The latest update shows that the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery has met with H.H. Trijang Rinpoche in the USA. The abbot travelled to Vermont where Trijang Rinpoche’s centre is located (
http://www.tbiusa.org) especially to have audience. H.H. the Dalai Lama instructed the abbot to make a trip to the USA to seek audience with Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s current incarnation, the aim is to request Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche to return to Gaden for a visit. Initially Trijang Rinpoche declined the visit of the abbot, but in his compassion he allowed the audience.
Below is the summary of the meeting:
1. The Gaden Shartse Monastery’s abbot requested Trijang Rinpoche to return to Gaden Monastery to give teachings, transmissions and talks. Trijang Rinpoche countered by saying that by the command of H.H. the Dalai Lama and CTA, all those who practice Dorje Shugden may not have association with those who do not, so this is not logical nor practical. All those who do not practice Dorje Shugden may not have any affiliations to Tibetans who continue their practice. In fact H.H. the Dalai Lama has ordered on many occasions that all those who practice Dorje Shugden may not participate in his ceremonies, teachings and gatherings. H.H. the Dalai lama strictly forbade Shugden followers to be involved. In light of this why is H.H. the Dalai Lama requesting Trijang Rinpoche to participate?
Gaden Shartse abbot Jangchup Choeden
2. The abbot himself requested Trijang Rinpoche not to remove Gaden Monastery from his heart. Trijang replied that he has not but it is in fact Gaden Monastery that has ‘forgotten’ about him. Gaden Monastery has vehemently expelled all Dorje Shugden practitioners. Therefore over 700 monks left Gaden Shartse to form Shar Gaden Monastery (
http://shargadenpa.org). Trijang Rinpoche’s household (Ladrang) in Gaden has officially left Gaden Shartse to join with Shar Gaden Monastery.
3. Trijang Rinpoche told the abbot to send the message back to Kukey Yigtsang (the Private Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama) , that what Tibetans need now is unity and not separation. This Dorje Shugden ban is creating separation which is very bad on many levels. It separates the Tibetans within Tibet and outside of Tibet into two camps. This weakens the Tibetan culture, language, religion and traditions severely. Family members have been separated due to their different convictions in regards to Dorje Shugden. Trijang Rinpoche told the abbot to make sure he sends these points back to Kukey Yigtsang accurately, or Trijang Rinpoche himself will send an email. Trijang Rinpoche was very direct to send the message back to H.H. the Dalai Lama and CTA in Dharamsala.
4. One curious point is when the abbot presented the request letter to Trijang Rinpoche to return to teach, it was written on Gaden’s letterhead and not Kukey Yigtsang’s. If H.H. the Dalai Lama is asking Trijang Rinpoche to return, then why was the request letter not written on Kukey Yigtsang’s letterhead? Requests should have been by tradition written on both letterheads. Speculation into this might conclude in case Trijang Rinpoche declines, it would save Kukey Yigtsang embarrassment.
His Holiness Yongyal Rinpoche
5. H.H. the Dalai Lama asked Trijang Rinpoche to attend the upcoming teachings at Sera Mey . H.H. the Dalai Lama is giving teachings in Sera Monastery and requests Trijang Rinpoche to attend. H.H. the Dalai Lama would like to give all the teachings that he has received from Trijang Rinpoche’s predecessor back to him, but Trijang Rinpoche can get all these teachings from H.H. Yongyal Rinpoche, his current teacher in California. The complete lineage is held by Yongyal Rinpoche and it is not necessary to receive from H.H. the Dalai Lama.
6. Trijang Rinpoche told the abbot: H.H. the Dalai Lama says he has to ban Dorje Shugden because the 5th Dalai Lama banned Dorje Shugden, so he is following in the footsteps of his own predecessor. H.H. the Dalai Lama is continuing the works of his predecessors as this is only ‘right’ since he is the incarnation of his predecessor. This is the logic H.H. the Dalai Lama gave. Then Trijang Rinpoche refuted this and said, then Trijang Rinpoche himself must follow in the tradition of his own predecessors by continuing his practice of Dorje Shugden, which is a very logical point. How come only H.H. the Dalai Lama can continues with his predecessor’s ‘legacy’ and no other Tulku or reincarnated lama may do so? Very powerful and valid point. There are more Tulkus who have practiced Dorje Shugden in their previous incarnations, so why are they not allowed to continue in this incarnation without persecution? Why is one man’s decision (Dalai Lama) allowed to override all others? Where is the religious freedom? H.H. the Dalai Lama’s policies do not allow for other lamas who wish to continue their predecessors legacies to do so in freedom. In fact there are hundreds of Monasteries, regions in Tibet, families that have practiced Dorje Shugden for centuries that are persecuted. This is their freedom to continue their legacy. Why is this not allowed is what Trijang Rinpoche questioned. This is what millions of Dorje Shugden practitioners have been questioning since the ban started.
At this moment, everything about the Dorje Shugden ban is status quo from the CTA, which is that anyone who practices Dorje Shugden is not allowed to come near or has any sort of interaction/association with H.H. the Dalai Lama, but this invitation to Trijang Rinpoche as mentioned above contradicts it. All Tibetans who practice Dorje Shugden must be separate from Tibetans who do not. The rights and privileges of Tibetans who continue their practice of Dorje Shugden are not allowed by the CTA so far as of November 2013. They are to be ostracized from all Tibetan schools, hospitals, town meetings, decisions, Tibetan parliamentary gatherings, H.H. the Dalai Lama’s teachings and so on. This is total and complete religious persecution. Either you abandon Dorje Shugden or you do not have the rights and privileges of any other Tibetan.
H.H. the Dalai Lama’s administration must be suffering a lot of negative repercussions, pressure and loss of face from many of the Tibetans including Trijang Rinpoche not being involved with H.H. the Dalai Lama due to the Dorje Shugden ban, so this pressure must have forced the administration to go and invite Trijang Rinpoche back to Gaden Monastery. It is sheer desperation H.H. the Dalai Lama has resorted to sending the Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery to seek audience with Trijang Rinpoche to request him back after he was forcibly expelled.
Trijang Rinpoche due to his practice of Dorje Shugden had to flee Gaden Monastery as there was many death threats to his life in which Gaden did not act to protect. Trijang Rinpoche has been away from Gaden for nearly 15 years solely because he chooses to practice Dorje Shugden. Trijang Rinpoche’s household and students were banned from Gaden due to the fact they do not wish to be forced into swearing in against the practice of Dorje Shugden.
Now the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery has to return and report to H.H. the Dalai Lama the unsuccessful attempt to invite Trijang Rinpoche to return. This shows how committed Trijang Rinpoche is towards his practice, religious freedom and the general welfare of dharma practitioners. He feels everyone should have the complete freedom to practice what they like and he holds this stance strongly sending the same message to H.H. the Dalai Lama.
An interesting side note is the current abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery (Geshe Jangchup Choeden) who was handpicked by H.H. the Dalai Lama to be the abbot is not popular at all within the ranks of the Gaden monks. They are quietly calling for his resignation as he has neglected many duties of an abbot. They are hoping he resigns soon as well the ban.
Kay Beswick
North America Correspondent for
www.dorjeshugden.comH.H. Trijang Rinpoche retorted to H.H. The Dalai Lama's instruction to return to Gaden through the Gaden Shartse abbot Jangchup Choeden - an eye for an eye. It is profoundly moving to note that H.H. Trijang Rinpoche has not swayed a micro bit but remained steadfast and loyal to the lineage and followers throughout this difficult period under the prosecution including life threats to his life.
When H.H. the Dalai Lama came a knocking on his door seeking his return to Gaden, it is time not too distant, for H.H. Trijang Rinpoche to flex his muscle and wings to demonstrate his ability and powers to the whole world as a Dorje Shugden lineage holder. No ban can ever deter nor stop H.H. Trijang Rinpoche but fizzles off in no time.