Response from H.H. the Dalai Lama

[DharmapalasDharma]

Here is my sent letter

Your Holiness,


I have not heard a reply back from you regarding the issue of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden. I am a strong supporter of your work to help Tibet. I just wish you would listen to the suffering of many of your fellow Tibetans who continue Shugden practice. You are the supreme refuge of  Tibetan Buddhists especially us Gelugpas, and yet you turn your back to the work of your precious teacher Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang Rinpoche. You are the most profound voice of the Vajrayana Buddhist Teachings and are also a Gelugpa yet you condemn your lineage masters. I find it very sad that monks have been kicked out of monasteries for their religious choices at the hands of the reincarnation of Chenrezig, The Bodhisattva of Compassion. You are not following the Buddhist Middle Way nor are you giving freedom and democracy to your people by banning the practice of Shugden.

I please beg you to lift the ban on Shugden practice so we can reunite the Tibetan Exile Community and the Gelugpa Monasteries together. I am a strong follower of your teachings but as Buddha would think I don't let dogma and irrational thinking control my practice


This is the text of the reply letter:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter regarding Dholgyal (Shugden) spirit.

Over the years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently and patiently discouraged Tibetan Buddhists from practicing or propitiating the Dholgyal (Shugden) spirit. The discouraging of the propitiation of Dholgyal lies in the interest of the people in general and the Buddha Dharma in particular. It is a spiritual endeavour started from the time of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama (1617-1682) and carried on through the ages by Tibet's most accomplished masters.

His Holiness has advised against the propitiation of Dholgyal on the grounds that such practices corrupt the profound and vast teachings of Buddhism, wherein our ultimate refuge is the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha. While the profound teachings of the Buddha are based on the two truths and the four Noble Truths, the appeasing and propitiating of Dholgyal to the extend it is done by those who do this practice, degenerate the Buddhist practice into a form of spirit worship. (At the same time, it is believed that the spirit in reality does more harm than good to its own followers eventually).

Proponents of this form of spirit have also resorted to violence by murdering three Tibetan monks in Dharamshala in February 1997 and also assaulting others who are suspected of opposing the propitiation of the Dholgyal spirit. Indian police blamed the killing on followers of Shugden or Dholgyal.

In light of these evidences and also there have been veiled threats against the security of His Holiness. Intelligence sources also have asked that His Holiness security be maintained at its highest alert wherever He goes.

We hope this answers your question.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Tsultrim Dorjee
Administrative Assistant


Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Thekchen Choeling
McLeod Ganj - 176 219
Dharamsala, (H.P.)
INDIA

Ph.: +91 (1892) 221343, 221879, 221210
Fax: +91 (1892) 221813
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dalailama.com


I wrote about how His Holiness is forgetting his own spiritual masters teachings and how I love His Holiness despite the ban,yet this is my reply.

[Lineageholder]

Good for you for taking action! 

It's a shame they replied with blatant lies.  This deceptive Administration is rotten to the core.

Never lose faith in Dharmapala Dorje Shugden, he's bigger than all this worldly politics.

[Lineageholder]

This doesn't bode well for the lifting of the ban after the Dalai Lama's retirement.  It's true that, if the reasons for the ban were those originally quoted, namely that the worship of Dorje Shugden harms the Dalai Lama's health and the cause of Tibetan independence, there wouldn't be any reason to continue the ban with the retirement of the Dalai Lama, but in recent years they have changed their reasons, which are now clearly that 'the worship of Dorje Shugden is non-Buddhist and Dorje Shugden harms his followers sooner or later'.

This could possibly be their justification for continuing the ban if the Dalai Lama retires, even though the reasons came from him.

[shugdenprotect]

I agree with Lingeageholder : good for you that you took action as change begins with action. Sometimes, we will not get the desired outcome immediately, but action and the "right" motivation can cause the manifestation of our goals.

It is disappointing to read a respond to such a serious matter that is not quite supported by more facts and solid arguments. However, being disappointed does not help. Instead, we need to persevere and consistently create the cause for the ban to be lifted so that Dorje Shugden practitioners are able to practice freely and without being exposed to great suffering.

I thank you DharmapalasDharma for acting to benefit others. I pray that yours and others action will eventually create the desired outcome.

[Vajraprotector]

Thank you DharmapalasDharma for voicing Shugden practitioners' concern to the TGIE.

I think the reasons have not changed, as far as I remember. There were 3 main reasons given to discourage the practice of Shugden:


1. Such practices degenerate the profound and vast teachings of Buddhism, wherein our ultimate refuge is the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. While the profound teachings of the Buddha are based on the two truths and the Four Noble Truths, the appeasing and propitiating of Dholgyal, to the extent it is done by those who do this practice, degenerate the Buddhist practice into a form of spirit worship.


2. It goes against His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s non-sectarian approach especially within the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. His Holiness himself practices teachings from the other traditions such as Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu simultaneously with the Geluk tradition and encourages others to do the same. However, the practice of Dholgyal is extremely sectarian.

3. The Dholgyal spirit has a long history of antagonistic attitude to the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan Government they head since the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Throughout that period, it has also been very controversial in both the Geluk and Sakya traditions. In fact, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama and the Great Thirteenth Dalai Lama, as well as many other prominent Tibetan lamas have categorically stated the harmful effects of this practice and have advised against the practice and propitiation of Dholgyal.

(from: http://www.westernshugdensociety.org/guest-blogs/reasons-for-shugden-ban/)


Looks like it's just parroting the reasons without much real explanation. I do think the TGIE can change the reasons of the ban if His Holiness went into clear light (perhaps they would even blame Shugden practitioners for it  !).

No matter what, I am sure that the many lamas who have stuck with Shugden, and the new monasteries of Shugden will not bow to the TGIE and give up their practice. Also, I doubt that TGIE will be an effective one once His Holiness goes into clear light (sorry, I do not wish this to happen, but it will happen eventually), and the real power to 'control' the Tibetans lies in His Holiness, whom the Tibetans believe is the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, and not the TGIE.

[beggar]

This doesn't bode well for the lifting of the ban after the Dalai Lama's retirement.  It's true that, if the reasons for the ban were those originally quoted, namely that the worship of Dorje Shugden harms the Dalai Lama's health and the cause of Tibetan independence, there wouldn't be any reason to continue the ban with the retirement of the Dalai Lama, but in recent years they have changed their reasons, which are now clearly that 'the worship of Dorje Shugden is non-Buddhist and Dorje Shugden harms his followers sooner or later'.

This could possibly be their justification for continuing the ban if the Dalai Lama retires, even though the reasons came from him.

Good point. However, the fickleness of the TGIE could be the very thing that causes their downfall. Isn't it convenient how their reasoning changes as times and situations change? It is not logical and sincere practitioners will start to question.

What is worrying thought is that many people will probably not think to question - what the government say may be gospel to many. This is why education is always important, not to challenge the government so much as to show them the logical, intelligent way to think. To show them the logic and proof of who Dorje Shugden really is and what his practice really is. The truth is stable, timeless and unchanging; compared to the fickleness and changing minds of the TGIE, I would say the truth will, as always, soon prevail.

[jessicajameson]

DharmapalasDharma! Amazing that you took action! It looks like a copy and paste reply from TGIE administration office though...I assume that they do get hundreds of these type of letters every week or every month!

[Mana]

While the profound teachings of the Buddha are based on the two truths and the four Noble Truths, the appeasing and propitiating of Dholgyal to the extend it is done by those who do this practice, degenerate the Buddhist practice into a form of spirit worship. (At the same time, it is believed that the spirit in reality does more harm than good to its own followers eventually).

It is the same old story told again and again and again, probably this is their standard letter which they send out in response to anyone who appeal on the Shugden issue.

Spirit Worship? Should ask them back, how about Nechung? Now that is a real and confirmed spirit. Well we will probably get no answer from them, either they are downright stumped or they just send out their "standard letter" whenever they receive an appeal letter about Shugden without reading it in detail.

In light of these evidences and also there have been veiled threats against the security of His Holiness. Intelligence sources also have asked that His Holiness security be maintained at its highest alert wherever He goes.

If Shugden is such a powerful spirit he does not need to manifest as an assasin, there are thousands of ways to kill a person. If Shugden is unable to shorten Dalai Lama's life, it could be

a. Shugden is not that powerful a spirit after all, then why fear him and ban him? There a many other evil spirits out there who are trying to harm the Dalai Lama, why just singled out Shugden?

or

b. Shugden is not a spirit

[Helena]

In time, even TGIE will run out of 'stories' to feed the 'ignorant people' of why the ban of Dorje Shugden should continue.

In time, with more clear and educational information on Dorje Shugden being available to dispel the misunderstanding, I strongly believe that TGIE's theory will not hold water for long.

Especially when everyone can see for themselves how the Shugden Lamas and Tulkus are returning, how Shugden monasteries are being built and thriving on their own and how Shugden practitioners are continuing with their practice peacefully despite what has been done to them - all these will speak the loudest for us all.

Soon, everyone - ignorant or not - will begin to question the validity of TGIE's claims and stance.

I believe, with time, WE ARE WINNING this war.

[triesa]

Especially when everyone can see for themselves how the Shugden Lamas and Tulkus are returning, how Shugden monasteries are being built and thriving on their own and how Shugden practitioners are continuing with their practice peacefully despite what has been done to them - all these will speak the loudest for us all
 

This point Helena pointed out is very true and valid. I have never heard of any Shugden Lamas condemning the Dalai Lama, on the contrary, they just keep to their practice peacefully and quitely. One example is the current incarnation of Trijang Rinpoche, he disrobed himself and quietly does his practice, he has never uttered a word against the Dalai Lama. Another example is the retired  101th Ganden Tripa, during his term as Ganden Tripa, he fullfilled his role but never said anything bad against the Dalai Lama on the issue of Dorje Shugden, upon the end of his term, he moved to Shar Ganden to do his practice.

[pgdharma]

In time, even TGIE will run out of 'stories' to feed the 'ignorant people' of why the ban of Dorje Shugden should continue.

In time, with more clear and educational information on Dorje Shugden being available to dispel the misunderstanding, I strongly believe that TGIE's theory will not hold water for long.

Especially when everyone can see for themselves how the Shugden Lamas and Tulkus are returning, how Shugden monasteries are being built and thriving on their own and how Shugden practitioners are continuing with their practice peacefully despite what has been done to them - all these will speak the loudest for us all.

Soon, everyone - ignorant or not - will begin to question the validity of TGIE's claims and stance.

I believe, with time, WE ARE WINNING this war.

Most people are curious  and are interested to find out the truth. With a website like dorjeshugden .com, they can read up and dispel the misunderstanding.  Even though dorje shugden practice is suppressed, yet we know that this practice is growing by the number of Shugden monasteries being built and the numbers of practitioners who still continue with their practice quietly and peacefully.

So, Helena, I too believe with time, WE ARE WINNING this war!!!

[Ensapa]

Thanks for sharing this letter, because it is sort of odd that the Dalai Lama cannot explain in detail why, but only make it a very general statement that it corrupts Buddhism as a whole. No further explanation at all of why is that so. I dont know if anyone has noticed but the Dalai Lama has never talked about Dorje Shugden and why not in great detail. All of them were very general statements that can barely be proven.

[vajratruth]

It is a futile exercise trying to reason with the Dalai Lama’s office and the CTA logically.  The Dorje Shugden ban is not based on logic but pure deception coupled by not-so-thinly veiled threats. It is not that the people upholding the ban do not know the truth, they do, but they are dishonest.

First they blame Shugden for the loss of Tibet to China and their failure to recover self-government of the country. Now over half a decade have passed and people are questioning why in spite of the ban and in spite of the fact that many have given up the practice, the Tibetans are still no where close to regaining their country. So this particular reason for banning the practice is exhausted.

Next they claim that Shugden’s practice imperils the Dalai Lama’s life and yet in 2006, in giving advice to people against Shugden The Dalai Lama himself had this to say about the expectations of the longevity of His Holiness’s life:

“This matter does not make any difference to me personally. Chiefly, it concerns the religious and political interests of Tibet. Two-thirds of my life has already been spent and there is no doubt that I will be able to complete the remaining portion of it in happiness”.

The Dalai Lama said this in 2006 when His Holiness was 71 years of age and if that represents only “two-thirds” of His Holiness’s life, clearly His Holiness expects ( with clairvoyance perhaps) to live past the ripe old age of a 100.  So what happened to Dorje Shugden being harmful to the Dalai Lama’s life and His Holiness’s own words say otherwise?  It is clear that not even the Dalai Lama believes that Dorje Shugden is a threat to His Holiness’s life and therefore this reason is also done with.

Now they are saying that the practice of Dorje Shugden destroys the Buddha’s teachings. On the contrary it is clear that the Dharma has spread widely because of Dorje Shugden practitioners. The fastest growing Buddhist centres in the world are those practicing Dorje Shugden. Even in India, the growth of Shar Ganden and the recent opening of Serpom Monastery points to the fact that Dorje Shugden is synonymous to the growth of the Buddha’s teachings and in each of these centers, members go only to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha  for refuge and no one else.  Ironically, FPMT , one of the largest Buddhist centres in the world (that has since been hijacked) was founded by a prolific Shugden practitioner, Lama Yeshe. How can it be said that Dorje Shugden practice opposes the Dharma when the Protector’s prime function is to protect the Dharma and has done so impeccably and evidently.

As for Dorje Shugden doing more harm than good to its followers, the best rebuttal comes from none other than the Dalai Lama himself:

Allaying any fears Tibetans may have about ceasing to propitiate Dolgyal, His Holiness said: "Lamas, Geshes, religious students, and laity need not fear that they will be harmed if they stop propitiating Dolgyal. Nothing will happen. I will face the challenge. As Gelugpas, recite the migtse ma prayer, it will be enough if you also recite the Condensed Extensive Praise to Dharmaraja (Choegyal Gyi Toepa Kyangkumma). No harm will befall you." [Extracted from the Dalai Lama’s website]

It makes no sense to claim that a spirit will harm its followers so long as the followers are propitiating it and making offerings to it but is completely fine when the followers abandon it.  If such a spirit is indeed so benign, what is there to fear? The fact that more and more people are practicing Dorje Shugden is because they experience the true benefits of the Dharma through it! Otherwise, why keep practicing it? In any case, the statement of the Dalai Lama confirms that Dorje Shugden is not harmful at all. How can a Buddha be harmful? But it is wonderful that His Holiness mentions the Mistsema, the beautiful mantra of Je Tsongkhapa in context of Dorje Shugden because I, like so many Shugdenpas always recite the Migtsema alongside the Protector’s mantra, asking Dorje Shugden to assist in our learning and understanding of the Buddha’s Dharma as elucidated by the illustrious Je Tsongkhapa.
 

[dsiluvu]

His Holiness has advised against the propitiation of Dholgyal on the grounds that such practices corrupt the profound and vast teachings of Buddhism, wherein our ultimate refuge is the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha. While the profound teachings of the Buddha are based on the two truths and the four Noble Truths, the appeasing and propitiating of Dholgyal to the extend it is done by those who do this practice, degenerate the Buddhist practice into a form of spirit worship. (At the same time, it is believed that the spirit in reality does more harm than good to its own followers eventually).

If those who do this practice, degenerate the Buddhist practice into a form of spirit worship... then what do you call "Nechung"? They even have a monastery for him and the whole nations relies on Nechung to help them make major decisions even though there are many time Nechug has given wrong predictions and advice. Like if HHDL followed Nechung's advice to stay back in Tibet during the Chinese invasion... we probably would not see HHDL now. So how is it that an evil spirit like Shugden actually be the one to help HHDL escape from Tibet? If Shugden really caould and would harm HHDL, why did Shugden bothered to save His Holiness then... that would have been the perfect time to just end His Holiness life.

Proponents of this form of spirit have also resorted to violence by murdering three Tibetan monks in Dharamshala in February 1997 and also assaulting others who are suspected of opposing the propitiation of the Dholgyal spirit. Indian police blamed the killing on followers of Shugden or Dholgyal.

Even if this was true... it does not mean that Dorje Shugden practice is bad in any way... if you stereotype DOrje Shugden practice due to some murder, then we might as well Ban every single religion on this planet especially Muslim and Christianity! How ridiculous and how do we not know that it is a plot created by the Tibetan Govt themselves?

[Ensapa]

Now they are saying that the practice of Dorje Shugden destroys the Buddha’s teachings. On the contrary it is clear that the Dharma has spread widely because of Dorje Shugden practitioners. The fastest growing Buddhist centres in the world are those practicing Dorje Shugden. Even in India, the growth of Shar Ganden and the recent opening of Serpom Monastery points to the fact that Dorje Shugden is synonymous to the growth of the Buddha’s teachings and in each of these centers, members go only to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha  for refuge and no one else.  Ironically, FPMT , one of the largest Buddhist centres in the world (that has since been hijacked) was founded by a prolific Shugden practitioner, Lama Yeshe. How can it be said that Dorje Shugden practice opposes the Dharma when the Protector’s prime function is to protect the Dharma and has done so impeccably and evidently.

A little correction here: when Lama Yeshe was alive and when the ban has not started yet, FPMT was the fastest growing Buddhist institution. Centers mushroomed everywhere around the world and in some countries there are even multiple FPMT centers. When Lama Yeshe passed on and when FPMT committees decide that it would be better to be politically correct, the growth of FPMT centers suddenly stopped. Not much new news from them and even their websites are no longer updated. Im not sure if you noticed, but that is what i noticed and it was very glaring.