ADVERTISEMENT

Dalai Lama to meet sex abuse victims

The victims launched a petition Monday asking to meet the Dalai Lama who is on a European tour, to share their experiences.

The meeting will be in The Netherlands where the Dalai Lama is to give two days of lectures in the southwestern port city of Rotterdam.

"We found refuge in Buddhism with an open mind and heart, until we were raped in its name," the victims said in their petition, which has garnered nearly 1,000 signatures.

The Dalai Lama's office responded by saying he will talk to the victims during a "short audience" on Friday afternoon.

ADVERTISEMENT

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama was saddened to learn of the sexual abuse suffered by students of Buddhist teachers," an official in his office wrote.

The Dalai Lama "has consistently denounced such irresponsible and unethical behaviour," Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa said, adding "such misbehaviour was intolerable and must stop."

However, if these warnings were ineffective, the Dalai Lama made it clear that "students would have no other recourse than to publicise such disgraceful conduct, criticising perpetrators by name."

Victims will also have a chance to hand the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate written testimonies and is expected to discuss some thoughts on how to deal with the issue.

Starting Friday, the 83-year-old Dalai Lama will be in the Netherlands for four days, before heading to Germany.

ADVERTISEMENT

Churches around the world have been rocked in recent years by sex abuse scandals, most notably the Roman Catholic Church where Pope Francis is battling to make amends to victims who feel they have been badly let down by the authorities.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

National Assembly to make law that'll make university admission illegal for under 18

National Assembly to make law that'll make university admission illegal for under 18

Ganduje describes his purported suspension from APC as African drama

Ganduje describes his purported suspension from APC as African drama

Minister of Education summons Lead British School management over bullying scandal

Minister of Education summons Lead British School management over bullying scandal

Coalition backs Tinubu's policies, security interventions, other reforms

Coalition backs Tinubu's policies, security interventions, other reforms

Kano ranked as worst-governed state in Nigeria

Kano ranked as worst-governed state in Nigeria

EFCC boss vows to resign if  Yahaya Bello is not prosecuted

EFCC boss vows to resign if Yahaya Bello is not prosecuted

EFCC arrests ex-aviation minister  Sirika for ₦8bn Nigerian Air scandal

EFCC arrests ex-aviation minister Sirika for ₦8bn Nigerian Air scandal

Ex-APC spokesperson backs EFCC's hunt for Yahaya Bello

Ex-APC spokesperson backs EFCC's hunt for Yahaya Bello

Woman suffering incurable disease finally gets her wish to choose how she dies

Woman suffering incurable disease finally gets her wish to choose how she dies

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT