QuoterrmoderatorSile: The subject of this thread is "Ole Nydahl and Diamond Way Buddhism". Stay on topic. If you want to start another thread on some other general topic regarding abuse tha's fine, but that's not the focus of discussion here. Isn't the subject, in the context of this forum, how to avoid abuse at the hand of organizations/cults? The post previo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Well, if the alternative is to not observe the teacher, then I suggest observing the teacher! We can become "socialized" to anyone--professors, doctors, friends--does that mean we should avoid all contact with all humans? I'm all for protecting women; I'm also all for not creating a world where every man is suspected of being some kind of rapist simply because he's
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyQuoteI can't imagine how much more pressure there is if the case is something beyond the penny ante case he was involved in. I have yet to see any proof of Sogyal Rinpoche's alleged settlement. Penny ante case, eh? Where's the famous Mahayana compassion, eh? Quote Huh? It was a penny ante case. "Mutilation of reading materials" or something to t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteStoic'If you are not ranting in good faith, I intend to find out why.' We just have to make sure that they are not smothered by vested interests still using and promoting-- for their own benefit-- a medieval model of power. If you are really dedicated to doing away with something, then for God's sake demand higher standards of those working on it! I have no doubt there are
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually, we have no idea whether this amount of money (or any amount) was paid. People settle for all kinds of reasons, and court is NO guarantee of justice. My friend was taken in on a misdemeanor (which he considered a false charge) and intended fully on pleading "not guilty." The legal advisers told him his only guarantee of having a clean record was to plead no contest, and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have read, and my family has benefited (immensely) from Sogyal Rinpoche's book, "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying." I have formed no final opinion as yet of any guilt or innocence on Sogyal Rinpoche's fault as to the allegation you discuss. However, in short order, I have formed a negative opinion of the allegations themselves. This doesn't mean they aren&#
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Karam-Mudra, have you reported your abuse to the authorities? If you are serious about preventing others from experiencing abuse, you should at the very least make it an issue with the police department where this happened, even if you don't feel like going through a court case. On what date did you experience this abuse by the Karmapa, and in what city/town/country? If you are afraid
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Secret is interesting. The packaging and lingo is far too--I dunno, infomercially for me. However, it did open my eyes to realizing how much I focus on the problem, rather than the goal. That alone made it worth the read. We're probably all aware of the basketball experiment in the 1970s (?), where half the athletes actually practiced free throws, and the other half stood at the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So, all you have to do to protect yourself from this Threat to Humanity is...not attend. Simply don't attend any of Sogyal Rinpoche's teachings. You'll be avoiding an experience based on the ramblings of a French gossip column, but at the very least, you won't risk being exposed to him. Or you could attend, and write something more professional, citing your sources, and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sorry again for the multi-post.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sogyal Rinpoche did not avoid conviction by paying settlements, he avoided taking part in a court case. It's worth pointing out that given the amount of money Sogyal Rinpoche represented at the time, it's odd that the accuser's attorney didn't insist on going to court. Often that means the prosecution didn't feel it could bear the burden. Regardless, the accuser prefer
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

He did not "avoid conviction" by paying the women money, he avoided a court case. People pay settlements all the time for things they haven't done, instead of going to court. Court is hopelessly expensive and no guarantee of exoneration for the innocent. Settling, in fact, often implies the prosecuting attorney doesn't feel they'll win. If the case against Sogyal Ri
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Earlier in this thread it was mentioned (several times) that the Yahoo Group "New Kadampa Survivors" doesn't allow positive comments about NKT. I don't find that to be true at all. I have spent countless hours reading the forum posts, and plenty of positive memories are discussed. In fact, the confusion the ex-NKT people feel at having both positive and negative feelings of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

True Buddhism encourages you not to be sedated, but to "wake up." It is true you are told to be responsible for yourself a lot more in Buddhism, I feel, than in other religions. I agree that this can feel lonely. But I think it feels lonely in the same way that a teenager feels lonely having to finally do something for him/herself for the first time; it's a logical progression t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I find it completely disturbing that we are discussing these teachers as if criminal charges against them have been established. Are these people in jail, or aren't they? If they aren't, why aren't they? Sexual abuse is a crime; false accusation of sexual abuse is also a crime. I find it highly suspicious that if someone here points out that citizens are innocent until pr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"