澳洲秋達喇嘛為雙修公開道歉 (Lama Choedak Rinpoche Apologises for Having Sex with Women)

2011年5月1日澳洲坎培拉時報：秋達喇嘛公開道歉

*中文翻譯提供：axzy2*

2011年5月1日澳洲坎培拉時報
秋達喇嘛公開道歉

在去年年底，傳出秋達（Lama Choedak Rinpoche）與數名女成員發生性關係，坎貝拉西藏佛學會的領導人向會員們道歉。

在他離開該國前往尼泊爾閉關前（譯按：原文為for a retreat，這個字用在這很有意思retreat可以是撤退逃跑、宗教意義為冥想、僻靜）該學會領導人喇嘛秋達仁波切在12月底召開特別會議，「如果自己的行為造成任何混亂，他為此道歉。」

為數眾多的婦女向坎貝拉日報投訴，這個前僧侶宣稱離開妻子以後，就與好幾個婦女團體的成員們發生性關係。

婦女們說道，她們十分震驚地發現這個「靈性導師」竟深陷數件性醜聞，因為喇嘛秋達在課程中一向被視為「令人敬重的導師和家人」。

婦女們亦提供文件給日報，顯示她們受到西藏佛教高層人士嚴厲的警告，內容提及將醜聞於媒體揭露或告知其他新進的團體成員，將受到靈性的傷害而且會阻礙其他在地人獲得開悟。

日前在阿德萊德舉行靈修課程的喇嘛秋達，對坎貝拉日報請求專訪不予回應，但一名代表在聲明中表示「他對受牽連的婦女和其他團體成員表達明確的歉意」。但婦女們則控訴喇嘛秋達警告她們別把這醜事讓其他成員得知，表示曝光此事可能對「家人與孩童造成致命的疾病」。

在十二月的道歉會議上，喇嘛秋達告訴他的追隨者：「我很關心你們，為了佛法和新成員著想，我們要團結維持組織運作。由於事涉個人隱私，也必須保護我兒子和其他相關人士，我請大家尊重我的隱私。我知道很多因此破碎的家庭，他們都需要支持與體諒。」

喇嘛秋達告訴成員，與其對此感到憤怒，他們更應利用此經驗來提昇自己。

他說：「我們每個人都會犯錯，我們也能原諒；寬恕可以引領我們找到心靈穩健的避難所。」

譯者註：關於秋達喇嘛，主要在澳洲弘法，全澳有21個道場宗薩欽哲仁波切主講的《遠離四種執著》裡面就有他的英譯與協助，而兩人也一起辦過活動，參照： 1. 藏密網活動資料 http://ppt.cc/eboo
2. 秋達喇嘛官網 http://www.sakya.com.au/
3. 薩迦法王海外弘法紀實 http://www.hhtwcenter.org/news/200904_07/news_200904_07.htm


@ The Canberra Times, 1 May, 2011
@Down the Crooked Path (Hidden Dangers of Meditation and the Pitfalls of the Guru/Disciple relationship)

Lama Choedak Rinpoche apologises

by FRANCES STEWART, Canberra Times, 1 May, 2011

Canberra, Australia -- THE HEAD of Canberra's Tibetan Buddhist community has apologised to members of the society after allegations he had sexual relationships with several women from the group emerged late last year.

The Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra's leader Lama Choedak Rinpoche called a special meeting of the society in December to apologise if ''changes that his personal life has gone through have caused any confusion'' before leaving the country for a retreat in Nepal.

A number of women associated with the society contacted the Sunday Canberra Times, alleging the former monk had sexual relationships with several female group members after saying he had separated from his wife.

The women said they were shocked to discover their ''spiritual leader'' was engaged in multiple affairs within the group because Lama Choedak was considered a ''respected teacher and family man'' in the ACT branch.

The women were also able to provide documents to the Sunday Canberra Times that showed complaints about Lama Choedak's conduct were met with stern warnings from senior foreign figures in the Tibetan Buddhist movement, who said talking to the media or telling new group members what had happened could be spiritually damaging and prevent other Canberrans from ''achieving enlightenment through buddhism''.

Lama Choedak, who is currently teaching at a retreat in Adelaide, did not respond to requests for an interview from the Sunday Canberra Times, but a representative said in a statement he ''made an unequivocal apology'' to the women involved, as well as group members. The women claimed Lama Choedak warned them not to reveal his indiscretions a sentiment echoed in the organisation's statement, which said exposure could harm ''families and children as well as someone who is presently in the midst of dealing with a life-threatening illness''.

Apologising at the December meeting, Lama Choedak told his followers, ''I am making this statement today as I care about all of you, and as we need to maintain our work together for the sake of dharma and new members''.

''Due to the personal nature of this matter and the need to protect the feelings of my children and other people concerned, I ask you all to respect our privacy. I know how many broken families there are, and they all need moral support and understanding.''

Lama Choedak told the group that rather than being angry, they should use the experience to improve themselves.

''Every single one of us makes mistakes and it is up to each of us to forgive,'' he said. ''Used wisely, such personal difficulties can lead us to a stronger and more stable refuge which we find within our own hearts and and minds.'