Dalai Lama says he knew about sexual abuse by Buddhist teachers since 1990

The Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Saturday called sexual abuse committed by Buddhist teachers is not a new thing. Lama said, he has been aware of this since the 1990s. Dalai Lala revealed this when he is on a four days visit to the Netherland, where he met victims of sexual abuse allegedly committed by Buddhist teachers.

While responding to a call from dozens of sexual abuse victims, who had launched a petition requesting to meet him during his trip. “We found refuge in Buddhism with an open mind and heart, until we were raped in its name,” the victims quoted as saying to News agency.

The Tibetan leader who lives in exile in Dharamshala, said when asked on Dutch public television NOS Saturday, “I already did know these things, nothing new. Twenty-five years ago… someone mentioned about a problem of sexual allegations.”

Those who commit sexual abuse “don’t care about the Buddha’s teaching. So now that everything has been made public, people may concern about their shame,” he said. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, a representative of the Tibetan spiritual leader in Europe said on Friday that the Dalai Lama “has consistently denounced such irresponsible and unethical behaviour”.

Tibetan spiritual leaders are due to meet in Dharamshala in November. “At that time they should talk about it,” the Dalai Lama said in his televised comments Saturday. “I think the religious leaders should pay more attention,” he added.

In a similar case, one of the largest Buddhist organisation Shambhala International admitted to sexual abuse by its teachers and announced that it will take urgent measures to tackle the problem.

Also read: India may witness another partition in 2047: Says BJP union minister Giriraj Singh