Open Buddhism
@openbuddhism.org
The investigative platform Open Buddhism aims to contribute to open-minded, public debates across the Buddhist world.
To this end, Open Buddhism invites contributions by freethinkers who develop tough, probing questions and dare speak truth to power.
To this end, Open Buddhism invites contributions by freethinkers who develop tough, probing questions and dare speak truth to power.
Reposted by Open Buddhism
Dilan Yesilgöz denkt dat criminaliteit bestrijden hetzelfde is als de rechtsstaat beschermen. Of doet alsof ze het verschil niet weet, wat nog erger is. #domrechts
share.podimo.com/s/oIf9gd50
share.podimo.com/s/oIf9gd50
October 21, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Dilan Yesilgöz denkt dat criminaliteit bestrijden hetzelfde is als de rechtsstaat beschermen. Of doet alsof ze het verschil niet weet, wat nog erger is. #domrechts
share.podimo.com/s/oIf9gd50
share.podimo.com/s/oIf9gd50
This AI generated cover alludes to the Christian motif of the lamb and the lion. Apparently, EBU bigwigs believe that Buddhism will turn lions into vegetarians. Not even the Dalai Lama managed to do that! cdn.sanity.io/files/vbitqo...
www.dalailama.com/the-dalai-la...
www.dalailama.com/the-dalai-la...
cdn.sanity.io
June 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
This AI generated cover alludes to the Christian motif of the lamb and the lion. Apparently, EBU bigwigs believe that Buddhism will turn lions into vegetarians. Not even the Dalai Lama managed to do that! cdn.sanity.io/files/vbitqo...
www.dalailama.com/the-dalai-la...
www.dalailama.com/the-dalai-la...
First published in 2022: openbuddhism.org/blog/2022/ma...
Matthieu Ricard Changes His Tune
Being ‘the happiest man alive’ is one hell of a job. Matthieu Ricard built a career out of its performance. For years, he peddled his ideas—Tibetan Buddhist boilerplate mostly—on podia such as Ted…
openbuddhism.org
June 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
First published in 2022: openbuddhism.org/blog/2022/ma...
Slightly edited and expanded: openbuddhism.org/justice/2025...
French Judge Investigating Robert Spatz (81) Requests Spain’s Judicial Assistance
A French judge has requested judicial assistance from the Spanish authorities in relation to an ongoing investigation into allegations of physical and sexual abuse of underage children by the self…
openbuddhism.org
June 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Slightly edited and expanded: openbuddhism.org/justice/2025...
French Judge Investigating Robert Spatz (81) Requests Spain’s Judicial Assistance
French Judge Investigating Robert Spatz (81) Requests Spain’s Judicial Assistance
In 2019, prior to the delivery of Robert Spatz’s final conviction in Belgium in 2020 for coercion, assault and sexual abuse of dozens of children, six survivors reported similar offences to the French…
openbuddhism.org
June 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
French Judge Investigating Robert Spatz (81) Requests Spain’s Judicial Assistance
The Dalai Lama’s Silence: Update 21 June 2025. openbuddhism.org/blog/2023/th...
The Dalai Lama’s Silence
So far, the Dalai Lama is unusually quiet about the armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza that captures the world’s attention 24/7. Even his silence speaks volumes, though.
openbuddhism.org
June 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The Dalai Lama’s Silence: Update 21 June 2025. openbuddhism.org/blog/2023/th...
Slovenian media report that EBU-member ‘Shenpen Rinpoche’ was arrested in France
Slovenian media report that EBU-member ‘Shenpen Rinpoche’ was arrested in France
According to Slovenian media reports, Ronan Chatelier (also known as Shenpen Rinpoche) has been arrested in France under a European arrest warrant. Slovenian prosecutors have investigated allegations…
openbuddhism.org
June 1, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Slovenian media report that EBU-member ‘Shenpen Rinpoche’ was arrested in France
The Dutch networks NOS and Omroep Brabant and Open Buddhism investigated a long-standing conflict over the governance of the Buddharama temple in Waalwijk, the Netherlands. This complex dispute directly involves the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague.
openbuddhism.org/blog/2024/bu...
openbuddhism.org/blog/2024/bu...
Buddhist Rumours, Backbiting and Cyberbullying: Thai Embassy Steps In
The Dutch networks NOS and Omroep Brabant and Open Buddhism investigated a long-standing conflict over the governance of the Buddharama temple in Waalwijk, the Netherlands.
openbuddhism.org
February 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The Dutch networks NOS and Omroep Brabant and Open Buddhism investigated a long-standing conflict over the governance of the Buddharama temple in Waalwijk, the Netherlands. This complex dispute directly involves the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague.
openbuddhism.org/blog/2024/bu...
openbuddhism.org/blog/2024/bu...
On International Women’s Day 2020, Oane Bijlsma published a self-penned story about her time with Sogyal Rinpoche († 2019) and his entourage. Her essay captures Bijlsma’s insider’s perspective on the events she observed up close.
openbuddhism.org/misconduct/2...
openbuddhism.org/misconduct/2...
My Time in Rigpa
On International Women’s Day 2020, Oane Bijlsma published a self-penned story about her time with Sogyal Rinpoche († 2019) and his entourage. Bijlsma was groomed to become a member of the inner circle...
openbuddhism.org
February 4, 2025 at 12:39 PM
On International Women’s Day 2020, Oane Bijlsma published a self-penned story about her time with Sogyal Rinpoche († 2019) and his entourage. Her essay captures Bijlsma’s insider’s perspective on the events she observed up close.
openbuddhism.org/misconduct/2...
openbuddhism.org/misconduct/2...
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Questioning even a single abusive teacher or community might trigger Buddhist lineages' collapse like a house of cards. The apparent unwillingness of the Buddhist Union of the Netherlands (BUN) to face the enabling conduct within its own ranks is a good case in point.
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Buddhas Can Do No Harm, Full Stop
Buddhas Can Do No Harm, Full Stop
It is imperative to recognise that the interpretation of the qualities of fully enlightened Buddhas by true believing Tibetan Buddhists must be taken literally: Buddhas can do no harm, full stop.
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Buddhas Can Do No Harm, Full Stop
Buddhist Union’s Cultural Relativism and Moral Leniency Increase Risk of Long-term Abuse
Buddhist Union’s Cultural Relativism and Moral Leniency Increase Risk of Long-term Abuse
The Dutch Buddhist Union's non-binding stance on sexual abuse is not new, for it has been its go-to approach since the early 1990s. For decades, its members' indifference to abuse and aversion to what they call 'moralism' has led to an entrenched focus on optics that must hide their tolerance of abuse, secrecy and circumvention of its self-imposed rules.
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Buddhist Union’s Cultural Relativism and Moral Leniency Increase Risk of Long-term Abuse
Buddhist Rumours, Backbiting and Cyberbullying: Thai Embassy Steps In
Buddhist Rumours, Backbiting and Cyberbullying: Thai Embassy Steps In
The Dutch networks NOS and Omroep Brabant and Open Buddhism investigated a long-standing conflict over the governance of the Buddharama temple in Waalwijk, the Netherlands. This complex dispute directly involves the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague and a board member of the Dutch Buddhist Union (BUN).
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Buddhist Rumours, Backbiting and Cyberbullying: Thai Embassy Steps In
What Is It Like To Be A Buddha?
What Is It Like To Be A Buddha?
The German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk once described 'power' as the ability to frighten off facts. The Buddha, on the other hand, showed how liberating it is to see facts as they are. However, converts who choose Buddhism, should do better not to turn away from the philosophical legacy of their youth.
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
What Is It Like To Be A Buddha?
Phantom Temples And Fake Curricula
Phantom Temples And Fake Curricula
The educational fraud by an Italian 'phantom university' is a clear reminder of patterns of deception that are all too common in Buddhist communities in the West.
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Phantom Temples And Fake Curricula
Judge Normán Grants Request For A Stay In Palpung Thubten Chöling Case
Judge Normán Grants Request For A Stay In Palpung Thubten Chöling Case
The presiding judge granted the request for a stay in the case of three female plaintiffs against Palpung Thubten Chöling (PTC) until 6 June 2024. The plaintiffs hold PTC accountable for the alleged sexual abuse by Lama Norlha (d. 2018), its decades-long spiritual head.
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Judge Normán Grants Request For A Stay In Palpung Thubten Chöling Case
‘Holding Buddhist Organizations Accountable for Abuse: Exploring Legal Consequences’
‘Holding Buddhist Organizations Accountable for Abuse: Exploring Legal Consequences’
In an interview by Damchö Diane Finnegan, American lawyer Carole Merchasin explains how civil and criminal law contribute towards holding Buddhist organisations and their leaders accountable for the sexual abuse taking place under their banner.
openbuddhism.org
January 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
‘Holding Buddhist Organizations Accountable for Abuse: Exploring Legal Consequences’