Very sad news: Letter to Sogyal Rinpoche / Abuse allegations
Re: Very bad news
Nothing new about it except for the update at the bottom of the page:
https://www.lionsroar.com/rigpa-press-r ... -rinpoche/
it sounds like it's more a temporary time-out
That's probably going to be shattering for his students. From the letter of response in this articleUpdate: On Friday afternoon, July 21, Lion’s Roar received from Rigpa a press release in response to the letter; it indicates that Sogyal Rinpoche will “step back” as the community looks into next steps.
https://www.lionsroar.com/rigpa-press-r ... -rinpoche/
it sounds like it's more a temporary time-out
We respect Sogyal Rinpoche’s decision to step back and to enter a period of retreat and reflection, and find it wise.
"I struggled with some demons, They were middle class and tame..." L. Cohen
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Re: Very sad news
I wish the best to the Rigpa community and pray for some serious healing to take place.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
-Khunu Lama
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
-Khunu Lama
Re: Very sad news
I second this.Johnny Dangerous wrote:I wish the best to the Rigpa community and pray for some serious healing to take place.
I think we need to start creating ethical standards though were money and lifestyles are humble. This is a spiritual path after all.
Practice, Practice, Practice
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Re: Very sad news
So call the police on each and every 'physical abuse' and have him arrested.“Your physical abuse – which constitutes a crime under the laws of the lands where you have done these acts...
Sounds like a "buddhist" version of domestic abuse victims.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Re: Very sad news
the ethical standards are already in place. it's sad that a teacher as highly respected as this could act in such manner, but I applaud the students for speaking out.CedarTree wrote:I second this.Johnny Dangerous wrote:I wish the best to the Rigpa community and pray for some serious healing to take place.
I think we need to start creating ethical standards though were money and lifestyles are humble. This is a spiritual path after all.
Re: Very sad news
Not on the monetary side evidently.TharpaChodron wrote:the ethical standards are already in place. it's sad that a teacher as highly respected as this could act in such manner, but I applaud the students for speaking out.CedarTree wrote:I second this.Johnny Dangerous wrote:I wish the best to the Rigpa community and pray for some serious healing to take place.
I think we need to start creating ethical standards though were money and lifestyles are humble. This is a spiritual path after all.
Practice, Practice, Practice
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Re: Very sad news
FWIW, here's a response from SR:
https://whatnow727.wordpress.com/responses/
https://whatnow727.wordpress.com/responses/
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Re: Very sad news
Doesn't seem to be worth very much: a lot of me, me, me, and not very much else.dzogchungpa wrote:FWIW, here's a response from SR:
https://whatnow727.wordpress.com/responses/
Re: Very sad news
There is nothing wrong with wealthy teachers. How they derive their wealth however is of some concern.CedarTree wrote:I second this.Johnny Dangerous wrote:I wish the best to the Rigpa community and pray for some serious healing to take place.
I think we need to start creating ethical standards though were money and lifestyles are humble. This is a spiritual path after all.
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Re: Very sad news
Yup.Malcolm wrote:Doesn't seem to be worth very much: a lot of me, me, me, and not very much else.dzogchungpa wrote:FWIW, here's a response from SR:
https://whatnow727.wordpress.com/responses/
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Re: Very sad news
I can only hope that his letter is sincere. with all respect, how can a teacher of such high regard act in such a way? I would think that his training and realization would prevent such behavior.
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Re: Very sad news
I almost wonder if this is a kind of face-saving resignation letter.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
-Khunu Lama
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
-Khunu Lama
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Re: Very sad news
I don't think so.Johnny Dangerous wrote:I almost wonder if this is a kind of face-saving resignation letter.
"Yet I will of course still be there for you all, sharing teachings and guidance from my retreat, and meeting with you whenever the time is right."
Sounds more like he needs time to think how he can maintain/save his position, rather than thinking about stepping back or going into a real retreat.
------------------
"I am clear in my own mind that I have never, ever, acted towards anyone with a motive of selfish gain or harmful intent."
If someone believes this to be true after everything that has been said by his students, I don't know...
Re: Very sad news
Yet another episode in the neverending Sogyal Rinpoche saga...
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Re: Very sad news
All sounds very messy. Let's just hope for all involved that samayas are repairable.
'When thoughts arise, recognise them clearly as your teacher'— Gampopa
'When alone, examine your mind, when among others, examine your speech'.— Atisha
'When alone, examine your mind, when among others, examine your speech'.— Atisha
Re: Very sad news
Here is a link to the full letter composed by current and former Rigpa students, that was sent to Lion's Roar: http://openboeddhisme.nl/wp-content/upl ... -2017-.pdf
If you are not aware of the depth of depravity that Sogyal Rinpoche has sunk to, you may find the contents of this letter disturbing.
Edit: I noticed these links at the end of the letter which might be useful for those who may need support:
https://sanghacare8.wixsite.com/sanghacareresources
https://whatnow727.wordpress.com/
If you are not aware of the depth of depravity that Sogyal Rinpoche has sunk to, you may find the contents of this letter disturbing.
Edit: I noticed these links at the end of the letter which might be useful for those who may need support:
https://sanghacare8.wixsite.com/sanghacareresources
https://whatnow727.wordpress.com/
Re: Very sad news
This has been a long time coming. I have met several of his committed students, and they are good people. I feel sad for the pain they will be going through now or soon.TharpaChodron wrote:I can only hope that his letter is sincere. with all respect, how can a teacher of such high regard act in such a way? I would think that his training and realization would prevent such behavior.
But I quote the quote because it may pay to recall that he never did have a lot of training. If ever a tulku recognition were under suspicion of being a title of convenience, his is - you can find the story easily enough I'm sure. And as for realization - that is something to be judged by it's fruits, I think.
For him to go into retreat may well be overdue, but it is remarkably convenient that it shuts down questions to him from his own people - "The lama can't discuss that right now because he is in retreat."
A sad time for many of his students, but it was more a question of when and how this would happen, rather than whether.
All best wishes
"The profundity of your devotion to your lama is not measured by your ability to turn a blind eye."
Ramblings: lunidharma.blogspot.com
"The profundity of your devotion to your lama is not measured by your ability to turn a blind eye."
Ramblings: lunidharma.blogspot.com
Re: Very sad news
I'm just going to have to say I've never been a student of his and really just know him from his large following and assumed. interestingLingpupa wrote:This has been a long time coming. I have met several of his committed students, and they are good people. I feel sad for the pain they will be going through now or soon.TharpaChodron wrote:I can only hope that his letter is sincere. with all respect, how can a teacher of such high regard act in such a way? I would think that his training and realization would prevent such behavior.
But I quote the quote because it may pay to recall that he never did have a lot of training. If ever a tulku recognition were under suspicion of being a title of convenience, his is - you can find the story easily enough I'm sure. And as for realization - that is something to be judged by it's fruits, I think.
For him to go into retreat may well be overdue, but it is remarkably convenient that it shuts down questions to him from his own people - "The lama can't discuss that right now because he is in retreat."
A sad time for many of his students, but it was more a question of when and how this would happen, rather than whether.
Re: Very sad news
Looks like Mary Finnegan has been vindicated.