Seeing the things as the really are - Key points for a deeper understanding of emptiness

We spend our lives relating to the world through assumptions: about ourselves, about others, and about the way things are. Yet according to the Buddhist teachings, many of the difficulties we experience arise precisely because we mistake appearance for reality.

Understanding the difference between the two is at the heart of the Buddhist teaching on emptiness. What does emptiness actually mean? Does emptiness mean that nothing exists? If things are empty, why do our experiences feel so vivid and real? And how can understanding emptiness help us live with greater freedom, clarity, and compassion in everyday life?

Drawing on selected highlights from The Beacon of Certainty by Mipham Rinpoche, one of the great works of Tibetan Buddhist thought, Khenpo Tashi explores some of the essential questions at the heart of Buddhist wisdom with warmth, precision, and a deep grounding in the Tibetan tradition.

These teachings are open to all practitioners with familiarity in the practices of meditation and Lojong. Whether you are newer to the philosophical dimension of the Dharma or a long-time practitioner seeking a firmer foundation beneath your practice, they offer something increasingly rare: the opportunity to develop a clear and stable confidence in the view of emptiness, one that can genuinely support our path and our daily life in every circumstance.

The teachings will be given in Tibetan with live translation into English and German.

Khenpo Tashi is one of the most outstanding and highly respected Nyingma khenpos of his generation. He was trained at Namdroling Monastery under the guidance of his root teacher, Penor Rinpoche.

For the past fourteen years, at the request of Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, he has been teaching as the principal teacher at the Rigpa Shedra in Pharping, Nepal. There, he teaches both sutra and tantra to hundreds of students – from beginners to advanced practitioners.

In recent years, his online teachings have made his knowledge accessible to an ever-wider circle within the Rigpa community and beyond.

Khenpo Tashi is renowned for the depth of his knowledge, the precision and clarity of his explanations, and his exceptional ability to tailor his teaching to each student’s level of understanding. His teachings are consistently described as inspiring and transformative.

Damien van Effenterre is a translator and a long-standing student of Buddhist philosophy. He began his Dharma practice in 1999 and later left a career in physics to devote himself entirely to his studies at the Shedra and to the Tibetan language.

As the former head of Rigpa’s international Shedra department, he is now the principal translator for Khenpo Tashi at the Rigpa Shedra in Pharping, Nepal, as well as for the online teachings, and continues to translate classical Tibetan texts.

In addition, as a Rigpa Senior Teacher, Damien supports students in their Dharma studies – with the sincere wish to assist them in understanding the teachings as best he can.

Including two vegetarian lunches (Sat & Sun) and one dinner (Sat)

Registration with Scholarship Application
Your financial situation should never be a barrier to receiving Dharma teachings. That's why for this event you have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship from the Tertön Sogyal Foundation. Please note that the application for a "Study and Practice Scholarship" from the Tertön Sogyal Foundation needs to be submitted separately from your retreat registration.

In general, scholarships are limited to a maximum of 50% of the total standard amount, including the event fee and meals. Scholarships are managed by a committee that meets regularly to review each application individually. For more information about the Tertön Sogyal Foundation scholarships, visit: https://terton-sogyal.org/terton-sogyal-foundations/

You can apply for a scholarship here.

The application deadline for a scholarship for this event is 18 September 2026. To apply, you need a reference from a national director, a senior teacher, or a practiceholder. If you are unable to provide a reference or are not a member of the Rigpasangha, please contact event@rigpa.de. We will be happy to assist you.

Once the Tertön Sogyal Foundation has reviewed your application and gotten back to us, you will receive a payment request from Rigpa e.V. to transfer the remaining balance for the retreat.