Buddhist group investigating claims of sexual abuse
Multiple women allege wrongdoing by leader of Halifax-based group
HALIFAX— One of the largest western Buddhist organizations says it’s launching an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against its Halifax-based spiritual leader. Shambhala International leaders say they are in the process of engaging a third-party investigator to review allegations by multiple unnamed women against Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.
In a letter to community members, the Kalapa Council said it is also finalizing an agreement with an organization to serve as a channel for alleged victims of abuse to come for- ward with their stories and assist with advocacy.
“The Kalapa Council takes the allegations of misconduct within our community very seriously,” said the leaders of the organization, based in Halifax with more than 200 meditation centres around the world.
The letter comes after a former Shambhala community member, Andrea Winn, published a report last week with statements from women alleging sexual misconduct by Mipham, the Buddhist leader and holder of Shambhala lineage.
None of the allegations has been proven in court and Halifax Regional Police said there are no charges against him.
Mipham responded to the allegations in a letter to the Shambhala community last week. He said he “engaged in relationships with women in the Shambhala community” and has recently learned that some of these women felt harmed. A Shambhala spokesperson said he “takes these first-hand claims raised against him very seriously.”
A source close to the Shambhala community confirmed that a third-party, independent legal firm has been contracted to conduct the investigation.
Winn called the Kalapa Council’s response disheartening. She wants Mipham to step down pending the results of an independent investigation. An online petition urging Mipham to immediately suspend all of his teaching and governance functions had more than 500 signatures Thursday.
Winn also said members of the Kalapa Council leadership who were allegedly aware of Mipham’s actions should step aside until the investigation’s findings are released.