Hi Ringo,
Thanks for the source info. I looked up the article, and I will advise that it's good to read more than one source, and also, that to me, this source that claims to be looking at both sides, is very biased toward the Dalai Lama's version, which is a version that tends to re-write history. So, for instance, we can took at language to see the bias, so I am just pointing this out, and feel free to cross-reference it, but the language speaks for itself. Consider an excerpt from the site talking about the terrible murder of monks. Please note, it says the Indian police believe.... etc.... but please understand the Indian police (kind of like the Mexican police) are very easily bought. Anyway, even though they never caught the people that they accuse of the murder, they act like we are guilty, rather than noting, as people from the west would, that no trial doesn't really imply guilt:
At the peak of the conflict, in February 1997, three Tibetan Buddhist monks, opponents of the Shugden practice, including the Dalai Lama’s close friend and confidant, seventy-year-old Lobsang Gyatso (the principal of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics), were brutally murdered in Dharamasala, India, the Tibetan capital in exile. The murdered monks were repeatedly stabbed and cut up in a manner resembling a ritual exorcism. The Indian police believe the murders were carried out by monks loyal to Shugden, and that the perpetrators are now under the protection of the Chinese government.[42] The Indian police have accused Lobsang Chodak, 36, and Tenzin Chozin, 40, of stabbing Lobsang Gyatso and two of his students.[112] In 2007 Interpol has issued wanted notices for Lobsang Chodak and Tenzin Chozin.[112] According to a disciple of Geshe Lobsang Gyatso, before he was killed, Lobsang Gyatso had to face many death threats, but refused any personal security.[43] The Shugden Society in New Delhi denies any involvement in the murders or threats.[44] Kelsang Gyatso distanced himself: “Killing such a geshe and monks is very bad, it is horrible. How can Mahayana Buddhists who are always talking about compassion kill people? Impossible. There are many different possible explanations [for the murders]. There are many Shugden practitioners throughout the world, and each of them is responsible for his own actions. But definitely, we can say that these murders are very bad.”[45]
Also please not the author is saying, "Geshe Kelsang distanced himself...." distancing himself implies he was close to something, to what, the murders? Geshe-la would never harm anyone. Look, one of my first lamas was Shamar Rinpoche, who was recognized as a mind emanation of Buddha Amitaba, and found by the Karmapa (16th). He definately seemed like Amitaba or Marpa:) and anyway, I trust the 16th Karmapa. So, during the Karmapa controversy, some people on the Tai Situ's side made accusations (like Lea Therune) that Shamar Rinpoche was responsible for the death of another regent Jon Von Kontrontrul Rinpoche. I can assure you, there is no way Shamar Rinpoche would hurt anyone or order anyone's death. (He was very careful we didn't even order the death of a lobster by mistake a Chinese restaurant--- he used to tell the waiters no seafood when he and his followers would stop for lunch-- he said sometimes it's hard to understand if the seafood is still alive when we order it, so just don't order it!). To me that is completely nuts to say this Buddha emanation would harm anyone. Likewise, I it is insane to me to say that Geshe Kelsang would have to "distance himself" from the discussion of the murders.... if anyone had told him they wanted to murder someone I can assure you he would have forbade it in no uncertain terms and done everything in his power to warn the victims to escape. He is so gentle. And is Buddha Manjushri, and doesn't even eat meat in that emanation. So for me, it's like people that say these things, they are very brainwashed, and it's sad, because they are accusing holy beings of acts of terror and violence.
I don't like the actions of say, the Dalai Lama. However, I would never harm him! If someone has done something they shouldn't do (even if they murder someone) I say we don't harm them--- let them apply the 4 opponent powers (like generating real regret and doing Vajrasattva practice)--- if we would kill them then of course their karma will ripen without them purifying! How terrible and how against every teaching of Buddha.
So, it's hard out there, but my advise is cross reference and also look for bias in reporting. It can take awhile to figure out what is going on. Like me, everybody kept saying the DL went against Trijang Rinpoche but I really didn't know who was Trijang Rinpoche at first. So after awhile it started to make sense what they even were saying.... so just stay with all the Buddhas in your heart and remember it is all appearances and ask the Buddhas to guide you while you are working this out. It's a work in progress for everyone, understanding things and attaining enlightenment anyway:).
