Public Statement from the General Meeting of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives 2011.

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, in May 2010 Rev. Master Eko Little was asked to resign as Abbot of Shasta Abbey by the Shasta Abbey community when it was discovered that he had lied about having a romantic relationship with a member of the congregation. For a monk practising celibacy, any romantic relationship is inappropriate and unethical, and to then lie about it is a violation of both the Buddhist Precepts and the Rules of our Order.
After his departure, there were further disclosures of what was considered to be his misuse of power and authority, betrayal of trust, and violations of sexual and ethical boundaries, often in the guise of spiritual teaching. We take these matters very seriously and deeply regret and apologize for the harm that has been caused. ....................

For the full text of this announcement, please click here

29th September 2011

Updated Announcement of the resignations from the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives
of three senior monks from the North Cascades Buddhist Priory:

It is with sadness that we have to announce the resignations from the Order
of Buddhist Contemplatives of three senior monks from the North
Cascades Buddhist Priory: the Prior, Rev. Master Koshin Schomberg, and Rev.
Master Teijo Stimac and Rev. Master Mokushin Hart. We very much regret their
decisions to train outside of the framework and jurisdiction of our Order.
The North Cascades Buddhist Priory is therefore no longer a temple of the
Order, and the Order bears no responsibility for its activities.

We are beginning to work on resolving the many questions that are now before us
having to do with the status of  the other monastic members of the NCBP
community and other Order members who have a formal relationship with any of
the three monks who have resigned.

Anyone having questions or concerns about this matter should feel free to
contact any temple or senior monk of the Order.

Update: July 10th 2011. In addition to the monks mentioned above, the following monastic disciples of
Rev. Master Koshin have resigned from the Order: Rev. Master Basil Singer, Rev. Hector Van der Marel,
Rev. Olaf Miller, Rev. Clement Siddoway, Rev. Bennet Laraway and Rev. Winola Fulcher.
Also, Westerwolder Dharma Toevlucht, Bourtange, The Netherlands, is no longer a temple of the Order.

Rev. Haryo Young
Head of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives
March 22nd 2011