{"id":2445,"date":"2026-10-05T16:14:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmp.rigpashedra.org\/?page_id=2445"},"modified":"2026-10-05T21:11:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T19:11:56","slug":"rigpa-shedra-2027","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tmp.rigpashedra.org\/","title":{"rendered":"Rigpa Shedra 2027 – The Way of the Bodhisattva – Lerab Ling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chapter 9, the Paramita of Wisdom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Would you like<\/strong> to bring some more wisdom and compassion in your life? Connect in person in the cozy winterlandscape of Lerab Ling<\/strong> or online with the Rigpa Shedra and let the wisdom and compassion of Shantideva transform your day, including your practice, wherever you are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We invite Buddhist students to join the 2027 Rigpa Shedra<\/strong>, for a period of in-depth study with Rigpa Shedra teacher Verena Pfeiffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verena will teach chapter 9<\/strong> – the paramita of wisdom – of the Bodhicharyavatara<\/a>, over a period of 2 months, from 11 January to 5 March<\/strong>, using classical commentaries of the great Tibetan Master\u00a0Khenpo Kunpal<\/a>\u00a0called\u00a0\u201cNectar of Manjushri\u2019s Speech\u201d<\/a> and The Ketaka Jewel<\/a> by Mipham Rinpoche<\/a>, as well as commentaries by contemporary masters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Text <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Countless great masters have praised the value of studying and taking to heart Shantideva\u2019s magnificent, practical and profound teaching. At the beginning there will be a short introduction to the first eight chapters of the text to establish the proper context for understanding this chapter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His Holiness the Dalai Lama<\/strong> said: \u201cIf I have any understanding of compassion and the bodhisattva<\/a> path, it is entirely on the basis of studying the Bodhicharyavatara<\/em> that I possess it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sogyal Rinpoche<\/strong>, who taught extensively on the Bodhicharyavatara<\/em> during the first year of the Three Year Retreat, said: \u201cThe Bodhicharyavatara<\/em> shows us how to educate ourselves dharmically and transform our basic character. It is called \u2018Entering the Bodhisattva Way of Life\u2019 because it offers us an entire culture, a whole way of life and being which is completely different from the ordinary samsaric culture that we\u2019re used to living in. When you really take these teachings to heart, they make you into a perfect human being\u2014a true bodhisattva.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche:<\/strong> “In the opening verse of Chapter 9, Shantideva reveals that the preceding chapters, with their profound teachings on the paramitas of generosity and other virtues, are all stepping stones on our transformative journey toward wisdom. It is wisdom itself that holds the key to liberating ourselves from the clutches of suffering. Within this chapter, Shantideva succinctly imparts profound insights into the nature of reality\u2014the dual nature of conventional and ultimate truths. Furthermore, he unveils the true essence of emptiness, an extraordinary concept that serves as the remedy for the immense anguish we endure.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While going through this chapter, Verena will take time to also explain certain topics that Shantideva assumes we are familiar with, so as to gain a deeper understanding and experience. She will do this in her own unique teaching style, by not just providing the theoretical framework of the progressive stages of the view, but also giving us a flavour of how to apply wisdom in our daily life, to really bring about a transformation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This program is offered for in-person attendance in Lerab Ling, France. An online option will be offered for those who can\u2019t travel to or stay in Lerab Ling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Teacher <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Verena Pfeiffer was born in Rosenheim, Germany and began to study and practise Buddhism under the guidance of Sogyal Rinpoche in 2005.  Very soon she developed an interest in Buddhist Philosophy and studied for many years at the Rigpa Shedra, Rigpa\u2019s college for Buddhist Philosophy in Nepal under the guidance of Khenchen Namdrol.  She has held review classes in the Rigpa Shedra for a number of years, and has taught the Bodhicharyavatara at the Rigpa Shedra in 2018 and 2026. She is a senior teacher in Rigpa known for her clear and humorous approach, and her ability to make difficult, profound topics understandable for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please read some testimonials here.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is this for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For anyone who has a solid background in relative Bodhicitta\/Lojong teachings<\/strong>, and wishes to engage more in the wisdom aspect, the view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you have studied chapter 1-8 of the Bodhicharyavatara in the Three Year Retreat, or in the AEP, and always have been curious about what’s in chapter 9 on the paramita of wisdom, which makes all the other paramitas complete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or maybe you’ve studied the 7 Points of Mind Training, and have a wish to go deeper into the slogans that read: “Regard all phenoma as dreams” and “Examine the nature of unborn awareness”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Ng\u00f6ndro students is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the view underlying the practice. A deeper understanding of wisdom and emptiness can enrich your appreciation of the meaning and purpose of the Ng\u00f6ndro practices and support you in bringing the practice more fully to fruition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studying this chapter on wisdom is especially important for teachers, instructors and practice holders <\/strong>who wish to deepen their understanding of the view, including through gaining a more direct experience of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dates & Prices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Please note that the prices might be subject to change depending on the number of students. Final prices will be known once all applications have been processed and at the time of payment.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bodhicharyavatara: <\/strong>11 January to 5 March (please arrive in Lerab Ling on 10 January) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

–IN PERSON\u00a0<\/strong>including all meals and accomodation in Lerab Ling \u20ac3550 –IN PERSON\u00a0<\/strong>including lunch in Lerab Ling, France: \u20ac1480 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Details: Tuition \u20ac800, food and accomodation (special reduced price) \u20ac2750 based on a single retreat room, full board. Lunch only: \u20ac680 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

–ONLINE:<\/strong> (tuition fee only) \u20ac850<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can\u2019t afford the complete fee, please still apply, there may be different possibilities for supporting you in your studies, such as applying for a studygrant from the Tert\u00f6n Sogyal foundation. The deadline for applying for a grant for following this programme is 1 November 2026.<\/strong> You can already apply for this scholarship, together with sending in the shedra application form. Just click here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time investment and daily program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The time investment (apart from group practice) will be 4 – 4,5 hours a day<\/strong> from Monday to Friday. Classes and review sessions are mandatory.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are on site or you join the online shedra class, it\u2019s important not to have any major obligations besides following this programme, in order to allow you to really make the most of this precious opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The daily programme for those in Lerab Ling <\/strong>will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n