We read with a sense of sadness the decision taken by DCL to explore hosting Sakyong Mipham in the summer for Rigden Abhisheka. As people with strong personal connections to DCL and as ongoing donors we would like to express our strong objection to DCL extending any such invitation at this time.

We imagine that the decision to do this was not taken lightly and that DCL is under pressure from a variety of areas not the least being financial. However, we strongly feel that this path of action risks more than it would be likely to gain. That a significant number of remaining donors would, like us, no longer feel be able to support DCL.

Like many of those who remain the the Sangha hoping for real change, it is our view that SMR has taken no meaningful actions to:
1) take responsibility for his actions - to ‘own it’;
2) to offer meaningful support and recompense to the victims of the harm he has caused;
3) to instigate structural changes that Shambhala needs to enable it to earn the confidence of the whole sangha.

We therefore view any invitation to SMR as condoning his behaviour and we do not feel we can be a part of. This leaves us in the painful position of having to end our support for DCL, which is heartbreaking.