The Great Dilemma

Within the exiled community of Tibetan refugees in India, there is a sizeable group of Tibetans who are twice exiled and now living a life where “death threats, insults and ostracism are the order of the day.”

This arose after the Dalai Lama banned the worship of the Protector Buddha Dorje Shugden, an action which has shaken many Tibetan Buddhists to the core of their faith. How can this be happening within a people so loved and respected for their deeply spiritual practices?

This controversial ban has caused a massive divide in the Buddhist community. It has also created a huge dilemma for thousands around the world: to continue with the most precious practice they have held all their lives or to go against the Dalai Lama, a spiritual guide to many.

Some made their choice to keep the practice and have had to suffer the terrible consequences. One lady says that now, “We live in constant fear” of attacks while a Tibetan man shares that, “This ban stabs us right in our hearts.” Another monk says he wishes he was dead so he wouldn’t have to make this choice.

In spite of the tremendous pain they suffer, Dorje Shugden practitioners do not speak a bad word against the Dalai Lama, knowing how much he has done for the growth of Buddhism in the world. So why is there this seeming conflict? Why does the Dalai Lama proclaim that his own teachers are “wrong”? And why does he continue to speak in such contradictory terms?

Is there more to this than just a simple ban?

Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden Part 1

Or view the original video on YouTube

Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden Part 2

Or view the original video on YouTube

Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden Part 3

Or view the original video on YouTube

February 08, 2008 — Unpleasant facts from within the Tibetan community, easily forgotten. A film documentation of historical importance: For centuries the deity Dorje Shugden has been worshipped by the greatest and most important Buddhist masters, many of whom are among the most respected ones in the whole of Tibetan history.

Also by the Dalai Lama’s teacher Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang. If the Dalai Lama thinks that all the great masters were mistaken, he also denies them their qualification. Then the others would not be great masters.

Question:

All the great masters who have worshipped the deity for centuries, were they all wrong?

Dalai Lama:

Wrong! Yes, wrong!

The Dalai Lamas criticism and defamation of his own Root Guru created the schism of the Gelug order of Tibetan Buddhism and conflicts within the Tibetan community.

Documentation from January 5th, 1998 – 3 Parts video