Understanding more about the roles of Teachers, Practice Holders & Activity Holders
Rigpa Vision Board
This is the second 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 the first post about introducing our teachers and practice holders we looked at the significance of introducing senior holders at this time, and the process that led to identifying those who will take on their roles.
In this post we will hear more about what the different roles actually entail so, as a worldwide Sangha and individually we can support and empower those taking on these roles.
The tradition of continuing the lineage
When the master passes away, it is natural for his most experienced students to take on the role of guiding the Sangha in their study, practice and activity. In Rigpa we are fortunate to have been guided by many great masters over the last forty years, who have given teachings, transmissions and guidance.
Hand in hand with these Tibetan Buddhist teachers, it was always Sogyal Rinpoche’s wish—which he expressed openly many times—that a body of selected students would be responsible for teaching and overseeing the world of study and practice within Rigpa, according to their level of experience, knowledge and training, and their capacity and qualities. As well as teaching, they would play a leading role in study and practice, care for the Sangha, and develop expertise in shedra studies and experience in ritual practice. They would include individuals trained as all-rounders as well as those with different specialities. Rinpoche always encouraged specialisation, and for students to work towards thorough mastery of the different aspects of Dharma: meditation practice, ritual, the traditional texts, and so on.
All along, Sogyal Rinpoche acknowledged that he was preparing his students to shoulder the responsibility one day, at the same time ensuring that they were fully familiar with the principles of wisdom and compassion at the heart of the unique training he gave in how to run a spiritual organization or community by applying the Dharma directly to working life and its many challenges.
Over the years, Rinpoche clearly recognized particular individuals and appointed them to certain tasks or roles, which became commonly accepted in the Sangha. Although he did not initiate any complete or formal induction process for teachers or leaders, now is the time when he expected the community’s leaders to take steps to put that in place.
For the world, the lineage and the Sangha
The roles of teachers, practice holders and activity holders exist in all Buddhist sanghas. In each community, they might have slightly different names but the roles are the same - to guide and support the Sangha’s study, practice and activity.
Rigpa’s main Holders strive to embody the teachings of the Buddha, and in particular of the Nyingma lineage. Through their specific role—Teacher, Practitioner or Activity Holder—according to their capacity and level of training, and with the motivation to benefit others, each person supports anyone who aspires to follow a spiritual path, and apply the compassion and practical wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings in their lives.
As well as guide and support the Rigpa Sangha on the path, and embodying the teachings, all the Rigpa Holders have in common that they:
are passionate about Rigpa’s vision as it has been established over the last forty years and they act out the wish to be of service to the dharma in general, and Rigpa in particular;
have awareness and care for the issues facing society and the world we live in so that what and how we share the Dharma is directly relevant and beneficial;
are responsible to the Buddhadharma and to Rigpa’s Sangha and lineage, and therefore to Rigpa’s Vision Board and Spiritual Advisors;
are very mindful of their conduct and adhere to Rigpa’s code of conduct;
work as a team with their peers so that they can be confident in what they are holding and have all the support they need.
Whether one is supporting the Rigpa Sangha’s study, practice or activity, being a Rigpa Holder is not an honorary title, a recognition for past service, or a hierarchy. If someone is no longer able to hold the responsibility, they can step back from the role, and each Holder’s activity will be reviewed regularly.
Rigpa Holders have been asked to support and guide the sangha’s study and practice because of the trust that is placed in them, and the qualities they show as a practitioner. This is really the main point.
As there are many questions about the exact roles of Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders, as well as those of Teachers, Practice Holders and Activity Holders, here are a few main points to remember for us as Sangha members.
Senior Teachers
The Senior Teachers will be supported to grow into a position where they can teach on all aspects of the dharma.
They will be active more internationally.
They will hold a leading role in the development and implementation of Rigpa’s curriculumIn the future, some may give transmissions and, according to their expertise, give commentaries on the texts of our lineage, reading transmissions, empowerments and vows with clear and written authorisation from their teachers.
Some are particularly versed in the teachings and transmission of classical texts of the studies in the Nyingma, while others will be more skilled in the pith instructions of Rigpa’s lineage masters. Some will specialise in teachings on texts, others on practices. All of these are equally important in holding the Rigpa mandala.
At national level, Senior Teachers and Teachers work together to train and support teachers and instructors and hold national events.
Senior Practice Holders
Senior Practice Holders have been holding the most senior roles in each area of practice in Rigpa, such as Vajra Master, Chopon or Umdze.
They are our main knowledge holders on Vajrayana practice.
Most of them held these roles during Rigpa’s Three Year Retreat, and they are either monastics and/or have accomplished a number of long-term closed retreats.
They will serve the Sangha in the same way as Practice Holders but may also reach out on a more international level.
Teachers
Teachers will specialise in one or several Dharma topics, such as, for example, meditation, mahayana, ngöndro, the study of classical texts. They can become references in Rigpa in their particular speciality.
They will operate nationally or internationally.
They will be involved in the development and implementation of Rigpa’s curriculum.
Practice Holders
Rigpa Practice Holders are those who hold Vajrayana group practice for our community. It is those who step up to actually take on the responsibility and make sure we continue our vibrant tradition of Vajrayana in our centres around the world.
Each of them has either held this role for many years or committed to gradually take on the responsibility to deepen, preserve and transmit knowledge of our practice tradition and lineage.
They all have the indispensable groundwork of training in the Foundational Vehicle (Meditation), Mahayana (Compassion) and Ngöndro first.
Instructors
The role of instructors has been long established in Rigpa, and continues unchanged. Instructors are the heart of our centres around the world - they welcome the public, give meditation instructions, offer our many courses, and are available for practice interviews for those engaging further in the practice. They are living examples of what it means to be a Buddhist practitioner in the modern world - most often holding a job and caring for family members in the midst of busy urban environments.
Activity Holders
Along with studying the dharma and engaging in practice, Sogyal Rinpoche emphasised the importance of students actively engaging in activity as a way to contribute towards Rigpa’s vision of spreading the Dharma authentically. Sogyal Rinpoche was a master at pointing out how to integrate the wisdom of the teachings and insights gained from our practice into how we handle the seemingly ordinary tasks that are required in working for a dharma organisation or in any aspect of our life.
To continue this culture of engaging in activity as a genuine path of dharma, not separate from our study and practice, we are giving the name of ‘Activity Holder’ to everyone who takes on a role or responsibility in Rigpa.
These are the roles we will be rejoicing in on 27 August as we introduce our Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders as well as the mandala of Rigpa’s Teachers, Practice Holders and Activity Holders.
Turning our attention, practice and love to these Holders
Of course, offering our practice and dedicating oneself to living the teachings of the Buddha is most important. Without our community of practitioners and students, our three-year retreatants, home retreatants, mandala students, none of this would make much sense. It is the Sangha, in the end, who is holding the lineage. Yet every boat needs a captain and a structure.
The roles of Rigpa Holders are simply a container for the lineage to continue to be transmitted to future generations.
Those who are inclined to serve in this way can grow into any of those roles, starting now by taking responsibility for our community to thrive.
The support of the Rigpa Sangha is of tremendous importance, and we ask everyone in the Sangha to direct their attention, practice and love to those who have taken on the responsibility of the transmission of the dharma for future generations. In this spirit, together as an international Sangha, on 27 August when these Holders are introduced to us we will be renewing our Bodhisattva vow together.
If you have any questions about the process, you can always approach your national team or one of the Vision Board members, and you can also write to the Vision Board - vision.board@rigpa.org
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