Much has been said about the discrimination and atrocities performed in the name of enforcing the Dorje Shugden ban. Similarly, the sufferings that Dorje Shugden practitioners have had to endure have received significant coverage in the world media.
Yet, however dark and dim the future may appear to be, a sliver of hope will always persevere like that silver lining in every cloud. As such, perhaps it is time to look at the Dorje Shugden controversy in a slightly different light – one that, while acknowledging the difficulties of Shugden Buddhists, also recognizes the benefits that the ban has brought. As tangible changes are strongly felt and visibly witnessed all over the world, and as the secret practice of Dorje Shugden becomes the new “household name” of Tibetan Buddhism, we begin to see that all this is, regardless of motivation, very much thanks to the Dalai Lama.
The Purpose of Dorje Shugden
The coming of Lama Tsongkapa was foretold by Buddha Shakyamuni, who declared that this emanation of Manjushri would revitalize and spread the Buddhist teachings at a future time of degeneration. When Lama Tsongkapa appeared in 14th century, it was also then that the basis of, and “strategy” behind the manifestation of Dorje Shugden as the uncommon protector of Lama Tsongkapa’s doctrine was initiated by the dharma protector Nechung.
Nechung appeared as a dove that transformed into a young boy dressed in white, and requested Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen to arise as an uncommon Protector to safeguard Nagarjuna’s Middle View as perfectly taught by Lama Tsongkapa. Having great love and reverence for his teacher, Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen agreed. One can therefore conclude that Dorje Shugden has a crucial role to play in the growth of Dharma during this age of kaliyuga.
Lord Duldzin’s Story
Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen is commonly known as one of the eight main disciples of Lama Tsongkapa, and less commonly known to be the closest and most senior of Lama Tsongkapa’s disciples. Both Lama Tsongkapa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen had a close relationship that spanned many prior lifetimes (e.g. as Mahasiddha Birupa and Dombi Heruka), and both have been acknowledged as emanations of Manjushri who incarnated in the same place to set the perfect example of the correct relationship between Guru and disciple.
Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen
Among Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen’s greatest deeds was the construction of Ganden Monastery, which would become the first Gelugpa monastery ever built and a stronghold of Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings. For this reason, many regard Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen as the “co-founder” of the Gelugpa lineage because it was only through his work that Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings have remained alive and flourishing today, via the living dharma institution of Ganden Monastery, as well as Sera and Drepung. Thus, even during his lifetime, Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen had already begun to fulfill his promise to protect the perfect teachings of Lama Tsongkapa.
After Lama Tsongkapa entered clear light, Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen was the first to be offered the throne of Lama Tsongkapa, but he declined, preferring to continue his work to protect and grow the perfect teachings of his Guru. Thus, Gyaltsab Je ascended Lama Tsongkapa’s throne in his stead, and went on to become the first Ganden Tripa, while Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen went into retreat, dedicating the remainder of his life to pure Dharma practice.
Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen later returned as Panchen Sonam Drakpa and, a few lifetimes later, as Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who ultimately fulfilled the promise to arise as the uncommon protector, Dorje Shugden.
Fast Forward… The Degeneration
Today, over 300 years after Dorje Shugden arose, we can observe and experience the degeneration of Dharma, thus “confirming” Nechung’s prediction and reinforcing the urgent need for Dorje Shugden as the Protector of Lama Tsongkapa’s precious lineage. Despite Dharma masters successfully escaping Tibet for India and other parts of the world, bringing Buddha’s teachings with them, many never-before-seen problems are plaguing Tibetan Buddhism, amongst them the two Karmapa controversy, multiple opposing recognitions of Tulkus, and schism arising in the Gelugpa lineage as a result of the Dorje Shugden controversy.
This degeneration can also be seen in the Tibetan leadership, from the bravery and loyalty of the pre-exile Kashag (Tibetan Parliament) members such as Prime Ministers Lukhangwa and Lobsang Tashi, compared to the new leaders of the Tibetans-in-exile such as Penpa Tsering and Samdhong Rinpoche, who knowingly or unknowingly display incompetence and a severe lack of foresight in their public addresses, being more concerned to protect their position rather than the welfare of the Tibetan people.
From left to right: Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the 14th Dalai Lama, and the Speaker of Parliament Penpa Tsering.
The Ban and Its Effects
The Dalai Lama began to discourage the practice of Dorje Shugden in the 1970s. However, as Protector practice is one that is traditionally held sacred and secret, many continued to propitiate Dorje Shugden until the Dalai Lama toughened his stance in the 1990s, making official pronouncements against Dorje Shugden’s practice and banning Shugden Buddhists from attending his teachings.
This culminated with forced signature campaigns and swearing-out ceremonies in 2008, when the Gelugpa monastic community was singled out and asked to sign declarations renouncing, or rather denouncing, their practice of Dorje Shugden, and to swear oaths against Dorje Shugden’s practice. Monks who did not do so were automatically deemed to be Dorje Shugden practitioners, and were expelled from their monasteries with the Dalai Lama’s encouragement and blessings.
This marked the beginning of the plague of violence, discrimination and suppression in the world of Tibetan Buddhism as Dorje Shugden practitioners experienced damage to property and person. Vandalism of Dorje Shugden monasteries, temples, and images of lineage masters like Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was rampant. Homes and shops of Shugden practitioners were ransacked and burnt. Monks and lay practitioners were indiscriminately attacked, physically and psychologically.
Even attained senior lamas like Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche, Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche and Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso were not spared the humiliation and attacks. For instance, Gen Chonzey-la, an elderly and respectable monk who is the main administrator of Trijang Ladrang in Ganden Monastery was attacked in the wee hours of the morning by five knife-wielding men, and sustained many cuts, bruises and a swollen eye as a result.
Gen Chonzey sustained severe injuries after being attacked for his practice of Dorje Shugden
Discriminatory signs against Dorje Shugden practitioners within the Tibetan community
Thus, the ban has caused great schism within the monastic community, widespread destruction of Buddha images, and tremendous disrespect to great Lamas whose only “crime” was to practice a centuries-old enlightened dharma protector that the Dalai Lama dislikes.
Further reading
- CTA creates violence again
- Tibetan leadership publishes hit list
- Nuns acting in the most unsightly ways
So, how did the ban help, if at all?
Dorje Shugden Practitioners Have United
Despite the great suffering, many Dorje Shugden practitioners accepted the pain as a practice of Tonglen and persevered. Weathering the storm, the most ardent and sincere of practitioners with unshakable faith arose.
Thanks to the Dalai Lama, the ban gave Dorje Shugden practitioners, who historically practiced individually and independently, a strong cause to unite and stand together to fight for their religious rights, and to show their devotion to their lineage masters.
As a result, the International Shugden Community (ISC) was born, with the mission of lifting the ban by creating awareness of the suffering of Shugden Buddhists, through peaceful demonstrations and mass media exposure worldwide. The ISC has successfully organized a series of peaceful demonstrations since 2014 in Europe, USA and Canada, AND united Shugden Buddhists from the West and East, giving powerful credence to their cause.
When Yongyal Rinpoche was detained, immigration was quoted as saying: “His visa was revoked. We do not know the politics behind it. We have only done our duty…” (Click to enlarge)
The world’s media, from traditional platforms to social media, has picked up the message of the peaceful demonstrations and this, in turn, hampers the intensity of the discrimination and suppression of Shugden Buddhists. For example, the detention and deportation of Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche from India received immediate attention and action internationally, reflecting poorly on the Central Tibetan Administration as well as the Indian authorities. Such embarrassment will definitely give cause for all parties to think twice before acting blatantly against Shugden practitioners in future.
The unity of Dorje Shugden practitioners has also sparked a movement within Tibetan Buddhist communities worldwide, far beyond the imagination of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, and the world has since embraced this movement. Whether from a pro-Dorje Shugden, anti-Dalai Lama or human rights angle, “Shugden Fever” caught on and has brought Dharma to the next level.
Peaceful demonstrations: Calling upon the Dalai Lama to give religious freedom
The Next Level: Butter from Milk
When the going gets tough, a higher level of practice arises when practitioners put the Dharma they have learnt into action. In the words of an erudite Tibetan lama:
When milk is shaken, you get 100% pure butter and some watery leftovers.
The ban on Dorje Shugden certainly shook things up within the Tibetan Buddhist community, and has created a distinct separation between those who chose Bodhicitta over anger, Guru Devotion over politicking, knowledge over ignorance. Thanks to the Dalai Lama, the name of Dorje Shugden is now synonymous with the pure Gelugpa lineage of Lama Tsongkapa and the monasteries that uphold this tradition (the butter) as opposed to the travesty of “fair weather” practitioners who sacrificed the pure Dharma on the altar of politics (the watery leftovers).
Democracy in Tibet… Finally
Another positive side-effect of the Dorje Shugden ban is the creation of a higher level of awareness of religious rights and freedoms, particularly in the Tibetan community.
In the not-so-distant past, it was almost unheard of for Tibetans (and Tibetan Buddhists) to voice opinions that clash with those of their God King. “Victims” of the Dalai Lama’s policies would direct their discontent towards the Tibetan administration, but make a conscious effort to steer clear of blaming the Dalai Lama himself, even when there was evidence to substantiate their dissatisfaction, or clear contradictions in the Dalai Lama’s speech, teachings and actions.
The untouchable status of the Dalai Lama had in fact begun with his political role during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama. In 1661, two missionaries, Johannes Gruber and Albert Dorville, recorded that conflicting experiences of the Dalai Lama were already in existence then. Some experienced the Dalai Lama as “a powerful and compassionate leader” while others saw him as “a devilish God-the-father who puts to death such as refuse to adore him.”
The tyranny of the Dalai Lama further expanded beyond the borders of Tibet when he was implicated in a conspiracy to assassinate the 18-year-old King of Bhutan in the 1970s. However, instead of targeting the God King, the Dalai Lama’s brother, Gyalo Dondrup and Lhading, his personal representative in Bhutan, were named by the Bhutanese authorities as the principal agents of the conspiracy.
However, thanks to the Dalai Lama, the Dorje Shugden ban has opened the doors to the unthinkable: the first inklings of democracy in Tibet. For the first time ever, Tibetans are standing up to protest, not against the Dalai Lama per se but to defend their fundamental human rights for religious freedom, after being suppressed and abused beyond human tolerance.
- As a direct result of the Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden, the Dorje Shugden Devotee’s Charitable & Religious Society was formed in Delhi in 1996, to create awareness of the sufferings caused by the Dorje Shugden ban, and to petition against it.
- In 2011, the North America Geluk Buddhist Association (NAGBA) was formed with the sole objective of preserving the pure lineage of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, which includes the practice of Dorje Shugden.
- NAGBA also initiated the Tibetan Public Talk series of videos in 2012, to further create awareness of the sufferings caused by the ban, and to provide a platform for learned Geshes, Rinpoches and lamas to refute the Dalai Lama’s reasons for the ban based on scriptural evidence.
- Through the International Shugden Community, Tibetans worldwide have been empowered to take a stand for their rights, lineage and practice, and in 2014 staged a series of worldwide peaceful demonstrations against the Dalai Lama’s religious ban.
These efforts in various parts of the world, by different communities sharing a common vision, created a new level of understanding of the power of egalitarianism. Those suppressed and discriminated against started a powerful democratic movement of the Tibetan people, by the Tibetan people, and for the Tibetan people: a revolution within Tibetan history, all thanks to the Dalai Lama.
Dorje Shugden Goes Mainstream
One of the Dalai Lama’s greatest achievements is spreading Lord Buddha’s teachings to the world at a rate and in a scale previously unfathomable. After 55 years of turning the Wheel of Dharma, millions have received initiations and learned the Buddhist doctrine. Consciously or subconsciously, the Dalai Lama is also doing the same for Dorje Shugden’s practice, through all the hype surrounding the Shugden controversy.
The Dalai Lama has certainly brought Vajrayana Buddhism to the world
The combined efforts of the International Shugden Community, Dorje Shugden monasteries, great Shugden lamas such as Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche, Kyabje Gonsar Rinpoche and Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche, and DorjeShugden.com have promoted the Buddhadharma in the form of Dorje Shugden to millions worldwide via mass media channels. For instance:
- The very visible and audible demonstrations have been a magnet for world media attention.
- This media interest is fueled by detailed and up-to-date information on DorjeShugden.com.
- Last but not least, the Dorje Shugden sangha who remain steadfast to their Gurus and Protector are a living testament that supports the information conveyed at the demonstrations and on websites.
As a result, Dorje Shugden is fast becoming a household name beyond traditional Buddhist circles, and with each mention of his name, the imprints of a Buddha are planted in the mindstreams of individuals. None of this would have happened if not for the Dalai Lama.
Likewise, Dorje Shugden’s name is being spread far and wide
A sample of international media coverage of the Dorje Shugden ban (Click to enlarge)
The Re-Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
Based on the principle of cause and effect, the difficulties that Dorje Shugden practitioners have endured over the years and their devotion to the lineage Gurus have created the causes for powerful Dorje Shugden Dharma masters to arise and turn the wheel of Dharma once again. Most recently, in September 2014, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche gave the life entrustment of Dorje Shugden (sogtae) to over 700 people in Mongolia.
Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche gave teachings to huge audiences in Mongolia
Additionally, the Dorje Shugden controversy has forced practitioners to study and gain a deeper understanding of the Dharma, which in turn develops a greater appreciation of Lama Tsongkapa’s precious doctrine. Thanks to the Dalai Lama, the Dorje Shugden ban has been a catalyst for practitioners to gain unsurpassed wisdom, unshakeable Guru devotion and abundant merits for the survival and furtherance of Dorje Shugden’s practice.
Today, the name “Dorje Shugden” itself heralds the coming of pure Dharma. Looking at the benefits that have arisen from the ban, perhaps, just perhaps, the ban can even be viewed as one of Dorje Shugden’s enlightened activities, one that allows him to correct the degeneration of Lama Tsongkapa’s lineage and protect this precious doctrine for future generations, just as he swore to do many centuries ago as Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen. And, as ironic as it may sound, all this is thanks to the Dalai Lama.
References
- http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/press-release-tibetan-democracy-day/
- http://www.shugdensociety.info/home.html
- http://kadampa.org/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Kadampa_Tradition
- http://internationalshugdencommunity.com/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tibet
- http://www.westernshugdensociety.org/photos/tibetan-assassinate-bhutan-king/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9YJmhbaX70
- http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/trijang-rinpoche-in-mongolia-2014/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru-shishya_tradition
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Matibhadra
February 18, 2015
Then, according to the weird logic of the article above, it is thanks to the Inquisition that nowadays Europe enjoys religious freedom. One might ask whether the hundreds of thousands of innocent people burnt at the stake during the witch-hunts promoted by the Catholic Church would be so thankful.
Also, according to the thoughtless logic of the article, it is thanks to the decapitations and crucifixions of thousands of innocent people by the Islamic State in Syria, Iraq, or Lybia, that the world has the opportunity to raise against fundamentalism and fanaticism. All “thanks” to the Islamic State, right?
While the evil actions of others do serve as an opportunity to develop good qualities, those evil actions are by no means the cause of such good qualities, and therefore it is roundly wrong to say that “all this is thanks to the Dalai Lama”. Rather, all this is thanks to pure Gurus and the Three Jewels.
Therefore, the article is logically untenable, and boils down to an undisguised theodicy, whereby the divine status and authority of an evildoer is explained and supported by the ascription of some divine purpose for the evil done. As such, it is politically motivated by the wish of preserving the divine status and authority of a political character, in case the “Dalai Lama”.
Theodicies are contrivances used by Abrahamic religions to preserve the unseeming divine status and authority of their bloodthirsty “God”, the creator of the world, and therefore of every the evil permeating it. Buddhism does not need theodicies, and thus can dispense with politically motivated attempts to sacralize evil and evildoers, such as the article above.
Dharmacrazy
February 19, 2015
Thank you Admin for the “refreshing” angle of viewing the entire controversy of Dorje Shugden’s practice.
The tragic situations experienced and suffered by Shugden practitioners are real and painful to witness…even as bystanders. However, like many heroes of mankind’s history, their sacrifice is for a bigger picture: that others in the future are able to be better off.
A simple and very relatable example: Our parents or ancestors sacrificed tremendously for us when they migrated to new lands to garner a better chance for their future generations to be better off. The migration process is no easy feat with exposure to risk to life and well being. If they survive the journey, they are exposed to discrimination and illness in new environments etc.
Similarly, there are many other heroes who “paid” with their comfort zones and lives for us to enjoy privileges today, including women who risked social scorn, being ostracized and attacked when they fought for gender equality so that women today receive better opportunities and are protected from violence. Also, the minority races all over the world who stood up against racial discrimination so that their future generations stand a better chance to survive with fair treatment.
All these individuals and groups suffered greatly and I believe, if they had a choice, they would not want to be tortured, burnt alive or go through any pains…who would? Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to undo this history.
However, what we can and should do is make something good out of their sacrifice by being grateful. How to be grateful? By practicing virtues that protect the message they stood for, such as faith, unity, honor…LOVE. This way, we don’t “waste” their sacrifice. If we harness anger, righteousness and aggression, how would it benefit?
The 8 verses of Mind transformation by Geshe Langri Thangpa have made a strong impression in my mind since I first set eye on it.
“Whenever I meet a person of bad nature,
Overwhelmed by negative energy and intense suffering,
I will hold such a rare one dear
As if I’ve found a precious treasure.”
“When someone I have benefited and in whom
I have placed great trust hurts me very badly,
I will practise seeing that person
As my supreme teacher.”
The phoenixes that rose from their ashes (i.e the faithful DS practitioners) used the tragedy of the Dorje Shugden ban to practice Dharma and the unity and other results that arose from their sacrifice, faith and effort is the “reward” that I rejoice for.
Agnes Kohl
February 19, 2015
The issue of Dorje Shugden and the Ban enforced by the CTA has indeed created more publicity than expected. The falsely imagined power the CTA thinks they have could not have imagined that the Ban would create such an uproar. I think that they thought people would just submit and let the CTA’s ways prevail. Wrong.
This article is indeed very well entitled to catch the attention of many and especially the CTA. No one who is a true practitioner of Buddhism, of any religion in fact, wants anymore suffering to continue. The only way out here is to resolve and lift the Ban. But the issue is that the CTA and Dalai Lama are not willing to engage in such a dialogue. As bizarre as the theory is in this article we should still consider that many things in life are not what it seems on the surface. And that the divine does work in mysterious ways. If we could understand this divine methods then we would all be enlightened. Thus leading to my point that all this suffering here now with this Shugden matter and also other historical events of mass sufferings are unnecessary but has happened, we cannot change history but we can make a difference for the future in this present as a result of history. This is progress in mankind.
It is time for progress on this Shugden matter. The suffering has to stop.
Marianne
February 19, 2015
Thank you for directing our focus beyond the drama that resulted from the ban on Dorje Shugden os that we are able to see that the actions of the Dalai Lama and CTA has caused Dorje Shugden’s practice to flourish.
Like the saying goes: when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. The discrimination and hard times that arose from the ban has enabled us to identify those who are willing to withstand difficulties to uphold their faith in their Gurus and the 3 Jewels. Pure and sincere practitioners who are not Buddhists by convenience is important as we enter the kaliyuga age.
Ultimately, all this can create positive end results simply because practitioners are propelled to transform their dharma learnings into action…and not just nice talk
Matibhadra
February 19, 2015
How cute to practise the 8 Verses of Mind Transformation with the suffering of others, rejoicing on the suffering of the victims while praising the perpetrator as “the supreme teacher”.
Actually, such an attitude is rather perverse, even sadistic, and has nothing to do with Geshe Langri Tangpa’s message.
Every contorted train of thought is indulged in, in order to save the face of a gruesome criminal, namely, the one known as “Dalai Lama”; in order to protect and promote his putative divine status and authority.
And why, one might ask, do people indulge in such perverse justifications of evil and evildoers? In a nutshell, because such people, being motivated by the eight mundane concerns, ultimately would want to be part of the perpetrator side.
Dharmacrazy
February 21, 2015
Dear Matibhadra
I do not rejoice in the suffering of others. Not at all and please do not make such a conclusion. I have no control over the Dalai Lama or the CTA or anyone including yourself for that matter.
So, I work on practicing the 8 verses of Mind Transformation to improve by reducing actions of body, speech and mind that stems from the 3 poisons of ignorance, self-cherishing and anger. Does this warrant your chiding and judgment?
Actually, you seem knowledgeable with Dharma and passionate about the cause to reduce the suffering of Dorje Shugden practitioners and want to do something for the victims who have suffered from the ban.
There are various ways you can support such as DONATING TO THIS WEBSITE that has created awareness and valuable information about Dorje Shugden, the Dorje Shugden community as well as the practice so that many more can be benefited
Kelsang Pagpa
February 21, 2015
“One of the Dalai Lama’s greatest achievements is spreading Lord Buddha’s teachings to the world at a rate and in a scale previously unfathomable.”
I’m sorry, I completely disagree. The Dalai Lama encourages people to stay with their own religion and not to take refuge in the Three Jewels. Furthermore, his endorsement of science over Buddhism has led him to make many strange statements that are not in accordance with Buddha’s teachings. There is footage on YouTube of a young women asking him about the development of compassion and instead of giving an answer from the Buddhist tradition, he bizarrely goes on about how compassion comes from your mother’s milk. I believe he has created many harmful distortions and is not teaching Buddhism at all. Furthermore, having cut himself off from his Gurus, he teaches with no lineage blessings. People tend to go to see him and emerge with shiny programmes much like one would when attending a rock concert – it’s very much the Dalai Lama show, nothing really to be with Buddha at all. This is what I have observed.
Atisha's cook
February 21, 2015
ok, don’t publish my previous comment. it’s not going to help or benefit anyone, is it?
Shugden Library
February 21, 2015
Thanks to the False Dalai Lama there is only hatred, anger and violence within the Tibetan exile community and the global Buddhist family.
I find this article absurd and lacking any value in the Shugden debate.
Blessings for all
February 21, 2015
Mahayana dharma raja sings Tsongkhapa HEart mantra at YouTube http://youtu.be/TpB-fWXpny8
kelly
February 22, 2015
Is indeed very true, the ban of DS has brought all the practitioner in the world to unite together to fight lifting the ban , the unity of all these practitioner has prove that the genuine and preciousness of Lama Tsongkhapa teaching we as a practitioner want the teaching to be preserve and to spread to more people in order to benefits more people and help them to release their suffering. In this age of degeneration we really need to have the Dharma because life without the Dharma will be even more suffering.
Matibhadra
February 22, 2015
> [Dharmacrazy says:]
> I do not rejoice in the suffering of others. Not at all and please do not make such
> a conclusion.
The conclusion is your own, just that you fail to realize it. You have mistakenly concluded that the Eight Verses of Mind Transformation apply to the suffering of others, not to your own. Therefore, you sadistically enjoy the suffering of others as a method to find your own enjoyment, and glorify the agent of such suffering, in case the evil dalai, as your “supreme teacher”.
> I have no control over the Dalai Lama or the CTA or anyone including yourself
> for that matter.
If only you had control over your own actions, you would refrain from sadistically finding pleasure with the suffering of others, and from glorifying evildoers such as the evil dalai as your “supreme teacher”.
This cheap and perverted the attitude of practising the Eight Verses of Mind Transformation with the suffering of others, not with one’s own, resembles the barbaric Jewish ritual whereby the community’s sins were “transferred” to goats, which were then either offered as a blood sacrifice to their “God”, or forever banned from the community, in order to “cleanse” such sins.
This is actually the attitude of your “supreme teacher”, the evil dalai, who in his idiocy wants to transfer his own mistakes and failures to Dorje Shugden practitioners, and furiously wants to either destroy such practitioners, or forever to ban them from their communities, as though such destruction or ban would cleanse the sins and failures of himself and of such communities.
And all of this is the abhorrent result of mispracticing the Eight Verses of Mind Transformation with the suffering of others, not with one’s own. This is the perverted teaching of the evil dalai, and the very essence of his evil, extremist personality cult.
Doreen Park
February 22, 2015
What I present here is my view.
Great Lineage Masters and teachers of the precious dharma of what we call Tibetan Buddhism today, must be concerned about the degeneration of Dharma in this age. Also what will happen to the continuity of Dharma, especially when its ‘leader’ the 14h Dalai Lama is no more.
( We cannot deny that, while we use logic and reason to prove that HH Dalai Lama is not the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, yet millions of Tibetans still see him as one).
This article syncs well with my thoughts above. I am very certain the HH Dalai Lama(emanation of Chenrezig) being a ‘guardian’ of the dharma has orchestrated what has happened. In fact all great Lineage masters, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche , the Dalai Lama and other great Shugden masters are in a divine play to protect the precious teachings of Je Tsongkhapa in this degenerate age by making sure that the promise of Duldzin Drakpa Gyelten to arise as a Dharma Protector to protect these precious teachings, so necessary for this degenerate age, is carried out at all cost, even to their lives and reputations.
Yes tremendous sufferings have been experienced especially by Tibetan Shugden practitioners. But many of them, both Lamas and lay-practitioners, have held strong , not by using worldly ways of countering the ban and atrocities, but by holding firm to their Guru Devotion and also through the powerful compassionate and mind-transforming practices of accepting and of practicing Tonglen. Their minds have become their own powerful protection. These practitioners have brought the Dharma to a much higher level and will be the true great beings who will ensure the preservation and continuity of the Dharma, with Shugden’s help.
Reading Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s “Music Delighting an Ocean of Protectors” once more, has had a humbling effect on me, in making me see that “my ordinary view” seemingly born of pure logic and reasoning, is no more than a ‘partisan view’- a view that stems from my attachment and aversion.
The twenty-first century’s most powerful way of peacefully countering the Dalai Lama’s imposition of a draconian ban –the many peaceful protests organized by ISC – is taking effect with the media and people outside of Tibet and India now being made aware of how Shugden practitioners are suffering tremendously with persecution, discrimination and blatant ostracism. The world is being educated and made aware that there is a powerful compassionate Enlightened Protector Dorje Shugden, worshipped by millions(even in the face of much opposition and subversion), because he has helped and supported millions, including the many who rely on him to support and protect their Dharma practice of Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings. The world is being educated to the fact that there are great and compassionate Shugden and Tsongkapa Lineage masters zealously teaching the Dharma so necessary for these degenerate age.
Even Tibetan Shugden Practitioners have now been awaken to their right of choice and religious freedom in a democracy and are fighting for these rights!
How marvellous it all is, that when the ban is lifted, the ‘fight’ for it has all been done through the way of Peace and motivated by compassion, the way Buddha Shakyamuni has shown us as the essence of Buddhist practice .
Matibhadra
February 23, 2015
> [Doreen Park said:]
> I am very certain the HH Dalai Lama (emanation of Chenrezig) being a ‘guardian’
> of the dharma has orchestrated what has happened.
This is the problem with religious fanaticism. Since religious fanatics are “very certain” that their greedy church is infallible, that their bloodthirsty “god” is love, that their murderous allah is righteous, or that their evil dalai is Chenrezig, every single unspeakable atrocity is explained, justified, and glorified.
If your business is to justify and glorify violence against humanity, you are in the wrong religion. You would feel much better, for instance, in the ranks of the Islamic State or Boko Haram, decapitating, crucifying, burying and burning alive children and other innocent people in order to fulfill the Grand Plan Orchestrated by Allah.
Indeed, they are all “very certain” that their leaders are the messengers of Allah, as you are “very certain” that the evil dalai is Chenrezig, and that all their crimes are “necessary” for the welfare of the world. In a nutshell, you and they are in the same business of using religious stories to justify and sanctify violence against humanity.
Buddhism, including the pure Dharma of Je Tsongkhapa and the pure practice of Dorje Shugden, is not about covering and justifying violence. Covering and justifying violence are despicable, un-Buddhistic activities motivated by the eight wordly dharmas, and should be shunned by every Buddhist worth this name.
Sushilla Kapur
February 26, 2015
In the ultimate sense there is no right or wrong of what the Dalai Lama is doing or not doing ! That is the ultimate practice for everyone !
Matibhadra
February 27, 2015
> In the ultimate sense there is no right or wrong of what the Dalai Lama is doing
> or not doing ! That is the ultimate practice for everyone !
The extremist, nihilistic idea that the ultimate denies the conventional, such as right and wrong, was decisively refuted by Je Tsongkhapa, whereby your misguided “ultimate practice” is flawed both for you and everyone.
Eli Buchen
March 1, 2015
The Dorje Shugden Ban, is the only ban that after the initial defections and people leaving the Dorje Shugden practice, the number of Dorje Shugden practitioners are growing exponentially……
And i do have faith in Trijang Rinpoche saying in the future dalai lama and Dorje Shugden seem to be at odds… Do not lose faith in one or the other.
I also have faith in the dalai lama, dalai lama can only be Chenrezig and i know he can tell the difference between a demon and Buddha, so all the dalai lama is doing is a subterfuge…..
Anonymous
March 1, 2015
> And i do have faith in Trijang Rinpoche saying in the future dalai lama and Dorje
> Shugden seem to be at odds… Do not lose faith in one or the other.
Since even the evilest sentient being is still endowed with buddha nature, one should never lose faith in anyone, not even in the evil dalie. However, this is not a reason to sanctify and glorify his crimes against humanity.
One should not distort and corrupt the words of pure gurus such as Trijang Rinpoche, as though such words were supporting violence and unspeakable crimes against humanity, together with their perpetrators.
> I also have faith in the dalai lama, dalai lama can only be Chenrezig
This shows how little faith you have in Buddha’s Dharma and in pure gurus. You place your faith in a criminal, and think that calling him “Chenrezig” will whitewash his crimes, together with your accomplicity.
This is not different from Jews, Christians, and Muslims justifying and even glorifying every kind of gruesome crime against humanity “in the name of God”, that is, of their cruel, envious, bloodthirsty Abrahamic “god”.
If your business is to glorify violence and crimes against humanity, you (just like the evil dalie) have nothing to do with Chenrezig and with Buddhism. Jehovah or Allah is your “divinity”, and the Islamic State is your crowd.
Matibhadra
March 1, 2015
Sorry for the “Anonymous”; the above post was posted by “Matibhadra”.
Sofia Neumerkel
March 1, 2015
In today’s world, it is so degenerate that people put more attention in negativity instead of positivity. Therefore, something good sometimes has to be make known through a very negative way. Just look at the celebrity, many of them get their fame, popularity through negative publicity. The process might not be pretty, but they get the results they want!
There is no need to hate HHDL or DS, what we can learn from this ban is to be loyal to our gurus, our lineage. Practice with logic, respond to the haters with compassion, because this is what is taught in Buddhism.
Matibhadra
March 2, 2015
> In today’s world, it is so degenerate that people put more attention in negativity
> instead of positivity.
Then, according to your logic, the Buddha should be very negative in order to appear on CNN, is it? For instance, he should behead and burn alive innocent people, just as the Islamic State does, or to promote gruesome self-immolations, bloody riots, and brutal witch-hunts, just as the evil dalie does, right?
> Therefore, something good sometimes has to be make known through a very
> negative way. Just look at the celebrity, many of them get their fame, popularity
> through negative publicity. The process might not be pretty, but they get the
> results they want!
How skillful! If only the Buddha knew that through wrong deeds he could get much more publicity than working hard for three countless eons as a bodhisattva! In a fingersnap he would get everything he wants, and be just as famous as Justin Bieber, rather than an obscure buddha forgotten by the media!
What you want is to justify the evil deeds perpetraded by the evil dalie lame. Your theory is that he is well justified perpetrating his crimes, because through this means he manages to get some publicity for himself. According to you, getting publicity is the supreme goal, which justifies every brutality.
> There is no need to hate HHDL or DS
Of course there is no need to “hate” the evil dalie, or any other criminal to that effect. But then your attempts at justifying the evil dalie’s own hatred and violence against humanity, “because negativity brings publicity”, show how much, behind your hypocritical preaching, you are possessed by the eight mundane concerns.
Sonam la
March 14, 2015
In this pure realm, surrounded by snow moutains,
Is the source of complete happiness and benefit,.
Avalokiteshvara, Tenzin Gyatso.
May you stand firm until the end of existence.
May you live thousands of years for Buddha Dharma and for all sentient beings ! May all your wishes come true for better world and peace on earth ! Remeber, 99 % Tibetan people are still following you and standing by you ! You are sunshine in this universe !! We love you till the end !
Sonam la
March 20, 2015
May all those negative influences that harm the teaching of the victorious ones through their perverted aspirations –
Those with form and those without form (Shugden) –
All those who work with malicious intentions,
Be annihilated through the truth of the Three Jewels !
bond
April 18, 2015
This article has definitely shed a great deal of enlightened points about the entire ban of Dorje Shugden practice. What is seemingly negative actions (from our convention view) has resulted in greater positive effect & further its growth & development. The unity of the world community of Tibetan Buddhism has never been stronger & faster growth than before just from the Protector practice of Dorje Shugden. Do not get me wrong here, Dorje Shugden sole purpose is to protect Nargajuna’s middle view taught by Lama Tsongkhapa. Ultimately, the ban has united many practitioners of Dorje Shugden of the Tibetan Buddhism worldwide & hence help to spread the Dharma growth.
SabrinaS
July 2, 2016
This article had brought on many interesting comments. Some for and some vehemently against the Dalai Lama’s actions as “divine play”. Personally, I think most of us do not have the privilege to fully understand the Dalai Lama’s intentions. On the one hand, he had caused so much sufferings to the Shugden practitioners and yet on the flip side, he had created the spread of Dorje Shugden’s practise. It is really within our own mind and perception of dualistic nature that we feel this or that. After all his ban can do no harm unless acted upon by people with bad intentions.
Since this article is on the positivities of the Dalai Lama’s ban and actions, other than those mentioned, I feel that those who stayed steadfast to their practises gained greater faith and devotion to Dorje Shugden as they stayed strong in their samaya with their Gurus. They will truly treasure this precious practise after the sufferings that they had gone through to keep it. Everyone will realise the purity of their lineage Gurus as they see their Lamas staying firm in their practises even though enduring the hardships and abuses from CTA and the Anti-Shugdens.
Compassion is being practised by the Shugden practitioners as they take actions to lift the ban peacefully albeit noisily to bring the sufferings of the practitioners to the world’s attention. Our minds expand to encapsulate all the possibilities that we may face in “forcing” the Dalai Lama to lift the illogical ban. Most of all, we are much closer to our Protector Dorje Shugden who is always with us and helping us in our sincerity and perseverance.
As the saying goes ” Out of the bad there is always the good”.
Sierra
September 11, 2016
Yes, the Dalai Lama may have, perversely, introduced Dorje Shugden to millions around the world. But, at what cost? And, does it has to continue for so long and so intensely. Millions are suffering. If it is due to their karma, and they have to purify it this way, with this kind of intense suffering in such a very short period of time, does the Dalai Lama have no kindness and compassion in his heart to find another way?
All we can do at this point is draw the attention of the west to the segregation that this ban has created. Does it have to be as bloody as the South African fight against apartheid and the South American fight against racial segregation? Only time will tell.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 12, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.