Suenam: Dharmakaya is the nature of mind, not a thing to be found, to refer to it as an essence is to try to grasp it as an object for consciousness, it is an attainment, not an objectively existing phenomenon. The dharmakaya is the Absolute; the essence of the universe the ideal body or the essence of the Absolute in the Buddhist doctrine of trikaya Suenam: Dharmadhatu is
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: You claimed: There is no "timeless essence" or any absolute "something" to be found anywhere in Buddhism proper, and certainly no idea that the absolute is a sentient knowing thing. Every single part of this sentence is wrong - see Nagarjuna's verses 1, 8 and 65 (or one of the dozen other sources I quoted). Peace
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Steve: Yes, of course I am in the process of making my own mind up on the issue but you are posting on this forum as, I assume, a supporter on Nydahl and are therefore attempting to refute the claims of those of us who find his methods anomalous when considering Buddha's teachings. If you think we're making a mistake then I for one am open to reading your analysis. I haven't
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: jamgon Following Suenam's logic Muslim and Christian groups have vested interest in bagging Buddhism so this is not surprising. I'm not sure what you are referring to or how you reached that conclusion. I am referring to your previous comment: I would prefer less biased sources, though. The BrusselsJournal is described on Wikipedia as "one of the Count
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Warrenz: It's a classic cult characteristic to have an external threat which the leader will save you from and which the righteous must battle against. DWB has two - Islam and Ogyen Trinlay. You will be surprised that the Karmapa issue has zero presence in DW (it is ok to be with Orgyen Trin-lay!). New people are advised to check on the internet what the controversy is about but otherw
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: thank you for the numbers. I would prefer less biased sources, though. Do any sources that are more neutral (for example, the cited police statistic itself, or the sources Aftonbladet used for its claim) show the same numbers? The BrusselsJournal is described on Wikipedia as "one of the Counterjihad movement's main channels", and CBN is short for "Christian Broad
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: In the comments section to the link you provided and it seems some other people have also assumed that it is about Islam. In the video, both the person asking and Nydal also fail to question this assumption. (…) It seems quite clear that automatically linking the issue of being threatened in the street to a religious issue like DWB does shows a willful prejudice and ignorance bas
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Re: Ole Nydahl and Diamond Way BuddhismHi folks, Been following this thread for a while now. I've just come across this video on youtube: When you are being confronted by someone aggressive first try to disengage by not taking the bait - act as if you want "nothing to do" with them. If you are being physically attacked try to use non-violent means of defence. If pepper spr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: Nydahl seems to have overlooked the rather crucial point that this timeless essence lacks true existence (*), and so appears to be positing an actually existent eternal substantive truth(**). No, he (*) has not and (**) does not. It is you who have overlooked the last sentence in the quoted excerpt form “The Way Things Are”” Space and its richness of potential pervade beyond the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: I will first deal with the claims in your original email on the passage from Lama Ole's book: "So what does Buddha teach as ultimately true? He explains that a timeless essence pervades, knows, and is the foundation of everything. That something absolute must always be always and everywhere, never created nor destroyed; otherwise it would be conditioned and relative. Space
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: Here is another quotation from page 10 of the new edition of "The Way Things Are" - "So what does Buddha teach as ultimately true? He explains that a timeless essence pervades, knows, and is the foundation of everything. That something absolute must always be always and everywhere, never created nor destroyed; otherwise it would be conditioned and relative. Space and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Steve: Agreed – confirmation bias can (and does!) work both ways. I wish I knew what to advise you. For what it is worth; I personally have no problem with Lama Ole’s teaching style. As far as the DW organisation setup is concerned I take the good with the bad. I accept that nothing is perfect in samsara, things cost money, personality clashed do happen, we all have egos etc. But, judging
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

warrenz: Shamar is extremely vocal about anyone who he does not like. See the copious writings on the internet (see www.karmapa-issue.org and elsewhere) on Mick Brown, Lea Terhune, Robert Thurman et al to say nothing of his criticism of other Kagyu lamas and the Dalai Lama. Why so coy about Ole? Good point, warrenz. I am still catching up with what has been posted on this thread before but
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Warrenz: It looks like the argument over the authenticity of Shamar's letter of support is a sign of the cognitive dissonance that his supporters are feeling. Since you ventured into the field of cognitive psychology - I have another theory. The argument over the authenticity of the letter is an example of confirmation bias on the part of Lama Ole's adversaries. Wiki: Confir
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: You may want to see it in black and white - either Shamarpa is for or against Nydahl - either the letter is authentic or forged, Yes - I believe the letter is either authentic (in a sense that Shamarpa had it typed for him and then signed it) or forged. Do you think there are more options? Please share - I am intrigued! but as daruisb has pointed out, no one has made the claim it
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: Personally I find an undated letter where the link claims it is from 2013 to be suspicious at best, but that's just me. I presume "2013" in the link on the German website (and not in the letter itself!) refers to the year of Lama Ole's 40th anniversary - he was sent by Karmapa to teach in the West in 1973. I do not want to sound like a broken record but letters a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

dariusb: Most probably the Shamarpa's letter genuine it is just interesting that Shamar Rimpoche in English language letter would use his Tibetan signature? Of course the letter is genuine which we should all acknowledge and move on to discuss its implications. To make up conspiracies based on a false assumption that the signature is forged is silly. I do not know why Shamarpa signed t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Suenam: Yes - I think given the quoted 2013 date, the dodgy signature, and the totally different style, I think the letter is questionable. No, it is not. Shamar Rinpoche has two signatures - one in Tibetan script and one Western - and uses them interchangeably. For an example of Shamar's "Tibetan" signature see: The linked letter was witnessed by Urgyen Tulku so I do
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"