Re: Ole Nydahl and Diamond Way Buddhism
Date: November 07, 2011 03:41PM
Oh, I didn't answer the question about the Dalai Lama saying that is was not necessarily wrong to have sex with students. This was online about five years ago, and it was a reputable site, I can't find this online now.
Corboy: As usual, you raise a great many good points, and in fact there is not even one thing that you have said that I disagree with. I particularly loved your comment that gurus should not discriminate by the youth or looks of women if it is really about spirituality! Very true! As to having sex disturbing the brahma-viharas, in my observation, no. A healthy sex life is a good thing, chastity can also be a good thing, both can be a part of a spiritual life.
I do not view myself as an apologist. As a founder member of the peak Buddhist groups in Australia and New Zealand, I've played my part in exposing fakes. I've watched gurus (Sangharakshita, Sogyal Rinpoche, Ole Nydahl) go in a direction that I don't consider good. I've always refused, even when I was requested, to become someone in the 'inner hierarchy', and I'm also no longer a part of the 'Buddhist organisational scene', being more known as a writer and musician. The reason for this is I absolutely do not want any power over others. I more follow what Namkhai Norbu said in his 'Little Song of Do as You Please' (uf I don't have a copy of this in front of me): "I avoid the confusion of the so-called Dharma centres".
For the record, the advice I would give anyone who asked me would be: do not join the FWBO or attend teachings. If you are interested, attend teachings by Ole Nydahl but I would not accept initiations from him nor join his centres. Perhaps attend Rigpa centres to study there, I wouldn't pay any big money nor would I become involved in organisation, I'd be a bit cautious. I personally found enormous benefit in following the teaching given to me by Sogyal Rinpoche, but that is very, very different to say that I accept everything like a gulper eel. I've certainly debated and disagreed with him in public. There are question marks: you can find places without question marks.
I'm still closely associated with my own gurus, who have no criticism or scandal attached to them. I completely agree with your very useful and true comments about people enabling their own power or sense of self-worth especially by associating with secretive gurus. If you read the other posts I made yesterday, you'll find I praise organisations that keep open books, open records, and open committees, and that I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ACCEPT organisations that have closed committees and closed records. I don't like gurus that give teaching and then disappear off to some secret place with their oooooooh big students, who then strut around and try to lord it over others (and I've seen Sogyal Rinpoche tell his organisers off whenever they displayed this type of egotism). A guru's personal life should be completely open, with one caveat: celebrities of any type are entitled to their own lives, to privacy and protection against paparazzi and against dangerous and crazy people (as one example, the absolutely unimpeachable Chatral Rinpoche had someone come up to him in a teaching in about 2008 and try to stab him to death, since then he has had to be more careful). People like Dzongsar Khyentse and Namkhai Norbu are very approachable and socialise freely and openly with their students. I let gurus teach and advise and criticise me, but any that have tried to bully me I've told in no uncertain terms and in public that I do not accept such behaviour.
As to what you accept about Hannah: Generally I'm one of those guys that women like and pour their hearts out to. I wasn't 'aiding her macho husband' (sorry I'm in the preview pane so I can't quote what you said exactly). I was helping him organise some stuff, as I helped some dozens of lamas organise stuff, because people keep on asking me even though I'd rather avoid it. I mean doing posters and booking halls, I don't mean associating closely with the lamas involved. Yes, you may be right in saying she felt that she had to support her husband in public, This does not I think include such a spontaneous smile. I was closer to her than Ole (I certainly liked her a lot better), and I got the impression she was a very strong-willed woman. It is quite a shock to me to learn that she has passed away, I think that is a sda loss to the world indeed. Incidentally, I know of some women that have had sex with lamas. They were (and are) close friends and they were positive about that connection. These lamas were not trying to pretend that wanting sex was some kind of spiritual teaching. I also know of some women that were coerced and abused by fake lamas, in fact, I was extremely close to one horrible and heartrending tale. This was not a real lama but an ex Tibetan monk who claimed to be a lama. That was a very bad case.
When you are considering what I say: I've only seen things here in Australia and New Zealand. I can't comment on gurus, but rock stars and celebrities that are notorious for bad behaviour do not behave like this in Australia and New Zealand. If they do, they get kicked out and are banned from returning. What I hear from all gurus here is that they are more relaxed. One reason for this is perhaps that Australian and New Zealanders have no cult of celebrity. We don't accept misbehavior in leaders, and since the populations are small, things get around very fast. There are also quite strict laws about things like disclosing finances. So if someone like ie Sogyal Rinpche was misbehaving, it would be much more risky for him to do it here.
I'm participating in this forum because I am very strongly opposed to gurus abusing students. I think these people should be outed whoever they are. I've also seen a huge amount of criticism against gurus that I know to be unfair, unjust, and often defamatory lies. I've seen the reputations of very good and humanitarian people be destroyed for no fair reason. Buddhist teachings, any religious teachings, are full of people with very real mental and personality problems.
Therefore I'm participating in this discussion and I am listening carefully to what is said. I'm telling you my own observation and experience, and I'm listening to yours. From what I know of Sogyal Rinpoche, I can believe that what is said about him could possibly be true, but as far as I can see and judge, some things are certainly not true. What I am looking for here is reason and truth.