‘A Critical Enquiry of ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’

I have requested ‘Padma Gonpo’ (alias Paul McDowell) on a number of occasions, to provide information to corroborate his claims, as being some sort of Tibetan Bon adept. I have made it clear, here, and elsewhere, that this is a critical and speculative enquiry of such claims, that asks questions and seeks to expose the facts. A reasonable objective, and one well in keeping with the principles of free speech, and dissent, that characterises a central role of the Internet. Despite my efforts to communicate, ‘Padma Gonpo’, has maintained a virtual silence, which required me to contact Paul McDowell via his MySpace account.

Why the heavy handed threats? Is this a case of ‘the law being the last refuge of the scoundrel’? Why can ‘Padma Gonpo’ not answer the case presented to him?

 

The self-titled ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’ makes a number of interesting claims regarding his supposed training and recognition, these assert him as having received teaching in the Tibetan Bon tradition, being honoured with a prestigious religious award, performing rituals and teachings inside Tibet. It is an exotic résumé, and for the more impressively minded, seeking some ultimate esoteric truth, such claims may well appear genuine. One imagines ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’ (alias Paul McDowell) is equipped with a certain charm , intelligence, and probably well developed business sense, all of which could contribute towards convincing, the credulous?

The house-of-cards, which would seem to have been assiduously fashioned by this individual, is looking decidedly unstable, just remove one and the edifice collapses. One of the key claims to credibility he makes is that he was ordained as a Lama, by no less than a high ranking Tibetan Nyingma Rinpoche. In an email dated 1^st January 2008, his group stated:

“Additionally, due to his strong ties with several of the Nyingma Lamas, and cooperation with the Buddhism in the west, he received Tibetan Nyingma Lamiac Ordination at Urgyen Same Choling, Montignac-Lascaux France during the years 1982 - 1985 at the hand of H.H. Dujom Rinpoche (Rigdzen Nuden Dorje).

Sadly, HH.Dudjom Rinpoche has passed away, the centre however is still open, lead now by HH Shenphen Rinpoche (Dudjom’s son). I contacted Urgyen Samye Choling directly, and thanks to the kindness and support of one of its administrators was able to explore a number of questions about the claim that ’Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’ (alias Paul McDowell) attended the centre, and apparently received ordination as a Lama.

They were rather puzzled by such a claim:

“ To be ordained a monk or to be trained as a Geshe are two different things…. but in the Nyingmapa tradition, that H.H. was head of, we do not have Geshes. We have Khenpos. . In any case there was, and is no training to be Khenpo, here in the West in our tradition. Perhaps he was ordained a monk by H.H. here, but that doesn’t make him qualified for anything in particular, other than to be a Buddhist monk. Being a Buddhist monk doesn’t mean that one is a Lama or a Geshe or a Khenpo”

So even if Padma Gonpo had attended the centre in France, his claim to having received “Tibetan Nyingma Lamiac (sic) Ordination” was being seriously eroded by the centre itself!

Efforts were then made to contact someone who had attended the centre, during the same period, that ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’ claimed to have attended. Thanks to the support of Urgyen Samye Choling, a person who had lived there was asked if they could recall, or identify a Paul McDowell as being at that Monastery. They could not.

The next step was to enquire about records kept at the centre, to document names of attendees and note key events, such as the ordination claimed by ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche‘. The reply was emphatic:

“….there are no records of any kind of this event here at the center. “

Clearly if someone is falsely claiming to be a Nyingma Lama, and asserting they were ordained by a high Tibetan Lama, this would generate concern, particularly to the Monastery itself. As a last line of enquiry the current head of Urgyen Samye Choling, HH Shenphen Rinpoche was approached in New York. If anyone can speak, with final authority on these claims, it is the son of HH Dudjom Rinpoche. I received an email on 2^nd February 2008.

“Shenphen Rinpoché said he never remembers HH Dudjom Rinpoché giving a lama ordination here and that usually it is only given to a recognized tulku. The whole thing doesn’t sound right to Him“.

There we have it, according to Urgyen Samye Choling, they do not know either Paul McDowell or ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’

The centre does not perform such ordinations.

There is no record of any such event at the centre.

It is not possible to train as a Khenpos (Geshe) at Urgyen Samye Choling, , let alone train to be a Lama.

An individual who was living at the centre throughout the 1980s was unable to recollect either a Paul McDowell, or Padma Gonpo Rinpoche, as being there.

The current religious head of Urgyen Samye Choling, HH Shenphen Rinpoche, the son of the very Lama who is claimed to have ordained ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’ , is suspicious of these claims, and cannot recall any Lama being ordained there, a procedure reserved in any case for genuine Tulkus.

On the basis of this information it is difficult not to conclude that self-styled ‘Padma Gonpo Rinpoche’s’ claims are a nothing but a cynical fabrication, that seek to exploit a genuine Tibetan tradition, in this case the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism.

As the administrator of the centre noted:

“I’m really sorry that this person is making such claims. I’m sorry for him and for the people that he has gathered around him as students”

The silence continues from ‘Padma Gonpo’ (’PG’), who it would appear is either unable or unwilling to answer the key questions regarding his claims and background. Anyone of normal intelligence would wonder, why it is that an individual claiming to be following an ancient path of self-knowledge and development (that surely embraces, compassion, understanding and tolerance?) exhibits such an evasive, suspicious, and resistant response?

Well as the saying goes, ‘actions speak louder than words’. It would appear the boasts made by Mr.Corin White, that his supposed ‘Lama Padma Gonpo’ (’PG’) had translated the Tibetan text, featured previously here on another post, has turned out to be hot-air of the deceiving kind. Despite being invited to post his translation here, both the self-styled ‘Rinpoche’, and his devoted ’students’, appear unable to respond. Moreover, in a dogged spirit ‘Stonewall Jackson’ would probably have endorsed, they continue to ignore the central questions, regarding ‘PG’s’ exotic background. Considering that revealing silence, it is not unreasonable to question, if they simply cannot provide any independent, or corroborative evidence, to verify the claims made the ‘Menasha Lama’? Those involved in the dubiously termed ‘Dagpa-Bon’ (or should that be Con?) are seemingly so entranced with their experiences and ‘beliefs’, that they prefer to reject such inconvenient scrutiny? This bunker-like mentality is reminiscent of the Flat Earth Society, clearly there would appear to be a distinct lack of critical faculties operating, that process seems to have been negated in favour of unthinking obedience, and automata-like fundamentalism. No matter, the effort to expose the truth continues, of course the matter could be very simply, and courteously settled, if ‘Padma Gonpo’ could present information, that would definitively corroborate his claims. Until he does so the concerns remain, and the determination to expose; what some question as constituting a cynical exploitation of Tibetan Bon, shall remain undimmed.

Mr. Corin White states that his supposed ‘Rinpoche’ (alias ‘Padma Gonpo’) was able to translate the Tibetan text posted on one the blog. According to Mr.White:

“he did translate it…..but Padma Gonpo Rinpoche (sic) had nowhere to post his translation”

So let’s make it easy for ‘PG’. he is invited here publicly to translate the following passage, which if he is able to, shall be published on this blog.

“rgyud gser gyi rus sbal las / rnam pa thams cad mkhyen pa’i ston pa de thugs rje che mnga’ ‘gro ba’i don bya’i phyir skye med ngang las skye ba’i cho ‘phrul bstan nam mkha’ lta bu’i bon sku mtshon bral las gzugs skur bzhengs nas ‘gro don mthar dbyung phyir ye sangs yul du shes rab blo rtsal bskyed ‘og min gnas su ‘gro don bon lung mnos phywa yi grong khyer chen por blo rtsal sbyangs ‘od gsal gnas su shes bya’i sgrib pa sbyangs ‘dul ba’i dus bab gzigs dgongs thugs la bzhag yab kyi rtar bab yum gyi lhums su zhugs zla dgu ngo bcur skye ba bzhes tshul bstan zhes so”

Given the apparent ease with which he seemingly translated this, according that is to the inflamed remarks of Mr.White, one imagines the provision of his translation should be swift, hope so as there are a number of fluent Tibetan speakers, who are rather interested to note ‘Padma Gonpo’s’ results.

As the handful of ‘Padma Gonpo’ students seem to value rationale, one imagines they will have no difficulty in sharing a reasonable curiosity, regarding the claims made by their ‘teacher’. If, as they seem to believe, that they are following a genuine ‘Rinpoche’, and an authentic tradition, they will surely have no objection to scrutiny.

1). Paul McDowell, known possibly as ‘Padma Gonpo’ (and reportedly also as ‘Lama Paul’) has stated that he studied under “Yongedn Urgyen Dondrup (the transliterated Tibetan name is actually Yongden, not as written by ‘PG’) in Yokohama, Japan in 1968“.

In order to corroborate this claim would ‘Padma Gonpo‘, or his students, care to make available contact details for this supposed teacher, or any of his family. Having approached the Office of Tibet in Japan, Tibetan Centres, and a number of contacts there, no such individual has been identified. All that is required are details, surely these can be provided?

2) According to their group:
 

“Rinpoche (sic) was “verified” during the fourteen months preceding Tibetan New Year 1975 and received the Bön’s highest recognition. He received coronation as a Bönku Rigdzen during the Tibetan New year celebration, “Losar.”

What does ‘verified’ mean here? Is ‘PG’ claiming to have received an authentic and traditional ordination, a prestigious ceremony in Tibetan religious practice, that follows a number of conventions, including the award being conferred by a prominent Lama, or Head of a Monastery. If so would he, or his students, care to name the individual who bestowed this recognition? Surely someone carried out this seemingly prestigious ceremony and can thus be approached to verify these claims.

Secondly, would ’PG’ provide independent authoritative documentation, or verifiable instances, which can identify so-called Bönku Rigdzen as being an award given within Tibetan Bon?

3). Given that Bon is in essence a Tibetan tradition, of immense complexity and unfathomable depth, one wonders in what language medium ‘Padma Gonpo’ (alias Mr.McDowell?) was tutored to be awarded such a seemingly prestigious title? Does he have a fluency in Tibetan? Was PG able to read and translate Bon texts?

4). It is claimed that ‘PG’ also received:

“Tibetan Nyingma Lamiac Ordination at Urgyen Same (sic-the correct Tibetan title is Samye) Choling, Montignac-Lascaux France, during the years 1982 - 1985 at the hand of H.H. Dujom (sic-the correct transliteration of this Tibetan name is Dudjom). Rinpoche”.

It is reasonable to conclude that such centres have a record of such important ordinations, and that details of individuals, who have achieved such a status, are maintained. Otherwise any individual could make such claims without any corroboration. The current head of this centre is H.H. Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche who speaks English fluently, perhaps ’Padma Gonpo’ could call upon this Tibetan to verify his claims? Alternatively perhaps ’PG’ has some official documentation, or photographic record of his apparent ordination at that centre? Will he make such documentation available?

5) ‘Padma Gonpo’ claims to have studied at a monastery, which he states was Dorje Ling, at a place which he wrongly cites as “Madori Ku“, Yokohama Japan. There is a Midori-ku in Yokohama Unfortunately this centre is rather difficult to locate and identify, and several efforts to verify its existence have proved futile. Would ‘PG’ care to furnish more details about this place, such as postal address, email, or a telephone number. A simple communication could clarify matters.

6) The self-styled ‘Rinpoche’ also states that he:

“….spent a year in Tibet traveling (sic) to the various monasteries and villages giving teachings and providing traditional Bon services”.

Can he back up this assertion with any details, to corroborate his account. What monasteries did he visit, and supposedly ‘teach’ at? Which villages did he travel to bestowing his ‘wisdom‘? What year did this happen? Can he name anyone from these monasteries, that presumably would still recall such a visit? What language did he use to give these teachings? Does he speak Tibetan? In offering “traditional Bon services” how did he communicate with local Tibetans?

If the claims made by ‘Padma Gonpo’ are valid, then he will have no difficulties in being able to provide information to address these questions. Moreover, if he is indeed a ‘Rinpoche’, he would value openness, transparency and integrity, and be happy to cooperate in validating his claims with verifiable information. Those who respect Tibetan culture look forward to these queries being addressed.

One of the misappropriated concepts, which appear to have been ‘borrowed’ by self-styled ‘Padma Gonpo’ (PG) is the notion, of what genuine Tibetan Bon refers to as Bonku. According to an eminent authority, whom I consulted, Paul McDowell’s (if that individual is indeed posing as PG) use of Bonku “is a total travesty of the ‘metaphysics’“. It would seem that PG, and his dwindling band of acolytes, wrongly equate Bonku with some sort of attainable and earthly condition, like a Tibetan ‘tulku’ ( an enlightened being that reincarnates to serve humanity)

From any intelligent reading and research, the subject of Bonku is revealed to be something very different indeed:

“Actually Bonku (Bon-sku) in Bon always contrasts with the form bodies (gzugs sku), which are of two kinds, Dzogku (Rdzogs-sku) and Tulku (Sprul-sku), the latter being the manifestation body visible to worldlings. Bonku is identified with Total Good (Kun-tu-bzang-po) in Bon just as Chöku (Chos-sku) is identified with Total Good (Kun-tu-bzang-po) in the Nyingma school.”

As noted by the aforementioned academic source I called upon, Paul McDowell and his bogus ’Ngag-Bon’ creation, seem to consider :
“Bonku are cosmonauts bouncing around the universe at will. The Bonku as such never manifests. Has nothing to do with visible form or movement from one place to another. The Bonku as such never manifests.”

Being a self-styled ’Rinpoche’ and presumably well versed in ancient Bon texts; and one imagines, fluent in Tibetan, perhaps ’Padma Gonpo’ would care to translate the following text by Shardza Rinpoche, in his Bon history, quotes from the Golden Tortoise Tantra:

“rgyud gser gyi rus sbal las / rnam pa thams cad mkhyen pa’i ston pa de thugs rje che mnga’ ‘gro ba’i don bya’i phyir skye med ngang las skye ba’i cho ‘phrul bstan nam mkha’ lta bu’i bon sku mtshon bral las gzugs skur bzhengs nas ‘gro don mthar dbyung phyir ye sangs yul du shes rab blo rtsal bskyed ‘og min gnas su ‘gro don bon lung mnos [35] phywa yi grong khyer chen por blo rtsal sbyangs ‘od gsal gnas su shes bya’i sgrib pa sbyangs ‘dul ba’i dus bab gzigs dgongs thugs la bzhag yab kyi rtar bab yum gyi lhums su zhugs zla dgu ngo bcur skye ba bzhes tshul bstan zhes so”

My genuine appreciation to that Bon scholar, who knows who he is, for the detailed input on this subject.

According to some recent information I received from a contact in Wisconsin, it seems that in Paul McDowell’s previous incarnation, he went by the name of ‘Lama Paul’, and it’s reported offered ‘teachings’ out of a boarding house. Unfortunately, it seems his activities attracted increasing suspicion, and he was reportedly ejected by the owners, although it is alleged, not before a number of local people had apparently been fleeced by the ‘Lama’. Are such reports accurate? Can it be that this self-proclaimed ‘Padma Gonpo’ is little more than a fake, whose path is one of deception rather than the unique wisdom of the genuine Tibetan Bon tradition? There are a number of troubling questions about this individual which remain unanswered, the effort to expose the truth continues. If, by any chance ‘Padma Gonpo’, or any of his ‘acolytes’ are reading this, I would request that as a gesture of respect for Tibet and its Bon culture, you remove from your website/myspace sites any and all references which claim you and your ’system’ are associated with, pre-date or are derived from Tibetan Bon, and that it is made clear that you have not received authentic training in the Bon tradition.