The Journal of Global Buddhism has published a special focus section that grew out of the Heartwood/Northwestern Symposium (Northwestern University, Chicago, USA, October 2024), described by the editors as the first ever academic conference on […]
Controversies, abuse, and cultish tendencies in Buddhist communities
Category: Buddhism
Allegations of Sexual and Ethical Misconduct at the First Zen Institute of America
The First Zen Institute of America, one of the oldest Rinzai Zen centres in the United States, is facing serious allegations of long-term sexual and ethical misconduct by its long-serving president, Michael Hotz, together with […]
My Experience of Going Public: Surviving Spiritual Abuse in Plum Village
GUEST POST BY JAM Ae few weeks ago, I sent Plum Village (PV) centres around the world the results of my open letter: an appeal for better safeguarding measures. Finally, I have taken what may […]
Heartwood Hosts Its First Gathering of Survivors of Abuse by Buddhist Teachers
Blog post by A Participant in the Heartwood Survivor Program We are only one of multiple ongoing survivor groups, including BIPOC survivors, created by Heartwood, an alternative medicine healing center outside Chicago in the United […]
“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) […]
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”, […]