Buddha Shakyamuni, the Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama, attained enlightenment in the sixth century BCE. Since then, his path of wisdom, compassion, and liberation from suffering has been followed by countless spiritual seekers for more than 2,500 years.
The teachings of Buddha were brought to Tibet in the 8th century by the great master Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who is also known as the “Second Buddha”.
At Dzogchen Beara we follow the Nyingma School, the “ancient tradition” of Tibetan Buddhism, and in particular the teachings of Dzogchen, the ‘Great Perfection’, or ‘Great Completeness’. The practice of Dzogchen is the most ancient and direct stream of wisdom within the Buddhist tradition of Tibet and points directly to the innermost nature of mind—that which we really are.
The spiritual practices followed at Dzogchen Beara come mainly from the Longchen Nyingtik, a cycle of teachings revealed in the 18th century by the great Tibetan Master Jigme Lingpa, inspired by the 14th-century scholar and yogi Longchenpa.
Over the years, Dzogchen Beara has welcomed some of the greatest living Masters of Tibetan Buddhism, including (chronologically) Khandro Tsering Chodron, Dzogchen Rinpoche, Ato Rinpoche, Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Sakya Jetsun Chimey, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche, Tulku Thondup, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Mayum Tsering Wangmo, Garchen Rinpoche, Tulku Rigdzin Pema, Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Chokling Rinpoche, the 9th Khamtrul Rinpoche & Togden Acho, Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, Khentrul Rinpoche, Tulku Rigdzin Pema Rinpoche. Some of these teachers have visited on multiple occasions. Our community is deeply grateful that learned and realised Masters come to Dzogchen Beara each year, enriching and inspiring the spiritual life of the centre, with teachings, practice and the blessings of their presence.
Dzogchen Beara was established in 1992 under the spiritual directorship of Sogyal Rinpoche (1947-2019), who worked tirelessly throughout his life to make the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism accessible to the modern world. Today, our spiritual guides include Rigpa’s Vision Board, Senior Teachers and Practice Holders, and our Spiritual Advisers: Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, as well as many other great Masters of the Nyingma School.