Best Of
Re: How very disappointing...
One celibate monastery populated by men and women who lived and practiced together, managed to side-step many of the more commonly reported cases of sexual opportunism through an adherence to precepts against inappropriate sexuality along with a setting up of supportive structures to help those precepts succeed.
Establishing that even the appearance of a potential sexual impropriety should be avoided. No closed-door meetings, nobody in positions of power situating themselves between the vulnerable and an escapable doorway, having another "sensible" adult be within an audible hearing distance of any counseling's or meetings, etc.
Having teachers clearly posit to their followers that one of the more inevitable harms of any sexual interactions between their Sangha members occurs when relationship breakups oblige one or another of the participants to leave their practice places & teachers of choice. That any sexual indulgences in such circumstances are simply a fostering of one's own ego over the spiritual needs of others.
Anyone breaking such rules were summarily asked to leave and no longer hold themselves up as representatives of that school, no matter how long they had practiced there.
While a bit too hardcore for some of the laity to follow themselves, I think it certainly helped monastics and the followers of their satellite centers & groups to avoid many of the failings that seem to have afflicted so many other Buddhist lineages.
how
Re: How very disappointing...
A quick search using Spanish governmental sources....
"According to the INE, in 2023, there were 2,867 adults convicted of sexual offenses, with 97.2% being men and 2.8% women. Among minors, there were 424 convictions for sexual offenses, with 97.9% being boys and 2.1% girls. These figures indicate that the vast majority of perpetrators are male."
=/
Kotishka
Re: No Buddhist Quotes
“All negativity is caused by an accumulation of psychological time and denial of the present. Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry -- all forms of fear -- are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.”
— Eckhart Tolle
Jeroen
Re: How very disappointing...
The answer is always no, if no means no. No matter who, why, or where.
Rape is the most inhuman and degrading, humiliating indignity any one person can brutally inflict on another. And the VAST majority of perpetrators are men, raping women. Which reveals the sobering reality that the dating pool for hetero women, also contains their most dangerous predator.
federica
Re: How very disappointing...
@IdleChater said:
@federica said:
Lama Surya Sas was been accused of sexual improprietyYep, he is now a member of that group where the member is accused of sexual impropriety.
Sadly, accusation = guilt.
No, in this case, allegations and guilt were established.
https://religionnews.com/2020/07/30/buddhist-teacher-lama-surya-das-admits-sleeping-with-former-students-dzogchen/
federica
Re: Funny Stuff
A priest and a politician go to Heaven. After the preliminaries are all dealt with, St. Peter takes them both to see where they will be staying. He first takes them to a plain high-rise apartment block, and after a long ride in an elevator, shows the Priest his apartment; a modest, sparsely-furnished, practical functional place, with a small kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom with a single bed, side table, chair and wardrobe. Muted colours, minimal decor.
Having left the Priest to his own devices, St. Peter then takes the politicians to an amazing home, with an all-round porch/verandah, luxury living,opulent decor, and an all-singing all dancing brass band and cheerleader troupe.
The Politician is somewhat stunned at the stark difference between the Priest's accommodation and his, but St Peter explains, "Oh, well, you know, Priests and Holy men are two a dime here, but you're the first politician we've ever had..."
federica
Re: American Zen?
Nice tag.
If zazen was just a posture, couldn't the nearest Buddha statue do your practice instead.
Time to call into question, all pride based Zazen business models.
how