Introducing our teachers, practice holders and activity holders
Rigpa
This is the first in a series of blog posts before an initial group of Rigpa’s holders will be introduced in August. Each post will share different aspects of this development and what it means for each of us in the Rigpa Community. Find all the posts on this topic here.
In August, for the first time in Rigpa we will formally introduce a group of Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders, as well as the mandala of Rigpa’s teachers, practice holders, and activity holders. This is a significant step for Rigpa as we move into the future, fulfilling Sogyal Rinpoche’s wish for Rigpa’s teaching and practice programmes and Dharma lineage to be held by his own students, with support from the lamas of our lineage. Now is the time for this to come to fruition.
Why are we taking this step? How has it come about? What does it mean for Rigpa and for each of us in the sangha?
Continuing our Dharma lineage
Sangha members all over the world offer their service in big and small ways to continue Rigpa’s activity—we might be greeting new people coming to a meditation session, be part of a team managing a centre, or on stage teaching to an international audience—all of these activities are interdependent and, together, make a crucial contribution to upholding the lineage.
The specific focus at this time is on those who are our most experienced students, and are taking the responsibility of guiding others on their Dharma path. After Sogyal Rinpoche’s passing, Rigpa's Spiritual Advisors, urged us to take steps towards entrusting our most senior teachers, senior practice holders, teachers, practice holders and activity holders. Many people now being formally introduced in these roles have already held these responsibilities for some time, while others are stepping up to a more senior role.
How were our main holders nominated?
In October 2019, the process to nominate Dharma teachers, practice holders and activity holders began. Following an inclusive process, teams in each country were asked to nominate those with the appropriate qualities and experience for these roles. Each country did this in a different way—some involving the entire sangha who could make their own nominations, and in other countries nominees were proposed by a small senior group. The Vision Board added a number of individuals who are not connected to a specific country. The complete list of nominees was then reviewed by the Vision Board and shared with our Spiritual Advisors on the occasion of Sogyal Rinpoche cremation in December 2019.
Over the last 18 months, all nominees have been discussing and reflecting together in their groups (teachers, practice holders, activity holders), to come to a common understanding of what it means to uphold the lineage and to serve the sangha and the Dharma in this way, and precisely what each role entails. This period of reflection and clarification also allowed each nominee to look at their own personal situation, motivation, and qualities to decide if they wish to take on the new role. Many have decided to accept the new role, while others have decided not to take on the role - instead preferring to continue to offer service in the ways they do now.
On the strength of this step-by-step process, and in recognition of the nominees’ qualities, stability and dedication, the first group of holders have now been requested to take up these roles. Their names have not yet been been shared as in the tradition, it is only done during a ceremony. Identifying this initial group is only the beginning, the training of holders is something Rigpa will continue to do, and everyone who is inspired to uphold our lineage will have the opportunity to participate.
What does this mean for me as a sangha member in Rigpa?
Appointing western teachers has been gradually taking place in many Tibetan Buddhist sanghas in the West. For Rigpa students, we will see teachers from within our sangha giving teachings, transmissions and eventually empowerments, exactly according to our lineage and tradition. We can have trust and confidence in the experience and training all these teachers and practitioners have received over decades, as well as their altruistic motivation to benefit others.
At this time of introducing Rigpa teachers we might ask ourselves - what does this mean for the relationship I have with my existing teachers? Each of us has a personal connection to our teachers including Sogyal Rinpoche and others, and the newly introduced Rigpa teachers don’t replace or change that. They, along with many other Tibetan and Western Dharma teachers, will help us to develop our Dharma knowledge and guide us on our path.
Join the celebration to formally introduce Rigpa’s main holders
On 27 August, during the practices marking the 2nd anniversary of Sogyal Rinpoche’s parinirvana, the first group of Rigpa’s Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders and the mandala of Rigpa’s teachers, practice holders, and activity holders will be formally introduced to the sangha in a special occasion presided over by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche.
This will be an occasion for the whole Rigpa sangha to come together (online or in person) and be part of this celebration. Mark 27 August in your calendar! More details about how you can follow the event will be sent to the RIgpa sangha soon.
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In the next post about ‘introducing our main holders’ we’ll share more about the different roles of our teachers and practice holders.
You can also see a recent series of interviews with some of Rigpa’s main holders on Prajna.
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