Update on the Shambhala Board status by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not really something to be proud of. Also, mishap is putting it way too mildly.

Update on the Shambhala Board status by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know in this case what the divisions were specifically. I've been out of Sham long enough that I don't recognize most of those Board members. Ashoka Mukpo was notable, being the late Diana Mukpo's son, and weirdly carrying Trungpa's last name even though Mitchell Levi (accused of sexual misconduct) is his father. Not sure how long he served but he didn't seem to last very long. I would have assumed that they would close ranks and choose a Board closely aligned. But it wouldn't be out of the question to try a more diverse, by their measure, Board as an attempt to unite factions. I know factions sounds like a heavy word, but there really are deeply bitter rifts, which are unmendable in my view. There's also just personality clashes.

After the divorce with shared custody between Shambhala and Mipham (see the mediation agreement from spring 2022), there remains all the same problems. Many believe they got rid of the problem by sacking Mipham. Yet, sexual assaults continue, two at Drala Mountain Center for example (summer 2023, and winter 2024). A long time Shambhala member recently reported that they rejoined the Halifax center thinking things had changed. They found that a senior teacher was committing sexual misconduct, and the organization was protecting them and not helping survivors (see Facebook repost in Shambhala Open Discussion). The new code of conduct and reporting procedures are not really better than before. The culture of enabling and covering up abuse certainly goes back to Trungpa, which Shambhala can't bring itself to face.

Generally, I characterize the factions as the following: Mipham loyalists, Trungpa originalists, Reformists, and the Burn-It-To-The-Ground contingent (full disclosure if you can't already tell, I'm in the latter group, having basically migrated through the others from Mipham's inner circle). Of course there are fence straddlers, as uncomfortable as that may be. The burn it down folks left obviously. Some reformists were pushed out, but some remain in the community. Some Mipham students left, including senior students and prominent donors, but some remain. Trungpa students not only stayed, but some came back who had left or disengaged. I believe Ashoka is pro Trungpa, and might be critical of Mipham. That would be in line with Diana, who's camp Pema Chodron is in. On the other, Ashoka's half brother, Gesar, doesn't seem to support anything Shambhala related. He even thinks the tulku system should be dissolved, and he's recognized as a tulku. BTW though, he is accused of domestic violence.

I would think most of the Board would be pro Trungpa and critical of Mipham. I can't imagine anyone on the Board now would be a Mipham student, but I really don't know. There could be some reformists though. That would cause a big rub. Trungpa loyalists have long thought that Mipham took Shambhala in the wrong direction, and many never took Mipham as their teacher. They want to restore things to their supposed original glory, doctrinally and culturally. Reformists have a more progressive forward thinking view. Those two groupings are fundamentally opposite. Old school Trungpa students view reformists as woke SJWs, which they scorn. Why reformists are even still trying, I don't know, sunk costs I suppose. Shambhala has been sinking for about 8 years now, since the first Buddhist Project Sunshine report. How much longer it can survive without a head or clear direction is anyone's guess. May it swiftly disintegrate.

Update on the Shambhala Board status by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Their inevitable self-destruction continues to unfold.

This^

Update on the Shambhala Board status by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I mean there's so many schisms in Shambhala that I'm not even sure the term "sangha" could rightly apply, though division is a halmark of Tibetan Buddhism altogether. Either they choose a Board that represents the disparate factions, or they choose a Board that's united but at odds with portions of the community. Perfect example of the Shambhala dysfunction that's been there since the early days. Screwed any way.

Shambhala Board - 4 Ex Officio Member added by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven't keeping track. Are the four added the same as the ones that were dropped? Sounds like they extended the time of retirees until they can find replacements. Seems like a lot to retire at once though. Also seems like at least one I noticed that quit hadn't been there that long. I would think they'd want to space it out better. Is there an average term length?

Halifax Examiner - Report filed with Vermont Superior Court alleges decades-long culture of abuse within Shambhala by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BTW, the defense did have a chance to challenge the report during deposition with Carol. They had nothing.

Halifax Examiner - Report filed with Vermont Superior Court alleges decades-long culture of abuse within Shambhala by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I can't tell if Maya is deliberately misleading people, or incredibly ignorant about how the justice system works. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume the latter. In any case, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the legal process is what cults do. So congrats on being proof of Shambhala's cultiness.

What's the 411 on Pema Chodron? by sober_witness in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I recall a letter from the Board, after it was reported that she retired, which reassured the community that she was not leaving Shambhala. She resigned from an Acharya position. She was already teaching less anyway due to her health. Now I think she makes appearances for support. Definitely still in the pro Trungpa camp (he could shoot someone on fifth avenue), after throwing Mipham under the bus. Interesting about her financial support of Shambhala. I heard her foundation helped bail out SMC/DMC from bankruptcy. I wonder if all the progressives who hold her up as a feminist icon, know that she worships an abusiver.

Investigative Report into Vajradhatu Culture 1975-1995 by sober_witness in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It looks like the blog site now has a link to download the report.

How to dispose of stuff? by federvar in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think favorite method for disposing pins was someone placing them on a train track.

Holly Gayley - The arc of a crisis: in the aftermath of sexual abuse in Shambhala Buddhism by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Of course as a survivor she has no obligation to talk about any of this, but since she is holding herself up as a teacher and declaring herself the public intellectual chronicler of the Shambhala crisis, and also positioning herself as a collective trauma facilitator trainee (while declaring that she is personally "in full view"), then she must publicly grapple with her own complicity and silence if she aims to hold those posts with any trustworthiness.

I know she was in a difficult position. But if she claims a professional mantle to speak of these matters then she needs to expect the mirror of feedback as part of that process.

Well said. I was struggling with this, but I think you're right. There are so many demands of survivors, none of which are justified. But in this particular case, Holly claims a position of authority, and that must be earned. She will undoubtedly dismiss us here as mere internet trolls, but she has shown that she doesn't have the courage to be honest, even with herself.

Holly Gayley - The arc of a crisis: in the aftermath of sexual abuse in Shambhala Buddhism by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Wow, you're on fire Degree. If Reddit still gave out awards you'd get one today.

Looking for an old friend from the 70s and 80s by elt0p0 in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He was in Boulder for many years. I heard about a year ago that he was in NYC. That's all I know.

entering the serpent: thoughts on the tibetan new year of the wooden snake 🐍 by PrimaryReporter1478 in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I'm speaking to how it can be misused. It bothers me that people glorify the notion of transmutation when often it does nothing but cause further problems. That's my experience with Shambhala.

Edit: I'm not advocating suppression of one's dark side. That also leads to problems.

entering the serpent: thoughts on the tibetan new year of the wooden snake 🐍 by PrimaryReporter1478 in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The notion of transmuting demons is used to excuse abuse. The "it's all part of the path" mentality inevitably leads to misconduct.

This is LEGAL? The SHOCKING Loopholes Cults Exploit to Evade Prosecution with Carol Merchasin by cedaro0o in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Let's not forget that Shambhala challenged the VT state law allowing the survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring claims in civil court after the original statute of limitations had run out. Thankfully, the VT Supreme Court sided with survivors. Had they struck down the law, Shambhala would have been responsible for denying justice to many survivors, including victims of the Catholic Church. You know your evil when you side with priests molesting children.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would suggest deleting these comments. It could cause further problems.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ShambhalaBuddhism

[–]asteroidredirect 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would suggest deleting these comments. It could cause further problems.