Samye Ling sex scandal?
Mary Finnigan
It seems a sex scandal at the Samye Ling Kagyu centre in Scotland is
currently being reported in the Glasgow papers. Does anyone know more
about this? Or perhaps a URL where the reports are archived?
Thanks
Mary
Don Martin
simple matter to approach he Glasgow newspapers direct and ask them if there
is any basis for these allegations, or is it as you say just jungle drums?
I'm not suggesting that this should be concealed if there is indeed a need
for concern, simply that it may be wholly inappropriate to publicise this
story world-wide on the newsgroups before facts have been established. I do
realise however that with your forthcoming book in mind, you may have a
vested interest. Your 'headline' is worthy of any Sunday tabloid!
regards,
Don
"Mary Finnigan" <ma...@pema.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:JfnPZOAm...@pema.demon.co.uk...
Mary Finnigan
>****** With your contacts Mary I would have thought that it would be quite a
>simple matter to approach he Glasgow newspapers direct and ask them if there
>is any basis for these allegations, or is it as you say just jungle drums?
contacts on full alert I have not yet managed to track down the relevant
copies.
>for concern, simply that it may be wholly inappropriate to publicise this
>story world-wide on the newsgroups before facts have been established.
only allegations. There are probably more allegations on Usenet than any
other world medium!
> I do
>realise however that with your forthcoming book in mind, you may have a
>vested interest.
>Your 'headline' is worthy of any Sunday tabloid!
have been more creative:-)
Cheers
Mary
Richard Hayes
> >Your 'headline' is worthy of any Sunday tabloid!
> Oh thanks -- I thought it was banal. If I was being paid for it I would
> have been more creative:-)
SEXUAL ESCAPADES ROCK BUDDHIST CULT HQ
When is your book appearing, Mary? Will it make the headlines of
tabloids in such remote and insignificant regions of the earth as
Canada?
--
Richard Hayes
Tenzin Choedrak
The so-called scandal, if it is even true, does NOT involve Akong Tulku
Rinpoche or the Retreat Lama. It involves a monk who is being accused of
assaulting a girl. I think we can learn from this that we cannot simply put
on robes, an outer transformation that is, --we must undergo a true inner
transformation. It is said that sometimes we think by ignoring something we
will not want it anymore, when in fact, sometimes one can grow more and more
attached and desire it more and more (please do not take this as meaning one
shouldn't become a monastic in anyway, but one must be a monastic on the
outside AND inside).
In this case, my advice is to recognize that Samye Ling and Rinpoche are
both wonderful and a place where the authentic dharma is taught and learned.
Whether or not all the students, both asian and western, who attend want to
take to heart the teachings is their own downfall or glory.
Right now, the Kagyu Lineage is about to take a turn for the best. All the
maras are going to unveil themselves within the next few months...when there
is much dharma there is always much mara... So, before everything gets
sorted out, obstacles will arise.
regards
Tenzin-la
Mary Finnigan
The awesomely creative Richard Hayes writes:
>SEXUAL ESCAPADES ROCK BUDDHIST CULT HQ
>
>When is your book appearing, Mary?
have personally experienced.
> Will it make the headlines of
>tabloids in such remote and insignificant regions of the earth as
>Canada?
content.
Love and sunbubbles,
Mary
>
Mary Finnigan
>
>
>The so-called scandal, if it is even true, does NOT involve Akong Tulku
>Rinpoche or the Retreat Lama.
> It involves a monk who is being accused of
>assaulting a girl.
contact with a 16 year old boy, plus other ramifications which caused
Akong R to fly back from his travels to attempt to sort it out.
>In this case, my advice is to recognize that Samye Ling and Rinpoche are
>both wonderful and a place where the authentic dharma is taught and learned.
>Whether or not all the students, both asian and western, who attend want to
>take to heart the teachings is their own downfall or glory.
be aware of. FYI, I have been going to Samye Ling since 1969. I love
the place and the people. I do not, however, buy into the culture of
denial that is endemic in TB. This is the first time that scandal has
emerged into public scrutiny from Samye Ling. But it is not the first
time that human fallibility has caused serious problems there. The fact
that their pioneering work with very damaged people has not erupted into
public scandal until now says a lot for the loyalty of all concerned --
and the respect (which I share) that Akong R and his brother Lama Yeshe
have earned over many years.
Mary
Silvia Brandmeier
"bullshit". Silvia
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Stefan Gmaj
> I am told that it involves a western monk who has admitted sexual
> contact with a 16 year old boy, plus other ramifications which caused
> Akong R to fly back from his travels to attempt to sort it out.
I recall it slightly differently i.e. it is alleged that a senior western
monk took
advantage of a more junior monk but my memory is imperfect. What I do recall
was that the Abbott reported that this was "quite common" in monasteries in
Tibet!
Anyhow this story was reported along with other stuff (like monks on the
dole) in a FRONT + 2 page spread in the Scottish Daily Record about two
weeks ago - BEFORE Easter (You'll need to go to the Library and trawl
through the back copies)
Tenzin Choedrak <obr...@frontiernet.net> wrote
It involves a monk who is being accused of
assaulting a girl.
This is a NEW story about a further incident that is alleged to have
happened on
Easter Monday. See http://www.record-mail.co.uk/shtml/NEWS/P18S1.shtml
Sorry folks I know this is uncomfortable but necessary
(A bit like going to the dentist!)
imho If these kind of matters can be sorted out amicably in private then
fine, so long as they don't keep repeating (i.e checks and balances are put
in place to minimise chances of reoccurrence). However when these things get
out into the public domain or other agencies become involved then there is
at least a duty to accuracy.
Don't lose faith the Karma Kagyu it is a great lineage
Monks are human - how could it be otherwise?
Stefan Gmaj
> I recall it slightly differently.....
Having not slept well last night I realised I made a mistake posting this
message. Whilst I thought my intention was OK I have since realised that I
was careless
'stirring-it' more.
These are unhappy incidents, if they actually happened as reported. We don't
have all the facts and cannot even confirm what was supposed to have
happened (Particularly in the latter case).
We need to have compassion both for the 'victims' and the alleged
perpetrators. We all make mistakes, hopefully we learn from our mistakes and
try not to make them again...
I am very sorry for any extra stress I may have caused as a result of my
post.
I wish all concerned, victims and accused, peace, happiness and a quick
healing from these unfortunate circumstances....
I think I'll take Tang's advice and go meditate in a field where I can't do
any harm!
Yours sheepishly, Stefan
Mary Finnigan
>I can not see anything in Tenzins post that deserves the expression
>"bullshit".
of under-the-carpet. The extent of the absence of fundamental human
kindness that has been glossed over/excused/rationalised/ignored in the
name of protecting TB would reduce any averagely-sensitive person to
tears. I have cried several times.
Mary
Paul Kenyon
Mary Finnigan <ma...@pema.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:JfnPZOAm...@pema.demon.co.uk...
> Just caught up with the jungle drums...
> It seems a sex scandal at the Samye Ling Kagyu centre in Scotland is
> currently being reported in the Glasgow papers. Does anyone know more
> about this? Or perhaps a URL where the reports are archived?
> Thanks
> Mary
The report in the Daily Record was a very thin unsubstantiated story about
sexual advances, monks claiming unemployment benefit, and drugs at the Samye
Ling. The newspaper reoprted this "story" eighteen months after the
supposed events on a day when the Scottish Sun were reporting on a
shopkeeper who displayed "half naked Barbie dolls in her shop window".
The Record gave the story 3 pages which were mostly photographs and not much
text (had I kept the paper I'd have done a word count, I know it wouldn't
take too long), which was clearly padding for a wet uneventful Monday in
Glasgow.
I don't know how much of the story is true, but it's hardly "Watergate".
Ken Holmes
official communication
from Samye Ling concerning the case of the young Tibetan man charged in
Cumbria on
Easter Monday.
"RECENT ERRORS IN PRESS concerning our Centre (Tenzing Chonjoe case)
The Editors, Daily Record, News & Star
Dear Sir,
I would like to draw your attention to the following errors:
1. Tenzing Chonjoe is not a Buddhist monk. (He observed monk's vow
for a
short period only, while staying here, but abandoned them some
months
ago.)
2. He is not a resident at our Centre. He resided here from April
1999-
January 2000 and has since been based elsewhere. He was not allowed
to
return to the Centre on account of the disturbance he caused here in
January of this year, when he regressed into alcohol abuse.
We would also like to make very clear the following point. Tenzing
Chonjoe was
not one of the Tibetans whom we invite from abroad to represent Buddhism
here. He was a refugee lay Tibetan living in the UK, with various
personal
problems, to whom we gave shelter following a strong plea for help and
whom we
tried to assist, with some temporary success.
I hope you will find the opportunity in your columns to clarify our
position in regard
to this person and to write any future articles in a way which does not
give an
unnecessarily negative impression of Buddhism or the work of our
charitable Trust"
This was signed by myself.
Concerning the other incident. It took place almost 2 years ago. It was
taken seriously by
Lama Yeshe and the senior sangha at the time (the report about it being
brushed aside is
untrue - that's Kevin's version). There was a disciplinary hearing,
punishment and steps taken
to try to avoid a similar thing happening again. When, in more recent
times, Kevin brought
the matter up with us (after he has left the centre, for private reasons
unrelated with anything
here) again, the monk involved and some senior sangha went straight to
the police to explain
what had happened and to let them know that there may be a complaint and
that we would
co-operate fully and openly. We know of no investigation by them, to
date.
The other newspaper allegations, quoting Kevin, about social security
fraud etc. are
unfounded. We work closely with DSS and local government to try and have
procedures that
work in everyone's best interests. We would love them to do a thorough
investigation so that
the public is assured this is the case.
Surely I don't even need to defend a lama having use of satellite TV and
a car, when he
travels a great deal and needs to know what is going on in the world (not
much Asian news
on terrestrial channels).
Hope this helps
Ken Holmes
Director of Studies
Kagyu Samye Ling
Mary Finnigan wrote:
> Just caught up with the jungle drums...
> It seems a sex scandal at the Samye Ling Kagyu centre in Scotland is
> currently being reported in the Glasgow papers. Does anyone know more
> about this? Or perhaps a URL where the reports are archived?
> Thanks
> Mary
--
<html>
<b>Kenneth Holmes<br>
</b>Buddhist author, translator and teacher,<br>
Director of Studies, <br>
Kagyu Samye Ling monastery and Tibetan Centre<br>
Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, SCOTLAND DG13 0QL<br>
<br>
kenh...@rokpa.org<br>
<br>
alternative e-mail (if trouble with above)<br>
hol...@easynet.co.uk<br>
<br>
webmaster <a href="http://www.rokpa.org/">www.rokpa.org</a><br>
webmaster <a href="http://www.samye.org/">www.samye.org</a><br>
webmaster <a href="http://www.stupa.org/">www.stupa.org</a><br>
own website: <a
href="http://www.rokpa.u-net.com/">www.rokpa.u-net.com</a></html>
mag...@my-deja.com
Just another reminder to keep in mind that tabloid journalists publish
on innuendo, not research, on hearsay, not documented fact. Don't
believe what you read! And anything which sites "a source," "a source
close to...," "an unnamed source," etc. hold at arm's length between
your thumb and forefinger. I guess it is hard to distinguish sometimes
between what is news and what is gossip, what the public has a "need to
know" and what is just pushing the sale of papers. It appears the Samye
Ling scandal is of that ilk.
The sad thing is, whatever the actual circumstances, is the damage has
been done. Most folks *don't* read past the headlines so the takeaway
for them is what -- actually, would you care to speculate for us, Mary
Finnigan? "Samye Ling sex scandal?" was your headline. How would you
say that your repeating this is of use and benefit -- or how would you
say you are serving justice? I think perhaps there is not really this
idea of innocent until proven guilty overseas, maybe? Anyway, please
clarify.
PS: Can't wait to see how many folks went on the record in your book.
Mary
In article <390DA362...@ropa.org>,
Ken Holmes <kenh...@ropa.org> wrote:
> ?Here is some information that may help to clarify things. First, an
> official communication
>
Ken Holmes
Yes, the damage is already done. The most painful is caused by the schools
who are cancelling their visits and the parents who won't bring their
children here now. I can understand them but ... uuugh
We can only play it day by day and watch as one newspaper picks it up after
another. We can only correct them after they have published and they have
little interest in publishing our side.
cheers
Ken
Mary Finnigan
Ken Holmes writes:
>
>Yes, the damage is already done. The most painful is caused by the schools
>who are cancelling their visits and the parents who won't bring their
>children here now. I can understand them but ... uuugh
>
>We can only play it day by day and watch as one newspaper picks it up after
>another. We can only correct them after they have published and they have
>little interest in publishing our side.
a spate of rumours that reached me from various sources. I have
subsequently read the story which appeared in The Daily Record/Sunday
Mail. I have also heard some background to what happened from personal
contacts. As you may know, I have been a regular visitor to Samye Ling
since 1969. I have stated on this ng that I respect and admire Akong
Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Losang for their work -- Buddhadharma, Rokpa
Charitable activity and social outreach. The fact that Samye Ling has
remained untainted by public scandal for so many years is a testimony to
the quality of its inspiration and the dedication of all involved. Lama
Yeshe's work with alienated young people has always seemed to me to be a
courageous but risky programme. The risk has been that at some point a
disgruntled defector would bite the hands that attempted to nourish.
This has now happened. It is a great pity and I hope that Samye Ling
will soon recover its well deserved excellent reputation. It remains my
spiritual home and that of many others who encountered Buddhist
teachings there for the first time.
Mary Finnigan
Mary Finnigan
>
>This happens in all traditions, you should be aware of that.
As a relative newcomer to arbt, you are probably not aware that I am.
You may also not be aware that I have never taken sides in the Dorje
Shugden dispute.
Mary
Togyal
incident to this took place a few years back at a well-known US West Coast
based Nyingma Center. It involved a monk and a young boy. The monk was quickly
spirited out of the US to avoid any scandal, and the whole thing was hushed up.
Stuff like this needs to see the light of day. Left to fester, it eats away at
the credibity of Western Dharma.
Klaus Schmetterling
"Togyal" <tog...@cs.com> a écrit dans le message news:
20000503132803...@ng-fc1.news.cs.com...
I don't know. We find the same sort of scandal in any tradition where vows
of celibacy exist. I don't see the connection between sexually frustrated
people with celibacy vows and Dharma or Western Dharma.
Togyal
friend.While attending Seattle University, he was befriended by a Jesuit, who
brecame his mentor and drinking buddy. One night my friend had too many drinks
and passed out. He regained consciousness sometime later. Groggy, he looked up
to see a large crucifix and felt himself being sodomized by the priest who was
laying on top of him. The priest was on old friend of his parents, so he felt
he could never report the incident. It was hushed up. Does that do the Church
any good? The Church would probably think so, but what about the person being
victimized? People rarely care about the victim when religious institutions are
involved.
Mary Finnigan
SNIP
> People rarely care about the victim when religious institutions are
>involved.
Well said. Caring about victims is unfashionable in TB circles, just as
it was off message in the Roman Catholic church for a very long time. A
word of warning: anyone who does publicly declare (especially on this
ng) an emphasis on caring for victims of abuse and misconduct in TB, can
expect a rough ride. Shooting the messenger is the sporting preference
of those who seek to keep the messy stuff festering under the carpet --
and they do it with great venom and great relish. Perhaps we should
examine what is at stake in this context?
*The survival of institutions? And if so, for what purpose? If these
institutions fail to generate broad-spectrum loving kindness within
their respective constituencies are they worthy of our support and
protection?
*The lifestyle of individual teachers? Droit de seigneur meets post-
modern democracy. Does this work to the benefit of all concerned? Should
the well-being of people who feel victimised be sacrificed in favour of
the guru's self indulgence?
The above is off-topic in relation to Samye Ling, but relevant as a
broad issue.
Mary
Francoise .b
Mary Finnigan wrote in message"the culture of denial endemic in TB-(Tibetan
buddhism-) Traditonal buddhist monasticism is totally inadequate for our
times. It breeds diysfunction and perpetrate superstition ie. the near
divine qualities attributed to the officially religious person, confirmed by
the costume and all the rigmarole of respect due to that near divine,
unquestionable person.
Supertition in action, a licence to abuse.
My experience has been with the Thai Theravada monastic tradition as
perpetrated by Westeners in the Group known as the Forest sangha led by a
man Known as Sumedo. Denial is their name!
It has led me to examine the whole tradition in general and buddhist monks
and other "officially "religious leaders too. The theravada tradition is a
sick tradition carrying 2500 years of dysfunction. I am not going to say it
all here. In these "officially" religious groups you find the worse and the
best. This is not the middle way.
I call these people "officially" religious or "officially" spiritual as we
each are religion, we each are the spirit. Religion like yoga means,
linking, uniting. Religious ritual and teachings are merely means of getting
to our center, uniting mind and body and in doing so finding our individual
spirit lconnected and totally interdependant with the Whole.
<22SQDHAw...@pema.demon.co.uk>...
>Tenzin Choedrak writes
>>
>>
>>The so-called scandal, if it is even true, does NOT involve Akong Tulku
>>Rinpoche or the Retreat Lama.
>AFAIK, no-one has suggested that it did.
>> It involves a monk who is being accused of
>>assaulting a girl.
>I am told that it involves a western monk who has admitted sexual
>contact with a 16 year old boy, plus other ramifications which caused
>Akong R to fly back from his travels to attempt to sort it out.
chino...@my-deja.com
Mary Finnigan <ma...@pema.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Togyal writes
>
> SNIP
> > People rarely care about the victim when religious institutions are
> >involved.
>
> Well said. Caring about victims is unfashionable in TB circles, just
as
> it was off message in the Roman Catholic church for a very long time.
A
> word of warning: anyone who does publicly declare (especially on this
> ng) an emphasis on caring for victims of abuse and misconduct in TB,
can
> expect a rough ride. Shooting the messenger is the sporting preference
> of those who seek to keep the messy stuff festering under the carpet -
sometimes true, sometimes not. what is taken as "shooting the
messenger" is often really that; yet perhaps just as often too it is
simply subjecting claims and assertions and allegations (by their very
nature, not infrequently unsubtantiated or even unsubtantiatable) to
the same sort of rigourous and sceptical scrutiny that one is asked by
you and others to apply to lamas.
> and they do it with great venom and great relish. Perhaps we should
> examine what is at stake in this context?
> *The survival of institutions? And if so, for what purpose? If these
> institutions fail to generate broad-spectrum loving kindness within
> their respective constituencies are they worthy of our support and
> protection?
these are worthwhile questions. i would say that some show of respect
for institutions should enter the equation *provided* that they meet
the sort of criteria you set forth. in that case, though, i would
neither want to "tear down the temple" mindlessly *nor* to sweep even a
spot of dust under the carpet. rather, the same perspective one might
use with a beloved but alcoholic parent might be best.
you are quite right to point to the roman catholic church's bad track
record in this regard -- yet TBists have much to learn from the
attitude held by many "dissenting" catholics toward the church. in my
own experience, and with the exception of some now ex-catholic
activists such as the brilliant-but-perpetually-angry mary daly, bold
feminist and other activists within the RC church maintain of posture
of deep love for and faith in the church and its core teachings and
even authority, whilst nonetheless making bold appeals for profound
reform in that church, appeals are simultaneously reasoned, firm,
compassionate-all-around, and respectful.
> *The lifestyle of individual teachers? Droit de seigneur meets post-
> modern democracy. Does this work to the benefit of all concerned?
on general principles, i strongly agree; yet the rub is in the
application of this principle. mary, you and i both greatly respect
and admire trungpa r --yet arguably, in the eyes of many, he himself
would have failed this litmus test. as i have often said, it is often
far easier to accept the lifestyles of individual *dead* teachers.
>Should
> the well-being of people who feel victimised be sacrificed in favour
of
> the guru's self indulgence?
mary, was this a freudian slip? are all "people who feel victimised"
in actual fact really *victims*? is mere allegation of "victimisation"
proof positive of actual victimhood? does one's own sincerely held
view of events and their correct interpretation always withstand
broader review?
as in all things, the middle way is best: neither assuming that all
lamas are fully realised and flawless, nor assuming that all self-
proclaimed "victims" have in fact been victimised.
aiming for equanimity in sceptical scrutiny,
chino
> The above is off-topic in relation to Samye Ling, but relevant as a
> broad issue.
> Mary
>
mag...@my-deja.com
In article <ZugblXAh...@pema.demon.co.uk>,
Mary Finnigan <ma...@pema.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Togyal writes
>
> SNIP
> > People rarely care about the victim when religious institutions are
> >involved.
>
> Well said. Caring about victims is unfashionable in TB circles, just
as
> it was off message in the Roman Catholic church for a very long time.
*** Indeed -- in fact, I would note a notable lack of caring about those
you yourself are victimizing by spreading _unsupported_ rumors and
scandal. Further, my studies have shown me that the bodhisattva should
have more compassion for those who we perceive to do wrong as they are
teaching us the most. I definitely would note a very notable lack of
compassion for those -- and for those who disagree with you as well.
You have even called me a "snivelling hypocrite" in the past for my
postings. Which is no problem for me -- I enjoy your presence here
anyway! :O)
>A
> word of warning: anyone who does publicly declare (especially on this
> ng) an emphasis on caring for victims of abuse and misconduct in TB,
can
> expect a rough ride. Shooting the messenger is the sporting preference
> of those who seek to keep the messy stuff festering under the carpet
--
> and they do it with great venom and great relish. Perhaps we should
> examine what is at stake in this context?
*** It is not a question of shooting the messenger. Making such an
accusation is an attempt to hide the fact that these many, many of these
stories are either not told in full or are based on pure gossip with
absolutely no supporting facts and properly researched back-up. Or even
with the basic objective reporting technique of giving the accused a
chance to respond. It is almost like some of our tabloid journalist
friends are willing to believe whatever they hear right off the cuff --
and do no investigation whatsoever to find out the truth of the matter.
If any is done they'd rather attempt to collect dubious sources who
won't even have the courage to use their names all just to support
whatever exciting, paper-selling conclusion they initially came up with.
> *The survival of institutions? And if so, for what purpose? If these
> institutions fail to generate broad-spectrum loving kindness within
> their respective constituencies are they worthy of our support and
> protection?
*** You use a word like "institution" and people start picturing a huge
faceless bureaucracy with anonymous secretaries typing out pechas in
cubicles. The fact is, Tibetan Buddhism _is_ a very, very endangered.
But this draws attention away from what is the real matter at hand: lack
of homework, lack of facts, and rumor-mongering to make a buck.
> *The lifestyle of individual teachers? Droit de seigneur meets post-
> modern democracy. Does this work to the benefit of all concerned?
Should
> the well-being of people who feel victimised be sacrificed in favour
of
> the guru's self indulgence?
*** Again, the point is -- what is the reporter gaining by making these
reports which, in cases that something actually did happen, are often
just the messy results of relationships. Yeah, you know, samsara. And
molestation takes place in ALL walks of society. It is not limited to
religious organizations, politics, etc. But that, again, is not the
point. The point is, when a story is told, what's the point? Why is
the story being told? To "warn people off?" The public has a right to
know? How much does the public have a right to know? Where does that
stop?
>
> The above is off-topic in relation to Samye Ling, but relevant as a
> broad issue.
> Mary
** You have yet to apologize for your attention-grabbing headline which
doubtless many folks just saw and filed away mentally as "samye ling =
sex scandal" without bothering to find out any more about it. People
don't read much and usually the headlines are enough to condemn even the
most innocent to infamy for life. (See the stories in the US about the
gentleman accused of the bombing at the Olympics in Atlanta if you'd
like any further proof of this.)
And what is the most bothersome to me in all of this, is that no
journalist ever even bothers to call these masters they are accusing and
give them a chance to respond. This is fair journalism 101. But, hey,
these are not white people -- these are the Asian Hordes coming after
our women, eh? I frankly find it racist in exactly this sense.
Please don't think, folks, that news orgs or publishers of any kind are
afraid of lawsuits. They usually have lawyers who review copy not for
factual correctness -- but for liability. This means it is not about
whether the story is true or not; it is about whether they can be sued
for saying it or not. Huge difference.
This may sound harsh, but I truly hope this helps.
Mary Finnigan
>
>*** Indeed -- in fact, I would note a notable lack of caring about those
>you yourself are victimizing by spreading _unsupported_ rumors and
>scandal.
the Scottish papers were based on grievances aired by one individual,
but they are not unsupported rumours. SL admits that a breach of
monastic discipline did occur. It is also clear that there were many
factual errors and misleading implications in the way the story was
presented in the papers. It fits neatly into a tabloid pro-forma known
in the trade in the UK as *knickers and vicars*. As I have already
stated, it was a gross misrepresentation of the excellent work done at
SL with damaged young people.
general statement, aimed more at this ng than the tabloid media.
> Making such an
>accusation is an attempt to hide the fact that these many, many of these
>stories are either not told in full or are based on pure gossip with
>absolutely no supporting facts and properly researched back-up. Or even
>with the basic objective reporting technique of giving the accused a
>chance to respond. It is almost like some of our tabloid journalist
>friends are willing to believe whatever they hear right off the cuff --
>and do no investigation whatsoever to find out the truth of the matter.
>If any is done they'd rather attempt to collect dubious sources who
>won't even have the courage to use their names all just to support
The tone and content of many of Mary P's posts here reveal deep personal
resentment against popular media. I agree with her critical perspective
in several respects.
>*** You use a word like "institution" and people start picturing a huge
>faceless bureaucracy with anonymous secretaries typing out pechas in
>cubicles. The fact is, Tibetan Buddhism _is_ a very, very endangered.
>But this draws attention away from what is the real matter at hand: lack
>of homework, lack of facts, and rumor-mongering to make a buck.
The youth who told his story to the Scottish papers did so for money. He
was apparently encouraged to do this by another former SL resident, who
was thrown out some time ago for breaking house rules and who was also
nursing a grievance.
>*** Again, the point is -- what is the reporter gaining by making these
>reports which, in cases that something actually did happen, are often
>just the messy results of relationships. Yeah, you know, samsara. And
>molestation takes place in ALL walks of society. It is not limited to
>religious organizations, politics, etc. But that, again, is not the
>point. The point is, when a story is told, what's the point? Why is
>the story being told? To "warn people off?" The public has a right to
>know? How much does the public have a right to know? Where does that
>stop?
We all know that the tabloid media runs stories in order to sell
newspapers which in turn attracts advertising revenue. Conversely, there
are occasions when media exposure serves a useful purpose, especially in
relation to the abuse of power and corruption within politics, big
business, religious hierarchies etc. Is Mary P suggesting that TB should
be exempt from this scrutiny? As Chino points out in a separate post,
there are no concrete boundaries in samsara. He uses Trungpa R as an
illustration -- quite right too. TR was the greatest TB teacher in the
west but he also set in train a series of events which culminated
tragically in several people being infected with HIV.
>
>** You have yet to apologize for your attention-grabbing headline which
>doubtless many folks just saw and filed away mentally as "samye ling =
>sex scandal" without bothering to find out any more about it. People
>don't read much and usually the headlines are enough to condemn even the
>most innocent to infamy for life. (See the stories in the US about the
>gentleman accused of the bombing at the Olympics in Atlanta if you'd
>like any further proof of this.)
Why should I apologise? Of course I wanted to attract attention. Did you
fail to spot the question mark? The headline, it turns out, is entirely
accurate.
>
>And what is the most bothersome to me in all of this, is that no
>journalist ever even bothers to call these masters they are accusing and
>give them a chance to respond.
There were no masters involved in this furore, just an average western
monk who made a human mistake and as a result, fell victim to a
troublemaker. Ken Holmes from SL has responded here. SL has taken steps
to limit the damage caused to its hitherto good reputation. Whether the
media will respond to their input or not remains to be seen. I doubt
very much if the tabloids will run a good news story, but the upmarket
media might at some stage. There have been many stories favourable to SL
in the past and there is no reason why this should not happen again.
>
>This may sound harsh, but I truly hope this helps.
Mary P is writing from NYC, without access to clippings and background.
Everyone connected with SL I have contacted has been open and honest in
their responses. They are shocked and sad that such a distorted picture
has been made public, but no attempts have been made to gloss over the
incident that caused the problem in the first place.
Mary Finnigan
Ken Holmes
broader discussion.
The same has happened here at SL, with this particular incident becoming
the trigger for
many views, opinions and also grudges being expressed. by community
members, ex-
members, locals etc.
It may clarify things to know that the original incident happened in the
night, while the
accused monk was ill and feverish with a severe bout of shingles. He
needed medication and
the younger monk was there to keep an eye on him through the night and
give him
medication around midnight. They had mattresses next to each other. The
incident - one of
'touching' - took place in the feverish sleep of the senior monk. He says
he awoke to find his
hand on the others monk's abdomen and quickly removed it. That is his
version. It does not
excuse the incident but surely puts in into a slightly different light
from cases of very
deliberate abuse.
I have been very moved by the way in which Akong Rinpoche has been
handling this
incident, since it broke in the press. He has taken great pains to speak
with everyone in the
community and the wider community living locally, on a one-to-one basis,
and has welcomed
their criticisms and suggestions and also encouraged them to air any
grievances they might
feel about the way things happen here in general. Not a PR exercise but a
real wish to
appraise things. Through it, we have found that there is a lot to be
learnt and, of course, room
for improvements. By the way, he did not rush back specially because of
this press interest
but came back as had been scheduled. Lama Yeshe did not run out of the
country but was
already away on a tour of our centres in Italy which had been planned for
several months.
Evelyn Ruut
Ken Holmes <kenh...@rokpa.org> wrote in message
news:39147E89...@rokpa.org...
Dear Ken,
Your organization is to be commended for their honesty and openness about
this situation. Some others in other situations have not been, and I think
people are being overly sensitized to issues of this nature now because of
that.
Regards,
Evelyn