LERAB LING is a sanctuary of meditation and enlightened activity, where the Buddha’s teachings and blessings are shared with those who seek a complete path to enlightenment and a refuge from the busyness of everyday life.

Lerab Ling's mission has three core aspects:

- A Spiritual Community of monastics and lay people who study, contemplate and apply the teachings of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism; they seek to understand, experience and realise the innermost essence of the nature of mind, leading to immediate benefit and lasting happiness for themselves and others.
- A public place that is an expression of Tibetan sacred culture, where anyone can make a connection with the wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings;
- An International Retreat Centre at the heart of the international Rigpa community.

LERAB LING is the main retreat centre of RIGPA, an international network of centres and groups that follows the earliest tradition of Buddhism established in Tibet, known as the ‘Ancient’ or Nyingma school. The teachings and practices followed by the Nyingma tradition were brought to Tibet in the eighth century by the great Indian Buddhist teacher and adept, Padmasambhava, who is acknowledged as being the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.

Lerab Ling's vision is the foundation of all our activity. 
If you are inspired by this vision, please join us. 

Our diverse resident community is made up of religious members (monastics and lay members), employed staff, retirees, Rigpa sangha members joining the community for short periods, and Rigpa sangha members staying for a short time to practice and help with the activity.*

Rigpa Sangha members may join the community in Lerab Ling for anything between a month or two and several years.

Others who visit Lerab Ling include:

- Retreatants (for short or long term practice retreats)
- Participants in public events and programmes
- Family and partners of community members who visit Lerab Ling

* This refers to what in Lerab Ling are called 'integration retreatants', 'invited expert practitioners', and 'trainees' who are requested to come to Lerab Ling for a short time to support a specific activity.

The tranquil beauty of the region in which Lerab Ling is situated, the still, blessed atmosphere of the temple, and the community of dedicated, experienced practitioners all make Lerab Ling a rare and greatly loved place. It is ideal for anyone wanting to pause and take stock of their life, to learn, grow and to contribute to the continuation of Lerab Ling and the wisdom of the Buddhist tradition.

Residing in Lerab Ling offers us the chance to:

- contribute to the continuation of the vision of Lerab Ling, Rigpa and the vast intent of the Buddha in large and small ways, 
- find ways to transcend our limitations by applying the Buddha's teachings to ourselves in a very real, personal way, bringing transformation, 
- share with and learn from others who are following a Buddhist path, 
- be part of a spiritual community whose members share the same goals in life and embrace the challenges and joys that this way of life brings.

Living in a Buddhist community is a unique experience. For the benefit of each individual who comes to reside here, and for the benefit of the community and of Lerab Ling, everyone wishing to reside here begins by serving a trial period before any binding agreement to stay for a longer period is made.

BUDDHIST VALUES IN ACTION

When Buddha himself was asked to summarise his teaching, he said, 

Commit not a single unwholesome action,
Cultivate a wealth of virtue,
To tame this mind of ours,
This is the teaching of all the buddhas. 

To say, ’Commit not a single unwholesome action’, means to abandon unwholesome, harmful and negative actions, which are the cause of suffering, for both ourselves and others. To ‘cultivate a wealth of virtue’ is to adopt the positive, beneficial and wholesome actions that are the cause of happiness, again for both ourselves and others. Most important of all, however, is ‘to tame this mind of ours’. In fact the masters, like Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, often say that this one line captures the essence of the teachings of the Buddha. Because if we can realise the true nature of our own mind, then this is the whole point, of both the teaching and our entire existence.

Sogyal Rinpoche, Natural Great Peace

With this heart advice in mind, each person living in Lerab Ling applies themself to bring the teachings of the Buddha to their life, their actions and to their interactions with others.

HOW THE COMMUNITY HAS EXPRESSED BRINGING BUDDHIST VALUES INTO OUR LIFE

This is expressed in another way by community members themselves, who described the most important values they endeavour to live by as:

- Bringing a broad awareness to all situations 
- Embodying the awareness of the buddhas 
- Studying and practising the Dharma
- Bringing out our natural kindness
- Expressing compassion through our actions
- Developing the attitude of a spiritual warrior
- Remembering to be open and spacious
- Balancing all dimensions of community and personal life 
- Taking responsibility for ourselves and each other, and 
- Creating Lerab Ling together

Everyone residing in Lerab Ling signs the Rigpa Code of Conduct and subscribes to Rigpa’s Shared Values and Guidelines.

WORKING WITH DISAGREEMENTS

We are all human and sometimes disagreements or conflicts arise.

Such circumstances are ideal opportunities to apply the Buddhist teachings to ourselves, the other people involved and the situation in which we are in. If that is not enough, then the help of others in the community is always available.

If a conflict becomes more serious or cannot be resolved, then the more formal process of Rigpa's Grievance procedure offers different stages and methods of support and mediation.

GETTING TOGETHER FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Whether it's a celebration together at Christmas, a birthday barbeque or a movie night, it's fun to share it with community friends.

Sometimes special events are hosted by Lerab Ling, and other social activities are initiated by community members. This can be anything from short hikes, watching football or a movie, or going to the beach - either with a few friends or the entire community.

WE EACH HAVE A SPIRITUAL FRIEND

A carer or spiritual friend can serve as a mentor or advisor on our path, either for definitive advice on an aspect of study and practice, or simply to support personal reflection on our goals, direction, progress, insights and realisation.

Everyone living in Lerab Ling has a designated person to reflect and work together with to form their personal yearly plan of study, practice and vows to which they commit through a formal pledge. Each person’s plan and pledge is based on the core responsibilities we have as members of the Lerab Ling spiritual community, together with their personal situation such as the vows, practice and study commitments they already have, work responsibilities, practice goals and personal circumstances.

Personal guidance and discussion
+ your personal practice focus & goals
+ your contribution to the functioning of Lerab Ling
> together creates your personal study & practice plan

PRACTICE COMMITMENTS

Followers of the Buddha study and practise both on their own and as part of a community.

- Personal study and practice nurtures ourselves.
- Group practice sustains and ensures the continuing spiritual health of the community, and also strengthens the bonds of friendship between the individual practitioners.
- Group practice supports the wider Rigpa sangha and ensures that we maintain the vitality of the lineages that we are part of. 

For these reasons, everyone resident in Lerab Ling joins in some of the communal practices, according to their level.

Everyone living in Lerab Ling follows Rigpa’s path of study and practice. 

MEDITATION, MAHAYANA AND NGÖNDRO STUDENTS

- Students whose main practice is meditation, compassion practices or ngöndro can make a plan with their spiritual friend for how they can best benefit from their stay in Lerab Ling. The plan would include both personal and group practice and study.

VAJRAYANA PRACTITIONERS

Many people living in Lerab Ling are Vajrayana students. When putting together an annual practice plan, they take the following considerations into account: 

Vajrayana students are expected to participate (in person) in:

- Guru Rinpoche Day and Dakini Day Tsok practices, and
- A minimum of three other sessions of group practice every week (This can include any of the group practices such as Riwo Sangchö, Tendrel Nyesel, Tara practices, and others)
- Practices held on Great Festival Days (‘Wheel Days’)
- At least one drupchö or drupchen each year, and
- undertakes a minimum of one week of individual retreat every year.

PRACTICE WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY

The community holds one practice session per week for all levels of practitioners so that we can gather and practice together.

On occasions such as when one of the lamas close to Rigpa advises us to do a particular practice or accumulation, everyone who is qualified to do the practice does their best to participate, especially in group accumulation sessions.

*If someone is ill or physically unable to join practice with the community they can join online when streaming is available.

VOWS

Another of the many skilful ways that helps us transform our mind and behaviour is the taking of vows*. This is something that was introduced by the Buddha himself, as the sangha of monks and nuns and lay people who were the first followers of his teachings gathered around him. These vows have been a source of inspiration and an aid to personal transformation ever since.

Not only do vows encourage us to be mindful and aware of our actions and to avoid harmful actions that lead to suffering, they also encourage us to positive actions that bring happiness for ourselves and others.

Everyone residing in Lerab Ling is recommended to holds vows or pledges to support their efforts to live in accord with Buddhist principles.

> For everyone residing in Lerab Ling: Once a year, the community gathers to reflect on the vows and pledges they hold, to formally renew existing vows and perhaps to take new ones.

> Anyone residing in the community for a short time: may choose to take vows for the period they are here as an aspect of their experience of being part of the spiritual community.

* This refers specifically to the pratimoksha or lay vows of refraining from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct and being under the influence of intoxicants. Individuals may also choose to take additional vows or pledges.

OFFERING SERVICE

Together we keep Lerab Ling beautiful and running smoothly!

Everyone residing in Lerab Ling contributes to the many different activities needed for the centre to function well - partly through fulfilling our roles or areas of responsibility, and partly by offering additional help when it is needed.

- Religious members and employed staff have a designated responsibility or activity that they participate in. For example, they may be part of an administrative team, work in the site team or the kitchen, clean the retreat rooms, translate teachings, lead practices and organise rituals, prepare or lead practice or teaching retreats or support management areas.
- Other residents like long term integration retreatants, invited experienced practitioners and trainees participate in previously agreed activities of their choice, mainly within practice, rituals, spiritual care and teaching areas.
- Retired residents and Sangha Resident Programme participants offer around 5 hours per week to help with tasks such as gardening, helping to clean the temple, translating or welcoming tourists, for example.

- In addition, everyone is asked to participate in other activities when needed, depending on their capacity, such as helping to prepare for larger events and weekly or annual cleaning of the temple.

CARING FOR EACH OTHER

Community members help each other in many ways—with anything from running errands for others, driving someone to the doctor, and bringing meals if someone is unwell, to solving problems with personal computers. It’s good for us all to stay aware of how we can help others, and to ask others for help when we need it ourselves: quite simply, this is an expression of loving kindness and compassion.

HEALTH CARE

Each person living in Lerab Ling takes responsibility for their personal health and physical needs, yet support from other community members is available whenever it’s needed.

Although Lerab Ling is not able to offer medical or health services, there are many health providers in nearby towns and cities. Lerab Ling can offer minor first aid support in emergencies. We are also unable to care for anyone who has an unstable mental health condition.

PETS

Lerab Ling has a beautiful group of peacocks, ducks, donkeys and several cats—all cared for by community members. If any resident wishes to bring in a new pet, it is important that they request permission from the Superior and Chapter and, if their pet is allowed to stay with them, the owner takes full responsibility for their pet.

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The Lerab Ling Community is committed to protecting our environment and responding to climate change.

As residents we follow the Lerab Ling Environmental Policy and we endeavour to be environmentally friendly in small and large ways - in our personal space as well as in communal and work areas.

THE CHAPTER

- Responsible for the religious members of the Congregation and the care of the Lerab Ling community.
- The Superior*, assisted by the Chapter,  is required to sign off for the Congregation on main legal and financial decisions.
- Ensures all residents have spiritual guidance.

THE COORDINATION TEAM

- Responsible for the day-to-day operation of Lerab Ling
- Coordinates the activity of the functional areas of activity in Lerab Ling

THE ADVISORY GROUP

- Safeguards the Vision
- Gives strategic direction
- Advises on financial and legal topics
- Advises the Chapter and Coordination Team

See the teams

*’The Superior’ is the official title given to the head of a Religious Congregation in France.