Rigpa

What Rigpa does

Rigpa is an international Buddhist organization following the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Sogyal Rinpoche (the author of 'The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying') and now operating across 117 centres and groups in 24 countries under the legal structure of the Rigpa Lerab Ling Congregation, a French religious congregation established by ministerial decree in 2002. The organization delivers a structured progression of programs for individual practitioners, ranging from the Bodhi beginner program and Rigpa Shedra Study College in Nepal (under Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche) through residential retreat centres at Lerab Ling (France), Dzogchen Beara (Ireland), Garab Ling Blueys (Australia), Dharma Mati (Berlin), and the Palyul Retreat Centre in Nepal, supplemented by dedicated youth (Rigpé Shyönnu) and family (Rigpé Yeshé) programs, plus Sukhavati spiritual care for those facing illness and dying.

The technology and product layer is content-centric rather than AI-driven. Rigpa operates the Prajna Online Learning platform (a Dutch Stichting hosting live events, courses, and a video teaching library), the Rigpawiki online encyclopedia (16,141+ articles), the ZAM dharma e-commerce store (online plus onsite Windhorse Boutique at Lerab Ling), and a Tibetan Buddhist Calendar application. The Tibetan Buddhist Calendar was first published in 1977, and Rigpawiki has been built since 2006 by Shedra students. There is no API/SDK/MCP layer and no AI/ML capability disclosure.

The revenue model is a multi-stream religious-nonprofit mix: donations (online, bank transfer, international transfer, legacy bequests) constitute the primary income; retreat, seminar, and course fees at Lerab Ling, Dzogchen Beara, and Garab Ling Blueys generate secondary revenue; merchandise sales through ZAM contribute a tertiary stream; and prayer-request donations and grants support specific causes including the monastic community, teaching archive, and sacred art projects. Most core teachings and online resources are offered free (freemium), with paid programs varying by duration and location. The organization is run largely by volunteers and is led spiritually by a Vision Board and 25 Senior Teachers and Senior Practice Holders entrusted in 2021, following Sogyal Rinpoche's 2017 resignation and 2019 death. Governance is coordinated through national Rigpa charities linked by an International Board and International Steering Group.

Name

Rigpa

Legal name

Rigpa Lerab Ling Congregation

Website

https://rigpa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rigpa is an international Tibetan Buddhist (Nyingma) organization operating 117 centres and groups across 24 countries, serving individual practitioners through meditation programs, retreats, online learning, and study colleges led by senior teachers and Tibetan lineage holders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Buddhist Spiritual Education and Practice

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Ayurveda & Traditional Medicine Retreats (THAGAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Buddhist Pilgrimage Travel Agencies (THAKAHAD)

Keywords

• Buddhist education
• Meditation instruction
• Spiritual retreats
• Tibetan Buddhism
• Dharma teachings

Headquarters

HQ city

Limassol

HQ country

Cyprus

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: Rigpa relies significantly on donations from supporters. The organization accepts online donations, bank transfers, international transfers, and legacy bequests. Donation categories include support for monastic community, practice holders, teaching archive, sacred art and architecture projects, and general operations.
2. Dharma Merchandise Sales: ZAM store sells dharma materials including practice books, incense, ritual items, thangkas, images, and video/audio recordings. Both online shop and onsite Windhorse Boutique at Lerab Ling.
3. Event and Retreat Fees: Rigpa generates revenue through fees for retreats, seminars, and courses at its retreat centres in France, Ireland, and Australia. Events range from drop-in meditations to multi-day intensive retreats.
4. Practice Retreat Bookings: Individual and group practice retreats at Lerab Ling, Dzogchen Beara, and Garab Ling Blueys generate revenue from accommodation and program fees for practitioners undertaking meditation, Ngöndro, or other practices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rigpa is an international Buddhist organization offering meditation instruction, structured Buddhist study programs, and community-based spiritual practice following the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The organization operates 117 centres and groups across 24 countries, complemented by three major retreat centres in France (Lerab Ling), Ireland (Dzogchen Beara), and Australia (Garab Ling Blueys), plus the Prajna online learning platform.

Product overview

Rigpa is a global Buddhist community offering a comprehensive spiritual education platform centered on Tibetan Buddhist meditation and study. The organization provides structured programs for practitioners at all levels: Bodhi serves as the entry point for beginners, while the Shedra Study College offers advanced classical textual study in Nepal. Physical presence is maintained through three major retreat centres (Lerab Ling in France, Dzogchen Beara in Ireland, and Garab Ling Blueys in Australia), supplemented by the online Prajna Learning platform hosting video teachings. Additional resources include Rigpawiki (an online Buddhist encyclopedia), the ZAM Dharma Shop (for practice materials), the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar, and Prayer Requests services. Youth and family programs (Rigpé Shyönnu and Rigpé Yeshé) extend the community to specific demographics, while compassion and meditation courses form the core practice offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rigpawiki: Free online encyclopedia and media library of Tibetan Buddhism with over 16,141 articles, created by Rigpa Shedra students in 2006
• ZAM
• Prajna
• Bodhi
• Rigpé Shyönnu
• Rigpé Yeshé

Products and services

• Bodhi
• Shedra Study College
• Lerab Ling Retreat Centre
• Dzogchen Beara Retreat Centre
• Garab Ling Blueys
• Prajna Online Learning
• Rigpawiki
• ZAM Dharma Shop
• Tibetan Buddhist Calendar
• Prayer Requests
• Rigpé Shyönnu
• Rigpé Yeshé

Quantifiable outcome

• Global reach of 117 centres and groups in 24 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• European Buddhist UnionsupportingOthersRigpa is listed as a partner organization of the European Buddhist Union, which represents Buddhist organizations across Europe.
• French Buddhist UnionsupportingOthersRigpa is listed as a partner organization of the French Buddhist Union (Union Bouddhiste de France).
• Palyul Retreat CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe main Shedra programme takes place at Palyul Retreat Centre in Pharping, Nepal under the guidance of Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche. This partnership enables Rigpa's comprehensive Buddhist education programme.
• Nubri Gompa MonasterysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRigpa facilitates divination requests and sponsors prayers and practices performed by the monastic community at Nubri Gompa in Nepal, especially for those seeking guidance on appropriate practices.
• Bodhi (beingbodhi.org)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBodhi is Rigpa's programme for beginners, presented as an open community experience for exploring meditation, mind, and compassion. Available at beingbodhi.org with locations across Europe.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Calm: Leading consumer meditation and wellness app with Sleep, Stress, and Daily Calm content programmes. Comparable to Rigpa's online platform as a destination for beginner meditators, representing the secular competitor that captures mainstream interest in mindfulness.
• Headspace: Secular mindfulness and meditation platform with subscription app, employer partnerships, and content library. Comparable to Rigpa's Prajna and Bodhi offerings as a digital front door for meditation practice, though positioned for mass-market secular consumers.
• Soka Gakkai International – USA: Large international Buddhist lay organisation with thousands of community centres, education programmes, and cultural events. Comparable to Rigpa in scale and structured study/practice pathways, though operating in the Nichiren tradition and with significantly larger membership.

Direct peers

• Spirit Rock Meditation Center: Vipassana retreat and teaching centre in Northern California offering residential retreats, daylong programmes, and a community of local sitting groups. Comparable to Rigpa's Lerab Ling and Dzogchen Beara as a destination retreat centre paired with a broader sangha network.
• Shambhala International: International Buddhist-inspired organisation with meditation centres, retreat facilities, and a global network of city groups. Directly comparable to Rigpa as a Western-rooted sangha community offering structured meditation programmes, residential retreat centres, and online learning resources.
• Insight Meditation Society (IMS): Major Vipassana/Insight meditation retreat centre in Massachusetts offering residential retreats, teacher training, and online programmes. Comparable to Rigpa as a retreat-anchored Buddhist education organisation serving both residential and online practitioners.
• Plum Village: International Zen Buddhist community founded by Thich Nhat Hanh with retreat centres in France, Germany, and the US, plus an active online sangha. Comparable to Rigpa as a contemporary Buddhist community with multiple physical retreat centres, online learning, youth and children's programmes, and a strong end-of-life / mindfulness niche.
• Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT): Global Tibetan Buddhist network operating monasteries, retreat centres, study programmes, and publishing under Lama Zopa Rinpoche's guidance. Highly comparable to Rigpa in lineage-based international structure, educational programmes (including Shedra equivalents), and donation-supported operating model.
• New Kadampa Tradition (NKT-IKBU): International Tibetan Buddhist organisation with hundreds of centres and study programmes worldwide. Comparable to Rigpa in operating a globally distributed centre network, structured study programmes, and digital teaching platforms under a single lineage authority.

Emerging players

• Dharma Drum Mountain: Asian-rooted Chan Buddhist organisation with retreat centres, education programmes, and international outreach. Comparable to Rigpa as a monastic-anchored Buddhist education network with Western branches, though smaller international footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/robertrigpa
• Facebookfacebook.com/rigpa.international
• Instagraminstagram.com/rigpa_international/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rigpa-fellowship

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rigpa