For information about how Rigpa is reforming visit our Moving Forward page.

Public Statement following Sogyal Rinpoche’s Passing

28 August 2019

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Sogyal Rinpoche on Wednesday 28 August 2019, following complications during his cancer treatment.

Sogyal Rinpoche is currently resting in tukdam, which is when a realized practitioner continues to abide by the recognition of the nature of mind after the moment of death.

Sogyal Rinpoche was a world-renowned Buddhist teacher from Tibet, recognized as the incarnation of a great master and visionary saint of the nineteenth century, Tertön Sogyal Lerab Lingpa. He founded the international Buddhist network Rigpa, was the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and dedicated over 45 years to bringing the Buddhist teachings to the West. He stepped down as spiritual director in 2017.

His students have now entered a traditional period of prayers and ceremonies that will extend over at least seven weeks. In Tibetan Buddhism, the period of forty-nine days following the moment of death is considered to be the most powerful time for spiritual practice.

We are deeply touched by the outpouring of condolences and recognition of Sogyal Rinpoche and his work, and of sincere kindness and fraternity towards the Rigpa Sangha, from members of the public, lamas and friends from around the world.

Since Rigpa was founded, over 80 renowned teachers from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism and other Buddhist traditions, have been teaching in Rigpa and guiding the study and practice of Rigpa students, at the invitation of Sogyal Rinpoche. Rigpa upholds in particular the Nyingma tradition, the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism, and offers the Buddhist teachings of meditation, compassion and wisdom to the modern world.

Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) investigation

Update:

On 4 June 2019 the ACNC wrote that Rigpa had complied with their requirements and that the investigation is now finalised. The ACNC had launched an investigation into Rigpa in Australia in January 2018. As a result Rigpa has worked to carry out their request to implement the recommendations of the Lewis Silkin Report, complete the policies required to more fully care for and safeguard students and the public, and continue the work of strengthening our governance.

In January 2019 Rigpa signed a Compliance Agreement with the ACNC to enact the recommendations of the Lewis Silkin independent investigation and introduce policies related to good governance and safe-guarding for students and the public. This Agreement was for 6 months and we submitted reports on progress at 3 and 6 months. The ACNC investigator has written to say:

“Based on the information/documentation Rigpa has provided, I am now satisfied Rigpa has complied with the requirements set out in the compliance agreement. The ACNC will not be taking any further action at this time and the investigation is now finalised.

“I would like to commend the board on the progress made to strengthen
Rigpa’s governance.

“I would also like to thank the board for its cooperation throughout the
investigation and efforts in complying with the compliance agreement. I wish
you well for your future charitable endeavours.”

We still have some work to do, and the ACNC acknowledges that. For example our Board is  discussing early ideas for a healing fund and trauma training sessions are planned for our instructors and senior role holders.

Importantly, to implement our new policies for safe-guarding students and the public, all of us involved in Rigpa activity need to understand the policies, why we have them and how to use them.

Kathryn James

Rigpa Australia Board Chair

Previous

Statement from Rigpa following the release of independent report

5 September 2018

We acknowledge the gravity of the independent report that Rigpa commissioned last year following allegations of misconduct by Rigpa’s Founder and former Spiritual Director Sogyal Rinpoche, and thank the investigator and the witnesses.

We feel deeply sorry and apologise for the hurt experienced by past and present members of the Rigpa community. We are contemplating on our role as an organisation, and how we may have contributed to this situation. We will do everything we can to reach out to, and support everyone who has been affected, and take full responsibility for ensuring that Rigpa provides a safe environment for all. These are our heartfelt commitments.

The findings in the report will affect many people. It will take time for all of us to reflect on the report’s contents.

Rigpa commits to act upon the report’s recommendations. We will move forward in consultation with our community.

In the face of the allegations, last year Sogyal Rinpoche retired definitively as Spiritual Director of Rigpa, and now has no organisational role in Rigpa.

Rigpa has already undertaken a number of significant steps in the last twelve months:

• A new Vision Board was appointed, guided by spiritual advisors, and Rigpa boards have agreed a new decision-making and governance structure;
• Our community has taken part in an international process to put in place a strong Code of Conduct published in June 2018. We have also just completed our grievance procedure, that includes an independent Grievance Council of senior western Buddhist teachers that will receive complaints brought by Rigpa members and the public;
• And we set up this independent investigation for complainants to come forward, and be listened to in an open, impartial and sensitive way.

We are committed to continuing the process of healing, reconciliation and change. To acknowledge the importance of this process of healing and change, senior members of management are stepping down from their positions of governance.

Rigpa’s goal has always been, and continues to be, to offer a complete spiritual path, to invite many teachers, especially from the “Ancient” Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and to offer the Buddhist teachings of meditation, compassion and wisdom to the modern world.

The Vision Board, Rigpa Boards, and the Boards of Lerab Ling and Dzogchen Beara

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The report of the independent investigation can be found here.

For all media enquiries contact:
Jane Gray
jane.gray@rigpa.org.au

Code of Conduct and Shared Values of the Rigpa Community

June 2018

The Rigpa Code of Conduct and the Shared Values and Guidelines of the Rigpa Community have been adopted by all the boards of the Rigpa entities in June 2018.

Rigpa is committed to creating a culture where every person feels confident and empowered to give feedback fearlessly, express their concerns and report unethical behavior.

Extensive advice about ethical conduct already exists within the teaching of Buddha. In the Code of Conduct, we summarise certain key features while providing practical guidelines to clarify what is expected of all who participate in Rigpa events and activities. Everyone who participates in Rigpa has a responsibility to conduct themselves in accordance with the laws of the land and the values outlined in this Rigpa Code of Conduct.

Over several months, the international Rigpa community took part in a series of workshops and discussions, and had opportunities to submit feedback on these issues. Their combined input was also distilled into a broad set of Shared Values and Guidelines of the Rigpa Community, which are rooted in the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhist path, and complement the Code of Conduct for Rigpa members and anyone with a role in the activities associated with Rigpa.

In setting out certain values and standards of behaviour, we hope the Code of Conduct and the Guidelines will not only serve as a basis for education and training, but also inspire individuals to reflect on their own behaviour in the light of contemporary secular and Buddhist ethical standards, and provide a clear basis to report breaches of conduct and resolve grievances.

In addition to the Code and Guidelines, a Grievance Procedure has been developed, that is easy to use, with options for resolving conflicts, receiving formal complaints and making recommendations on misconduct to boards and national teams. The Procedure will be announced once we have received the results of the investigation report, as this may include additional recommendations.
Read the Rigpa Code of Conduct and the Shared Values and Guidelines of the Rigpa Community on our web site.

For all media enquiries contact:
Catherine Paul
contact@rigpa.org.au
0415 465 547

Download:  Rigpa statement June 2018

Spiritual Governance

January 2018
Following the retirement of Sogyal Rinpoche from the role of Spiritual Director of Rigpa in August 2017, a ‘Vision Board’ has now been appointed to guide Rigpa into the future…

The Vision Board is made up of seven of Sogyal Rinpoche’s long-standing students who share a deep understanding of the vision of Rigpa. Their task will be to oversee the culture of study and practice, care for the Rigpa community, nurture teachers, and strengthen links with other Buddhist teachers and organizations—all in the open and inclusive spirit that Rigpa has sought to cultivate over the last forty years.

The Vision Board is composed, alphabetically, of: Valerie Baker, Mauro de March, Seth Dye, Patrick Gaffney, Verena Pfeiffer, Philip Philippou and Vinciane Rycroft. Visit rigpa.org to read more about the Vision Board members.

To maintain the authenticity of Rigpa’s work, the Vision Board will be advised by a number of Tibetan Buddhist lamas including Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Mindrolling Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche (both key figures in interpreting Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world) and Khenchen Namdrol (a great scholar and lineage holder of the Ngagyur Nyingma tradition). Other Tibetan Buddhist lamas will be invited to advise in the future. Visit rigpa.org to read more about the lamas advising Rigpa’s Vision Board.

The Vision Board will commence its role from March 2018.

Although Sogyal Rinpoche is no longer the Spiritual Director of Rigpa, he has an ongoing responsibility as a teacher to his students. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the sacred bond between student and teacher continues until enlightenment. At present, as Sogyal Rinpoche is in a period of retreat and undergoing medical treatment for colon cancer, he may only give occasional pre- recorded teachings to his students.

Rigpa Investigation

In August 2017, Rigpa pledged to set up an independent investigation by a neutral third party into the allegations made against Sogyal Rinpoche in July 2017.

Rigpa’s heartfelt concern is for the wellbeing of its Rigpa community, including the authors of the letter of allegations, and to ensure that the positive qualities shared in the Rigpa community do not diminish.
The UK law firm Lewis Silkin, highly regarded in Europe for working with harassment complaints, has been appointed to undertake this investigation. Lewis Silkin will act as a neutral, third-party investigator conducting confidential fact- finding interviews, primarily with the eight individuals who wrote the letter of complaint.

The Boards of Rigpa understand that it is their duty to investigate the allegations made against Sogyal Rinpoche in the July letter, according to the laws in the respective countries. While no criminal charges have been made, it is essential that Rigpa follows through with engaging a neutral third-party who can listen objectively to the description of the events as described in the letter.

Concurrently, the Rigpa US Board has engaged An Olive Branch, a Zen-based reconciliation organisation, to help support the Rigpa community in US and in all countries with healing and reconciliation. We consider this to be a crucially important part of the process we need to go through together as community.

Code of Conduct and Grievance Procedure

Rigpa has also instigated a consultation process within its international community, through which a code of conduct and a grievance process for Rigpa are being established. The Rigpa community will have the opportunity to review and reflect on the first draft of these procedures in January.
Throughout this period of change, Rigpa continues to focus on its vision of: making the Buddhist teachings of meditation, compassion and wisdom available to the modern world. Rigpa’s centres around the world continue to offer courses, programmes and retreats led by Rigpa teachers and, instructors, as well as and visiting teachers and lamas. For details visit rigpa.org.

For all media enquiries contact:
Catherine Paul
contact@rigpa.org.au
0415 465 547

Statement by Kathryn James, National Director, Rigpa Australia

2 December 2017

In July this year, a number of allegations were brought against Sogyal Rinpoche, the then spiritual director of Rigpa. These have been widely shared in the media and on the internet, most recently in an article by David Leser published today.

The governing boards and management teams of Rigpa worldwide have taken this matter very seriously and are working through the current issues with respect and compassion for everyone concerned, and in a way that is entirely consistent with Buddhist values.

Following the allegations, Sogyal Rinpoche decided to retire as Spiritual Director of Rigpa and has entered a period of retreat. The governing boards and management teams of Rigpa, having sought professional and spiritual advice, are undertaking the following actions:

1. Setting up an independent investigation by a neutral third party into the various allegations that have been made. We expect to announce shortly further details of this process that will be a first step towards healing and reconciliation.
2. Launching an international consultation process to establish both a code of conduct and a grievance process for Rigpa, which should be finalized by the end of the year.
3. Establishing a new spiritual advisory group to guide the Rigpa organization, comprising an Advisory Panel of Lamas and a Vision Board formed of some of Rigpa’s most senior and trusted students.

Rigpa has also instigated a worldwide consultation process to listen to its students and to strengthen Rigpa’s key values and culture. This includes open meetings for students at our centres and a process for bringing feedback together from across all countries.
We would like to state clearly that there is no place for abuse in our community and we are conscious of our responsibility to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for our members and the public.

As you would understand, it has been a time of reflection and contemplation about the future we would like to create. The Rigpa Board has been greatly encouraged by the warmth and genuine care and concern evident in the way students have come together to support each other. We also understand that each person needs to process these developments in their own time and we encourage people requiring more information or support to contact their local Rigpa Centre Manager.

Rigpa’s Vision and Mission show our commitment to an authentic Buddhist path of study and practice, as well as offering these to bring greater well being in society.

As always, Rigpa Centres in Australia and New Zealand continue to warmly offer people a place to study and practice meditation and the Buddhist teachings together. Please know that you are welcome to visit your Rigpa local centre at any time.

For all media enquiries contact:
Catherine Paul
contact@rigpa.org.au
0415 465 547

Download: Rigpa statement Dec 2017

Update on Sogyal Rinpoche’s Health

30 September 2017

Rigpa wishes to share some recent news about the health of its former Spiritual Director, Sogyal Rinpoche.

Following recent medical tests, Sogyal Rinpoche was diagnosed with colon cancer, and on 14 September underwent an operation to remove two tumours. The surgery was successful and as a precaution against the risk of the cancer spreading, he has been advised to follow a course of mild chemotherapy over a period of 6 months. Sogyal Rinpoche will be continuing his retreat with short breaks when he needs to undergo medical treatment.

For all media enquiries contact:
Catherine Paul
contact@rigpa.org.au
0415 465 547

Download: Rigpa SR Health Statement Nov 2017

Update on Changes in Rigpa

October 2017

We are fully implementing Rinpoche’s retirement as Spiritual Director and his having no further role in the management of the organisation. Meanwhile we await the results of the independent investigation into the allegations.

We will continue to post updates about plans for the organisation.

For all media enquiries contact:
Catherine Paul
contact@rigpa.org.au
0415 465 547

Sogyal Rinpoche Announces Retirement

August 2017

On 11 August, Sogyal Rinpoche announced his retirement as Spiritual Director from all the organisations that bear the name of Rigpa in different countries around the world.

The decision follows a number of allegations brought against Sogyal Rinpoche, which have been widely shared on the internet. The governing boards and management teams of Rigpa have resolved to clarify the situation responsibly, in a way that is entirely consistent with ethical Buddhist values..

The following steps have been taken:

1. An independent investigation has been initiated by a neutral third party into the various allegations that have been made.

2. An international consultation process has been launched to establish both a code of conduct and a grievance process for Rigpa.

3. A new spiritual advisory group has been established to guide the Rigpa organization.

These steps are being taken by the boards and management teams of Rigpa worldwide, in a true spirit of collaboration. Channels will be established so that any member of our community has the opportunity to express their wishes, views and concerns.

As an international network of Buddhist centres, Rigpa continues to dedicate its efforts to making the Buddhist teachings of meditation, compassion and wisdom available to the modern world. The courses and programs offered by Rigpa have helped many thousands of people around the world experience relief from suffering and find meaning in their lives.

For all media enquiries contact:
Catherine Paul
contact@rigpa.org.au
0415 465 547