Today is Dharma Protector day, and on this day, I was saddened and yet sadly not surprised to hear (from a Dharma protecting ‘whistleblower’) of a new court case filed in September 2024 to remove the 56 year-old resident teacher ‘monk’ Lama Gyaltsen Tamang of the Karma Rimey Osel Ling Dharma centre in Maui, Hawai, originally set up by the 1st Kalu Rinpoche. His removal is based on what some members of the community regard as his sexual and deceptive misconduct and the subsequent attempt by Lama Gyaltsen to ‘takeover’ the Dharma centre, and force board members who called him out on his conduct, to resign or be fired. [There is also an update to this article below about the ‘counter-motion’ launched by his defenders/enablers].
Even though most people will never have heard of this lama, his bio states that:
“He was very close disciple of Kalu Rinpoche, Lama Gyaltsen was born in 1968 in Sonada, Darjeeling, India. He entered Rinpoche’s monastery at a very early age and received a monastic education. He completed the traditional Kagyu 3-year retreat and is trained in the traditions of the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages.”
The Allegations against Lama Gyaltsen
For those who wish to read the public record provided by the court, see here . Reading it was rather depressing, as most of these cases are. As I spoke about in my own ‘survivor’ case with a much more well-known Rinpoche in the Karma Kagyu tradition here in 2020, the denials, deception and persistent ‘refusals to answer, or even communicate’ when asked to do so were again very prevalent in these allegations.
Lama Gyaltsen Tamang admits in the court papers that [‘Church’ refers to the Dharma Centre]:
“From no later than Spring 2022, Church congregants started learning Tamang engaged in a secret fourteen-year sexual affair with then-president of the Church {Dharma centre] Board, Alida Murray, and other congregants. Tamang’s sexual relations with another Church congregant lasted six years.
Tamang ultimately confessed to his sexual relations with church congregants. Tamang admitted his sexual relations were not within the context of their religion and only about him as a person. Tamang’s deceptive portrayal as a celibate monk misled congregants. When they learned about Tamang’s sexual relations, Tamang’s deception and betrayal hurt Church congregants. Some congregants no longer trust Tamang because of “too many secrets” and inauthentic “heart communication.” Some congregants may not return to the Church as a result.”
It was this last sentence in particular, that really breaks my heart and reminds me of my own experience and that of many other survivors. The betrayal of trust and deception from someone portraying themselves as a ‘celibate Buddhist monk’ (or even just a Dharma teacher) is so huge that people turn away from the Dharma and the seeds of devotion are burnt within them.
The Kalu Rinpoche lineage: a legacy of sexual misconduct allegations?
Sadly, this is also not the first time those associated with Kalu Rinpoche lineage have faced sexual misconduct allegations. First, there was 1st Kalu Rinpoche himself, the most famous testimony being from Dharma translator and scholar, June Campbell in her book Traveller in Space: Gender Identity and Tibetan Buddhism and interviews, in which she described how she was used as a ‘sex slave’ by the elderly teacher, while he portrayed himself as a celibate monk and she was a young nun/translator.
Then there was the court case for ‘decades of sexual misconduct and assault against young women’ by the recently passed away, Lama Norlha, a former student of Kalu Rinpoche and teacher at Kagyu Thubten Choling, USA.
The current, 2nd Kalu Rinpoche does not appear to know about this new court case according to the ‘whistleblower’ source. However, as I wrote about myself in connection with the Niguma Yoga courses I attended by him in Bhutan and India, his own conduct in relation to myself, to women in general, and to his ex-wife and daughters, have left many with serious doubts about his attitude towards women in general. Combined with the fact that for the last decade or so, he is almost completely ignoring his Karma Kagyu lineage masters, who transmitted the entire Shangpa Kayu teaching to him (12th Tai Situpa and 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche) and only seems to post about and associate with the Gelugpa 14th Dalai Lama, is a sign there may be some serious broken samaya.
A teacher’s worst ‘crime’: burning the seeds of ‘devotion’ and wish to ‘awaken’
The Buddha taught that one of the WORST things a Dharma teacher could do via selfish and unethical actions was to destroy that person’s budding seed of devotion and wish to attain awakening. Such a wish and interest was so rare in the billions of world realms, particularly this human realm, that for a Dharma teacher to cause a student to abandon the Dharma and lose all faith in it and Dharma teachers was one of the most karmically negative things a person could do. By doing so, they not only deny the person the possibiligy of attaining full awakening but also cause billions of sentient beings a loss by removing that potential awakened one from them too.
May truth and justice reign supreme and may the survivors who speak truth to power against religious/clergy abuse be forever protected and supported by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! May the precious seeds of awakening be nurtured, nourished and supported by those with the love, wisdom and compassion to do so.
Written by Adele Tomlin, 1st October 2024.
UPDATE 7th OCTOBER 2024: Since writing this article I have received several emails from one white woman connected to the Dharma centre, and a white man who made comments on the website, defending the Tibetan teacher stating that the court case is not about his sexual activities with the women but about who controls the teacher and the Dharma centre, and that a counter-motion has been filed stating that only Karma Kagyu lineage has a right to say if he can stay or not at the centre. The white woman first asked me to remove the article as being ‘false’ , which it is not, and then wanted me to update it with their counter-motion to the case, see below.
They are counter-suing that only Karma Kagyu lineage teachers can and should remove a teacher accused of misconduct and deception This is frankly strange indeed. No one is above the law, Karma Kagyu or not. In any case, we all know that such lineage teachers a) may not know about the case, b) maybe enablers too and/or c) have no power, expertise etc. to properly and objectively investigate such a case. That would set a very dangerous legal precedent indeed for all Dharma centres if only the lineage teachers themselves can decide on such serious matters. That cannot be right.
Worse, when I did not go along with her line of counter-reasoning, these “well-meaning” white people have the audacity to accuse other white people of ‘supremacy’ (including me) simply for exposing the actions of this teacher and seeking to have him removed. Yet, how patronsing and ‘white supremacist/orientalist’ is it to say that just because the teacher is a Tibetan/person of colour he should not be held accountable in the same way any other person would be? That is white orientalism and ‘enabling’ misconduct.
These white enablers also refuse to answer simple questions about why the teacher behaved that way and also why he refused to communicate with the Board of Directors when they discovered it. Also, where is all the money coming from for these legal actions and counter-suits? Honesty saves everyone time and money.
The root cause of any dispute was caused by the teacher’s actions, not the people who exposed it. No-one is above the law of karma, of Buddhist vows, of codes of conduct between teachers and students in an organisation, and of the laws of the country they reside in. Karma Kagyu lineage teachers (regardless of their ethnicity) do not have the requisite skill, knowledge, time or resources or lack of vested interest to conduct objective investigations of teachers who have been accused of misconduct. That has to be done by an objective organisation or tribunal. Any suggestion otherwise, makes Buddhism and Buddhist communities look like a cult in which teachers are accountable to no-one.
Sources
https://www.mauidharmacenter.org/about
Filed Summary Judgement 3361496_1_2024.09.19 [92-93] Respondent Starr et al MSJDownload
The Emperor’s Tantric Robes
Lawsuit Alleges Decades of Sexual Assault at Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in New York
He has that creepy and greedy look in his eyes. It is all very unfortunate. Leaders keeping silence also waste the opportunity to make an example out of such cases. These people should be expelled and shunned, so they feel at least a minimal fraction of embarrassment and consequence of their actions towards their victims. In most cases, if it’s just never talked about and there are no repercussions in the religious community and religious discourses, it won’t help with inhibiting others who might feel tempted to follow their evil examples. I also feel it’s important for dharma centers to have clearly written and known guidelines of what is inappropriate from students and teachers, so if anything happens, it’s also more promptly identifiable. Sometimes people are manipulated and only realize much later the environment has turned abusive.
Indeed. I agree, as long as that is applied across all the lineages, including Gelugpa ‘sacred cows’ like Samdhong Rinpoche and the 14th Dalai Lama too. Homosexuality for a monastic is sexual misconduct too, not just sexual activity with with women. As is of course, any kind of rape, coercion, assault or sexual misconduct. Have you read my first person account of my own experience of this and how the enablers dealt with it all? https://dakinitranslations.com/2020/12/01/tantric-buddhism-sex-and-women-the-importance-of-love-respect-and-consent/
Yes, I believe I have read all posts so far.
I have zero opposition to a “no stone left unturned” approach. Truth cannot thrive in a state of exception! As a matter of fact, I’ve publicly spoken against the “and now suck my tongue” episode. Regarding Samdhong R (or anyone else), I cannot comment because I don’t know what he is accused of – in that case, venting it out could be framed as libel and slander (also criminal). Still, it’s not difficult to believe there could potentially be episodes of abuse in the biography of a high-profile politician. IN MY OPINION, often, narcissists seek religion to legitimize their superiority and exert power over or be revered by their subject, etc – and that’s the source of abuse, instead of the teachings themselves.
Im sure the “whistleblower” is completely aware of all of the circumstances involved in this situation. For instance, were the intimate relationships consensual? Were there any abuse charges, or just hurt feelings because the lama decided to have an intimate experience and also felt it was private? And was he a celibate monk? Or just presumed to be?
and does exiling a lama who has been faithfully supporting the sick and dying, homeless and those in need, upholding his commitments of lineage transmissions, giving teachings all week long for 1000 weeks… and just for being human and following his passion ( with a woman senior in years and much more if the instigator than the lama) all he done is less important than this self center myopic view of justice? Good little Buddhists
The court papers are there to read if you care about objectivity and facts. The whistle-blower was merely informing me of the case.
Consent is irrelevant here. Power relations and the fact he is supposed to be a Dharma teacher not treating women like sexual conquests is important. Consent even when given is corrupt because as he says himself it was nothing to do with Dhatma and about worldly sexual pleasure only. He admits that.
Wearing monastic robes and pretending to be a monk makes that even worse of course. And is a major breach of Vinaya. Monks are supposed to be kicked out of the sangha for that and for major lies and dishonesty.
The case does not read like someone who is concerned with making amends, righting wrongs, communication or transparency at all. In fact the accused Lama goes into passive aggressive silence refusal to communicate and even worse than that actually attempts to have fired or resign the board members of the Dharma centre who called out the unethical activity. Not sure what there is to defend here? You seem to be grasping at very worldly straws here. We should not hold such teachers to ordinary worldly standards but to those of Dharma. How sad that he did not tell women there he was not monk. Also why the need for sexual relations with more than one woman? One not enough?
The whistleblower did inform me that the lama also has done hardly anything inspiring or beneficial for the Dharma centre or community at all. Which contradicts what you say.
Characterizing one of the women that “Lama” Gyaltsen had a sexual affair with, for over 14 years, as the “instigator” and “senior in years” is deeply misogynistic and ageist. It’s also blaming the victim. This is written by one of the few supporters of this “Lama.” I’ve been a part of this Sangha for over 15 years. The “Lama” was with at least 3 women but more likely 5 or more overlapping for almost 2 decades all the while presenting himself as a celibate monk. Even after he was outed as having sexual relations he still referred to himself as a monk. I was a regular student and the situation has left many of us feeling deceived and betrayed, like we were in a cult. He has been fired and told to leave, 90% of the Sangha has abandoned him. He and his supporters must want to control the assets of the Center because they sure don’t care about the people who have been hurt and deceived by the Lama’s actions as you can see from the mean letter by Francis and the theft of Helga’s identity. The bullying by the “Lama” and his supporters is par for the course for them.
Georgianna has consistently lied about her relationship with Lama Tenzin (if in fact, it was sexual) and now that relationship is being used by supporters of the “Lama” to justify “Lama” Gyaltsen’s actions. The level of subterfuge, deception, secrecy, non-consent, and manipulation is worldly. Our Center needs to shed these archaic, patriarchal vestiges seeking to hold on to sex, power, control, and money (vs. protection of assets). Concepts of spiritual superiority in relation to one’s position to the “Lama” need to be interrogated and disposed of when they are mainly about spiritual ego and harmful to Sangha.
Agree! Sounds awful and not very inspiring at all. May you all experience some love, compassion, harmony and a clean up from people who are being dishonest, hypocritical, deceptive and exploiting Dharma for personal gratification and power!
Hi. My name is Helga. I am from Germany and am a member of Karma Rimay O Sal Ling for thirty years. I was a student of Lama Tenzin. And also Lama Gyaltsen before finding out about his sexual affairs. However, upon recent conversations with a dear friend and former board member, I was shocked to discover that THE Venerable Lama Tenzin had a secret sexual relationship with former Secretary Georgiana Cook for decades. To us sangha members, we had no idea. They accomplished many great things together seamlessly. But she also told me to two of them lived together. No one questioned them. I don’t know what to say or how to feel. I’m a mess.
Whoever is using my identity to spread these horrendous and totally bizzare lies regarding our precious late Lama Tenzin and Georgiana Cook, our long time secretary, should do some very serious self reflection and absolutely stop these kinds of tactics! Use your own name if you have something to say, refrain from defamation of good people who worked very hard for all of their lives to build a beautiful dharma center, which became an oasis of truth and inspiration and a support system for many hundreds of people. Stop impersonating me and stop spewing lies!
Hello thank you for your comment.I am sorry to hear that someone impersonated you. That has happened to me many times before too. It is wrong.
Your comment is published. That should be enough to counter balance what they said. I cannot trace the person and should not divulge their personal information. I can give you their email address? I will check the IP and country it came from but these things can also be faked.
As for this article, this report is simply stating the facts of the court case and the counter motion and my opinion of them having read them. Sadly, not everyone in that community sees the Lama’s actions as beneficial or ethical, involving admitted sexual relations with female administrators and community members that were kept secret from the community without good reason. I am not an investigator, the court is. I suggest you have a community-wide open meeting with the lama present (and independent, objective mediators) and find out why people are so annoyed by his conduct and want him removed? These things don’t happen without any cause or conditions, right? Karma is what it is.
Thank you for clarifying, Helga. Yes, I was quite concerned by that message. However, I was a previous board member, and it absolutely is true that Georgiana Cook and Ven. Lama Tenzin had relations. I was challenged by this, which is why I resigned.
If you are so concerned by the “oasis of truth and inspiration and a support system for many hundreds of people,” then why are you on a mission to destroy that. Please consider the repercussion of your actions.