The Dalai Lama Had To Do It.

[vajratruth]

We have often asked why the Dalai Lama imposed a ban on a practice that His Holiness himself undertook for quite a long time. A practice that was given to him by a beloved teacher and a most eminent Master, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Why did the Dalai Lama take such a drastic actions that he must have known would tear the community apart and make himself look grotesque beside the picture of compassion, love and tolerance that is Buddhism's image?

Well, we now have the benefit of hindsight and we look back at events that have unfolded, while bearing in mind the Dalai Lama's role has always been to preserve and spread the Dharma as far as possible.

The Tibetan government in exile has proven to be inept and struck by incompetence and paralysis at every important juncture of their function. In over 50 years, they hardly achieved anything despite the Dalai Lama paving the way for them to reach the world stage. They busy themselves with mundane issues and fail to hold their people together to the critical point where ordinary Tibetans are burning themselves up, out of sheer frustration and loss of hope. To do the job their elected representatives were supposed to do. We see clearly now, how the people's own government are corrupt and have failed to manage the affairs of state fairly and compassionately. We see clearly how they cower in the face of injustice being inflicted on their own people and how scared and reluctant they are to face responsibilities without having to use the Dalai Lama as a crutch.

And we see clear evidence of how weak the sangha community has become, so ready to break their vows at the drop of a hat. We see how they readily so many trade spiritual correctness and devotion to the lineage gurus to secure a whiff of political favour. We see how easily they forget their training of wisdom and compassion and how willing they are to see their own members being persecuted, and even partaking in the torture. We see sectarian jealousies and we see monks turn on their masters and patrons. We see how easily they give up their faith.

Then we see how lost the Tibetans are. How easily swayed they are to follow misleading directions - can these people preserve an ancient culture and its values in the face of an onslaught of modernity? We see how small their numbers are and how weak the race has become.

Can these people - the Tibetan Government, the general Tibetan monastic community, and the disenfranchised Tibetans spread the Dharma to the world? Can they muster up enough courage and strength to preserve the Buddha's teachings in a degenerated world? Can they carry the precious lineage of Dorje Shugden, which is the arrowhead of Tsongkhapa's teachings to the world? Can they influence a powerful emerging nation that will no doubt influence the world, to take up and champion an important practice when previously it deemed religion to be poison?

No, they could have not have for sure and the Dorje Shugden practice, so desperately needed during these times, would become another attrition of the Tibetan decay. Their attitude, behaviour and response to the tests set by the Dalai Lama in his clairvoyance, answered definitively that the days are over when Tibetans were suitable guardians of the precious high Dharma. There is no more unassailable conviction and immutable faith in there. And so to survive and grow, the strong seeds of Dorje Shugden and Dharma had to be expelled just like a tree expels its seeds far beyond its shadow...so that the line may survive, grow and flourish. The Dalai Lama did what no one was able to do effectively. He had to cast the bitter pill that humanity so badly needs, and that is totally in character with Avalokiteshvara's nature.

I wonder how history will judge the 14th Dalai Lama. However His Holiness is judged, there is no denying that the sacrifice of his own name and reputation has caused the practice to spread and for Buddhism in general to grow so tremendously. The Dalai Lama is aware of human being's sick  attraction to scandals and controversies and so His Holiness created a major one, and summoned a product of samsara and made it serve the Dharma. May His Holiness, Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama live long and see the the world embrace Dorje Shugden as the Uncommon Protector of our time.

[Ensapa]

very nice observations, Vajratruth. The Tibetan government has time and time again proven that they are incapable of running a government and they have been using the Dalai Lama and Buddhism as a crutch all along to justify whatever failures or wrongdoings they may have done. A very clear example is how during the 5th Dalai Lama's time, the Jonang school was closed down on the excuse that their philosophy of shentong is wrong from a Buddhist point of view and now HHDL has said that it was closed down purely due to political reasons. 350 years for a confession and apology....interesting. Would Dorje Shugden be the next? What about the bannings of other Rinpoches from reincarnating purely due to political reasons?

[dsdisciple]

VT love your descriptions / observations... I totally agree that the mixing of politics and dharma is coming to an end...the next generation of DS dharma teachers arising...and DS practice on a world stage.

The sole focus of dharma teachers is to:
a) teach the Dharma.
b) spread the Dharma (plant seeds).

In that respect, HHDL has does this perfectly for many students around the world, generating acceptance and interest in the Buddha's teachings.

In my humble opinion HHDL shows us practitioners his true qualities as a Buddha and Buddhist practitioner with his actions...is he not reflecting the actions of practitioners who would mix politics and dharma.

Many teachers have left clear teachings regarding the DS issue...it is a shame that Tibetans choose not to follow the advice of their lineage masters / gurus.

Clearly the answer is if their is a separation of politics and dharma...their is a middle way.
Respect HHDL follow Lineage Lamas / Gurus...DS practice and Lineage...will grow and benefit the world.
Arise DS your time is Now!

xo

[Ensapa]

VT love your descriptions / observations... I totally agree that the mixing of politics and dharma is coming to an end...the next generation of DS dharma teachers arising...and DS practice on a world stage.

The sole focus of dharma teachers is to:
a) teach the Dharma.
b) spread the Dharma (plant seeds).

In that respect, HHDL has does this perfectly for many students around the world, generating acceptance and interest in the Buddha's teachings.

In my humble opinion HHDL shows us practitioners his true qualities as a Buddha and Buddhist practitioner with his actions...is he not reflecting the actions of practitioners who would mix politics and dharma.

Many teachers have left clear teachings regarding the DS issue...it is a shame that Tibetans choose not to follow the advice of their lineage masters / gurus.

Clearly the answer is if their is a separation of politics and dharma...their is a middle way.
Respect HHDL follow Lineage Lamas / Gurus...DS practice and Lineage...will grow and benefit the world.
Arise DS your time is Now!

xo

The very fact that the Tibetan government enforces bans against Dorje Shugden is already a very bad sign. Governments SHOULD NOT enforce spiritual edicts. If they do its not much different than the taliban who find it necessary to enforce their idea of how things should be. So in essence, what they are doing is the same as those terrorists who stick to the fundamental version of their religion and hurting others in the process, believing that they are doing the world some good. CTA is not that different from the taliban or the infamous westbro church in that sense and they should really re-evaluate their Dharma practice, if they're Buddhist at all for enforcing such a morally incorrect ban.

[AnneQ]

Thank you vajratruth for this post. The reason you stated on why the Dalai Lama had to impose the ban in order to spread the word of Dharma and inadvertently the DS practice is indeed valid.

Can these people - the Tibetan Government, the general Tibetan monastic community, and the disenfranchised Tibetans spread the Dharma to the world? Can they muster up enough courage and strength to preserve the Buddha's teachings in a degenerated world? Can they carry the precious lineage of Dorje Shugden, which is the arrowhead of Tsongkhapa's teachings to the world? Can they influence a powerful emerging nation that will no doubt influence the world, to take up and champion an important practice when previously it deemed religion to be poison?

No, they could have not have for sure and the Dorje Shugden practice, so desperately needed during these times, would become another attrition of the Tibetan decay. Their attitude, behaviour and response to the tests set by the Dalai Lama in his clairvoyance, answered definitively that the days are over when Tibetans were suitable guardians of the precious high Dharma. There is no more unassailable conviction and immutable faith in there. And so to survive and grow, the strong seeds of Dorje Shugden and Dharma had to be expelled just like a tree expels its seeds far beyond its shadow...so that the line may survive, grow and flourish. The Dalai Lama did what no one was able to do effectively. He had to cast the bitter pill that humanity so badly needs, and that is totally in character with Avalokiteshvara's nature.

HHDL had realised the the CTA is too weak to propagate the cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism and if it was left to its mediocre ways, Tibet and all its rich culture and practices will sink into oblivion. Hence, with the imposition of the scandalous ban, the world woke up to take notice, especially China, the future economic powerhouse, who embraced the DS practice and even began the process to soften its hard stance on Tibetan issues by improving the lives of Tibetans on the whole. May I even be bold to suggest that HHDL, by encouraging the ban, had actually saved Tibet and Tibetan culture in China because it took China's focus away from persecuting/executing the Tibetans to trying to help them get back on their feet.

[Ensapa]

HHDL had realised the the CTA is too weak to propagate the cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism and if it was left to its mediocre ways, Tibet and all its rich culture and practices will sink into oblivion. Hence, with the imposition of the scandalous ban, the world woke up to take notice, especially China, the future economic powerhouse, who embraced the DS practice and even began the process to soften its hard stance on Tibetan issues by improving the lives of Tibetans on the whole. May I even be bold to suggest that HHDL, by encouraging the ban, had actually saved Tibet and Tibetan culture in China because it took China's focus away from persecuting/executing the Tibetans to trying to help them get back on their feet.

The CTA has always been weak even when they were still in Tibet. They couldnt do anything that the 13th Dalai Lama wanted them to do. It's not a huge surprise that they continued the same mentality now and brand it as 'their culture'. They should improve and not rely on ways that do not benefit anyone at all such as enforcing spiritual edicts and dipping their hands into spiritual affairs as that is not what governments are supposed to do. Governments are supposed to protect the people, not impose their religious beliefs on them. As long as they do not dare to stand up against the Dalai Lama's edicts and tell him that as a government they should have no say in the Dorje Shugden issue, they will never make any progress with China.

[WisdomBeing]

The weakness of the CTA is rooted in the fact that it has never fully operated while in exile. Let us look briefly at the recent history - The Dalai Lama who was the head of the CTA until 2011 officially resigned from secular authority over the Tibetan community in March 2011 - this was ratified in May 2011. The leader of the CTA is now the Sikyong, Dr Lobsang Sangye, who may be a Harvard scholar but he has not had any experience participating in, let alone running. a government. Dr Sangye was elected in April 2011 though only took office four months later in August so it has been a year and few months – what has he achieved? Not much. People still see the Dalai Lama as the temporal and spiritual head of Tibet. If the CTA was really serious about its position, the CTA could really make a change from this perception by releasing the ban on Dorje Shugden. This would achieve:

• The affirmation that the CTA is autonomous and is secular – thus separate from spiritual matters.
• The CTA cares about democracy and human rights – nobody should suffer from ostracisation or apartheid system as currently imposed on Dorje Shugden practitioners.
• The CTA is not archaic but operating within the modern world, allowing religious freedom.
• The CTA is not superstitious and does not believe that any spiritual practice could hold back Tibetan independence or shorten the life of the Dalai Lama.
• The CTA in fact respects the position of the Dalai Lama by believing that no spiritual practice could harm him.
  
  

[beggar]

A beautiful piece Vajratruth, some wonderful observations.

May I add:

It seems to NOT be a coincidence that while the Dalai Lama has imposed this ban on Dorje Shugden throughout the Tibetan community across India / Nepal etc. some of the greatest, fastest-rising Lamas in the West are very strong Shugden practitioners.

ALSO, while everybody in the world is banned from practicising Dorje Shugden, the Dalai Lama has given the sole exception to the young Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, who as we know is now beginning to emerge in the world as a great teacher in his own right again. (This post shared wonderful news about Trijang Rinpoche being in Europe recently and conferring initiations. The legacy of his previous life begins again! http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=2869) Trijang Rinpoche alone has a tremendous following, both students from his previous life as well as in this life - he alone will be able to spread the teachings to a very far extent.

Dorje Shugden practitioners are "expelled" from their monasteries and all connections with them are severed. But they are still flourishing around the world. The NKT centers under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Dagom Rinpoche's institution DGTL, Gonsar Rinpoche and Geshe Rabten's centers throughout Europe, Serkong Tritul Rinpoche's enormous temples around Asia and the Pacific... are these not signs that there is a whole other group of lamas "picking up where the Dalai Lama has left off"? I think so.

After all, Buddhism does not belong only to Tibetans. A person may be Tibetan in this life but an American in his next. We are always taught that it is the mind that matters, not our temporal nationalities of this life. So while Tibet might now be "lost" its legacy to the world has been its religion. The Tibetans themselves might be scattered and disjointed all over the world so the preciousness of the teachings have to be preserved some other way - the lamas, by their great compassion, have taken it out to the rest of us around the world. This includes the Dalai Lama also, who has made Buddhism universally accepted in almost every country in the world now. So when the more "secret" teachings of tantra, its initiations and protectors are brought out to the world, it is also becoming easier and easier for people to accept.

The ban on Dorje Shugden doesn't serve to curb the practice. Instead, it ends the chapter of an old Tibet and ushers in a new generation of new lamas, new students, adopting new methods around the world where it is totally acceptable to practice Dorje Shugden, without being called a traitor or having to suffer discrimination for it. The new generation of Lamas around the world who have been "cast out" of the traditional Tibetan societies, now teach modern, educated practitioners who won't engage or stop a practice simply because they are told to - in the rest of the outside world, practitioners are applying logic, thought and understanding to their practices. This is precisely why Dorje Shugden will only continue to grow because the teachings about his practice are logical, while reasonings for the ban are not.

[christine V]

This is a very good write-ups. Its explain logically why Dalai Lama imposed on this ban.

Many of the articles have been scolding the Dalai Lama for having this ban, many not believes that the Dalai Lama could be this "ridiculous" to have this banned on. Seem H.H was making a "big mistake" to ban on Dorje Shugden practices; where many evidences showed that Dorje Shugden is the right Protector for this time. I was having doubt on the purposed on H.H Dalai Lama of having this banned. If H.H is the emanation of Avalokiteshvara, it is impossible H.H can't recognize Dorje Shugden as a protector and not a spirit. I just could not believed that. 

From this article, it is more logical on the reason that H.H banned on Dorje Shugden practice. From what have Vajratruth said "

Code: [Select]

strong seeds of Dorje Shugden and Dharma had to be expelled just like a tree expels its seeds far beyond its shadow...so that the line may survive, grow and flourish. The Dalai Lama did what no one was able to do effectively. He had to cast the bitter pill that humanity so badly needs, and that is totally in character with Avalokiteshvara's nature."
Since China "have" Tibet, the Dharma seem impossible to grow without the interruption from the political issues. We are able to see that the China Government even have the Panchen Lama by their selection to try to influence the Tibetan. In this situation, the Pure Lineage of Dharma can't be possible to pass down.

The add on from Beggar

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"The ban on Dorje Shugden doesn't serve to curb the practice. Instead, it ends the chapter of an old Tibet and ushers in a new generation of new lamas, new students, adopting new methods around the world where it is totally acceptable to practice Dorje Shugden, without being called a traitor or having to suffer discrimination for it. The new generation of Lamas around the world who have been "cast out" of the traditional Tibetan societies, now teach modern, educated practitioners who won't engage or stop a practice simply because they are told to - in the rest of the outside world, practitioners are applying logic, thought and understanding to their practices. This is precisely why Dorje Shugden will only continue to grow because the teachings about his practice are logical, while reasonings for the ban are not. "
The add on from Beggar have clearly explain by logic the reason on this banned.

Thank you VT and Beggar for dispelling the darkness and reveal the truth.

[dondrup]

Vajratruth has summed up very well the entire issues on the ban on Dorje Shugden, the controversy surrounding the practice of Dorje Shugden, the illogical and hard-to-comprehend move by HH Dalai Lama, the sufferings of those affected by the ban and so on.

In this degenerate time, the World needs an uncommon protector like Dorje Shugden and a spiritual leader like HH Dalai Lama to spread the Dorje Shugden practice far and wide.  No other lamas could do it better than HH Dalai Lama because HH Dalai Lama is none other than Chenrezig – the Buddha of Compassion!

[Ensapa]

Dorje Shugden practitioners are "expelled" from their monasteries and all connections with them are severed. But they are still flourishing around the world. The NKT centers under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Dagom Rinpoche's institution DGTL, Gonsar Rinpoche and Geshe Rabten's centers throughout Europe, Serkong Tritul Rinpoche's enormous temples around Asia and the Pacific... are these not signs that there is a whole other group of lamas "picking up where the Dalai Lama has left off"? I think so.

I have noticed this glaring problem as well: there are currently no non Dorje Shugden Gelug Lamas who have 'made it' in the world so far: opening well known temples or establish their own network of students. Zilch. nada. FPMT is supposed to be a non Dorje Shugden center but Lama Zopa is still a practitioner even though he does not admit it publicly. I mean, how did the ban benefit the Gelugs in any way other than making them weak? Despite the many problems and bans against Dorje Shugden, their practitioners only show more tenacity and courage and are expanding more rapidly than ever before.

[vajratruth]

The ban on Dorje Shugden doesn't serve to curb the practice. Instead, it ends the chapter of an old Tibet and ushers in a new generation of new lamas, new students, adopting new methods around the world where it is totally acceptable to practice Dorje Shugden, without being called a traitor or having to suffer discrimination for it. The new generation of Lamas around the world who have been "cast out" of the traditional Tibetan societies, now teach modern, educated practitioners who won't engage or stop a practice simply because they are told to - in the rest of the outside world, practitioners are applying logic, thought and understanding to their practices. This is precisely why Dorje Shugden will only continue to grow because the teachings about his practice are logical, while reasonings for the ban are not.

We have the Tibetan Lamas to thank for preserving the various lineages and keeping the traditions and they did that very well. But like all things, Buddhism must evolve in its approach, style and language. Taking for instance the people reading this post -  I would imagine that very few of us studied Buddhism, and have received the Dorje Shugden lineage from a guru in a Tibetan monastery but instead from lamas who chose to move out or were "cast out" because of the Shugden ban. The ban has had 3 very clear effects: (i) it has driven the deep desire of Shugden practitioners to spread it even more to counter the effects of the ban; (ii) it created the cause for the powerhouse China to take up and spread the Shugden practice; (iii) it caused Shugden lamas to take the practice to all over the West. The bottom line is clearly the practice has grown tremendously because of the Dalai Lama's "ban".

Imagine this, the total population of the Tibetans in exile is say 100,000 to 130,000 (depending on which set of statistics you accept). If there had not been a ban and everyone in the exiled Tibetan community practiced it (which wasn't the case pre the ban), you would have a total of some 130,000 Shugden practitioners, with the number growing organically as there would no special attention paid to spread the lineage. Look at its growth potential now in China with a population of over 1.3Billion people. I think with the Chinese Government's encouragement, the Shugden practice is guaranteed to exceed 0.01% of China's population. That is not counting the spread of the practice outside China.

[Ensapa]

We have the Tibetan Lamas to thank for preserving the various lineages and keeping the traditions and they did that very well. But like all things, Buddhism must evolve in its approach, style and language. Taking for instance the people reading this post -  I would imagine that very few of us studied Buddhism, and have received the Dorje Shugden lineage from a guru in a Tibetan monastery but instead from lamas who chose to move out or were "cast out" because of the Shugden ban. The ban has had 3 very clear effects: (i) it has driven the deep desire of Shugden practitioners to spread it even more to counter the effects of the ban; (ii) it created the cause for the powerhouse China to take up and spread the Shugden practice; (iii) it caused Shugden lamas to take the practice to all over the West. The bottom line is clearly the practice has grown tremendously because of the Dalai Lama's "ban".

Yo got it spot on again Vajratruth -- if not for the ban, most high lamas would still be staying in Tibet or within the confines of Dharamsala. They would not be able to thrive as CTA is weak and they can barely support themselves, so how is it that they can support the great monasteries and the small ones? It's because of exposure to the western world that the monasteries can support themselves by organizing tours to find sponsors and whatnot. I guess what i am trying to say here is that the ban has forced many lamas to re-establish Dharma outside of Tibet and they are getting very successful at it.

[ilikeshugden]

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is a manifestation of Chenrezig. There is no one can have more compassion than an emanation of the Buddha of Compassion himself. Dalai Lama has foresight and can see how this ban being imposed will benefit more than just the Tibetans. It will benefit the WORLD, especially China.

Since the Dorje Shugden practice is bad for His Holiness's life, the Chinese would do the practice. The population of China is more than 1/7 of the population of the WORLD!

In conclusion, the Dalai Lama had to impose the ban, so that awareness of the practice will increase and the "enemies" of His Holiness can gain good karma and merits.

[dsiluvu]

A beautiful piece Vajratruth, some wonderful observations.

May I add:

It seems to NOT be a coincidence that while the Dalai Lama has imposed this ban on Dorje Shugden throughout the Tibetan community across India / Nepal etc. some of the greatest, fastest-rising Lamas in the West are very strong Shugden practitioners.

ALSO, while everybody in the world is banned from practicising Dorje Shugden, the Dalai Lama has given the sole exception to the young Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, who as we know is now beginning to emerge in the world as a great teacher in his own right again. (This post shared wonderful news about Trijang Rinpoche being in Europe recently and conferring initiations. The legacy of his previous life begins again! http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=2869) Trijang Rinpoche alone has a tremendous following, both students from his previous life as well as in this life - he alone will be able to spread the teachings to a very far extent.

Dorje Shugden practitioners are "expelled" from their monasteries and all connections with them are severed. But they are still flourishing around the world. The NKT centers under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Dagom Rinpoche's institution DGTL, Gonsar Rinpoche and Geshe Rabten's centers throughout Europe, Serkong Tritul Rinpoche's enormous temples around Asia and the Pacific... are these not signs that there is a whole other group of lamas "picking up where the Dalai Lama has left off"? I think so.

After all, Buddhism does not belong only to Tibetans. A person may be Tibetan in this life but an American in his next. We are always taught that it is the mind that matters, not our temporal nationalities of this life. So while Tibet might now be "lost" its legacy to the world has been its religion. The Tibetans themselves might be scattered and disjointed all over the world so the preciousness of the teachings have to be preserved some other way - the lamas, by their great compassion, have taken it out to the rest of us around the world. This includes the Dalai Lama also, who has made Buddhism universally accepted in almost every country in the world now. So when the more "secret" teachings of tantra, its initiations and protectors are brought out to the world, it is also becoming easier and easier for people to accept.

The ban on Dorje Shugden doesn't serve to curb the practice. Instead, it ends the chapter of an old Tibet and ushers in a new generation of new lamas, new students, adopting new methods around the world where it is totally acceptable to practice Dorje Shugden, without being called a traitor or having to suffer discrimination for it. The new generation of Lamas around the world who have been "cast out" of the traditional Tibetan societies, now teach modern, educated practitioners who won't engage or stop a practice simply because they are told to - in the rest of the outside world, practitioners are applying logic, thought and understanding to their practices. This is precisely why Dorje Shugden will only continue to grow because the teachings about his practice are logical, while reasonings for the ban are not.

Beggar I like your outstanding points that gives us a clear picture on the bigger scheme of things... the more important points we often miss out and definitely has been completely missed out by the CTA and the Tibetans. So it is not a surprise to actually see that the preservation of the Vajrayana teachings will not be Tibetans but by new students from all over the world. You said it right Buddhism does not belong only to Tibetans

I think above and beyond the issues of fighting and dying for one's country, is a much bigger issue the highly attained Lamas are thinking... preserving the Dharma for the benefit of all. If we truly truly practice the Dharma, if Tibetans were to truly practice... today we will not see angry burning bodies... and today we will NOT see a BAN in DORJE SHUGDEN, discrimination, disharmony amongst different sects, all that power, political mind games would just NOT be there! Cos everything is created by oneself... the laws of karma if applied, well... Tibet's lost of their country to China is their karma. And Dharma was practice, instead of crying over spill milk, why not find a way to work around it? Like all the so called "traitor" Lamas the CTA classifies who are spreading Dharma in China. At least they are spreading Dharma, what is CTA doing? Condoning in self-immolation??? From here we can already see, logic would tell us clearly who has their priorities mixed up, who are the ones creating positive causes for the future of others, for Dharma to grow (and definitely not CTA that's for sure, if anything they are certainly killing it.)

the lamas, by their great compassion, have taken it out to the rest of us around the world. This includes the Dalai Lama also, who has made Buddhism universally accepted in almost every country in the world now. So when the more "secret" teachings of tantra, its initiations and protectors are brought out to the world, it is also becoming easier and easier for people to accept.

CTA will never be a recognized Government after HH Dalai Lama is gone. Sooner or later the world leaders will forget them or use them for their own political agendas.... what can they really contribute back to the world if it is not the one thing they have been known for Buddhism... yet it looks like that is also dissolving.
Let's get real CTA.