Rigdzin Shikpo Rinpoche
Short Biography[edit]
Rigdzin Shikpo (né Micheal Hookham) is the spiritual leader of the Longchen Foundation, a Buddhist organization based in Oxford, but with groups all over the UK and a branch in Germany. He is one of only a handful of recognized western Buddhist masters. “Rigdzin” (Skt. vidyādhara, Tib. རིག་འཛིན་) means “awareness holder” and according to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, it indicates someone who constantly abides in the state of pure awareness of rigpa and “Shikpo” translates as “one for whom everything all the ordinary concepts of this mundane world have dissolved”. [1]
Rigdzin Shikpo grew up in East London, in Dalston, and at an early age he took a keen interest in Buddhism, which he has studied for over 40 years[1]. He worked as a physicist and a mathematician and a computer consultant.[2]
He practiced for nine years under the instruction of Theravādin monks and became closely associated with the Buddhist Society in London.[3]
In 1965, he met his root guru Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche who was studying in Oxford at the time. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, at a very early stage, entrusted Rigdzin Shikpo with some of most profound Nyingma teachings.[4] When Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche left to teach in the United States, Rigdzin Shikpo continued to follow his instruction, from time to time travelling to America receive more teachings.
In 1975, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche set up the Longchen Foundation with the intention to spread the Dzogchen teachings in the UK. Rigdzin Shikpo became its spiritual director.[5] Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche believed it was possible to create an “Enlightened Society” and, in fact, his American organization was named “Shambhala” after the mythical Tibetan kingdom.[6] He emphasized practising in the midst of a normal every day life. These are the aims that Rigdzin Shikpo has embodied within the Longchen Foundation, he stresses the importance of practicing in all facets of life—family, relationships and work—to use them as a path to discover more clearly the true nature of mind.[7] When Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche died, Rigdzin Shikpo continued to practice under the guidance of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche whom he met through his wife.[8]
Primary Teachers[edit]
- Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
- Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje Rinpoche
- Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
- Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
- Ngakpa Yeshe Dorje Rinpoche
Primary Lineage[edit]
Publications[edit]
External Links[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Never Turn Away, page v.
- ↑ Openness Clarity Sensitivity, page xi.
- ↑ Never Turn Away, back cover.
- ↑ Never Turn Away, page viii.
- ↑ http://www.longchenfoundation.org/aboutFounder.html
- ↑ http://www.shambhalasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3457&Itemid=0
- ↑ http://www.longchenfoundation.org/about.html
- ↑ Openness Clarity Sensitivity, page xi.