Conflicts within the Tibetan society related to religion: The Shugden issue

[WisdomBeing]

This is a preliminary report prepared by Otto Kolbl from the University of Lausanne on "A community-based model of development with Tibetan characteristics". What i wanted to highlight from this report was this section on how the Dorje Shugden ban has affected Tibetan society: "Conflicts within the Tibetan society related to religion: The Shugden issue".

At first, when i read this report, I was quite shocked to learn that the Tibetans have more of an issue with Dorje Shugden practitioners than with the Han or Hui Chinese. From most of the Tibetan news we receive, it is how the Tibetans are being tortured and oppressed by the Chinese. The writer of this document, Kolbl, has spent time living in the communities so I am inclined to believe his observations. Also, the document appears quite objective, though i must confess i haven't finished reading the entire document but just skimmed through the rest.

However, upon reflection, I realised that because HH the Dalai Lama has such a strong influence on the Tibetans in general, and that the Dharma is not strong in most of the Tibetans though they proclaim themselves Buddhists, they just operate from blind faith. They will not consider, or even think of considering, the nuances of the Dorje Shugden controversy and probably not even read HH Trijang Rinpoche's texts. All they live by is what HH the Dalai Lama says and if the Dalai Lama says that Shugden is wrong, they accept it at face value and propagate it.

According to this report, the Chinese authorities have contributed towards the economic growth in Tibet hence creating a better living environment, which may explain the lesser amount of hostility towards the Han or Hui Chinese. In fact, it is ironic that the "Han and Hui Chinese are the only link between them." ('them' refers to the Shugden practitioners and those who do not practice).

In conclusion, Kolbl says, "Such conflicts are extremely harmful to the economic and social development of the Tibetan society. Solving them through mutual tolerance and compassion should be considered to be a priority." Of course conflict of any kind is detrimental to society so how do we move forward from here? Mutual tolerance and compassion means the lifting of the ban so that Tibetan society is no longer divided by a religion which is itself said to be so vehemently against schism.

Conflicts within the Tibetan society related to religion: The Shugden issue
http://www.rainbowbuilders.org/Tibet/Tibet-development.pdf (pg 20)

Another fracture within the Tibetan society is also a serious threat to its development: the controversy around the Shugden deity (or demon) has led to a deep rift between two communities: those who worship Shugden and those who don't. It is difficult to get a clear picture of the consequences of this problem across the Tibetan areas. Such conflicts are often hidden below the surface: everything looks quiet and peaceful, but when you get a deeper insight, you realize that there are two Tibetan communities which avoid any kind of contact.

Despite language problems and conflicts of interest, the relationship between the different ethnic communities works quite smoothly in the Tibetan areas. I have never heard a Tibetan telling me: "The Han Chinese (or the Hui Chinese) are our enemies". The only time I heard a Tibetan use the word "enemy", she used it to qualify Tibetans who worship the Shugden deity. In that place, this conflict has led to the Tibetan community being split in two, with both sides not even talking to each other. Han and Hui Chinese are the only link between them.

Traditionally, the Tibetan society was always based on religious tolerance. This tolerance is quite common in Asian cultures; however, in most cultures of the continent, religion does not have the huge importance which Buddhism has got in the Tibetan society. Despite this, various Buddhist sects and the animist Bön religion have always coexisted quite peacefully in the past. The conflict around the Shugden cult could potentially have the same catastrophic impact on the Tibetan society as the conflict between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama which started in the 1920ies and led to a deep rift for several decades.

Such conflicts are extremely harmful to the economic and social development of the Tibetan society. Solving them through mutual tolerance and compassion should be considered to be a priority. The way in which these conflicts materialize at the level of religious and political leaders grabs some attention by Western specialists and media; the consequences on the society in the Tibetan areas are hardly ever mentioned.

[Ensapa]

i dont believe that the ban is prevalent or upheld in Tibet proper or China because we have been reading and seeing pictures and articles of so many Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet proper. I dont believe either when they say that Buddhism in Tibet is declining because there are many reports and pictures here of monks teaching in Tibet proper as well. Perhaps a few people in Tibet would adhere to the Dalai Lama's non-Shugden stance, but not much as the ban's effect is more pronounced in Dharamsala and in the international Buddhist community, especially in the west, among Buddhist followers who are more starstruck by the Dalai Lama's charisma that really give Dorje Shugden practitioners a hard time.

[Tenzin Malgyur]

It is sad to note that because of the strong effect HH Dalai Lama have on the Tibetans, they are blindly following whatever information that is presented to them at the face value without putting in some rational thoughts. Even with a better living environment as a result of the contribution from the economic growth promoted by the Chinese government, some Tibetans are still ostracized due to their religious difference. And it is distressing to know that Tibetans are declaring enemies among themselves.(the non Shugden and Shugden worshippers). Looks like the ban on Dorje Shugden is having a much more impact than just on a religious level. Hopefully the ban could be lifted very soon so that all Tibetans can unite and move forward.

[christine V]

Isn't that is very sad that Tibetan are divided into two because of Dorje Shugden issues? Between them the link who linked them is Chinese/Han which is actually consider to be their "enemy". This is like in a family 2 brothers are fighting not talking to each other. Ironically, the only link they have is an outsider who wanted to take over their family property so much. IF I do not mistaken, the China Central Government actually shift some Han/ Chinese peoples to Tibetan in order to "mix" their culture or to get Chinese Culture become influential to Tibetan. And now, their are the link to the Tibetan. So, you can imagine. What have Tibetan change to now? More to Chinese Culture? Still maintain Tibetan culture? In this case, the percentage for Dalai Lama to returned to Tibet is not that bright.

Not only just Tibetan "blindly" followed what have Dalai Lama said. Out of Tibetan, many of the Dalai Lama Follower's are too not check properly on the issues of Dorje Shugden. Thus, i think some of them choose to be cruel to Dorje Shugden's followers because of all this blind faith, which believes that Dorje Shugden is a spirit. They act violently to show that their strong to ban Dorje Shugden followers. Instead if they are really strong, they have returned to their Homeland - Tibetan long ago. I can only said, the violent that show to Dorje Shugden's follower is just another way to let go their frust.

 

[vajratruth]

Such conflicts are extremely harmful to the economic and social development of the Tibetan society. Solving them through mutual tolerance and compassion should be considered to be a priority. The way in which these conflicts materialize at the level of religious and political leaders grabs some attention by Western specialists and media; the consequences on the society in the Tibetan areas are hardly ever mentioned.

What is truly surprising is how something so obvious to others is being totally ignored by the Tibetan government. It is precisely this disharmony that makes it difficult for the Tibetan cause to receive the full support it deserves and to think that at a time when the Tibetan government should be looking for ways to unite the people, they are indeed inducing splits within the community.

The CTA regards the Chinese as the enemy and yet non-Shugden Tibetans regard Shudenpas as the enemy on the back if misleading claims that Dorje Shugden is harmful to the Dalai Lama as well as Tibet's fight for freedom. How can the Tibetans identify two very separate enemies and as long as this misunderstanding persists, how far can the Tibetan cause go? This Dorje Shugden ban is indeed the best gift the Chinese government has ever received from the CTA who on their own have divided the nation and allowed it to stay conquered for over half a century.

As the article correctly noted, the ban is hardly even mentioned by the Western media and for all the speeches that foreign government officials have made to call on the Chinese to review their policy of "oppression", the same call should be made to the Tibetan government to end their own oppression and to repair the rift that its ban has left on the Tibetan society. The only reason I can think of that such calls and demands have not been made to the CTA is because the Westerns are not genuinely that interested in the welfare of the Tibetans themselves, but find the Tibetan issue useful to justify their criticism of China, a country they are afraid of and yet must respect. But what of the CTA? Perhaps they too have more to gain by staying in exile and therefore it is necessary to keep the people divided.

[Ensapa]

As the article correctly noted, the ban is hardly even mentioned by the Western media and for all the speeches that foreign government officials have made to call on the Chinese to review their policy of "oppression", the same call should be made to the Tibetan government to end their own oppression and to repair the rift that its ban has left on the Tibetan society. The only reason I can think of that such calls and demands have not been made to the CTA is because the Westerns are not genuinely that interested in the welfare of the Tibetans themselves, but find the Tibetan issue useful to justify their criticism of China, a country they are afraid of and yet must respect. But what of the CTA? Perhaps they too have more to gain by staying in exile and therefore it is necessary to keep the people divided.

The Dalai Lama does have a lot more to gain in exile as compared to in Tibet. In Dharamsala, he gets support from the Indian government, the CIA and the rest of the world. he can give teachings at will, travel everywhere without the need to go through too much paperwork and have a lot of influence over many people. So why would he want to go back to Tibet where his powers are only limited to the Tibetans? With that said, many western students are more intellectual than the Tibetans who believe him merely out of blind faith and I am sure HHDL prefers these kind of students as opposed to those who blindly believe in him. If he moves back into Tibet, he would lose all these.

[WisdomBeing]

The exile of the HH Dalai Lama contributed tremendously to the growth of Buddhism at large - when he left Tibet, the Dalai Lama was catapulted into the media stratosphere where he became world renowned practically overnight. He also became synonymous with Buddhism, though Tibetan Buddhism was not well known at the time. There are several different schools of Buddhism and great Buddhist masters all over the world, but why is the Dalai Lama so well known and seen as the ultimate authority? It is because he was seen as personifying Tibet, its rich rituals and mysterious mysticism, and of course, as the underdog and victim of China's bullying might. 

With the support of many political personalities and media attention, the romantic notion of Tibet was quickly adopted by many westerners who wished to adopt this cause. Because of this, Tibetan Buddhism was suddenly spread all over the world and grew at a rapid rate. As the Dalai Lama became more and more the figure head of Buddhism, his teachings became accepted as gospel and thus his decree on the Dorje Shugden ban was devastating to Dorje Shugden practitioners world wide.

While i do not wish to be disrespectful to the Dalai Lama, and regardless of the merits of the "bigger picture", people have suffered because of this ban. Let us never forget those who suffered.

[Ensapa]

The exile of the HH Dalai Lama contributed tremendously to the growth of Buddhism at large - when he left Tibet, the Dalai Lama was catapulted into the media stratosphere where he became world renowned practically overnight. He also became synonymous with Buddhism, though Tibetan Buddhism was not well known at the time. There are several different schools of Buddhism and great Buddhist masters all over the world, but why is the Dalai Lama so well known and seen as the ultimate authority? It is because he was seen as personifying Tibet, its rich rituals and mysterious mysticism, and of course, as the underdog and victim of China's bullying might. 

With the support of many political personalities and media attention, the romantic notion of Tibet was quickly adopted by many westerners who wished to adopt this cause. Because of this, Tibetan Buddhism was suddenly spread all over the world and grew at a rapid rate. As the Dalai Lama became more and more the figure head of Buddhism, his teachings became accepted as gospel and thus his decree on the Dorje Shugden ban was devastating to Dorje Shugden practitioners world wide.

While i do not wish to be disrespectful to the Dalai Lama, and regardless of the merits of the "bigger picture", people have suffered because of this ban. Let us never forget those who suffered.

the Dalai Lama's contribution to the role of Buddhism in the world cannot be denied by anyone at all, but neither has the damage that the Dorje Shugden ban has caused and also the split between Ganden Shartse and Shar Ganden, and the expulsion of many qualified Lamas who have done nothing wrong but just to follow their Lineage Guru. It has also caused many monks to violate their vows by forcing the monks in every monastery to swear that they do not practice Dorje Shugden as swearing is not allowed in the Vinaya. All of these damages have repercussions and it will not be a smooth ride for the CTA.