More Scandal in the Wider Buddhist Sangha ...

[Jishin]

“Cease to cherish opinions and truth will be revealed.”

—Hsin-Hsin Ming

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

It is important that we make an environment in which victims of abuse can feel safe and welcome to report confidentially, and be treated with respect, with their reports taken seriously and responded to quickly and fairly. They must be investigated by individuals who are fair and not partial. As well, we must also make sure not to judge purported wrongdoers too early, based on rumor or supposition without all complete facts available. We must do both. It is a fine line to walk, but we must walk it.

For reference, our Treeleaf Sangha has an Ethics Committee in place, including some non-member individuals who are in positions of trust and experienced in related matters (such as counseling or law), available to take any report and investigate the same in confidence. They can be contacted as a group or individually. We also have ethics rules posted here spelling out standards and procedures.

Treeleaf Ethics Committee ( Complaint Box )

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?7607-Treeleaf-Ethics-Committee-%28-Complaint-Box-%29

I am happy to report that, as far as I know, the system has never needed to be used, and no report has ever been filed about the priests or others in our Community.

However, it is available should the need ever arise.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Jundo]

It is important that we make an environment in which victims of abuse can feel safe and welcome to report confidentially, and be treated with respect, with their reports taken seriously and responded to quickly and fairly. They must be investigated by individuals who are fair and not partial. As well, we must also make sure not to judge purported wrongdoers too early, based on rumor or supposition without all complete facts available. We must do both. It is a fine line to walk, but we must walk it.

For reference, our Treeleaf Sangha has an Ethics Committee in place, including some non-member individuals who are in positions of trust and experienced in related matters (such as counseling or law), available to take any report and investigate the same in confidence. They can be contacted as a group or individually. We also have ethics rules posted here spelling out standards and procedures.

Treeleaf Ethics Committee ( Complaint Box )

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?7607-Treeleaf-Ethics-Committee-%28-Complaint-Box-%29

I am happy to report that, as far as I know, the system has never needed to be used, and no report has ever been filed about the priests or others in our Community.

However, it is available should the need ever arise.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Kyoshin]

A pertinent reminder from one of the readings in Jukai study: "That teacher is still a human being! The teacher carries a message, but the teacher may not necessarily be enlightened and therefore he or she is still in a human existence. They will still be affected by a sense of inner superiority or ego and emotions and will sometimes make mistakes. What you have to learn from that teacher is the message not always the behaviour. You should not think, "He did this, therefore I must copy him because he is my Buddhist teacher".
You must not close your eyes and follow your teacher blindly. Every one of you has the same capability of achievement as the teacher, the same potential. If you continue to do the right thing you may even be better than your teacher! The teacher gives the message and you act on it. It would be wiser to separate the teachings from the behaviour of the teacher. Then if some action of the teacher should disappoint you, you will not lose interest in Buddhism because of the behaviour of one person."

Gassho
Nick
Satlah

[Anka]

Stories like these are so disheartening but a reminder that nothing is perfect. If you dig into any religion or group you can find extremists or corruption. I hope the truth comes out here and that people are able to hold their judgement until it does.

Gassho to you Kokuu. It couldn't have been stated better.

James F
Sat lah

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Shinshi]

Sadly I have read of several cases of this, which just seems like a modern Buddhist equivalent of "You'll bring shame on the family". As in that case, we need to make it clear that it is the abuser who brings shame, not the victim and, in my opinion, any sangha which acts to protect an abuser is complicit in the abuse.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

any sangha which acts to protect an abuser is complicit in the abuse.

Thank you Kokuu, I very much agree.

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Kokuu]

she was terrified about coming forward at the time, and the teacher told her it would bring shame on the sangha

Sadly I have read of several cases of this, which just seems like a modern Buddhist equivalent of "You'll bring shame on the family". As in that case, we need to make it clear that it is the abuser who brings shame, not the victim and, in my opinion, any sangha which acts to protect an abuser is complicit in the abuse.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Aurkihnowe]

i read an article by a survivor of this abuse (a woman, but in today's climate, men are not immune to unwanted sexual advances from roshi's, rinpoche's, and others)...she was terrified about coming forward at the time, and the teacher told her it would bring shame on the sangha (as if he hadn't done so already) and now this woman counsels other sufferers of assault (calling a wolf a wolf)...there are now laws, and will continue to be more in the future, against clergy sexual abuse, and these people coming forward are prime examples about why such egregious sexual misconduct must be monitored...

[Shinshou]

I'm just gonna leave this here. It was posted by Emmet a few months ago on the Random Quote thread.

Kannon's Prayer for the Abuser

To those who withhold refuge,
I cradle you in safety at the core of my Being.
To those that cause a child to cry out,
I grant you the freedom to express your own choked agony.
To those that inflict terror,
I remind you that you shine with the purity of a thousand suns.
To those who would confine, suppress, or deny,
I offer the limitless expanse of the sky.
To those who need to cut, slash, or burn,
I remind you of the invincibility of Spring.
To those who cling and grasp,
I promise more abundance than you could ever hold onto.
To those who vent their rage on small children,
I return to you your deepest innocence.
To those who must frighten into submission,
I hold you in the bosom of your original mother.
To those who cause agony to others,
I give the gift of free flowing tears.
To those that deny another's right to be,
I remind you that the angels sang in celebration of you on the day of your birth.
To those who see only division and separateness,
I remind you that a part is born only by bisecting a whole.
For those who have forgotten the tender mercy of a mother's embrace,
I send a gentle breeze to caress your brow.
To those who still feel somehow incomplete,
I offer the perfect sanctity of this very moment.
unknown

Shinshou (Dan)
Sat Today

[Daitetsu]

Hi Jundo,

It seems much more subtle and ambiguous than just "denies," and nobody outside yet knows what this is about or what the heck exactly is going on. We live in a complicated time, and it is impossible to judge all the indirect hints and lawyerly code words used here.

I advise to keep an open mind, and not jump to conclusions either way, until more specific information comes out.

That's how I think, too. Sorry if I made the impression to see it in a certain way or taking one side. With "deny" I simply referred to his statement:

That said, I will likewise also continue to tell the truth about what never happened, such as the accusation that I assaulted someone.

However, I fear that there will be more confusion and speculation on all sides, which will make it even more difficult to find out the truth.

Gassho,

Daitetsu

#sat2day

[Zenmei]

It seems much more subtle and ambiguous than just "denies," and nobody outside yet knows what this is about or what the heck exactly is going on. We live in a complicated time, and it is impossible to judge all the indirect hints and lawyerly code words used here.

I can’t judge whether the allegations are true. We don’t even know what they are. Noah has admitted to causing harm with his sexuality and not considering his teaching role in his personal dating life. I don’t think promiscuity is wrong in and of itself, but I do think that you have to be very, very careful to avoid causing harm. And I’m not sure I buy the argument that you can separate your personal life from your teachings like that. He’s not teaching algebra, what he is teaching is intimately related to how he lives his life. I feel for him. It does seem, as you suggested earlier, that this is a manifestation of his addiction.

I just feel like a responsible teacher, after admitting to causing harm with his sexuality and not taking his teaching role seriously, would at least take a break from teaching to examine his behavior.

Edit: and let me add that his admissions seem much more of the "I'm sorry you were offended" variety than genuine regret or intention to change any behavior. I can't see in his heart, but that's how he's coming across to a large part of the community.

Gassho, Zenmei (sat)

[Zenmei]

The unseemly haste with which everyone concerned raced to disassociate themselves with Levine and shut down the centres suggests more is involved than is being disclosed, either on their part or his. I can't even tell from their statement whether they've actually sat down with him and really discussed any of this. I can only feel compassion for everyone concerned, including Levine.
Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday lah

I believe there were some internal power struggles going on at ATS, and these allegations were just the final straw.

Noah went to the ethics council and admitted to an inappropriate relationship shortly before this came out. The conversation was happening for at least a few months before they decide to investigate.

Gassho, Zenmei (sat)

[Meitou]

For those interested in this matter, Noah Levine has now responded with a statement in which he denies the allegations:

https://www.lionsroar.com/against-the-stream-confirms-sexual-misconduct-by-noah-levine-centers-to-shut-down/

Gassho,

Daitetsu

#sat2day

The unseemly haste with which everyone concerned raced to disassociate themselves with Levine and shut down the centres suggests more is involved than is being disclosed, either on their part or his. I can't even tell from their statement whether they've actually sat down with him and really discussed any of this. I can only feel compassion for everyone concerned, including Levine.
Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday lah

[Jundo]

For those interested in this matter, Noah Levine has now responded with a statement in which he denies the allegations:

https://www.lionsroar.com/against-the-stream-confirms-sexual-misconduct-by-noah-levine-centers-to-shut-down/

Gassho,

Daitetsu

#sat2day

It seems much more subtle and ambiguous than just "denies," and nobody outside yet knows what this is about or what the heck exactly is going on. We live in a complicated time, and it is impossible to judge all the indirect hints and lawyerly code words used here.

I advise to keep an open mind, and not jump to conclusions either way, until more specific information comes out.

Gassho, J

STLah