An Update on the Restorative Process
Rigpa Vision Board
In February 2020, Rigpa’s Vision Board members initiated a restorative process so they could hear directly from those who have been hurt in their relationship with Sogyal Rinpoche and were not supported at the time by Rigpa. The members of the Vision Board are renewing their deep and heartfelt apology and wish to make amends for past mistakes and hurt. Anyone who wishes to take part or request a restorative action is encouraged to do so.
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Reaching out
The purpose of the restorative process is to create a space for those who have been hurt in their relationship with Sogyal Rinpoche, and were not supported at the time by Rigpa, to be heard directly by members of the Vision Board. This particular process was recommended to us as the one most likely to bring healing in the long term. It gives individuals the opportunity to be fully and impartially heard with the support of independent mediators and request specific steps or actions, such as a face to face meeting with specific individuals, counselling etc. This is referred to as 'restorative action'.
The restorative process so far
Twenty people have been in contact with the mediators, and so far no one has requested a restorative action. Based on these conversations, the mediators have made strong recommendations to the Rigpa Boards to continue with the cultural changes and reforms they have been introducing over the last four years. Recently, Rigpa’s Vision Board, with the support of main teachers and Rigpa Boards, reached out again to renew their unreserved apologies to each person who has come forward to express their hurt in the past.
Sogyal Rinpoche also apologized on many occasions - to those involved individually, as well as in the 2019 Rigpa Sangha Prayer Gathering in Bodhgaya and in messages he sent to Lerab Ling retreats.
What we have learnt
As Vision Board members, we have learnt a lot over the last four years. Along with Rigpa’s boards, management teams, and main teachers, we have questioned and challenged ourselves on the deeper underlying issues that led to this situation and on what to be aware of as Vajrayana Buddhism takes root in the West. We continue to guard against such situations happening again. An essential description of what we have learnt so far as a community can be found here.
Support is available
If you, or someone you are in contact with, need support, two main avenues are available:
The restorative process is a neutral space where those who were hurt in their relationship with Sogyal Rinpoche can express to an independent mediator what restorative action they wish for. Anyone who has already been in contact with Martina Jordan and who now wishes to proceed to a restorative meeting or communication with Rigpa should contact Martina at consensusnireland@gmail.com by 31 October 2021. Anyone else who would like to consider a restorative meeting or action with Rigpa can contact Tim Chapman at info@timchapman.eu. Full details about the process are here.
The Rigpa grievance councils are set up to allow anyone who has difficulties with Rigpa to raise concerns, resolve difficulties, or bring a complaint or grievance. They exist in each country where there are Rigpa centres. Full details about the grievance procedure and contact details are available here.
If you feel you cannot speak to someone in Rigpa, you can also reach out to the international grievance council, which is independent from Rigpa and brings recommendations to Rigpa boards. All Rigpa boards have agreed to receive and act on recommendations from the international grievance council. You can contact the council at independentgrievancecouncil@gmail.com.
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