"The earth is my witness." --Shakyamuni Buddha "Although Lama Dragpa wears the robes and title of a Karma Kagyu monk, his administrative actions towards a lone woman devotee and scholar, careless conduct during a sacred empowerment, are not aligned with Buddhist ethics and principles, and seem driven by an excess of unaccountable power in one… Continue reading CRUEL MONKS IV: THE UNPRECEDENTED POLITICAL, ARTISTIC, AND INTELLECTUAL CENSORSHIP DISCRIMINATORY BAN, INSTITUTIONAL GASLIGHTING,CRUEL DEFAMATION BY LAMA DRAGPA: An unprecedented monastic institutional betrayal, misogyny, and political and intellectual censorship and character assassination in the Palpung Sherab Ling Tibetan Buddhist community by Lama Dragpa (General Secretary), against a lone, female Buddhist scholar-translator
Tag: sangye nyenpa rinpoche
CRUEL MONKS (I): A PATTERN OF COWARDICE, CRUELTY, ABUSE AND UNACCOUNTABILITY IN PALPUNG BUDDHIST CENTRES. The case of Palpung Thubten Choling and Lama Norlha, and Ongoing Unresolved Allegations, No Contact, Refusal to Investigate, and Vexatious Harassing Litigation against Lone Woman, involving Senior Monk and Tulku teacher
“Palpung Thubten Choling monastery, formerly known as Kagyu Thubten Choling (KTC), faced allegations of a four-decade pattern of sexual assault by Lama Norlha Rinpoche. Lama Norlha, who founded KTC in Wappingers Falls, New York State, died in 2018. The lawsuit, filed in federal court by three women in 2023, highlights a series of alleged abuses… Continue reading CRUEL MONKS (I): A PATTERN OF COWARDICE, CRUELTY, ABUSE AND UNACCOUNTABILITY IN PALPUNG BUDDHIST CENTRES. The case of Palpung Thubten Choling and Lama Norlha, and Ongoing Unresolved Allegations, No Contact, Refusal to Investigate, and Vexatious Harassing Litigation against Lone Woman, involving Senior Monk and Tulku teacher
A SURVIVOR’S TESTIMONY: New website section
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." "Truthfully reporting teacher misconduct and dishonesty to protect women and the Dharma from… Continue reading A SURVIVOR’S TESTIMONY: New website section
NO SECRET SPACE FOR SECRET MANTRA? The 21st Century phenomenon of constantly clicking photographers at mass empowerments: An invasion of sacred space, personal privacy and sexist bullying of women
Today, I and others were very fortunate to be present at HE 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche's empowerment of the five-deity Green Tārā (one of the five sets of five of 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa) at Tergar Monastery, Bodh Gaya, India. I wrote about this Tārā practice and origin in 2022, and did a translation of the… Continue reading NO SECRET SPACE FOR SECRET MANTRA? The 21st Century phenomenon of constantly clicking photographers at mass empowerments: An invasion of sacred space, personal privacy and sexist bullying of women
THE KANGYUR (WORDS OF THE BUDDHA) TRANSMISSION: Completion of 100-plus volume, Kangyur reading transmission by 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Benchen Monastery, Nepal, personal message from 17th Karmapa and other observations/wishes
“Originally the scriptures of Buddhism were not written down in words and letters. The Buddha would say something orally, and the students would memorize what he said. Students who had achieved the dharani power of perfect memory would recite them to each other from memory. This was the tradition at the time.” Those students would… Continue reading THE KANGYUR (WORDS OF THE BUDDHA) TRANSMISSION: Completion of 100-plus volume, Kangyur reading transmission by 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Benchen Monastery, Nepal, personal message from 17th Karmapa and other observations/wishes
THE KHYENTSE FOUNDATION’S SHODDY AND UNETHICAL TREATMENT OF A FEMALE SURVIVOR AND DHARMA TRANSLATOR. New information sets a dangerous precedent regarding the unethical, unfair and unprofessional treatment by the Khyentse Foundation of a scholar-translator who is also a survivor and whistleblower of lama misconduct
'“Anyone who harms a translator is also injuring the teachings in general.” --Vimalamitra. In July 2020, I wrote about how the Khyentse Foundation (KF) awarded me the Ashoka Grant for a second year running but then soon after, immediately, without checking anything with me verbally or personally, withdrew their award. The reason for this withdrawal… Continue reading THE KHYENTSE FOUNDATION’S SHODDY AND UNETHICAL TREATMENT OF A FEMALE SURVIVOR AND DHARMA TRANSLATOR. New information sets a dangerous precedent regarding the unethical, unfair and unprofessional treatment by the Khyentse Foundation of a scholar-translator who is also a survivor and whistleblower of lama misconduct
TANTRIC BUDDHISM, VOWS, SEX AND WOMEN – the importance of love, respect and consent and what happens when a woman speaks out about lama misconduct
'Only the united beat of sex and heart together can create ecstasy.'-Anais Nin Introduction This article is an attempt to clarify some of the information and misunderstandings surrounding monasticism, sex, women, consorts in Vajrayana (or Tantric) Buddhism. The first half discusses the monastic vows and rules on sexual relations, the role and meaning of a consort,… Continue reading TANTRIC BUDDHISM, VOWS, SEX AND WOMEN – the importance of love, respect and consent and what happens when a woman speaks out about lama misconduct
Second Ashoka Grant awarded by Khyentse Foundation for translation of Shentong text – ‘Music of the Ultimate Sphere’
Am happy to announce that today I was informed that I been awarded the Ashoka Grant by Khyentse Foundation, for the second year running. The first year it was awarded for the ‘Innate Kalacakra’ project (this translation booklet can be downloaded for free from this website here). This new proposed project, aimed to be completed… Continue reading Second Ashoka Grant awarded by Khyentse Foundation for translation of Shentong text – ‘Music of the Ultimate Sphere’
UPDATE: Translations of Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche texts and ‘Followers’ Facebook page
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC STATEMENT BY BENCHEN LIBRARY REGARDING TRANSLATIONS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS 12th October 2019 Benchen Monastery Library have issued an official letter, on 11 October 2019, which is not signed personally by HE Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, regarding 'unauthorised' Facebook pages, and the permission and copyright for translations of texts composed by HE Sangye Nyenpa… Continue reading UPDATE: Translations of Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche texts and ‘Followers’ Facebook page
NEW TRANSLATION: White Tara Commentary by HE 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche on root sadhana text by HE Tenga Rinpoche
I am happy to announce my new (and the first) translation of a White Tara commentary by HE 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche on a root sadhana text by HE Tenga Rinpoche is now available for free download here: White Tara sadhana Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche generously gave his feedback and comments on the translation after giving… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: White Tara Commentary by HE 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche on root sadhana text by HE Tenga Rinpoche