Andrea’s last words



I’m hanging up my social activist hat tomorrow. My activist retirement has been on the horizon for a week now, and tomorrow will be the official day. I hope you will join me in a little celebration tomorrow of the work accomplished during this journey. I’ll put up my retirement post tomorrow, including what I will continue doing, what I will no longer be doing, and the plan for exploring a future for Buddhist Project Sunshine.

Today I offer my final Buddhist Project Sunshine activist words, and I hope they will be of benefit to some of you.

 

Buddhist Project Sunshine’s ongoing investigation

Another woman alleging she was sexually assaulted by the Sakyong has come forward. Carol Merchasin, the Buddhist Project Sunshine investigator, has continued investigating. She will have an update that I will post possibly as soon as next week.

 

Kalapa Council’s conflict of interest

Apparently rather than focusing efforts on hiring a neutral third-party investigator this past week, the Kalapa Council hired a PR firm led by Matthew Hiltzik, who got his start with Harvey Weinstein at Miramax in the 1990s. He has represented an infamous band of clients that includes Glenn Beck, Don Imus, and Donald Trump’s aide Hope Hicks.

I am disappointed to learn this.

I understand that three senior members of the Kalapa Council are implicated in the allegations of the Sakyong’s sexual misconduct. I see a clear conflict of interest.

 

Allegations of the Sakyong’s financial abuse of the Shambhala community

There are some common aspects to wife abuse. One common aspect is the husband isolates the wife so she has no support and is focused on him for everything. Another aspect is he controls her financially.

I have seen these dynamics at play in the Sakyong’s relationship with the Shambhala community. A number of people have told me insider stories about this. One person emailed me this past week. He gave me permission to share what he said:

Having a financial background, I explored Shambhala’s budgets and financial reports. When I saw the money being spent to keep the Sakyong’s family living a life of comfort (e.g., servants, cooks, nannies, personal secretaries, etc.), I was totally turned off. Very non-Buddhist in my view. To this day, Shambhala uses its various media vehicles to promote the Sakyong’s books, without any benefit of book sale proceeds. Free advertising, how nice! I engaged in a long dialogue with Richard Reoch about all this, but it became quite clear to me that nobody within Shambhala was going to challenge the status quo. They were too enthralled with worshiping the king!

 

Steps for cleaning up the misconduct at the core

For this community to heal, Shambhala International must appoint a neutral third party investigator to investigate the Sakyong, the Kalapa Council, and some members of the Kusung.

If by their silence the Sakyong and the Kalapa Council are denying that any of these allegations are true, then they must appoint a third party investigator.  Of course, if on the other had, they know that these are true, they need to say that.

In an investigation of sexual misconduct in any organization, it is standard practice for those implicated in the investigation to step down from all official duties pending the investigation. The Sakyong and the Kalapa Council should step down while a proper investigation is carried out.

 

Shrine rooms and Shambhala liturgies

There is a conversation thread happening in the Buddhist Project Sunshine discussion group about how centers are relating with pictures of the Sakyong in their shrine rooms, and references in liturgies.

I would like to strongly encourage centers to cover pictures of the Sakyong for an interim period. In my view, the covering should be done with the utmost gentleness and respect for all the Sakyong has contributed to our community and lineage.

I would further suggest that individual centers can reflect on the unique culture of your local center and choose a cloth covering that reflects the best of your culture and your deepest intentions for healing for everyone affected by this situation. You could begin by using a white cloth covering, and then meet and discern a suitable healing covering.

Similarly, you could cover sections of chants that speak of the Mukpos with a kind covering.

I am emphasizing taking small steps and doing them with the deepest of kindness, because the changes we want can only come from a place of the best intention.

 

The financial welfare of the community

I encourage the community to consider carefully what parts of Shambhala are vital services. For instance, Shambhala Online provides teachings to people in rural areas who have no access to local teachings. Please consider supporting vulnerable parts of Shambhala who need help during this time of community transition.

I encourage centers to open their doors to inviting Buddhist teachers who can be of most help to come and offer teachings for where your community is at this time. There are important Buddhist teachers who have long-term relationships with our community who can be invited to teach.

Please be open minded and consider who can be invited to teach and/or lead programs that will benefit your local community. There is no reason why cancelling the Sakyong’s teaching schedule needs to mean the downfall of centers. Let us take this as an opportunity for a revival of true Dharma. Please open your hearts to asking for the teachings that will be of most benefit for your communities, including secular teachings on abuse, trauma and community healing.

I will also remind you of the useful tool I promoted early in Buddhist Project Sunshine Phase 2: The Miq Maw anti-violence community toolkit: http://awrcsasa.ca/community-development-social-advocacy/responding-preventing-sexual-violence-paqtnkek-project/

 

My offer to Mipham

Once I finish my service of the Buddhist Project Sunshine discussion group July 31, if I can be of help to Mipham in his journey of healing, I will bring my heart to that.

 

Sangha member words

Dear Andrea,

I was able to successfully navigate GoFundMe to make a donation.
Thank you for your concern about my Weekthun plans. There will always be other opportunities in the future. What is important NOW is supporting the Project Sunshine and it’s dedicated team.
I have a good feeling that because of BPS the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sanghas will once again flourish and be a safe place for all. The truth will prevail and positive changes will happen thanks to you and the people who helped you on this journey.
Namaste and take care.
Elisabeth : )

 

If you are not on our email list, you can sign up here:

https://andreamwinn.com/offerings/project_sunshine_2/

If you would like to be part of the Buddhist Project Sunshine discussion group, you can register here:

https://andreamwinn.com/offerings/project_sunshine_discussion_group/

 

14 comments


  • Walter Logue

    Thank you for your heart, Andrea!
    May we all heal and grow.

    July 5, 2018
  • Dear Andrea,

    You are a skillful dakini spiritual warrior. I am so grateful for all of your thoughtful intentions, words and deeds bringing sunshine to the dharma. You have skillfully navigated the removal of obstacles for the thriving of dharma and sangha in America. Blessings on your journey. With respect and gratitude and love,

    Cheryl Conner

    July 5, 2018
  • Victoria Barlow

    Dear Andrea, As a survivor of sexual abuse by Tibetan lamas and survivor of the denial by fellow sangha I am sincerely proud of everything you have accomplished. Thank you with all my heart.

    July 5, 2018
  • Kathy

    Andrea- I applaud your honesty and gentleness. I hope your retirement is not the end of sunshine and shining a light on anything that needs to be brought to light.

    July 5, 2018
  • John

    Thank you for your service.

    July 5, 2018
  • Regina Sandler-Phillips

    Dear Andrea,

    I sent this message to the BPS email yesterday [minus the words in brackets], but am not sure if that email goes to you:

    I am on the recent edges of the NYC Shambhala community–mainly for location (I live temporarily around the corner from the center). My practice is grounded in a democratic Buddhist lineage that does not deify its leaders–and upholds clear mindfulness trainings against sexual misconduct. [Perhaps that is why it does not appear in Richard Edelman’s brief case examples.]

    While I don’t want to join a full email discussion, I do want to reach out with heartfelt gratitude for all your deep and vital service.

    You have probably received this suggestion already–but I encourage [BPS] to seek fiscal sponsorship through a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. This would allow Project Sunshine to accept tax-deductible donations and grants.

    I [have made] a token donation through GoFundMe, but would be able to offer much more support if fiscal sponsorship were in place.

    Deep bow and many blessings for your self-care sabbatical and beyond,

    Regina

    July 5, 2018
  • Rebecca H

    Thank you for this important work Andrea. May all beings benefit from this act of bravery.

    July 5, 2018
  • Karien

    Thank you for this work, Andrea. I have a question about sexual misconduct accusations against you yourself that have come up on a closed Shambhala Facebook group. I have not seen any details and wonder about the source and veracity of this. Could you give some comment on this?

    July 6, 2018
    • Andrea M. Winn

      Apparently the Toronto Shambhala Centre wrote up a report about me referring to some fictitious reports of my activity. Despite repeated requests, and promises from the Kalapa Council, I have never been provided with a copy of the report. If the Centre would provide a copy of the Report to me I would provide a complete response.

      July 6, 2018
  • Petra

    Thank you for researched and thoughtful work Andrea; the best part is this page of recommendations, intelligent and encompassing suggestions that could actually be helpful and at least somewhat effective..

    July 6, 2018
  • Devi

    Thank you for truly being a spiritual warrior.

    July 8, 2018
  • Moo Ahkung

    Thank you for your bravery. Your Project Sunshine work has been comprehensive & thorough. Although it might have been spurred by your lifelong sexual assault within the Shambhala world you have turned your anger & disappointment into activism for the benefit of all.

    July 11, 2018
  • Barbara

    One tiny correction, Hope Hicks was employed by Matthew Hiltzik, she wasn’t a client. He gave her a glowing job recommendation when she left his PR firm to work and model for Ivanka Trump.

    You’ve done amazing work and have the gratitude of many.

    July 12, 2018
    • Andrea M. Winn

      Thank you for that correction, Barbara!

      July 12, 2018


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