Letter from Shugden Society USA:
To the Attention of the World Media
Today, April 5, 2010, marks the 14th anniversary of the appalling segregation and violation of the religion freedom initiated by the Tibetan Government-in-exile.
On April 5, 1996, after Dalai Lama's teaching, Gaden Choeling nunnery in Dharamsala dragged the Shugden statue out, trod on, and flung into a garbage pit. In this way the campaign of threatening and segregation of Dorje Shugden practitioners started.
We have to admit with regret that up to present the segregation campaign goes on throughout the world. The recent example of unfortunate developments is shutting down of Tibetan Association of Western Massachusetts, in US in October of 2008. The organization had been working to unite the Tibetan community, promote, and preserve Tibetan culture and traditions and the Tibetan cause as well.
In order to thwart such incidents, as well as to restore religious freedom, the Dorje Shugden Devotees Charitable and religious Society has been established fourteen years ago.
In 2008, the oath and signature campaign of breaking off religious and material relationship with Shugden devotees were introduced in the monasteries and Tibetan settlements. The implication resulted in the open segregation in the Tibetan society.
On February 20, 2010, when 68 of the 100 invited guests as well as performers left the wedding party in New York City because a few Dorje Shugden devotees were invited. Those who left apologized and explained that they did not want to break the oath that they had taken to segregate from the followers of Dorje Shugden.
As the devotees are suffering from abuses, discrimination, disparage and humiliation, the Dorje Shugden Devotees Charitable and Religious society has had no option but to file a writ petition in Delhi High Court; and the case is in progress presently. The Society is confident that the court will resolve the case in a just and expeditious manner. Many of the spiritual campaigns led by the civil society have triumphed, and these cases should inspire our cause and persuade the Tibetan Government in exile to give the humans rights to its own people.
Today we mark the 14th anniversary of the ban imposed on worship of the deity Dorje Shugden by the Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharamsala. In view of the history, we think it is important to observe the anniversary. In spite of impairment of our religious freedom, dignity and equality, we developed tolerance and understanding, and seek to live in peaceful co-existence. However, the repression continues to deteriorate with every passing year.
As Buddhists, we feel responsible for supporting and promoting honesty, good will, love, peace and harmony in society. We respect the diversity of religion, culture and traditions in the world.
May everyone relish religious freedom and peace!
