This quotation from Cults Inside Out refers to an important feature
that defines cults as opposed to other religious groups:
Emotional Control.
Corboy note: Cpnway and Siegelman were concerned about Chrsistian Fundamentalism.
It would be interesting to apply their insights to what we have learned of Vajaryana teachings and meditation techniques.
A further remark from Cults Inside Out, page 162 -3.
So, let us transfer Conway and Siegelman's insights from abusive Christianity to examine what goes on in Vajrayana Buddhism -- which includes Chogyam Trungpa and Pema Chodron's Kagyu/Shambhala sect.
Corboy is going to take the quotation cited above and replace Christian terminology with Vajaryana terminology.
that defines cults as opposed to other religious groups:
Emotional Control.
Quote
Conway and Siegelman write,
"Because as human beings, beyond all differences of faith and culture, our emotions are our most important resource, our most complex and fully integrated and universal communication capacity.
They may also be our most accurate monitor of personal morality - of what is right and wrong for each of us as individuals -- and the fairness of our conduct in relation to one another.
When at that most intimate level the wisdom of our feelings is stilled, distorted, or thrown into confusion, our greatest strength may quickly be turned into our greatest vulnerability.
Conway and Siegelman, Holy Terror: The Fundamentalist War on America's Freedoms In Religion, Politics and Our Private Lives. page 216
Corboy note: Cpnway and Siegelman were concerned about Chrsistian Fundamentalism.
It would be interesting to apply their insights to what we have learned of Vajaryana teachings and meditation techniques.
A further remark from Cults Inside Out, page 162 -3.
Quote
(Conway and Siegelman explain that such (cultic) emotional control
is a achieved through "the reduction of individual response to basic emotions such as love, guilt, fear, anger, hatred, etc."
This is accomplished "by means of suggestion" through "the indirect use of cues, code words, symbols, images and myths". For example, Bible based groups may use the images of Jesus and Satan to emotionally manipulate members....
This means of manipulation allows its practitioners to assign any action or feeling they perceive as negative or challenging to their authority to the category of "satanic" or "demonic" while simultaneously using the image of Jesus or God as a facade for their authority. Within this box, whenever disobedience occurs or doubts surface, they are consigned to the devil or dark forces. Obedience to the leadership is correspondingly characterized as compliance with the will of God and heavenly authority.
So, let us transfer Conway and Siegelman's insights from abusive Christianity to examine what goes on in Vajrayana Buddhism -- which includes Chogyam Trungpa and Pema Chodron's Kagyu/Shambhala sect.
Corboy is going to take the quotation cited above and replace Christian terminology with Vajaryana terminology.
Quote
(Conway and Siegelman explain that such (cultic) emotional control
is a achieved through "the reduction of individual response to basic emotions such as love, guilt, fear, anger, hatred, etc."
(Does this remind anyone of the meditation exercises Trungpa and the Shambhala instructors reportedly taught practitioners? The common Buddhist description of anger as a mind poison can easily be used to invalidate this very important domain of emotion. )
This is accomplished "by means of suggestion" through "the indirect use of cues, (ritual gestures, incense, prostration) code words (Tibetan terms and language, mantras and vajra vows), symbols (Tibetan Buddhism is filled with symbols - thunderbolts, skull bowls, thighbone trumpets, rosaries made from various gems), images (copulating male and female deities, wrathful deities, monstrous dharma protectors), detailed teachings about the hell realms, and myths" (You will be attacked by demons and or go to hell or endure horrid rebirths if you criticize or doubt your teacher, abandon dharma practice or warn the outside world that your teacher is abusing money, sex and power.)
.
For example, *(Vajrayana sects) may use the images of the (Shambhala King) and (Dorje Shugden) to emotionally manipulate members....
This means of manipulation allows its practitioners to assign any action or feeling they perceive as negative or challenging to their authority to the category of "satanic" or "demonic" while simultaneously using the (need to bring Buddha dharma to the whole world) or (the tantric guru) as a facade for their authority.
Within this box, whenever disobedience occurs or doubts surface, they are consigned to the practitioners deluded mind, negativity or demonic attack on practitioners of the True Dharma. or dark forces.
Obedience to the vajra gurus, lamas, rinpoches, is correspondingly characterized as bodhichitta, loyalty to one's vows and guarantees good rebirth and acclerates arrival of the Kingdom of Shambhala and conversion of all beings to the Dharma.