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Accusations of manipulation and deceptive practices have surfaced against Bulgarian spiritual teacher Ivo Kalushev, dating back to at least 2013. Discussions within the online Buddhist forum dharmawheel.net reveal long-standing skepticism regarding Kalushev’s teachings and conduct, predating his current prominence.
Dharmawheel.net, established in 2009 by Dr. David Snyder, serves as a platform for discourse on Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, alongside its sister site focused on Theravada tradition. Within the forum, members openly questioned Kalushev’s authenticity. One user alleged plagiarism in Kalushev’s responses, drawing parallels to justifications offered by leaders of cults facing accusations of fraud and abuse, describing his explanations as “too… rehearsed.”
Kalushev responded to the criticism by stating he was unconcerned with being dismissed as a false teacher or cult leader. He acknowledged discomfort with the title of “lama,” but explained he felt obligated to use it due to his responsibilities towards his students. “My character is not very pleasant,” Kalushev wrote in a post, further admitting to possessing other flaws and describing his demeanor as often “rough” and impatient. He also stated he held a low opinion of himself and could understand why others might dislike him.
Kalushev also asserted a belief in reincarnation, characterizing it not as a matter of faith but as a “commonly accepted fact” easily verifiable. He emphasized the importance of a dedicated teacher-student relationship in spiritual practice, stating he did not believe in working with individuals who were not fully committed. He explained his choices were based on past experiences after more than a decade of teaching at the request of his own teachers.
Another forum user, posting under the pseudonym Disjointed, amplified the concerns, pointing to Kalushev’s own expressed reluctance to be called a lama as a manipulative tactic. Disjointed accused Kalushev of portraying himself as a victim of circumstance, despite actively seeking and promoting the role. The user claimed to have observed similar defensive strategies repeatedly and found them predictable.
