Blessed by the visits of numerous great masters of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, most notably His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2000 and 2008, Lerab Ling has established itself as one of the leading centres of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning in Europe.The Temple at the heart of Lerab Ling was built to preserve the unique spiritual traditions, culture, and art of Tibetan Buddhism. Together with its sacred art and architecture, thriving community of monastic and lay Buddhist practitioners, and authoritative Buddhist study programmes, the temple is one of the most authentic centres of Tibetan Buddhism to be found in West today.In many places today, people recognize that spiritual development is not a luxury, but a sheer necessity for our survival. Witness the almost desperate hunger and need everywhere for spiritual vision, and for the tools to negotiate the challenges of life, find happiness and understand and transform the mind. This is why the very existence of spiritual centres like Lerab Ling has now assumed truly vital importance, because it is on the accessibility of spiritual teachings and the building of a spiritual culture that the very future of humanity depends.Open to all schools and traditions of Buddhist wisdom, and with the guidance and gracious patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rigpa offers those following the Buddhist teachings a complete path of study and practice, along with the environment they need to experience the teachings fully.Lerab Ling Religious Congregation – In order to formalize the presence of the community and ensure its continuity, Lerab Ling was recognized by the state as a religious congregation. A decree from the Interior Ministry granted legal status on January 29, 2002. The congregation includes ordained members (monks and nuns) as well as lay members who join in the practices and the centre’s activities.