Women inside some Northwest Buddhist centers say the faith has long struggled to stop predatory behavior by spiritual leaders, and in some cases brushed it aside.
Thank you so much for covering this critical issue. As a longtime Buddhist I am so disturbed at the level and scale of harm that is perpetrated inside many Buddhist communities. And there are very few mechanisms for holding these "gurus" accountable. So coverage like this is key to at least warning people of the harm happening inside these groups.
Consistently great reporting, Leah, I'm a fan since Malheur.
I considered engaging with the Shambhala community in Boston a number of years ago. I am not avowed as a Buddhist but value much of what they teach regarding social justice, growth and community but have an aversion to spiritual "leaders", especially men. Thank you for exposing this problem in the PNW.
“In Vajrayāna or Tantric Buddhism, an esoteric branch of Tibetan Buddhism taught at DRC, a guru acts as a key to unlocking the wisdom of the scriptures. You “give your mind over to another person. And that one person is the locus of control for your life,” Montgomery explained to The Western Edge. “Some people look their whole lives to find a guru.”
Thank you so much for covering this critical issue. As a longtime Buddhist I am so disturbed at the level and scale of harm that is perpetrated inside many Buddhist communities. And there are very few mechanisms for holding these "gurus" accountable. So coverage like this is key to at least warning people of the harm happening inside these groups.
Whew. Tough read, but excellent reporting.
Consistently great reporting, Leah, I'm a fan since Malheur.
I considered engaging with the Shambhala community in Boston a number of years ago. I am not avowed as a Buddhist but value much of what they teach regarding social justice, growth and community but have an aversion to spiritual "leaders", especially men. Thank you for exposing this problem in the PNW.
“In Vajrayāna or Tantric Buddhism, an esoteric branch of Tibetan Buddhism taught at DRC, a guru acts as a key to unlocking the wisdom of the scriptures. You “give your mind over to another person. And that one person is the locus of control for your life,” Montgomery explained to The Western Edge. “Some people look their whole lives to find a guru.”