We Don’t Need the Guru: Shambhala Facebook Group and (Re)Creating Vajrayāna Buddhism

The Shambhala Facebook group created a space for individuals to reimagine their religious teachings and practices without the Tibetan Tantric Buddhist student-teacher relationship, which received much criticism after Shambhala’s spiritual leader, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, had been accused of sexual a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of Hindu studies 2022-08, Vol.26 (2), p.215-236
Main Author: Ford, Renée L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Article: Special Issue on Digital Tantra
Asian History
Buddhism
Classroom communication
Computer mediated communication
Deities
Hinduism
Interpersonal communication
Meditation
Negotiation
Non-Western Philosophy
Philosophy of Religion
Religion
Religion and Philosophy
Religious Studies
Social media
Spirituality
Student teacher relationship
Students
Traditions
Yoga
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Summary:The Shambhala Facebook group created a space for individuals to reimagine their religious teachings and practices without the Tibetan Tantric Buddhist student-teacher relationship, which received much criticism after Shambhala’s spiritual leader, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, had been accused of sexual abuse by some of his students. This article examines how digital space contributes to Shambhala members’ negotiations of religious authorities through their communications and membership on the Shambhala Facebook group, for example, by establishing meditation groups that incorporate Shambhala teachings but not the student-teacher relationship. The collection of posts and comments on the Shambhala Facebook group show how the communication processes utilized by this online social group are an example of relational authority, or what Heidi A. Campbell describes as “a negotiation of reciprocity and agency between different parties.”
ISSN:1022-4556
1574-9282
DOI:10.1007/s11407-022-09317-y