Origins of the coercive group OKC

Transcript

1. The story of Ogyen Kunzang Choling and Lama Kunzang Dorje, (aka Robert Spatz, or RS in this presentation) by ex-OKC born-kids 40 years of abuse in the Name of Dharma
2. okc-net.org Rabjam Rimpoché Robert Spatz aka “Lama Kunzang” Youngsters, 23 civil parties today, total 46
3. - Ogyen Kunzang Choling was created by Lama Kunzang, a self-described disciple of Kangyur Rinpoche ‘in accordance with the wishes of this great master [...] with the support and advice of the eldest son of Kangyur Rinpoche, Tsetrul Pema Wangyal Rinpoche.’ - Since 1991, it is ‘under the spiritual authority of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, abbot of Shechen, as well as Pema Wangyal Rinpoche. [...] - In 2006, Khenpo Tseten, master studies of Shechen, joined Nyima Dzong according to the wishes of Rabjam Rinpoche and currently takes care of the spiritual guidance in the centers.’ he is controlled by OKC-Brussels & OKC general secretary : Rui de Carvalho Oliveira aka Lamten According to OKC’s official website...
4. OKC “Buddhist” Centers OKC Centers • OKC Brussels, Belgium • Nyima Dzong, France • OKC Malaga, Spain • OKC Marbella, Spain (Spatz Home) • Hungkara Dzong, Portugal • OKC Lisbon, Portugal • Gyatso Dzong, Tahiti Tibetan Nyingma Study & Practice Center
5. Spiritual Directors • Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche (exited OKC in March 2023) • Lama Kunzang (Robert Spatz) • Pema Wangyal Rinpoche Teachers and Visiting Lamas • H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama • Kyabje Kangyur Rinpoche • Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche • Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche • Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche • Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche • Khenchen Pema Sherab • Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche • Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche • Pema Wangyal Rinpoche OKC Center’s Teachers as archived https://archive.is/okc-net.org • Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche • Mingyur Rinpoche • Tenga Rinpoche • Ringu Tulku Rinpoche • Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche • Khenpo Gyurme Tsultrim • Khenpo Rigzin Samdrup • Taklung Matrul Rinpoche • Khenpo Tseten (Exit 2023) Now deleted : http://okc-net.org/index.php/maitres/
6. 4th January 2016 - RS is summoned to appear in front of the judge with 10 other OKC directors. He stays in Spain claiming he is ill, and asks to be represented by his lawyer. OKC Center was brought to Brussel Court in 2016 After 18 Years of a failed judicial inquiry 2nd and 3rd January 2016 - the OKC Belgium branch welcomes Taklung Matrul Rinpoche who teaches 'Patience', chapter VI of the 'Ways of Bodhisattvas' by Shantideva.
7. OKC Center was brought to Liège Court in 2020 After 2 Appeals at the High-Court Cassation
8. Ogyen Kunzang Choling and RS are accused of 170 Criminal Charges ➤ Accused by the Belgian Justice / Law | ➠ Accused by victims/survivors/civil parties 1. ➤ abuse of trust 2. ➤ criminal conspiracy 3. ➤ kidnapping and sexual assaults on children's 4. ➠ 11 charges of sexual abuses/rape of girls minors of age (10) 5. ➠ Hiding alleged pedophile responsible for 6 other sexual abuse/rape 6. ➤ fraud and embezzlement 7. ➤ money laundering 8. ➤ tax evasion 9. ➠ physical torture on children's 10. ➤ false lease contract signed by a senior European official...
9. Ogyen Kunzang Choling in the Media in 2016 “I still remember the feeling of his tongue in my mouth, and his cold saliva…” “After 18 Years of Investigation, the OKC Cult Is Finally Judged” “OKC Cult: Another Victim of Sexual Abuses Speaks”
10. “The forgotten kids” realized/produced by RTBF 45min Video Document “Devoir d’enquête Les Enfants Oubliés”
11. “Buddhism, the Law of Silence” ARTE Documentary Released in 2022 Investigation in Different cases of Abuses in Tibetan Buddhism in different Buddhist centers across The world.
12. But, how did we get there?
13. The Origins of OKC In 1968, Robert SPATZ, a television repairman, inherits a large sum of money, stops working and makes several trips to India. He discovers yoga and Tibetan Buddhism and meets Kyabje Kangyur Rinpoche for a week. He remains close to him during several alleged visits and gets acquainted with the very basic philosophy of Buddhism.
14. The Association 'Om Dorje Institute' (Yoga School) was founded in 1971. In 1972, he claims that Kangyur Rinpoche told him to create Ogyen Kunzang Choling (OKC) with the mission to spread Buddhism in the West. This is when he calls himself Venerable Lama Kunzang Dorje.
15. The expansion of OKC Community RS quickly attracted many followers who were interested in yoga and macrobiotic diet, associated with vague notions of Tibetan Buddhism. He bought or owned apartments in Brussels, opened vegetarian restaurants and health food stores. His followers began to live near him or in the commercial premises as a community. He also published the journal ‘Diamant Coupeur’ and used it as a communication channel to spread his “teachings”. It quickly became a personality cult decorated under Tibetan Buddhism Folklore
16. The Diamond Cutter, periodical of ‘Transcendental Tibetan Yoga’ is published by RS
17. In 1974, he bought a farmhouse in the south of France to start a monastery called Nyima Dzong. It’s an old building without electricity, amenities, or sanitation. The living conditions are rustic and basic. RS even claims that Kangyur Rinpoche showed him the precise location of Nyima Dzong on a world map. (official OKC myth) The Monastery ‘Château de Soleils’ or ‘Castle of the Sun’ (Nyima Dzong) in the center of the ‘Domain of the Clear Light’ (OKC)
18. 1973 - Introduction Letter, claimed to be from Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche (Tulku Pema Wangyal) Introduction Letter by the Venerable Lama Tulku Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche from the O.K.C. Nyingmapa Monastery (Himalayas). (This obviously does not reflect the kind of vocabulary that Rinpoche normally uses and the meaning that he usually conveys) Translation by the Venerable Lama KUNZANG DORJE The evolution of the West didn't happen as that of the East. In the West, errors have crept in the way of using Energies. (...) Faulty understanding of Energy comes from ignorance, one of the three poisons that cause desire and anger. These poisons lead to gossip, to cruelty, to war. The West can now realize its possibilities that are non illusory (...) and reach out to True Knowledge. The West should now understand the significance of True Fraternity, of Union. Since a very long time, our ancient tradition recount that (...) a time would arrive in which the fruit of our Meditations and 'Connections' will benefit other parts of the world. Now the word Yoga is known in the West. We can finally teach the SPIRIT OF THE YOGA ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION.
19. 1973 - Introduction Letter from Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, continued Whoever climbs the mountain just thinking about where to place feet and hands to avoid falling, or just desires to get to the top, will not know the Clear Light. Whoever climbs the mountain by becoming aware of what the body is and what the Mountain is will be CLEAR LIGHT himself and the top of the Mountain will be its base. Every day I pray and wish for a long life and good health for my Venerable Brother, Lama Kunzang DORJE, for the benefit of any creature within LOVE, and with all my good wishes for the fulfillment of his Duty to teach YOGA (Tib: NALJOR) according to the Tradition, without difficulties or obstacles. May the Glorious and Sacred Teaching The Teaching of the Glorious Gurus spread spread and sprinkle the entire universe with its goodness to benefit the whole Universal Brotherhood and lead to the Success, to Freedom, to AWAKENING For all the 'loving Beings of Universe' Long Life to the Brotherhood, The TRUE Universal Brotherhood
20. A Buddhism that looks authentic The arrival of the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist teachers in his centers and being close to Pema Wangyal Rinpoche allows RS to convince his followers that he is also a genuine holder of the Nyingma Lineage and is equivalent to the other high lamas. • Dudjom Rinpoche signs a letter in 18/11/72 that recognizes RS as a Buddhist master. It is important to note that Rinpoche did not speak English and that the very same letter was exhibited by other Buddhist centers: the same text, but with the name relevant to their center. • The Kashak declares in 9/2/94 that the centers of OKC are genuine Buddhist centers. Just before a European wide investigation on dangerous cults. • Penor Rinpoche signs a declaration in 22/08/96 stating RS is an authentic lama. • Rabjam Rinpoche makes the same statements in a declaration of 22/8/97. It was very difficult for all the followers of RS, after these convincing declarations, to doubt the authenticity of RS as a lama.
21. The impact of Tibetan Teachers’ Visits OKC continues to invite Pema Wangyal Rinpoche and other lamas to teach in their centers. Although some of these teachers are aware of the issues surrounding RS, they continue to visit OKC, even after he was jailed in 1997. They believe that the sincere disciples of RS would be able to tell the difference between the genuine teachers and him and have the opportunity to receive genuine teachings. Unfortunately, this created the opposite effect. The followers of RS believe that if the great masters, even H.H. Dalai Lama, come to teach in the OKC centers, OKC is legitimate. If the sons of Kangyur Rinpoche come to our centers, it is because they agree with our way of living.
22. RS Quotes about Masters, Dharma Teachings & OKC The Quest and the Law stem from obeying your Guru. From the very moment you pledge obedience everything happens spontaneously. (...) As soon as you follow your free-will you are lost. My teachings are more adapted to the west than the teachings of Tibetan masters, - even Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche first asks me what to teach my students since he doesn't know as well as me what is best for them. Do you really know what Samaya means? From the day we took refuge under the sky when we promised to practice the Law, to study it, to penetrate it, to live it in the most ultimate depths of our heart; from the moment we promised this, you have known, you have felt what Samaya is, Tamtsik... You can only leave the Sangha of OKC if I tell you to leave, if you take the decision of leaving the sangha by yourself you'll go to hell. Don't read buddhist texts from other lamas, like Kagyu texts for example. I'd rather see you reading "The Week of Suzy" (1940’s girl comics) than teachings not from me, they can be very dangerous. You don’t need to buy Namtar, books that speak of Yogis of the past, Yeshe Tsogyal ... But, good God, it's you! It's you Yeshe Tsogyal or Guru Rinpoche...! Why do you refuse this since such a long time, why deny the obvious? ... You’re so troubled by some small flaws, by clumsiness ... it's absurd! ... Try to see what you always have been, without pretension of course ... (...) It's silly, all that ... Leave it all ... It's too long to read, too long to learn, to assimilate, there is no comfort ... You will never find the comfort of Dzogchen in this way …
23. Inviting the Tibetan Masters In April 1976 Dilgo Khyentsé RInpoche made a visit to the OKC centers, accompanied by Pema Wangyal Rinpoche. The visit is photographed and documented in the periodical. ‘Seeing these pictures you will realize the joy that our Tibetan guests felt discovering a traditional community, a Family, just like the ones they have known in Tibet’. (Legend of the pictures in the magazine)
24. Karma Yoga or Activity Yoga More and more disciples follow RS. The shops and restaurants begin to yield profits, Nyima-Dzong is developing and all this requires the work of many people. In his teachings, RS speaks of Karma Yoga, which is the practice of Dharma through a professional activity. It is not necessary to do practices or study Buddhism if you work in one of the centers of OKC. Through this activity we could even attain enlightenment in one lifetime, without doing retreats, studying theory and accumulating practices. He also said that he himself didn’t need to accumulate the numbers of Ngon-dro, he has fully realized the practice in just one sitting, when he read it for the first time during a stay in Darjeeling. Quote : ...Whatever you do, your karma yoga, whatever work it may be, becomes an art or a craft or something beautiful that we offer to the sky, every day with every beat of this sublime heart that I was talking about to your brother R. Because it continues like this all the time. It's really terrible, because it is so wonderful... ...Let’s admit that you are all motivated, intelligent, courageous, mature, and that because of this it’s much easier for you to give on the level of your activities, that is to say Karma Yoga, since it goes very well together with your chromosomal and hereditary potential… (source original RS transcription from audio to text)
25. More quotes about ‘Karma Yoga’ Your Lama knows that there is no marvel greater, in the relativity of the worlds, than this very precious human body. Every day we learn more about its perfection, we discover this more and more every day through the practice of the yogas, every day we encounter new perfections, new marvels. Do you even realize that? And that's why you have to hold on with all your might to your karma yoga, to your activities. (source original RS transcription from audio to text) You have a Lama who told you to do that, to study in this way, to act like that, that's all! And make the maximum out of it. Go to the end, really the very end, this is essential. Do not try to do less hours. For whom and for what purpose?. . . . To die? All hours we keep for ourselves is to die, that is true. Not that leisure leads to death but it is this kind of workman's attitude, looking at the clock and once that it's over, we take a rest. Indeed, we do rest and this leads to the expansion of an ego that is well rested, thank you so much! (source original RS transcription from audio to text) Your Lama never rests. He is in an idle state but not resting. When you understand this, you will work ten times harder in the activity you have chosen or that your Lama has offered you. (…) Just give everything, simply and completely. One day, perhaps, you will fall down from exhaustion, because of too low blood pressure, a fall from the stairs, a waterfall or a relapse: it will be the right moment. Right at that moment we should plant a seed, I won't repeat it again. As it is said: "In the Family, to do the work of six we must be twelve. Consequently, you will only have a half-enlightenment . . .”, that's all. And you will have to be content to watch the moon, as men have been watching it since such a long time, seeing only one side. Enlightenment is the knowledge of both sides, that's pretty sure, there is nothing mysterious. (source original RS transcription from audio to text)
26. Taking Refuge in “Lama Kunzang” All teachings of RS were based on the concept of the Tsawey Lama and the connection between him and his disciples. When we take refuge in him, it means not to see other lamas, not to listen to teachings given by others or read books without his permission, at the risk of breaking the samaya. If that link is broken, enlightenment would not be possible and serious obstacles would arise. Most of the time he talks about his personal experiences instead of quoting his teachers or the commentaries of authentic teachers he should have studied. When talking about himself, RS has the curious habit of using the words, “the lama”, “we”, “he”, “the energy”, instead of simply saying “I” or “me”. In public RS is very respectful towards Tibetan clergy, but in his teachings and in personal life it is often the opposite. For example, when he refers to Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, he just calls him ‘shi-shik’. He often talks about His Holiness the Dalaï Lama’s limitations as a teacher and makes statements like the western mind is too complex for him”. RS pictures used to be removed from Temple before Tibetan Lama’s would arrive in centers
27. Living in OKC centers and becoming part of the community meant turning one’s life into a perpetual Guru Yoga of Lama Kunzang. Every activity would start and end with 3 recitations of his “name-mantra” (Om Samanthabhadra Dharmavajra Hum from his tibetan name Kunzang Chokyi Dorje) and of his long life prayer. All members, children included, had to visualize him on the top of their head and recite his name at the beginning and end of each class, meal, sport session, working sessions, travel, etc. His picture is displayed throughout the centers, homes, classrooms, temples and all public places. Curiously, they are removed when other teachers are visiting to give teachings. In 2017 post-trial his picture is still on the Nyima-Dzong Temple like any other Buddhist Teacher. From day one, the Guru Yoga of Lama Kunzang is the core of life in the centers and of buddhist practice. It is so present in every member's everyday life that we all see everything he does or says as perfect. No one dares to question him. And for us, reciting his name works as a reminder of his legitimacy as a traditional buddhist teacher. The legitimacy that is repeatedly confirmed by various forms of support from tibetan masters (letters, prayers, visits, etc). Guru Yoga as a Lifestyle
28. ...It is in front of the White Manjushri ... his hand in great generosity, the light, the Lotus of my heart ... He who penetrates, OM AH RA PA TSA NA DHI ... and the syllable DHI is added ... and I do not know anymore where to place the syllable DHI ... in the heart ... HUNG, DHI, AH, HUNG and the mantras are multiplied by a hundred, six hundred, a thousand! ... by ten thousand, one hundred thousand and by millions, and all these mantras turn and turn and the world comes back and the world disappears ... the world is both nightmare and wonder ... we are caught in the whirlwind and the smoke continues .. .the incense particles dance in the sunlight ... each particle is a mantra … (source original RS transcription from audio to text) For thousands and thousands of years Tibet has developed meditation techniques like the so called Kundalini Yoga, this is the name of the energy situated at the base of the spine. . . ….but a pencil sharpener with an elastic that you send "bam!" in the eye ... This isn’t funny, isn’t it? You never received a pencil sharpener in the eye?... In short, you could shout for help, but I would say, "Oh! How pretty all this is! "... Well, maybe I wouldn’t say it in that way, it's just to have some fun, but I think it’s beautiful! There! ... And then you mustn’t stop me because I’m having fun! Regardless, you wouldn’t stop me having fun? And besides, if I’m not having fun anymore, it means that the whole lineage cannot have fun anymore either, because we are all very much connected ... So, if there is someone who is bored, others will be also: It’s what we call cosmic affinity, it’s like dust revolving. (source original RS transcription from audio to text)
29. The Golden Rule of Soleils In 1982, RS wrote a long text-law, the Golden Rule of Soleils, which is the basis for everyday life in Nyima Dzong. He thus establishes the rules of life and demands that all those who violate these rules have to confess in public once a week. Children are forced to participate for years and are persuaded that they are performing a traditional Buddhist practice. It is mentioned in the text that people who do not follow these precepts (eg. consume food or drinks that are not produced in the place) have to leave Nyima Dzong.
30. OKC is the Protection from “the End of the World” RS talks about the end of the world, which he calls the end of the kalpa, or the end of the kaliyuga. The end of the world will inevitably lead to wars, great difficulties of all kinds and above all the disappearance of Dharma. Life inside the OKC centers is a protection against the inevitable suffering. In addition to protecting us, it will safeguard true Buddhism in the West. The specific lifestyle of the cult (no income, cramped homes, children separated from parents...) is the only protection, and therefore living otherwise has no interest. Young people are discouraged to get professional trainings or go for further studies, which will be useless in a world that is ending anyway producing a tight control on youngsters over time.
31. Children’s in the OKC To enable parents to work efficiently, the children are sent to Nyima Dzong where they live separately from their parents in spartan conditions. Parents are forced to accept that their children have to live there, sometimes as young as 2-3 years old. If they refuse parents and children must leave OKC, which is difficult for most of them because they have little or no resources to be able to live elsewhere. Life of the children is punctuated by prayers and sessions of Buddhist practices they perform several times a day. They are also obliged to perform prostrations from a very young age. Attendance at daily evening prayers sessions is compulsory from the age of 3-4 years, and in the mornings from the age of 8 years. Child labor was the engine of the center.
32. Dharma as a punishment for the children’s Children's education was very strict and Dharma was often used as a punishment: - prostrations were one of the most common punishments (often 108, for coming too late at the prayers or when children fell asleep in the temple, so called grave mistakes would effect with hundreds of thousands of prostration or mantra) - prostrations outside, even barefoot in the snow or frost - running barefoot around the stupa or prayer poles, during the day as well at night - some educators beat them with sticks if they slept or talked during prayers or simply replied back to an educator - additional recitations of prayers sessions late night
33. Dzogchen and gypsies In the beginning of the 90s, RS decides to make a trip to East Europe with a few “privileged” disciples and minor girls who are still virgin. He lives like the gypsies do in camper vans, organizes a lot of parties with huge amounts of alcohol, meat and very expensive food. Children are forced to drink and smoke on a daily basis. All these expenses are paid with the work of the people that stayed behind in the restaurants and shops. He pretends that it’s a way to practice Dzogchen. ...your Lama believes that it is time to accelerate a little the education of the children…. accelerate the process of the Family Quest... So, son and daughters, since we thought to accelerate and that your Lama will stop at no sacrifice, we therefore decided to change gear. This shift consists of a few skilful travels ... During these so-called travels, it is fair and completely clear and understood that the Lama must practice a certain magic issued from the Vajrayana, well known by tantric Buddhists… To give you the speed recipe is still not directly possible for all, because the Lama respects the karma of each being, and based on this, as Tulku Rinpoche said this summer, we can do lots of things alone, from the moment that there is a lot of natural compassion, that we have seen sublime things, that it is clear and usable … (source original RS transcription from audio to text) ...Of course, some are confused and wonder what is going on by seeing camper vans accumulate in the garden - and it's not finished yet, there is still one ordered and coming, even one with six wheels! One wonders what is happening and it amuses me to see you like little excited worms, wriggling in the flour, wondering what will happen to them. I’m even wondering if I am going to explain you anything at all. It’s maybe much more fun to say nothing... (source original RS transcription from audio to text)
34. 1993, the teenage martial-camp in Portugal Cohabitation of teenagers and young children became complicated, so RS decided to create a new group of teenagers only. He sent them to live in the Algarve, Portugal to HumKara Dzong. Not even the parents dare to ask questions, nobody ask them their permissions neither. There they suffered even more strict and severe living conditions: very little food, sheds as a dormitory, even more hours of practice and recitations and two hours of karate every day. He renamed this martial art ‘Vajra Yoga’, giving it a spiritual purpose. He explained that the end of the world was near, so they had to learn how to fight. Being the last survivors they would save the planet and the Dharma. HKD was pretty much a martial camp with non-stop action so that we would not even have time to think. School education was more or less suspended because it wouldn’t be of any use with the end of the world drawing closer. They did not see anyone else and were not allowed to see their parents and to leave the place during several years. Because of this confinement they left HKD completely destabilized. When afterwards they tried to integrate back to the society, they didn’t have any reference to normal way of life. Some of these youngsters still face problems because of this. Some were able to study & rebuild their life.
35. Some video/images context This video shows the place but the context is completely different, this is several years later, when all but 1 or 2 original youngster had left. This video is also after the police raid on the cult in 1997 : https://vimeo.com/10126923 Here a drone footage from the place : Unfortunately we lack pictures from the 4 years in near total autarky & isolation from society we lived there between 93 and 97.
36. 1990 Dalai Lama Visit to OKC Attestation delivered in 1994
37. 1990 Dalai Lama Visit to OKC Robert Spatz Alias Lama Kunzang With Dalai-Lama was a great boost for OKC Dalai Lama at OKC Brussels back in 1990 when visiting Belgium for events. Attestation delivered in 1994
38. 1997 - Jail & Recidivism Around 94-95, the Belgian and French justice launched major investigations on groups not belonging to recognized religious traditions. OKC was part of the targeted groups, for tax reasons and also for sex & health crimes. Two young women who had left OKC prior claimed to have been sexually abused when they were younger. It is about fondling and masturbating him, forced by RS upon girls aged 14-15. He considers these ‘Buddhist tantric initiations’. In 1997 he is jailed for these allegations. He is released after 6 month and paying a bail of 5.000.000 BFR or 124.000 € (current value). He returns to live in his villa in Brussels where he sexually abuses a under-age girl soon after. She manage to return to her parents and retake her studies, she stay in silence about the abuse for 12 years. He “falls” ill in 2000, moves to another villa in Charleroi, away from everyone in OKC; there and then he abuses at least one minor girl. Meanwhile, he states that he is seriously ill because of the lack of diligence of his disciples. He does not want to see them or teach in public anymore because of this. In 2003, he moves first to OKC Malaga then his private palace in Marbella, Spain, where he lives since then. These days he refuses to stand before the Belgian Court, mentioning ‘health reasons’. For this he has produced, read forged, medical certificates made in Spain. (Press Archive PDF)
39. Sexual “Empowerments” During the time that his disciples live in harsh conditions, RS has luxurious villas in all the countries in which he has centers (France, Belgium, Tahiti, Spain and Portugal). Eg, from 1994 to 1996 this young girl of 13-14 years old is also exposed to “tantric initiations”, which again is in fact fondling of her intimate organs, and she is compelled to masturbate him. She is obliged to keep it absolutely secret, if not these practices wouldn’t bear fruit. He explains that if she talks about it, she definitely will attract very important obstacles for her and her family; the Dharmapalas certainly would punish and harm them. She feels terrorised at the idea of not being able to keep this secret. She has to keep it within herself, she cannot speak out, not even to her sister or mother. Silenced for 12 years. Speaks publicly for the first time about it at the 2016 trial.
40. This case is unfortunately in no way unique It turns out that, since the creation of OKC in 1971, RS always had sexual inappropriate behavior with young women. From 1987 to 2004 he raped several girls minors of age in Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal. Abuse of major of age woman took place already in 1977-78, there is no official numbers. The trial of RS and his “inner circle” associated with OKC started in January 4th 2016, and since then many of these young women have had the courage to testify in court. There are currently 9 girls who testify against RS for sexual abuse of a minor aggravated by Spatz authority and power on them, but there are also many adult women who testified to such 'initiations' they thought to be of pure Buddhist tradition. It’s evident that these ‘initiations’ didn’t reap any results, apart from doubts, questions and much later the realisation that they have been totally abused. These testimonies are very violent and these women have struggled to build a life within a couple, and eventually as a mother after that. Actually, it has become evident that almost all the young and beautiful women, not necessarily minor, who had an activity around him, have been coaxed into a sexual ‘Buddhist tantric initiation’.
41. Using and abusing the credulity of young girls There is similarity in the complaints of all abused girls and women: They have to undress, RS touches their breasts during massages (eg. to ‘cure’ chronic problems), vaginal and anal penetration with fingers, dorje or crystal, and they have to masturbate themselves and him. He is adamant about the virginity of the girls. These are either ‘tantric initiations’ or it is to transfer energy for his health and long life. Example: we’ve been told that RS abused a very young pregnant woman, using a magnet device to ‘transfer’ the energy through her breasts to his body. He told her, ‘the baby doesn’t need this energy anyway, the baby is a demon and advised for abortion. (Please imagine what this statement can do in the mind of a young Buddhist mother to be). During her pregnancy, he ‘gave’ this girl ,to his son, alcoholic and violent, to become his concubine and maid, because she was his Dakini and would save his life. In 2004 she managed to escape with her kid and is now a civil party in the trial and safe.
42. There have been many other persons that have testified against RS (at present 33), without having been victims of sexual abuse. These include: - adults reaching the age of retirement but they don’t have savings, a place to stay or a pension. When joining the community, they gave what they had and all their work were contributions to the centers. - LGBTQ who were kicked out of the center because RS claimed his Buddhism can’t help them. - youngsters who struggle to integrate themselves into society and live a normal life because: - they were stopped by RS to join college or university, - they have suffered from a lot of violence during their childhood, - they were sexually assaulted by other educators when they were children in Nyima Dzong. Although OKC centers were supposed to give people the opportunity to practice Tibetan Buddhism, the vast majority of members & youngsters left, remains 20 adults in Brussels, around 10 in Nyima-Dzong, Many now simply reject Buddhism or any other form of organized religion. The others.....also victims.
43. Conclusions - Trial took place from 5th January 2016 to 19th September 2016 (8 month) - OKC/Spatz took 4 years suspended sentence - A few weeks later decided to go for Appeal (both OKC & Spatz) - The appeal was rejected and a new trial enfolded for 8 months in 2020 - Lama Kunzang/Spatz was recognized guilty in 2022 (5 years suspended sentence) - We suspect 2 girls might still be under abuse (even if major of age now) - Ongoing investigation in France for the pedophile case / educators role - The Buddhist Organisations are yet to take a position & still visit OKC - Rabjam Rinpoche (unofficially) exited OKC in 2023 - We are requesting that DalaiLama/Kashag condemn OKC publicly
44. This is not over ! - In the summer of 2017 we have proof that OKC Brussels give direct orders to keep the picture of Robert Spatz in the Buddhist Temple, meanwhile OKC claims that Robert Spatz alias Lama Kunzang has nothing to do with OKC anymore, we know for sure, his retirement is only a display to fit a narrative to manipulate the Belgian Justice but also the Nyigma-Pa Tibetan Lineage from which he claim to belong. - OKC keeps inviting Tibetan Buddhist speakers and continue to pose as a legitimate Buddhist center even if the organisation is not part of any Buddhist Union around Europe and Teachers accept those instead of going to legit Buddhist centers.
45. How you can help Share & comment our story on social media / emails / etc… If you are a Buddhist yourself, make sure that your center does not cooperate with Ogyen Kunzang Choling and that your teacher does not visit OKC. If you have any means to reach out to other Tibetan Buddhists help us amplify This story so that we can disable OKC from operating as a “legit buddhist center”