Annual Rigpa Sangha Gathering

Dates: 25 – 29 August 2026

Onsite and live online

A joyful gathering of the whole sangha, this annual all-mandala retreat offers a precious opportunity to practise, celebrate, receive teachings, share stories, and deepen our sense of community.

The merit of commemorating one’s teacher

Each year, this anniversary offers us a precious opportunity to remember Sogyal Rinpoche, to reflect on the immeasurable benefit he brought to so many people, and to reconnect with the wisdom and compassion that he tirelessly shared throughout his life.

For many of us, Sogyal Rinpoche opened the door to the Dharma. He introduced us to the teachings of the Buddha, inspired us to practise, and helped create a worldwide community of practitioners dedicated to transforming their minds and benefiting others. The parinirvana anniversary is therefore not only a time of remembrance, but also a time to deepen our commitment to the path he devoted his life to transmitting.

According to the scriptures, gathering and practising together on the special occasion of the anniversary of one’s teacher creates a profound and meaningful moment to accumulate merit, make heartfelt aspirations, and express our gratitude. It is also an opportunity to deepen our connection with the lineage, the teachings, and one another.

The special feature of this year’s gathering 

Celebrating the year of the 100th Anniversary of the parinirvana of Tertön Sogyal, we will come together around the practice of Tendrel Nyesel, a terma revelation of Tertön Sogyal that is uniquely upheld in Rigpa and was one of Sogyal Rinpoche’s main practices. We will practise Tendrel Nyesel each day, receive teachings on this precious practice and offer an abundant tsok feast every day

Embedded in this practice, that all levels of students can connect to, there are four kinds of skillful methods for addressing every kind of harmful condition or occurrence of the past, the future, the present, and then altogether, by eliminating them, preventing them, guarding against them, and transforming them. 

At this particular time, given the state of the world, there is no more powerful practice than Tendrel Nyesel. 

As in previous years, we look forward to sharing the retreat with the wider family of students of other teachers who are connected to Rigpa, many of whom have joined us for this event over the last 6 years.

If you’re joining the retreat in person, you will also have the opportunity to practise meditation in Rinpoche’s garden, visit the inner stupa containing Rinpoche’s relics, and catch up with sangha friends.

Let us gather together in gratitude, devotion, and inspiration, remembering all that we have received and renewing our determination to put the teachings into practice for the benefit of all beings.

HOW TO FOLLOW

We encourage everyone to gather physically in Lerab Ling, but the commemorations can also be followed live online. 

IN LERAB LING

• 5-day programme (25 – 29 August)
• Sogyal Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Anniversary (28 August)

The commemoration programme on the 28th of August will be based on donations, for all those who wish to join in Lerab Ling or online. Please note that this is also reflected in the lowered price of the 5-day event. 

LIVE ONLINE

Please register for the online event on Prajna.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

START Tuesday 25 August at 9:30am
END Saturday 29 August at 7:30pm

CONTRIBUTION 180€

REGISTRATION AND BADGE/KEY COLLECTION
Monday 24 August: 2pm – 6pm
Tuesday 25 August: 8:30am – 9:15am
If arriving after 6pm on Monday, please notify registration@rigpa.org

LANGUAGES Teachings: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian

TRANSPORT
Arrival on Monday 24 August: -> departure from Montpellier airport at 3:15pm -> departure from Sud-de-France train station at 3:45pm -> departure from Saint-Roch train station at 4:15pm

Departure on Sunday 30 August : -> from Lérab Ling at 8:30am towards Montpellier Méditerranée airport, Sud-de-France train station and Saint-Roch train station