Matthew O'Connell

The Imperfect Buddha Podcast 4.2: Tenzin Peljor is in the house!

tenzin-peljor-jpg3   Tenzin Peljor interview at Soundcloud

In this episode, we have our first interview at the Imperfect Buddha Podcast with the wonderfully insightful Tenzin Peljor, an ordained German Buddhist monk. Tenzin is no ordinary Buddhist monk, however, he is a crusader for clarity and right information, particularly in the world of Tibetan Buddhism, where he is committed to shining light on untruth. He runs two English language sites which provide a wealth of information and resources including interviews with noted Buddhist Studies academics, as well as exposes of the cultish behaviour that we discussed in our last episode. He is also one of the best informed individuals regarding the NKT and as an ex-member writes with great clarity in order to dispel the myths propagated by that group.
In this episode, he tells his story of his involvement with them and what it was that drove him to leave. We also discuss aspects of a monk’s life and explore important texts that help with leaving behind the western romanticism of Tibet.

Links:

Tibetan Buddhism in the West

Tibetan Buddhism: struggling with difficult issues

9 comments

  4. Hello guys – please, please keep up the good work. I have recently been trying to get ‘real’ with my practice and the primary issue that came up was Marxist critiques of Buddhism’s translation to the west, among other Western philosophical perspectives. Having this intellectual search, which Vincent Horn has encouraged in me, continuing alongside and having impact on my practice is just part of who I am!

    I look forward to getting to sit in on more of your pub conversations about Buddhism and the West.

    Like

    Reply

  6. AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL THE BUDDHIST MONKS OF THE WORLD

    By Haqqseeker

    Respected Buddhist Monks,

    I am really confused about the Buddhist Monks of Myanmar. How can they be so heartless as to commit all types of atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority? Some of the crimes they are committing are listed underneath:

    They are killing innocent Rohingya Muslims including their children and are burning their houses in the villages where they lived. Since the start of the violence on August 25, more than 500,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. Over 1,000 Rohingya villagers have been killed, 15,000 homes have been burned down, and those that have remained are trapped in fear and desperation.

    They are stealing their properties and are also burning their houses. For four weeks now villages have been burning in Myanmar.

    Many Rohingya women have been violently raped. One example is quoted here: Rajuma is a Rohingya Muslim. She now spends her days drifting through a refugee camp in Bangladesh in a daze. In Myanmar her baby was hurled into fire, her clothes were torn apart and she was dragged into a house and was gang-raped.

    What is stated above is just the tip of the iceberg. The description of the actual inhuman crimes that are committed by the Myanmar Buddhist Monks is simply beyond words.

    Myanmar expert Dr Maung Zarni has this to say about Buddhism: “I think we should stop romanticising Buddhism and Buddhists as more peaceful than any other people.” He added, “There is a romanticised, rosy, orientalised view of Buddhism among the English speaking population around the world and other non-English speakers as well … but that’s just so false.”

    What have you got to say regarding the criminal and inhuman actions of your fellow Buddhist Monks of Myanmar?

    PS

    It is simply amazing that some 400,000 Buddhists, who live in the Cox Bazar (Bangladesh) where all Rohingya Muslims have fled to, are safe along with their temples. No one is taking revenge on innocent Buddhists here.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment