Skip to content or view screen version

Threats of violence from a "Buddhist Monk" in the NKT

Zen Buddhist | 19.11.2010 13:27 | Culture | World

I just spent two months in Brazil volunteering for the New Kadampa Tradion International Temples Project... And was threatened with violence on three occasions by the monk in charge of the project. Others were also singled out for verbal abuse by this nut case. Be carefull before you volunteer for the NKT!!



While in Brazil the monk in charge of the building project (picture attached, man to the left of Kelsang Gyatso) on three occasions threatened me with physical violence in order to "break through my self cherishing." "If you do it like that I will hit you in the head with a hammer and you had better believe that I will do it." On another occasion he described to me how quickly he could kill me. It is my understanding from others who were on the project that his verbal assaults are typical of his behaviour, they have been ongoing for many years. The morale of the people on the building team when I arrived in Brazil was rock bottom. This person was verbally abusing people seemingly at random. Verbal threats were a daily occurance. "Who is going to get it next?" was the question every day. People were being terrorized by this mans anger and rage. The Brazillian construction workers were cussed at repeatedly. He told myself and another American that if we did not work the way he wanted us to we could pack our bags "and get the fuck out". This was in the middle of Brazil, in a country where we do not speak the language. He also said this to the whole assembly of workers.


His managers, when they arrived from Britain, both told me that I should take it on the chin... There was no rational discussion of the possibility that his behaviour may be unacceptable.

If you are involved in the NKT, or are interested in becoming involved, educate yourself before you do!!!

 http://buddhismnewkadampa.wordpress.com/

If you are interested in practicing Buddhism educate yourself before you step near the NKT! If you like the Dalai Lama the NKT is not for you! They protest against the Dalai Lama!

 http://www.nktworld.org/readmore.html

NKT e-mail:  info@kadampa.org

Tell them what you think of a person calling himself a Buddhist monk threatening to kill people!

Zen Buddhist

Comments

Hide the following 8 comments

Thank you for posting the article

19.11.2010 14:59

I posted this article with the intention that nobody else is harmed by the management structure of the NKT. There are countless stories of well intentioned people entering into the NKT looking to follow the Buddhist path, only to be verbally abused, in some cases sexually abused, and when they tried to discuss the problems within the tradition they were ostracized and ridiculed.

Buddhism is a rich tapestry of teachings. In every tradition that I have practiced in (other than the NKT) open debate and discussion is a natural and accepted part of understanding the teachings of Buddha. The NKT is an oppressive structure of management collecting money to build temples around the world so that their "pure" view of doctrine can be spread... Doctrine which comes from only one man, who does not allow any other teachings (even from the tradition he is from!) to be read in NKT temples.

I hope that by spreading the word of what happened to me in the NKT, being threatened with physical violence by a monk who has been in the NKT for over a decade, others will see that the NKT is what it is. An emperor with no clothes.

If you have the time, please cut and paste the article I posted and send it to your Buddhist friends. I want everyone to know to be wary of the NKT.

Zen Buddhist


Perhaps you should have read up on buddhism before...

19.11.2010 15:13

This is very normal behaviour...the Dalai Lama is simply a poster boy..

Try reading Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth to seek some enlightenment...

 http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html

Ex Buddhist


do we really give a shit?

19.11.2010 16:27

Do we really give a shit about the internal office politics of some religious sect? Not really news.

anon


Zen Buddhist

20.11.2010 04:07

I think people being threatened with murder by a manager is news. Is it not? I think it is the very nature of being an anarchist to call these people to the carpet when they behave in this manner, and not just lower our heads in supplication like they are our lords. The disgusting form of oppression can rear its ugly head in many ways. We must be vigilat to call it out when we see it, whatever form it is taking.

Zen Buddhist


bhuddismphobia

20.11.2010 13:51

Why do you hate Bhuddists? I think it is because you are a racist. Accusing a Bhuddist of violence is racism!

anon


No hate

20.11.2010 19:55


I have no hate for anyone. I only wish to expose the lies of this organization, and to let anyone know who is interested in joining that there are issues they need to educate themselves on.

I am one person, not a team of people writing a blog with a budget. Choose for yourself what the "truth" is. The apology letter is published here, as is my response.

 http://buddhismnewkadampa.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/nkt-in-brazil-an-experience/#comment-59

Zen Buddhist


If Karma is Deeds

21.11.2010 04:46

If Karma is deeds then Buddhism is in trouble. Like all religions Buddhism has it's fundies and those who exploit it for personal ends. Like all religions it is also intellectual gibberish.

Your man in Brazil appears to be nothing more than a cult leader on a power trip. The likes of the Dalai Lama who wants to establish a Buddhist Theocracy which brooks no dissent are more dangerous.

No Leaders, No Gods

Peckham 8


To my friends

21.11.2010 17:03

The Buddha taught us to use our discriminating wisdom, and not to rely upon lineages and teachings alone. The doctrine of the NKT is to follow them without question. If this uniformity is what you seek, so be it.

The NKT worships a diety, not the Buddha, and wraps themselves with an air of superiority over the other Buddhist traditions like they are the lords of the castle.


There is no tradition in emptiness.

This is the teaching of Buddha...


Kalama Sutra
Do not believe in anything (simply)
because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions because they
have been handed down for many generations
Do not believe in anything because it is
spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because
it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority
of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis,
when you find anything that agrees with reason
and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all
then accept it and live up to it.

Buddha
Anguttara Nikaya

Zen Buddhist