Geshe Michael Roach

The Geshe Michael Roach Controversy

Buddhism has evolved in an unbroken lineage from the time of the historical Buddha who lived in India 2,500 years ago. The teachings and tradition have been handed down from master to master and have remained pure. They have been organised systematically over the years to form a tradition which helps to bring peace of mind and ultimate happiness to it’s practitioners.

In order to keep the purity of the Buddhist lineage, certain standards and traditions have been kept pure, and continue to be as relevant today as they were when the Buddha first taught them. Possibly the greatest mainstay of Buddhism is the monastic tradition, and with it certain vows or pledges that monks and nuns undertake to keep purely, for the benefit of their own minds and as an example to those around them.

One of the major vows of a monk or nun is to remain celibate, and not have any form of physical relationships with members of the opposite sex. Geshe Michael Roach’s current behaviour, which involves sleeping in the same bed every night with a young female student, Christie McNally, does not conform with this major vow of a monk.

Geshe Michael Roach's Claims of being (almost) a Buddha

After coming out of retreat, Geshe Michael Roach began to make extraordinary claims. He claims that, at the age of 22, he had the realisation of emptiness, one of the highest and rarest spiritual attainments achieved by Buddhist practitioners, as well as having met directly with the Buddhist deity, Vajra Yogini, at the age of 16. To claim this is a break in tradition, as it is generally something that is kept extremely secret.

Is Geshe Michael Roach Allowed a Femail Partner?

No! Under no circumstances! In fact, it is against a monks vows to be in the same room as a woman with the door closed. Buddhist monks and Nuns are celibate. The primary reason for becoming a Buddhist monk or nun is to renounce the worldly life of a householder, and to engage oneself solely in spiritual practice.

The monks vows hold that a "root vow" is one which, when broken, automatically disqualifies one as a monk. One of the root vows is to never engage in any form of sexual activity with another person. Minor vows prohibit most contact with persons of the opposite gender in order that one should not be tempted to break their major vow. These vows also serve to maintain the good name of the community of monks and nuns, so that it will not be sullied by rumors of sexual activity.