Tertön Sogyal Trust UK
Menu
About the Trust
The Tertön Sogyal Trust was named after Lerab Lingpa Tertön Sogyal (1856-1926), a great nineteenth-century Tibetan saint and mystic, who was the teacher of the thirteenth Dalai Lama and a leading figure in the revitalisation of the Buddhist teachings in Tibet.
His visionary teachings have a profound relevance for our modern times and are the inspiration behind the work of Rigpa.
The Trust was establishe 1996 to promote and advance the Buddhist religion in all parts of the world in any manner which is charitable in law.
This includes the establishment and maintenance of schools, centres, colleges, retreats, monasteries, nunneries and other institutions for the preservation, study and practice of Buddhism.
It can also include the establishment and maintenance of libraries and facilities for the preservation and study of Buddhism that includes Tibetan philosophy, logic, metaphysics, art, sacred dance, sacred music, arts crafts and skills, medicine and philosophy and the relics, images, objects (whether sacred or otherwise) associated with them.
Dharma Project Grants Specific to the UK Trust
For projects that specifically promote and advance the Buddhist religion in all parts of the world, such as the establishment and maintenance of schools, centres, monasteries, nunneries and other institutions for the preservation, study and practice of Buddhism, grants are available on request and at the discretion of the Trustees.
Applications for this grant can be submitted all year around.
Tertön Sogyal Foundations Grants
Study & Practice Grants
All Rigpa students have equal opportunities to apply for a grant, including those entrusted as teachers and practice holders who wish to deepen their personal spiritual path, such as through long-term retreats or studies such as:
- Nyenpas and personal retreats
- International retreats (eg Ngöndro, Dzogchen and Meditation)
- Shedra
- On-the-job activity training such as in holding events
- Attending practice-intensives such as drupchös, training in shrine and ritual, chöpons, umdzes, playing instruments, etc.
- Teacher Training Programme
All funds available have been donated by members of the Rigpa Sangha. In this spirit every applicant is asked to contribute as much as possible toward the total costs of the event.
In general, grants will be limited to a maximum of 50% of the total amount required. Grants will only be disbursed to the organisation holding the event; grants cannot be transferred to individuals.
All students who receive a grant for any event will be required to report back on their experience and its benefits for their study or practice.
Light of Dharma Grants
The Light of Dharma Grants will help create the best circumstances for our current teachers to develop and gain experience, to deepen their study and practice and to mentor and educate others to manifest as authentic lineage holders.
It will also help secure Rigpa’s legacy by sponsoring projects and programmes developed in Rigpa that use new channels to share the Dharma, in ways most adapted to these times of great unpredictability and fast-developing technologies.
The International Steering Group and Vision Board or International Rigpa Boards will make recommendations as to which projects should receive support (in line with Rigpa’s annual priorities) and for how much each project will be funded.
Deadlines for applying to both grants are the first day of each month.
Elders Grants
Approaching the later stage of life is the pinnacle of the path of every true practitioner. To have such esteemed members of the Rigpa sangha living in the communities of our retreat centres is a blessing for everyone involved. An example was the benefit received from the presence of Khandro Tsering Chödrön and Mayum Tsering Wangmo in Lerab Ling.
Rigpa’s main retreat centres, Lerab Ling, Dzogchen Beara, Dharma Mati and Blueys Beach are in the process of creating environments in which senior practitioners may live and practise together.
Sangha members who are already living in those communities and have given many years of service to Rigpa will have priority in the start-up phase of this project.
Applicants must show evidence of financial need and have committed 20 years or more of their lives to full time working for Rigpa. Applications for this grant can be submitted throughout the year. Please start by contacting the retreat centre where you are living to discuss your wishes.