True Spiritual Leadership: Karmapa vs Dalai Lama

The late Shamarpa with H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje

On 11 June 2014, the world lost a light when news of the passing of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche Mepham Chokyi Lodro surfaced. Devotees from all around the world mourned and prepared for the final rites of H.H the 14th Shamarpa, which the late master himself had indicated should be performed in Nepal.

The proper legal procedures were observed and the appropriate permits obtained in preparation for the final journey of Shamar Rinpoche’s holy kudung (physical remains) from India to Nepal on July 13, 2014. An unforeseen complication arose however; the government of Nepal suddenly withdrew their approval for Shamar Rinpoche’s kudung to enter the country.

While high lamas and disciples from near and far gathered in Shar Minub monastery in Kathmandu in anticipation of the final rites, Shamar Rinpoche’s kudung remained enshrined in the Diwakar Vihara Buddhist Academy in Kalimpong, India and his administration worked around the clock to resolve the concerns of the Nepalese government.

As the end of July approached, permission was still not granted even with students and relatives petitioning the government and making heartfelt appeals to the Prime Minister of Nepal. One can only imagine the anger, frustration, disappointment and emotional outcry during the fight to bring Shamarpa’s holy kudung back to Nepal, the place with which his line of incarnations has a strong karmic bond and where he had been actively spreading the Dharma.

A report from the Shamarpa’s official website (click to enlarge)

With the situation deteriorating and tempers flaring, the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu sect, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje rose above all to guide his people, stating and advising them:

This is a time for wisdom and responsibility. We must guard ourselves from any thoughts, words and actions that could lead to harm or unnecessary karma. ~ H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje

This is a strong, apt and powerful statement from the Karmapa, befitting a true spiritual leader, to forewarn his disciples of the karma they can create for themselves should they be misguided by anger and frustration thus leading to violence or unfavorable actions.

Leaders should always look out for the welfare of those under their guidance, and this is even more necessary when it comes to spiritual leadership. It is clear that the Karmapa does as he preaches, that the welfare of all his disciples are in his consideration, and his statement alone as Spiritual Head of the Karma Kagyu lineage did much to prevent his followers and those of the Shamarpa from creating harm for others and themselves.

H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, considered by many to be the leader of all Tibetan Buddhists. Knowing full well that hatred and discrimination is running rife amongst his followers and the Tibetan citizenry, the Dalai Lama does nothing to advise them against the violence shown towards Dorje Shugden practitioners.

As the temporal and spiritual leader of Tibet, there is no doubt that news of the attack on Gen Chonze of Trijang Ladrang, the ruthless occupation of Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s monastery not once but twice, and the aggression of Dalai Lama supporters towards peaceful demonstrators in Europe, amongst many other unjust events, would have reached the Dalai Lama’s ears.

One would expect nothing less of a spiritual leader (and a Nobel Peace Prize winner to boot) than to put a stop to such actions that accomplish nothing but to divide and separate the community further. Most bizarrely however, the Dalai Lama has done nothing of the sort – no reprimand or advice has crossed his lips, and the violence and discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners continues unabated.

Why has the Dalai Lama remained silent regarding the widespread and proven incidents of violence perpetrated by his supporters? One need only compare his actions to those of the Karmapa, who endeavors to protect his followers from performing any sort of harmful action, even before it has happened.

The Central Tibetan Adminstration (CTA) has even published a hit list of Dorje Shugden practitioners. Why has the Dalai Lama kept silent about the actions of his own administration, unless its publication was also approved by him?

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama is famed for his advice on inter-religious tolerance and peace, except when it comes to Dorje Shugden practitioners

The tenets of Buddhism do not encourage the harming of others, let alone acts of violence. The Dalai Lama himself has quoted this in his recent plea to Sri Lankan monks to stop their acts of violence against minority Muslims, even asking them “to imagine an image of Buddha” before committing anti-Muslims crimes.

If the Dalai Lama can advise Sri Lankan Buddhists against harming those from different religious beliefs, why does he not give the same advice to his people who are squarely against Dorje Shugden worshippers, who also happen to be fellow Buddhists? Doesn’t his tolerance and consideration apply to Dorje Shugden practitioners too? In fact, the Dalai Lama’s silence is an indirect form of approval and encouragement of violent behavior towards Dorje Shugden practitioners.

The Dalai Lama has also spoken out against caste-based discrimination, but in effecting the ban on Dorje Shugden, he has in fact further segregated his own people. Shugden practitioners are not allowed in the three great monasteries of Ganden, Drepung or Sera unless they swear to give up his practice, they are not allowed to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings, nor do they have equal opportunities and access to education and medical care. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), the Dalai Lama has also done nothing about these acts of discrimination within the Tibetan monastic community.

A spiritual leader’s role is to dispense advice and to teach by example. The 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is doing that very well. The Dalai Lama would do well to follow his lead rather than silently endorsing atrocities of human rights abuse.

NOTE: The Nepal government eventually relented their stance and allowed the Shamarpa’s kudung to enter Nepal. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche’s kudung arrived at Shar Minub monastery on 29 July 2014, and the final cremation ceremony took place on 31 July 2014.