Live and free on Zoom
Open to all students and members of all sanghas.
The event is presented in English with live translation into French, German, Spanish and Italian.
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.
Our main themes this year, will be the three incarnations of Terton Sogyal (commemorating his 100th anniversary this year), our tsawe lama Sogyal Rinpoche and the newly discovered Yangsi of Sogyal Rinpoche. So there will be many life stories, teaching and videos deeply connecting us with our lineage masters.
Along with 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.
If you like to participate online for more than this one day or the entire 5-day event you can register here.
Programme
According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, each year on the anniversary of a great master's passing the students gather and practice together to honour and commemorate the master’s Dharma legacy.
28 August 2026 marks the seventh anniversary of the passing of Sogyal Rinpoche and to honour this occasion hundred’s of his students will gather at his seat and main retreat centre, Lerab Ling in France as well as online to practise together.
This is one time in the year that we can each connect with the wider Rigpa family. The practice programme that is the heart of the retreat includes a range of practices to enable everyone to participate. It’s a retreat for everyone.
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.
Please join in and submit your accumulations here accumulations.rigpa.org/history
