dorjeshugden.com
About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: vajralight on May 08, 2019, 03:43:14 PM
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A personal statement of a former buddhist nun being violated by Dagri Rinpoche ( by Jaki P)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=65&v=T05xLBZ_1WU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=65&v=T05xLBZ_1WU)
quote:
"I was molested by Dagri Rinpoche, when I was a buddhist nun in Dharamsala, as were several other women. Please don't let him get away with this AGAIN, especially now after the Kangra plane incident has become so public https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/crime/molestation-with-female-passenger-in-delhi-kangra-flight (https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/crime/molestation-with-female-passenger-in-delhi-kangra-flight)
This link takes you to my statutory declaration where I explained the incident in detail at the time: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_SEdkbstbZXWFZn5T_-xl3AaDv2OcXZm?usp=drive_open (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_SEdkbstbZXWFZn5T_-xl3AaDv2OcXZm?usp=drive_open)
Feel free to share, I'm just not going to discuss any comments here 'cause I'm tired to hear people defending this abuser for more than ten years and I don't need to hear any of that nonsense again."
end quote
Turns out FPMT and Lama Zopa Rinpoche knew about the Dagri Rinpoche's behavior over 10 years ago but did nothing about it. In fact, people were asked not to talk about the issue. Seems like FPMT wanted to cover it up. The question is why?
(http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DagriRinpocheJaki-7.jpg)
This is very sad news. Ms. Adelaide Foster says:
“I was told by LZR * to not talk about it ten years ago. I asked him to make sure he was always monitored and not left alone with other women. Unfortunately, he did it again on an airplane last week, and the indian medias have mentioned he was detained. Tibetans, and fpmt are silent.”
* Lama Zopa Rinpoche
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I can't imagine how can Lama Zopa can keep quiet about this for 10 year ?! Now there are 2 independent accounts who confirm about the sexual abuse by Dagri Rinpoche. I hope more women can stand up and expose so that he can stop doing this to hurt others.
It is said that Dagri Rinpoche is rank very high in FPMT, and some said he will be the next person to lead the FPMT. Is this the reason for cover up?
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I think though by keeping quiet, Lama Zopa and FPMT are accessories to Dagri Rinpoche's crime. In the US, there is a common agreement that those who have a history of sex-related crime should be monitored or being locked for a very long time to reduce the opportunities to repeat their crime. By promoting and endorsing Dagri Rinpoche, FPMT is giving him the opportunity to spread his tentacles and catch his next victims.
Now which one is worse, practicing Shugden or molesting women? Well obviously, FPMT prefers serial molester.
Watch this woman testimony about how she was sexually harassed by Dagri Rinpoche.
Watch the video by clicking here:
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/DagriRinpocheJaki.mp4 (http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/DagriRinpocheJaki.mp4)
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I think though by keeping quiet, Lama Zopa and FPMT are accessories to Dagri Rinpoche's crime. In the US, there is a common agreement that those who have a history of sex-related crime should be monitored or being locked for a very long time to reduce the opportunities to repeat their crime. By promoting and endorsing Dagri Rinpoche, FPMT is giving him the opportunity to spread his tentacles and catch his next victims.
Now which one is worse, practicing Shugden or molesting women? Well obviously, FPMT prefers serial molester.
Watch this woman testimony about how she was sexually harassed by Dagri Rinpoche.
Watch the video by clicking here:
[url]http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/DagriRinpocheJaki.mp4[/url] ([url]http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/DagriRinpocheJaki.mp4[/url])
I had the same thoughts. Dagri Rinpoche has been violating women years and FPMT hasn’t done anything? Obviously, there is a coverup here. Harbouring criminals is never right. Covering up for a criminal makes FPMT criminal too.
Am beyond disgusted. A man in robes violating a nun!
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Jaki is truly a brave lady. It's not easy for her to say it but she's tough enough to push herself to reveal Dagri Rinpoche. It's really shameful for a Rinpoche to behave like that. Many people are taking refuge to seek protection from the jewels. Dagri Rinpoche instead of leading them to a right path he takes advantage of the people. Another shocking thing to know that FPMT turns around the fact and put the blame on Jaki. This whole thing really makes me sick.
Dalai Lama should say something here!
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FPMT should be ashamed of themselves. How can they keep quiet on the nasty deeds of Dagri Rinpoche for decades? Why they do not protect their own nuns and members by exposing him when they found out in the first place? Why are they supporting something so nasty to go on especially when the welfare of their own nuns and students at stake?
Do they actually cared for their own people or all they care about is how FPMT's reputation and face in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama? Just like the Dorje Shugden issue, they can defy their own founder, Lama Yeshe's instruction on the protector practice just to be seen on the Dalai Lama's side. Similarly, they treasure their "friendship" with Dagri Rinpoche and sacrifice their own nuns and members just to not ruin their relationship with him.
As a Dharma centre, FPMT failed to protect their Guru and their people and they trade them with fame and popularity. Fortunately, Dagri Rinpoche has been arrested and soon be persecuted for his actions. I hope the same will happen to Sogyal who did even worst deeds.
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FPMT and Lama Zopa knew about it and choose to sweep it under the carpet. I believe this is not new and a lot of cases happen before and they just keep quiet. This is really sick! Why choose a sex predator over the nuns? Isn't that keeping such a person is more dangerous and will create much more issue for FPMT? Why Lama Zopa and FPMT willing to take such risk and now you can see Dagri Rinpoche did again. Is it worth it?
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Turns out FPMT and Lama Zopa Rinpoche knew about the Dagri Rinpoche's behavior over 10 years ago but did nothing about it. In fact, people were asked not to talk about the issue. Seems like FPMT wanted to cover it up.
This is such a huge letdown, especially when Lama Zopa and FPMT centres all over the world claim moral superiority over Shugden practitioners, looking and putting down Shugdenpas but all the while they are sheltering sex predators.
Just imagine, that Dagri Rinpoche has been at this for ten years, how many women has he assaulted in ten years? The number must be in the hundreds. All those people whose lives are now shattered and living with trauma.
What a pity. Shame on Lama Zopa and FPMT for enabling Dagri Rinpoche to bring so much shame on genuine Buddhist practitioners.
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In this discussion https://www.facebook.com/celia.gradin/posts/10156601211324055 (https://www.facebook.com/celia.gradin/posts/10156601211324055)
Elijah Ary has this to say about Dagri Rinpoche:
He's been creepy for as long as I can remember, and I first met him in the 80s at Sera. Sorry to hear that he's clearly gotten worse and negatively affected so many people, though I'm not really surprised.
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I tried to speak out and was blacklisted end criticized. Denial can do so much harm through enabling.
image attached
Elijah S. Ary was born in 1972 to Western Buddhist parents and spent his early years in Montreal, Canada. At age eight, he was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of Geshe Jatse, a respected scholar and practitioner from Sera Je Monastery in Tibet. Elijah entered Sera Je Monastic University in South India at age 14 and studied there for six years, where he became fluent in Tibetan and an enthusiastic debater. He then left the monastery to receive a Western education, which culminated in a Ph.D. in the study of religion from Harvard University. He currently lives in Paris with his wife and teaches Buddhism and Tibetan religious history at several institutions.
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So sad to know that the sex offeder has been reported but no action taken. Why Dorje Shugden practitioner being ostracised where they are not hurting anyone but the sex offender is allow to be free and look for victim.
Why FPMT which has been loud condeming monastery or Lama that practicing Shugden but for sex offender they just allow them to get their victim freely?
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So sad to know that the sex offeder has been reported but no action taken. Why Dorje Shugden practitioner being ostracised where they are not hurting anyone but the sex offender is allow to be free and look for victim.
Why FPMT which has been loud condeming monastery or Lama that practicing Shugden but for sex offender they just allow them to get their victim freely?
I totally agree! Why Dorje Shugden practitioner face even more severe consequences than these pervert lamas who do nasty things to their students? Dorje Shugden practitioners are a bunch of peaceful dharma practitioners who just want to pray to the deity of their choice. They should have the freedom to do it without being condemned for it because religious freedom is a basic human right.
While the Tibetan leadership and FPMT leadership turned a blind eye to Dagri Rinpoche's abuse of women, they condemn peaceful Dorje Shugden people who did not violate any laws! What kind of justice is this? Just because Dorje Shugden practitioners did not give any benefits to them, they are willing to persecute the innocent and protect the evil.
Since the passing of Lama Yeshe, FPMT is not what it was anymore. The group is willing to trade their samaya with fame and benefits when they decided to give up Dorje Shugden practice. Lama Osel is manifesting disinterest in Dharma and Buddhism and soon he will stray from FPMT. When it happens, FPMT will lose their lama forever due to the broken samaya and the karma that they have created.
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So sad to know that the sex offeder has been reported but no action taken. Why Dorje Shugden practitioner being ostracised where they are not hurting anyone but the sex offender is allow to be free and look for victim.
Why FPMT which has been loud condeming monastery or Lama that practicing Shugden but for sex offender they just allow them to get their victim freely?
This is very true. If people wish to practice demon or spirit, it is their religious freedom, but habouring a serial molester is a different level.
I wonder if more women will speak up, now that Jaki P has started a video.
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I like what this person Joanne Clark wrote about this matter:
Source:
http://www.taooflightyoga.com/index.php/blog/will-the-fpmt-stand-by-its-code-of-ethics (http://www.taooflightyoga.com/index.php/blog/will-the-fpmt-stand-by-its-code-of-ethics)
Will the FPMT Stand by its Code of Ethics?
Saturday, 11 May 2019
By Joanne Clark
For those of us who have held hope that the Foundation For the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) might provide some leadership in resolving troubles of abuse within Western Tibetan Buddhist Centres, this has been a hard week. We have held hope because the FPMT’s code of ethics, signed by all teachers teaching at FPMT centres, has demonstrated a clarity about students’ needs not seen in other Tibetan Buddhist institutions.
Here is an example:
“FPMT is committed to promoting safe environments wherein the dignity of every individual is respected. Everyone participating in FPMT-related activities has the right and shall be free from harassment of any type, be it sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying, or other forms of harassment. Everyone coming into contact with the FPMT network shall be treated with dignity and respect.”
And this:
“Sexual relationships between Dharma teachers and students while a student is attending the teacher’s teachings, course or retreat are prohibited, and are strongly discouraged at all other times as long as there is a Dharma teacher-student relationship. Please see below for a policy specific to Dharma teachers. Others in positions of authority are also strongly discouraged from entering into sexual relationships in situations where there may be a real or perceived power imbalance. As well, no teacher, volunteer, staff member, or other representative of the hosting center shall make sexual advances to any participant during a teaching, course or retreat.”
This is the clear language students have been seeking from other Buddhist organizations. Sadly, however, a woman has recently claimed that the FPMT failed to honestly and appropriately address her allegations that Dagri Rinpoche, a teacher at FPMT centres, sexually assaulted her while she was a nun at Thosamling some years ago. This claim followed a recent allegation made to police in India by a woman who claimed that Dagri Rinpoche molested her while on a plane. According to The Tribune Newspaper (India), “the Gaggal police detained him before he was released on bail.” There are also claims that more women have been abused by him, though these have not been made public or verified.
In the first testimony, that given by Jakaira Perez Valdivi on Utube video, there is a disturbing description of the effort made by Dagri Rinpoche and the FPMT institution to undermine her story, effectively silencing her. She claims that Dagri Rinpoche lied to others about having apologized to her and that the FPMT labelled his actions as “compassionate massage” and not sexual at all. According to Jakaira’s story, his actions included fondling her breasts and pushing his genitals against her—not something that can be called “compassionate massage.” According to her, he apologized to her, but then lied and claimed that she apologized to him.
At best, the FPMT has failed to validate her concerns and failed to resolve a situation that has badly damaged her wellbeing and spiritual path. At worst, they are covering up a crime. At best, Dagri Rinpoche’s actions, as described by Jakaira and the recent allegation from the woman on the plane, disqualify him from ever teaching in an FPMT centre. At worst, they are criminal. Will he continued to teach at FPMT centres? Why has nothing been done to resolve the situation for Jakaira and why has he continued to teach at FPMT centres?
The FPMT say that these two incidents did not occur at an FPMT facility, project or institution and so the ethics policy does not apply. However, he has continued to teach at FPMT centres and the failure of this institution to act responsibly in the context of carefully screening their teachers and hearing the needs of survivors demonstrates a lack of fiduciary care and due diligence in my opinion. These problems are not fixed by simply finding loopholes.
And this is the big problem. In the current climate, with students from Rigpa, Shambhala and other Buddhist institutions still traumatized from disclosures of sexual abuse by their leaders, every Buddhist institution is called upon to be diligent regarding the behaviours of teachers. There should be no compromising on this, no finding loopholes or making excuses or quick fixes. It is one thing for a student to come to terms with the fact that a well-respected Dharma teacher is abusive. However, when the harm becomes institutionalized, when Tibetan Buddhist institutions fail to come forward with appropriate measures of validation, compassion and resolve, and continue to validate the integrity of that teacher, then the situation turns critical. This has happened in Rigpa, Shambhala and too many other Buddhist centres who are scrambling only now to put together flimsy codes of ethics.
The following letter from within the FPMT, from the Center Services Director of the FPMT International Office in Portland Oregon, reflects this sentiment. It appears that there is little appetite within the International Office for simply finding those loopholes in the Ethics Policy:
Dear Friends,
It has come to our attention that there are newspaper stories and social media accounts circulating stating that a lady in India has made a report to the Indian police accusing Dagri Rinpoche of molesting her on a flight in India.
As Dagri Rinpoche is currently an FPMT registered teacher, we at International Office are following this story closely and awaiting any additional updates and reports about the outcome of the accusation.
We understand that Dagri Rinpoche believes he is innocent of the accusation and is preparing a personal statement in response to the accusation.
Although the alleged event did not take place at an FPMT center, if the investigation results do determine that the accusation is correct, then we would follow the guidelines described under Administering the ETHICAL POLICY, in the ETHICS AND ETHICAL POLICY section of the Affiliates Area and it could impact Dagri Rinpoche’s inclusion on the FPMT registered teachers list, as per the FPMT Ethical Policy.
While we are awaiting any conclusions on this story, we send our prayers for all parties involved in and affected by this story.
We are sure that this will remind all of the importance of our responsibility to uphold ethical behaviour, especially by those of us who manage and teach at FPMT centers, projects and services.
Warmly,
Claire
Claire Isitt
Center Services Director
Statements such as this from within the FPMT’s establishment are encouraging. Indeed, the FPMT statement on the need for centres to take strong measures in instances of abuse is clear and strong within their ethical policy, though perhaps it can be amended to account for this situation. If it had been followed, Jakaira might have received the validation she needed. Here is how they describe those measures:
Misconduct on the part of persons in positions of power or trust can undermine the integrity of the organization, causing demoralization and loss of faith. Hence, the behaviours described in the Ethical Policy below are prohibited, and a center, project, or service’s grievance procedures should be put into effect if a breach occurs.
Each individual in a position of authority, within their area of responsibility in the FPMT organization, is also required to act on any appearance or complaint of misconduct. It is crucial that such individuals identify and express concerns about conduct that may be harmful, so that procedures for dealing with problems can be implemented.
FPMT’s Ethical Policy applies to all activities, interactions, or communications including those on-line, on social media, by telephone, in person, or by any other means as long as the activity, interaction, or communication in question concerns or pertains to FPMT-related actions, duties, or responsibilities.
We also need to be clear that we should have very little reason to doubt Jakaira’s story. In fact, if we hear FPMT make such a statement as to the “compassionate massage” of a monk alone with a nun (as she alleges they said), that should be enough to cause us to question their viewpoint! And statistics show that false allegations of sexual assault are rare and that most victims of sexual assault choose not to report — because they fear not being believed and becoming re-traumatized by a brutal system. These statistics are important because until women are believed and validated, there will be no change to a very widespread culture of abuse in institutions both East and West. We are in a “MeToo” movement where the problem will simply not go away without institutional change, without acknowledgement from all concerned that there is a systemic, serious problem.
Last November, some 130 former and current students of Tibetan Buddhism signed a letter addressed to over forty lamas from all four lineages. We translated this letter into Tibetan. Attached to this letter was a translation into Tibetan of another letter, that written by eight former senior students of Sogyal Lakhar, in which they outlined his serious physical, psychological and sexual abuses over decades. We asked only one question in the letter. We simply wanted to know whether or not lamas found these behaviours acceptable—e.g. behaviours of beating and sexually abusing students, using student donations to live a lavish lifestyle etc. As of this writing, six months later, we have had only two responses.¹
We wrote that letter with the intention of receiving better clarity on how we, as long-time Dharma students, could move forward on our spiritual paths after abusive situations—and how we could insure better safety within Western Dharma Centres. We neither want to be abused on our spiritual paths nor do we not want to practice in an environment of abuse. Many of us sat silent while Sogyal Lakhar spent hours of his teaching time viciously maligning and insulting students. We are horrified that we turned our back on harm as we sat through these tirades. The letter was written sincerely, from our hearts, with no ulterior motive other than stopping harm and knowing where safety lay. To many of us, the lack of response from forty lamas is in fact a very brutal and non-compassionate response. A lack of caring.
Tahlia Newland and I also wrote a letter to HH Dalai Lama in which we told him that we had written these letters to lamas and why. We explained also that the Vajrayana had been used to justify abusive behaviors and to silence students with threats of hell if they objected. We explained that many were questioning the Vajrayana now and many needed better clarity. We asked him to please bring the matter up at the meeting scheduled for Tibetan Buddhist leaders last November. We received a response from his office two days later, asking us to forward the matter to the Kalon of Religion and Culture and to CC His Holiness. We did that. Shortly after, the meeting was postponed and we fear that now, there will be little hope of this topic being raised if the meeting is ever held. The kalon has not responded to us either.
I believe that abusive behaviors within the context of the Vajrayana make this situation particularly critical—and particularly in need of strong leadership that can provide clarity. Though some FPMT teachers are amongst those who haven’t replied to our letter, many of us have nonetheless held out a hope for this organization because of its strongly worded ethics code—and because of the responsible and thorough approach to Dharma in the FPMT educational programs, their responsible approach to the Vajrayana.
I would like to add to this my desire that FPMT seek now to sincerely and compassionately reach out with support to Jakaira Perez Valdivi and others who might have made similar claims of harm from FPMT teachers that are not known to us. Publicly, a statement from the FPMT on how they intend to address this situation and others like it would be very helpful towards insuring that a growing group of disillusioned Dharma students do not lose trust in the good intentions of the FPMT. Trust demands better transparency and this has been lacking. Most of all, I truly believe that the code of silence that has ruled within Tibetan Buddhist culture in the West needs to end if the Dharma in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition is to thrive.
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Lions Roar Magazine has picked up the story and comments on Tibetan Sun are indicating the possibility of more cover ups
https://www.lionsroar.com/prominent-tibetan-lama-accused-of-molestation-by-two-women/][url]https://www.lionsroar.com/prominent-tibetan-lama-accused-of-molestation-by-two-women/ (http://[url)[/url]
https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2019/05/08/tibetan-lama-dagri-rinpoche-faces-me-too-allegations][url]https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2019/05/08/tibetan-lama-dagri-rinpoche-faces-me-too-allegations (http://[url)[/url]
and our friend Tenzin Peljor has been in contact with another person who was molested/abused by Dagri Rinpoche.
Images attached
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Dagri Rinpoche's denial, letter in English.
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http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=41433&article=Ranking+Tibetan+monk+denies+molestation+charges&fbclid=IwAR1hunk7Rj2tj20fMsFZ5fDsEXE8Ys02eo8-MlcnGAHGsYtmjjLi65n1Wgw (http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=41433&article=Ranking+Tibetan+monk+denies+molestation+charges&fbclid=IwAR1hunk7Rj2tj20fMsFZ5fDsEXE8Ys02eo8-MlcnGAHGsYtmjjLi65n1Wgw)
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Why Lama Zopa not saying anything nor take any measure towards Tagri Rinpoche. It's been 10 years long and what actually Tagri Rinpoche gives in return? Why Lama Zopa covering such sex offender? Why is he willing to take such risk and put the public at risk? Where is the dharma for this? Now more and more victim voicing up ad FPMT really ugly!
Dorje Shugden practitioners didn't harm anyone but being ostracised just because of their faith to Shugden. FPMT condemn every Shugdenpas. Now FPMT can't look so hypocrite by covering a se offender!
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Please see this, more victims of Dagri Rinpoche are speaking up
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Two letters in support of brave Jakaira (also known as Kunsang), taken from this page. They are from people who knew her 10 years ago, and who witnessed the meetings between Jakaira, the Dalai Lama’s Office and Dagri Rinpoche. One of the letters clearly states that it was Tenzin Taklha, the Dalai Lama’s Private Secretary who attended the meeting. There are some who are attempting to discredit Jakaira’s account of what Dagri Rinpoche did a decade ago, so it is good that these women are coming forward to stand up for female rights, to speak about a crime and to support the revelation of the truth. It shows very much that Ms Jakaira has told the truth about what Dagri Rinpoche did to her.
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You can run but you cannot hide. This is the reality. Dagri Rinpoche thinks he can get away and he can lie about what he has done but too bad, more people are coming forward to expose the crimes he had committed. Even Jetsun Tenzin Palmo knew about it!
Obviously, Ms. Jaikira did not lie about what she said, she has people who can be the witness to prove that she had indeed gone to the Dalai Lama office to lodge a complaint. She did have a session with Dagri Rinpoche with regards to the sexual abuse. What else does Dagri Rinpoche want to say? He cannot deny it anymore and think everyone is stupid. The fact that many big media of different languages are reporting this news shows that this is not just a rumour, they must have reliable sources and proof too.
This is the problem with some of the ill-intended Vajrayana teachers, they misuse their role as the teacher to sexually abuse the students. They claim they are using the tantric practice to help the students to heal or progress in their spiritual practice. These teachers know they will be backed up by others because of their title and because students are supposed to obey the teachers. Dagri Rinpoche thinks he can still get away with it but this is no longer true, he better prepare to go to jail!
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Wow Amazing! This is getting bigger and bigger. Will the Tibetan Leaders finally start a serious investigation into this sexual crimes of Dagri Rinpoche rather than just sweep it under the carpet?
Nuns Push for Investigation into Molestation Allegations against Teacher Dagri Rinpoche
The prominent Tibetan Buddhist monk has been suspended from teaching over abuse allegations, and now senior nuns are calling for an independent probe into his behaviour.
After becoming aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against the prominent Tibetan Buddhist teacher Dagri Rinpoche, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) suspended him from their list of teachers, the international Buddhist group said in a statement on their website on Tuesday. The following day, ten senior Buddhist nuns—including Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, the founder of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, and Thubten Chodron, the abbess of Sravasti Abbey in Washington—sent a letter to FPMT calling for a third-party investigation into the accusations.
Dagri Rinpoche—a tulku [reincarnated master] in the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and a touring teacher who regular visits centers in the United States, such as Sravasti Abbey, where he had been listed as a spiritual advisor—was suspended after being accused in a formal complaint of molesting a woman onboard an Air India flight on May 3. Following media reports of the charge against him, a former nun, Jakaira Perez Valdivia, posted a video on YouTube entitled “Dagri Rinpoche is indeed a serial molester,” in which she claims that Dagri Rinpoche molested her ten years ago while she was living in Dharamsala, India. Soon after, another woman, Shin Young Sun, stepped forward, writing in a Facebook post on May 13 that Dagri Rinpoche groped her breast while she was a student at Sarah College in Dharamsala between 2005 and 2009.
Dagri Rinpoche has denied any wrongdoing.
In their letter to FPMT, the senior nuns said there are even more women who have remained anonymous, “Some of us personally know other Western nuns who have reported that they were molested by Dagri Rinpoche,” they wrote. The letter continues:
We urge the FPMT to commission an independent, third-party investigation into these allegations, and to make the conclusions of this investigation public. This investigation should be conducted in such a way that plaintiffs and/or witnesses feel safe to come forward and tell their stories confidentially—and anonymously, if they so wish . . . Holding an independent investigation sends a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated and there will be repercussions for perpetrators. This is crucial in order to ensure an environment in which students’ trust can be rebuilt.
Along with the letter, a group of practitioners and nuns have also started an online petition to urge FPMT to “find the truth.”
In a statement released on May 13, Dagri Rinpoche reasserted his innocence. In the case of the Air India flight, he said he was only steadying himself on the armrest of his accuser, who was sleeping at the time. When she woke up, she “appeared angry” and said something to him in a language he did not understand, he wrote. He was later told that she had filed a complaint to the police.
In his interaction with Perez Valdivia—whom Dagri Rinpoche characterizes as “a nun who experienced some physical and mental problems”—he wrote that he only “performed Jabtru, a water purification ritual, and Kakgo, a ritual to remove obstacles” to help with her with those issues. He adds, “After about three years, she used these rituals as a reason to accuse me of inappropriately touching her.”
Related: Will Sanghas Learn from the Scandals in the Buddhist World?
Perez Valdivia responded in a statement sent to Tricycle on May 16, saying, “instead of apologising he’s blaming and discrediting the victims, the oldest method proved effective to get away with abuse.”
She added that he has spent his “entire life getting away with molesting students and devotees around the world due to the silence and complicity of some institutions and of the Tibetan system itself.”
In her social-media post, Shin Young Sun also described a culture of ignoring or silencing women whom teachers have allegedly abused, saying that those in positions of power have turned a blind eye, including the office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. She explained that although she has personally forgiven Dagri Rinpoche, she chose to speak out in solidarity with Perez Valdivia. “I write this post for other victims. Because they . . . still experience the hardships,” she said.
Related: Sex in the Sangha . . . Again
FPMT head Lama Zopa Rinpoche, meanwhile, has received criticism for an open letter he sent to Dagri Rinpoche’s students. He wrote:
Dagri Rinpoche is a very positive, holy being—definitely not an ordinary person . . . Therefore, I want to tell the students who have received initiations and teachings from Dagri Rinpoche that you should definitely one hundred percent rejoice, no matter what the world says, no matter if some people criticize him. Even after Buddha became enlightened, he showed the aspect of having pain in his foot when a piece of wood went through it. Buddha said that the suffering was the result of sexual misconduct with a woman in one of his past lives, a long time ago.
In her statement, Perez Valdivia called the advice “embarrassing and outrageous” and said it “excuses the abuser from any ‘appearance’ of misconduct that he may manifest.”
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Prominent Buddhist nuns issue statement calling FPMT to conduct an independent investigation after growing number of women have come out accusing FPMT teachers of sexual harassment and molestation.
According to reports from ex-FPMT members, sexual abuse is common in FPMT centres around the world.
The prominent nuns behind the statement are:
(1) Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, founder of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, India
(2) Bhiksuni Jampa Tsedroen, PhD University of Hamburg, Germany
(3) Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo, PhD
Professor at the University of San Diego, USA, and founder of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women
(4) Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron, Abbess of Sravasti Abbey, USA
(5) Bhikshuni Sangye Khadro, FPMT teacher, USA
(6) Bhikshuni Tenzin Tsepal, FPMT teacher, USA
(7) Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi, FPMT teacher, USA
(8) Ghetzulma Carla Tzultrim Pemo Freccero, Italy
(9) Ghetzulma Lucia Tenzin Ciotzo Bani, Italy
(10) Venerable Tenzin Nordron, USA
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There is a change.org petition asking FPMT to take responsibility and conduct an independent investigation into widespread sexual molestation by high-ranking teachers within their organisation. Will this instigate an official investigation by the Tibetan leaders into the crimes committed or will they continue to sweep them under carpet?
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Prominent Buddhist nuns issue statement calling FPMT to conduct an independent investigation after growing number of women have come out accusing FPMT teachers of sexual harassment and molestation.
According to reports from ex-FPMT members, sexual abuse is common in FPMT centres around the world.
The prominent nuns behind the statement are:
(1) Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, founder of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, India
(2) Bhiksuni Jampa Tsedroen, PhD University of Hamburg, Germany
(3) Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo, PhD
Professor at the University of San Diego, USA, and founder of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women
(4) Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron, Abbess of Sravasti Abbey, USA
(5) Bhikshuni Sangye Khadro, FPMT teacher, USA
(6) Bhikshuni Tenzin Tsepal, FPMT teacher, USA
(7) Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi, FPMT teacher, USA
(8) Ghetzulma Carla Tzultrim Pemo Freccero, Italy
(9) Ghetzulma Lucia Tenzin Ciotzo Bani, Italy
(10) Venerable Tenzin Nordron, USA
Wow these are some very powerful bhikshuni who are voicing out and backing up the victims of Dagri Rinpoche's sexual abuse. What can FPMT do now? Now the whole world will get to see the very ugly side of FPMT and the office of the Dalai Lama, which is a culture of silence. This will EXPOSE FPMT & Dalai Lama's dirty laundry and we do hope it will put a stop to all the fake lamas who pretend to be all holy and pure but in reality, they are actually the devil in disguise.
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Prominent Buddhist nuns issue statement calling FPMT to conduct an independent investigation after growing number of women have come out accusing FPMT teachers of sexual harassment and molestation.
According to reports from ex-FPMT members, sexual abuse is common in FPMT centres around the world.
The prominent nuns behind the statement are:
(1) Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, founder of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, India
(2) Bhiksuni Jampa Tsedroen, PhD University of Hamburg, Germany
(3) Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo, PhD
Professor at the University of San Diego, USA, and founder of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women
(4) Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron, Abbess of Sravasti Abbey, USA
(5) Bhikshuni Sangye Khadro, FPMT teacher, USA
(6) Bhikshuni Tenzin Tsepal, FPMT teacher, USA
(7) Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi, FPMT teacher, USA
(8) Ghetzulma Carla Tzultrim Pemo Freccero, Italy
(9) Ghetzulma Lucia Tenzin Ciotzo Bani, Italy
(10) Venerable Tenzin Nordron, USA
10/10 are westerners.
I believe this somehow reflects part of the truth about how these scandals could be covered up for so many years. None of the above nuns is Tibetan, is it possible that not any single Tibetan nun heard about this scandal that happens for so long within the small community of Tibetan Buddhism? Why only the western nuns are speaking up? Don't the Tibetan nuns feel the same anger and shame for what had happened within their Buddhist community? Why don't they say something? Why most Tibetans remain quiet? Are they afraid of something or someone or the consequences of speaking up against the authority?
This staying quiet culture definitely is not related to Tibetan Buddhism. The 10 names on the list are nuns from Tibetan Buddhism too, and they come from different traditions, 3 of them are even the FPMT nuns. It shows that the key factor is not Tibetan Buddhism, but the Tibetans.
Those Western nuns although belong to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, but they are not Tibetans. They come from real democratic countries that grant them the freedom of speech therefore they dare to speak up. No one will charge them anything for speaking up against a sex molester.
However the story is totally different within the Tibetan community under the Tibetan leadership. They claim that they are democratic government but look at how they treat the Dorje Shugden practitioners, does any part of it look like a democratic way of handling religious issue? Obviously it's not. If this government is capable of segregating and punishing you just because your religious view is different from theirs, what do you think they are capable of doing if you directly speak up against them?
Tibetans practised feudal serfdom for hundreds of year until 1959, who can say for sure the Tibetan government in exile will apply real democracy since the top leadership are still under the influence and control of the old batch of leaders? Have you ever seen anyone from a real democratic country so afraid of saying anything against their government even if it's a truth?
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It is good that more people are stepping forward to ask for an investigation on Dagri Rinpoche and more victims are releasing statements of their encounters with Dagri Rinpoche. It cannot be a fake accusation from the Spanish woman anymore since she is not the only person who is speaking up now.
For years Dagri Rinpoche has been molesting or taking advantages of the female students including nuns. Some of them reported him to the authority but no one really looked into this issue seriously. No one protected these victims. What made it worse is that FPMT still promotes him as a learned and highly respected lama. What a lie!
How credible is FPMT, really? First, they gave up Dorje Shugden practice that was given to them by their found Lama Yeshe; then they start to condemn and discriminate against Dorje Shugden followers. Lately, it is found that they cover up the crime committed by Dagri Rinpoche. It is lie after lie. These lies have caused many people to lose their faith in Dharma and destroy the lineage. The amount of negative karma they have created is tremendous. Now their karma is coming back to get them.
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What Dagri Rinpoche has done is disgusting and very irresponsible. His students take refuge in him because they trust that he has the qualification to guide them to liberation People who come to him most like are having problems in life but instead of helping them, Dagri Rinpoche give them more pain and sufferings.
Until today, Dagri Rinpoche is still saying he is innocent despite more than 3 women stepping forward to testify against him. He also tries to imply that the Spanish woman Kunzang has mental problems. But it cannot be the Korean woman is also crazy?
What Kunzang wrote about the Tibetan system is true. Tibetans like to sweep things under the carpet and face to them is very important. Like in the case of FPMT, they don't want to lose face because one of their highly promoted Rinpoches is a molester. It is more important to protect their face than to protect the students.
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When questioned, Dagri Rinpoche gave his address as the Dalai Lama’s Office. It was a blatant attempt to absolve himself, and to intimidate the Indian police that they should not pursue the matter any further because he is associated with the Dalai Lama.
Very bad example and this is why people around Dalai Lama is doing it get away from the trouble they created.
But since he's working under Dalai Lama office why don't Dalai Lama says something. No one should allow the sexual offender to be free.
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It seems like Dalai Lama is not bothered as this is not the first time for people around him conducted such act and it's surprisingly! Let say if it's Dorje Shugden practitioners are the one that doing so, Dalai Lama and CTA will clamp of this tightly. But now it's happened to the people surrounding Dalai Lama, that's why he keep quite but how could this gain respect from others?
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When questioned, Dagri Rinpoche gave his address as the Dalai Lama’s Office. It was a blatant attempt to absolve himself, and to intimidate the Indian police that they should not pursue the matter any further because he is associated with the Dalai Lama.
Very bad example and this is why people around Dalai Lama is doing it get away from the trouble they created.
But since he's working under Dalai Lama office why don't Dalai Lama says something. No one should allow the sexual offender to be free.
Dagri Rinpoche will not get away this time. There is already a court case against him and bringing up His Holiness's name will not help him anymore. Did he really think that being close to His Holiness will bail him out of the crimes that he committed? Don't be silly. India is not treating the Tibetans like how they use to treat them anymore. No more privileges for the Tibetans especially those that committed crimes!
Dagri Rinpoche will reap what he sowed and those who had protected him for decades should be ashamed for encouraging his sick behaviour and not put a stop to it. FPMT is one of them and they should stop defending him by saying he is a bodhisattva and his actions are of compassionate origin. Those lies will not work anymore.
Dagri Rinpoche's action had caused a lot of harm which is more than just the victims. Think about those who are new to Tibetan Buddhism. Their faith in Buddhism will be shattered and this will deter them away from their spiritual path. On top of that, Dagri Rinpoche had been giving out vows and this will definitely affect those who received vows from him.
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There are so many sex scandals in the Tibetan Buddhist community. It is very disappointing to see that. The sad thing is, the authority knew about it but they did not do anything to stop more harm being done to the innocent.
When Sogyal Rinpoche's sex scandal blew up, the group of victims went to see the Dalai Lama hoping he would do something to protect the innocent. However, the Dalai Lama was kind of brushing them off without offering any solution. He admitted that he knew about this long time ago but he just kept quiet.
Dagri Rinpoche's sex scandal is almost the same. FPMT knew about what he did to the female students but they covered him up and allowed him to continue to harm other female students. FPMT is not being responsible for its students and the public. If this happens to their own sisters or mothers, how would they feel?
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This just shows how Tibetans care about their face more than anything else. They don't really respect women and they don't think to cover someone's crime up is not acceptable at all. Look at how the Dalai Lama responded to the victims of Sogyal Rinpoche, it was very disappointing.
With regards to the Sogyal Rinpoche's sex scandal, the Dalai Lama just brushed away the victims. He even admitted he knew about the case since at least 10 years ago. Dagri Rinpoche's case was also reported more or less 10 years ago. So there have been people reporting the misbehaviour of the lamas or Buddhist teachers but no one wants to look into the problem. They are just brushing things away.
How to trust the Tibetan leadership or authority? They rather cover up crimes so they don't have to do much work. They fail to give protection to the people. Such unreliable leadership, how to expect them to progress and bring a better future for the Tibetans?
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This just shows how Tibetans care about their face more than anything else. They don't really respect women and they don't think to cover someone's crime up is not acceptable at all. Look at how the Dalai Lama responded to the victims of Sogyal Rinpoche, it was very disappointing.
With regards to the Sogyal Rinpoche's sex scandal, the Dalai Lama just brushed away the victims. He even admitted he knew about the case since at least 10 years ago. Dagri Rinpoche's case was also reported more or less 10 years ago. So there have been people reporting the misbehaviour of the lamas or Buddhist teachers but no one wants to look into the problem. They are just brushing things away.
How to trust the Tibetan leadership or authority? They rather cover up crimes so they don't have to do much work. They fail to give protection to the people. Such unreliable leadership, how to expect them to progress and bring a better future for the Tibetans?
The people around the Dalai Lama had been in power for so long until they have forgotten that the law is still applicable to them. Just because His Holiness is a powerful leader, that does not mean he can pardon anyone from their crimes.
The Tibetan leadership had been committing various unspeakable crimes that are hideous in nature. This is how they maintained their power in Tibet for all these years from the 5th Dalai Lama onwards. Many innocent lives are lost in the pursuit of power.
Even now with their current situation where they are refugees in India, they still have that kind of mentality as if they do whatever they want. However, little did they know that the world they are familiar with had gone and a new age has come. They are no longer the powerful warlords in Tibet that own slaves and they can do whatever they want.