‘Buddhist’ Teachers to Watch Out For

[Sam Vara]

Is there an ongoing list of teachers to stay away from? lol I've only been studying for about 6 months, so I wouldn't know right away.

Not anything like an official one. One person's charlatan or abuser is another person's guru! That's something you will have to make up your own mind about.

[TRobinson465]

Is there an ongoing list of teachers to stay away from? lol I've only been studying for about 6 months, so I wouldn't know right away.

Not anything like an official one. One person's charlatan or abuser is another person's guru! That's something you will have to make up your own mind about.

Good guidelines to follow is the basics of Buddhism and the incentive structure.

Do they teach anything contrary to the 5 precepts or the 10 right views? thats usually a red flag

Does it seem like the people in charge are abusing the most devoted adherents or are benefitting personally from the structure. A good example, Goenka is often referred to as cultish by e-Buddhists due to thier devoted following but pretty much any effective religious org has some cult-like attributes. But considering Goenka does most of their things for free theres no reason to think theres any charlatanism involved. This is a bit different from another big meditation org like TM, which like goenka, also has some elements of secretive-ism and and devoted following, but unlike goenka, literally charges for everything, wont put thier technique online for free, and tries to sue people who reveal how to do thier technique cuz it cuts into thier bottom line. TM isnt buddhist but such traits are usually a red flag.

That said, the internet is terrible for getting the right info on "controversial" orgs regardless of religion. You have to kinda see for yourself how they are really run and just use guidelines like incentive structure to see if you shouldnt get involved. As Sam says above, one persons legitimate charlatan is another's guru, one persons legitimate guru is another's internet based charlatan. You have to come and see for yourself

[Kumara]

Is there an ongoing list of teachers to stay away from? lol I've only been studying for about 6 months, so I wouldn't know right away.

I agree with Sam Vara above. It's something that you have to learn to be sensitive about, not only when it comes to teachers, but people in general.

Anyway, this is probably the closest to what you're looking for: https://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy- ... nable.html

[DNS]

Anyway, this is probably the closest to what you're looking for: https://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy- ... nable.html

That's quite a list! (unfortunately)

A couple of entries have links to DW conversations, for reference.

I always wondered what happens to some of those teachers who fall from grace? For example, Sakyong Mipham no longer regularly teaches at Shambhala in the U.S. but does he still get to live (quite comfortably in a nice place from what I've heard) at the mountain retreat center with his wife and kids? Does the community still have to support him for all his financial needs?

[santa100]

I always wondered what happens to some of those teachers who fall from grace? For example, Sakyong Mipham no longer regularly teaches at Shambhala in the U.S. but does he still get to live (quite comfortably in a nice place from what I've heard) at the mountain retreat center with his wife and kids? Does the community still have to support him for all his financial needs?

Guess that's the advantage of being a "Dhamma teacher" or a cult leader. It's job security for life cuz no matter how badly one screws up, there'll always be followers to support them for the rest of their life.

[pegembara]

Is there an ongoing list of teachers to stay away from? lol I've only been studying for about 6 months, so I wouldn't know right away.

I agree with Sam Vara above. It's something that you have to learn to be sensitive about, not only when it comes to teachers, but people in general.

Anyway, this is probably the closest to what you're looking for: https://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy- ... nable.html

Oh my goodness, they are everywhere!
Clearly, the stated behaviors if proven are not consistent with those who are finished with samsara.
Far from it are they.

[TRobinson465]

That's quite a list! (unfortunately)

That website literally says they havent even verified the claims, but posted the list simply for awareness. Which i think is fine. Its good to at least have your head up when doing the real research of seeing what fits the bill or not.

I always wondered what happens to some of those teachers who fall from grace? For example, Sakyong Mipham no longer regularly teaches at Shambhala in the U.S. but does he still get to live (quite comfortably in a nice place from what I've heard) at the mountain retreat center with his wife and kids? Does the community still have to support him for all his financial needs?

If they were legitimately expelled then the org/community doesnt support them. but of course some individual followers still will. It happens in every single religion.



Even in politics it happens, i know some people here in the States that legitimately believed there was some secret genius plan to take the white house from Biden after Trump lost the last election.

[Kumara]

I always wondered what happens to some of those teachers who fall from grace? For example, Sakyong Mipham no longer regularly teaches at Shambhala in the U.S. but does he still get to live (quite comfortably in a nice place from what I've heard) at the mountain retreat center with his wife and kids? Does the community still have to support him for all his financial needs?

It's almost certain that there are die-hard followers who believe that the teacher was simply falsely accused.

Consider Peoples Temple. Even years after the mass murder in Guyana, there were still followers.

[Ceisiwr]

I always wondered what happens to some of those teachers who fall from grace? For example, Sakyong Mipham no longer regularly teaches at Shambhala in the U.S. but does he still get to live (quite comfortably in a nice place from what I've heard) at the mountain retreat center with his wife and kids? Does the community still have to support him for all his financial needs?

It's almost certain that there are die-hard followers who believe that the teacher was simply falsely accused.

Consider Peoples Temple. Even years after the mass murder in Guyana, there were still followers.

The Heaven’s Gate website is still running thanks to two still living dedicated members.

[DNS]

I always wondered what happens to some of those teachers who fall from grace? For example, Sakyong Mipham no longer regularly teaches at Shambhala in the U.S. but does he still get to live (quite comfortably in a nice place from what I've heard) at the mountain retreat center with his wife and kids? Does the community still have to support him for all his financial needs?

It's almost certain that there are die-hard followers who believe that the teacher was simply falsely accused.

In the case of Sakyong Mipham, it's not about being falsely accused; he has admitted to misconduct and apologized. But I know, even with that, some will still follow a person like that.

[Kumara]

In the case of Sakyong Mipham, it's not about being falsely accused; he has admitted to misconduct and apologized. But I know, even with that, some will still follow a person like that.

In this case, he's likely not a psychopath, but somewhat a 'victim' of circumstances, of getting caught up in the gains, honour, and fame, and lost his moral compass.

[Goofaholix]

Anyway, this is probably the closest to what you're looking for: https://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy- ... estionable.

Interesting, that list is very light on Theravadins. I'm not sure if that means we are better at avoiding producing dodgy teachers or that the author doesn't have much source information on Theravadins.

[Kumara]

Interesting, that list is very light on Theravadins. I'm not sure if that means we are better at avoiding producing dodgy teachers or that the author doesn't have much source information on Theravadins.

Looking at his website, he's obviously far more familiar with the Vajrayana landscape.

[DNS]

In this case, he's likely not a psychopath, but somewhat a 'victim' of circumstances, of getting caught up in the gains, honour, and fame, and lost his moral compass.

See for example this post (warning NSFW):

https://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.p ... 09#p453709

Just my opinion, but I think teachers who do this, if not arrested, should at least be defrocked and told to find a regular lay life job. At the very least they should not be allowed to continue living like a royal of the community.

[Kumara]

In this case, he's likely not a psychopath, but somewhat a 'victim' of circumstances, of getting caught up in the gains, honour, and fame, and lost his moral compass.

See for example this post (warning NSFW):

https://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.p ... 09#p453709

Just my opinion, but I think teachers who do this, if not arrested, should at least be defrocked and told to find a regular lay life job. At the very least they should not be allowed to continue living like a royal of the community.

Hope you don't get me wrong. Victim of circumstances or not, bad behaviour is bad behaviour. Still, I don't see how anyone could get him to disrobe. You just have to let the law of kamma do its job.

There's a Malaysian lay guru who has been accused of sexual misconduct with his students too some years back. I was told he had confessed and apologised. It seems since then nothing happen, but I'm not so sure if he would be keeping that way.

As I understand, the Vajrayana tradition demands some kind of loyalty and devotion to the guru, and surely this creates a huge opportunity for exploitation.