Many years have passed since I first posted here. During that time I have moved on from active engagement in forums, discussion groups and journalism highlighting the defects, abuses and corruption that now appear to be widespread in diaspora Tibetan Buddhism. After receiving an email alert for this thread here I am back in the saddle --albeit temporarily. Two points: 1) Stephen Schettini's
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The full documentary In the Name of Enlightenment is now up on YouTube Interviewees include Victoria Barlow Guy Mimi Mary Finnigan Stephen Batchelor Martine Batchelor
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The master of the dark arts appears to be back in business big time. Has a new Mayfair address and a posh new web site
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Passionate Enlightenment by Miranda Shaw Sky Dancer by Keith Dowman
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers. Paul Valleley got it wrong. As far as my memory of both June's book and my interviews with her goes, she never mentioned taking ordination. But Corboy is right -- it is off topic on this thread.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As I've stated,. I knew June when she was a willing participant in the 60s-70s romantic fantasy about all things Tibetan. She was also a serious meditator and a conscientious scholar. She was not a dilettante --unlike many travelers during that era who grafted a Tibetan veneer onto Bay Area culture. The crunch factor is that in those days none of us were aware of the disconnect between Ti
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

June Campbell was not a nun. She wore a Tibetan chuba and was known as Yeshe. She learned to speak and write Tibetan. But if she was ever ordained then I have missed knowing about it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sorry Rick. She seemed to be having a go at me so I probably over-reacted.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Grainne-- you are interpreting what I wrote through the lens of your own prejudice. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. I presented an alternative perspective on June Campbell -- one that is widely shared within the TB community. And atheist? I remind you about the rangtong-shentong polarisation -- and a vast pantheon of DEITIES that Tibetans view as literal entities, rather than simply
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Not sure about sex abuse -- there were rumours -- but certainly beatings. He is on record about his disenchantment with the monastic regime. You can probably find it if you search.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Firstly, about June Campbell. I have known June since the early 1980s, when she lived at Samye Ling in Scotland and had a Tibetan personality -- name, dress and language. She was then and still is a very intense person. Fast forward to the mid 90s when her book Travelers in Space was published. June had morphed into an atheist, feminist lesbian university tutor. She rejected all forms of spiritua
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I too think Yangsi Kalu is very good news. At the moment he is sowing wild oats. I think he needs to do that after his grotesque experiences in the monastery but I hope it does not continue for too long. He certainly earned considerable respect for sorting out the French dharma centres. He has a huge following worldwide -- so much responsibility and so much expectation rests on his young shoulder
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sile has come clean in a private message to me. S/he is Sheila and other pseudos on Dialogue Ireland. She has been consistently trying to discredit me for some months now -- mostly by claiming that I am an agent of the Chinese government. She is adept at smoke and mirrors and at latching onto red herrings and refusing to let go, despite being cut off at the knees by people who have known me perso
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I suspected Sile is a creation of the Rigpa spin dept. -- now I am sure. I have to hand it to them -- they are well trained in the dark arts. Almost as skilled as Bell Pottinger who were cast into the Vajra Hell today by an investigative sting published in The Independent. The difference between the Rigpa zombies who deploy all manner of dirty tricks, character assassinations and sock puppetry --
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is a game changer. Finding it requires a little perseverence. It is on Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche's personal Facebook page. You have to scroll down through 2 lots of Older Posts to get to it. The sound is out of sync and the picture quality is terrible. The content is dynamite. For the first time ever a senior Tibetan tulku publicly acknowledges monastic sexual abuse and even an attempt
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks Misstyk. You and Corboy are providing useful information rather than opinionated rants! This is a huge relief for me. 2 points: 1. Although I agree in principle with your suggestion for an independent board of directors and a signed pledge, I veer away from over emphasis on beaurocracy. Its a fine line and I think this level of reorganisation needs more brainstorming until a nuanced fo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you Corboy. I hope some of the hysterical ghouls writing insane comments on Dialogue Ireland are also reading this thread -- where sanity, common sense and intellectual rigor prevail.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As usual and excellent post from Corboy. It should be read by everyone involved in Tibetan Buddhism in the west. Although I agree with most of the political content of your contribution Corboy, I feel I need to speak up in support of the authentic spiritual component. TB is, without a scintilla of doubt on my part, a highly effective contemplative tradition which has nurtured some of the most evo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi again Misstyk I think the thread was closed because it had exceeded even DI's capacity to tolerate madness. It is probably the first time they have done that. I don't think it had anything to do with Victoria's arrival. V is wrong about access to the Janice Doe court papers. They have been deleted from the records, as far as I know. I have a paper copy of the indictment which w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

@Misstyk -- I would advise against visiting the nest of vipers on the most recent Sogyal thread on DI. It is a toxic environment which has now descended into outright insanity. However if you must, Google Dialogue Ireland then look for their blog section and scroll down column on right of screen until you find Rigpa. You will find a Guardian item by me which questions taboos. Go to the end of the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Separating Rigpa from Sogyal would be a hugely significant step in the right direction. I have had this in mind for some time, during my long and arduous campaign to highlight Sogyal's abuses (money, sex, public humiliations etc etc) -- to the point where the people who protect him come to their senses. For a taste of the level of character assassination, false accusation and poisonous pers
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Link to Sogyal item in Marianne in French
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sidebar to Sogyal Rinpoche feature in French news magazine Marianne Profession: Guru’s slave In November 1994, a young woman known as Janice Doe laid charges against Sogyal Rinpoche for “physical, sexual and mental abuse”. The issue was settled out of court. A sum of money was paid to the plaintiff. Even if no legal complaints have been made since then, forums on the inter
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sogyal feature in French news magazine Marianne - English translation by Ana Pellus. Edited by Mary Finnigan. Reportage by Elodie Emery Marianne 15-21 October 2011 Not so Zen these Buddhists... Retreats organised by the Lerab Ling temple in The Cevennes attract between 2 and 3 thousand disciples every year. They come to follow teachings by Sogyal Rinpoche. A week of meditation
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hello Thomas Kent. You and I must be inhabiting parallel universes. I suspect you are yet another creation from the Rigpa spin department. I have heard most of what you say from other sources over the years and I have to be blunt in my response -- it is almost entirely fiction extrapolated from a few isolated facts. I do not intend to reiterate the alternative POV on Mr Lakar -- all I can say is
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Moves are underway to set up a Tibetan Buddhist Teachers Association with a precise constitution and a Code of Ethics. If participants in this forum have suggestions to make on its style and content they would be very gratefully received. Thanks.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Canadian documentary was broadcast on Vision TV as planned. There is hollow startement from Rigpa plus a trail and comments by Stephen and Martine Batchelor on I have DVD copies of the whole porgramme and am willing to send them to interested parties with addresses in Europe. I am sorry -- but postage to the USA is too expensive for me and I cannot break trust with the producers by putting i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just heard that Sogyal's lawyers are trying to prevent the Canadian documentary from being broadcast by Vision TV on 23 May. I gather the TV company is holding firm and intends to go ahead. The item has been passed by ultra-cautious media lawyers for broadcast in Canada. One has to wonder on what grounds Sogyal's lawyers are arguing that it should not be shown. Does he perhaps have some
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"