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vdesign
There is also something for Suenam in this video. 3.20 min :
...karma is not divine retribution, it is not fate, whatever has not happened yet can be changed.
Cheers,
It is one thing to say this but act differently. I for one fail to see how Ole's behaviour aims at change - it seems confrontational, antagonistic, and tries to paint a picture of things being far more extreme than they are in reality (a technique used by the U.S. and U.K. governments to justify the Iraq war). It certainly does not aim at reconciliation, education, or any kind of shared understanding of difference, and it seems to focus purely on past antagonisms - what kind of future does such a perspective aim at?
The "threat" from Islamic extremism seems not only greatly exaggerated, but also done in such a way to exacerbate the situation - it would seem in the light of your comment on karma that it is Ole and DWB members who wish to take this direction, while at the same time using the idea that the behaviour of others is simply an unchangeable "fact."
An example of this is Ole's attitude to Africa. There is no attempt for DWB to spread Buddhism to that continent, but rather Ole simply writes this idea off as not being worthwhile.
The same thing can be said to their attitude towards other Buddhist traditions.
This is also something experienced by individuals on a micro level where people have effectively been "written off", told that they are confused and even that they are mentally ill. They have been excluded and told that DWB is not suitable for them, simply because they took a step back from behaviour which to both them, and to outside observers seems questionable. (emails are then distributed by the leaders to instruct every member to ostracise that individual, informing them of the ex-members "mental illness").
This method of exclusion, ostracism, devaluing, and invalidating those that either can't or won't assume the group identity is precisely why DWB is on a cult forum, and this behaviour certainly seems at odds with Buddhist ideas conerning selflessness.
- As for facilitating the exchange of ideas - I notice that you have found it quite easy to highlight faults with Osel Tenzin's behaviour and with Islamic extremists.
Many contributors have questioned aspects of Ole and DWB's speech and actions, and there are plenty of salient points that could be addressed. You say yourself that you have grappled with certain issues raised here, and that you have managed to make sense of any doubts. I for one think that further explanation of your views on that topic would provide greater insight into the current situation.
We accept that at some point Ole was acting in harmony with the 16th Karmapa and that both he and the Queen of Denmark supported Ole's project, however since then, DWB seems to have become highly politicized, ego oriented, and seems to exhibit
a high level of identity thinking. There also seems to be an emphasis on accumulating wealth, property, and membership at the expense of promoting Dharma (I myself have paid to go to DWB lectures where I heard the exactly the same lecture given as the previous five - no development in understanding or expansion of perspective, yet simply parroting Ole's book ad infinitum in an attempt to create a singular and rather narrow viewpoint).
There is a strong focus on extrenal threats which highlight fear as a motivator, and with the emphasis on religious and cutural differences, and this seems to be directed not only at other religions, but also seems to have an impact on DWB relations with other Buddhist groups.
There also seems to be an emphasis on pride and ego bolstering resulting in an attempt to create a strong group identity at the expense of openness and understanding, which in it's extreme form appears to invalidate any possible criticism of Ole and DWB. This seems to push DWB in the direction of a cult.
Tony Dublin's comment about how the way the Dublin centre was pushed, contrary to Hannah's wishes after her death seems to ring true to me. She seems to have exerted a moderating influence which now is sadly lacking, and subsequently seems to be leading to increased extremism in DWB which emanates from the top and seems to permeate the entire organisation.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2010 10:59PM by suenam.