Ipswich Buddhist Centre
Reviews and Complaints

I have a duty to report the Triratna Buddhist Community as a cult like movement.

They are reported in the press for a sexual abuse scandal involving its leader Sangharak[censored]a. The Guardian article says that social services are involved and that the leader of the movement has apologized, and another news agency did a piece on the Padmaloka Retreat Centre, referring to allegations of abuse there by Sangharak[censored]a.

I was involved in the movement at the Ipswich Buddhist Centre and they tried to gag me when I spoke up about my concerns about cult behaviour and sexual abuse in their wider movement.

I was threatened with a lawsuit and losses if I did not be quiet. They lied about me later and gave me bad references (I worked for their associated gift shop).

Now the truth of their abuse is out I can now talk, and there is the defence of qualified privilege as well as statements made to prevent harm or danger.

The movement is a cult like sect with a history of abuse and scandal, the proof is evident. Their leader has also apologized and their main website has acknowledged the confession.

I asked for an apology several times in 2015 and 2016, and instead some of them mouthed me off behind my back making untrue derogatory insulting comments. The name was Buddhasiha.

Buddhasiha was involved in speaking ill about one of the ex-employees of the Ipswich Evolution store named Free Spirit.

He claimed that they were involved in serious criminal activity and had tried to blackmail the business in order to cause it losses. That was false.

Buddhasiha spoke ill of him because he raised ethical concerns about how the store operated, its recruitment policies and its attitudes toward those who are heterosexual.

He has refused to apologize, even though that would have involved a simple 10 minute trip to a notary office.

Beware

Google FWBO Files and Triratna Controversy, and Ipswich Buddhist Centre Wordpress (a whistleblowing website)

Here are links to the scandal:-

https://ipswichbuddhistcentre.wordpress.com/the-truth-about-the-ipswich-buddhist-centre/

https://ipswichbuddhistcentre.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/ipswich-buddhist-centre-experience/

https://buddhism-controversy-blog.com/2017/02/19/whitewash-dishonesty-culture-of-abuse-in-the-triratna-buddhist-order-tbo/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-37432719

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/19/buddhist-sexual-abuse-triratna-dennis-lingwood

https://thebuddhistcentre.com/news/statement-urgyen-sangharakshita

Anyone attending the Ipswich Buddhist Centre, may at first enjoy the meditations, but there is always a danger in the background that if you try and leave the Centre, it becomes cult-like, and that is when the abuse starts.

Such abuse may include sexual discrimination, bad -mouthing you so you cannot get work elsewhere, threatening to sue you, or paying lawyers to bully you into silence.

The meditation in itself is sound, but getting more involved with the Centre or working for the movement is risky to one’s wellbeing. Some of the people in the movement are not honest and are of questionable integrity, something which stems from the sexual abuse issues in the 60’s which still plague the movement today.

I have a duty to report the Triratna Buddhist Community as a cult like movement.

They are reported in the press for a sexual abuse scandal involving its leader Sangharak[censored]a. The article says that social services are involved and that the leader of the movement has apologized.

See links below:-

I was involved in the movement at the Ipswich Buddhist Centre and they tried to gag me when I spoke up about my concerns about cult behaviour and sexual abuse in their wider movement.

I was threatened with a lawsuit and losses if I did not be quiet. They lied about me later and gave me bad references (I worked for their associated gift shop).

Now the truth of their abuse is out I can now talk, and there is the defence of qualified privilege as well as statements made to prevent harm or danger.

Here is my experience in detail on a whistleblowing website:-

https://ipswichbuddhistcentre.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/ipswich-buddhist-centre-experience/

https://ipswichbuddhistcentre.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/legal-disclaimers-reporting-abuse-at-the-ipswich-buddhist-centre/

The movement is a cult like sect with a history of abuse and scandal, the proof is evident. Their leader has also apologized and their main website has acknowledged the confession.

I asked for an apology several times in 2015 and 2016, and instead some of them mouthed me off behind my back making untrue derogatory insulting comments. The name was Buddhasiha.

Beware

Google FWBO Files and Triratna Controversy, and Ipswich Buddhist Centre Wordpress (a whistelblowing website)

Caution is advised with this Buddhist cult who have branches all over the UK and the world.

The movement has featured in the UK press after their leader Sangharak[censored]a formally apologized and confessed to past abuses:-

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/19/buddhist-sexual-abuse-triratna-dennis-lingwood

https://thebuddhistcentre.com/news/statement-urgyen-sangharakshita

Their leader stated on the page above:-

Update: 8th February 2017

Sangharak[censored]a has confirmed that his apology extends to anyone he has harmed in any way at all, including those who were Buddhists at the time if not now, and their non-Buddhist family and friends. He further wishes to make it clear that his statement was a confession. As the acknowledgment of having breached the Buddhist ethical precepts, Buddhist confession can most fully be made to other Buddhists. His statement was therefore addressed to Buddhists, whether within or without Triratna, for the reason that the confession of evil is part of the spiritual context which he shares with other Buddhists.

I am still awaiting an apology from the Ipswich Buddhist Centre. I was involved with them for 4 years. I left to pursue my own path, including heterosexual romantic relationships, which they disapproved of.

All attempts in the past to get an apology has led nowhere, and they bad mouthed me in 2015, implying I was an attention seeker and being involved in an 'episode', in a bad faith attempt to portray me as the one in the wrong.

Recent events have shown the movement is starting to apologize and take responsibility. I also want my apology.