Empowerments Given to the Rigpa Sangha

Sogyal Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche during an empowerment

A (not yet) complete list of empowerments given to the Rigpa Sangha:

Note: empowerments given before 1977 did not happen at Rigpa centres, because Rigpa was not then founded. However, since there were a number of Sogyal Rinpoche's students present, they have been included here. In a similar way, empowerments given in the Dordogne and at public venues in London and Paris which were attended by many of Sogyal Rinpoche's students have been included.

The 1970s

1975

• Kyabjé Dodrupchen Rinpoche, London, November 1975, Rigdzin Düpa

1977

• Sixteenth Karmapa, Dzogchen Orgyen Chö Ling, November, Karma Pakshi and Milarepa empowerments [check].
• Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Orgyen Chö Ling, November, Manjushri empowerment [check].

1978

• Kyabjé Sakya Trizin, Dzogchen Orgyen Chö Ling, London, [August/September?] 1978, Manjushri, Vajravarahi, Hevajra, Chenrezik from Thangtong Gyalpo, Vajrakilaya from Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö.

1979

• Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Dzogchen Orgyen Chö Ling, London, 1979, Vajrakilaya, Dorje Drolö, Guru Rinpoche, Yeshe Tsogyal from his own compositions.
• Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Laugeral, Dordogne, 1979, Vajrasattva, the Profound Dharma of the self-liberating mind of the Shyitro.
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Orgyen Chö Ling, London, 1979, Vajrasattva, the Profound Dharma of the self-liberating mind of the Shyitro.
• Thrangu Rinpoche, Dzogchen Orgyen Chö Ling, London, 1979, Buddha of Medicine

The 1980s

1980

• Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Laugeral, Dordogne, 1980, Vajrasattva, Dakinis' secret profound phowa practice of the heart essence, Amitabha
• Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Paris, 24th April 1980, Rigdzin Düpa
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Paris, 6th May, Guru Rinpoche.
• Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Paris:
  • Pagode de Vincennes
    • 13th or 14th September, Sangye Menla
    • 20th or 21st, empowerment of the Thousand Buddhas
  • Rue Burq
    • 23rd September, Vajrakilaya
  • Rue Pradier
    • Tara, and Thousand Buddhas

1981

• Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Paris, 1981, Rigdzin Düpa & Tendrel Nyesel
• Kyabjé Kalu Rinpoche, 1981, Sogyal Phurba
• Sogyal Rinpoche, London and Grasse, France, 1981, Sogyal Phurba

1982

• Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Paris, 1982, Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro, Rigdzin Düpa, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo, Sogyal Phurba, Tendrel Nyesel, Sampa Lhundrupma & Barché Lamsel (joint Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Chokgyur Lingpa terma).
• Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Laugeral, Dordogne, August 1982, Compact Heart Essence of Vajrakilaya ter of Dudjom Lingpa, Senge Dongma
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Pagode de Vincennes, Paris, 7th October 1982, Tukdrup Yang Nying Kundü, the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche by the Fifth Dalai Lama

1984

• Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Laugeral (check!), France, 6th August 1984, Lama Sangdü
• Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, La Castillanderie, France, 6th—12th August 1984, Orgyen Menla (Guru Rinpoche of Medicine), and the Green Tara of Wealth.

1985

• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Santa Cruz, CA, USA, December 1985, Rigdzin Düpa, Takhyung Barwa & Yumka Dechen Gyalmo

1987

• Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Rigpa London, 20th May 1987, Rigdzin Düpa
• Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, London, 1st July 1987 Lama Yangtik and Khandro Nyingtik

1988

• Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche, London, 11th-15th November 1988, Nyingtik Yabshyi (including Zabmo Yangtik)

1989

• H.H. Sakya Trizin, Cornwall, UK,
  • 28th March 1989, Vajrakilaya
  • 29th March 1989, Manjushri
  • 30th March 1989, Long-life (?)
• Kyabjé Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Brunissard, France,
  • 22nd August 1989, Rigdzin Düpa
  • 23rd August 1989, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
  • 25th August 1989, Vajrakilaya
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama, San Jose 1989, October 1989, Tukdrup Yang Nying Kundü, the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche by the Fifth Dalai Lama

The 1990s

1990

• Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Prapoutel
  • 16th August 1990 Tendrel Nyesel
  • 17th August 1990 Yang Nying Pudri
  • 18th August 1990 Rigdzin Düpa
  • 19th August 1990 Yumka Dechen Gyalmo and Takhyung Barwa
  • 20th-21st August 1990 Khandro Nyingtik
  • 22nd August 1990 Tiklé Gyachen & Könchok Chidü
  • 24th August 1990 Netik Phurba
  • ??? August 1990 Rangjung Pema Nyingtik (Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's own mind terma)

1991

• Kyabjé Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara, 1991, Rigdzin Düpa, including Tsédrup and Tséguk (Saymo-la, Dodrupchen Rinpoche's consort and Alak Zenkar Rinpoche were also present)
• Kyabjé Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Chateau de Cassan, August 1991, Takhyung Barwa
• Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Berlin, November 1991, Rigdzin Düpa

1993

• Sogyal Rinpoche, Kirchheim, Germany, 3rd January 1993, Tendrel Nyesel
• Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok, Lerab Ling
  • 27th August 1993, Vajrakilaya + Long-life
  • 30th August 1993, Manjushri
• Jetsün Mingyur Drölma, Lerab Ling, 29th August 1993, Dorje Drolö

1994

• Tulku Kalsang Rinpoche, Munich, 30th January 1994, Rigdzin Düpa
• Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 25th or 26th June 1994, Tiklé Gyachen
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 3rd August 1994, Tendrel Nyesel

1995

• Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Berkeley, USA, 15 or 16 March 1995, Tendrel Nyesel
• H.H. Sakya Trizin, London, 21 May 1995, Vajrakilaya
• Pagode de Vincennes, Paris, France, 1st or 2nd July 1995, Guru Padmasambhava empowerment
• Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche, Lerab Ling
  • 17th July 1995, Tendrel Nyesel, Dorje Drolö, Vajrakilaya
  • 18th-21st July 1995, Nyingtik Yabshyi (not including Zabmo Yangtik)
  • 22nd July 1995, Minling Dorsem, Guru Rinpoche

1996

• Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, August 1996 Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik
• H.H. Sakya Trizin, Paris, Salle Adyar, 14-15 September 1996, Vajrasattva empowerment.

1997

• Sogyal Rinpoche, London, 31 May 1997, Tendrel Nyesel
• Khenpo Petse Rinpoche, Munich, June 1997 (?) Rigdzin Düpa
• Neten Chokling Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 1997, Vajrakilaya
• Khenpo Petse Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 1997, Manjushri
• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 16 August 1997, Empowerment of Shyitro, cycle of Jatsön Nyingpo, the cycle of the hundred peaceful and wrathful deities of the Könchok Chidü lineage.
• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 29th August 1997 Takhyung Barwa or Nyenpo Lha Sum?
• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Zürich, 12 October 1997, Empowerment of Shyitro, cycle of Jatsön Nyingpo, the cycle of the hundred peaceful and wrathful deities of the Könchok Chidü lineage.

1998

• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Kirchheim, 3rd January 1998, Takhyung Barwa
• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Geneva, 3rd February 1998, Takhyung Barwa
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Myall Lakes, Australia, 23rd January 1998, Tendrel Nyesel
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Monastery, 25th March 1998, Tendrel Nyesel
• Sherab Özer Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 3rd August 1998, Tendrel Nyesel
• Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 10th August 1998, Rigdzin Düpa
• Sherab Özer Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 12th August 1998, Khakhyap Rangdrol
• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Kirchheim, December 1998, Rigdzin Düpa & Yumka Dechen Gyalmo

1999

• Chagdud Khadro, London,
  • 26 February 1999, Red Tara
  • 27 February 1999, Amitabha for phowa practice
• Chagdud Khadro, L'Orangeraie, Paris, 13 or 14 March 1999, Amitabha for phowa practice
• Jetsün Kushok Chimey Luding‎, 28 May 1999, Vancouver, Uncommon White Tara
• Dr Trogawa Rinpoche, Amsterdam, 29 August 1999, Buddha of Medicine
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, San Francisco,
  • 1st September 1999, Rigdzin Düpa
  • 2nd September 1999, Tendrel Nyesel & Vajrakilaya
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, New York, 12 September 1999, Tendrel Nyesel
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling
  • 11th November 1999 Lama Sangdü, Pudri Rekpung
  • 13th November 1999 Rigdzin Düpa, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo, Takhyung Barwa, Dukngal Rangdrol
  • 14th November 1999 Tendrel Nyesel, Yang Nying Pudri, Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik, Tiklé Gyachen
• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara
  • 16th December 1999 Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
  • 20th December 1999 Dukngal Rangdrol

The 2000s

2000

• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Geneva, 23rd January 2000, Tara
• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Zurich, 29th or 30th January 2000, Amitabha for phowa practice
• Chagdud Khadro, Rigpa centre, Levallois:
  • xx March, Amitabha for phowa practice
  • 21st March 2000, Red Tara
• His Holiness Sakya Trizin, London, 3-4 June 2000, which empowerment?
• Dr Trogawa Rinpoche, London, 16th September 2000, Buddha of Medicine
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lerab Ling, 19th September 2000, Yang Nying Pudri
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lerab Gar, 23rd September 2000, Tukdrup Yang Nying Kundü, the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche by the 5th Dalai Lama
• Trulshik Rinpoche, 7 October 2000, Paris Rigpa centre, Levallois, Tendrel Nyesel
• Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara, 8th October 2000, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
• Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche, London, 10th October 2000, Tendrel Nyesel

2001

• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 14th August 2001, Rigdzin Düpa
• Namkha Drimé Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 24th August 2001, Gesar

2002

• Dr Trogawa Rinpoche, London, 1st June 2002, White Tara
• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Basel, 7th September 2002, long life empowerment Könchok Chidü
• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Amsterdam, 14th September 2002, long life empowerment Könchok Chidü
• Kyabjé Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Rigpa London, 30th October 2002 Rigdzin Düpa

2003

• Sogyal Rinpoche, Tendrel Nyesel, Kirchheim, 5 January
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Tendrel Nyesel, Myall Lakes, January
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala, 27th March, Tendrel Nyesel (at Sogyal Rinpoche's request)
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, June-July:
  • 23rd June, Lama Sangdü , Lama Yongdzok and Guru Drakpo from the Druptap Döjo Bumzang, and Rigdzin Düpa from the Longchen Nyingtik cycle

• • 24th June, two other Guru Drakpo empowerments, an Amitayus empowerment and three Avalokiteshvara empowerments from the Druptap Döjo Bumzang
  • 25th June, another Amitayus empowerment, Yamantaka, Red Hayagriva and Black Hayagriva from the Druptap Döjo Bumzang, as well as Dukngal Rangdrol and Rangjung Pema Nyingtik
  • 26th June, medium-length empowerment of the Peaceful Deities from the tantra known as the Web of Magical Illusion (Tib. Gyütrül Drawa)
  • 27th June, medium-length empowerment of the Wrathful Deities from the Web of Magical Illusion
  • 28th June, Pudri Rekpung, Yang Nying Pudri, Takhyung Barwa
  • 29th June, Tendrel Nyesel, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
  • 30th June, another Amitayus empowerment from the Druptap Döjo Bumzang and Tiklé Gyachen
  • 1st July, Lama Yangtik
  • 2nd July, another Amitayus empowerment from the Druptap Döjo Bumzang,Netik Phurba and Khandro Tuktik
  • 3rd July, Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik and another Amitayus empowerment from the Druptap Döjo Bumzang
• Khenpo Namdrol, Lerab Ling, 1st August 2003, Wrathful Deities according to the Zab dün gyutrül cycle terma revelation of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Paris, Bercy, 17 October 2003, Akshobhya
• Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche, London,
  • 8th November, Rigdzin Düpa
  • 9th November, Dukngal Rangdrol
  • 10th November, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Kirchheim
  • 28th December, Minling Dorsem (Vajrasattva from the Mindroling tradition)
  • 29th December, Rigdzin Düpa, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
  • 30th December, Yang Nying Pudri
  • 31st December, Tendrel Nyesel, Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik

2004

• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Utrecht, 1st July 2004, Buddha of Medicine
• Khenpo Namdrol, Lerab Ling, 30th July 2004, Wrathful Deities according to the Zab dün gyutrül cycle terma revelation of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
• Dr Trogawa Rinpoche, 16th & 17th September 2004, London, Vajrasattva empowerment according to Tertön Chokgyur Lingpa's terma
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Tokyo, 2nd October 2004, Tendrel Nyesel
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Munich, 7th November 2004, Tendrel Nyesel

2005

• Chagdud Khadro, Dzogchen Beara, 16 April 2005, Amitabha for phowa practice of Rigdzin Longsal Nyingpo
• Khenpo Namdrol, Lerab Ling, 27 July 2005, empowerment from Khenpo Jikmé Phuntsok's Magical Net cycle (sgyu 'phrul gsang snying sgrub skor)
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling
  • 1st December 2005 Tendrel Nyesel (Medium Length Practice)
  • 2nd December 2005 Khandro Yangtik
  • 3rd December 2005 Lama Yangtik
  • 4th December 2005 Chetsün Nyingtik
  • 7th December 2005 Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik
  • 8th December 2005 Yang Nying Pudri
  • 10th December 2005 Rigdzin Düpa, Yumka Dechen Gyalmo

2006

• Khenpo Namdrol, Lerab Ling, june 2006, Peaceful Deities according to the Zab dün gyutrül cycle terma revelation of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling and Clear Lake, USA, 3 December 2006, Tendrel Nyesel

2007

• H.H. Sakya Trizin, Lerab Ling, 22-23 June 2007, Khön Family Lineage of Vajrakilaya

2008

• Sogyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 11 August 2008, Essential Tendrel Nyesel empowerment
• Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 28 August 2008, Rigdzin Dungdrup
• Garchen Rinpoche, Rigpa Berlin, 5 October 2008, White Tara
• Jetsün Kushok Chimey Luding, Lerab Ling, 17 October 2008, White Tara Wishfulfilling Wheel.

2009

• Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 14th May 2009, Dorje Drolö according to the tradition of Chokgyur Lingpa.
• Garchen Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 15 August 2009, White Tara
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Lake Tahoe, USA, 6th December 2009, Tendrel Nyesel

The 2010s

2010

• Sogyal Rinpoche, Kirchheim, Germany, 1st January, Tendrel Nyesel
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Myall Lakes, Australia, 25th January, Tendrel Nyesel (for Bush Telegraph students only)
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Haileybury, UK, 10th April, Tendrel Nyesel
• Khenpo Namdrol, Rigpa Shedra, Pharping, Nepal, 17th April, Peaceful Deities according to the Zab dün gyutrül cycle terma revelation of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
• H.H. Sakya Trizin, Rigpa Berlin Centre, 4-5 July, empowerment of the Khön Family Lineage of Vajrakilaya
• Tenga Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, France:
  • 5th July, Chime Phakme Nyingtik
  • 6th July, Green Tara, Sengdeng Nagchi Drölma (to monastic community)
• Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, France:
  • 19th July, Rangjung Pema Nyingtik
  • 21st July, Pema Tseyi Nyingtik
• Garchen Rinpoche, Rigpa Berlin Centre, 5 October, White Tara

2011

• Sogyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 10th July 2011, Tendrel Nyesel empowerment, using medium and brief empowerment texts
• H.H. Sakya Trizin, Lerab Ling, 3 September 2011, Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik and Thangyal Tsédrup long-life empowerments
• Garchen Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara:
  • 15 October, Amitabha
  • 16 October, Vajrayogini

2012

• Khenpo Namdrol, Pharping, Nepal, 6 January, Khenpo Jikmé Phuntsok's Magical Net cycle
• Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Boudhanath, Nepal, 24 March, Jamgön Kongtrul's arrangement of the empowerment for the Longchen Nyingtik inner lama practice of Rigdzin Düpa
• Yangthang Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, cycle of Longchen Nyingtik empowerments
  • 28th July, Longchen Nyingtik inner lama practice of Rigdzin Düpa, arranged by Dodrupchen IV Rinpoche (check).
  • 28th July, Rigdzin Düpa Tsedrup, Long Life empowerment.
  • 2nd August, Shyitro (preliminaries)
  • 3rd August, Longchen Nyingtik Shyitro (main), inner lama practice of Rigdzin Düpa, arranged by Dodrupchen IV Rinpoche (check).
  • 4th August, Takhyung Barwa
  • 4th August, Lamé Naljor based on Vajrasattva, called Dorsem Ngönga
  • 4th August, Long life practice through Dorsem Ngönga
  • 4th August, Yidam Palchen Düpa (preliminaries)
  • 5th August, Yidam Palchen Düpa (main)
  • 5th August, Yidam Yamantaka: Chidak Zilnön, from Palchen Düpa
  • 5th August, Yidam Hayagriva: Khamsum Rolpa, from Palchen Düpa
  • 6th August, Yidam Yangdak: Sangye Nyamjor, from Palchen Düpa
  • 6th August, Yidam Vajrakilaya: Düpung Zilnön, from Palchen Düpa
  • 6th August, Secret Practice of the Peaceful Male Vidyadhara Section, called Dukngal Rangdrol
  • 7th August, Innermost Lama practice Tiklé Gyachen
  • 7th August, Dakini Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
  • 7th August, Long life practice through Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
  • 7th August, Amitabha
  • 8th August, Wrathful Dakini Senge Dongma and two protector empowerments
  • 9th August, Rigdzin Düpa long life practice

• Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Rigpa Centre Berlin, Germany, October, from the Chokling Tersar, the Tukdrup Barché Künsel
• Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, France, November, from the Chokling Tersar,from the three roots longevity profound cycle, the three roots empowerment (Kurukulla)
• Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, France, November, from the Chokling Tersar,from the three roots longevity profound cycle, the Pema Khandro (Kurukulla)

Internal Links

• Oral Transmissions Given to the Rigpa Sangha