A Meditation on Misconduct

Jessica Bizub, a long-time member and emerging leader in the Shambhala Community was appointed Center Director of the Shambhala Meditation Center of Milwaukee at just 35 years old. Her appointment letter was signed by the spiritual and temporal leader of Shambhala, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche (“The Sakyong”). Just before her formal appointment, Shambhala International’s governing body sent an email to the community about sexual abuse. For Bizub, this email from the Kalapa Council seemed “out of the blue.” It stated: “In our complex history there have been instances of sexual harm and inappropriate relations between members and between teachers and students. We are still emerging from a time in which such cases were not always addressed with care and skill. In particular, inappropriate or even abhorrent sexual behavior by some men in the community has caused some women to feel unsafe." [3] The email affirmed Shambhala’s “Care and Conduct” policy and procedure for investigating complaints. Bizub recalled, “I kind of regarded it as a distraction.” She reflected, “The tone of it was like, ‘Oh, we’ve already handled all this. This is all in the past.’” 

Bizub soon noticed additional emails from Shambhala leadership on the topic of sexual misconduct. On June 21, 2018, the Kalapa Council announced the creation of a Sexual Harm Task Force. Shortly after, the Sakyong wrote a letter to the community, stating: “It is my wish for you to know that in my past there have been times when I have engaged in relationships with women in the Shambhala community. I have recently learned that some of these women have shared experiences of feeling harmed as a result of these relationships. I am now making a public apology." [4] He continued, “Kindness can sometimes begin with acknowledging the ways we have harmed others, even if we did not intend to do so." [5] The Sakyong noted that, with the support of his wife, he would enter “a period of self-reflection and listening." [6] He added: “I have worked with, and at times struggled with, how to be a teacher and a human being." [7] Bizub was surprised to learn of the Sakyong’s relationships with students, although she appreciated his apology and humility.

The Sakyong’s presence was woven into the fabric of the community, from his framed image on the shrines to the portraits of his family on the walls; from his books that lined the bookshelves to the foundational teachings of his father, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The Sakyong was not just the leader of Shambhala, but the sole living “lineage holder,” connecting the Shambhala community to Trungpa, the ancient teachers in Tibet, and to the Buddha. 

Then, on June 28, 2018, Buddhist Project Sunshine (BPS) released a report detailing allegations against the Sakyong, including sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and sexual relations with numerous female students; more so, it implicated the Sakyong’s staff in facilitating misconduct. [8] Reading it, Bizub was in shock: “I was trying to come to terms with what I was reading about the Sakyong and square that with my image of him.” When she met him, Bizub found him to be reserved and reflective; she regularly heard that the Sakyong was a family man and a disciplined athlete. She wondered, “Is this true? What does it mean if it is true?” Some in the community quickly dismissed the claims as exaggerated or blown out of proportion. But Bizub, who has the thoughtful, intentional manner of a long-time meditator, reflected on those accusing him: “[T]hey have a lot to lose by coming out on this. And I feel like people generally don't make this up.”

Soon, nine members Kalapa Council, the international governing board of Shambhala, resigned under pressure and the Sakyong’s office announced that he would be “stepping back” from teaching. Bizub noted, “It was incredible community chaos.” She thought: “OK. Now all of our training is going to come to bear. And we're going to deal with this.” At the same time, she wondered quietly to herself: “But what if we don't?”

Discussion Questions 

1. Bizub must lead and support her local community in an emotionally charged, spiritually vulnerable context. What advice would you offer her?   

2. What specific, actionable decisions does Jessica face? 

3. How does this case and "A Question of Membership" contribute to our understanding of the internal diversity, and unique challenges, of leadership in the American Buddhist community? 

The full case is available for download; it is comprised of an A Case, a B Case, and additional content.