I’ve decided I should write a blog to share my personal experiences of the London Buddhist Centre (part of the FWBO – Friends of the Western Buddhist Order). My aim is to inform readers of my experiences of the cult-like nature of the centre and to help those who are becoming involved at the LBC to see what is happening to them.
My view is that getting sucked into the LBC and becoming subject to its abusive culture happens slowly, in an insidious way. Those being drawn in often feel confused and disorientated and can’t see what is happening even although at some level they feel uncomfortable about the behaviour of people there and the insidious ideas which are being used by others and which they are being encouraged to adopt. Many of the “friends” and “ordained” members of the LBC wouldn’t agree that the LBC has a great many cult-like aspects – of course they wouldn’t, because they are the users and the abusers. And so, as the LBC serves their interests they are happy to go along with the abusiveness that goes on there. My view is that most of those at the LBC are in denial about their own behaviour. They have been sucked into the “cult” and now are too afraid to look at themselves and what they have become. Having declared themselves FWBO members to their friends and family they must cling to the lie. Admitting their mistake and facing the humiliation of confronting the reality of their situation as cult members is intolerable. The shame is so great that they are generally driven deeper into the cult instead of being able to leave.
After several years at the LBC I finally left for good in 2006. I was only able to leave with the help of good friends who saw what was going on and helped me to see beyond the LBC and the cultish belief system I had somehow adopted. I now realise that what had happened to me is that I had lost my own viewpoint and saw everything from the FWBO way of seeing things – what some other websites trying to expose the FWBO/LBC refer to as “brainwashing” although I don’t think this is the most helpful term myself as it gives a false impression of how people unwittingly come to lose their own good sense when involved with the LBC.
One final point – not everyone in the LBC / FWBO acts in a cult-like way. There are some people in the LBC and FWBO who try to fight the system, but sadly these people are normally on the fringes and not the “career Buddhists” who have the power and define the overall culture.
7 at 7:21 am
Hi Nick,
I’m just wondering what sorts of cultish activity I should look out for because I have only been to one meeting, I was lucky in a way because I don’t think it was the first type of meeting the public go to, it was something they have regularly and most of those present have been coming for more than a few months (but I still think it was a public meeting based on a couple of qs people asked). It seemed ok- they had a talk about a different tradition and a discussion after which everyone (I think new people included) seemed to engage in really well. This made me think they are quite open even compared to some of the more traditional schools. I tried to look out for gender issues, but the teacher was female, the people who brought in the tea were male, and there didn’t seems to be a distinction in sitting positions ..or does that happen later on? Are mitra classes/retreats different- do any strange things go on there that may not be seen at public meetings like this one?
Thanks so much, this means a lot to me.
Xena
9 at 7:12 am
I dont even need to read this before commenting. I am just one of so many ex FWBO who know the score with the LBC.
Simple – you brainwash yourself. The FWBO is a cult that you work to join, they just sit back and create these marvellous spaces. I was involved for about 14 years and it got funnier and funnier.
The LBC is a social touch-down for lots of people like me. Strong personalities who could ‘handle’ a scene like that. No problem going in and out of it, retreats etc. Of course, if you cant handle the people you end up overwhelmed and either committing everything or just not going again.
You dont even need to worry about teachings/doctrines/the heirarchy they made up. There is no money in involvement, there is no security in the communities and the people could stop taking you seriously over night – assuming they really did in the first place.
I have known so many involved were or became so intellectually snobbish and thought they could make judgements on people. Cliquey is putting it mildly in the LBC. Of course, such statements would be laughed at.
Trust me, amongst those who know, you just walk out and forget the place like you do the entire movement. Many who feel like this have no problems going back for classes and retreats. You just cannot take any of it too seriously.
The FWBO generally is this Middle-class social club. That’s why the intellectual angle, the culture of refined well read people and gay? Did you say – gay??? The number of women who got involved and ‘went over’…so funny.
I’d go back tomorrow and meditate and feel great. I’d recommend the LBC to anyone who could handle the personalities and talk the talk. But for God’s sake dont go thinking it really means anything.
9 at 7:17 am
Another thing is that from what I have seen in so many centres and retreats over so many years, the FWBO generally never understood just how people can come and go from it. Use it casually, not really have any depth of commitment.
The reason it will ultimately fail is that, well, lots of us never could take it that seriously. Subhuti’s vision of a 10,000 Order member strong puja in Wembley stadium? Oh, love to, but I have to take the dog for a walk.
It is this simple mundane quality of grown people that will ruin everything. They designed the Order so you dont have to be that committed to be involved. The number of Order members I know of personally living with partners in their own homes, having children, working outside of the Movement and still thinking they are committed, involved…erm.
Middle class social club. Like the Scouts.
9 at 7:21 am
Ever wondered why anyone would put time and energy into something like the LBC?
What exactly are people doing, meditating at 7 or 8 in the morning everyday? What does it achieve?
Why go along with the ‘heirarchy’ of men, yes men, running the place?
Why take it so seriously? Never mind ‘buddhism’ and ‘dharma’ as you understand it, or wish to through practice and study. What exactly is really happening day to day in that place?
What are these people doing, in their offices and communities and classes? Is this actually going to do you any good? Is it? If so, how?
ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU SHOULDNT BE PUTTING YOUR FEET UP, OR MAKING MONEY, INSTEAD?
9 at 7:58 pm
Why, Mr Nick?
They are perpetuating, refining and consolidating a mindset.
They are doing what their hearts and souls and guts really want them to do, which is meditate and live like students or children again. The meditation is addictive. If it works for you, you live in an elevated state of awareness and all your ‘problems’ are dealt with, addressed and just plain handled.
Why? Because of something I once saw in a Buddhist Society talk in a University a long, long time ago.
Put simply, they are people who will not live like normal people. They wont take life on the chin, suffer like the rest of us. It was all too much.
See? Noddyland.
That, and if you play your cards right you not only get all this reinforcement in your ‘authority’ in their little world – you can get promotion and rank too.
13 at 12:13 pm
Thanks for posting this Nick, I was involved with FWBO for several years but not in London. After leaving I decided not to be critical but when I read Xena’s comments I felt I should share a few of my thoughts and experiences. I dont doubt that some members are dedicated and sincere but for me the experience was a great hinderance to my path. I was so excited to find like minded people and support that I became blind to a very important point, question everything!
Here are a few questions I raised and failed to get answered by senior members.
Why not be open to all teachings and traditions? and not even just Buddhism.
Why do ordained members change their names, wear robes, except dana and not commit to a monastic code of ethics? e.g having sex with young and impressionable students.
Why are the FWBO files not openly discussed with members? To find them yourself after a time involved is not a good thing.
I dont want to be negative about other Buddhist groups but for me there is a lack of openness, compassion, tolerance and understanding of things outside of the movement.
May ALL beings be happy, be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.