Dear Tenzin, The Dorje Shugden issue itself is a huge debate, one I have given a great deal of thought and investigation to (as you have). From your perspective, it is clear that Dorje Shugden is harmful and the arguments in favor of him are without basis, and from my perspective, after my own thorough investigation I have come to the opposite conclusion - that Dorje Shugden is beneficial and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

a correction: my phrase: "Another point in your precious post:" should be "Another point in your previous post:" when I stated: "I see just nothing wrong to point out that something is harmful if it is harmful. I see nothing wrong in defending the own understanding." I included that I view it also as being correct to defend Shugden worship.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotedspak08Dear Tenzin, I did not see until today that you posted a lengthy reply to my original post. Thank you very much for your reply. I think this is the first time we have actually had a direct exchange (normally you ignore my postings elsewhere), and I appreciate this opportunity to discuss with you. .... All the best, Dspak P.S. My original post and apology was not a 
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear Tenzin, I am happy we seem to be having a constructive exchange. Lets hope we can sustain it. I will try from my side to do so. For me, the starting point for resolving this issue is whether or not the Dharma taught by Geshe-la is good or not. For some people, it is, and they do not feel the need for anything more. They feel like they have all they need to advance along the path, a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear Dspak, thank your for your kind respond. I am very sorry that I’ve ignored you, but I have to find a mode to focus on what I see as ‘essential’ in this case, and these are mainly structure issues of the organisation, facts the organisation represses or explains in a contorted way, other pov than NKT’s about the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa or Tibetan Buddhism/Vajrayana and what NKT is or is n
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear Tenzin, I did not see until today that you posted a lengthy reply to my original post. Thank you very much for your reply. I think this is the first time we have actually had a direct exchange (normally you ignore my postings elsewhere), and I appreciate this opportunity to discuss with you. Regrettably there is no way I can respond to everything that you mentioned. I simply do not
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteinterestingtonoteDSPAK, Thank you for posting. Since you have been involved with NKT for nearly 15 years perhaps you can answer these questions: 1)Why has Geshe Kelsang not issued a public statement of apology to the sexual abuse victims of his two successors, Genla Thubten Gyatso (aka Neil Elliott) and Genla Samden (aka Steve Wass)? 2)Why has Geshe Kelsang never admitted any wrongd
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Meditation includes also to meditate on constructive emotions, like love or compassion, faith etc. or just to be aware of emotions like anger or jealousy or being aware of thoughts. There are many types of meditations. If you like to read something by a Buddhist masters who works with scientists, I can strongly recommend "The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness&qu
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm interested in learning more about meditation and attended a few classes at a nearby Starbucks, which I later learned were being taught by an NKT monk. I didn't connect with what he was teaching (especially when he read from books written by his spiritual leader) and am now going more with my intuition and keeping things simple -- mostly focusing on my breath as it fills and then
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear Dspak08, maybe my reply is was not helpful at all and is destructive for a fair dialogue. Assuming a good motivation which led you to post your post above: You tried to build a bridge with the emphasize on 'both sides have a good motivation' and I questioned that approach and thereby rejected that bridge, and a possible basis for communication was thereby destroyed by me. Maybe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

DSPAK, Thank you for posting. Since you have been involved with NKT for nearly 15 years perhaps you can answer these questions: 1)Why has Geshe Kelsang not issued a public statement of apology to the sexual abuse victims of his two successors, Genla Thubten Gyatso (aka Neil Elliott) and Genla Samden (aka Steve Wass)? 2)Why has Geshe Kelsang never admitted any wrongdoing in this regard, o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I wish to broaden one point I claimed above. I said: "they are just leaving an organisation, this is their freedom. " Ok from a NKT follower's perspective they are leaving a "pure tradition", there may be a doubt if this is their freedom or correct. If one looks in the biographies of the masters it is correct to leave a certain school. Gampopa followed for about six y
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear dspak08, It looks like every communication with someone from NKT has to be started with a correction or refuting a certain position. So I do it also here: I do not present the NKS. And for the purpose to prevent other speculations: I also do not present the Dalai Lama or FPMT or anybody else. From a neutral pov the NKS is neither correct nor wrong it was created with a certain purpo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear Tenzin, (I am sorry for this long message. I hope it will nonetheless be approved. I am speaking from my heart and from a space of wanting things to get better). I understand and fully respect what the intention of the NKS group is. As you present it, there is of course nothing wrong with it. I also think that in some ways the group does some good, because you are right it is by
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is a way to get an outside perspective: HH Dalai Lama gave a two day lecture on one of Tsonkapa's texts. QuoteTeaching in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. on April 27 & 28: His Holiness will give a teaching on Je Tsongkhapa's In Praise of Dependent Origination (tendrel toepa) at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium organized by the Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose, Califor
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear interestingtonote, my pov is, it is easy to let go if one understands the causes and conditions which gave rise to certain events. All what we perceive within/about NKT is dependent arising, based on causes and conditions. I try to focus on the process of what gave rise to NKT and what role GKG plays to understand NKT and NKT's dynamics. If I understand, I can see what appears is just
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The other thing that confuses me is on the blogs it now says Geshe Kelsang is against the tulku system, but while at Manjushri I met the tulku of his mother, who sat near the front during teachings etc. he even mentions how he found her in one of her books. how do the NKT rank and file explain such inconsistencies?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For me what is so hurtful is... I see geshe kelsang and his wss people demanding apologies from people and saying people arent accountable, are liars. Saying the Dalai Lama should admit he is wrong. But this is over a theology issue... on the other hand, geshe kelsang picked two successors who sexually abused a number of women. He has never apologized for making such bad decisions, or issued a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Well. Yes, just look around and check out different places and teachers. Take time. Good Luck!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks very much for all that you posted. NKT's web attacks of hate simply confirm I made the right decision. I will read up on everything you posted. At the moment, looking for a suitable Buddhist teacher. Don't so much care if it is the Tibetan tradition or another tradition anymore.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear interestingtonote: Alexander Berzin's book, Relating to a Spiritual Teacher, was written to serve the needs of persons in your situation. He also has a website that may enable you to see the differences between authentic Tibetan Buddhism and situations that actually depart from the precepts. A good test is to see if a book or method draws attention to the personality of the teach
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you for your brave to post your experiences, interestingtonote! I hope you are fine after leaving? In a way I am happy that you were just for 18 months in NKT. There are people who gave 7-12 or more years of their life, money, time and faith into it, to finally find out that they were "being duped". Then there are people who seem to never find there way out of it... There
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I wish to correct some points or add point of views with respect to the two posts I’ve sent. 1. there are more accounts of former members reporting their experience in NKT public on the internet available. e.g. Also there are a lot of discussion groups were people expressed their bad experiences with NKT. I think, that the NKS has 750 members is a testament of wrong dev
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is no need to go tell Emma C to 'get the Sogyal thread moving', as she does not report ever having been involved with Sogyal/Rigpa. The football hooligans are a forthright and honest bunch compared with what we have seen of DW and NKT on the RR.com mesage board. Persons who decide to gang up and defend the honor of their team with fists and boots know the risks they will in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

i'd say, to anyone interested in finding out more about NKT, good or bad: please rely on your own experience. by that i mean please don't take my word for it that NKT has a lot of good to offer, and please don't take Tenzin Peljor's word for it that NKT is a cult. i'd suggest making your own mind up: take care and stay critical, but keep an open mind; ask a lot of q
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear RR moderator and all, I'm pretty sure this won't be posted as my last message was not and I've heard since that 2 other people have not had their messages posted, so clearly this is not a place where we are supposed to stand up for ourselves. (Maybe this is unrelated, but I have had to change my password each time I've tried to enter this forum also.) Is it not iro
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

pema: Emma was never part of Sogyal's group at all, why are you bringing this up? What is your purpose?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear WisdomFire, Jimmy and Atisha’s Cook. It is fine that you defend your tradition, the NKT. However, it is plain wrong that 1. the New Kadampa Survivors are a “hate group” 2. do not allow positive statements about NKT 3. that David and I wish to destroy NKT The Forum is very moderate and liberal. But as it was/is monitored and undermined by actual members who attacked forum member
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you, interestingnote. Also, just to keep things clear, this discussion thread has to do with NKT, NOT with other troubled groups, such as Sogyals. Likewise, the Ole thread has to do with discussions of the Diamond way, not with Sogyal. It does not mean that Leader A's problems with money sex and power are less important and matter less than Leader B's misuse of money sex
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

An account of problems at a UK NKT centre by a survivor here: A critique of NKT's web tactics to silence critics (which includes posting psychiatric biographies of its detractors) here: www.nktworld.org (check the essay section for a critique of the overhwhelm and threaten with lawsuit tactics of NKT)
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"