An Interesting Exchange
The Situation Within the Monasteries This exchange between “beggar” and “mahabodhi” has been extracted from the forum. It shares some interesting information about the situation experienced by monks within the monastic communities. Of course, since this exchange, Dokhang Khangtsen did separate from Gaden Shartse to form their own monastery, Shar Gaden. Venerable Mahabodhi, For the…
The Dalai Lama’s Controversial Stand
The following account is extracted from preliminary drafts of Schettini’s memoir, The Novice. The Dalai Lama remains the temporal leader of Tibetans in exile, but is no longer their undisputed spiritual guide. The exile community is split over his decree regarding the propitiation of the powerful god Dorje Shugden, commonly known as Dolgyal. Practices invoking…
Taktse Dubcho Ritual at Shar Gaden
An update from Shar Gaden Monastery of the recently held four-day Taktse Dubcho Ritual Please click to enlarge
Are the NKT’s ordination vows in keeping with the Vinaya?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s decision to condense the 253 vows of a monk and the 364 vows of a nun into 10 vows does not go against the Vinaya. In fact, all the ordination vows could be further condensed into practising the higher training in moral discipline. An ordained person practising the three higher trainings is…
Dalai Lama Depreciates Dorje Shugden Worship
Star of Mysore Gurupur, Oct 8, 1999 Tibetan leader and Nobel laureate Dalai Lama, coming down heavily on the followers of the Dorje Shugden deity, said that the Shugden spirit was very sectarian and more importantly, the spirit was assuming greater significance than the Buddha himself, which was regrettable. Reacting to a question from Star…
Resolution of the Tibetan Cholsum Convention
Resolution of the Tibetan Cholsum Convention August 27th – 31st , 1998 in Dharamsala Delegates from various Tibetan organisations agreed on a resolution against persons who rely on Dorje Shugden as a protector deity. “To make it impossible for those who are engaged in undermining the prestige of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our…
A Daily Sadhana of the Peaceful and Fierce Lama Tsongkhapa
Refuge and Bodhicitta I and all sentient beings go for refuge to Guru, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha Until we achieve Enlightenment. Through the positive potential I generate by practicing generosity and the other far-reaching attitudes may I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all. Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga Invocation From the heart of the…
Shugden Delegates Leave
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Dharamsala, 28 Aug 1998 Even though the ongoing controversial convention of Cholsum Organisation revived the bitterness within the struggling Tibetan community on the Shugden issue, the flared up emotions at McLeod Ganj seem to have calmed down for now. This follows the return of 120 Shugden delegates to their society headquarters in…
Dalai Lama “Supporters” Violently Oppress Buddhist Monks in Mundgod, India
Stone-throwing in Mundgod – 3 cops, 30 others hurt DECCAN HERALD Monday, September 11, 2000 MUNDGOD (Karwar) Sept 10 (DHNS) Three police officers and more than 30 persons were injured in a stone pelting incident in Lama camp of Tibetan settlement, Mundgod on Sunday morning. More than 2000 Lamas, including 200 women, who are said…
Clashes and Curfews
Dorje Shugden Devotees’ Charitable and Religious Society Delhi, 17.9.2000 PRESS RELEASE On Sep. 10, there was an hour-long clash between Tibetan protesters and monks in the Tibetan settlement in Mundgod, Karnataka. The ‘protesters’ numbered about 3000, including nuns, lay people and inmates of the local old peoples’ home. They came at the behest of the…
What is Wrong with Tibetan society?
48-Hour Curfew at Tibetan Settlement. 24-Hour Curfew at Another Tibetan Settlement in South India. INDIA – Deccan Herald, Monday, September 11, 2000: Representatives of Dorje Shugden devotees from Ooty, Shillong, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikh, Nepal, Delhi and Bylakuppe gathered at the settlement (Pop. 13,000) in Mundgod in the southern Indian state of Karnataka to participate…
The Way to Rely Upon Dorje Shugden
There are two ways to rely upon Dorje Shugden: in thought and in deed. If we recognize that Dorje Shugden is the embodiment of the Three Jewels, if we remember his kindness in protecting and preserving the Buddhadharma, if we recall how he eliminates obstacles and gathers the necessary conditions for Dharma practitioners, and if…
Incense Offering Prayer to Dorje Shugden
Jam mgon rgyal ba’i bstan srung Rdo-rje Shugs-ldan rtsal chen po’i bsangs mchod [dge legs mchog stsol] bzhugs so – by Ganden Serkong At the time of wanting to make a bsang offering, collect the incense substances; repeat the refuge and bodhi mind generation verses three times. HUM, visualising myself as the yidam, from the heart…
The Dalai Lama’s Words in the Mirror of Reality
Why the Dalai Lama’s Justifications for the ban of Dorje Shugden are not logical nor true The justifications the Dalai Lama gives for his ban of the worship of the deity Dorje Shugden vary considerably depending on his audience. The justification given to the Tibetan public, which destroyed the entire harmony of the Tibetan community,…
The Ban on Dorje Shugden: What is happening?
This page is a summary of the effects of the Dalai Lama’s ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden. In brief Segregation Does the Dalai Lama have the right to do this? Who is responsible for the ban, Yellow Card and resulting penalties for those who disobey? Does this affect Western Buddhists? Does this affect…
Dalai Lama’s Referendum Contradicts Vinaya
The purpose of this article is to examine whether or not the recent actions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with respect to the practice of Dorje Shugden, are in accordance with the Vinaya, Buddha’s Code of Conduct. My intention here is not to engage in hurtful speech or divisive speech but rather to investigate…
Heartfelt request from monks in Mundgod
At this very difficult period of our life, we have decided to face any difficulties, even to place our own life, if necessary, as a target, to safeguard the precious lineage of teaching and practice of the Dharma [Buddhism]. Declaration and Request by Dokhang Kamtsen/Hostel, 14th February 2008. To the attention of all the most…
Letter to Newsweek – False Accusations Against the Innocent
Letter to the editor of Newsweek from Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in response to the article ‘Cult Mystery’ that appeared in Newsweek International, the 28th of April 97, and in Newsweek USA, 5th of May 97 (Click here to read the content of the original Newsweek article) Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Geshe…
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s Open Letter
The following Open Letter was posted on Dec 9th 1997 to the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and to the Office of Tibet in London. This and many other private and public letters and petitions never received a reply. Your Holiness, For over eighteen years you have been continually speaking out against the practice of Dorje…
Shugden Ban is Illegal and Unconstitutional
Legal References to support why the ban is unconstitutional TIBETAN GOVERNMENT IN EXILE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 17. Every Tibetan shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The right includes freedom to openly believe, practise, worship and observe any religion either alone or in community with others. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CONSTITUTION Adopted on:…
Detailed Lineage
Previous Incarnations of Dorje Shugden The highly realized Master Tagpo Kelsang Khädrub Rinpoche composed the following two verses concerning Dorje Shugden: With deep faith I prostrate to you, Vajradhara Dorje Shugden. Although you have already attained the Buddha ground and engaged in the twenty-seven deeds of a Buddha, You appear in various forms to help…
Nature and Function
Dorje Shugden and the Deities of his mandala are the same nature as the Deities of the body mandala of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang, who is in essence Je Tsongkhapa. After Je Tsongkhapa passed away, Khädrubje received five visions of him, each time appearing in a different aspect. Later, the great Yogi Dharmavajra saw Je…
Invocation to Lord Namkar Barzin
With great faith I take refuge in Lord Shakyamuni Buddha Who with great self sacrifice perseverance achieved fully, The peerless Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, And with profound compassion turned the wheel of Dharma. With great reverence I pay heartfelt homage to Lord Tsongkhapa, Who as an emanation of the Lord of…
Panchen Lama Gets High Profile – CNN
From Jaime FlorCruz, CNN March 3, 2010 — Updated 0919 GMT (1719 HKT) Beijing, China (CNN) — Until recently, he had rarely appeared in public. But now, he has been named to China’s top advisory body. The appointment of the 11th Panchen Lama, the second highest Tibetan spiritual figure, to the Chinese People’s Consultative…
Kyabje Dagpo Dorje Chang’s Praise to Dorje Shugden
A Praise to the Indestructible Protector Though gone to the state of the Sugatas countless eons ago, To benefit the teachings and migrators in whatever form subdues them, Your hundreds of emanations have twenty-seven enlightened activities; All praise to the pervasive lord, mighty Dorje Shugden! Manjushri, Virupa, Sakya Pandita…
Very Good Commentary by TK
Only Dorje Shugden CAN HANDLE SUCH A BURDEN! Why Shugden has to be the bad guy! • May 14, 1995 – Tsangpa Oracle Prophesy I Prophesy (kha.lung) through the Tsangpa Oracle requested by the Private Office of the Dalai Lama, Prophesies of the Tibetan Government Oracles, published by the Department of Religion and Culture of…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (INTRODUCTION: EXPLORING THE PE.BUM SOURCES)
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html EXPLORING THE PE.BUM SOURCES In this section I will present the documentation for the interviews of Part I. It is not a history, since that would require a different kind of research possible here, which would have to include Tibetan texts, both published and unpublished. A uniquely Tibetan…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (PART 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE EVENTS OF 1996 )
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE EVENTS OF 1996 Continuing the work of his predecessors? His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has said on many occasions Numerous times to Tibetans. For example, “I have come to be counted among the line of the Fifth Dalai Lama. I feel a definite…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (PART 2: Origins of Dorje Shugden: arisal as a protector during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama)
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html ORIGIN OF DORJE SHUGDEN: ARISAL AS A PROTECTOR DURING THE TIME OF THE 5TH DALAI LAMA How did Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen’s became a protector? It is believed that Dorje Shugden arose in the form of a Dharma protector after his immediate predecessor, believed to have been the most…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (PART 3: Dorje Shugden after the time of the 5th Dalai Lama)
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html DORJE SHUGDEN AFTER THE TIME OF THE 5TH DALAI LAMA • Two hundred years later after the time of the 5th Dalai Lama During this time there seems to have been no record of much conflict surrounding Dorje Shugden. Its practice was not very public. It is difficult…
Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama conflict (PART 4: THE CONFLICT IN 1996 )
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html THE CONFLICT IN 1996 The Dalai Lama’s statements during his public teachings March 10th and 21st, 1996 (excerpts quoted below) mark the beginning of what commonly was called “the ban.” In the course of 1996, all governmental, regional and social groups passed resolutions which amounted to a creed-like…
The Wheel of Protection
Dharamsala February 14, 1981, 6:00 a.m. The Dalai Lama sits on his throne in the Central Cathedral. Outside, the night is black and still. A cold breeze blows down from Mun Peak. Two old women, up before dawn, circumambulate the temple. They cannot see within. The building’s curtains have been tightly drawn, its front door…
Letter to Robert A. F. Thurman by Shamar Rinpoche
Dr. Robert A. F. Thurman Professor of Indo-Tibetan Studies Columbia University Chair, Department of Religion Kent Hall Room 617, Mail code 3949 1140 Amsterdam Ave. New York , NY 10027 Dear Robert A. F. Thurman, I am writing in response to your letter, dated September 21, 2004. In that letter, you voluntarily enter into the…
The Secret of the Mind is Yamantaka and the Wrathful Ones
Vajrabhairava Yamantaka A Tantric Initiatory Vision The secret of the body is Vairochana and the Dhyani Buddhas; The secret of speech is Locana and the Buddha consorts; The secret of the mind is Yamantaka and the Wrathful Ones. (Ratnakarashanti) The form of Yamantaka represented here is known as Ekavira, the “Solitary Hero”. The Sanskrit term…
An Interview with Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso discusses Dorje Shugden as a benevolent protector god Geshe Kelsang Gyatso spoke with Donald S. Lopez, Jr., last summer at Manjushri Buddhist Centre in Ulverston, England. PROFESSOR DONALD LOPEZ: What is the importance of dharmapala (dharma protector) practice in Tibetan Buddhism? GESHE KELSANG GYATSO (GKG): Although dharmapalas appear wrathful, in reality they…
Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche
Below is a biographical sketch of Domo Geshe Rinpoche which was written by Ursula Bernis in 1995, initially for inclusion in a compendium of biographies of great Gelugpa masters. Ursula’s text is presented here in a slightly revised form. Ursula embarked on the project of researching and writing about Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s life with two…
Wisdom from an Old Lady
For ninety-nine years, I have worked for the benefit of beings. now this work is almost complete. I will not take birth again in this human realm in a physical form, nor will I leave behind any remains or relics. But my emanations in the world will be innumerable; and many will recognize them. They…
Trichen Ngawang Chokdhen (1677-1751)
From page 67 of the biography of Trichen Ngawang Chokdhen (1677–1751) composed by Changkya Rolpai Dorje (1717–1786): Previously, a very vicious and evil spirit [1] possessed a man at Draksep. Some unstable lamas, former abbots, and monastic hostels (khangtsens) did practice in relation to it simply by invoking and propitiating it. A cairn for invoking…
The People’s Princess – Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo
She is a student with a taste for Prada, but Tibetans consider Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo divine. Can she change her country? YABSHI PAN RINZINWANGMO, a 20-year-old political science student at a university in Washington USA, likes to be called Renji. Her Chinese mother uses the title “princess”. The Communist Chinese government not only permits the…
Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara Dedication Prayer
May all beings everywhere Plagued by sufferings of body and mind, Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy By virtue of my merits. May no living creature suffer, Commit evil or ever fall ill. May no one be afraid or belittled, With a mind weighed down by depression. May the blind see forms And the…
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