Longchen Foundation

The Longchen Foundation is a community of Buddhist teachers and students practicing meditation in the Mahayana Maha-Ati (Dzogchen) tradition of Buddhism.

The Longchen Foundation was established in 1975 by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, both acknowledged as accomplished masters of the Kagyu-Nyingma and Nyingma traditions respectively and as two of the great meditation masters of the 20th century. They appointed Rigdzin Shikpo as spiritual director of the Longchen Foundation and entrusted him to realise their vision for the development and spread of the teachings.

Longchen’s mission is to preserve and disseminate the essence of the Buddha’s teaching, in accordance with Nyingma tradition, whilst at the same time creatively adapting its teaching style and methods to the needs of modern Western students. This rare combination – having ancient and authentic teachings and practices conveyed in a way that is directly applicable to our current times and culture is one of the unique hallmarks of the Longchen approach and something that those practising within the tradition value very highly. The emphasis throughout is to present the teachings directly in English using methods and language appropriate to Western students.

As a non monastic organisation, we emphasise the importance and potential of practising within every facet of life – family, work, relationships etc. Far from being a distraction to the path, with the right inspiration and connection to the teachings, the various challenges of our every day lives in the West can become opportunities to open more fully to our immediate experience and to develop wisdom and compassion in order to benefit others.

Local Groups

Bangor
This is a newly formed Longchen group led by Andrew Patching and supported by Trish Bartley. We currently meet together in the evening at the Friends Meeting House in the centre of Bangor about once a month. There is a talk on one of the topics from the Path of Freedom programme, followed by discussion and a meditation period,. You are very welcome to stay for a cup of tea and a chat at the end.

You are invited to make a donation to cover costs of the evening.

For further information about the group and for the date of the next meeting, call Trish Bartley on 01758 721236 or email

Porthmadog
call Pat MacDonald on 01766 513131 or email