More than a year after Sogyal Rinpoche resigned as the spiritual head of Rigpa, the international network of Buddhist centers that he founded, following accusations from students and staff of multiple instances of abuse and misconduct, Rigpa yesterday published the results of an independent investigation into the allegations by British law firm Lewis Silkin.

The detailed 50-page report explores multiple accusations against the renowned Nyingma teacher, examining the circumstances of specific incidents in which he was allegedly involved, and reviewing the supporting evidence. Lewis Silkin highlights numerous serious concerns based on the findings of their investigation, and lists a series of recommendations and proposed action points and safeguards for moving the Rigpa community forward. The report also recommends that Sogyal Rinpoche not take part in any future events organized by Rigpa or otherwise have contact with its students, and that Rigpa should take steps to disassociate itself from its founder “as fully as is possible.”

An international network of more than 100 practice centers and groups in 23 countries, Rigpa has been struggling to cope with the fallout from the increasingly public scandal, although many of the accusations of abuse are not new—for several years they have periodically made their way to the public sphere and the media. Rigpa’s official explanation has traditionally been to cite the “crazy wisdom” tradition of spiritual development characterized by unconventional teaching methods aimed at breaking down the preconceptions and mental barriers of students. “Crazy wisdom” is considered by its adherents to be an accelerated means to open the eyes and mind of the practitioner to the true nature of the Dharma.

In July last year, a detailed letter signed by eight senior and former members* of Rigpa was circulated within the organization. Addressed directly to Sogyal Rinpoche, the letter** detailed various abuses allegedly committed by the Rigpa founder and highlighted four main concerns: the alleged physical and psychological abuse of students (which Sogyal Rinpoche has asserted are an expression of his “skillful means” and “wrathful compassion”), the alleged sexual abuse of students, alleged excesses of Rinpoche’s lifestyle funded by Rigpa, and the impact these alleged actions have had on the students’ trust in their teacher and their appreciation of the Dharma. A subsequent press release from Rigpa dated 11 August 2017 stated that Sogyal Rinpoche had decided to retire as the spiritual director of Rigpa and related organizations with immediate effect.***

In the summary of their investigation report, Lewis Silkin states:

Whilst I have seen evidence that many people feel that they have benefitted greatly from having Sogyal Lakar as their teacher, individual experiences are very different. There are varying degrees of closeness to Sogyal Lakar, with the closest relationships regularly referred to as the “inner circle”. The experiences of some of the members of the inner circle are very different from the experiences of many of those who are less close.

Not all of the allegations against Sogyal Lakar are upheld . . . but based on the evidence available to me, I am satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities:

a. some students of Sogyal Lakar . . . have been subjected to serious physical, sexual and emotional abuse by him; and

b. there were senior individuals within Rigpa who were aware of at least some of these issues and failed to address them, leaving others at risk.

While 71-year-old Sogyal Rinpoche, born Sonam Gyaltsen Lakar, has not refuted any of the allegations against him, he stated in a letter to the community dated 20 July 2017 that “I am clear in my own mind that I have never, ever, acted towards anyone with a motive of selfish gain or harmful intent.”**** Before stepping down as Rigpa’s spiritual director, Sogyal Rinpoche taught in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America for more than 30 years.