About Rigpa Australia

Vision

Rigpa Australia is a member of an international Buddhist community that offers authentic Buddhist teachings and a clear path to enlightenment.
Rigpa is dedicated to bring all beings to the ultimate happiness of the awakened state of enlightenment.

Purpose

The purpose of Rigpa is to provide an authentic Buddhist education for the modern world:
  • to preserve, uphold, practise and transmit the Buddhist teachings – especially Tibet’s Ngagyur Nyingma lineage and in particular the teachings of Vajrayana and Dzogpachenpo – for those who choose to follow a complete, graduated spiritual path; and
  • to work for greater well-being in society and demonstrate how this wisdom of Buddha, with its ancient roots, and its practices of meditation and compassion, can help and transform modern society through its impact on individuals.

Rigpa’s Approach

The Tibetan word ‘rigpa’ means natural, pristine awareness. Rigpa is dedicated to helping everyone, young and old, to realize this innermost nature of mind.

Since 1972, through courses, events and publications such as The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Rigpa has helped millions of people to apply the compassion and wisdom of the Buddhist teachings to their lives.

Rigpa is part of the Nyingma (Ancient) School of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Padmasambhava in the eighth century, and in particular the lineage of the Longchen Nyingtik and teachings of the “Great Perfection”, Dzogpachenpo. Rigpa’s responsibility is to continue to maintain the practice and transmission of this dynamic, unbroken, living lineage of Wisdom, for the generations of the future.

Rigpa maintains the spirit of non-sectarian open-mindedness of the Rimé tradition, as exemplified in Tibet by the great 20th century Khyentse lineage master Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. It invites teachers from all Buddhist schools and lineages and promotes dialogue between the ancient tradition of wisdom and non-Buddhist faiths, science, medicine and other fields of human enquiry.

Rigpa Australia’s Board

Jane Gray

Jane Gray

President

Kim Appleby

Member
Hugh Churchward Board Member

Hugh Churchward

Deputy President

Juliette Whitney

Member

Kerryn Moloney

Member

Alistair McKeogh

Member

Louise Whibley

Member

Appointment to the Board

The Board is constituted as follows:

  • The Board consists of 4-10 people (Board Members)
  • The main requirements for Committee Members are commitment Rigpa and experience or willingness train in governance
  • Other capabilities needed on the Board are strategy, organisational management, finance, program development and delivery, fundraising, marketing, IT/digital, legal
  • The aim is thave a diverse Board with members from various:
    • Geographic locations – A good representation from various states and regions
    • Age – Age groups 18 t39; 40 – 59; 60 plus
    • Ethnicity – Seeking texpand cultural and ethnic diversity
    • Genders – At least 30% male or female
  • Appointment is for a term of 4 years with a maximum of 2 renewals, meaning a maximum of 12 years on the Board.

How are Board Members recruited?

Rigpa has a process in place for the recruitment and selection of Board Members, having regard for the skills and experience, the individual’s ability to fulfil the obligations of the role, and the overall cohesiveness of the Board.

In order to achieve the best outcome for Rigpa and interested individuals, the Board follows a process which is outlined in the Rigpa Board Handbook (May 2018):

  • We regularly review the current skills mix and tenures of Board Members, and identify any required skills/experience needed
  • We invite expressions of interest from amongst the body of students in Rigpa Australia’s community (the sangha). Those expressing interest are asked to provide a written expression of interest, highlighting their skills and experience relevant to the Board’s identified needs (as per above)
  • We provide a Board Handbook to the interested parties to review so they can understand the role and expectations
  • Upon receipt of confirmation of a potential Board Member’s interest, candidates are invited to meet with the Nominations & Remuneration Committee for an informal discussion to clarify their understanding of the role and their ability to fulfill the role in accordance with the expectations set out in the position description and the Handbook
  • The Nominations & Remuneration Committee makes recommendations to the Board for appointment of the prospective Board Member
  • A letter of offer (including Consent to Act) is forwarded to the successful candidate to be completed by the candidate
  • We arrange an induction program, which includes providing copies of the minutes of the last 12 months of Board meetings and other relevant papers, and organising a meeting with another Board Member (who has served at least 2 years on the board) to brief the new Board Member.

Please feel free to write to the Board any time at board@rigpa.org.au.

Rigpa Australia ABN  62 003 584 385

Registered as a charity with the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission