Colorado Police Investigating “Possible Criminal Activity” at Shambhala Mountain Center

Colorado Police Investigating “Possible Criminal Activity” at Shambhala Mountain Center

BY LION'S ROAR STAFF| DECEMBER 10, 2018

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The Sheriff’s Department in Larimer County, Colorado, has confirmed that it is investigating possible criminal activity alleged to have taken place at Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado.

David Moore, a spokesman for the department, told Lion’s Roar, “The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office received information involving possible criminal activity involving Shambhala Mountain Center. Investigators are currently sorting through to see where that information leads.”

This follows a report today published by ThinkProgress that says Colorado police have opened a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, leader of Shambhala International, and other members of the organization.

Author Joshua Eaton says that the investigation by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office has been confirmed by four sources who have spoken to investigators, as well as emails that ThinkProgress has seen.

The investigation comes after three reports on sexualized violence in the Shambhala community published by Buddhist Project Sunshine published this year. The reports detailed several allegations of sexual misconduct and assault by Sakyong Mipham, as well as allegations against other Shambhala community members.

Following the allegations against him, Sakyong Mipham stepped back from his administrative and teaching responsibilities. The nine members of the Kalapa Council, the highest leadership body in the Shambhala Buddhist community, also stepped downfollowing the allegations.

In a statement to ThinkProgress, Shambhala International said, “At this time, it is our understanding that there is no open criminal investigation in Larimer County.”

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office told Thinkprogress that anyone with information on possible sex crimes by Shambhala members in Colorado can contact their office.

An independent investigation of the allegations by a law firm in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been ongoing since July, with the firm’s findings expected to be released in early January.