Reliving the ceremony introducing Rigpa’s Senior Teachers and Practice Holders
Jeremy
This is the third in a series of blog posts leading up to the introduction of a group of Rigpa’s main holders. Each post shares 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.
Rigpa’s Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders who were introduced to the sangha on 27 August, 2021.
On 27 August, during the recent retreat at Lerab Ling which marked the second anniversary of Sogyal Rinpoche’s parinirvana, a group of Rigpa's main holders were formally introduced to the sangha in an inspiring ceremony led by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche. The 250 sangha members in the Tsuklhakhang and hundreds of sangha members online had created a wonderful atmosphere by practising Rigdzin Düpa on the two previous days. There was in the air a sense of joy and celebration, of fulfilment and promise, a sense that together we can all now take a significant step into the future.
Ever since the time of the Buddha, it has been the students who have continued the lineage established by a master after he has passed away. As Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche observed in the letter he sent for the occasion: “Although the Lama has passed into parinirvana, it’s not like you should then throw the stone into the water and forget about everything. You are still continuing his vision and making plans for the future, and this is something I would really like to thank you for.” Although Sogyal Rinpoche had begun the process of handing over the spiritual direction of Rigpa and the care for the study and practice of its students, he had not been able to complete this before he passed away in 2019. The selection process that led to the introduction of a group of teachers and practice holders, has been one that carefully followed his wishes and included much discussion and self-reflection by the individuals nominated, and two rounds of divination.
An obvious new factor for Rigpa is that those taking on these key responsibilities are westerners. So we have been fortunate to have the close support and advice of many masters leading up to this occasion. Khenchen Namdrol Rinpcoche joined in online in the afternoon and made some essential points about a teacher’s responsibilities. He said that the best way for the lineage brought to the West by Sogyal Rinpoche to flourish is to ensure that each community has a qualified teacher. Those teachers, he said, need pure motivation. They need to know what they are teaching and to internalise what they teach so that they are examples of the Buddha’s teaching. He also cautioned that if there are no teachers then everything that has been established in the last forty years would be lost. Letters of support and encouragement received from Chokyi Nyingma Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, Neten Chokling Rinpoche and Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, were also read out over the course of the event.
Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche introducing some of Rigpa’s senior holders via streaming from India.
The high point of the day was the introduction of Rigpa’s twenty-six Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders by Khandro Rinpoche, who has guided every stage of the process over the last eighteen months. Online from Mindrolling Monastery in India, she was a huge part of the morning’s proceedings. She introduced each holder with enthusiasm and respect. For the many she knew well, she spoke with great insight about them and was warmly appreciative of each individual’s qualities and past accomplishments. One of Sogyal Rinpoche’s wishes for his students was that they should act with greater confidence and this was something that Khandro Rinpoche was also instilling, not just in each and every holder, but in the sangha too.
One common theme in the speeches that followed the ceremony is that it is not just the holders who are taking responsibility for Rigpa’s future, but the entire sangha, an arrangement that Khandro Rinpoche likened to a deity with a hundred eyes and limbs attached to one body.
The gravity of the responsibility being taken on was addressed by many of the freshly appointed holders who spoke on this occasion. Patrick Gaffney said: “When we hear the words ‘lineage holder’ or ‘teacher’, I believe that we know instinctively that we may have a lot to learn and to experience. We may feel ready in spirit but less so in learning and realisation. But isn’t it a kind of a balancing act? We need a big vision, a ‘selfless ambition’ and a great deal of discernment, less self-importance and more self-awareness.” Ian Ives acknowledged that the title of senior teacher is to be taken seriously, but also wished: “May it always have a slight humour and ridiculousness about it. It is simply a label, arising through so many countless causes and conditions.”
Damien Brohon reflected on how loyalty to the lineage and devotion asks us to be brave and compassionate enough to examine every aspect of our Rigpa history, even the difficult and painful parts. He expressed that this examination will provide a way to be creative in a deep sense and to offer in the future a secure path that is the result of having learnt in recent years. Out of this learning can come a path of awareness and clear-sightedness based on ethics, study and a balanced understanding of devotion.
This celebratory day ushers in the prospect of a clear and supportive future for the Rigpa sangha and for Rigpa’s ability to continue the lineage of Buddhist teachings we have received. It is, however, just the first step of an ongoing journey that will require the open-mindedness and participation of every Rigpa student. It will be exciting to see how things evolve.
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