In our present time, our lineage and system is renowned as transformative and comprehensive, seamlessly integrating ancient Buddhist wisdom with modern life. Our tradition makes profound spiritual teachings clear, practical, and accessible while preserving their natural depth and transformative power. It offers essential tools for personal mastery, altruistic leadership, and collective well-being, equipping practitioners with clarity, resilience, and compassion to navigate life’s challenges and uplift society.

This lineage and system is not a new religion or ideology. It is the ancient, unbroken, virtuous, and authentic Buddhist religion as originally founded by Lord Buddha nearly 3,000 years ago. Throughout its history, this lineage has been preserved and promulgated without a single instance of aggression or violence. We feel tremendously honored to be a part of this sacred lineage and tradition.

In our lineage and system, there is a strict and unwavering guideline system that prohibits adding or removing even a single principle, idea, or syllable to the teachings of Buddha. Therefore, no changes, alterations, or fabrications of any kind can be made to the original Dharma teachings of Buddha.

In this way we are confident that our lineage, tradition, and systems for teaching and learning, training and contemplation, and meditation and practice—encompassing both the Transmission and Actualization Dharma principles of the Sutras, Tantras, and Dzogchen—remain exactly 100% as pure and authentic as they were during the time when Lord Buddha himself was living in this world.

In today’s world, the time-tested Dharma teachings and practices of our lineage and system are more essential than ever. Rooted in the timeless Dharma principles of our unbroken lineage, this system provides strategic solutions for overcoming suffering, cultivating inner peace, and nurturing strong harmonious communities and world peace.

While preserving the authenticity of our Dharma lineage and tradition, our unique hallmark is that we wisely value and skillfully integrate virtuous cultures, philosophy, science, beneficial knowledge, and technology into daily practice. We promote interfaith dialogue and religious harmony. This approach ensures that practitioners uphold the vast and profound wisdom of our lineage while developing the practical knowledge and skills needed to benefit humanity and the planet.

Our organization acknowledges and respects the multitudes of cultural norms of individuals and communities worldwide. As various traditions and diverse peoples unite through the Buddha Dharma, we recognize that the journey on the transformative path of enlightenment requires eliminating obscurations, engaging in diligent practice, and overcoming challenges to achieve vast, profound, and everlasting enlightened results. We are committed to harmonizing differences and fostering peace and safety, goodwill and mutual understanding, and respect for all cultures and religions.

As all our dedicated members know, our organization, teachers, and members have consistently upheld high standards of integrity, wisdom, and service to humanity in every aspect of our activities, programs, and events. Year after year, we have worked tirelessly to preserve and transmit the sacred Dharma in its purest form, developing a peaceful global community of practitioners bound by truth, virtue, and enlightenment. For many decades, our organization, teachers, and Sangha have enthusiastically dedicated themselves to engaging in excellent teachings, virtuous events, and beneficial activities throughout the world, successfully benefiting countless people from all walks of life.

Since the global pandemic in 2020, there has been an unprecedented rise in social unrest, economic instability, and political polarization, particularly in certain countries and regions, exacerbated by wars and various crises.

In this volatile climate, the rise of ideological extremism, destructive forms of activism and reactionism, and so on, have contributed significantly to increasing hostility toward religious entities and spiritual communities. These developments are further fueled by media amplification of isolated scandals, disinformation campaigns, and the weaponization of social media outrage. As a result, even altruistic organizations increasingly face reputational harm, legal pressure, professional scams, and extortion attempts—undermining not only their integrity but also the broader fabric of social trust and harmony.

Therefore, over the last several years, our organization and community have conducted massive global prayers and engaged in various virtuous activities for social harmony and world peace.

However, in 2023, our U.S.-based organization and some members were named in a civil lawsuit. We responded to this litigation with full conscientiousness and integrity, complying with all applicable legal requirements. After two years of proceedings, the case was decisively resolved. On January 9, 2025, the court formally terminated the case and all claims against our organizations, teachers, and members were dismissed with prejudice. ‘Dismissed with prejudice’ means the case is permanently closed.

The case was resolved without any finding of liability and no wrongdoing was conceded. Our organization and its members continue to maintain good legal standing, and we remain fully committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical and lawful conduct.

We take this opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering moral and ethical commitment. As an organization, we categorically condemn all forms of misconduct, harassment, abuse, and misuse of power—wherever and whenever they occur. Our organization and community are founded on the principles of compassion, wisdom, and mutual respect, and we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for such harmful behaviors.

We have never tolerated, and will never tolerate, any form of harassment, abuse, or misconduct within our community or organization. Our Sangha remains firmly dedicated to upholding a safe, ethical, and supportive environment for all who participate in our teachings and activities.

This resolution reaffirms our ongoing commitment to ethical conduct, legal compliance, and the protection of our community and mission.

The matter has been resolved, and our organization’s mission remains strong. Following a thorough review, our organization remains confident in the integrity of our teachers and members. Our organization remains steadfast in maintaining our fiduciary responsibilities, continuing our vital work, and engaging in activities for the benefit of all beings.

Throughout this challenge, our organization remained committed to maintaining respect for the legal process, ensuring that we conducted ourselves with professionalism and care. We prioritized protecting our virtuous karma and Dharma system, while maintaining our focus on our mission and community.

Thus, we followed the widely-recognized legal standard of refraining from making any statements in any form to anyone until the case was complete. Although we were well prepared and wished many times to respond to these issues directly, we respected the fact-finding process to ensure the best possible defense for our organization and community. In this way, we strategically sacrificed our precious communications and postponed our public events. We know this period of silence and disconnection may have been difficult for some of you; likewise, it was very difficult for us to remain silent and in isolation from our community for over two years.

We are deeply grateful for your patience, understanding, trust, and continued support, which have been essential to continue our mission to preserve and promulgate our sacred lineage and tradition.

We now officially announce that this case is completely closed and legally resolved. We are honored to have had the opportunity to defend and protect our organization and Sangha. We welcome our members to connect with us and express their gratitude. We respectfully express our gratitude to our legal counsel for their professional guidance and generous support. We wholeheartedly rededicate ourselves to the sacred activity of teaching and practicing the Dharma for the benefit of our members and all beings. We unequivocally reaffirm our commitment to the lineage, system, organization, and community.

Moreover, our Foundation is a religious organization operating in strict compliance with all applicable federal and state laws of the United States. Our leaders, teachers, and members strive to adhere to the highest standards of ethical and moral conduct. Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and lawful operations is unwavering, supported by long-established checks and balances that ensure due process, open inquiry, and respectful discourse. Rooted in fairness, truth, and equality, our system remains a source of peace, wisdom, and enlightenment for all.

Our Buddhist practice is based on a living lineage, system, and organization. While the lineage remains unbroken and the fundamental Dharma principles remain unchanged, the system and organization have adapted to present Buddha’s teachings throughout the generations according to the situations and times.

Thus, this challenge has only served to strengthen our system and organization, empowering us to be more resilient in the face of difficulties. We vow to continuously protect our legal rights, defend our religious freedoms, and deepen our commitment to fulfill our mission to preserve and promulgate the teachings of our Supreme Guide Buddha Shakyamuni in the modern world.

Given the increasingly volatile social climate and the rise of litigious actions targeting spiritual communities, the recent situation highlights a broader risk facing organizations, teachers, members, and volunteers. In response, we are: (1) actively improving and developing comprehensive protective systems and safeguards to address contemporary challenges, ensure accountability, and preserve the continuum of our sacred work for present and future generations; (2) advocating for legal clarity and awareness regarding the challenges faced by religious and nonprofit organizations; (3) continuing to educate and protect our members while ensuring our mission remains unhindered and protecting our members against coercion, defamation, and false legal claims.

Our system, organization, and community are democratic and inclusive and have always maintained an environment where all concerns can be addressed transparently, responsibly, and with compassion and wisdom. We encourage constructive discourse and practical suggestions, ensuring the well-being and harmony of our community. We actively embrace open dialogue, invite questions, and encourage critical thinking as an essential part of our Dharma practice, reflecting the authentic and altruistic foundation of our lineage. We remain fully committed to these sacred principles and welcome everyone to explore our teachings, and understand the structure, mission, and values of our organization and community.

It is difficult for any organization or institution to achieve perfection, and thus we do not claim that our organization is perfect. However, we hold ourselves to the highest possible standards in both vision and action. Our intention and mission is to create an organizational system that is deeply relevant, profoundly beneficial, and sustainably structured for the wellbeing of people now and for generations to come.

Thus, we have passionately dedicated our lives to continually engage in rigorous review, research, and implementation of practical systems for our Dharma teachings, meditation practices, and robust structures for our organizations and community. We strive each day to improve, innovate, and evolve—drawing on both ancient wisdom and contemporary knowledge to serve all beings more skillfully and compassionately.

As Buddhist practitioners, we are privileged to serve and protect our sacred lineage, Dharma system, organization, Dharma teachers, and precious Sangha. We will continue to offer wise guidance and skillful support to those who are connected to us. We aspire to live harmoniously as loving and forgiving people who act with wisdom and patience in every situation, especially in the face of adversity.

We are humble Buddhists and caring human beings. However, our skillful kindness should not be mistaken for weakness. Wise patience is not powerlessness. Buddhist compassion is not cowardice.

For the sake of peace and to protect our minds, we compassionately forgive those who have engaged in actions that have caused harm or confusion. We do not hold resentment or condemnation against any being. We respect and love all beings as Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. This is the perfect model set by Lord Buddha who harbored no malice even to those who treated him as an enemy, but instead liberated them through the power of loving kindness.

In accordance with karmic principles, we understand that all beings are responsible for their own actions and the consequences that follow, and we pray that all may find healing, forgiveness, and resolution through wisdom and compassion.

We have always respected the decision of anyone who chooses to leave our organization, community, or lineage. We do not obstruct, coerce, or pressure individuals to stay. On the contrary, those who leave do so freely, and we wish they find a suitable enlightened path. We have not and will not impose punitive or retaliatory consequences on anyone who departs. Those who later seek to return are welcome to apply, following the proper procedures in alignment with Buddhist principles, organizational policy, and Sangha guidelines.

However, in accordance with our religious and organizational rights, and to preserve the sanctity of our pure Dharma lineage and maintain the integrity, unity, and function of our community, it is standard procedure that when someone has chosen to dissociate from the organization or leave the lineage, all their titles, positions, and official endorsements are automatically relinquished and immediately rendered null and void. This includes the loss of rights to use our lineage, community, and organization’s name, logos, symbols, copyrighted materials, and other physical and intellectual property. This ensures clarity, accountability, and respect for the sacred system of our organization.

We recognize the extraordinary value of the teachings and training we offer, knowing their profound potential to transform lives, no matter how long someone chooses to engage with them. Our gratitude lies in the ability to benefit any being, in any capacity, at any moment. Even a brief encounter with the Dharma is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we deeply cherish the chance to share this wisdom with all who seek it.

In challenging times, our organization has always found strength in unity, mutual support, and our shared commitment to wisdom, compassion, and integrity. These principles have guided us through difficulties, enabling us to remain focused on our mission and our community’s well-being. We encourage all members to stay grounded in Dharma principles, supporting one another and our sacred mission.

Although the case has long been resolved, harmful rumors and false information continue to circulate online. These are laced with derogatory slogans and unthinkable accusations, reinforce harmful social stigmas, and exploit personal traumas in an effort to turn public opinion against our organizations, communities, and members. Even now, hateful comments and threats of violence continue to be made. Unfortunately, these ongoing rumors, amplified through social media and the internet over the past two years, have been used in an attempt to damage our reputation and disrupt our events, programs, and community activities. They have also caused emotional hardship for many within our community.

We have been resilient and maintained our dignity in the face of such challenges and intimidation. We remain committed to truth and accuracy, and disapprove of the spread of unverified or misleading information. We encourage everyone to uphold respect and vigilant awareness.

In order to protect our organization and Sangha from danger, we paused our public events and activities for more than two years. All this has led to a considerable loss of income for our Foundation and associated organizations.

Nevertheless, we are pleased to affirm that the Foundation has consistently used all general and designated funds, including all donations, in alignment with their intended purposes and in full accordance with our policies and legal obligations.

As we continue on our mission, we encourage all precious sangha members and generous sponsors to continue to support our organization in whatever ways you can. Your contributions and support are more vital than ever for our organization and community to grow and flourish, and to provide even more excellent programs, events, and activities. In this way, you are directly helping to protect the Dharma system, accomplish our original mission, sustain our organizations, unite the sangha in Dharma, and ensure that these sacred teachings and activities can continue to benefit countless beings around the world.

Having successfully overcome these challenges, it is essential to reflect on the lessons learned and use this experience to strengthen the unity, wisdom, and resilience of our teachers, Sangha, and community.

Thus, we wish virtuous individuals and organizations to know that safeguarding the integrity of our communities requires vigilance and compassion, ensuring that misunderstandings, false accusations, and harmful rumors, as well as corruption and misconduct do not take root. To foster a culture of vigilance and protection, we offer valuable guidance to prevent such challenges in the future.

Remember that the 21st century is an era defined not just by unprecedented access to information, but also by the proliferation of disinformation. Thus, we advise all members and supporters to remain steadfast in Dharma principles, act with discernment, and to cherish Sangha Unity. Buddha taught that even his teachings must be thoroughly examined and not accepted blindly. This principle of thoughtful investigation applies not only to spiritual teachings but also to our judgments and decisions in all areas of life.

We advise all spiritual leaders and organizations that it is essential to uphold compassion, wisdom, and nonsectarian virtuous principles. Regularly updating training, including when traveling to other regions and countries, and proactively educating ourselves through resources such as harassment prevention training and defamation awareness can help prevent potential risks, protect our communities, and uphold the integrity of our virtuous culture, sacred organizations, and enlightening practices.

Additionally, maintaining discretion with sensitive information, such as financial resources, insurance policies, and so on, is crucial as such details can become targets. By staying informed, prepared, and mindful, we can uphold the purity and security of our Dharma activities while fostering a supportive and safe environment for all.

We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to those who have stood by us during these times. Your unwavering support has been invaluable. We are grateful for the support of our skilled legal counsel, deeply cherish the dedication of our precious Sangha, and truly honor the commitment of our global community throughout this process.

As we move forward, we will be more united and stronger than ever. We are deeply committed to making our Dharma teachings and practices more available and accessible, both regionally and internationally, in a more practical, systematic, and innovative manner.

Join us for an even broader array of teaching and training, along with courses, workshops, retreats, and Internships, all designed to bring the sacred teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni to the heart of humanity for the sake of world peace and to liberate all beings from all suffering and establish all beings in True Happiness. We are looking forward to practicing Dharma together in various holy places around the world.

We invoke all Buddhas and enlightened beings to bless our Holy Vajra Master, excellent Dharma teachers, and precious Sangha members. May our lineage, system, organization, and community flourish throughout all directions. We pray that our global Sangha have good health and long life, be successful in all virtuous activities, and realize the true meaning of sacred Dharma in this very life.

World peace always, always world peace!

This announcement is issued by the Officers of the DSSF alongside the Regional Legal Council.

Contact information

Email: info@thebuddhapath.org

Web: thebuddhapath.org