A "Maitreya" To Avoid
norbu_tragri
Real Name:
Ronald Lloyd Spencer (American, b. 1951)
Past Aliases:
Archangel Michael ;
Avatar Archangel Michael/Metatron ;
Melchizedeck the Ancient of Days ;
Babaji ;
Tulku Karma Sonam Phuntsok Rinpoche ;
the Lord of Shambhala Sanat Kumara ;
Tulku Je Tsong Khapa Gyalwa Rinpoche.
Current Aliases :
Tulku Buddha Maitreya Rinpoche ;
Lama Dorje Buddha Maitreya Jesus Archangel Michael ;
the American Buddha.
Henry Chia has collected extensive information on this person.
Here are some highlights from Mr.Chia's website:
From a recent news article posted in CultNews.com on November 01,
2002:
"CALIFORNIA "CULT" LEADER MAKES "BASELESS" CLAIMS ABOUT THE DALAI LAMA
OF TIBET
A former truck driver who now runs a "cult" in California has
proclaimed himself "Buddha Maitreya" and announced on radio that he
and the Dalai Lama of Tibet are working together.
Ronald Lloyd Spencer, known to his followers as "Buddha Maitreya,"
says that he and the Dalai Lama will soon be "sitting on throne seats
next to each other." Spencer runs "therapy and retreat centers" in Mt.
Shasta, California and Omaha, Nebraska.
He made these and other bizarre claims on his radio shows, which are
broadcast in the Bay area of San Francisco on 1450 KFST FM, KNRY 1240
AM in Santa Cruz and in Omaha on KKAR Talk. Past programs are archived
at his website "buddhamaitreya.org."
However, it seems that Mr. Spencer is a liar.
A former secretary who served His Holiness the Dalai Lama and is now
at Stanford University said the would-be Buddha's claims are "totally
untrue and baseless." Secretary Tenzin Geyche Tehton added that what
Spencer says concerning the Dalai Lama is "totally nonsense" and
simply "rubbish."
It seems Mr. Spencer collects donations for "lifesaving assistance,"
which may explain how he managed to arrange various photo ops to show
supporters and to post at his website.
However, according to those who know "His Holiness Buddha Maitreya" as
just Ron, his sordid past includes theft, sexual abuse, fraud and
"brainwashing." One of his victims referred to him as little more than
a "con man."
It seems Mr. Spencer collects donations for "lifesaving assistance,"
which may explain how he managed to arrange various photo ops to show
supporters and to post at his website.
Spencer may say that donations "help in the restoration of [Tibetan]
monasteries," but you won't find a detailed and independently audited
financial statement on his website, to demonstrate dollar-for-dollar
how the money is spent.
One former Spencer confidant observed, "I pity the poor monasteries
that cannot possibly have the slightest hint about how he is using
them."
Of course the "monks" do benefit from the spiritual teachings of their
"Buddha", an eclectic mix of "New Age" beliefs that includes
everything from the "Archangel Michael" to the "Lost Continent of
Atlantis." Spencer even promotes theories about UFOs.
Moreover, though Spencer's monks may be celibate their "Buddha" is
not. He has been divorced, remarried and has children. And this
"Buddha Maitreya" also has a history of recreational drug use and is a
hemp enthusiast.
From a recent news article posted in CultNews.com on November 09,
2002:
""CULT" LEADER CLAIMS HE'S BEEN TAPPED AS THE NEXT DALAI LAMA OF TIBET
Former truck driver now "cult" leader Ronald Lloyd Spencer calls
himself "Buddha Maitreya." But it seems being "Buddha" is just not
enough for the Californian.
According to a listener Spencer claimed on his radio show, "that [the
Dalai Lama of Tibet] will retire next July and in recognition of
'Buddha Maitreya'…crown him…and hand over all…ashrams…as well as [his]
spiritual seat" to Spencer.
This announcement was made on Spencer's "Shambhala Hour" program,
which is broadcast in the Bay area, Santa Cruz and Omaha, Nebraska.
http://www.geocities.com/athens/ithaca/4886/tbm01.htm
______________________
An official email from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
regarding Tulku Buddha Maitreya:
"Dear Ratna Henry Chia,
Thank you for your email. I am to inform you that the person you
mentioned in your email as being a tulku has never been endorsed or
recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We had received quite a
number of letters and emails recently and in the past regarding this.
With best wishes,
Tenzin Wangden Andrugtsang
oh...@vsnl.com"
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