Lerab Ling is home to a thriving community of monastic practitioners who observe a daily schedule of prayer and meditation, following one of the most ancient lineages of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition (the Nyingma school).

Eleven ordained members of the congregation currently reside at Lerab Ling: Lama Yönten, Ané Drolma, Ané Tsondru, Ané Sangyé Chozom, Ané Damchö, Thubten, Ané Samten Palmo, Sangyé, Ané Choekyi, Ané Lhamo and Tenpa.

The monks and nuns contribute in different ways to life at Lerab Ling. According to each one’s talents, they help by organizing retreats, studying Buddhist texts, performing rituals and leading practice…even developing computer systems!

In order to formalize the presence of the community and ensure its continuity, Sogyal Rinpoche encouraged its recognition by the state as a religious congregation. A decree from the Interior Ministry granted legal status on January 29, 2002.

The congregation includes ordained members (monks and nuns) as well as lay members who join in the practices and the centre’s activities.

The first congregation to be founded in France was the Abbey of Cluny, in the tenth century. A congregation is characterized by a group of persons sharing a common dwelling place, the same spiritual authority, according to an ethical code or religious principles set forth in the vows taken by the members of the group.

Other Buddhist groups in France have also been recognized as religious congregations.

You may support the monastic community of Lerab Ling by making a donation here.