Culture

The Buddhist Who Retreated-And Then Died

MYSTERY

When Ian Thorson was discovered dead in a cave in 2012, an unflinching light was shone on the strange world of Tibertan Buddhists—especially its leader Michael Roach.

Three years ago, the Tibetan Buddhist community in America became mired in scandal when a longtime devotee died in the Arizona desert, after being expelled from the community’s nearby retreat center.

Many details surrounding 38-year-old Ian Thorson’s death were not unique to the spiritual community that had indoctrinated him.

Like other religious...

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