Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and the second HUNGER STRIKE FOR ZERO-TOLERANCE OF ABUSE IN BUDDHISM by Jeremy Schanche

Public message to: 

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche - 

Rigpa London - Please forward to him -

From: Jeremy Schanche
Re: HUNGER-STRIKE TO PROMOTE POLICY OF ZERO-TOLERANCE OF ABUSE IN BUDDHISM  6:3:2018
Dear Rinpoche
You may remember me as the British Buddhist who wrote to you a few weeks ago requesting an interview on the above topic - As a former student of Sogyal Rinpoche I have taken a stand against the violent - sexually and psychologically exploitative behaviour of the founder of the Rigpa Organization that has recently been revealed to the public and the sangha as I feel this crucial issue is not being addressed properly and the Rigpa Organization is drastically under-reacting to this disturbing and traumatic turn of events - For a while now I have been publicly requesting those who teach at Rigpa London to denounce Sogyal and support the Zero-Tolerance policy -
Response from Rigpa Organization has been zero!
As I said in my previous message to you - I understand that you are extremely busy and plan your schedule far in advance so probably do not have the time for an interview with me on your current tour of Great Britain - Having had no response from you or your Khyentse Foundation I am assuming that the interview will not happen on this tour -
However - I understand that you are a film-maker and thought that if you happened to be in Western Britain at some time in the future I would be happy to show you where Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche lived with my friend Bill in a village in West Cornwall where I live - I could also show you the Buddha-statue that Trungpa Rinpoche fashioned out of clay and gave to Bill Pickard - an English scholar and practitioner of Buddhism since the 1940s - Bill passed the statue on to me in the 1980s when I became initiated into Tibetan Buddhism - West Cornwall also has many interesting things to see such as a prehistoric stone-circle used by Druids which would make an excellent theatre of public debate on film - And an excellent meeting of the cultures of east and west in pursuit of truth -
Again however I realize that with your busy teaching and practice schedule such travels are unlikely - Therefore I would be happy to travel to a different part of Britain to interview you at any time in the future that is convenient to you if you would be happy to grant this -
In the meantime - whilst I know that you have made some public statements on the problem of abuse in Buddhism I would sincerely appreciate it if you would respond to my approaches with a statement in support of the offering and the principle of ZERO-TOLERANCE OF ABUSE IN BUDDHISM - or conversely - if you feel unable to do this it would be most helpful if you would give a statement saying why not - This would help further clarify your position on the topic for the public -
I hope Rinpoche can see the motivation for my actions -

Sadly - if I receive no response whatsoever from you before you teach in London I will go on HUNGER-STRIKE for Saturday and Sunday in protest at your non-response - if such is the case - I hope not -
Kind regards - Jeremy Schanche - ZERO-TOLERANCE OF ABUSE IN BUDDHISM CAMPAIGN

The Caged Crusader And The Fallen Teacher - Harold Hempstead Interviewed On Religious Abuse By Jeremy Schanche

"The students should try to help their fallen teacher.  It is always best to show love and compassion to those in need."  

Florida's Caged Crusader talks about religious abuse, prison, murder and The Bible with Jeremy Schanche - activist and author from Kernow.

When I asked Harold if hearing Darren Rainey screaming as he died in the special shower changed  his life  he answered simply "yes" but he has already said quite a lot about this - his darkest night.

This was the event that set him on a path of opposing evil in a very dynamic way - not only did he risk assault and murder by guards for exposing the torture at Dade but he has also given evidence of how FDC allows sexual predators exposure to children in prisons in Florida -  and he also advocates strongly for disabled rights in prison .

Apart from the shower-torture and murder - Harold Hempstead has written extensively on Florida DC's policy of starving prisoners to death - in particular he tells of the fates of Darrel Richardson and Oscar Davis - both of whom he has testified to seeing be starved to death.

My first interview with Harold from June 2016

The Miami Herald has a large collection of articles on Harold Hempstead - Darren Rainey and FDC -

George Mallinckrodt is a psychologist who worked at Dade CI and has written of the murder there

Madness - An in-depth article from the New Yorker about FDC

 A high proportion of Florida's prisoners are in long-term Solitary Confinement - despite international treaties declaring this totally unlawful and in contravention of UNCAT.  In an amazing and precedent-setting development - the British High Court has just refused to extradite Lauri Love to USA on the grounds that the US prison-system cannot guarantee the most basic human rights to convicts.



Florida Prisons to which Harold Hempstead 
has been transferred so far:
Wakulla CI;  Wakulla CI Annex;  Okaloosa CI;  Jackson CI;  Santa Rosa CI;  Washington CI;  Apalachee CI East Unit;  Jefferson CI;  Everglades CI;  Dade CI;  Martin CI;  Okeechobee CI;  Hardee CI;  Columbia CI; Columbia CI Annex;  Union CI;  Florida State Prison;  Suwannee CI Annex;  Holmes CI;  Tomoka CI;  Lake CI;  Zephyrhills CI;  Regional Medical Centre;  Central Florida Reception Centre;  South Florida Reception Centre.

Video of Harold Hempstead

"It is always best to show love and compassion 
to those in need."  
Harold Hempstead - February 2018

Questioning The Heart Of Compassion

Another plea for dialogue in the controversy over the abuses of Buddhist Lama (teacher) Sogyal aka Rinpoche - This time I address Corinne and Dan Ewen who are holding a retreat under the Rigpa banner in Lewes - Sussex - UK-
I ask them to respond to me and also threaten imminent industrial action if they do not - Two days to find out what happens folks!
         

Open Letter To:  Corinne Ewen and Dan Ewen – Rigpa UK Registered Charity – South Downs Group – Leaders of Rigpa Mini-Retreat Day:  The Heart Of Compassion – 10^th February 2018 – Linklater Pavilion – Lewes – Sussex – Great Britain –

Dear Corinne and Dan – Namaste!                                                                        Date:  8:2:2018

Re:  ZERO-TOLERANCE 

OF ABUSE IN BUDDHISM

As you may possibly know I have been attempting dialogue with various involved parties in the controversy surrounding the decades of physical – sexual – psychological – spiritual – financial and other forms of abuse and exploitation perpetrated by Sonam Lakar aka Sogyal aka Rinpoche etc etc – My interest in this case – as a thirty-year student of Sogyal and coincidentally also a human rights activist – is a sincere interest in what is best for the people who have come into contact with Sogyal in the past – present and future as well as a deep concern for what is best for the Holy Dharma –

I have published several articles on this topic which have been read by thousands of people in every continent except Antarctica - and tried reaching out to various people including Sogyal – Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche – Patrick Gaffney – Rigpa London Vision Board – etc etc with only dukkha for my reward – no response from anyone! 

I wrote a letter to all teachers scheduled to teach under the auspices of Rigpa London in which I reasoned with the teachers that they should publicly declare for ZERO-TOLERANCE OF ABUSE IN BUDDHISM – Please see the link attached to this to clarify my position towards Rigpa London-s teachers -   I am asking the staff at Rigpa London to forward this to you and trusting that they will please do so – as I have previously asked them to forward my messages to the people they work for which seems only reasonable -

Even Patrick Gaffney who knew me personally from thirty years ago is trying to blank me and I have been chucked out of the What Next Rigpa discussion group on fb without justification – I set up the RIGPA FREE SPEECH UNION a while back - in the event of such shenanigans –

The other day a Tibetan Lama taught at Rigpa London – I received no message or reaction about my abuse-question that I have posed these teachers – They seem to be just carrying on like it-s business as usual and nothing evil and sick has happened!  I did not take the industrial action that I had threatened because frankly I was not organized enough – that is the only reason –

I must continue to apply pressure to Rigpa London until they start to at least talk to me and deal with the points I have repeatedly put to them – I speak as someone who wants Buddhist centres in the West to be safe refuges of true Dharma where the spiritually hungry (a particularly vulnerable social group) can pursue the path of truth and kindness without fear of predation and exploitation –

Furthermore it is screamingly obvious to me that in a situation such as this it is in the best interests of the Dharma that Rigpa International in all its branches and organs has a very sincere public reaction to this whole abuse-issue – The secular public do not want another vaguely sinister foreign religion springing up – but I am sure the public do welcome genuine Buddhism as a commonly-perceived force for good – Let-s try and keep it that way for all of our sakes!  Only clean Dharma will be welcome in the West – It is only reasonable to expect Dharma-standards of conduct to at the very least respect ethical standards of western countries – let alone respecting their own sacred code!

Dear Corrine and Dan I am asking you sincerely to read my letter to teachers visiting Rigpa London and respond urgently to the three main points – I see that on the publicity on the website for the retreat you say how long you have studied with Sogyal (since 98) but make no mention of his disgusting history of crime – Will you please respond very urgently to me on this – before the retreat please – otherwise I promise to you now that I will start industrial action on the day of the retreat – Saturday 10^th February 2018 – and continue it on every day that someone teaches at Rigpa London without dealing with the issues I have publicly raised concerning the sexual and physical abuses of Sogyal aka Rinpoche –

Needless to say I will be seeking maximum publicity for my Ahimsa-inspired protest at the hypocrisy within Buddhism that seeks to conceal - collude and collaborate with those who dare to fuck with our human rights –

Please respond to me as a brother in the Dharma – I mean what I say – Please talk to me –

Kindness Regards The World –

Jeremy Schanche - Newlyn – Kernow – Great Britain

https://savetheholyheadland.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/letter-to-teachers-visiting-rigpa-london-centre-by-jeremy-schanche-.html

https://rigpa.org.uk/events/event/mini-retreat-day-compassion/

Calling PATRICK GAFFNEY Rigpa Org - NOW HEAR THIS -

Open Letter To:  Patrick Gaffney - Right-Hand-Man of Sogyal Aka Rinpoche and Head-Insider at Rigpa International Inc    21:1:2018
 

Dear Patrick -
You might possibly remember me from London - Kathmandu - The French Alps - Cornwall - Sikkim etc etc - I remember sharing a table with you once at the Bir Hotel in Boudhanath - Nepal - I seem to recall you complaining about the service!  Anyway Patrick I address you today as I have had no response whatsoever from you or Phillip Phillippou or Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche or Sogyal or anyone at all at the Rigpa business organization and time is running short - I have made numerous sincere attempts to initiate a dialogue with all of yous but you continue a policy of ignorance towards me -
I appeal to your sense of reason - what is best in this situation ~  I suggest the best thing is if you talk to me very soon - I have already set out my objections to the Rigpa Organization in London hosting teachers who have failed to denounce Sogyal the Abuser - If you continue to ignore me and go forward with this plan I will initiate my high-profile campaign of public attention on the Rigpa organization and all it stands for - and all it has hidden - and I know things that not a single living person has yet alluded to in the press - things that will make quite a stir - 
This isn-t a boast but just to let you know what is possible:  In my first ever campaign I was one of a tiny group of Cornish citizens who defeated a business consortium that included the future King of England - Charles Windsor - They withdrew their stupid plan and the Holy Headland of Penzance was saved from being buried under thousands of tons of Royal concrete!  Our weapons were felt-tip pens and photocopiers - 
Basically Patrick I am becoming a bit cheesed off with taking time out from my work to squabble with a bunch of Buddhists about whether or not anyone thinks it fit to discuss the rampant sexual exploitation and violent tyrannical madness of poor deluded Sogyal - whilst the show carries on as normal like nothing ever happened!
I have tried to point out to yous that the general public are going to see this thing in a very different light to the Buddhist community and in many ways a religious organization should be answerable to the general public whom it is ostensibly liberating from darkness - Hypocrisy will be rooted out and exposed to the eyes of the world - is this the way you wish things to go ~
So this is your final friendly word of advice to talk to me right away - or brace yourself for a fire-storm of Truth like you-ve never seen - Or perhaps a pathetically weak and ill-thought-out campaign from a well-meaning but clueless nutter - View it how you wish - it will soon manifest in your physical face - 
So come on Patrick - why not do the decent thing like an English gentleman and talk to an old Dharma Brother who like so many others is wrestling with a huge Dharma-problem!  
I warmly await your response - Kind Regards - Jeremy Schanche

LAGOS

A Fisherman’s Tale

Once when I was fishing I fell overboard when hauling on a line  - I was  terrified as I bobbed slowly to the surface of the freezing numbing cold water in my heavy clothes and boots which I couldn’t seem to kick off.

When I surfaced I saw my tiny boat upside down in the waves and knew I had no chance of turning it over. My major muscles were already going into agonizing spasms of cramp and I knew that I was almost certainly going to be dead in about three - maybe four minutes.  All fishermen know the deal even if they don’t much like to talk about it.

I was in hell.  Every limb and portion of me wracked with pain and fear.  I was also choking on brine and vomiting uncontrollably. I started to trip out a bit, felt like I was melting or something - weird shit was happening and I knew I was dying. The glimpse of strange bliss disappeared and I felt the worst feelings I had ever known.

And then - a hand grabbed my back and hauled me into a small boat.

When I came round I was wrapped in blankets - and he was rubbing my feet. When he saw my groggy eye open he laughed heartily and passed me a bottle of cognac - “You’re some fuckin’ lucky - boy!” he laughed and soon I was laughing with him.

Lagos and I became inseparable buddies from that day on -  I owed him my life!  My very life!  But every time I tried to thank him he just took the piss and pretended it was all a great joke.

I would have cut my arm off for that man and loved him more dearly - with more warmth and fullness than I have ever loved another person in this world.

Naturally I regarded his nautical skills as almost supernaturally advanced and hero-worshipped him as a type of ideal man, hiding his many fine qualities under a bluff and blokey front. If I ever introduced him to people as “The Man Who Saved My Life” then he would always call me “Mr Flotsam” or some such thing.  Always avoiding praise and meeting any kind of flattery with his rich and original sense of humor.

Once I was out in my boat alone - without Lagos for once and I’d grabbed a local newspaper along with a few snacks and shoved them into a carrier-bag for the journey.  It was a beautiful sea so once I was out past Tater Du a bit I just sat and drifted, watching the ganets, or ’bomb-birds’ - as my daughter likes to call them.

I had a couple of bananas and a drink of juice and settled down to read the local paper - the notoriously dull Penwithershins Gazette.  

Local Man Leigh Goss Taken Into Custody On Heroin - Prostitution And Human-Trafficking Charges After Assault On Two Women -

Mr Goss (44) a fisherman from New Lynsmouth, will appear before Trewrew Magistrates on Monday following the discovery of several teenaged refugees at his remote country home in Trewither.  Almost an ounce of heroin was also removed along with several sets of shackles. Two women had to be hospitalized following the incident which eventually resulted in armed police surrounding the house.  More details will be released after the initial Hearing at Trewrew Court of Justice.

I looked at the waves so dark and cold, pulling me  down again.  My stomach cramped up like I’d been punched and I vomited over the picture of Lagos.

My head was spinning as again I stared into the dark boiling waves - Oh God!  What now!  What now?

Rigpa Mind UK

British Buddhists totally reject any tolerance of any form of abuse whatsoever being practiced in the name of religion - We demand Pure Teachers - We do not welcome fraudsters who teach Dharma one minute and punch Nuns and other Buddhists the next - We do not support organizations or events that will not openly declare for ZERO-TOLERANCE OF ABUSE IN BUDDHISM - 

Open Letter To:  The Lama Formerly Known As Sogyal Rinpoche
Date:  4th January 2018
Re:   Conduct

Dear Sonam - I sincerely hope you are recovering from your period of illness and wish you to be healed as soon as possible - From now on you must look after your health properly -

Were it not for the scale of the matter I would not disturb a man recovering from a recent operation but sadly I am compelled to do so 

You have posed quite a riddle for your students Sogyal - How can what seems so high co-exist with what is so low - I will puzzle over that one day perhaps -

I am an anarchist and I think - speak and act for myself - using my conscience as the highest authority - I have learned that relinquishing autonomous sovereignty leads to downfall - a valuable lesson - I also think Shakyamuni Buddha held the same attitude - as did Sokrates - 

If the Buddha-Dharma is to continue to flourish in the World it will need to be seen as something wholesome and its teachers need to be good people to whom we can  entrust our daughters and sons- 

I have asked you to never teach again as you are utterly discredited as a man fit to teach the Dharma - 

If you ever emerge in public and try to present yourself as a man worthy to speak the Dharma I will nail your ass to the nearest telegraph-pole -  

Ian Maxwell was a good man - an apology would be nice -

Later - Jeremy



Open Letter To:  Patrick Gaffney &; Phillip Phillipou - Bored Members of the Rigpa mind uk Corporation International
Date:  5th January 2018
Re:  Zero-Tolerance of Abuse As An Offering To The Three Jewels

Dear Patrick and Phillip -
You and the other members of the Hallucination Bored (the organization that took over control of Primordial Essence Of Mind Incorporated) such as Phillip Phillipou still cling to the position that Sogyal aka Rinpoche (The Precious One) is worthy to teach Buddhism -
This board has failed to denounce a man who is considered by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as "disgraced" -  as the world knows - and owing to the sordid and disgusting nature of Sonam-s crimes this is not acceptable to me - the vast majority of other Buddhists who have ever had any connection with Sogyal or the general public - perhaps you would like to check with the latter two groups for confirmation -
In the view of this - combined with your fascistic refusal to honour free speech and communicate with the Sangha properly - and your wasting Dharma-funds on lawyers to try to frighten and bully the people into silence - I thought I-d just defame you and your cronies on the jewel-net and see what happens -
Defamation:  Patrick Gaffney and Phillip Phillipou are a pair of slack - unreliable - pignorant -Dharma-warping - cheap - lying - stealing - embezzling - collusive - dishonest nun-humping- rubber-necked - unworthy - treacherous  - false - duplicitous - greedy - slimy - disrespectful - cowardly - exploitative - drunken -nun-punching - drug-abusing - womanizing - gamboling - poodle-grooming - shit-eating - anathemic - money-lifting - malfeasant - egregious - iconoclastic - dehumanizing - gang-banging - pant-wetting - pickpocketing - car-stealing - crack-piping - sheeple-rustling - tax-avoiding - work-shy - fare-dodging - jay-walking - litter-dropping - fly-tipping - acid-tripping  - self-aggrandizing - copyright and art-stealing - good-for-nouts who couldn-t organize an orgy in a Fake-Lama-s five-star hotel room - and you both secretly dress as girlies and dance around the room to disco music turned up moderately loud - so there goes your fame -but does a yogi care for name and fame and worldly games or does he humbly eat the blame for bringing Dharma into shame -
Therefore until such time as Vision Board Inc publicly denounce Sogyal ex-Rinpoche as a man who-s public verbal teaching was legendary - but - and it-s a big-butt - whose secret conduct was disgusting and vile - and until a real public apology is made to the survivors of Sogyal-s egoic tyranny and until such time as Vision Board Inc agrees to a revolution of democracy within its system -
You can expect trouble -
This will take a number of unpredictable forms and names - never violent or illegal of course - just nice friendly Buddhist ways to kick yo ass to Chicago - suckers -

Jeremy Sch@nche - Newlyn - Kernow - Great Britain

CC:  Casey Frank - Editor in Chief - Miami Herald - U S  A   - perhaps we should discuss this Casey ( PS Please say hi to Joe for me)

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