Understanding the Disciple & Guru Relationship : Robert A.F. Thurman on Sexual Abuse in Buddhism
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- Professor Robert A.F. “Bob” Thurman’s official podcast covers diverse topics including Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist Studies, spirituality, Tibetan Culture, Asian history, philosophy, Eastern Ideas, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
These weekly free podcasts include original content as well as selected highlights from his lectures and presentations given around the world. A New York Times Best Selling author, his latest book “Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama” a full color graphic novel published by Tibet House US.
“He makes you laugh as you learn. He is a treasure.”
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After listening to your detailed explanation, I have come to know my limitations and to just chant the Shuragama mantra seriously and go with the very basic level of meditation while chanting Amitabha's name. It is indeed very difficult to discern what is the true version for the esoteric part of Tibetan Buddhism. Once a person is being sexually abused, it is very difficult to not feel being betrayed by the most trusted teacher and hatred will be very difficult to overcome. 🙏
Am so glad this issue is finally being purified on this planet, is long overdue. It is surprising though how so few talked about it before, but few also wanted to hear it or could.
Thank you for your teachings. I just had a disappointing revelation today about a recently discovered spiritual teachers’ dark side. His teaching is something that helps me if I use it before I begin my sadhana by guiding me to the calm awareness of emptiness. Kind of a bummer but I want to continue to use this technique. Could be that the rumors are incorrect but actually I went looking because I had a nagging doubt. I am so grateful for Tibet House.
Why don't you name him, to warn others? Also, rumors? Believe women.
Simply love Robert Thurman (and his Yak pillow :)! Very meaningful talk!
Thank you
30 minutes in and I haven’t heard any direct attempt addressing the dynamic in Tibetan Buddhism that seems ripe for abuse. I imagine myself as a victim of such abuse watching this and how I’d feel. I imagine I’d feel betrayed and gaslit.
Imagine of the Catholic Church came out and said: "The people who were abused by Roman Catholic priests should live their abuser". The media would explode with rage, rightfully so, at such an abusive statement. It is good to forgive and to love the abuser- but it can only come from within the abused person after the abuse have stopped and after some healing; it should not be commanded by those people who have never even experienced such sexual and financial abuse! To be honest, I think that this entire talk is (1) a defence of Tantra rather than the people who have been abused and (2) it displays a shocking lack of empathy.
🙏🙏🙏 from 🇧🇹
Learning about such teachers is very discouraging because not only do they cross the boundary on physical relationship they also abuse students financially i must say such teachers are truly paving a pretty dark karma for themselves in worlds of low energies since they already start entering while living on this plane , all scriptures Vedic , Christian , Buddhist , Jain warn about teachers as such . Are there really real teachers that do not seek fame and money its a hard one.
Agree, except for teachers who do not ‘seek’ fame - undoubtedly a pure and generous teacher (of his offerings), will engender great following and receive monetary offerings in gratitude. There are so many, of course the most famous HHDalai Lama ! Here, Bob Thurman!! However, I feel Bob is supporting a most generous indeed attitude to teachers who knowingly transgress their positions. Consciously creating harm from their especially high awareness of clarity and ‘stability’ and theory and practice, to exploit students of lesser skill...... how can one see their ‘rehabilitation’ if it wasn’t obvious prior?
But of course what we call Tibetan Buddhism was by no means taught by the Buddha, not even implicitly. Of course there are many aspects of Tibetan Buddhism that were taught by Buddha but almost everything that distinguishes Tibetan Buddhism from Theravada is a much later development.
You should not be telling abused people that they should not hate their abuser. I wonder if you (Robert Thurman) have been sexually and financially abused for years? Probably not. This entire talk feels like he is trying to protect Tantra rather than protect the abused.