Often when the topic of scandal in TB arises, a debate ensues as to whether TB is, by its very nature, corrupt. I was pleasantly surprised when, on another forum, someone quoted Dudjom Rinpoche, (now deceased) former head of the Nyingma Order of TB, as saying, "Ethics is the highest Dharma".
It's news to me that the concept of "ethics" even existed in Tibetan Buddhism. Historians of Buddhism have noted that Tantric Buddhism arose during a time when Buddhism was in decline in India, so Buddhism in India incorporated a number of Hindu practices, such as tantrism, putting the guru on a pedestal and creating a cult about the guru, and so on, in a desperate attempt to attract followers to the waning ranks of the Buddhist communities. This syncretism had the opposite effect; followers and potential followers knew the Buddha would never have approved such things, so it hastened Buddhism's demise. (Davidson) Tibetan Buddhism is precisely this Hindu-ized Dharma that survived in the Swat Valley, and was propagated in Tibet by the tantric sorcerer, Padma Sambhava, who was later expelled from Tibet for practicing sorcery. (Snellgrove) So it shouldn't surprise us that a corrupt form of Buddhism should bring us corrupt monks and lamas.
On this (CEI) forum, I've found a very eye-opening testimony from a Tibetan in India, regarding corrupt practices in their own community. I include it here, to show that Chogyam Trungpa really wasn't an aberration. It turns out, he was pretty typical, sadly.
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Dear friends,
I am Tibetan and so sorry to hear that Tibetan lama has abuse these young innocent students. Some time i am surprise how can they let it happen. I always think westerner are smart enough to protect themselves as they do from any sex scandals of these kinds. But in reality this lama are nothing special and they have same sinful nature and lust and sexual desire as you and me.
Before you decide to get any spiritual teaching you better check their history and their background.
Because in Tibetan world its very common for Tibetan lama to abuse young Tibetan girls. Those woman and their family would never dare to open their mouth against these powerful lama. In My Tibetan settlement this big Rinpoche (high lama) use to teach Tibetan language to several student. There were five to six young woman. And he abused all these girls and some them become pregnant, and these days one of son and now also incarnate lama in one of monastery in Nepal. Tibetan Public in that area still thinks this blessing rather than speak against it. So its very common practice in villages in Tibet.
Its been more than 50 years since china took Tibet but still Tibetan lamas have not changed. It’s sad and I am part of this medieval-period mind set and practices. But in reality all these Tibetan Religious leader use fraud and Buddhism to make money and live in Luxurious life, which completely different from what Buddha was teaching…. Be careful with smiling fake humble looking Lamas….
Stephen August 16, 2013 at 3:07 pm | Permalink | Reply
Thank you for this Sonam. I lived in Tibetan refugee camps in South India for a year and am acquainted with the ‘medieval mindset’ you describe here. Most Westerners hold Tibetan lamas in high esteem and will be shocked, thinking that this couldn’t possibly be a systemic problem, but they’re under an illusion; they’re far more vulnerable than you imagine. I was shocked when I first encountered it, and deeply hurt.
The Buddha teaches that we should face reality and not avoid it. I applaud you for speaking out.
It's news to me that the concept of "ethics" even existed in Tibetan Buddhism. Historians of Buddhism have noted that Tantric Buddhism arose during a time when Buddhism was in decline in India, so Buddhism in India incorporated a number of Hindu practices, such as tantrism, putting the guru on a pedestal and creating a cult about the guru, and so on, in a desperate attempt to attract followers to the waning ranks of the Buddhist communities. This syncretism had the opposite effect; followers and potential followers knew the Buddha would never have approved such things, so it hastened Buddhism's demise. (Davidson) Tibetan Buddhism is precisely this Hindu-ized Dharma that survived in the Swat Valley, and was propagated in Tibet by the tantric sorcerer, Padma Sambhava, who was later expelled from Tibet for practicing sorcery. (Snellgrove) So it shouldn't surprise us that a corrupt form of Buddhism should bring us corrupt monks and lamas.
On this (CEI) forum, I've found a very eye-opening testimony from a Tibetan in India, regarding corrupt practices in their own community. I include it here, to show that Chogyam Trungpa really wasn't an aberration. It turns out, he was pretty typical, sadly.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Dear friends,
I am Tibetan and so sorry to hear that Tibetan lama has abuse these young innocent students. Some time i am surprise how can they let it happen. I always think westerner are smart enough to protect themselves as they do from any sex scandals of these kinds. But in reality this lama are nothing special and they have same sinful nature and lust and sexual desire as you and me.
Before you decide to get any spiritual teaching you better check their history and their background.
Because in Tibetan world its very common for Tibetan lama to abuse young Tibetan girls. Those woman and their family would never dare to open their mouth against these powerful lama. In My Tibetan settlement this big Rinpoche (high lama) use to teach Tibetan language to several student. There were five to six young woman. And he abused all these girls and some them become pregnant, and these days one of son and now also incarnate lama in one of monastery in Nepal. Tibetan Public in that area still thinks this blessing rather than speak against it. So its very common practice in villages in Tibet.
Its been more than 50 years since china took Tibet but still Tibetan lamas have not changed. It’s sad and I am part of this medieval-period mind set and practices. But in reality all these Tibetan Religious leader use fraud and Buddhism to make money and live in Luxurious life, which completely different from what Buddha was teaching…. Be careful with smiling fake humble looking Lamas….
Stephen August 16, 2013 at 3:07 pm | Permalink | Reply
Thank you for this Sonam. I lived in Tibetan refugee camps in South India for a year and am acquainted with the ‘medieval mindset’ you describe here. Most Westerners hold Tibetan lamas in high esteem and will be shocked, thinking that this couldn’t possibly be a systemic problem, but they’re under an illusion; they’re far more vulnerable than you imagine. I was shocked when I first encountered it, and deeply hurt.
The Buddha teaches that we should face reality and not avoid it. I applaud you for speaking out.