Bush Telegraph - our distance learning network
Bush Telegraph members with Sogyal Rinpoche
at Myall Lakes retreat
The Rigpa Bush Telegraph (BT) is a thriving community (sangha) of Sogyal Rinpoche's students who cannot regularly attend a Rigpa city centre.
Although BT members are spread throughout the world we stay connected via the internet, telephone and retreats. All members are encouraged to support each others' spiritual practice by contributing to the sangha's activities, which are organized on a voluntary basis.
What Bush Telegraph Offers
BT Members can undertake courses of study with the help of a Rigpa instructor who will answer questions and provide feedback. They also can receive the latest Sogyal Rinpoche teachings at Regional Sangha Gatherings or, under certain circumstances, via an internet site .
Members have access to sangha care volunteers to call on when in need of a dharma friend and can seek the support of the whole sangha in praying for family and friends who are ill, dying or recently deceased.
A yearly subscription of between $100 and $300+ (see the subscription form for options and details) includes:
- copies of the Sangha Guider
- shared access to Rigpalink/Ngondrolink (recent teachings) subscription
- access to the BT Library and Rigpa Distance Education Courses
- free access to various trainings in study and practice support roles
- a yearly practice based retreat of 1 to 3 days (extra charges apply)
- membership of an appropriate Rigpa practice mandala.
Regional Sangha Gatherings
BT Members will be, as far as geographically possible, a member of a regional group. These groups gather regularly to practice and study the most recent teachings with the help of a senior student or instructor.
Three Year Retreat Teachings and Distance Education Courses
Three Year Retreat. Members following the teachings as a Home Retreatant participate in study groups in weekly sessions on an internet site. These student are supported by qualified instructors through internet forums who set study tasks, practices and contemplations for the groups and summarise the students responses at the end of each week.
Introductory Course. "Discovering Natural Mind" is the introductory course for people new to the dharma or Rigpa and can be studied in either of two semesters - March to July or August to November inclusive.
Parallel Course Program. Students who have completed an introductory course can participate in the current series of retreat teachings through the "Parallel Course Program." Participants are sent a DVD of teachings and are guided and supported in their study of these teachings by a qualified instructor via an internet site.
Library
The BT library offers study packs (comprising video/audio tapes and books) on various topics. The library is organized in graded sections, so you can easily choose material to suit your level of understanding. A Library Users Fee of $20 per year applies to any non BT members who want access to the Library. Non members and members outside Australia must also pay postage both ways.
For more information contact: Jinta Veit (ph: 02 6684 5237 or email: mani@aapt.net.au ).
Students are strongly encouraged to have a computer and broadband or satellite access to email and the internet as the Bush Telegraph operates primarily via these means.
For more information contact:
In Australia:
- Rose Too - rosetoo@mac.com or
- Annie Gillison - muskhill@netspace.net.au
In New Zealand
- Steve Cope - stevecopenz@gmail.com
