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Tibetan Buddhism – Struggling With Diffi·Cult Issues

Controversies, cultish tendencies and abuse in Buddhism
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Karma Kagyu by tenpelJan 9, 20235:01 amJanuary 13, 2023

Karmapa Agrees to Multimillion-Dollar Settlement with Mother of his Child, Source Says 

GUEST POST by VETTED CONTRIBUTOR The 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, has agreed to a multimillion-dollar financial settlement with a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted and impregnated by him in 2017, according to a […]

Buddhism by tenpelNov 19, 20229:33 pmJanuary 10, 2023

“Our Dark Heart” – The Dark Habits In Triratna

Preface by J. It should go without saying that suppressing the truth, even when the truth seems challenging or destructive, is a false refuge. For decades Triratna, formerly FWBO (Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) […]

Karma Kagyu by tenpelOct 26, 20224:14 pmJanuary 14, 2023
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Website Invites People to Explore Impact of the Unanswered Allegations of Abuse by Karmapa

By GUEST CONTRIBUTOR A new website documents the global effect of the allegations of abuse against the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje as well as his failure to address those charges publicly. Visitors to the […]

Buddhism by tenpelOct 12, 202210:39 pmOctober 12, 2022

Do some Buddhist groups see themselves as above the law? – The Subjective Morality of Triratna

GUEST POST by Mark Dunlop This article is prompted by a video talk given by Carol Merchasin, an American lawyer. Her talk is part of a video presentation titled “Speaking As, With, and For Survivors”, […]

Buddhism by tenpelOct 3, 202210:26 pmOctober 7, 2022
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The Clear Light of Kelsang Gyatso

Guest Post by Carol McQuire A reliable witness has confirmed that Kelsang Gyatso died on September 17th 2022 and was cremated on September 27th 2022 at Barrow Crematorium, Cumbria. There was no service. Only close […]

Karma Kagyu by tenpelJul 7, 20229:28 pmJanuary 10, 2023

DNA Test Confirms Karmapa Fathered a Child, Source Says

GUEST POST by VETTED CONTRIBUTOR Update: Karmapa Agrees to Multimillion-Dollar Settlement with Mother of his Child, Source Says (January 9, 2023) A court-mandated paternity test has proven conclusively that the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje fathered […]

HH the Dalai Lama by tenpelOct 4, 202111:36 pmJanuary 13, 2022
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A Disheartening Article: Stuart Lachs & Rob Hogendoorn on the Dalai Lama

Update Jan. 2022: Stuart Lachs wrote an article in reply to this article and the subsequent discussion to it we had on this blog. My comment to Stuart’s article can be read here. (Tenzin Peljor) By […]

Buddhism by tenpelMay 22, 20212:37 amJanuary 9, 2023

Hurts within the Karma Kagyu school – Is it time for a change of heart?

Guest Post by Joanne Clark The latest troubles within the Karma Kagyu¹ look like the last gasp of the Tibetan tulku system. This is my opinion of course, but honestly, how can this system be […]

Buddhism by tenpelJan 3, 20215:31 pmOctober 5, 2021

Buddhism Panel Discussion at 2017 International Cultic Studies Association Conference

GUEST POST   In 2012 I presented an essay called Zen Has No Morals! at the annual conference of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) in my home town of Montreal, Canada. The paper discussed […]

Buddhism by tenpelDec 9, 202012:44 amJanuary 23, 2022
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A Call For Impartial Compassion

If you look from the point of view of cultivating or acting from an impartial compassion, a compassion that goes out to everybody equally, you can view abusive situations within Buddhist communities from four different […]

Buddhism by tenpelNov 17, 202012:04 amFebruary 8, 2021
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Fact-finding results in response to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by Dagri Rinpoche

Exactly 18 months ago, on May 16, 2019¹ a group of well respected senior Buddhist nuns urged the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) “to commission an independent, third-party investigation” into multiple […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 24, 20209:28 pmDecember 23, 2022
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Expressions of Whiteness in Buddhism

By Kaitlyn Hatch Recently the Black Lives Matter movement has gained incredible momentum, first in the United States and now globally. We are seeing a potential tipping point of white people committed to anti-racist actions […]

Buddhism by tenpelNov 18, 20199:11 pmFebruary 18, 2020
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On the Road to Healing from Abuse in Buddhism – An Interview with Kata

There is quite some discussion online about abuse in Buddhism and usually it focuses only on the first two of three points which were outlined by Kata as steps for healing: to see and to […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 29, 201911:30 pmJuly 24, 2020
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A Timely and Important Book “Fallout: Recovering from Abuse in Tibetan Buddhism”

By Joanne Clark Fallout: Recovering from Abuse in Tibetan Buddhism, by Tahlia Newland, is the story of Rigpa students coming to terms with disclosures of Sogyal Lakar’s abuses over decades, as revealed in the letter […]

New Kadampa Tradition by tenpelJun 6, 20191:08 amJuly 31, 2020
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A Psychological Report on The New Kadampa Tradition

For those who were harmed by the New Kadampa Tradition (aka Kadampa Buddhism or Modern Buddhism), it is of grave concern that the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK as well as mindfulness organisations […]

Buddhism by tenpelJun 2, 201911:45 pmJune 3, 2019
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The Faultless Faulty Guru: Teachings from the 14th Dalai Lama

Statements from the 14th Dalai Lama on the Instruction to See All Actions of the Lama as Perfect, from Lamrim and from Tantric Perspectives We are providing these statements from His Holiness below because there […]

Buddhism by tenpelJan 5, 20193:17 amJanuary 1, 2020

Triratna: Inside the Cuckoo’s Nest

By Alan J.W. I decided on a change of title after the illustration above became available, two weeks after the original was posted. This scanned image shows the first page of the article presented below […]

Buddhism by tenpelOct 10, 201811:40 amJanuary 20, 2023

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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelAug 1, 20188:16 pmNovember 14, 2019
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 15, 20181:18 pmSeptember 28, 2020
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 3, 20183:01 pmJanuary 1, 2020
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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: […]

Buddhism by tenpelJun 30, 20183:35 pmOctober 3, 2020
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJun 20, 201811:11 pmMay 19, 2019
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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, […]

Buddhism by tenpelMar 29, 20188:18 amAugust 17, 2021
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJan 31, 201812:32 amJanuary 31, 2018
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelDec 7, 201710:21 pmDecember 7, 2017
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelNov 10, 201710:53 pmMay 25, 2018
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelOct 10, 20174:07 pmJanuary 11, 2021
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelSep 24, 20174:13 pmSeptember 17, 2019
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelAug 6, 20172:36 pmDecember 2, 2022
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 30, 201712:38 pmAugust 30, 2019
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 29, 20179:58 pmAugust 27, 2019
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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, […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 22, 20178:54 pmAugust 8, 2019
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 16, 201710:33 pmOctober 10, 2022
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelMar 11, 20171:09 amFebruary 17, 2021

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, […]

Buddhism by tenpelFeb 19, 201710:53 pmFebruary 19, 2020
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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. […]

Buddhism by tenpelDec 1, 20162:16 pmMay 11, 2019
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Submission, devotion and sexual abuse: my investigation of Buddhism in France

By Marion Dapsance Anthropologist In the minds of Westerners, Buddhism is “secular spirituality”, a “science of the spirit”, in short: something perfectly rational. A few years ago, I began reading books on meditation, before wanting […]

Buddhism by tenpelDec 14, 201511:28 pmNovember 17, 2020
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The psychological pitfalls of integrating an Eastern spirituality into a modern Western context (Spiritual by-passing)

By Coline R. Moore (This was originally written as an essay submitted for a counselling qualification and thus is a bit academic – however some people might find it useful.) The disciple is unworthy; modestly […]

Buddhism by tenpelOct 31, 20154:59 pmOctober 2, 2019

“Name only”: The dangerous attitude of Nihilism being taught in the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT)

Just as a chariot is verbalized In dependence on collections of parts. So conventionally a sentient being Is set up depending on the mental and physical aggregates. — The Buddha Buddhism itself is very radical […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 8, 20153:48 pmMarch 16, 2019
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJul 8, 20152:26 pmMarch 31, 2019
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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 […]

New Kadampa Tradition by tenpelMay 27, 201512:33 pmJuly 3, 2018
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJan 21, 20153:22 pmJuly 14, 2021
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A Tibetan Translator’s Testimony by Tenzing Wangdak

GUEST POST My Diary – The Ticking Bomb That Took 23 Years To Explode   My name is Tenzing Wangdak. I woke up at around 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning, December 17th, 2014. I was […]

New Kadampa Tradition by tenpelDec 16, 201411:16 pmOctober 3, 2022
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelJun 30, 201410:45 pmJune 18, 2019
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Propaganda: The making of the holy Lama Ole Nydahl

I am not too much interested in discussing Ole Nydahl in this post. I wrote at length about his controversial sides on my German website. The German article was my response to a collective effort by […]

Buddhism by tenpelFeb 21, 20138:56 pmMay 29, 2019
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The Guru-Disciple Relationship – Advice by HH the Dalai Lama

There is a tremendous potential for abuse in this idea of trying to see all the behaviours of the guru as pure, of seeing everything the guru does as enlightened. I have stated that this […]

Buddhism by tenpelMay 1, 201211:58 pmDecember 16, 2018
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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 […]

Buddhism by tenpelApr 28, 20128:44 amJuly 21, 2021
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The Dalai Lama and Sogyal Rinpoche: A Roaring Silence?

GUEST POST One of the questions asked by many since the long running saga of Sogyal has once again gathered pace is why hasn’t the Dalai Lama spoken out? Why is it, if he knows […]

Karma Kagyu by tenpelAug 22, 202212:25 amOctober 3, 2022
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17. Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje

LA PRUEBA DE ADN CONFIRMA QUE KARMAPA TUVO UNA NIÑA, DICE UNA FUENTE

PUBLICACIÓN INVITADA de COLABORADOR EXAMINADO. La prueba de paternidad ordenada por un tribunal ha demostrado de manera concluyente que el 17º Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje tuvo una hija con una mujer, según una fuente cercana […]

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