Anyone have info on Geshe Kelsang Gyatso or on the New Kadampa Tradition?

I recently started attending meditation classes given by one of his followers and after a brief google search I'm having doubts about this group.

Thanks.

Dear Judy,

There are a great number of smears (lies) all over the internet about GKG and the NKT. These smears started to appear on the internet 10 years ago when GKG organized protests against the Dalai Lama's ban on the Buddhist Deity Dorje Shugden. Refutations to these smears can now be found on this site: www.newkadampatruth.org

I am familiar with the various Buddhist traditions and it is somewhat clear that the NKT is marketing itself as a legit part of the Mahayana line, while veering towards cultism.

If you look at how the NKT handled it's "disagreement" with the Dalai Lama and other traditional Buddhists to see how the group operates. Also, contrast the Buddha's teachings with the NKT's dictates and demands on their acolytes to ascertain whether the NKT is legit or not.

A good site I know is newkadampa.com which is run by "survivors" of the group.

To whom it may concern:

There are also a number of Web sites critical of NKT.

See [info-buddhism.com]

And also see [groups.yahoo.com]

NKT is a controversial group, which has generated repeated complaints.

See [www.culteducation.com]

NKT has at times been called a "cult" by its critics.

The Yahoo group you listed doesn't allow any positive comments about the NKT. They only allow negative comments. The group fits the definition of a hate group. The origins of this group is explained on www.newkadampatruth.org

wisdomfire:

Are you an NKT participant/member?

It is not uncommon for a support/discussion groups composed of ex-members to exclude current members.

The nature and purpose of such a support group is to support each other, not members/participant from from their former group.

Referring to a support/discussion group critical of NKT as a "hate group" seems very harsh.

Can't NKT members accept criticism, or are they against free speech?

A group that advocates hate toward a particular religion could be considered a hate group. People who join the "survivors" group who are ex-members of the NKT can't post anything positive about the NKT.

The NKT is open to critism and people can join this yahoo group if they like. But it should be known that the intentions of those who started the group (Tenzin Peljor and Dave Cutshaw) and many of the members are to breed hatred toward the NKT.

Tenzin Peljor is also the author of info-buddhism.com and newkadampa.com listed above.

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.

I wouldn't consider a Yahoo group that moderates it's comments a "hate group", but I do think that the allegation by "Wisdom" smacks of the kind of hyperbolic nonsense as offered by devotees of cults.

I run a blog that is geared towards survivors of a different cult and know first hand how cult members have a penchant for spamming comment sections and through sheer numbers can attempt to negate the purpose of message boards, blogs, sites etc...

wisdomfire and Jimmy:

Are you involved in NKT?