Temple denies glossing over sexual misconduct claims against founder

BUDDHIST CENTRE ON ‘MIXED LEGACY’ OF ‘COMPLEX HUMAN BEING

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

A BUDDHIST temple has been accused of “glossing over” accusations of sexual misconduct lodged against its founder.

The Nottingham Buddhist Centre has refuted the claims and argues it is “balancing a mixed legacy”.

The temple, in the Lace Market, has more than 50 members and is one of about 30 centres in the UK belonging to the Triratna Buddhist Community, set up in 1967 by Dennis Lingwood, known spiritually as Sangharakshita.

Since 1997, Mr Lingwood, who died seven years ago, has been the subject of several sexual misconduct accusations made by former male students at Triratna temples across the world.

Former members have claimed the leader abused his position to have sex with them, despite some allegedly being under the age of consent at the time.

A recent internal investigation by the Triratna movement found that Sangharakshita did “not always recognise the power imbalance between student and teacher” and that he “was not always willing or able to have meaningful dialogue after the sexual involvement had ended”.

A former member, who wished to remain anonymous, said that despite such investigations, she believes the centre still wrongly praises Mr Lingwood.