Buddhist group in shakeup over alleged misconduct

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) – What is probably the largest Buddhist organization in the western world announced Monday from its Canadian headquarters a transition in leadership plan after its leader stepped aside amid sexual misconduct accusations.

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, spiritual leader of the Shambhala International community, removed himself three weeks ago pending an investigation into the allegations. The movement has more than 200 meditation centers globally.

Monday, in a bid to distance the old board from a new one, the Kalapa Council in Halifax, Nova Scotia – Shambhala’s highest leadership body -- announced its members would resign in favor of an interim board.

The interim members – to be selected based on opinions from the worldwide meditation centers – would then select a process team charged with improving the way the organization is run.

“The Kalapa Council reached out to the international community to find respected leaders with expertise in various areas who could serve on the task force,” the council said.

“We believe that these leaders, based on advice and suggestions from the community, will create a strong, representative body for the interim board of Shambhala.”

Multiple women who remain anonymous accused Mipham of drunkenness and recruiting “women students for his own sexual gratification”.

It is alleged in testimony in a report that he would pick out a woman during a teaching session, then send his attendant to bring the victim to his room.

“Women were brought to (Mipham) in the middle of the night and pushed out the door before dawn to stumble back to their beds,” one woman said in the report.

A Halifax law firm of has been engaged by the council to investigate the allegations.