About Rigpé Yeshé
One of my strongest wishes is to develop an authentic education programme for children.The teaching of the Dharma is the highest form of education,an education in wisdom and compassion.This is what we should teach to our children. Sogyal Rinpoche
Rigpé Yeshé is a parents’ association founded in Lerab Ling in 2005. The name was given by Sogyal Rinpoche and means the Wisdom of Rigpa. The following mission statement was agreed at the 2005 international conference on Educating Children in the Dharma.
Mission statement
It is the heartfelt wish that Rigpé Yeshé will nourish and educate children and young adults in the dharma in an environment full of love, joy and belonging, helping them to blossom into wise, compassionate and joyful adults who will fearlessly carry on the lineage and transform the world in which we live.
Rigpé Yeshé in Australia
Rigpé Yeshé in Australia began in 2005. Many of us felt that we loved what we were learning and wanted to pass it on to our kids. We were inspired by the fact that children seem to see everything in a fresh way and have a real heart connection with the truth of the teachings.
At the 2006 Myall Lakes Retreat we had our first comprehensive children’s programme and it really changed the atmosphere of the retreat. We ran dharma, creative and active sessions and the kids loved having their own shrine tent. As well as their happiness, we saw the joy that this brought for the parents. The children were acknowledged and welcomed and many parents and others commented that the children were happier, more considerate and resilient.
A highlight of the 2006 retreat was that the teenage retreatants regularly came into the main tent to receive Rinpoche’s teachings. They had allocated cushions at the front of the tent and Rinpoche often focussed his attention towards them. Many people found this inspiring.
By 2007, the Rigpé Yeshé program became an established part of the retreat. About 80 children attended. They loved the fact that Rinpoche came to teach the children and their families in the Rigpé Yeshé tent and also the visits of Ane Sherab, one of Rinpoche’s most senior nuns.
Rinpoche has said that we are now seeing a ‘second generation’ of students who are not discovering Buddhism as an alternative, but who are growing up with the teachings from birth. We hope we are providing an environment where children can have the special experience of being on their own retreat.
Rigpé Yeshé in Australia holds monthly sessions for children and teenagers in the Sydney and Newcastle Centres and a program at the annual Myall Lakes Retreat.
