By Alan J.W. I was unable to resist using this whimsical title and illustration – apologies to the easily offended! The reader will understand the lure of a satirical approach, after beholding the article premiered […]
Tibetan Buddhism – Struggling With Diffi·Cult Issues
Controversies: New Kadampa Tradition, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso // Dorje Shugden // Rigpa, Sogyal Rinpoche // Tsem Tulku, Kechara // Ole Nydahl, Diamond Way // Sangharakshita, Triratna // Shambhala, Sakyong :: Tibet & Dalai Lama :: Dharmakaya, Zen & More
A paper on Sogyal Rinpoche’s abuse, its effect on students, and the future of Buddhism in the West for the 16th Sakyadhita Conference in 2019
By Joanne Clark In early November, a group of 134 students signed a letter to forty Tibetan Buddhist lamas, asking for their opinions regarding the abusive behaviours recently disclosed by ex-Rigpa students. A month later, […]
Sangharakshita Obituary
By Mark Dunlop There was a short (5min 40s) obituary on Sangharakshita broadcast in the UK on BBC Radio 4. It starts 13:58, ends 19:38: Sangharakshita Born 26 August 1925; died 30 October 2018, aged 93. […]
A Groundbreaking Meeting Begins A New Era for the Karma Kagyu Lineage – The Two Karmapas Meet in France
On October 11, 2018 a statement was released jointly by the two claimants to the title of Karmapa, His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje and His Holiness Trinley Thaye Dorje. The statement reads: We are both […]
Research on abuse in Buddhist communities
In August 2018, a three-year research project started at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich under the leadership of Dr. Miriam Anders, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The objective of the project […]
It’s time to let these activities come to an end…
Dear Friends in the Dharma and dear friends of sentient beings, I will gradually stop my engagement here on the blog and in general regarding the abuse of power, cultish structures, sexualised violence and […]
Why are cults so difficult to oppose?
By Mark Dunlop Overview What is the Brainwashing Hypothesis? How does Brainwashing Work? Misleading stance of Inform organisation and some academics Conclusion Part 1. Overview The aim of this article is to explain how cults […]
Clergy Sexual Abuse & Buddhist Ways of Dealing With Abuse | Triratna’s Whitewashing Terminology
Introduction During a remarkable member congregation of the German Buddhist Union (DBU) in April 2018 at the Europe Centre of the Diamond Way movement in Immenstadt, Germany, representatives of four organisations involved in the misuse […]
Triratna: The Eye of the Storm
By Alan J.W. Last year (2017) many comments were posted online regarding the controversy surrounding former Order member K, understandably not identified by a full name. The first part of this post is a memoir-cum-appraisal: […]
Links Relevant To The Current Crisis In Shambhala International Regarding Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s Conduct With Women
GUEST POST Shambhala International is no stranger to controversies regarding relationships between its teachers and their students. The founder of the organization, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, was a well known womanizer and alcoholic. Many articles and books have been […]
H.H. the Dalai Lama’s Comments on the Troubles in Rigpa
By Joanne Clark For years, the Dalai Lama has been criticized for not speaking out against Sogyal Lakar’s (Sogyal Rinpoche’s) misbehaviors. The idea was that one word from His Holiness could somehow fix things. Now, […]
When “Crazy Wisdom” Goes Crazy: Is Chogyam Trungpa a Good Role Model for Vajrayana in the West?
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, who has been the leading advisor steering Rigpa during its recent crises, has spoken often of his reverence for Chogyam Trungpa. He has humbly said that he could never hope to […]
Just to Clarify: What H.H. the Dalai Lama Said About Criticizing a Vajrayana Lama
By Joanne Clark When His Holiness the Dalai Lama made his first statement supporting the letter by the eight ex-senior Rigpa students, outlining abuses committed by Sogyal Lakar, he stated: Many years ago in Dharmasala […]
Kadampa Buddhism: Advertencia importante sobre el culto a Dorje Shugden
En los últimos años una serie de circunstancias muy desafortunadas han hecho que un asunto interno de poca importancia se haya convertido en un riesgo social a escala internacional e incluso instituciones budistas al más […]
In a Nutshell: Self and No-Self in Buddhism
By Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche The Buddha, by rejecting the idea of soul, also rejected the concept of reincarnation. He was therefore at variance with many of the Hindu traditions of India that retained the […]
Finally, After Years Of Fanaticism, I Began Opening My Eyes
A New Kadampa Survivor Testimony My name is Ivy Wallace and I am a former member of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT). Here is my story in case anyone is interested. I was in the […]
Three Buddhists Walk into a Bar
By Kiera Van Gelder Three Buddhists walk into a bar. A Hinayana, a Mahayana, and a Vajrayana. The Vajrayana demands the highest stool, the Mahayana offers her body as a stool and the Hinayana sits […]
Testimony from an Ogyen Kunzang Choling (OKC) Survivor
The following comment was posted by a Buddhist as a comment after having shared Ben’s powerpoint presentation “40 Years of Abuse in the Name of Dharma by ex-OKC born-kids” on Facebook. Ben who stands behind […]
The Dalai Lama on Abuse by Buddhist Teachers or Gurus
Question to H.H. the Dalai Lama at the press conference at Tibet House, Frankfurt, Thursday, 14. September 2017 Ursula Richard: Your Holiness, I would like to ask you to say a few words about abusive […]
Certain Types Of Teachers We Should Avoid
By Patrul Rinpoche & Chatral Rinpoche Patrul Rinpoche in “Words of My Perfect Teacher”¹: On the other hand, there are certain kinds of teachers we should avoid. Their characteristics are as follows. Teachers […]
Revisiting the Crisis in Burma and Buddhism’s Role in it
By Justin Whitaker As violence has flared up again in Burma (Myanmar) this month, the word that most aptly describes the situation is: complex. News headlines might suggest otherwise, pointing a finger squarely at the […]
Mark Dunlop’s Response to Sangharakshita’s February 2017 Memoir
Guest Post By Mark Dunlop In February 2017, Triratna circulated within the Order a “memoir” by Sangharakshita (Dennis Lingwood), describing his time with me. It is a bit of a diatribe against me. I have […]
On Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s Statement From a Reader of the New York Times
Guest Post By Joanne Clark As a woman living in a Western country with laws, as a liberal with a subscription to The New York Times, and as a follower of HH Dalai Lama, I […]
HH Dalai Lama And Others Speak Out About Sogyal Rinpoche & His Behaviour
Guest Post By Joanne Clark There is no surer sign that this is not business as usual with Rigpa than the recent statements made by HH Dalai Lama, Mingyur Rinpoche and Matthieu Ricard. In the […]
Sexual Union in Tantra: Distinguishing Between Sexual Abuse and Buddhist Practice – Guidelines from HH Dalai Lama
Guest Post By Joanne Clark When I was a student of Sogyal Rinpoche, I knew all about Yeshe Tsogyal. I didn’t wonder about the story, what it meant to be a consort, what the practice […]
The Buddha About Reproaching Others, Praise & Dispraise and Assigning Blame
REPROVING OTHERS Venerable Sāriputta addressed the monks thus: “Friends, a monk who wishes to reprove another should first establish five things in himself. What five? (1) He should consider: ‘I will speak at a proper […]
Bringing About Change in One’s Own Self – Jetsünma Khandro Rinpoche
Ven. Jetsünma Khandro Rinpoche says: Teachers throughout the times have always said: Dharma is not about doing things. Buddhadharma does not become Buddhadharma, until through the methods applied one is bringing about change, transformation, […]
Abuse: Letter To Sogyal Rinpoche From Long Term Rigpa Students
We now see clearly the many ways that you betrayed our trust, manipulated and abused us and our Dharma brothers and sisters. On July 14, 2017 eight long term disciples and Rigpa students – with […]
Ready to Mine: Zen’s Legitimating Mythology and Cultish Behavior
Stuart Lachs, New York City[1] ICSA Paper June/July 2017 Conference Bordeaux, France I will show in this talk that the legitimating story and mythic history of Zen Buddhism lays the groundwork for an authoritarian […]
Rigpa Students in a Quandary: What to Do When Seeing Your Guru Punch a Nun in the Stomach Crosses a Line?
A week ago until today I [Tenzin Peljor] received different emails from a person who wants to change Rigpa from within. In that context, I argued about the integrity and truthfulness of a certain […]
Abuse in the Buddhist community: this victim tells her story for the first time
When those teachers—suppose they already practice the Buddhadharma—still do not behave properly, it indicates that they have a lack of shamefulness on their part. They do not care about the negative consequences for their own […]
Robert Spatz, guru of the OKC cult, gets 4 years’ suspended sentence
Dated: 15th Sept 2016 On Thursday, Brussels criminal court (“tribunal correctionnel”)¹ sentenced Robert Spatz, spiritual head of the Ogyen Kunzang Choling (OKC) Buddhist community, to a suspended sentence of 4 years in prison. The man, […]
Whitewashing, Dishonesty & Culture of Abuse in the Triratna Buddhist Order (TBO)
Guest Post The real beauty of a sexual relationship between an Order Member and a Mitra is that if the OM is sufficiently mature then the other person stands to gain considerably from the experience. […]
“Lock the door.” – I was devoted to a great Buddhist master, and then I quit.
by Mimi, former Dakini Sogyal Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist master supported by the Dalai Lama. He is the author of the best-selling “Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.” He heads the Rigpa Association, a […]
FWBO / Triratna – Sangharakshita – Cases of Sexual Abuse
…ultimately, the way a group reacts to allegations of misconduct may be a better indicator of its underlying dysfunction than the content of the allegations themselves. – Christopher Hamacher The BBC reported on September 26, […]
The Dalai Lama’s Advice to Buddhists in the West
Q: Your Holiness, what advice might you give those of us who are working to develop Buddhist communities and organizations in the West? A: As I often tell my Buddhist friends, if we want to keep […]
A Warning Letter from Lama Ole Nydahl: Don’t Mix Tantric Methods and Teachers
Dearest Diamond Way students and friends, A few words of timely advice: I understand that many of you, who haven’t had the Phowa practice yet, are now looking to receive this timeless experience. Recently, at […]
Sogyal Rinpoche & Rigpa – An interview with the former director of Rigpa France Olivier Raurich
Translation of an interview with the former director of Rigpa France Olivier Raurich which appeared in the French magazine “Marianne”¹ Q: When did you become interested in Buddhism and how did you encounter Sogyal Rinpoche? […]
When it is more than abuse – Experiences within the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT)
By Peter Graham Dryburgh The hurt and harm of spiritual abuse is rarely inflicted upon people with the intention to wound anyone. – Major Scott Nicloy When we think of abuse in the year 2016, […]
What is faith and devotion in Buddhism?
This article is an attempt to clarify the terms “faith” and “devotion” in Buddhism / Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. In order to clarify the terms “faith” and “devotion”, it is essential to begin with a sober […]
What is the meaning of patience in Buddhism? – Ajahn Succito
Here is a wonderful experiential explanation of what real patience is. Patience deals with checking emotional reactions, but it’s not a denial of emotional intelligence. Patience has the gut-knowledge that recognizes that a problem or a pain […]
Why did the 14th Dalai Lama change his stance on Dorje Shugden / Dholgyal?
Some great learned and spiritually evolved persons have proclaimed (Gyalchen Dorje Shugden / Dhol-gyal) as a valid protector and even in their personal lives they have achieved amazing success; there are such persons to this […]
Why do Buddhists – especially but not exclusively ‘Kadampa Buddhists’ – fear enlightenment?
Recently a monastic elder from Switzerland pointed out an article from the New York Times that was reprinted in an Indian newspaper, the Deccan Herald. Omri Boehm, an Israeli, criticizes in The German silence on […]
The story of a New Kadampa Tradition monk or How I got sucked into a cult
My name is Tenzin Peljor / Michael Jäckel. I was 29 when I met the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) in December 1995. At that time the general public didn’t know about any controversy relating to the […]
On Shamar Rinpoche’s death and the future of Karmapa
By Thierry Dodin Occurring in Germany at a time the Karmapa was touring there, the untimely death of Kunzig Shamarpa inevitably gave rise to some speculations. More important than this coincidence and associated elaborations about […]
Thoughts on Leaving Rigpa
GUEST POST After almost 20 years in Rigpa, I have left with a heavy heart and a wounded soul. I still have huge faith and trust in the Dharma and have connected with my own […]
Reporting Personal Experience On Religious Movements
The following is an information provided by Suzanne Newcombe, Research Officer at Inform. It is posted here as a separate post by kind permission.¹ People with personal experience that they wish to report anonymously on […]
China’s Involvement in the Dorje Shugden Controversy
Though the Tibetan Government in Exile (TGIE) said different times that China uses Shugden as a political means to split the Tibetan Community—e.g. by favouring monks practising Shugden or by supporting especially Tibetan monasteries in […]
The Mystic Ganden Hearing Lineage – A Clarification
Guest Author: D. Choegyal The Dalai Lama’s Advice on the Three Deities of Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja and Heruka as Well as the Dharma Protectors of the Three Scopes is In Perfect Concordance With the Instructions of […]
Some Reflections on Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s Talk at Rigpa Berlin
By Joanne Clark Some days ago, on Sunday 25h of February 2018, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche spoke for three hours at the Dharma Mati Rigpa centre in Berlin. A student asked him: What the Dalai […]
The New Kadampa Tradition is back on Reddit under “Modern Buddhism” – but, not everybody is welcomed…
In 2016 the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) was banned on Reddit’s popular Buddhism subreddit, which has currently 122.935 subscribers. The reasons been given for the ban and also if a ban is reasonable after all […]
Reform & Kindness: Can We Make A Little Room For Miracles?
Guest Post By Joanne Clark During my short eighteen months with Rigpa, months that traumatically changed my life, I could have used some kindness from fellow students. However, the effect of Sogyal’s style of “working” […]
