FWBO Discussion

Controversy in the FWBO: some Responses and Reflections

Vishvapani
Perceptions of the FWBO in British Buddhism A reflection on criticisms of the FWBO. Western Buddhist Review Vol.3

Learning the Harsh Way A personal account of difficulties at the Croydon Buddhist Centre in the 1980s. Dharma Life 7, Spring 1998

Bad Press and Its Net Effect A Comment on the Guardian’s Article, Dharma Life 7, Spring 1998

Testing Articles of Faith An account of being on the receiving end of a critical Guardian article while working in the FWBO Communications Office. Dharma Life 17, Winter 2001

Dhammadinna
Sexual Evolution First published in Dharma Life in 1998, this is a frank account of the early FWBO, recalling experiments around sex, celibacy and lifestyle - also discussing how it has matured through its collective experience.

Suryaprabha
Suryaprabha’s FWBO History videos are a moving four-part DVD series tracing the history and struggles of the early FWBO. He describes them as “an unfolding saga during the 60s and 70s of the conception and early growth of the friends of the western buddhist order, told by the history makers themselves”. He adds “Here are all the challenges a Buddhist can expect to face in the modern world”. They are available from his website for UK 15 sterling each.

Dharmadhara, an Order Member from New Zealand writes “I do believe what you are doing is vital for the evolving identity of the FWBO, as we try to understand who we are more fully. And newer people, which is coming to mean most people, can SEE and FEEL where we have come from, in a way that words can’t convey.” Part 5 is in preparation and expected sometime during 2007.

Dhammaketu
Dhammaketu, chairman of Ghent FWBO, offers his reflections on Sangharakshita and Croydon in his article Of the Shadows of the of the Past, and the Road That Goes on, first published in 2003 the Order’s journal Shabda.

What is an Order Member? Reflections on the FWBO’s teaching of ‘levels’ of Going for Refuge, and hence on what makes someone ready to become a member of the Order. Closing with some notes on applying the ‘higher criticism’ to Sangharakshita’s own teaching.

Satyadaka
Inside the Tower is a very personal account, in the form of personal memoirs, of Satyadaka’s time spent at the Croydon Buddhist Centre between 1984-1988, working at Hockneys Restaurant (now closed). It culminates with his account of Sangharakshita’s intervention and the resignation of Padmaraja, the then chairman. Satyadaka writes in a delicately non-judgemental style that brings out very well the strengths and weaknesses of the situation and the difficulty of perceiving ‘truth’.

Official documents issued by the FWBO Communications Office Communique on the Guardian’s Article on the FWBO October 1997

The Response to the FWBO Files, August 1998

A Comment on the ‘Refutation’ of the ‘Response’ to the ‘FWBO Files’, June 1999

Statement on the FWBO Files A short Statement on the FWBO Files, Sept 1998, revised 2003

Other sources

Critique of the FWBO drawn from debate on the BUDDHIST-L online discussion group.

The Wikipedia article on the FWBO has been a forum for vigorous debate on many of its features. You can read the current version of the Wikipedia article here, or the dialogue on the behind-the-scenes ‘talk pages’ here.
Please note that the Wikipedia author “FWBOarticle” is a long-standing anonymous critic of the FWBO and so far as we know is not in any way a part of the FWBO Sangha. Another author has contributed the following very moving personal testimony explaining her reasons for getting involved with the Wikipedia debate:“I would like to add a note about my recent involvement in the article on the FWBO. I wasn’t going to get involved because I had hoped someone with a NPOV would be available to help. Besides which, I don’t think there is a real problem with the content of the article - rather, the tone and structure are flawed. Each time I return to the talk page I feel more and more saddened by the conflict that has arisen among people trying to make the article tidy, well-sourced and satisfactory for critics and supporters alike. I hope we will rise above the petty backbiting and assumptions that are swamping intelligent discussion. I have read academic sources on the fwbo and have added most of the requested citations. I now hope that this article can be rearranged and rephrased so that it is easy to read and dispassionate. I think that the criticism section could be brilliant if it is more structured and includes the spectrum of doctrinal, social and personal issues that have arisen in the last fifty years or so.I happen to really appreciate intelligent criticism of the fwbo. I find facing the issues squarely really helpful to my understanding of the Dharma. Having decided that the criticisms bear no resemblance to the fwbo as I have known it, my practice has been strengthened by my efforts to overcome the discomfort that arises from such allegations. I am also inspired by the passion with which people try to protect the public from what they see as a dangerous cult. Even though I think these people are incorrect, I am inspired. So please forgive any wording on the fwbo talk page that may seem angry. I’m not angry with you personally, I just feel uncomfortable, and I’m trying my hardest not to blame you for that.