A NSW ashram until this year never apologised for the sexual exploitation of girls by its leader.

A NSW ashram blocked abuse victims from its Facebook page, threatened them with defamation action and until this year never apologised for the sexual exploitation of girls by its founding spiritual leader.

A royal commission is examining how a retreat, now known as the Mangrove Yoga Ashram, handled sex abuse complaints against Swami Akhandananda Saraswati who ran the NSW Central Coast compound from 1974 to 1986.

Children were physically and sexually abused at the ashram where some parents handed guardianship of their children as well as property and income over to Akhandananda and his partner Shishy.

The ashram, nestled in the foothills of Mangrove mountain, is the largest in Australia and a registered charity. About 200 people lived there at its peak.

In the 1970s and `80s people flocked to it, taking up residence under the spiritual guidance of Akhandananda, who at 22 had been sent to Australia from India to lead the centre.

On Tuesday two women told how they were groomed and sexually abused at the ashram where Akhandananda would tell them "engaging in sexual activity with him was for their own spiritual growth".

The swami was charged, convicted and jailed in 1989 for molesting four girls and spent 14 months in jail until his conviction was overturned.

His partner Shishy fled the ashram in 1985 and gave evidence at his trial.

Shishy, who became involved with Akhandananda when she was 16, will give evidence at the commission hearing.

Original post:
Abuse victims reject NSW ashram's apology

A NSW ashram until this year never apologised for the sexual exploitation of girls by its leader.

A NSW ashram blocked abuse victims from its Facebook page, threatened them with defamation action and until this year never apologised for the sexual exploitation of girls by its founding spiritual leader.

A royal commission is examining how a retreat, now known as the Mangrove Yoga Ashram, handled sex abuse complaints against Swami Akhandananda Saraswati who ran the NSW Central Coast compound from 1974 to 1986.

Children were physically and sexually abused at the ashram where some parents handed guardianship of their children as well as property and income over to Akhandananda and his partner Shishy.

The ashram, nestled in the foothills of Mangrove mountain, is the largest in Australia and a registered charity. About 200 people lived there at its peak.

In the 1970s and `80s people flocked to it, taking up residence under the spiritual guidance of Akhandananda, who at 22 had been sent to Australia from India to lead the centre.

On Tuesday two women told how they were groomed and sexually abused at the ashram where Akhandananda would tell them "engaging in sexual activity with him was for their own spiritual growth".

The swami was charged, convicted and jailed in 1989 for molesting four girls and spent 14 months in jail until his conviction was overturned.

His partner Shishy fled the ashram in 1985 and gave evidence at his trial.

Shishy, who became involved with Akhandananda when she was 16, will give evidence at the commission hearing.

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Swami used Ashram girl to procure others

Art historian Dr. Karen S. Hwang will present an illustrated ARTalk, highlighting five exquisite sculptures from India, China, Korea, and Japan, as a way of outlining and understanding the development of Buddhist art in South and East Asia at the Ridgefield Library on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2.

Dr. Hwangteaches art history at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She received her doctorate from Harvard University, where she concentrated her studies on the arts of the Buddhist caves along the Silk Road. She has lived in Ridgefield for the last five years.

This is one in a continuing series of ARTalks that explore the creative process in art, architecture and design and are co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Library and the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. The program is free and open to the public. However, registration is recommended at ridgefieldlibrary.org or by calling 203-438-2282.

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Art historian to talk Buddhism at the library Sunday