Sogyal Rinpoche's main teachers

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893-1959) was the most outstanding Tibetan master of the last century, and the teacher of many lamas who were to teach in the West.

An authority on all traditions, and holder of all the lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, he was the heart of the Rimé movement in Tibet. This was a kind of spiritual renaissance, which rejected all forms of sectarian, partisan bias, encouraging each tradition to master completely the authentic teachings and practice of its own lineage, while at the same time maintaining a spirit of openness, harmony and co-operation with other Buddhist schools.

Jamyang Khyentse was the master who recognized Sogyal Rinpoche as the incarnation of Lerab Lingpa Tertön Sogyal. He supervised Rinpoche's training and raised him like his own son.

Jamyang Khyentse's spiritual wife, Khandro Tsering Chödrön (1929-2011), was one of the most highly respected woman masters of our day. She served as Jamyang Khyentse's attendant and devoted companion, receiving countless teachings and transmissions, requesting practices and prayers and putting questions to him in the form of songs.

Dudjom Rinpoche

Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987) was one of Tibet’s foremost scholars and meditation masters. Considered to be the living representative of Padmasambhava, he was a prolific author and revealer of the spiritual treasures (terma) concealed by Padmasambhava.

A prolific author and meticulous scholar, Dudjom Rinpoche wrote more than 40 volumes. Over the last decade of his life he spent much time teaching in the West, where he helped to establish the Nyingma tradition, founding major centres in France and the United States. Sogyal Rinpoche served as his translator and assistant for many years.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) was one of the closest disciples of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, and one of the last great masters to have completed his entire training in Tibet.

He was regarded by many as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the 20th century, the very embodiment of Padmasambhava, and he was the teacher of many of the important lamas of today. In addition to his tireless teaching activity, Khyentse Rinpoche supervised an exceptional publishing programme, making available over 300 volumes of teachings. 

The destruction of so many texts during the early 1960s in Tibet meant that by taking such pains to publish them, Khyentse Rinpoche ensured their survival for future generations.