Traveller in Space: Gender, Identity and Tibetan Buddhism

Rating:
Summary: To be avoided as delusional and counterproductive
Review: Ms. Campbell asserts that she was the sexual partner of Ven. Kalu Rinpoche, a teacher beyond reproach, then in his late eighties. This assertion cannot be proved, but I daresay it can be disproved, and one therefore feels great pity that Ms. Campbell slanders a deceased teacher to no avail.

I was on several occasions responsible for Kalu Rinpoche's safety while he was in the United States, a function which I also performed for H.H. the Dalai Lama, among others. I met Ms. Campbell when she was serving as Kalu Rinpoche's translator, and indeed spent a week in her company. The impression she made was that of a deeply disturbed woman given to flights of fantasy. I recommended that she be dismissed, and my recommendation was thereafter followed.

In this book, Ms. Campbell engages in delusional and counterproductive rhetoric to the great pity and disgust of Kalu Rinpoche's thousands of students, all over the world. It defies critical thought to suppose, that of the tens of thousands of female students who had contact with Kalu Rinpoche through the years, he would have elected to engage in intercourse with an overweight and singularly unattractive Scottish woman given to flights of emotional instability. Indeed, during the period she claims sexual involvement with Kalu Rinpoche, I was privy to his medical information---necessary to know while he was in my care, in case of medical emergency. I can therefore state, without qualification and on the basis of personal knowledge, that he was thoroughly incapable of engaging in sexual activity. I can further state, on the basis of informed belief, based on hundreds of hours in his company, that he was not disposed to engage in sexual activity and was scrupulous in his behavior where women were concerned.

As an example, I once arranged for a limousine to take us from Los Angeles to San Francisco. In addition to the driver and two of Rinpoche's attendants, I asked a particularly attractive young Vietnamese lady to accompany us as my guest. Rinpoche had no knowledge of this. When we entered the vehicle, the young lady sat beside Kalu Rinpoche, who immediately switched seats. His lifelong attendant then remarked, "Please do not take offense. Rinpoche never sits in close proximity to women."

June... you should be deeply ashamed of yourself, and you should seek the attention of a qualified psychiatrist. I would, however, caution any physician to only consult with a witness present.

This book adds nothing to Buddhism and appears to be a work of malevolence born in a deranged mind.