Every FWBO (now Triratna) center or activity is a separate legal and organizational entity and controlled locally (we have no “central command” structure or head office), so I can only speak for my own center, which is Aryaloka in New Hampshire. We have a code of conduct for teachers that makes it clear that teachers may not get involved in relationships with people who come along to classes. I’d be shocked if any teacher propositioned a student for sex on retreat. That’s totally inappropriate behavior. I don’t know exactly what would happen if someone tried that, but I’m pretty certain they wouldn’t be allowed to be involved on a retreat again, or at least for a good long time. To the best of my knowledge that situation hasn’t arisen here.

On Triratna retreats, the accommodations are generally in shared rooms (sometimes four or more people) because of the nature of the facilities, which were usually not purpose-built. The situation you describe, where people would end up sharing Sangharakshita’s room, was not on beginners’ retreats but on Order retreats, and it was Order members that he had sexual relations with, again to the best of my knowledge. (Apart from the fact that Sangharakshita no longer leads retreat and has been celibate for many years, I can’t imagine anyone being allocated to share a room with him now). At the time this happened, or at least started, there was a widespread expectation, not just in the FWBO but in the wider Buddhist world and beyond, that western sexual “hangups” would be set to one side and that a more liberated sexual culture would emerge — for example that “non-attached” promiscuity would free us from psychological dependency on exclusive sexual partners. Of course we know now that that didn’t end well. And by no means everyone participated in that kind of experimentation. Most Order members I know are married or are in long-term relationships.

Incidentally, I think Sangharakshita was very unwise to get involved in relationships with other Order members, who were often much younger than he was. He seemed to be blithely unaware that other might be intimidated by him, and might give false consent out of awe, a sense of being flattered, or a desire to please. People got hurt.

Anyway, that’s about the best I can answer for now. If you have any questions, fire away!

Metta,
Bodhipaksa

I assume that the FWBO have clearly put all this behind them and made it clear that such behaviour would not be tolerated now.

metta

S.

Sangharakshita suggested we change the name, which does mean “Three Jewels,” so that we could have the same name throughout the world, including India. We’ve been discussing it, and most people seem very happy with the proposed name change. To be honest, being rather decentralized in our decision-making we don’t have official channels for changing our name! This is making us realize that we need to set up mechanisms for discussion and decision-making.

I understand that we (that is the WBO) will be officially changing our name in a few days time, on the anniversary of the founding of the order, and that the FWBO will become the Triratna Buddhist Community during Wesak, in May.

Metta,
Bodhipaksa

One last question: I’ve run across info that says the WBO has been renamed the Triratna Buddhist Order as of 2010. Doesn’t the word mean “three jewels?”

Metta,
Vienna

Thanks for asking! It’s so refreshing to see someone checking out information rather than just believing things they’ve read on the web. The FWBO is probably one of the least cult-like organizations around. Each center is financially and administratively autonomous, with all decision-making being made at a local level. There’s no big “head office” running things and pocketing the money. You’ll get occasional examples of group-think as you will in any other gathering of human beings, but generally people in the FWBO do a good job of thinking for themselves.

I know just about everyone who’s involved in the running of the Missoula center, and they’re very good, kind people, who freely and generously give their time to teach. I think you’d really, really like them. Varashuri in particular is a lovely woman and a good friend of mine.

It is true that Sangharakshita had sexual relations with a number of Order members. I’ve never seen any evidence that these were anything but consensual, but I think he was not sufficiently aware that the other people involved might have mixed motives in getting involved, including a fear-based desire to please someone they saw as an authority figure. I think these relationships were a very unwise move on Sagharakshita’s part. Some people did end up getting hurt.

I’m not aware of any financial exploitation of anyone. I’ve been involved in the FWBO for almost 30 years now, and I’ve found the ethical climate to be generally very wholesome.

There was one FWBO center — Croydon, near London — which in the 1980′s was run by a very charismatic order member who turned out to be rather manipulative, emotionally and sexually. He developed a style of leadership that worked alternately inspiring and bullying people. And he manipulated some people into bed with him. The center was basically given an ultimatum by Sangharakshita to change its ways or cease being a part of the FWBO. The chairman left, resigned from the order, and since then safeguards have been put into place to prevent that kind of thing from happening again. I think that now everyone’s aware that that kind of thing can happen, it’s much less likely to.

Anyway, I’d suggest you check out the Missoula centre. They really are good people.

I have been exploring the FWBO on the net, and I discovered the Rocky Mountain Buddhist Center in Missoula. Unfortunately, I also found sites that call the Order a cult and allege that members (including the founding member) have financially and even sexually exploited other members. My father and husband are active Freemasons and we are Order of the Eastern Star members so I am well used to silly and unfounded gossip. Since I have the highest respect for you and your work (especially in prisons and guided meditations), I’d like to know your thoughts on the FWBO before I commit further to them. Many thanks!

Metta,
Vienna