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stpauli
Oma Desala, warrenz: I’m not sure guys what „support“ of tibetan lamas to Ole Nydahl you have been talking about!? A lack of criticism of his teachings or political statements is not yet a support at all. I’m positive most of tibetan lamas have never heard Oles teachings and for sure never read his books. Criticism in general isn't a part of an Asian mentality and certainly it doesn't belong to the tibetan culture at all. Critical comments about other teachers must have a real strong reason to come from a tibetan lama.
I think every lama in the Karma Kagyu tradition knows only too well who Ole is. As for criticism of lamas - Tibetans do nothing but in my experience - it is a community riven with factionalism. In particular, you need only trawl through Shamar's copious online ramblings to read all sorts of criticisms of those who he feels should respect him.
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stpauli
If tibetan lamas get invited by DWB to give empowerments and more seldom to give teachings at their centers they always happily accept the invitations for the lamas will do it not for the sake of Oles profile but for the people coming to get Buddha-Dharma. As a gesture of courtesy lamas will always thank the host, the DWB organization and Ole as its leader, for the invite. Are you possibly mistaking being polite for a support?
I think you are being disingenuous here. Shamar - as evidenced by the letter he posted on his website (and copied here in earlier posts in this thread I believe) not that long ago and then hastily retracted when Ole threatened legal action (also available in an earlier post I think) shows he and no doubt Thaye Dorje are well aware of what Ole is doing.
As I've said several times here - it is well past time students of Shamar/Thaye Dorje in particular (and also of the likes of Beru Khyentse and Jampa Thaye) stopped pretending that their teachers have no part or responsibility for what Ole does. Knowing full well what he has done and refusing to condemn him, these teachers enable Ole to continue, greedy for the money and support DWB channels their way.
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stpauli
Oma Desala, one lama “firing” another? It’s surely an amusing concept but Dharma isn't a company where your manager can fire you if you screwed up your job. ))))
Oh come on, now. Without the active support of Shamar/Thaye Dorje, Ole's claims to greatness would be considerably undermined. DWB and Shamar/Thaye Dorje feed off one another.
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stpauli
We may tend to approach lamas with our own ideas of power, manipulation, politics, and wealth.
This type of thinking allows false gurus to claim that all their faults are merely the subjective perception of their critics. It is dangerous bullshit!
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stpauli
warrenz, I’m not a sentimental guy at all and have never been. I've seen however on many occasions that those very few realized teachers are motivated by the wish for everyone without exception to have a happy life. I respect the fact that you may percieve it differently though and thus I'm not going to get involved into a discussion on this with you. Oles followers must have a strong karma to have a teacher like him.
Another dangerous idea. It is not the fault of Ole's followers that they are in this dysfunctional situation. To say that absolves Ole of the blame for his actions.
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stpauli
I’m sure that if it wasn’t for Ole Nydahl most of his students would have never been interested in Buddha-Dharma whatsoever, would have never practised, never had a chance to. Tibetan lamas are certainly aware of this too. Ole students are adults, they are entitled to decide themselves whom they follow if it makes them happy. Thus, Oma Desala, there is no "mess" for anyone among the tibetan lamas to clean up.
No mess to clean up?!?? What these people are exposed to is not the teaching of the Buddha but the ramblings of a right-wing egomaniac. Many posters here who are former members have recounted tales of bullying, mental illness etc. I know this thread is very long now but it might profit you to go back and read through some of it.
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stpauli
With the modern technologies authentic Dharma teachings are available to anyone genuinely interested in a buddhist practice. Everybody has equal opportunities to find them on the internet, to buy books and records, lamas travel with teachings all over the world all year round. With all that information out there if people still believe that Ole Nydahls teachings will ultimately lead them to enlightenment its their own choice which others should respect after all.
Ole preaches hate and claims to spread the true Dharma without any real qualifications. His support comes from a few individual lamas who have been sidelined from the tradition in which they grew up and who now depend on him to one degree or another for financial and public support.
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stpauli
As to some recent comments on what may happen with the DWB centers in the future, those remain pure speculations. Only time will tell.
At least on that we can agree.