineage.

And at the personal level she has a great sense of humour and, as a German living in Spain for many years, she a wonderful way of translating German sayings into Spanish. Right now she continues to be involved in Rigpa activity as torchbearer of the Spanish Home Retreat 2.0, and on a professional level she continues to develop her own yoga school.

Sam Truscott, Lerab Ling

Sam worked in Lerab Ling first as La Source Manager and then as the Director, a role he held for the last 8 years.

About Sam you could say so many things, but what stands out over the years has been his deep love for Lerab Ling and his recognition that it is much more than just a site and a community. Sam always spoke about Lerab Ling as the center of a spiritual mandala, and as a place of immense potential not just for Rigpa and Buddha Dharma, but for the region, for France and for the world. His passion for Lerab Ling and depth of vision, made his leadership over the last years unique. At the forefront of his mind was always: how can we connect as many people as possible with this sacred place? It doesn't matter if they are lamas, local firefighters, tourists, yogis or university students, Sam saw Lerab Ling as a place for everyone, a place beyond time and space. So as much as we appreciate his determination, dedication, tireless work and patience, we can really appreciate the vision for Lerab Ling that he always held in his heart, a vision we hope he will continue to hold in his heart as he stays close to Lerab Ling and all of us who guide it's future.

Sam continues to be a member of the Lerab Ling Board and a member of several Lerab Ling Committees while he spends more time with his young family and develops his own business.

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