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An online compilation of suspect Buddhist "teachers"
I was poking around the web and came across the following link:
http://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy-controversial-teacher-group-center-questionable.html
I was quite surprised to see a couple of the names on there, and perhaps the info can be taken with a grain of salt in some cases, however it seemed worth putting out there on a noob forum, lest anyone fall under a bad influence.
They also like to keep the list updated, so for those of you who have been overcharged to visit a sangha or similar it may be worth mentioning to them.
http://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy-controversial-teacher-group-center-questionable.html
I was quite surprised to see a couple of the names on there, and perhaps the info can be taken with a grain of salt in some cases, however it seemed worth putting out there on a noob forum, lest anyone fall under a bad influence.
They also like to keep the list updated, so for those of you who have been overcharged to visit a sangha or similar it may be worth mentioning to them.
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Comments
@Hubris Did you see contact info on there? The text invites people to submit comments or suggestions, but I didn't see a contact link or address.
Of course any info like this is subjective and may be prone to bias. Hence my comment about taking things with a grain of salt. I actually got to it by Googling Jetsunma Akhon Lhamo out of boredom.
I discovered her because of the book Buddha From Brooklyn, written by Martha Sherrill from the Washington Post. I read it about 5 years ago or so. Her past is sort of dubious too, however she has devoted followers, and I went and checked out the monastery in MD myself. It's quite lovely actually, and I felt quite reverent in my couple of visits to it - would that I lived closer.
Having never met or seen her speak I cannot attest to what kind of person Jetsunma is, and perhaps she is not as altruistic as she might be, however she has created a space for Buddhists to practice both in MD and in AZ, and she inspires people to practice. That in and of itself is admirable in my opinion.
Maybe the other folks on the list are just as admirable, maybe not, however at least people can find out for themselves and make an informed decision.
Namaste'
_/\_
As for Christine, his ex girlfriend calling herself a Lama, that is sick.
This list is mostly about self-appointed teachers who haven't earned their status as "lama", "geshe", etc. He puts the Japanese subway bomber in there, and a few that have allegations of fiscal or sexual misconduct. This is such a modest little list, I see no need for suspicion. There's already been so much publicity about some of these guys, it's a slam-dunk. My only regret is that the list isn't more complete.
So him having affairs “including with a senior student” would be an understatement imho.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Merzel
“In February 2011, after admitting to three extra-marital sexual affairs, including with a senior student, Merzel said he would disrobe as a Buddhist priest, resign as an elder of the White Plum Asanga, step down as Abbot of Kanzeon, and stop teaching for an indefinite period of time to seek counseling.[8][9][10] 44 American Buddhist teachers then wrote a letter suggesting a course of action for Merzel, including a minimum one-year leave of absence and therapy.[11] By April, Merzel had reversed his position, saying that too many students and his organizations depended on him financially and spiritually.[12]
66 American Buddhist teachers responded with a forceful public letter to Merzel requesting that he follow through with his stated intention to stop teaching for some time, considering his "habitual abuses of power". Merzel countered that this letter was itself worse than his behavior, and continued to lead retreats.[13] He and his wife are divorcing.[14]”
The Tibetan Kagyu place I go to is often attended by Quakers or Hindus, as well as Buddhists of several traditions, as well as the core, Kagyu group. Many Buddhists there have taken refuge with Lama Chime Rinpoche, who is the sort of 'head' of the centre, but there are other lamas about and some people (like me) haven't committed to one tradition yet. No pressure whatsoever has been put on me, or my friends who attend with me, some of whom who similar issues to yourself. I was told by Lama Chime that I should wait as long as I needed before taking vows, even if it was years.
I previously attended a Ch'an group and although I decided to move on, I would have absolutely no concerns about the Ch'an sanghas I've visited. Nor would I worry about the various Theravada groups, or the Plum Village group (that's Thich Naht Han's Vietnamese Zen sangha).
So yes, be cautious, but remember that Buddhists are like everyone else, a mixture of good and bad. I venture to suggest there are an awful lot more good than bad.