Addressing Criticism
In 2017, complaints of abuse were raised against Rigpa’s founder, Sogyal Rinpoche.
Rigpa immediately took action to learn from them, and implemented organisational changes.
In 2017, complaints of abuse were raised against Rigpa’s founder, Sogyal Rinpoche, by some of his students. At the time, Sogyal Rinpoche stepped down as Spiritual Director of the Rigpa organisation and retired. Following a serious illness, he passed away in August 2019.
As soon as the complaints were received, Rigpa immediately took action to understand and learn from them, and implemented a number of organisational changes. Rigpa has always endeavoured to be transparent, outlining all the changes that we have made, and has been open to discuss the complaints and our response with anyone who wanted to know more.
Who holds the spiritual direction and organisation of Rigpa now?
The spiritual direction of Rigpa is now held by a Vision Board, made up of experienced Rigpa students including youth advisers, who are nominated by the Rigpa community. The Vision Board is guided by our Spiritual Advisers, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche each of whom are senior masters in the Nyingma tradition of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Rigpa is also advised by many other great masters of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.
A group of 25 Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders were nominated and formally entrusted in 2021. This group is responsible for guiding our community’s study and practice together with a broader community of 200 teachers and practice holders. Read more about our Teachers
The overall coordination of Rigpa’s activities internationally is led by a network of independent Rigpa charities and groups. Read more about our Teams
What did Rigpa learn from the complaints?
Over a period of time, we came to terms with the fact that, as a community, we should have listened more closely when concerns were raised, and supported people more in their relationship with Sogyal Rinpoche. The student-teacher relationship in Vajrayana and Dzogchen is very specific and not one that we are familiar with in the West. Misunderstandings both on the part of the teacher and of the student led to people being hurt. … Sogyal Rinpoche himself apologised on many occasions.
The specific actions we undertook are in three main parts:
Open Reflection
- We questioned ourselves and completely opened up to learning from what happened, looking at our culture and leadership model. As soon as the letter of complaint was received in July 2017, a group of the main teachers and leaders gathered for three days in an open discussion to reflect on what was happening, and acknowledge the diversity of perspectives amongst the group. This approach of reflection and openness informed every step we took since that early stage.
Listening and Reaching Out
- After the initial process of reflecting and sharing, we established and implemented a Code of Conduct that is based on Buddhist ethics while integrating modern western ethical standards, and developed a formal grievance process.
- Through independent mediators and a restorative process, we specifically reached out to those who were hurt. Between 2017 and 2023, over seventy conversations with independent mediators were held with individuals who were hurt, four of whom requested restorative actions. Restorative actions are not compensation or financial agreements, they are concrete steps that aim to redress any harm that took place. Three such restorative actions were agreed on, one did not find resolution.
- The grievance process that was put in place in 2018 is a proactive system which continues to support people to raise and resolve concerns about anything they are uncomfortable with in Rigpa.
Continuing to Learn
- We continue to educate ourselves and others about one of the main factors that contributed to these misunderstandings and hurts, which is the clash between Tibetan Vajrayana culture and Western 21st century culture. This topic is clearly presented and discussed in Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s book Poison is Medicine, and explored in the freely available writings, videos and podcasts of Rigpa’s initiative Treasuring the Feminine.
- These cultural issues are not specific to Rigpa and this reflection and discussion continues with other Buddhist communities.
What is the place of Sogyal Rinpoche’s teachings in Rigpa now?
We acknowledge and honour the diversity of experiences and views in our community. To follow the Buddhist path in Rigpa, it is not a requirement to have devotion for Sogyal Rinpoche or agree with all of his actions and how he behaved as a master.
At the same time, we recognize and honour Sogyal Rinpoche as he is the founder of Rigpa, and an authentic master of the Nyingma lineage. Several great masters of the Nyingma lineage also teach and guide in Rigpa.
Today, Rigpa’s programme of courses, seminars and retreats continue to be led by Rigpa’s teachers and instructors, the masters who guide the Rigpa community, and by visiting teachers and lamas. The programme is open to anyone who is interested in exploring the profound wisdom and powerful methods of Tibetan Buddhism.
It is our shared wish for Rigpa to be a safe environment for the study and practice of the Buddhist teachings, one where we all feel a sense of responsibility for each others’ well-being and spiritual path.