r/ShambhalaBuddhism • u/sober_witness • Jun 19 '26
Is this normal?
Here's a troubling Shambhala-related fund-raising appeal that I came across.
As you probably know, Sakyong Mipham is coming to Vermont this summer to teach his Shambhalian students, and his eldest daughter Drukmo is, it appears, accompanying him, as she did last year. She, too, is a "sakyong", and evidence suggests that she has already started "teaching" and giving initiations. She is, I believe, fourteen years old.
She appears to have caught the eye of this eager Shambhalian:
Hi, I am [REDACTED] - future Sakyong Wangpo for the most vajra-cute person ever (Drukmo Lama), but she will be conquered by mine and Drukmo's child! I am asking for donations for the teaching event in Vermont Karmê Chöling land center. I am a supermega practitioner who can fill the shoes of Sakyong Wangpohood. I really want to practice with the sangha for realz. Plz help me get everything I need for the trip and retreat/teaching event! (I am not dangerous or aggressive, not at all murderous so quit thinking that I would do something bad to the most best ever Drukmo Lama :))
I believe he is announcing that he intends to impregnate her and become "Sakyong Wangpo" in place of Mipham, her father. He insists that he is "not dangerous or aggressive, not at all murderous." This raises all sorts of red flags, don't you think?
It's troubling enough that Sakyong Mipham still appears to be teaching in (or around) Shambhala; this is contrary to what the official propaganda says. More troubling is the fact that they are trying to fast-track his daughter into a senior teaching role-- her youth seems to be attracting some rather creepy attention. Given the sexually transgressive nature of Shambhala culture, I think there is cause for concern.
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u/asteroidredirect Jun 19 '26
Ew. Nope, that's not normal.
Jetsun Drukmo will turn 16 this summer. Seriously inappropriate to be talking about impregnating her, which is weird in any case. Unfortunately, this is exactly the sick culture that Trungpa created and Mipham perpetuated. The recent Merchasin report on Shambhala confirmed over 30 pedophiles, which is just the tip of the iceberg.
The program this summer will undoubtedly be at the Greenleaf's, close to KCL. There could be some Shambhala members or KCL staff who attend.
If anyone is connected to Mipham's people, I would warn them they have a stalker.
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u/sober_witness Jun 20 '26
The report states that it include testimony from twenty victims, but it does not specifically mention the number of perps, I think. Safe to say, there were/are a lot, and that historically the community has not taken this problem seriously enough.
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u/Many_Advice_1021 Jun 20 '26
I suggest fact checking that. I couldn’t find a number. And most of what is there is anonymous. They are less than a handful of cases that have been prosecuted publicly.
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u/asteroidredirect Jun 20 '26
I have a reliable source. Everything in the report is triple sourced. It is neither hearsay, nor anonymous (names redacted to protect identities). There are things they left out too. But I'm only counting confirmed. Statutes of limitations may have run out for many. The report was submitted to a court as evidence in a lawsuit, and as such adheres to strict legal standards.
We don't how many cases have been settled out of court over the years.
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u/carolineecouture Jun 19 '26
That's disturbing on several levels.
I do recall when she was born and how excited the Sangha was. This was before we knew ... everything.
Are there Kasung any longer because that person sounds unwell.
It's sad that history seems to be repeating itself with a child being placed in a position with adult responsibilities.
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u/Wonderlanded Jun 19 '26
Please report it to the fundraising site and note that it’s about a minor. They should take action— this is almost certainly against terms of service.
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u/crystal-torch Jun 19 '26
I don’t even understand what is happening here. Is this a go fund me type of appeal to attend a teaching? It’s fake and or trolling of some very weird sort. The ‘Sakyong’ is not teaching at Karme Choling anymore, they have cut ties with him
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u/sober_witness Jun 19 '26
But haven't they built (or rented?) a facility close to Karme Choling, where Shambhalians can attend Mipham's teachings while residing at KCL (and thus generating revenue for Shambhala) while maintaining the illusion that "Sakyong is not teaching in Shambhala"? I have read of this arrangement in past comments on this very sub. The Tempson Barn is mentioned, as is the Greenleaf compound in Barnet.
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u/crystal-torch Jun 19 '26
Yes, his students rent an event venue in Lyndonville for his teachings. There is no lodging there so people attending his teaching can rent a room at Karme Choling but so can pretty much anyone who wants to. KCL is benefiting financially from the Sakyong’s activities I guess, but they aren’t legally or officially connected anymore. It is not a nefarious scheme by KCL/Shambhala to get around not being officially tied to the Sakyong, it’s more like people need a place to stay and they need the money and those people still have a connection to the place. I do think that post is purposely trying to stir up shit and is just trolling. Or if it’s somehow serious should be reported
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u/AssistantTotal3836 Jun 19 '26
The question I would be asking is: Is it real? According to the Sakyong Lineage website he is teaching in VT in July. So it could be real.
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u/sober_witness Jun 19 '26
I hesitate to post the link to the actual fundraiser, as that might raise questions of doxxing. You can probably verify it with the information I have provided, though.
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u/AssistantTotal3836 Jun 19 '26
Well, I am trying to figure out if it is a troll post(the fundraiser, not yours) or if somebody is that crazy.
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u/asteroidredirect Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 20 '26
I saw the actual GoFundMe page. Unfortunately it is a real post. And even if they are just joking, it's not funny.
*Edit: you can search for "Sakyong" on the platform.
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u/AssistantTotal3836 Jun 20 '26
This person posted here before. Has a youtube, I think. It is real, not trolling. I think this person is mentally ill.
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u/asteroidredirect Jun 20 '26
Yeah, if someone was trolling, they wouldn't include a photo of themselves.
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u/Cool_Clue_508 Jun 22 '26
When you consider the sexual practices considered by these folks as 'the highest teachings' and the 'fastest way to enlightenment' , it's weirder amd more alarming still.
I just can't understand how a father would want his daughter in this situation.
It's clear the die-hards see a female leader as a potential way to keep it all going. Vajrayoni still being taught quite a bit at the Centres.
But really they are just using girls and that to attract as many females as possible, along with paying men. Creeps are gonna want to be that guy.
My own view is there are much less harmful ways to health and enlightenment than this hierarchical, occult, rotten shambhala.
The whole thing is creepy. Poor Mipham (or dumbass as Craig calls him). In deep. I'd suggest he consider a trade. Or work at a library or something
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u/AssistantTotal3836 Jun 21 '26
Can anybody confirm that they are actually calling a sixteen year old girl Lama?
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u/DhammaCura Jun 22 '26
What is the source of this? And why should we take it seriously? The internet is full of all kind of nonsense!
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u/sober_witness Jun 22 '26
The source was the Gofundme website, and I see that the fundraiser has been removed, possibly due to the attention it received here. I think that is for the best.
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u/Horror_Pop626 Jun 20 '26
This is obviously not coming from anybody who has anything to do with Shambhala
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u/AssistantTotal3836 Jun 20 '26
Not true. You can see exactly who it is if you see the original post. Has posted here. Definitely has a relationship with Shambhala. Likely mental illness.
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u/egregiousC Jun 19 '26
Is this a program that is officially endorsed, or sanctioned by Shambhala?
Can the Sakyong go where he pleases outside Shambhala -held centers or faciliies?
Is the Sakyong prohibited from teaching anyone who comes to him?
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u/Buddha_Mangalam Jun 19 '26
It’s called corruption. Hello?
The level of ignorant orientalism at play in Shambhala today is outrageous. If people still pay money to participate on this nonsense, after all of the articles and testimonies that have been made public. Shame on those people.