News Summary
A Buddhist nun has filed a lawsuit against the abbot of Dieu Ngu Temple, alleging multiple sexual assaults and challenging her exploitation and mistreatment in the temple’s environment. The nun’s disturbing claims highlight serious issues surrounding the treatment of vulnerable individuals within religious organizations and raise important questions about safety and accountability. As the lawsuit unfolds, it underscores the urgent need for reform in religious institutions.
Headline: Shocking Lawsuit Filed Against Abbot Over Alleged Sexual Assaults in Westminster
Westminster, California, has become the center of a disturbing legal battle as a Buddhist nun has stepped forward, taking legal action against the abbot of a local temple. The nun, who arrived in the U.S. from Vietnam, claims that Venerable Xuan Ngoc Ho, also known as Thich Vien Huy, sexually assaulted her multiple times during her time at the Dieu Ngu Buddhist Temple.
The Start of an Unhappy Journey
The story begins in January 2024 when the nun was promised a bright future in the United States. She was brought over with assurances that she would receive a religious worker visa, a path toward U.S. citizenship, as well as help in obtaining a green card for her nephew. However, what she encountered upon her arrival was far from the dream she had envisioned. Instead of a supportive environment, she found herself in a precarious situation that she never thought possible.
Accusations of Assault
While living and working at the temple, the nun alleges that Ho sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions, with the most recent incident occurring in March 2024. According to her claims, Ho took advantage of his position and entered the female dormitory, all while being intoxicated. This was surprising since the temple had security measures in place to prevent males from gaining access to this area marked as off-limits.
Unbearable Living Conditions and Work Strain
The nun’s experience didn’t just end with the alleged assaults. The lawsuit describes her work life as extremely challenging. She was reportedly paid a meager salary ranging between $300 to $400 a month, in exchange for her dedication of up to 15 hours of work each day. Her tasks often involved a range of secular activities, such as managing offices, cooking, cleaning, and even gardening, all without the legally required breaks or proper wage records. To make matters worse, her living conditions were described as cramped, with a windowless room lacking basic amenities including a bathroom, running water, heating, or air conditioning.
Retaliation and Fear
Things took a turn for the worse after she informed the abbot of her intention to report the alleged assaults. In an apparent act of retaliation, she was expelled from the Dieu Ngu monastery and transferred to another temple, Dieu Phap, where Thich Vien Ly, the brother of Ho, is the abbot. At Dieu Phap, she was allegedly misled into believing her visa had been denied, forcing her to leave the United States. This was later revealed to be untrue, raising alarming questions about the actions taken by those in charge of these temples.
The Legal Claims
The nun has now filed a lawsuit that outlines serious allegations, naming the International Buddhist Cultural Heritage Foundation, which oversees the temples, and identifying a staggering 125 unnamed defendants as complicit in the alleged misconduct. The lawsuit encompasses a staggering 20 counts, including sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, human trafficking, harassment, and wrongful termination, to name just a few.
Seeking Justice and Compensation
Through this lawsuit, the nun is not only seeking justice but also aims to reclaim the unpaid wages that she deserves alongside statutory penalties. As the legal battle unfolds, it raises crucial discussions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals within religious organizations and the importance of providing safe, supportive environments.
Awaiting a Response
As of the time of reporting, efforts to reach the abbots or representatives from the involved temples for comment have not yet borne fruit. The unfolding situation shines a spotlight on serious allegations that demand attention and action, emphasizing the need for reform and accountability within all spheres, including religious institutions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Huntington Beach Doctor Faces Disturbing Allegations of Sexual Assault
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Buddhist Nun Alleges Sexual Assault
- LA Times: Buddhist Temple Allegedly Defaced
- HuffPost: Lao Buddhist Temple Story
- OC Register: New Buddhist Temple in Westminster
- ABC7: Buddhist Monk Accusations Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Buddhism
- Google Search: Sexual Assault in Religious Institutions
- Google Scholar: Religion and Sexual Violence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Buddhism
- Google News: Buddhist Nun Lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
