A Social Psychological Examination on Why Foreign or Countryside Assignments Require Caution We are learning to purchase products not made by persons who labor in cruel condtions. We are learning to demand fair trade coffee and chocolate, for instance. It is time for us to refuse to utilize spiritual projects or buildings that are produced by those who are ill treated by their supervisors.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Wow what an mixed discussion- I was recently considering attending a NKT meditation evening. I myself have been studying Buddhism for several years and most of my studies have been through the Sakya Tradition. Our local Centre recently closed and our resident teacher has been sent teaching thoughout Australia. As I started to miss the closeness of a Sanga I started looking for another centre that
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteEnlightenNext | Triodos BankPhilosophy of life (Culture and welfare). EnlightenNext is an educational charity in Islington, London, supporting the teachings of Andrew Cohen. ... - 68k - Cached - Similar pages ENLIGHTENNEXT of N1 8QG inJul 6, 2010 ... ENLIGHTENNEXT LTD.Changed 28 Jun 2005. IMPERSONAL ENLIGHTENMENT FELLOWSHIP LONDON LIMITEDChanged 20 May 2005. FACE (FRIENDS OF
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I came to the NKT in June of this year. I will not be going back. My time in the NKT was very short, but long enough to see that there is a culture of verbal abuse that is accepted by the management hierarchy. While in Brazil the monk in charge of the building project (picture attached, man to the left of Kelsang Gyatso) on three occasions threatened me with physical violence in or
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I came to the NKT in June of this year. I will not be going back. My time in the NKT was very short, but long enough to see that there is a culture of verbal abuse that is accepted by the management hierarchy. While in Brazil the monk in charge of the building project (picture attached, man to the left of Kelsang Gyatso) on three occasions threatened me with physical violence in ord
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Brynhild, If what I wrote helps you or any other reader, that's a good thing. Too many people (not just New Wage gurus) are happy to play with our minds and make huge promises with the goal being not to help us, but to empty our minds so they can empty our bank accounts. If there's one thing I have learned during my years on this planet it's the importance of listening to
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear wiac, since you wrote me also personally we have now a double talk one in public one privately. I hope we are able to keep both threads seperately. You say: "I dont think wishes are powerless." Wishes have power, but you could also wish that you get not sick anymore in this life or that you don't die. But no matter how much you wish things which are unrealistic from an ord
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear Tenzin Thankyou for your reply. Indeed I think you forgot but I was hoping you would offer your opinion but you said you were unable to because you were about to go on holiday! The yahoo group you mention is closed and has been since November. Most people are on facebook now & relaxing talking about other topics. The main point I see is that we are all creating karma, and I dont kno
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I hope you don't mind if I answer you? With respect to your wish to look for fellows who wish to change NKT from within to the better, you might contact Robertect from the forum He and some others were for a short time members of the NKS but felt it would be better to make an own group dedicated to change NKT from within to the better. Subsequently they founded this yahoo group above
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteitsnotyourfaultHi whatisacult and everyone, It's great that you shared that you didn't get a response from the NKT office, it's valuable evidence for others in their healing. We weren't the only ones who were given no healthy dialogue when the sheen started to wear off. As well as asking "What is a cult" you might ask "Are my thoughts and feelings val
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi there, I added some new information on my blog with respect to NKT. It could be helpful for some to read a post about threats of legal actions against others by NKT and how NKT is launching a new campaign to attract new members by offering events in bookshops and collaborating with Waterstones. The latter post also includes an internal training manual by Tharpa, NKTs publishing arm: New
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here it is, nicely condensed: QuoteWhen I asked the exit counselor, Joe Szimhart, his own thoughts about truth seeking he replied: Quote"Truth is not what you find in the end, in the packaged religion, it is a gift you get along the way if the way you practice is moral, elegant and socially sound." soyjoy, I agree with you. ..."QuoteThere is nothing inherently wrong with kn
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Alexander Berzin has a set of archives here. It contains excerpts from his book 'Relating to a Spiritual Teacher' The boddhisattva precepts are the chief reference point. Though not all agree with the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12 Traditions which govern the group governance of 12 step associations may be a useful tool by which to assess whether a particula
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi whatisacult and everyone, I think it's healthy to ask the following questions regularly to check for an institutionalised mind, something cults very successfully and very quickly instill. Lodro (former NKT monk) once said to me "look we are not a cult, you are free to leave at any time." It's not a locked door that keeps us there it's the brainwashing messages repea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi all Im still in the NKT & feel a huge range of emotions. I believed when I moved into a centre I would be happy. And I was incredibly. But other people its not working for them! So I wrote this long document & sent it to the NKt office. I was told it would be looked at . But 12 months later Im seeing that my letter made no difference. My local centre is bordering on closing because
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

No, none of this is stupid. In fact, I appreciate your insight as a person who apparently gets sucked into these cults rather easily. In a way, I feel that it was all in my best interest, though, as now I see it as just a part of my search for the truth. Now I know which direction NOT to look! I appreciate your help very much. I also appreciate this forum very much. Thanks to all of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lets try to focus on the underlying emotions. I get from your post that there is fear, that there is longing for a true spiritual path and spirituality. Taking the latter emotion first: the stronger the longing for a spiritual path the more one may be open for all those (exaggerated and unrealistic) promises usually made by "cults". Also those groups promise an easy path. All what the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks for the response. I am currently in the process of leaving the SGI, and I am vary wary of getting heavily involved in any other cult-like group. After doing some objective research of NKT, I feel a great amount of trepidation. Unfortunately, I believe that the fear I'm experiencing right now will definately impede any spiritual progress I hope to make at this point. I guess I fe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoteoverthetop I am seriously stunned. I am so saddened right now. Looking for an alternative to the SGI, and now I feel lost again...and I will admit, becoming afraid to continue my spiritual practice... I went to a couple events at the NKT center here in my town. In comparison to my SGI experience, this was incredibly low-pressure. Needless to say, I'm having lots of second thought
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I haven't finished reading this whole thread yet, because I happen to still be engrossed with the Former SGI member thread concurrently. After discovering this forum and quickly becoming disillusioned with the SGI, I determined to try to find another school of Buddhism. Well, I was hoping that perhaps I had found something that I could follow after checking out the NKT center in my town.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi everyone, I'm new to this group and I've just left NKT after 10 years of involvement. I am writing in response to the original thread. I currently have no affiliaion to any groups, religious,politic or otherwise. I am writing as I have a moral obligation to share the knowledge that I have gained with people who are curious (for whatever reason) about the NKT because I believe peop
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Well I'm not going to be very analytical, but I did stay in one of their centers, as they advertised an affordable room for rent, and it was close to work and school so I just figured I'll check it out. It was the same w the other "tenants" and basically we all ended up leaving sick of the ordeal after a while. One of my housemates was a lesbian, and she caught on pretty quick
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

True corboy thank for the ideas & thanks for coming tenzin I was hoping you would come! Corby those ideas are great & very true. Any group that doesnt do that will fail. Karma is definate. So this is my document so far feel free to add stuff & edit. Its a document for religious ethics with the aim that any group or religion can use it. My idea was we could all compose it together.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is another way to test if a relationship or group is clean or not: Is your loyalty reciprocated? When you have given years of your life and vitality to serve the relationship or organization, does that other person or group remember Buddha's awareness of sickness, old age, and death? After you have nurtured and cared for this relationship or for your guru, will YOU be cared fo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Whatisacult, by glancing quickly through the exchange and discussion with rrmoderator, it seems you are a rather unconventional NKT follower, who tries really to be open and to get a better understanding of what is going on without defending everything. Well, this is a very good basis for discussion, I think.* Since I lack time and there are enough other people (Ex-NKT) who can discuss with you,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Wiac, I lack time for detailed discussion but maybe I can contribute with some points. When you say "What Im trying to say is that I am following instructions of Geshe Langri Tangpa, Geshe Chekawa, Lamrim of Atisha, Shantideva. And Chandrakirti is my ambition my goal!" I would like to add - if you follow exclusively NKT - you follow their instruction as presented by the NKT/KG. This mea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

well I dont know the finances Im just an attendee Im not on the staff or admin. All Im saying is I havent seen signs of anyones living luxuriously but maybe others have. I dont know if there are any published reports. I just thought my idea might help.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Whatisacult: You appear to be here as an apologist to defend NKT. Meaningful accountability means checks and balances mandated through democratically elected governance and bylaws. NKT doesn't seem to have that. You cite no specific detailted disclosure regarding group finances offered through published reports made public. Apprently NKT has none to offer and the group's
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I actually went to a mormon church today. A jehovahs witness is knocking on our door harrassing my mother so I went to make a complaint. I was told they are another church. I dont know if that was true. Anyway they tried to get me to pray to god even though I made it clear that I am a Buddhist & had simply come to log a complaint. They also got me to take the book of mormon home. I know the N
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

moderator so you dont think this idea I have has any value? It just seems like 99% of the discussion goes around in circles ie your organisation has this fault no it doesnt yes it does no it doesnt yes it does Im simply trying to get something useful out of all this. NKt & ex NKT are people on 2 sides of a fence. But both sets of people have seen various group dynamics A
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"