An article by The Daily Telegraph , also reported by the Independent Non-Governmental Organisation Canada Tibet Committee calls Ole Nydahl "a self-promoting schmuck and quasi-cult leader" and accuses Diamond Way members of violence.
Here is a copy of the article: http://www.tibet.ca/en/newsroom/wtn/archive/old?y=2000&m=3&p=4_2
Sunday 14 December 2008
Monday 1 December 2008
Another Damning Report on Diamond Way and Ole Nydahl
[Contribution from Boris from Rick Ross site]
Hi.
My wife is a Nydahl follower (and was before I met her). I'm a lax catholic.
I went to see what he was all about when he held a lecture in Budapest (2003), read some of his books and interviews. I agree with some things said in this thread, disagree with other accusations (persecution of those who leave, pressure not to read certain things, I have seen no evidence of that). But what bothers me most hasn't even been mentioned here as far as I can see.
1) I saw him tell 3000 hungarian listeners, this is a quote from memory “Some people talk about Islam without having read its sacred texts. I have read all of the Quran and it is, based on its texts, an almost objectively evil religion, especially against women. For example it says in the Quran “if you beat your women, beat them with green boughs, for they hurt more”.
I happen to work in a muslim country (Turkey), I've traveled in muslim countries. I've read the Quran, so as not to be ignorant. I'm critical myself of Islam. But there is nothing like what Ole said in the Quran. I checked it and had it doublechecked by others.
So I wrote him an email and asked where he got his quote from. He answered (so it's not true one can't email him, as someone here said) that “I've been told it's somewhere in the Sharia”.
Obviously “I've been told” is not the same as “I've read it myself”, as he pretended in front of 3000 young and avidly listening followers. And “Sharia” (islamic law with it's myriad opinions and schools of thought) is not the same as “Quran”.
So I thought this guy is dangerous, because he seems relaxed and likeable, and huge numbers of young people looking for orientation in this confusing life believe his every word, and he either lies or talks irresponsibly, perhaps wanting to impress, and what he says seems imbued with christian (rather than buddhist) prejudice = a vehicle/catalyst of hatred = the opposite of what I thought Buddhism was about.
2) Answering a question from the crowd as to wether they should enter into love relationships with people who do not follow him: “Of course it would be good to be with someone who shares your interests. But never mind, be with whom you want – as long as that person doesnt criticize your beliefs. If he or she does, then they don't respect you, and in such cases maybe it would be better to separate.” - I couldn't believe my ears. He was actually recommending splitting if your companion is critical of Nydahl.
3)About reincarnation, the most frightening quote was “people are reborn according to their merits. So, if they have been great sinners, they will be reborn into a very uncomfortable and difficult life, for example in Black Africa.” - So there you go: Black Africans were great sinners in their previous lives. Is this already crude racism or just one devious step removed?
I attended a party of his followers soon after. Never again! I thought only skinheads and neonazis talk like that. Most were quite normal until a “buddhist” guy turned up who started ranting about Africans and Muslims and how they will swamp our good white Europe, and how we must rise against it and beat them back, and how Ole was the only one to see the danger. - Most of the others hadn't been talking politics, but now that he mentioned it, everyone agreed – even when I confronted them about how aggressive their beliefs actually are.
My opinion: What this guy teaches would never be taught by a tibetan buddhist. He and some of his preachers even insinuate it from time to time: Tibetans, as far is Buddhism is concerned, aren't up to it anymore. (is this some kind of Western supremacy, even in things spiritual?) -
So from then on I refused to finance my wife's several “meditation courses” per year, each of which cost anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred Euros, what with food and accomodation. Lectures by travelling Ole-preachers also cost a modest entry fee. Hey, they can"t build their centres from nothing. I don't want to finance this guy.
Boris.
Hi.
My wife is a Nydahl follower (and was before I met her). I'm a lax catholic.
I went to see what he was all about when he held a lecture in Budapest (2003), read some of his books and interviews. I agree with some things said in this thread, disagree with other accusations (persecution of those who leave, pressure not to read certain things, I have seen no evidence of that). But what bothers me most hasn't even been mentioned here as far as I can see.
1) I saw him tell 3000 hungarian listeners, this is a quote from memory “Some people talk about Islam without having read its sacred texts. I have read all of the Quran and it is, based on its texts, an almost objectively evil religion, especially against women. For example it says in the Quran “if you beat your women, beat them with green boughs, for they hurt more”.
I happen to work in a muslim country (Turkey), I've traveled in muslim countries. I've read the Quran, so as not to be ignorant. I'm critical myself of Islam. But there is nothing like what Ole said in the Quran. I checked it and had it doublechecked by others.
So I wrote him an email and asked where he got his quote from. He answered (so it's not true one can't email him, as someone here said) that “I've been told it's somewhere in the Sharia”.
Obviously “I've been told” is not the same as “I've read it myself”, as he pretended in front of 3000 young and avidly listening followers. And “Sharia” (islamic law with it's myriad opinions and schools of thought) is not the same as “Quran”.
So I thought this guy is dangerous, because he seems relaxed and likeable, and huge numbers of young people looking for orientation in this confusing life believe his every word, and he either lies or talks irresponsibly, perhaps wanting to impress, and what he says seems imbued with christian (rather than buddhist) prejudice = a vehicle/catalyst of hatred = the opposite of what I thought Buddhism was about.
2) Answering a question from the crowd as to wether they should enter into love relationships with people who do not follow him: “Of course it would be good to be with someone who shares your interests. But never mind, be with whom you want – as long as that person doesnt criticize your beliefs. If he or she does, then they don't respect you, and in such cases maybe it would be better to separate.” - I couldn't believe my ears. He was actually recommending splitting if your companion is critical of Nydahl.
3)About reincarnation, the most frightening quote was “people are reborn according to their merits. So, if they have been great sinners, they will be reborn into a very uncomfortable and difficult life, for example in Black Africa.” - So there you go: Black Africans were great sinners in their previous lives. Is this already crude racism or just one devious step removed?
I attended a party of his followers soon after. Never again! I thought only skinheads and neonazis talk like that. Most were quite normal until a “buddhist” guy turned up who started ranting about Africans and Muslims and how they will swamp our good white Europe, and how we must rise against it and beat them back, and how Ole was the only one to see the danger. - Most of the others hadn't been talking politics, but now that he mentioned it, everyone agreed – even when I confronted them about how aggressive their beliefs actually are.
My opinion: What this guy teaches would never be taught by a tibetan buddhist. He and some of his preachers even insinuate it from time to time: Tibetans, as far is Buddhism is concerned, aren't up to it anymore. (is this some kind of Western supremacy, even in things spiritual?) -
So from then on I refused to finance my wife's several “meditation courses” per year, each of which cost anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred Euros, what with food and accomodation. Lectures by travelling Ole-preachers also cost a modest entry fee. Hey, they can"t build their centres from nothing. I don't want to finance this guy.
Boris.
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Tax exempt status
It has come to our attention that Ole Nydahl's Diamond Way Cult is now being investigated for fraud and may have their tax exempt charitable status removed. Let's hope they get well and truly exposed. :)
Saturday 8 November 2008
Why Diamond Way is a Cult! (updated)
1. The charismatic leader (Ole Nydahl) surrounded by groupies and Ole Clones. This is known as a cult of personality. The idolisation of Ole Nydahl is extreme. He also has no authentic credentials, and is not qualified to hold the title of Lama. Ole only started using the title of Lama a few years after the 16th Karmapa's death, while claiming that the 16th Karmapa granted him such a title.
2. The manipulation of information. Books Ole Nydahl doesn't agree with or are critical of him are banned from the centres. Members are also discouraged from seeking teachings from any other source.
3. Abuse of members lower in the hierarchy by those higher up. This emotional (and sometimes physical) abuse is explained away as 'purification' and members are told it is simply their karma.
4. Questions or criticisms from members are dismissed and suppressed. The member is then made to feel guilty and told it is their fault. They are called 'spiritually weak' or have 'ego problems'.
5. Diamond Way has it's own words and language, to separate members from the public. Words are also given new meanings. New members are also given fancy new Tibetan names to make them feel important and separate them from their old life.
6. There is one rule for those lower in the hierarchy, and another for those at the top. For instance, Diamond Way teaches that adultery is wrong (in common with authentic Buddhism), but at the same time, Ole Nydahl is known to have had affairs with several of his students, and had a mistress called Caty Hartung as well as his wife, Hannah.
7. The true beliefs of the group are kept secret from members until they are sufficiently brainwashed, and before that are lied to, just as Diamond Way lies to the public about it's true beliefs. Members only get to the really weird stuff once they get higher up in the hierarchy. Those higher up in this heirachy lie to both those lower down and to the public at large about their true beliefs. Their excuse for this is to simply say people are "not ready". (sounds like not sufficiently brainwashed to me!)
8. Everything in Diamond Way has a price, and the money flows to the top of the hierarchy. There is also huge pressure to donate money, whether you can afford it or not. Members are also pressured to buy photos of Ole Nydahl, tickets to his lectures, and books. Members are milked for everything they have, while Ole Nydahl lives a life of luxury, flying round the world and having everything paid for him.
9. Diamond Way uses brainwashing techniques. Their 'meditation' rituals are in fact more like self-hypnotism, and are intended to increase suggestibility and slowly remove the members from reality and critical thinking.
10. Former members are harassed, slandered and told to shut up about their experiences. I have had death threats, abusive e-mails and phone calls etc calling me "spiritually weak", "mentally ill", and "a criminal" among other things. Calling me a criminal is particularly ironic considering Ole Nydahl himself spent time in prison for drug smuggling and dealing. I am just glad I never signed up to the cult's magazine despite pressure to do so, or they would have had my home address too!
2. The manipulation of information. Books Ole Nydahl doesn't agree with or are critical of him are banned from the centres. Members are also discouraged from seeking teachings from any other source.
3. Abuse of members lower in the hierarchy by those higher up. This emotional (and sometimes physical) abuse is explained away as 'purification' and members are told it is simply their karma.
4. Questions or criticisms from members are dismissed and suppressed. The member is then made to feel guilty and told it is their fault. They are called 'spiritually weak' or have 'ego problems'.
5. Diamond Way has it's own words and language, to separate members from the public. Words are also given new meanings. New members are also given fancy new Tibetan names to make them feel important and separate them from their old life.
6. There is one rule for those lower in the hierarchy, and another for those at the top. For instance, Diamond Way teaches that adultery is wrong (in common with authentic Buddhism), but at the same time, Ole Nydahl is known to have had affairs with several of his students, and had a mistress called Caty Hartung as well as his wife, Hannah.
7. The true beliefs of the group are kept secret from members until they are sufficiently brainwashed, and before that are lied to, just as Diamond Way lies to the public about it's true beliefs. Members only get to the really weird stuff once they get higher up in the hierarchy. Those higher up in this heirachy lie to both those lower down and to the public at large about their true beliefs. Their excuse for this is to simply say people are "not ready". (sounds like not sufficiently brainwashed to me!)
8. Everything in Diamond Way has a price, and the money flows to the top of the hierarchy. There is also huge pressure to donate money, whether you can afford it or not. Members are also pressured to buy photos of Ole Nydahl, tickets to his lectures, and books. Members are milked for everything they have, while Ole Nydahl lives a life of luxury, flying round the world and having everything paid for him.
9. Diamond Way uses brainwashing techniques. Their 'meditation' rituals are in fact more like self-hypnotism, and are intended to increase suggestibility and slowly remove the members from reality and critical thinking.
10. Former members are harassed, slandered and told to shut up about their experiences. I have had death threats, abusive e-mails and phone calls etc calling me "spiritually weak", "mentally ill", and "a criminal" among other things. Calling me a criminal is particularly ironic considering Ole Nydahl himself spent time in prison for drug smuggling and dealing. I am just glad I never signed up to the cult's magazine despite pressure to do so, or they would have had my home address too!
Saturday 25 October 2008
Thursday 2 October 2008
Nice try!
There have been yet more attempts by Diamond Way cult members to try and silence and harass me by posting slanderous claims about me online, sending me abusive e-mails and now even abusive letters in the post. Guess what! - It won't work! I am committed to exposing the Diamond Way cult for what it really is, and your attempts to get me to shut up about my experiences just proves you have something to hide and shows that you operate in common with many cults in regards to former members.
Another Damning Report on Diamond Way...
As follows...
"In my personal experience, the more I learn and understand about Tibetan Buddhism, the more I see how shallow and superficial Ole Nydahl's Diamond Way teachings are. Truly it is Buddhism Light, or Coca Cola Buddhism, it really is Buddhism that's been watered down and westernized. One thing is the shallowness and superficial teachings, his hate-speech concerning Muslims is hardly compassionate or tolerant, it borders on outright racism.
As for the freewheeling, relaxed attitude towards sex observed at Diamond Way centers, it would be less disturbing if Ole Nydahl didn't exploit his lama status to frequently have sex with female students, something that went on even while his wife, the late Hannah Nydahl, was alive, and continues to this day.
I agree that Diamond Way is a cult built around Ole Nydahl's personality. Ole Nydahl haven't done the traditional 3 year retreat that other lamas go through, and after the death of HH the 16th Karmapa hasn't done any substantial studies. He simply does not have the same deep knowledge of the dharma that more qualified lamas have. Yes, he is higly praised by the 14th Sharmapa and Trinley Thaye Dorje, the less recognized of the two 17th Karmapa candidates, but it's a push-me-pull-you-setup. He backs them up in claiming that Trinley Thaye Dorje is the real 17th Karmapa, in return they assure everyone that he is fully qualified to bear the title of lama when no other lamas in their right mind would do the same.
Ole Nydahl compensates for his lacking knowledge of the dharma with his charisma and talk of his succes. When you go to a Diamond Way dharma talk with Ole, you will hear him talking alot about his successful work with setting up Diamond Way centers around the world. Time that could be spent talking about the dharma.
It is truly a shame that many Western people get introduced to Tibetan Buddhism by a teacher lacking deep knowledge of the dharma, a teacher so prejudiced and a teacher with extremely bad ethics when it comes to sexual teacher/student relationships."
"In my personal experience, the more I learn and understand about Tibetan Buddhism, the more I see how shallow and superficial Ole Nydahl's Diamond Way teachings are. Truly it is Buddhism Light, or Coca Cola Buddhism, it really is Buddhism that's been watered down and westernized. One thing is the shallowness and superficial teachings, his hate-speech concerning Muslims is hardly compassionate or tolerant, it borders on outright racism.
As for the freewheeling, relaxed attitude towards sex observed at Diamond Way centers, it would be less disturbing if Ole Nydahl didn't exploit his lama status to frequently have sex with female students, something that went on even while his wife, the late Hannah Nydahl, was alive, and continues to this day.
I agree that Diamond Way is a cult built around Ole Nydahl's personality. Ole Nydahl haven't done the traditional 3 year retreat that other lamas go through, and after the death of HH the 16th Karmapa hasn't done any substantial studies. He simply does not have the same deep knowledge of the dharma that more qualified lamas have. Yes, he is higly praised by the 14th Sharmapa and Trinley Thaye Dorje, the less recognized of the two 17th Karmapa candidates, but it's a push-me-pull-you-setup. He backs them up in claiming that Trinley Thaye Dorje is the real 17th Karmapa, in return they assure everyone that he is fully qualified to bear the title of lama when no other lamas in their right mind would do the same.
Ole Nydahl compensates for his lacking knowledge of the dharma with his charisma and talk of his succes. When you go to a Diamond Way dharma talk with Ole, you will hear him talking alot about his successful work with setting up Diamond Way centers around the world. Time that could be spent talking about the dharma.
It is truly a shame that many Western people get introduced to Tibetan Buddhism by a teacher lacking deep knowledge of the dharma, a teacher so prejudiced and a teacher with extremely bad ethics when it comes to sexual teacher/student relationships."
Sunday 7 September 2008
6th September protest at Diamond Way's London Headquarters
Thank you to everyone who turned up at the 6th September protest! Turnout was about 40-50 people, which was more than expected! We certainly made ourselves heard and effectively shut down the cult for the day! We rocked (and rickrolled)!!!!!!!! Good work everyone!!
There will be another protest soon, watch this space.
There will be another protest soon, watch this space.
Tuesday 26 August 2008
Why Diamond Way is a Cult
1. The charismatic leader (Ole Nydahl) surrounded by groupies and Ole Clones. This is known as a cult of personality. He also has no authentic credentials, and is not qualified to hold the title of Lama.
2. The manipulation of information. Books Ole Nydahl doesn't agree with or are critical of him are banned from the centres. Members are also discouraged from seeking teachings from any other source.
3. Abuse of members lower in the heirachy by those higher up.
4. Questions or criticisms from members are dismissed and supressed. The member is then made to feel guilty and told it is their fault.
5. Diamond Way has it's own words and language, to separate members from the public. New members are also given fancy new Tibetan names to make them feel important and separate them from their old life.
6. There is one rule for those lower in the heirachy, and another for those at the top. For instance, DW teaches that adultery is wrong (in common with authentic Buddhism), but at the same time, Ole Nydahl is known to have had affairs with several of his students, and had a mistress called Caty Hartung as well as his wife, Hannah.
7. The true beliefs of the group (only some of which are contained here) are kept secret from members until they are sufficiently brainwashed, and before that are lied to, just as DW lies to the public about it's true beliefs.
8. Everything in DW has a price, and the money flows to the top of the heriachy. There is also huge pressure to donate money, whether you can afford it or not. Members are milked for everything they have, while Ole Nydahl lives a life of luxury, flying round the world and having everything paid for him.
9. DW uses brainwashing techniques.
10. Former members are harassed, slandered and told to shut up about their experiences.
These are all hallmarks of cults.
2. The manipulation of information. Books Ole Nydahl doesn't agree with or are critical of him are banned from the centres. Members are also discouraged from seeking teachings from any other source.
3. Abuse of members lower in the heirachy by those higher up.
4. Questions or criticisms from members are dismissed and supressed. The member is then made to feel guilty and told it is their fault.
5. Diamond Way has it's own words and language, to separate members from the public. New members are also given fancy new Tibetan names to make them feel important and separate them from their old life.
6. There is one rule for those lower in the heirachy, and another for those at the top. For instance, DW teaches that adultery is wrong (in common with authentic Buddhism), but at the same time, Ole Nydahl is known to have had affairs with several of his students, and had a mistress called Caty Hartung as well as his wife, Hannah.
7. The true beliefs of the group (only some of which are contained here) are kept secret from members until they are sufficiently brainwashed, and before that are lied to, just as DW lies to the public about it's true beliefs.
8. Everything in DW has a price, and the money flows to the top of the heriachy. There is also huge pressure to donate money, whether you can afford it or not. Members are milked for everything they have, while Ole Nydahl lives a life of luxury, flying round the world and having everything paid for him.
9. DW uses brainwashing techniques.
10. Former members are harassed, slandered and told to shut up about their experiences.
These are all hallmarks of cults.
Sunday 3 August 2008
The Diamond Way Cult
#1 [by'Emma C']
I am a former member, and during my time inside the group (about 2 years), i experienced sexual abuse, extreme pressure to donate money people didn't have, and guilt if it was not donated, or if the sexual abuse was reported. If it was reported to anyone else in the group, it was dismissed, and said to be the abused's fault for not accepting it.
Their leader, Ole Nydahl, calls himself 'Lama Ole', despite having never completed the 3-year retreat needed to qualify for the title of Lama. He has sexually abused his followers, and an affair with one of the group's members, despite being married to his (now dead) wife, Hannah. I don't doubt he had other affairs that were better covered-up. All members are encouraged to be either celibate or monogamous. Typical cult 'do as I say, not as I do' and 'one rule for the leader, another for everyone else'. Ole Nydahl is now well-known in Buddhist circles for being a fraud and regarded as dangerous. Members are not allowed to read books by anyone other than their leader, Ole Nydahl, and any books found being read by anyone else will be banned from the centres. There is a huge uclt of personality around Ole Nydahl, and he is surrounded by a large number of groupies who prevent any embarrassing questions being asked.
Ex-members who admit to the group about leaving are harassed and pressured to re-join the group. Members of the organisation are urged to edit Wikipedia and similar websites in order to provide a one-sided favourable view on the internet of their organisation and leader. Members are also encouraged to get media attention to spread similar messages.
All this before even getting onto the reasons why what they teach is not authentic Buddhism!!
#2 [by Roahn Wynar]
Diamond Way Buddhism is the western version of the Black Hat Tibetan Buddhist tradition and yet another meditation cult. Tibetan Buddhism in general has many serious pseudoscientific gimmicks that make the religion very exciting to Americans. If you talk with this group they will steadfastly claim that they are not a cult, they are a part of a “major world religion.” They will also tell you that during meditation that they can see themselves from above, predict incoming telephone calls and in one wonderful case, become invisible. As always, we are willing to test any one of these claims under circumstances where lying and cheating are not possible.
The premiere Western promoter of Diamond Way is Lama Ole Nydahl. Lama Nydahl is from Denmark and tours Europe and America giving interesting lectures on the nature of Tibetan Buddhism and the difference between dogmatic and experiential religion. He also claims that he was, in a past life, a soldier. Nydahl is the point man for making Tibetan Buddhism palatable to western minds.
Diamond Way is run by the 17th Karmpa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who is a “lineage holder.” This means he is the reincarnation of a specific known individual, usually a great spiritual teacher. In Rangjung’s case he is the reincarnation of another man who’s title begins with the number “16.” When number 16 was on his deathbed, he used his “yogic power” to absorb diseases from those within his “powerfield.” This powerfield made various electronic devices used for life support turn on and off. Yes, number 17 has a powerfield that can suck up a nearby disease and manipulate the functionality of electrical equipment, too. It took centuries of Tibetan Buddhism Number 17’s specific claim of being the reincarnated soul of number 16 is highly questionable and qualifies as pseudoscientific. In fact, many Buddhist lineage holders have two people claiming to be the reincarnated soul of somebody. The general excuse is that there are the “exiled” Buddhists and the “collaborators” who are cronies of the communists. While this may be true, Diamond Way gives us no way of distinguishing the legitimacy of their particular claimant. How do we know that the great teacher did not decide to return back in his homeland and help the people suffering under communism? Sounds like a good idea to us. We met Nydahl and were impressed by his charm and presence. This is the most important element of creating a cult - deep personal charisma.
It is interesting how inconsistent Americans can be. While searching for philosophies that are not as dogmatic and ritualistic as Western religion, they look East. But then, of all the eastern religions they choose the one that has no fewer than 362 scriptural books containing well over 84,000 separate teachings. Buried somewhere deep in these texts are the notions of the siddis. Siddis are superpowers that will come to you during your relentless practice of meditation. These powers include levitation and astral projection. Not one person alive in the world today can demonstrate the siddis. We suggest that not one person in the history of the world has ever demonstrated the siddis under conditions where lying and cheating are not possible.
Incidentally, Diamond Way Buddhism promotes the most annoying of all meditative practices, chanting mantras. Many meditation cults have mantras and they all claim that meditation delivers great benefit to the body and mind. Some, like Sri Chinmoy, claim that practising mediation will be the key to world peace. There is no meaningful scientific evidence to support this.
I am a former member, and during my time inside the group (about 2 years), i experienced sexual abuse, extreme pressure to donate money people didn't have, and guilt if it was not donated, or if the sexual abuse was reported. If it was reported to anyone else in the group, it was dismissed, and said to be the abused's fault for not accepting it.
Their leader, Ole Nydahl, calls himself 'Lama Ole', despite having never completed the 3-year retreat needed to qualify for the title of Lama. He has sexually abused his followers, and an affair with one of the group's members, despite being married to his (now dead) wife, Hannah. I don't doubt he had other affairs that were better covered-up. All members are encouraged to be either celibate or monogamous. Typical cult 'do as I say, not as I do' and 'one rule for the leader, another for everyone else'. Ole Nydahl is now well-known in Buddhist circles for being a fraud and regarded as dangerous. Members are not allowed to read books by anyone other than their leader, Ole Nydahl, and any books found being read by anyone else will be banned from the centres. There is a huge uclt of personality around Ole Nydahl, and he is surrounded by a large number of groupies who prevent any embarrassing questions being asked.
Ex-members who admit to the group about leaving are harassed and pressured to re-join the group. Members of the organisation are urged to edit Wikipedia and similar websites in order to provide a one-sided favourable view on the internet of their organisation and leader. Members are also encouraged to get media attention to spread similar messages.
All this before even getting onto the reasons why what they teach is not authentic Buddhism!!
#2 [by Roahn Wynar]
Diamond Way Buddhism is the western version of the Black Hat Tibetan Buddhist tradition and yet another meditation cult. Tibetan Buddhism in general has many serious pseudoscientific gimmicks that make the religion very exciting to Americans. If you talk with this group they will steadfastly claim that they are not a cult, they are a part of a “major world religion.” They will also tell you that during meditation that they can see themselves from above, predict incoming telephone calls and in one wonderful case, become invisible. As always, we are willing to test any one of these claims under circumstances where lying and cheating are not possible.
The premiere Western promoter of Diamond Way is Lama Ole Nydahl. Lama Nydahl is from Denmark and tours Europe and America giving interesting lectures on the nature of Tibetan Buddhism and the difference between dogmatic and experiential religion. He also claims that he was, in a past life, a soldier. Nydahl is the point man for making Tibetan Buddhism palatable to western minds.
Diamond Way is run by the 17th Karmpa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who is a “lineage holder.” This means he is the reincarnation of a specific known individual, usually a great spiritual teacher. In Rangjung’s case he is the reincarnation of another man who’s title begins with the number “16.” When number 16 was on his deathbed, he used his “yogic power” to absorb diseases from those within his “powerfield.” This powerfield made various electronic devices used for life support turn on and off. Yes, number 17 has a powerfield that can suck up a nearby disease and manipulate the functionality of electrical equipment, too. It took centuries of Tibetan Buddhism Number 17’s specific claim of being the reincarnated soul of number 16 is highly questionable and qualifies as pseudoscientific. In fact, many Buddhist lineage holders have two people claiming to be the reincarnated soul of somebody. The general excuse is that there are the “exiled” Buddhists and the “collaborators” who are cronies of the communists. While this may be true, Diamond Way gives us no way of distinguishing the legitimacy of their particular claimant. How do we know that the great teacher did not decide to return back in his homeland and help the people suffering under communism? Sounds like a good idea to us. We met Nydahl and were impressed by his charm and presence. This is the most important element of creating a cult - deep personal charisma.
It is interesting how inconsistent Americans can be. While searching for philosophies that are not as dogmatic and ritualistic as Western religion, they look East. But then, of all the eastern religions they choose the one that has no fewer than 362 scriptural books containing well over 84,000 separate teachings. Buried somewhere deep in these texts are the notions of the siddis. Siddis are superpowers that will come to you during your relentless practice of meditation. These powers include levitation and astral projection. Not one person alive in the world today can demonstrate the siddis. We suggest that not one person in the history of the world has ever demonstrated the siddis under conditions where lying and cheating are not possible.
Incidentally, Diamond Way Buddhism promotes the most annoying of all meditative practices, chanting mantras. Many meditation cults have mantras and they all claim that meditation delivers great benefit to the body and mind. Some, like Sri Chinmoy, claim that practising mediation will be the key to world peace. There is no meaningful scientific evidence to support this.
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