RIGPA
is a Tibetan word, which in general means 'intelligence' or 'awareness'. In
Dzogchen, however, the highest teachings in the Buddhist tradition of Tibet, rigpa
has a deeper connotation, 'the innermost nature of the mind'. The whole of the
teaching of Buddha is directed towards realizing this, our ultimate nature, the
state of omniscience or enlightenment - a truth so universal, so primordial
that it goes beyond all limits, and beyond even religion itself.
Inspired by this, Sogyal Rinpoche gave the name 'Rigpa' to his work and to the
vehicle he was developing to serve the Buddha's teaching in the west. Now an
international network with centers and groups in fifteen countries around the
world, Rigpa seeks:
To make the teachings of Buddha available to benefit as many people as
possible, and
To offer those following the Buddhist teachings a complete path of study and
practice, along with the environment they need to explore the teachings to
their fullest.