After coming to the conclusion, over a period of time, that the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order does not offer much of a spiritual path and does not seem to produce any results to speak of, I suddenly started to see the FWBO for what it really is. The numerous questions which I had pushed to the back of my mind suddenly came to the fore, and the answers to these questions became obvious. Why has Sangharakshita not returned to the East for so long? Why do no other eminent Buddhist teachers ever visit the FWBO? What are the facts about Sangharakshita's past sexual exploits? What was the nature of his relationship with Terry Delamere? And why did Terry Delamere commit suicide? The answer to these and many many more questions became obvious to me, and I could see how the truth has been twisted by Sangharakshita. After this whole shift in perspective, and after a sleepless night being extremely angry that I had spent almost 5 years, off and on, in such a movement when I could have been involved with genuine Buddhist teachings, I packed all my belongings into my car and left the London "Buddhist" Centre. I have subsequently learned that Sangharakshita has left out crucial parts of Buddhism in his teachings, has simply made things up, or has lifted techniques such as communication exercises, from other cults. After my shift in outlook however this has come as little surprise to me. Looking back, it seems incredible to me that I was able to hear and see so many things wrong with the movement without realizing it is a cult, plain and simple. Sangharakshita's memoirs concerning his relationship with Terry Delamere did not ring true. The "conspiracy" to oust Sangharakshita from the English Sangha Trust did not ring true. Many things about Sangharakshita's past sexual exploits, which seemed to be excused by so many people, did not seem right. An ethos of not shopping around did not seem right. The fact that so many Senior male Order Members were confused about their sexuality did not seem right. The fact that so many Senior Order Members suffer from insomnia did not seem right. The fact that I was sent a text message which was a blatant 'come on' by a Senior male Order Member did not seem right. The fact that a Senior male Order Member at the LBC is at present becoming confused about his sexuality did not seem right. The fact that it is well known that a Senior Order Member is abusing his position to pick up young women did not seem right. I could go on for some time about other things which did not seem right, but the fact is, when you are living in a cult, it is very hard to see what is obvious. Having had the opportunity to speak to two former members who have left the FWBO after seeing the movement for what it really is, I feel fortunate that I have left the movement before it has caused me serious psychological damage. I have had to go through a period of adjustment, but have fortunately not got involved enough to get Ordained, to give up my name, and I have not lost contact with my friends outside the movement. Also I have not been sexually abused. Others have not been so lucky. I have also seen, whilst living in two communities, the effects the movement is still having on its existing members. I feel I have been fortunate to see what the FWBO really is and now want to find out what Buddhism really is. However, I feel that I could not just walk away with without warning others. I still regard the people who I have lived and worked with as my friends, and I am certainly willing to speak to those who are having serious doubts about the movement, or who need support in leaving. I would urge all those involved and interested in joining the FWBO to investigate the facts behind the Movement and also to investigate any proposed new leader. Chris Shearer Formerly Navasamaya and Sukhavati Communities (Jan. 05 - Oct. 06) and Friends Organic employee. |
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