Karmapa sued for spousal assistance from woman who claims to be in a “marriage-like relationship”
Buddhistdoor Global | 2021-05-24 | From karmapafoundation.eu
The British Columbia Supreme Court in Canada last week approved a lawsuit allowing Vikki Hui Xin Han to sue His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, a potential heir to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a respected spiritual leader for Tibetans Buddhists. Han claimed that she became pregnant with the Karmapa. ‘s child during a personal relationship.
The case enters new legal bases due to the extraordinary circumstances of the alleged relationship. Han has alleged that she was attacked by the Karmapa in a New York monastery in 2017 and claims that she became pregnant with his child during a non-consensual sexual encounter that turned into a loving and loving relationship.
Although Han was training to be a Buddhist nun at the time of the alleged attack, she subsequently left monastic life and returned to British Columbia, where she lives today. The couple reportedly met four times in person, and their relationship reportedly took place primarily via text message between January 2018 and January 2019.
Han initially sued for child support, but later asked the court to allow her to change her spouse support entitlement. To win her case under family law, Han must prove to the court that the couple was in a marital relationship.
From hrreporter.com
Master Bruce Elwood, the Supreme Court official who granted Han’s application, emphasized in his judgment that the case may be difficult because it does not meet normal requirements.
“The facts alleged by the applicant do not fit a traditional concept of marriage. The applicant does not claim that she and the defendant ever lived together. In fact, she only met the interviewee four times personally: twice, very briefly, in a public setting; a third time in private when she claims that the interviewee sexually assaulted her; and a fourth and final opportunity when she informed the respondent that she was pregnant with his child. “(Supreme Court of British Columbia)
Elwood It also clarified that elements such as living together under one roof and a consensual sexual relationship usually help justify spousal support. However, these factors cannot directly determine whether a relationship is marital.
“The applicant’s proposed amendment raises a new question: Can a secret relationship that began online and never made its way into the physical world be like a marriage? I believe that this question should be answered by a trial judge after all of the evidence has been heard. The alleged facts give rise to a reasonable claim that the applicant was in a marital relationship with the respondent. Accordingly, I am giving the applicant permission to change her notification of family entitlement. ” (British Columbia Supreme Court)
From kagyuoffice.org
Hans Fall could be bolstered by reports that the Karmapa allegedly sent her over $ 700,000 to buy a house and a wedding ring prior to the birth of her child in June 2018. Other determining factors could include reports that the parties have expressed their care and affection for one another and that their communications may indicate that they are planning a future together.
The Karmapa has reportedly denied having a romantic relationship with Han, although he acknowledges that he provided emotional and financial support that he reportedly provided for the benefit of their child, whom Han claimed was his daughter.
The case is set to go to trial in April 2022.
The Karmapa is a high lama of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. At the age of seven he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa and was given the name Ogyen Drodul Trinley Dorje.
See more
A woman who claims to have a “marriage-like relationship” with a Buddhist holy figure can seek assistance (CBC News).
Han v. Dorje 2021 BCSC 939 (Supreme Court of British Columbia)
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