Dear RRModerator and everyone on this thread,
To answer the moderator's question, NKT members can accept criticism, which is just as well :-) Actually, over the last few years, the NKT has improved dramatically as a result of critical feedback. The Internal Rules of the New Kadampa Tradition ensure that there are many checks and balances on the teachers, administrators and students of NKT Centers, and is a very helpful and transparent development. It has been in the works for several years and new rules have been added to deal with inappropriate behaviour as it has come to light. These Internal Rules can be found on the new website [
www.newkadampatruth.org] and on the main NKT websites.
The vast majority of NKT members are sincere and well-adjusted Buddhists who are fully integrated into modern-day society. In any large organization (and the NKT now has 1100 Centers and groups in 40 countries) there are going to be some who mess up -- but the NKT is no more subject to this than any other Buddhist organization. The New Kadampa Truth site explains that they welcome feedback. They have already satisfactorily answered people who have written in with concerns. So, the NKT is trying hard to improve and it is not defensive about receiving complaints. Please write to New Kadampa Truth about any complaint you have or have heard about and give them an opportunity to answer (you can do this through their website or new blogspot: [
www.newkadampatruth.wordpress.com])
The reason the NKT have been subject to a firestorm of criticism is due to their opposition to the Fourteenth Dalai Lama on his repressive policy of banning their Protector practice of Dorje Shugden. Many NKT members support the Western Shugden Society in bringing about an end to this religious discrimination and persecution. This is their right. Even if it means they come in from heavy criticism from Dalai Lama supporters, and some people don't wish to attend their Centers, it is still worth it to them to stand up for human rights and religious freedom. For more on that subject, please see [
www.WisdomBuddhaDorjeShugden.org]. There has been a great deal of coverage in the press also recently on the subject, which you can find on the International Press page of [
www.aboutwss.org]
Thank you.