Dear Dorje Kasung,
We are all stunned and raw after reading the Wickwire Holm report and the letter that six kusung sent on Saturday. We are very concerned for those who have been harmed and know that many of you are feeling hurt, shocked, and raw.
Both documents describe harmful and disturbing patterns of behavior and we recognize that there is truth in these accounts. We are deeply sorry for missing or not understanding some of the warning signs and for our part in enabling these behaviors to occur. Our mandate is to create a safe container for our community to practice in, and we are heartbroken that we failed many people in that effort.
We commit ourselves to taking the necessary steps to understand and address the dynamics and patterns that led to these disturbing incidents. We are reaching out to all continuity kusung (including the kusung who wrote the letter) and inviting them to dialog with us. We strongly encourage all kasung and members of the community to bring your concerns about kasung to us.
As the leadership of the Dorje Kasung, we know it is important for us to facilitate genuine communication. More important than ever, we need to bring our critical intelligence to the current situation, there is no party-line we want you to follow. We support anyone in our community speaking their truth, regardless of where that leads.
We do not know what our future is, as a CMR or as Dorje Kasung. Clearly there are serious problems. But we have experienced a great deal of goodness and wisdom on this path and we continue to be committed to protecting and sustaining that wisdom.
For the last six months, we have been holding: waiting for the reports, supporting the activities of kasung in the centers, and contemplating our situation as Dorje Kasung. At this time is it clear that we need to shift. We will be reaching out to you in the coming weeks, to start working on this together.
In particular, the Kusung leadership, led by Kusung Corps Commander, Amy Conway, Kadö, in partnership with the CMR would like to listen and talk openly with any of you who might find that helpful. They are available to answer any questions you have. Zoom calls with the Kusung leadership for this purpose will be announced in the coming weeks.
As we start to hold these discussions, we want to be transparent. The CMR has not received communication from the Makkyi Rabjam in over 8 months. We are exploring our relationship with him. We will let you know if and when we receive a communication from him.
We want to acknowledge your heartfelt service, the inspiration that exists and the deep longing to be in Kasung service to our world.
Thank you,
The Council of the Makkyi Rabjam
Kasung Kyi Khyap Jesse Grimes
Kasung Acharya, Lamen Kyi Khyap Mitchell Levy
Gesar Arm Commander, Toby Sifton, Rupön
Desung Arm Commander, Janet Jercinovic, Rupön
Kasung Shastri, Andrew Sacamano, Rupön
Dorje Kasung Sergeant Major, Anna Weinstein