23 August 2018•Update: 27 August 2018
By Barry Ellsworth
TRENTON, Canada
The leader of one of the largest Buddhist organizations in the western world faced more accusations Thursday, including claims of additional sexual misconduct and financial intimidation.
The details are contained in a report released by the Buddhist Project Sunshine group, headquartered in Halifax, the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
It is the third report on the alleged misconduct of Shambhala International leader Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. He stepped aside in July while the allegations are investigated. Shambhala has about 200 meditation centers globally.
In the first two reports by former Shambhala member Andrea Winn, Mipham was accused of frequent intoxication and of using his personal attendant “to procure women students for his own sexual gratification.”
Thursday’s report names more complainants and adds allegations that are “more serious in nature” – coercion for material properties including money and real estate – that may result in charges, but Halifax Police said none have been laid to date.
When he stepped down last month, Mipham issued an apology for any distress he may have caused in the Shambhala community. He also admitted to engaging “in relationships with women” who were members of the community.
“I would like you to know that over the years, I have apologized personally to people who have expressed feeling harmed by my conduct, including some of those who have recently shared their stories,” Mipham said in a statement at the time.
A transition team has been put in place to name an interim board of directors – the previous board is resigning by way of “phased departure” – and also a process team that will be tasked to improve future leadership.
A Halifax law firm has been hired to do the third-party investigation into the allegations against Mipham.
