Sex and Violence in Tibetan Buddhism: The Rise and Fall of Sogyal Rinpoche

The death of Sogyal Rimpoche in 2019 unleashed a new torrent of victim revelations, accounting questions and legal rulings that further illuminate the trail of injury and insult he left behind. The imposter guru ended his days as a refugee in Thailand, beyond the reach of police and civil investigations in several countries.
First published before his death, this book is now revised and updated with more first-hand testimony of the unresolved aftermath of abuse suffered at his hands by scores of devotees over 30 years.
Born in Tibet, Sogyal Lakar fled the Chinese invasion with his family as a child and found refuge in India before showing up in London in the 1970s. His ambition and charisma enabled him to con thousands into believing he was an authentic reincarnation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
At his peak, he was the best-known Tibetan holy man after the Dalai Lama, was credited as the author of a best-selling book and even appeared in a Hollywood movie. His Rigpa Fellowship attracted followers across the globe, including celebrities, tycoons and politicians.
But, as documented here, behind Sogyal’s rise to fame lies a lurid tale of sexual misconduct, physical violence, fabricated credentials and financial irregularities. Based on interviews with victims and eyewitnesses, first-hand experience and detailed research, this book is also about the culture clash that occurs when the feudal norms of old Tibet are naïvely accepted by spiritual seekers in the West.

Mary Finnigan is a British author, journalist and broadcaster. She is a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner, whose appreciation for this spiritual path remains intact, despite recent critical revelations.