The hidden message in the Dalai Lama's speech!

[PrajNa]

The latest article on DorjeShugden.com is very enlightening. It gives a brief summary of the whole controversy and the proof of the ban, and I am especially thankful for the section "The Dalai Lama Ten Years Ago".  This section highlights the video of the Dalai Lama speaking at a teaching in January 2008, which was the catalyst for the escalation of the Dorje Shugden ban. I've included the video and introduction to the video below.

The transcripts and excellent explanation give more insight into what the underlying messages were for those who are not familiar with Tibetan way of speaking, highlighting the implication, insinuation, as well as connotation and nuance that may not be obvious in His Holiness' speech. So much was uncovered for this one video alone.

The article also covers other relevant development and videos regarding the ban. A must read. I highly recommend for everyone to read and share the article. What do you think of the article?

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The Dalai Lama Ten Years Ago

To better understand the seriousness of the Dorje Shugden ban and its effects, we need to travel back to 2008, a crucial year of events that informed and shaped the mindset of Tibetans both in China-controlled territories and in all 24 Tibetan settlements in India; of Tibetan Buddhists residing everywhere in the world, and the regional politics of Tibet, India and China.

This video of the Dalai Lama speaking at a teaching in January 2008 has been identified as being the catalyst for the escalation of the Dorje Shugden ban.The points that were raised by the Dalai Lama became the narrative held by pro-Dalai Lama groups and the fuel for their anti-Dorje Shugden hate speech as we know it today.

This speech at Drepung Loseling Monastery was attended by the presiding abbots of the most influential monasteries – Ganden Shartse, Ganden Jangtse, Sera Mey, Sera Jey, Drepung Loseling, Drepung Gomang, Ratö and Tashi Lhunpo Monasteries along with their sponsors and patrons. The Dalai Lama’s teachings also coincided with several formal government functions, making it probable that top officials of the Tibetan Government-in-exile such as the Justice Commissioner, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the then-Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) Samdhong Rinpoche and other ecclesiastical heads were also in attendance.

It is also important to remember that at the time the Dalai Lama gave this speech in Drepung Loseling Monastery in 2008, he was still the secular leader of the Tibetan people and had yet to relinquish his political power.

Full article here: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/dalai-lama-speaks-what-you-wouldnt-know-if-youre-not-tibetan/

[Rowntree]

The reason that the ban has lasted over 20 years was that the Westerners have all failed to see the underlying messages in His Holiness' authoritative words that are nothing but a command for Dorje Shugden people to be ostracised. His Holiness is very skilfull in his speech where he used words like the referendum and his oft-used tactic of giggling in order to divert the attention from his main message. This has been the tactic His Holiness uses regardless of his audience that 'earns' him the 'politically correct' label that the Indians, in particular, will agree upon. They have seen it long enough to know.

The Tibetan Leadership, especially Lobsang Sangay, tried very hard to learn His Holiness' manipulative skills in their speech. Sangay himself must be quite successful since he has been able to manipulate many politicians into giving him sympathetic money supposedly used for the Tibet Cause. However, what is pathetic is that he lacked His Holiness' charisma and authority to drive millions into what he wanted. The CTA has gone downhill since Sangay becomes the Sikyong because he has been focusing on manipulative speech instead of really doing the work that benefits the cause and the Tibetan refugees in India. So he is the R...R...R who is also known as a pervert and lustful greedy politician, errr 'lawyer'. He knows nothing about politic and has caused Tibetan refugees in exile stuck without a citizenship.

In addition to that, he has further imposed the Dorje Shugden ban with the generous donations from the public meant for the cause. We all know that the failure of the Tibetan Cause has nothing to do with Dorje Shugden and many people are starting to see through that now. Dorje Shugden has been a scapegoat for the failure of the Tibetan leadership in achieving anything in the past 60 years. Hence, still stuck in India creating more problems for the Indians in their efforts to building the Sino-Indian relationship. One recent example being during the Doklam standoff, Sangay unfurled the Tibetan flag near Pangong Tso border in Ladakh and increased the tensions between China and India. After being caught doing so, he asked his close friend Dhardon Sharling to deny the fact, as Dhardon Sharling is well known for giving Sangay lots of favours to get where she is. Contrary to her statement, Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo, spokesperson of the CTA had confirmed twice that was the first time the Tibet flag had been unfurled by Sangay at that important location cited as saying the hoisting of the flag had “political and personal significance” for Sangay.

Coming back to the article, His Holiness has chosen Drepung Loseling to have the event and the speech most likely due to the monastery's reputation in public relations, especially in handling the Tibetan leadership and their wishes. They are very gung-ho in supporting the ban of Dorje Shugden practice and even printed materials in their very own printing house for free distribution. Setrap was very unhappy with them and knocked down one of the monastery's victory banner which was a HUGE embarrassment for the abbot at that time. Here are the post and discussion of the events http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/drepung-shugden-dramas/ and http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=1659.0.

Looking at His Holiness' speech, Sangay's conduct and Loseling's focus, it is hard for anyone to have faith in religion especially in this kaliyuga where politics and secular agendas are often carried out in the name of religion. The pure and serene Shangri-la image potrayed by the Western media is a fraud, the people in Tibet are not holy, they are full of faults like you and me.

[kris]

What amazed me the most, is how naive are the Tibetans. Everything that the Dalai Lama said, and their Tibetan leaders said, they just believe 100% and don't even want to check and think for themselves if whatever they say, does it make sense.

There are so many cases where, Dalai Lama said bad things about Shugen in front of Tibetans. He shouted to expel the monks and to ban them, but in front of western media, he said there is no ban. In the end, who is suffering? Tibetans Shugden or Westerner Shugden? Of course the people who suffer are Tibetan Shugden people. But Tibetans are so naive. They don't think for themselves, they don't stand up for their own people, and just let their leaders bully them, and in the end, they suffer.

The best part is, the Tibetan ministers, especially those close to Lobsang Sangay, are fully taking advantage of this. They use Dalai Lama's name to give information to Tibetans for their own advantage. All these leaders go to USA and Europe to talk about Free Tibet, and they received millions of dollars every year, but the Tibetans are so naive they never ask their government, "Where did the money go? Why don't they use the money to build hospitals, schools, but use the money to print books to talk bad about Shugden?" Why don't Tibetans ask their government these questions? All these leaders show how poor are the Tibetans (of course normal Tibetans are poor and deserve funding), and when they receive fundings, they kept the money for themselves to buy house in USA and Europe. So, everyday, normal Tibetans are suffering, and their government just use them as excuse to get more money for themselves.

One of the biggest joke is the referendum. What is there to choose, when everyone just have to follow what Dalai Lama said? Referendum is just another trick the Tibetan leaders are happy to carry out to suppress their own people even further. The Tibetans leaders must be extremely happy to hear referendums and they know they can fully abuse their own people. Again, referendums are just to fool westerns that they are practicing democracy, and most westerners just fall for it.

From what I see, there is no way out for the Tibetans if Lobsang Sangay is to continue to hold office. Lobsang will use all his power to make Tibetans as naive or as stupid as possible. Unless something drastically happen, that Tibetans suddenly realised they have been abused for all these years. I hope the Tibetans can wake up one day, because they are the ones who are suffering, not their so called leaders.

[dsnowlion]

This is a brilliant post uncovering the real truth and message behind His Holiness's speech on the Dorje Shugden issue. Yes indeed His Holiness's speech has two different meanings that suit two different crowds and while the Western society would see it as mere just an "advice", the Tibetans know it is not so. There is no freedom of choice here, whatever the Dalai Lama says goes, it is an instruction that must be followed without question!

There are many jargons and sayings used in the Dalai Lama's speech that clearly states to segregate Dorje Shugden practitioners from the rest. Example, “separation of moustache and mouth”, I think the time has come to do just that, is a clear statement to Tibetans that they must be separated as Dorje Shugden people are NOT the same. The only thing that makes us different is our wish to continue practising the practice our Lama gave us, and for that, we are ostracised. So where is the democracy in all of this? Nowhere, for Tibetans have been ruled by a totalitarian regime and Sangay is just another puppet for the greatest showman on earth. And the thanks to the most gullible audience, sorry to say this, but those who are not Tibetans, not knowing the hidden message behind the Dalai Lama, continues to applause the so-called Noble Peace Prize winner when there is nothing noble in his speech against Dorje Shugden practice and practitioners.

What is worst is that millions of funds are donated without knowledge that it is being channelled into projects that actually harm and hurt people - especially the Tibetan exile people as they are the closest and the first to receive the blow. Such projects include printing materials against Dorje Shugden, making videos about and against Dorje Shugden, printed thousands of books that talk against Dorje Shugden practice. They would even hire people to attack Shugden practitioners online, the same way they gave out instructions to attack Shugden practitioners just outside Gaden Monastery.

How is all of this considered okay and why is all of this not considered a breach of human rights? Simple, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been the media darling of the West and because of this, many have overlooked this subject. Believing, trusting that there could be nothing negative or bad when it comes from the holy Dalai Lama. Well, things are starting to change as we see the Dalai Lama deliberately or not, starting to make blunders and upsetting others, such as Nepalese and Indians, from his insensitive comments, making it difficult for the media not to report such disappointing news. And slowly, opening the eyes of many audiences that the Dalai Lama has many faults, or manifested faults and hence nothing is at it seems. The once holier than thou Dalai Lama is not that holy, definitely not when it comes to his own people and especially those who are Dorje Shugden practitioners. Let's hope more truths will be exposed, as the Dalai Lama manifest more change in his tone - the unexpected u-turns as mentioned in the article. Let's hope!

[michaela]

The article is very important to understand the context of the Dalai Lama's message on Dorje Shugden.

to http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/dalai-lama-speaks-what-you-wouldnt-know-if-youre-not-tibetan/

Firstly, to understand the context of the Dalai Lama's message, one needs to be familiar with the Tibetan culture and the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. For outsiders, the Dalai Lama's message on Dorje Shugden may seem like casual advice. However, for Tibetans who regards the Dalai Lama as the manifestation of Buddha of Compassion Chenrezig, his words would carry more weight than just casual advice. Especially for those who have taken refuge vows with the Dalai Lama or regarded the Dalai Lama as their root teacher, the Dalai Lama's words are clearly instructions from the divine.

Secondly, casual advice will not have consequences when it is not followed. But it is not the case with the Dalai Lama's advice on Dorje Shugden. His followers took the initiative to penalize those who choose not to follow the Dalai Lama's advice. Dorje Shugden practitioners were expelled from their monasteries and refused services or entry in public places in India. Even in the online sphere, they are facing various ridiculous accusations such as being Chinese spies or stooges.

Looking at the Tibetan cultural context and the consequences that Dorje Shugden practitioners need to face for their religious choice, it is definitely not an advice, but an instruction.  I hope the CTA will admit that they are discriminating Dorje Shugden practitioners and stop selling false ideas to their western donors for the sake of getting more donation. 

[Celia]

This article clearly nailed down the underlying Tibetan psyche when it comes to Dalai Lama which has led to the perpetuation of an unconstitutional religious ban for decades. By the same token, it is also the reason why shockingly there are still those who remain blind to the pain and suffering caused by the Dorje Shugden ban.

Not only that, it is also the driving factor as to why the Tibetan leadership and supporters of the Dalai Lama to (i) outright deny the existence of the ban even when confronted with plentiful evidence and (ii) habitually dismiss the evidence as propaganda fabricated by Shugden practitioners, whom they have branded to be against the Dalai Lama and the so-called Tibetan cause, and even accuse them of being agents or spies of China.

The “skilful” means of the Dalai Lama appearing to be indifferent to people’s position about Dorje Shugden on the surface but then having a different underlying messages for Tibetans is nothing short of amazing. Such underlying messages carry strong weight to turn people against Dorje Shugden done so openly obvious yet those who are not familiar with Tibetan culture or matters will totally be oblivious to such strong cornering of Tibetans by the Dalai Lama.

That being said, whilst the Tibetans have the “excuse” of blind faith or indoctrinated obedience owing to past environmental and historical factors, what is utterly disappointing is the readiness of foreigners particularly from democratic Western countries to immediately side with the Dalai Lama at face value and without much due diligence.

Of course, different partisans would have different reasons for conveniently siding with the Dalai Lama, from those who seek to use Tibet to keep China in check in their political games, to those who seek to ride on the Dalai Lama’s fame for personal gains.

But what is really reprehensible is as a result of such blindness or unwillingness to properly address the Dorje Shugden ban, that millions of aid given in good faith are being used to actually harm and hurt people – when it is used to fund discriminative activities towards people’s religious faith without any basis.

[Jushri]

This is a great write-up! The first half clearly shows about HHDL speaking about the Shugden ban. Good explanation about the nuances of the Tibetan language. For those who keep saying that there is no ban should watch the video and read the explanation especially about the Tibetan saying "fish and turnip" and "mouth and moustache".

What's important to me is the recognition of the Chinese Panchen Lama by HHDL at the end of the article. After so many years, this recognition could signify the beginning of HHDL's strategy to pave way for him to return to Tibet. It makes more sense to be friends with China than to be against this superpower. Logically, CTA doesn't have any military or economic power to even overthrow a tiny African nation let alone China. Their best bet is to follow HHDL's advice to go for umaylam.

If HHDL can overturn his stance with regards to Panchen Lama, am sure HHDL can do the same for Shugdenpas. CTA and Tibetans have everything to gain by getting Shugdenpas' support to fight for a Free Tibet.

[fruven]

The article captures all the details of the video that one would easily missed.

I have heard that Tibetans can be very indirect. It is common for most Asians to speak in such way, it is the norm. One has to read between the lines rather than explicitly stated. The fact that Dalai Lama is both a political and a spiritual head make whatever he said becomes an order that must carried out without question while the advise seems to be optional for the Westerners.

There doesn't seem to be any repercussions if you choose not to follow the advise but for the Tibetans it is very clear. The Tibetans must divide themselves between those who stop praying to Dorje Shugden and those who continue to pray. It is a black and white separation, right and wrong. Since the Dalai Lama has stopped therefore you're in the wrong if you continue to pray to Dorje Shugden. That is how the Tibetans view it. Certainly it is difficult dilemma if you have been praying to deity and were asked to stop. 

[Alex]

It is amazing to see how the Tibetans can be so ignorant to blindly follow what the Dalai Lama says without thinking deeper about it. Only the older Tibetans will believe such illogical and unbelievable claims. Young and educated Tibetans can easily see through the flaws in the reasoning of the Dorje Shugden ban and their government's true motive of imposing the ban. People are not stupid. The truth will definitely be revealed one day.

There are so much of evidence on the Dorje Shugden ban and people are suffering tremendously. How can a democratic government condemn and segregate its people that practice a particular religion? It is not true democratic at all. CTA is by no means a true democratic government. They are just pretending to be so they can get funding from the other democratic country.

[phyag na rlangs pa]

The Dalai Lama is very shrewd and he is also very talented. Clearly he plays both Tibetans and Westerners like a Folk or Blues singer with a guitar and harmonica.

Only thing is he's no Bob Dylan and his song is not about fostering peace in the world.

The version of the Dalai Lama in the video in this article is 100% an anti-Bob Dylan

[dsnowlion]

If HHDL can overturn his stance with regards to Panchen Lama, am sure HHDL can do the same for Shugdenpas. CTA and Tibetans have everything to gain by getting Shugdenpas' support to fight for a Free Tibet.

That's precisely it Jushri - you said it! And if the Dalai Lama can lie about his health, blatantly lie, looking straight forward into the camera to say everything is fine, then he can very well blatantly lie about Dorje Shugden and how it is an evil harmful spirit/practice. Another clear evidence handed to us by the Dalai Lama himself. With that, it shows us clearer and clearer, that the ban on Dorje Shugden is nothing but all made up. For what reason is the big question and when will the Dalai Lama end this as so many have suffered for it.

One thing is for sure, we definitely got to see who are the chickens, the hypocrites and the heroes who stood by firmly on their Guru's side and their commitment towards the lineage and the practice.

Second thing is... if and when the Dalai Lama does go back to Tibet --- NO MORE TALKING ABOUT DORJE SHUGDEN IS BAD etc. etc. etc. Do you think China will allow that kind of speech that creates segregation and division in people? Oh no no, that's the end of it. So why is the Dalai Lama begging to return to Tibet now and doing everything he can, even talking to the Rangzens to support his vision/mission? We need to think bigger.

[Rowntree]

What amazed me the most, is how naive are the Tibetans. Everything that the Dalai Lama said, and their Tibetan leaders said, they just believe 100% and don't even want to check and think for themselves if whatever they say, does it make sense.

There are so many cases where, Dalai Lama said bad things about Shugen in front of Tibetans. He shouted to expel the monks and to ban them, but in front of western media, he said there is no ban. In the end, who is suffering? Tibetans Shugden or Westerner Shugden? Of course the people who suffer are Tibetan Shugden people. But Tibetans are so naive. They don't think for themselves, they don't stand up for their own people, and just let their leaders bully them, and in the end, they suffer.

The best part is, the Tibetan ministers, especially those close to Lobsang Sangay, are fully taking advantage of this. They use Dalai Lama's name to give information to Tibetans for their own advantage. All these leaders go to USA and Europe to talk about Free Tibet, and they received millions of dollars every year, but the Tibetans are so naive they never ask their government, "Where did the money go? Why don't they use the money to build hospitals, schools, but use the money to print books to talk bad about Shugden?" Why don't Tibetans ask their government these questions? All these leaders show how poor are the Tibetans (of course normal Tibetans are poor and deserve funding), and when they receive fundings, they kept the money for themselves to buy house in USA and Europe. So, everyday, normal Tibetans are suffering, and their government just use them as excuse to get more money for themselves.

One of the biggest joke is the referendum. What is there to choose, when everyone just have to follow what Dalai Lama said? Referendum is just another trick the Tibetan leaders are happy to carry out to suppress their own people even further. The Tibetans leaders must be extremely happy to hear referendums and they know they can fully abuse their own people. Again, referendums are just to fool westerns that they are practicing democracy, and most westerners just fall for it.

From what I see, there is no way out for the Tibetans if Lobsang Sangay is to continue to hold office. Lobsang will use all his power to make Tibetans as naive or as stupid as possible. Unless something drastically happen, that Tibetans suddenly realised they have been abused for all these years. I hope the Tibetans can wake up one day, because they are the ones who are suffering, not their so called leaders.

The Tibetans have been ruled under serfdom since the beginning, they are used to the system and sadly to say, the majority are uneducated peasants and farmers who are illiterate and live their life being control by the monarchy. So, they are trained followers without much thoughts of their own. Therefore, it is not a surprise when we see how easily they are being controlled and manipulated. They are not trained to spot injustice but just listen and follow, so they do not see anything wrong in harming others who seem to be going against the ruler. They are being manipulated into thinking if they do not do that, they will suffer. This is their 'logic'.

Because of the long history being controlled under serfdom, the Tibetans will not question where the CTA spend the generous public donations. They dare not do so for they fear they will be punished for doing so. This is the side effects of serfdom that the CTA, especially Lobsang Sangay, is very happy to use to abuse their power. They are basically a bunch of legal mafias who can run around with the CTA money and do what they want. Otherwise, they wouldn't have the US1.5 million scandal being dug out of their dirty laundry. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

His Holiness has given the CTA an opportunity to get away from their crime in the name of the Dorje Shugden ban. Because the CTA has been crying over the ban, diverting attention with the ban, they have been getting away from all their misconducts and corruptions. What we see today, more and more Tibetans, educated ones, have started to voice out their concerns and dare to speak up and protest against the CTA. Although nothing much is happening yet, we do know that what comes around goes around. The paper can never hold the fire for too long. Sooner or later, we will see the downfall and serious consequences landed on the CTA, especially Lobsang Sangay and Dhardon Sharling, and that will be the end of the Tibetan leadership in exile. The time is clicking and their days are numbered for sure!

[Alex]

Second thing is... if and when the Dalai Lama does go back to Tibet --- NO MORE TALKING ABOUT DORJE SHUGDEN IS BAD etc. etc. etc. Do you think China will allow that kind of speech that cretes segregation and division in people? Oh no no, that's the end of it. So why is the Dalai Lama begging to return to Tibet now and doing everything he can, even talking to the Rangzens to support his vision/mission? We need to think bigger.

I couldn't agree more. Now that His Holiness already expressed his wish to return to China, soon DS issue will be a no issue because China will definitely will not allow CTA to create havoc and disharmony like how they did in India. Its will be nice to see CTA shut up for once and not creating any problems for other people.

[Rowntree]

The article captures all the details of the video that one would easily missed.

I have heard that Tibetans can be very indirect. It is common for most Asians to speak in such way, it is the norm. One has to read between the lines rather than explicitly stated. The fact that Dalai Lama is both a political and a spiritual head make whatever he said becomes an order that must carried out without question while the advise seems to be optional for the Westerners.

There doesn't seem to be any repercussions if you choose not to follow the advise but for the Tibetans it is very clear. The Tibetans must divide themselves between those who stop praying to Dorje Shugden and those who continue to pray. It is a black and white separation, right and wrong. Since the Dalai Lama has stopped therefore you're in the wrong if you continue to pray to Dorje Shugden. That is how the Tibetans view it. Certainly it is difficult dilemma if you have been praying to deity and were asked to stop. 

I agree with you totally! The message is very easily overlooked when you do not pay attention to the details, even worst if you are not familiar with the Tibetan custom. Just imagine those few sentences have caused millions to suffer for over 2 decades! It also allows the Tibetan leadership to find loopholes and corrupt the generous donations from the US Congress and other people. The truth is, the CTA is very good in playing the victim card and are in control of their not so bright Tibetans who would do self-immolation to bring in more donations for them. Lobsang Sangay even published a "self-immolation for dummies" book to teach his own people how to burn themselves live! I can't find the exact name and publisher now. If anyone knows, please share.

[Jushri]

Second thing is... if and when the Dalai Lama does go back to Tibet --- NO MORE TALKING ABOUT DORJE SHUGDEN IS BAD etc. etc. etc. Do you think China will allow that kind of speech that creates segregation and division in people? Oh no no, that's the end of it. So why is the Dalai Lama begging to return to Tibet now and doing everything he can, even talking to the Rangzens to support his vision/mission? We need to think bigger.

HHDL did say he wants to go back to Tibet. This is a move to ensure Tibetans of a place to stay as India is no longer as hospitable as before. Can't blame the Indians. Imagine these 60-year refugees sucking up all of India's resources plus taking all that $$$ from those Free Tibet organisations? Indians are not stupid. They can see what these sly Tibetans are up to.

Here's the article by Guardian where CTA's PM is asking Tibetans to make HHDL's wish to go back to Tibet come true.
[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/01/pm-in-exile-urges-tibetans-to-make-dalai-lamas-return-a-reality]

BTW, I think for someone who is running a government-in-exile WITHOUT an actual country, Lobsang Sangay sure is ahead of himself calling himself PM. Only countries like China, India, Japan with actual country have Prime Ministers.