‘I always recommend that the teaching on seeing the guru’s actions as perfect should not be stressed in the lives of ordinary practitioners. It would be an unfortunate affair if the Buddhadharma, which is established by profound reasoning, were to have to take a second place to it.” –His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, The Path to Enlightenment. p.71
Maitripa College Policies for Safety and Ethical Conduct
Organizations
An Olive Branch
https://www.an-olive-branch.org/
A project of the Zen Center of Pittsburgh. Providing services that help organizations prevent misconduct and respond to it if it does occur.
Heartwood Center Survivors Program
https://www.heartwoodcenter.com/meditation/survivors-program/
Safe, compassionate space to heal and connect after physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and sexual abuse in Buddhism.
The Alliance for Buddhist Ethics (website sometimes unavailable)
https://allianceforbuddhistethics.com
Promoting ethical behavior in Buddhist communities related to sexual abuse in Buddhism
Crisis Text Line
https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/sexual-abuse/#finding-help-if-youve-been-sexually-abused-3
Finding Help if You’ve Been Sexually Abused
Articles
- Dalai Lama Denounces Ethical Misconduct by Buddhist Teachers
Sam Littlefair — Lion’s Roar - Message from Pema Khandro about the Oath Against Harm
Pema Khandro — Pema Khandro - Resources for Confronting Abuse in Spiritual Communities
Ann Gleig and Amy Langerberg — Lion’s Roar - Dealing with Abusive Behavior by Spiritual Teachers
Alexander Berzin — Study Buddhism by Berzin Archives - Unhealthy Relationships with Spiritual Teacher — Study Buddhism by Berzin Archives
Alexander Berzin - Our Teachers are Not Gods
Rob Preece — Lion’s Roar - Us Too
Trudy Goodman — Lion’s Roar
Books
Edelstein, Scott. 2011. Sex and the Spiritual Teacher: Why It Happens, When It’s a Problem, and What We All Can Do. Wisdom Publications. (WorldCat)
Media
Healing from Abuse – The Voice of a Survivor, Ally and Activist — Dharmadatta Community
Interview with Rachel Montgomery, founder of Heartwood Sangha Survivors Program
Lama Willa Baker – Abuse by Buddhist Teachers: Understanding it, Surviving It (Part One)
