French court sentences Buddhist monk to 12 years for rapes The court acquits a second monk, who also from Bhutan and accused of sexually assaulting a minor under 15-years-old.

https://www.trtworld.com/europe/french-court-sentences-buddhist-monk-to-12-years-for-rapes-22662?fbclid=IwAR2d1-P4CTKI8nTi_2GRTDpWiwt8oiHODRBFrVIKFLnCQtdqO-8iiMc_t5AFrench court sentences Buddhist monk to 12 years for rapes

The court acquits a second monk, who also from Bhutan and accused of sexually assaulting a minor under 15-years-old.

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Karma Tshojay, 56, was found guilty after four women, disciples at the "Temple of 1,000 Buddhas" or their children, accused him of multiple rapes and sexual assaults in the 1990s and 2000s.

A court in eastern France on Wednesday sentenced a Buddhist monk originally from Bhutan to 12 years in prison over a series of rapes at a communal living compound, including minors.

Karma Tshojay, 56, was found guilty after four women, disciples at the "Temple of 1,000 Buddhas" or their children, accused him of multiple rapes and sexual assaults in the 1990s and 2000s.

One of the victims was raped from 11- to 13-years-old, while another was just nine when she was sexually molested, the court heard.

Tshojay, known as the Tempa Lama at the site in La Boulaye, has denied the claims since his arrest in 2012. He spent two years behind bars before being freed on bond.

He continues to live in the region with his wife, but has been excluded from the community, which claims to have the first Himalayan temple built in Europe.

But the court acquitted a second monk, also from Bhutan, who was accused of sexually assaulting a minor under 15-years-old.

French court sentences Buddhist monk to 12 years for rapes

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Le lama Tempa condamné à 12 ans de réclusion pour viols

Karma Tshojay, de son vrai nom, est condamné pour les viols de plusieurs disciples avec la circonstance aggravante d'avoir agi en abusant de sa fonction au temple des mille bouddhas de La Boulaye. Son confrère Lama Sonam, poursuivi pour agressions sexuelles, est acquitté.

Il était presque 2 heures du matin mercredi lorsque la cour d'assises présidée par Caroline Podevin a rendu son verdict au palais de justice de Chalon. Elle a condamné Karma Tshojay, dit Lama Tempa, 56 ans, à 12 ans de réclusion criminelle pour avoir violé plusieurs femmes fréquentant le temple des Mille Bouddhas à La Boulaye, mais aussi deux fillettes. Les premiers faits remontent à 1990, les derniers à 2005. Le moine bouddhiste a toujours nié ces agressions et ces viols mais la présence de trois victimes constituées parties civiles et leurs précisions ont eu raison de ses dénégations. Par ailleurs, Lama Sonam, 59 ans, accusé d'agressions sexuelles sur mineure de moins de 15 ans par personne ayant autorité, a été acquitté. Il était défendu par Mes Senyk et Vidal (Paris).

Pour leur part, Mes Senyk (lunettes) et Vidal (1er plan) ont obtenu l'acquittement de Lama Sonam qui était poursuivi pour agressions sexuelles sur mineure. Photo Thierry Dromard

Timothy Mannox, 38, faces two counts of indecent assault following a Daily Record investigation into the Samye Ling Buddhist Centre.

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MONK FACES SEX ATTACK CHARGES; Senior Buddhist accused of molesting junior colleagues.

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A SENIOR monk at a world-famous Scots monastery has been charged with molesting two junior colleagues.

Timothy Mannox, 38, faces two counts of indecent assault following a Daily Record investigation into the Samye Ling Buddhist Centre.

One of the charges relates to Kevin Stevenson, a young monk who claimed he was abused by Mannox at the Dumfriesshire retreat.

The centre in Eskdalemuir, near Lockerbie, is the largest Buddhist retreat in the Western world and has attracted support from stars like Richard Gere, Billy Connolly and David Bowie.

Mannox used to be its most senior western Buddhist.

Kevin, who was just 16 when he joined Samye Ling in 1997 to train as a monk, claimed Mannox molested him after luring him to his private home at the retreat.

He said Mannox, known by his Buddhist name Tsering Tashi, told him he was ill and asked him to stay overnight.

Kevin claimed Mannox made him lie alongside him on a mattress on the floor and take part in bizarre sexual games. Kevin also alleged Mannox repeatedly fondled him as he lay frozen in terror.

After the alleged incident in the summer of 1998, Kevin complained to the retreat's senior monks. But, he claimed, Mannox escaped with a warning after a brief disciplinary meeting.

Kevin claimed that during the meeting Mannox was confronted by a second young monk, who also complained he had been sexually assaulted.

Kevin left the retreat shortly after the incident, abandoning his dream of pursuing the strict Buddhist faith.

Yesterday, Dumfries and Galloway Police confirmed their investigation was now complete.

A spokesman said: "Following our inquiries, a 38-year-old man is now the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal."

Mannox left Samye Ling shortly after the Daily Record investigation in April. He is now living in England.

It is understood he was charged after voluntarily attending an interview with detectives from Dumfries and Galloway Police's Family Protection Unit.

As well as being charged in connection with Kevin's allegations, Mannox was also charged with indecently assaulting a second male monk in his early 20s.

Both alleged assaults happened over a period of around a year.

The police investigation is the second to rock the Samye Ling community in just a few months.

In June, another Samye Ling monk was sentenced to three months in jail for molesting a teenage girl.

Tenzin Chonjoe, 30, indecently assaulted the teenager in a bedsit after befriending her with tales of Kung Fu, meditation and fortune telling.

The monk, who had an alcohol problem, had been a guest at Samye Ling when the attack happened in Carlisle.

He was jailed for three months and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register after admitting indecent assault.

The case was another major blow to Samye Ling, which relies almost exclusively on charity to survive.

As well as the abuse allegations against Mannox, the Record investigation had uncovered evidence of drug-taking, sexual affairs and benefit fraud among members of the 100-strong Buddhist community.

The abuse claims became a backdrop to increasing tensions within the centre and the local community in Eskdalemuir.

Leading monks were accused of creating a cult atmosphere and building extravagant shrines and palaces.

Senior monks were also accused of enjoying lavish lifestyles, with expensive cars and first-class air travel. Their simple homes were even fitted with satellite television.

Members of the public are encouraged to stay in special dormitories at the centre and follow the Buddhist principles of celibacy, abstention and meditation.

The centre had become a popular weekend retreat for stressed-out executives and professionals.

Following the revelations and the police investigation, it is understood the retreat has tried to repair some of the damage within the community.

New guidelines have been introduced and a disciplinary system has been set up to deal with internal complaints.

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