The Tasmanian Buddhist spiritual group being accused of operating like a cult | 7.30

For decades, an eccentric spiritual group based in Hobart called Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism has enjoyed public support from Tasmanian and Chinese politicians, who speak in glowing terms about its contributions to the community. Tonight we hear from Holy Tantra insiders who describe the group not as a benign religious organisation, but as operating like a cult. Emily Baker and Echo Hui from ABC Investigations with this report. Editor’s Note [24/12/2024]: On or around 9 August 2023 and 2 October 2023 the ABC broadcast two programs on 7.30 as well as accompanying news articles regarding Mr Xin De Wang (Master Wang) and Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism Incorporated, also known as Jin-Gang-Dhyana (JGD) on the www.abc.net.au website and on YouTube. The programs included allegations to the effect that JGD operated like a cult run by Mr Wang. Mr Wang denies that JGD is a cult, and the ABC acknowledges Mr Wang’s denial. It has been brought to the ABC’s attention that some readers and viewers commented on the YouTube publication suggesting Mr Wang is a convicted criminal, a conman or a spy. The ABC does not endorse the views of readers or viewers who posted those comments online. Subscribe: https://ab.co/3yqPOZ5 Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-0... ABC News In-depth takes you deeper on the big stories, with long-form journalism from Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent, Australian Story, Planet America and more, and explainers from ABC News Video Lab. Watch more ABC News content ad-free on ABC iview: https://ab.co/2OB7Mk1 For more from ABC News, click here: https://ab.co/2kxYCZY Get breaking news and livestreams from our ABC News channel:    / newsonabc   Like ABC News on Facebook:   / abcnews.au   Follow ABC News on Instagram:   / abcnews_au   Follow ABC News on Twitter:   / abcnews   Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated. #ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia