Teachers in Rigpa

Her Eminence Mindroling Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche

Masters of the Nyingma Tradition Guiding Rigpa

Since Rigpa’s founder and main teacher, Sogyal Rinpoche, passed away in 2019, great masters of the Nyingma and Longchen Nyingtik traditions who have taught, guided and given transmissions and instructions to the Rigpa community over many years, continue to do so.

Lamas and teachers who teach regularly in Rigpa centres around the world and online include (in alphabetical order) Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Khamtrul Rinpoche, Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Neten Chokling Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Tulku Ridgzin Pema Rinpoche and Western teachers Andy Karr, Chagdud Khadro, Dungse Jampal Norbu, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Lama Tsering Everest and others.

In addition, Rigpa is honoured to regularly host the head of the Sakya school, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, and one of the most senior teachers of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche.

Rigpa's Teachers & Practice Holders

Along with these masters, a group of Senior Teachers and Practice Holders were formally introduced to the Rigpa sangha in August 2021 as those who are requested by Rigpa’s Vision Board & Spiritual Advisors to take the lead in guiding our community’s study and practice, along with the full mandala of Rigpa’s teachers, practice holders and activity holders.

All of Rigpa’s teachers and practice holders are responsible to the Buddhadharma and to Rigpa’s sangha and lineage and therefore they are accountable to Rigpa’s Vision Board and Spiritual Advisors. They all adhere to ethical standards including Rigpa’s Code of Conduct and comply with the laws in each country where they teach and practice.

Rigpa's Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders

‘Senior Teachers’ are those who take responsibility for overseeing and guiding the study and practice of the Rigpa sangha internationally; they teach on a wide range of Dharma topics and teach both Rigpa Sangha and public audiences.

’Senior Practice Holders’ are the most senior knowledge holders of the lineage of Vajrayana practices held in Rigpa.

Sherab Leypoldt

Senior Teacher
Sherab Leypoldt has studied with Sogyal Rinpoche since the early 1990s. In 1997, she moved to Rigpa’s retreat centre in southern France, Lerab Ling, where she studied and trained for over 20 years; receiving empowerments, teachings and instructions from great masters in all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, predominantly in the Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtik lineage. From 2006 to 2009 she attended Rigpa’s Three Year Retreat. In 2011, Sherab moved to Australia, where she now lives on the breathtakingly beautiful Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. Sherab continues to research, compile and make available Sogyal Rinpoche’s teachings. She helps to develop courses, events and materials for Rigpa’s students and centres around the world. She is currently coordinating a seven-year Home Retreat that provides education and training on the complete Buddhist path, from the Basic Vehicle right up to Dzogchen, which is being run in three countries

Jan Van Der Breggen

Senior Teacher
Jan Van Der Breggen has studied the Dharma since the mid-1990s, receiving teachings and empowerment from many masters, but principally from Sogyal Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. From 2006 to 2009, he participated in a three-year retreat in France, under Sogyal Rinpoche's guidance. He is currently participating in Milinda, a 10-year Buddhist teacher training programme, under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Jan grew up in the Netherlands and has lived in Brisbane, Australia, since 1998, where he obtained a postgraduate degree in information technology. He makes a living as a data and analytics professional for a large financial service provider. Jan was instrumental in founding Rigpa Brisbane in 1999, where he has served as a Dharma instructor for over 20 years.

Rigpa's Teachers and Practice Holders

‘Teachers’ specialise in one or several Dharma topics connected to the path of study and practice, such as meditation, foundations of Buddhism, lojong, madhyamaka, Vajrayana preliminary practices (Ngondro), and so on.

‘Practice Holders’ lead Vajrayana group practice for the Rigpa community around the world, contributing to the continuation of the vibrant tradition of Vajrayana in Rigpa.