Dagri Rinpoche in a 2013 file photo. Photographer unknown
By Lobsang Wangyal
McLEOD GANJ, India, 8 May 2019
Senior Tibetan Buddhist teacher Dagri Rinpoche, who had been accused of molestation earlier this month while on a flight from Delhi to Gaggal, is now facing another molestation charge.
On 3 May a woman filed a police complaint stating that Dagri Rinpoche molested her on board Air India flight that day. Gaggal police detained him for enquiries.
The investigations are going on, but the 65-year-old Rinpoche is now said to be out on bail.
Following this incident, Jakaira Perez Valdivia from Spain has come out with a video accusing him of molesting her at his residence at Namgyal Monastery in McLeod Ganj in 2008. At the time she was a Buddhist nun and living in Dharamshala.
In a YouTube video that Valdivia posted on Tuesday, she said that it took a long time for her to come out and tell what had happened because some people tried to convince her that it didn’t happen, or that whatever he did was out of compassion.
She said in the video that she knew of many other women who had been molested by Dagri Rinpoche. She urged them to come forward to tell their stories.
In 2010, Valdivia wrote a four-page declaration detailing the incident, in which she explained that she had approached Rinpoche for blessing and advice for a disk hernia problem so that she could avoid surgery.
Rinpoche invited her to his residence where he asked her to lay down and take off her clothes so that he could perform “some work” on her. Trusting in him as a revered monk, she removed her outer layer of robes.
He gave her an alcoholic drink saying it was a “holy substance”, which he drank several times during the session, also pouring it on her body.
He touched her body, tried to reach her private parts, and pushed his penis against her back all the while she was protecting herself from his actions.
The four-page statement she wrote was given to the Kangra police. Copies were sent to the Dalai Lama’s Office, and also to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) as he is one of FPMT’s revered touring teachers.
The Dalai Lama’s office set up a meeting between the two of them, for Dagri Rinpoche to apologise. Valdivia said that since he apologised, she didn’t go to the police. FPMT members said he was trying to give a compassionate massage to her.
Dagri Rinpoche was born in Tibet in 1958 and escaped to India in 1982. He is a reincarnation of a great geshe of Lhasa, Pari Dorje Chang, and holds a Geshe Lharampa degree (equivalent to PhD).
Valdivia concluded her video by saying: “Dharma is about telling the truth.” She called on FPMT to face the truth, asking: “What will you do now?”
Ladies and fellow practitioners:
My advice is to always go in a group like most Tibetans do or at least take one firend when you go to see a spiritual master-Tibetan, Japanese, etc. That way you are protected.
I have done that over the past 40 years in Nepal, India, and Tibet and have never had any trouble with lamas. Only once when I accepted a motorcycle ride back from a teachings by a lapsed tulku/monk did I have trouble. But i fought him off and nothing happened.
Early days of FPMT Zeena (spelling?) was also interested in Aleister Crowley, and taught “Lama” Yeshe how to practice Satanism in return for receiving tantric initiations. They thought the two traditions were similar. Her other hippie friends did this too, it was all very ecumenical and “anything goes” in those days. (I think Yeshe needed the money.) Was it abusive? I don’t think so, but it set an example. “Lama” Yeshe used to say that “Satan is Vajra Jesus.” You won’t read that in FPMT books now!
I know a girl who has been molested by vénérable Charles trebaol of vajra yogini Institute fpmt france when she was a teenager. I also know 2 Girls that have been molested by yangsi rinpoche in France. It IS very common in the fpmt.
I personally went to the institute Vajrayogini in France … This kind of approach of Buddhism is very negative and does not present interest in Gelugpa lineage: an ultra-esoteric monastic path (what Christians would call black magic and the others as “astral dark”). Here is the “ism” without the awakening: confessionalism, dualism, the only possible way to awakening would be in “the withdrawal from the world” which is historically fallacious: (Buddha) never initiated any religion, nor said to “believe in anything”. This institute? A copy pasted from a system that has already collapsed in Tibet because engorged in a dubious clergy mixing political and religious power. Not to mention the dark magic murders between the different schools they even divided: this is the case of Gelug. No practice of awareness (as taught at zen) or in dzogchen which is non-dual and liberating vision.
Commentary by Lama Zopa; on the practice of vajrasattva for the laics: “To be mistaken of orifice, creates a negative karma”: Middle Ages!
T-mote – Yangsi is a general title for a recognized tulku child, not a proper name. But at least one adult Tibetan teacher is still generally referred to as Yangsi. He was at the Geshe Sopa’s center and then in Portland, Oregon he founded an institute. Is he the Yangsi you are referring to?
Those so called realised monks are doing dirty things wearing Buddha’s robe. It’s really shameful. So called Dagri or Sogyal should be sent to prison. There is no excuse. Even an ordinary guy like us never touched a woman knowing that it is morally wrong. HH the Dalai Lama should be more strict for there are people like Dagri and Sogyal who’re pulling him down.
If too much like this goes on, Buddhism will suffer in the end.
The introduction of Buddhism to Tibet had both good points and bad. Good, because it tamed the many wild tribes and taught them morals, compassion, empathy and most important of all brought peace to the land. However, as with everything, as the powers of religious institutions grew so too the abuses and corruption. The common Tibetan person could not speak up for fear of retribution and being called an anti-Buddhist.
All the evil that were being done is sanitized as Buddha’s teaching, i.e. homosexual act were claimed to be condone by Buddha himself, when one day while bathing in a river a fish pasted between his thighs etc. Soccer was banned in Tibet because, people were symbolically kicking Buddha’s head.
Politically too, monasteries owned most of the land and the peasants who lived on the plot were automatically indentured for life. The civilian powers were severely curtailed and neutered. The monasteries were so powerful, that HH the Great 13th had a very hard time trying to bring Tibet out of the emaciated state she was in.
I am personally glad that Guru Rimpoche’s prophecy is coming true: “When the iron bird flies, Dharma will go west”. Tibetans will be rid of all the, fame seeking, greedy, sex crazed lamas who are being exposed by westerners and leaving us with the few dedicated pure Lamas.
🌸💖🌸
What pure bullshit! Kamamudra is between two consenting adults who know full well that the relationship they share is for a higher purpose, not some cheap molestation and taking advantage of one’s reputation to exploit. What Dagri Rinpoche did was sexual misconduct as Jakaira certainly did not sign up for it and is still traumatized by the Dagri Rinpoche’s sordid acts. Yeah, stupid people will try to blame her but being Western does not mean she is cheap. Instead, she is still very protective of the Dalai Lama and the ideals of Buddhism. All she wanted was for the predator to be removed from having the opportunity to harm others again. I call that care and kindness that Jakaira has for others, to be able to stand up even knowing many will put her down and question her morality. Kudos to Jakaira.
Dagri Rinpoche must be removed from active teaching position as he has broken his major vow and should not represent the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkapa anymore. No blessings nor power definitely. Really shameful how the Tibetan Leaders are not preserving the Buddha’s teachings as should.
I dunno it sounds fishy. Might be a framing by shugden followers. This Spanish lady sounds too agitated and by the pic the lama doesn’t look like doing that.
@Sonam, I personally know Jakaira and she has NOTHING to do with Shugden stuff. She is telling the truth! Believe it or not, she is honest.
Too agitated! She has suffered trauma from this. Of course she is agitated!
Need proof. If you have proof, bring in. Then everyone can believe in you. So any one accusing has proof, then come forward and show. We will believe you. Or else, how we know if you are framing him for some money. If that’s so, it’s so cheap.
Dear Sonam, you should prove first why you think that Kunsang is one of shugden followers. Can you do that? If you can’t why you mention such a nonsense?
I think the FPMT bashing some display here is not right either. There is a lot of good within the FPMT, a lot inspirational and good work too. However, what is lacking, it seems, is an open approach to the abuse of power, sexual abuse and more critical thinking instead of blind devotion, a lot of projections and the downplaying or denial of the harm which sexual abuse causes.
FPMT is known for basically attracting devotional type of people. This makes it a bit hard to find rational, critical intellectuals. But this all should not lead to condemn a rather healthy and good organisation.
I am not sure if the FPMT is capable of dealing with the whole in a good way. But let’s give them a chance too.
The Tibetan monasteries seem to lack sex education (which includes teachings on boundaries, what abuse is etc.) and a system where abuse can be safely reported and people who speak about abuse or experienced it are not shunned or silenced or blacklisted or criticised.
A lot to be done for sure. But usually, you don’t achieve changes by condemning others or trashing all into the rubbish. People won’t listen to you and nothing changes. You only feel some superficial satisfaction from such condemnations.
Survivors of abuse, however, they should unite, reach out to each other and build a supportive networks. Then you become more powerful than the perpetrators and the organisations who cover them up. A good example – who explicitly followed the Dalai Lama’s advice – are the 8 who wrote the letter on abuse in Rigpa. Another good example is Buddhist Project Sunshine. You can learn from such what works and reaps results. Only complaining, condemning, trashing people and organisations won’t work! People who know survivors of abuse should openly ask them what they need.
This s not true. FPMT does have a complaints mechanism. I helped draft it.
A priest having intercourse with a woman in a tantric manner is called ‘karmamudra’. Mudra is something like a sex partner. Karma is activity. Karmamudra is as important as mahamudra in kagyu sect in the mind of many advanced practitioners of Tibetan lamaism. In other words, sex between celebate monk and woman is as common as indian policemen taking bribe in the classical Tibet. The women were willing accomplices, and many felt blessed by the “holy male genital”.
But problems start to happen when civilizations clash. These clueless lamas are applying karmamudra practice to Western women who are thrice more independent in spirit. Cases like this will continue to happen until CTA organize a workshop for all the lamas in exile – irrespective of their sect or lineage – on sexual conduct and consent. This will go a long way in reducing cases of rape, extorsion, and sexual abuse by Tibetan Lamas.
Sexual misconduct has been an open secret from the advent of Buddhism in Tibet. What is sad is that the taboo breaker has to be a non-Tibetan women who blew off the cover.
All the culprits should renounce their celibacy vows and take refugee in their parents’ homes.
This lama Dagri is long associated with Gaden Podhang and now he is a disgraced lama, so Gaden Podhang must fire him immediately and cut off all the relationship with this lama. So was the lama in Los Angeles Tenzin Dhonden and Kalden Lodoe at Radio Free Asia are disgrace to Gaden Podhang. Tenzin Dhonden’s associate cult leader Keith Raniere is presently indicted for racketeering conspiracy, extortion, forced labor and sex trafficking in a NY court. Kalden Lodoe illegally usurped Tibetan Service Director’s post by colluding with the chief of Radio Free Asia Libby Liu by firing and forcing out two of its former directors Ngapo Jigme and Tenzin Tethong. Kalden Lodoe does pay for play with Libby by his purported contacts with Gaden Podhang and squeezing every bit of benefits from Radio Free Asia thru Libby and vice versa. I heard around 70 percent of Tibetan staff at RFA signed a letter to reject Kalden Lodoe off hand but Libby illegally imposed him as director of Tibetan Service. So why doesn’t Gaden Podang cut off relationship with criminal minded Kalden and Libby who would definitely bring Gaden Podhang’s reputation down and ultimately His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Wouldn’t it be catastrophic disaster to Tibetans and millions of people around world?
This Yangsi Rinpoche of Maitripa college approved by FPMT has kids spread in Europe and North America. He wears attire which looks like a robe to fool vulnerable westerners and SE Asia donors. I hear he left his american wife as soon as she got sick. He is hiding his Tibetan wife and kid from public. Why play these dramas..Is this what FPMT is all about?
More about FPMT will come soon. FPMT support this molester and will continue to support every molester and fake monks.
You are far from FPMT geographically. I am not. Their world headquarters is 8 blocks from my home. From 2008 until 2016, I attended programs and classes at their advanced-degree secular college, Maitripa, here in Portland Oregon. Relative to most of the world, I saw *a lot* of FPMT and LZR this decade. They wreak.
I also was used unwittingly as I was not savvy that the teacher/co-founder of the college – a llarumpa geshe who dropped the robe and has a chapter in Lhundrup Sopa’s Biography, “Like a Waking Dream,” – was wearing one face to appear as a joyful and pure hearted teacher in intention, but expressed his grasping at true motive in private. He believed that once Emptiness was Realized, all Ethics were but fuel for his own rise to Power.
He spoke of power all the time, but never of relationship mundane to Ultimate power. He used the word power in every teaching, but never love, and rarely Bodhichitta. His motivation betrayed his intention. He was in service to such an organization.
His remaining teacher now sits on HHDL’s Gendun throne. All his other teachers, 2nd co-founder, and prior Tri Rinpoche died w/in 2 years. Ethics died, too. His consort of many years almost died of a dble aneurism, replaced immediately by a consort as FPMT brand approved, had been corrupted to hate and use “black” siddhi. LZP stayed in AU, rarely returning.
Tenzin, FPMT wreaks of a floral scented corpse. You can find evidence. FPMT public Dharma education series wanes, the colleges wax. Only two now exist – in Italy and down the street from me. Check Wikipedia edits for Maitripa. LZP is listed as sole founder, right after 2nd co-founder died at 47. FPMT re-writes history all the time. FPMT is a PR firm except in name.
Who becomes a monk these days? A poor, destitute and orphan. There are very few from well to do families who send their children to become a monk. In a way…making someone a monk against their will or out of poverty.. it is but absolute voilation of human rights as the poor child is subjected to molestation and sexual abuse by big lamas of tulku’s order. Simply discontinue the tradition of making monks (dapa) at a very young age. If someone wants to become a monk out of reverence and understanding…they are welcome.
Monasteries does not make young kids a monk, their parents does probably out of poverty or reverence. You must have a clear proof before denigrating whole Buddha dharma community of molestation and sexual abuse. There are mischievous individual everywhere even in other religious institutions be it Hinduism, Islamic, Christianity, etc but we should not calumniate the whole religion due to certain individuals’ sordid acts.
That is how Buddhism reformed in Taiwan during industrialization era under the label of humanistic Buddhism. Yes there are still many problems and occassional scandals etc but quality of monastics is very high and able to be more beneficial to society and lay devotees bc nearly all finished high school and college or some work experience before becoming monastics. So then after studying sutras and meditation training, they are more skilled in many other areas like running service projects, dharma programs, Buddhist colleges, temples for working lay people etc.
Another advantage they have are educated and fully ordained nuns, so ani gompa are all having ani abbess and government according to nuns vinaya. When girls and lay women and men see the ordained women very educated and capable, it is easier for them to feel confidence of dharma leadership.
For Tibetan Buddhism, HH Karmapa has expressed intention to bring such culture to Tibetan Buddhism. Maybe the new Geshema graduates will take some initiative for this some day.
Couldn’t agree with you more 🙏
As for the FPMT organisation, which has repeatedly resisted needed reforms / accountability, please give thought to finally bringing about meaningful & rapid change by participating in a worldwide ‘Me Too’ Boycott of all FPMT centers.
Enough is Enough!
Thank-you Jaki for your exemplary courage, compassion and wisdom. May you have the best of health and well being, always!
In response to the numerous and varied accounts of student abuse over many years by Buddhist teachers of all traditions, let us pray:
“May every Buddhist teacher be held legally accountable to each and every individual that has described various types of abuse, personally apologize to each individual, vow never to do the harmful behavior again and pay restitution and/or do prison time in each case.
“May the Buddhist teachers who impart instruction about guru devotion and samaya do so, without using these Buddhist related teachings as a means to manipulate and harm others. May it be so.”
And what of the monks who flaunt their homosexuality as a sign of their non-attachment to women? This is rife in the Tibetan monastic system & not limited to any sect in particular. I have seen 16 year old novices at Kopan wearing pink nail polish. And even Dudjom Rinpoche’s incarnation complained about older monks coming into his room at night & molesting him. If they would do that to a high tulku what would they do to other young monks?
The quality of lamas and tulkus is surely declining. Lamas living in the midst of all the comfort and luxuries of the world sit on the throne and talk of shunning materialism. I have heard about lamas charging high fees for teachings which in other word is commercialising the words of Buddha. Anybody can become a tulku with some connection to a Rinpoche. If the father is a tulku then the son surely is a tulku.
His Holiness all the time warns followers to enquire about the teacher first and then follow but Western followers love to be associated with Richie rich lamas.
Thank you, Valdivia! You have done a great service to Buddhism, though your effort rightly exposed the hypocrisy rampant in Lamaism. Just how many Tibetan women and nuns’ lives these lamas ruined, but they can’t come out of their hypocritical society.
I believe in Jakaira Perez Valdivia 100%. FPMT should stop promoting this molester who will bring more harm to other people. Jakaira Perez Valdivia can you file a police report and court case against your molester in EU court? This molester should be stopped before he start harming more innocent and vulnerable students.
The Buddha was himself a monk and had high regard for monasticism as the bedrock of Buddhism. He had also clearly outlined provisions for “expulsion” to weed out the corrupt and miscreant monks. In his life, Buddha had expelled many monks from monasteries for the good of Dharma and to justify people’s trust in the Sangha as the sole keeper of Dharma.
It is in fact true and sad that a few disrobed monks, including some prominent people, first have sex with women and then disrobe either voluntarily or after they’re caught pants down. This is not how it is done. First disrobe, then follow your wild dreams.
I think, these are what Tibetan monks should avoid:
1. Keeping women in their quarters
2. Unnecessarily touching women, even if it is out compassion
3. Walking hand in hand with female siblings and relatives in public places (people don’t know that she’s your sister)
4. Eating private dinner with a woman
5. Liking, following and making execssive praises to girls on Facebook and social forums
6. Showing off expensive phones, goggles, cameras, etc, in public places
7. Going to cinema halls and dance in robes [wear maroon track pants]
8. Eating in bar or with people drinking alcohol.
The bottomline is simple. If you can’t follow the rule prescribed by the Buddha, better stop pretending to be one. A fake and corrupt monk is better than no monk at all. These few rotten Tomatoes bring bad names to hundreds of other good monks and nuns who are true to the Dharma, in spirit and practice.
Thank you, Lobsang Wangyal la for giving this issue a platform for discussion. In Dharma terms, it is called “The Virtuous Cleansing.”
It is true that the FPMT needs to have a clearer policy for reporting and dealing with potential abuse, but to say they have actively been covering up anything is a total misrepresentation of the events. As for the events in 2008, FPMT had been in contact with HHDL’s office, and were informed that the accusations were dropped, the police were not going any further with investigation, and that HHDL office had offered mediation session. (Also remember that HHDL’s office is not same as HHDL, but rather it is referencing lay people on the office staff).
From FPMT side, if accusations were dropped then there is nothing else for them to do. There have been *no other* public accusations against this Rinpoche before or after the 2008 incident until this current accusation from the woman on the plane.
I am not denying Jakaira’s account, it may be 100% accurate. But if the charges are dropped and there are no additional accusations, what is an organization like FPMT, who were not part of the original accusation nor part of the investigation, to do? If the police say the accusation and charges were dropped due to lack of evidence and they are told that official mediation has happened, how are they expected to do more than that? And now with this current instance, if, again, the charges are dropped or there is no further investigation, what should they do? If the charges are not dropped and investigation moves forward then yes they have a responsibility. But if they are dropped?
My point is that to claim FPMT has been aiding in covering up repeat offenses is simply not true. There has been one accusation and those charges were (officially) dropped, and that is what FPMT acted on. Of course now we wait to see results of this new accusation and how HHDL’s office and…
I think that FPMT ought to be honour-bound to explore the situation and allegations. Must we be dependent on outer “policing”. Surely neither Lama Yeshe nor Lama Zopa Rinpoche would condone inappropriate actions. Perhaps FPMT has or is conducting and internal investigation?
I wouldn’t make any assumptions about what Zopa would or wouldn’t do. He and Yeshe used to live high on the hog, hanging with rich hippies while the child monks in their care went hungry. Osel (the supposed Spanish Rinpoche) left the organization, but went right back as soon as he realized he was never going to find a job in the real world, might as well sponge off the devotees.
I guess this is the FPMT’s biggest issue–its authoritarian leadership structure. The “lamas” do what they want, and the “members” are really just donors.
Pure, total rubbish! Do not denigrate Lama Zopa and Lama Yeshe or the FPMT. There were no “rich hippies” around them, the little monks ate their fill and the lamas quarters were Spartan. I lived in Kopan many years since the early days and I know what I am talking about.
Daja Wangchuk Meston was one of those little monks. (His mother was a Western nun.) Read his book “Comes the Peace.” He talks about going hungry all the time–until he realized that as a white boy, he could get away with eating from the Western cafeteria. He was also deprived of sleep, mistreated by the other boys, and not given much of an education. Yeshe and Zopa didn’t care.
The hippies were rich by comparison with locals, and Zeena was rich by any standard. (It was her money that bought Kopan.) For a long time Yeshe was called “paisa lama” (paisa means money) because of his willingness to teach high-level tantra to Western beginners. In fact no Tibetan would have called him a “lama” if not for Westerners following him. (In those days foreigners thought that was just the normal term for a Tibetan monk.)
I don’t know if they covered up or not. The questions which must be honestly answered by the FPMT are among others:
1) how many cases of molesting women by Dagri Rinpoche have been reported to them in the last 30 years?
2) what was their response to these reported cases?
3) did they offer financial or psychological help / therapy?
4) how could it come that FPMT people tell a victim of molesting that groping her breasts and pressing the lama’s genital in her back is a compassionate massage? Why invalidating survivors’ experiences?
5) even if police does not act the FPMT might have to act because it might not be a criminal offence (like slaughtering a pig) but still unethical and damaging for FPMT female students.
6) does FPMT know of more cases not officially reported to them (because of shame, fear, fear of being shunned) and did they reach out for support to survivors?
Tibet for 21 century needs less monks and nuns but more educated lay population who are constructive and innovative for future Tibetan existence in modern society. The monks, nuns and monasteries are no more building blocks of nation and healthy rich society.
Kalsang, I don’t agree with you here.
Tibetan culture is based on Dharma, which has pure monks and nuns as its ultimate custodians.
I would rephrase by saying that Tibet for the 21st century needs less “bad quality” monks and nuns.
From a Dharma perspective, the more ordained people on this world, the better, provided they behave and practice purely.
Let’s recall that what makes all this possible is the Abiding Buddha Nature, and that everything changes but that.
Thus there are no bad quality beings. There are no pure monks and nuns.
All this is up to you to work out as seeing what the connection is. The Christians call this “as above, so below.”
Wisdom and compassion of the Buddha are right there for anyone who wants it.
Enjoy!
Of course there are “bad quality” and “pure” monks and nuns, on a conventional level.
If monastics don’t abide by the law of Vinaya, then they are not “pure”. Otherwise where do we draw a line?
You cannot abandon every conventional judgement on a person on the basis that he or she has Buddha nature.
Whatever each individual internally thinks or perceives, is a different matter. If you have pure view, amazing achievement.
But outwardly we should judge according to conventionalities, such as whether the behaviour of the person is in accordance with the laws or not.
If sexual molestation can be dismissed as ‘ compassionate massage,’ then all pedophiles and ex-monks will go around giving compasssionate massage to everyone, even minors.
Yes, Lobsang Wangyal of Tibetsun is known to give massage to blonde tourists in Mcloed Ganj. But in those cases, both parties knew what should be expected from the word ‘ massage.’
I even heard Loten Namling had tried to ‘ massage’ a blonde in Germany, which got him into a big mess.
I urge all Tibetans to stop giving massage. It is possible to live without giving message, is it not?
So such a complex area. Where abuse takes place we need to shut it down but there are also folks who collect lama experiences and used to brag that they have slept with xxx or yyy. In the end people must use thier sixth sense. My humble take is that celibacy suits some but not all entrants to the Holy Orders but they have to go through that door. Whether buddhist clerics..swamis..catholic priests..freudian shrinks…nature cure folks..: Let the Buyer be Aware..of the product or experience you are buying. Adam Smith is a useful guide.
Excellent suggestion. Let’s leave “massage” to qualified masseurs and masseuses. And let’s be more specific about massage.. “therapeutic” with an observer in the room similar to professional level medical services. or “relaxation massage” where anything goes.
what is the view of traditional Tibetan medicine practitioners and the role of massages? and the possible roles of ordained and lay practitioners? What are their respective roles, ethics and professional guidelines?
Bhikshuni (nun’s) pratimoksha vinaya is very clear on this point::
Treatment from male doctors must be with another person present, nuns must not be in a room alone with male with a door closed, etc.
Given homosexuality, such rules can apply to any gender combinations for better results.
Even if Tibetan tradition monastics do not want full ordination vows, they can learn these rules as guidance, and lay teachers can also follow proper lay precepts. They are also obligated to follow laws of the country, so need to learn these if not taught in gombas.
Anyone who studies vinaya commentaries will know that all kinds of antics are possible with human nature and inclination to compulsively uphold 8 worldly dharmas. Each of the monastic rules arose from such kinds of events “unbecomming of a follower of the Buddha”!
Prevention is easier than cure. Gompas and dharma centers should make policies and response protocols in advance of incidents, and apply to all equally regardless of social status.
Dear Tibetan sisters,
IT is time that we Tibetan women must come out and speak loudly against sexual abuse by monks, Geshe, Trulku, Rinpoche and Lamas. I know of 100s of Tibetan women who have been abused by Lamas and monks. We are forced to keep silent because of shame associated with the sex. The worst is some of the assistant sexual concerns minor and young boys and girls.
The problem is Tibetan monks, Lamas, Geshe, Trulkus and Rinpoches are brought up in monasteries and not contact with women, and they don’t know how to talk to a woman. When they reach adulthood, their sexual desire and urges are strong, and the only way they know is by force.
I avoid being alone with any male religious figures because whenever I have been alone, lamas have tried to force themselves on me. Very often when I am walking alone, a monk would expose himself.
It is time that the Tibetan women should speak out against sexual abuse by our religious figures.
I agree with Tendrol, we Tibetan women should and must come out to speak out against all the Lamas, Rinpoche and Tulku who abuse their religious power and molest women. Today, I was talking with a group of women and we all had a horrible experience with Tibetan monks and Lamas. I used to go Kora every day in Dharamsala, but I had to stop going because there was a monk from Namgyal Drastang who is always exposing himself. Sometimes he is waiting for me in distance, and when I passed nearby he will lift his robe.
I hope we Tibetan women can start metoo movement and expose the sexual abuse by monks and Lama. Honestly, I don’t trust any Tibetan monks and Lama. When I travel on bus from Dharamsala to Delhi, If I seated next to a monk, I will change my seat.
In case you haven’t figures it out, a code of silence placed on speaking about such wrong-headed actions by the monastically trained allows these guys to gossip like old women.
Women who are had are obligated to remain silent; they become like a bug in a web. The spider can have them at leisure. The word spreads in a language few in anywhere but Tibet understand.
Think of it this way: If you spend most of your life in renunciation, and then *poof* you’re not,that’s not a butterfly emerging from your foreskin.
The only way you can help beings is to to be able to walk in their shoes. You don’t get an an apple from a thorn tree.
Practice what enjoyment you want to be to yourself, first. Explore thoroughly your secret self, know it well. Then you will be ready to understand others with compassion as you will truly be able to see through their eyes.
They hold a wrong view for a long time that because emptiness is form and form is also emptiness that they cannot really cause harm to others. This is a being with a still immature View, as still missing the experience of great compassion. That’s the stuff of saints.
Sometimes, very rarely one of them finally “gets it” Mostly if he’s taking consorts, he isn’t fully Realized as having a full experience of compassion. And you are expected to be his subordinate as woman, because that is the 3K year old way of the monastic system.
So, you must understand from the start that almost none of these guys are even close to being realized, despite lharumpa with a side of Geshe.
The purpose of the monastic system is to perpetuate the monastic system. And unfortunately, karma is used to excuse the means justifying the ends. But it never does.
That reasoning is nothing but a bunch of samara looking…
The digital age is incredible right? Giving people a way to address the problems of the holy stations abuses of power. I’m studying vajrayana and I have been a member of the Bethel church of supernatural ministry for years. It’s astonishing to me how the holy people around the world have kept the power of the spirit so inaccessible to the individual. The time of Kings is gone and the fall of the religious sects is well underway. Kali yuga is in full effect and greatly affecting how people see the world and I for one believe that truth is the one God. Whatever you call the thing, divinity is fleeing from the temples and the individuals who still have real spirit power are the ones shunned and derided by the people who realize they no longer know God even though they claim to speak for him… We who are suffering the backlash from the reality that the church we’ve gone to our whole life, the temple of the Lord we worship at is corrupt and expounding the sins we are already free and absolved from. It’s the only way to keep us afraid. And with the digital age and freedom of information we can finally change the world and bring truth back to the place it belongs.
Oh no. This has to be a mutually consensual activity with two very aware minds for it to be karma mudra surely? And I’m sure that’s not what the nun signed up for with her vow of celibacy. There are different levels of Vajrayana practice. Most start at the foundations for very good reasons. I think there’s a reason these types of practices are only for those with the highest, purest minds. Otherwise it is simply abuse and it discredits the Dharma. Don’t mix them up.
Yes, Lama Tsongkhapa said in his commentary on 6 Yogas of Naropa the qualifications of both parties, one of which is that the woman must be equally educated and trained as the nun.
It is quite the opposite of the “temple bride” syndrome.
A little more about the FPMT’s lack of provisions for their students’ access to redress for such deluded tactics by their teachers.
There isn’t any.
There is a statement that all staff and teachers must sign as having read, and which is to be posted in an area accessible to staff and teachers, but it contains no such provisions to be made available to students. Nor are there any in their student handbook, or other information of administrative nature made accessible for students. However, students cannot see the handbook until they are enrolled, as provided the online link (as of 2014).
The statement is intended for an audience stated as staff and teachers, and directs itself to FPMT policies and requirements dealing with actions at centers and schools relating to only the staff and teachers.
In fact, there is no method whatsoever for students to follow as any procedure of grievance or complaint for any reason for students. Further, there is no method whatsoever to address sexual harassment or direct attempt to address unwanted attempts at sexual contact protecting students with a process, including naming a specific role or office that students can rely on. Absolutely nothing is provided for the student to protect them and their Rights, let alone acknowledging that sexual harassment of students will not be tolerated.
It does state, however, that staff and teachers are to follow a process should any issues arise that need to be addressed for them.
Here, duplicity of gender bias and power balance in the FPMT is exposed. Specifically what appears to be collusion between Lama Zopa and mainly western, white professional men as teachers. Many of the women in such centers, schools, and institutions are long suffering under male dominance, as if in…
Sad that after decades of polite correction, nothing has been done in FPMT. For years / decades, Lama Zopa persisted in (at least) tolerating/supporting Dogyal Worship; promoted fraudulent “Lama” Michael Roach & his legal wife (legal fact hidden from public), whom Roach called “Lama Christy” & dressed up like a 19th Century French “Angel”; and actually continued to push this fraudulent “Rinpoche” as his successor after having been well informed of his deviancy. Let’s not forget years of pushing extremely dubious project, opposed by world Buddhist community, to build world’s largest statute in Bodhgaya, and dubious financial issues of years of Maitreya project fundraising with not much tangible output to show for it. This continues to be a sad misfortune for Buddha Dharma since FPMT is the largest Geluk Buddhist organization in the world. Let us hope that the exposure of this gross immorality will lead to real, positive renovation/rectification.
Ven Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche serves and follows His Holiness Gongsa Kundun, HHDL, especially regarding reforms in Tibetan monastic society (Kopan nunnery has highly regarded Geshema study program and Kyabje Rinpoche supports hundreds of nuns there from all across the Himalayas).
HHDL also has explained many times that he is not the Ganden Tripa so HH’s role is not formal ecclesiastic role. So HH’s role is more to sponsor dialogs and study programs etc and doesnt project authoritarian role, instead encouraging social engagement to solve problems.
HHDL is very clear in stating support for women. No doubt he will support wholesome initiatives such as those mentioned by Tibetan women here. Then others like Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche will follow.
No more a rinpoche.. may justice be prevail. We tibetan do not support such predator.
Very unfortunate news. Women in spiritual world also faces such harassment is not acceptable. They renounce their everything to find the truth of life. This is the greatest of the obstacles that anyone can face in the path to enlightenment. The ultimate truth is that the Buddha will be there for us. More power to the nun.
Having watched the video, my heart goes out to Jakaira for having the courage so let us see her obvious pain. Well done to her, and well done to this paper for carrying the story.
I agree with you. What a courage by Jakaira and this paper. Well done!
You can forget it. If anything the perpetrators will be shielded. Its not like they just found out about Dagri. They were told 10 years ago by the brave Spanish lady, Jaki. It was the same situation with Sogyal’s victims and the Dalai Lama even admitted that he knew about it many years ago.
I wonder how long before they are going to say this is a conspiracy to topple the Dharamshala administration? They always point the blame instead of taking responsibility.
May the women and students of the dharma studying under him find peace. It took courage to come forward. I hope to see clerics held to the same standandards of ethics we want to see modeled. Dharma is about cutting through conditioned thought. Buddha held monastics to a higher standard. My prayers will be with all who have been harmed through these actions.
Truth shall free him too. If he is not a real monk, please stop this pretense. Be a man and find a woman who can fulfill your lust.
Just a reminder note: women are not on this earth to fulfil men’s lust. Please check in with yourself; you walk a thin line of promoting rape culture in couching your statement as being about lust. Rape, sexual harassment, molestation are about power, not sex as desire in any way. Thank you for wanting to see right done by all, and never give up seeking Buddha’s Truth!
Whatever it may be, truth shall come out and the perpetrator be booked under the rule of law. I have been wondering as there are quite many Tibetan prints and mass media organisations in around Dharamsala and none dare came out with a piece on the issue other then the TibetSun, bravo Lobsang la. You really equate and epitomises the true essence of what honest, fearless and unbiased journalism is all about, without fearing what the singular minded community might have say on your publication.
Like our community has this ‘dark age’ fashion of hiding incident which happens in our society, be it sexual harassment or rape at the school or household, we cover them up with the fear of shaming the family, community and name of the org. involved, mainly forgetting in the process we’re encouraging the perpetrators and the unwanted incident more in future at large.
Whomsoever it may be, we shall all come out stand together, oust the white crow and let the investigation and rule of law take its own course, without fearing what the outcome may be.
Regarding the comment by Being Tibetan from Toronto. I find it very appropriate and caring on your part. The fear and shame factor causes the cycle of unhealthy patterns to blindly continue and therefore the abuse and suffering can’t be severed Sexuality is normal, but toxic sexuality is harmful to the psychological well-being of both involved. Thanks
I have always maintained the believe that we human beings no matter whatever names and identity we may carry in our lives, but at the end of a day we are all human beings, filled with greed, lust and usual human nature; like water are named differently around the world, yet the truth remains same with its own character of giving lives, quenching thrust and causing havoc with whatever names it may carry.
Except few including the lord Buddha and the living reincarnation of lord Avaloketeshwara who has overcome the samsara with a tamed mind and soul; rest are all usual human being called lives and vice versa.
Tibetan monks treat nuns as dakinis and consorts. It is natural in the tantric vajrayana Buddhism sexual abusing takes place. It is part of belief system. Ignorant people who follow part of a belief system keep complaining. The monk tried to perform karmamudra nothing else. If this lady felt it is sexual abuse, it is because of her ignorance about vajrayana Buddhism. Before she submitted as a nun she should have thought about what she’s doing and studied about the belief system.
JDK, nuns do NOT sign up for karma mudra! And what about the woman on the plane? She didn’t sign up for anything apart from an uneventful flight!
Hello JDK,
Well Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava was responsible for spreading Vajrayana in Tibet and yes he did have consort and yes his consort was Yeshe Tsogyal. But you know what? Guru Rinpoche didn’t rape Yeshe Tsogyal. He had yeshe Tsogyal’s consent and everything was mutually agreed. This lama just had to have consent from the woman. Then it would have been totally fine. He didn’t have consent to sleep or have sex with her but yet he did it anyways, forcing her. Raping her, assaulting her, misusing his power, misusing her faith in him. That is against the basic laws of Buddhism and Vajrayana.
No, JDK, it is you who should study the belief system.
Take a look at what the Dalai Lama says about teachers need to respect the student.
She is an amazing student. She knows her true feelings. She has explored her secret self enough to know where she is on the path. I bow down to her.
You should too. She shows you the way. #nomeansno
Do you think a teacher of any great capacity would insist on karmamudra with someone who is self aware enough to truly understand what she wants and doesn’t want as enjoyable, and why that is so?
You would do well to follow her example in every way.
The only way to be truly happy is to make others happy. No one ever made anyone happy by raping them.
Use Buddha’s Assay testing for your reasoning.
You have some serious issues, and are a far, far cry from where you want to be, and too close to the fire of self deception about where you actually are.
What you do is victim blaming. If the woman does not want it, it is rape no matter how holy the hard on.
Proof by Assay Is: You should not teach those who are not ready. If a woman is not ready then the man is grasping at his own selfishness. The woman shows more advancement then he by knowing her own Mind. #nomeansno
There does not need to be a reason. She does not feel like it, and that is good enough, because it is good to be in touch with your feelings. This is how we come to know ourselves.
JDK, I don’t know where your understanding is coming from but it’s not a proper understanding in any way.
1) nuns abide in the Vinaya vows and tantric practices like karmamudra are not part of these nor do tantric vows overwrite these
2) tantric karmamudra needs proper qualifications at both sides
3) karmamudra is based on mutual consent
4) especially in Gelug school any person qualified should give back the vows before engagement
Therefore abuse is neither part of the belief system nor permissible. They are not ignorant people who complain but women whose faith in Buddhism or Tibetan masters has been abused. The lady didn’t feel abused but was abused. Read her police report. The ex-nun understands very well that abuse and what happened to her has nothing to do with the vows of a nun in Tibetan Buddhism nor karmamudra.
What you do is called “victim blaming”. What you do is rooted in ignorance. The ex-nun is right in rejecting such actions as abuse and unethical.
Vajrayana or not, Buddhist monks and nuns are supposed to take celibacy vows. Those lamas who have consort are not monks. Don’t get confused. This lady is innocent, she trusted her teacher who supposed to be a revered monk but end up facing this. The fault is on the monk, it’s on the organization he affiliated to, which has been helping him to cover up. They should be condemned.
JDK, you tell total nonsense. Sexual abuse is not part of the belief system. Even if it were tantric context, then 1) it must be in mutual consent, 2) both must be qualified, 3) especially in Gelug school, you stop being ordained by giving back the vows before you engage.
What Dagri Rinpoche did is to abuse the vulnerability of a nun who wanted physical or spiritual healing but neither sex nor karmamudra. She didn’t give her consent nor is a nun in Tibetan Buddhism per ordination a karmamudra who can be used as one pleases — even against her will. Moreover, nobody is forced to practice Vajrayana. Dagri Rinpoche did not try to perform karmamudra. This is nonsense. Read the police report. According to FPMT he wanted to give a “compassionate massage” — well, by rubbing or pressing his penis against her back and groping her breasts? What an utter nonsense too! And also this has nothing to do with karmamudra.
Yeah, but even as “usual human being” you don’t grope or molest women, do you? I don’t do that because I have benevolence and respect for women, and the intention not to hurt anybody.
Therefore, I don’t think it is right to normalise inhuman or incorrect behaviour by downplaying what happened a la “we are all sinners”. No, this is misconduct even common, ordinary beings don’t do.
It is just plain wrong what Dagri Rinpoche did and the FPMT totally missed to set proper boundaries, to put their own ethical codes of conduct or safeguarding policies into practice. Now they continue to deny the truth, whitewash what happened and are causing more damage, instead of reaching out to those been harmed and offering to the victims genuine support and apologies.
I fear FPMT cannot deal properly with this issue. So the Office of the Dalai Lama must take the lead.