
Buddhist leader in Nova Scotia steps aside amid sexual misconduct allegations
HALIFAX — The spiritual leader of an international Buddhist organization based in Halifax is stepping back from his duties pending the outcome of an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.
In a recent letter to the Shambhala International community, the office of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche said he fully supports a third-party investigation and wishes to provide the time and space for it to occur.
Inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, Shambhala is one of the largest western Buddhist movements with more than 200 meditation centres around the world.
Mipham’s father, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, visited Nova Scotia in the late 1970s and soon after made Halifax the world headquarters for Shambhala Buddhism, encouraging many Buddhists — largely from the United States — to move to the province while prompting locals to join the community.