Dear friends,
Very good news! The International Shugden Committee (ISC) rallied their members for a peaceful demonstration in Washington, D.C. on March 7, 2014. During their previous demonstration in California, we saw how a peaceful nun was chastised by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama when she asked for religious freedom. Since that time, although there have not been any other close encounters with the Dalai Lama like this one, support for the ISC protests is growing. DorjeShugden.com has received encouraging news that within the Tibetan communities in America, support for the Dalai Lama’s ban has weakened after this video was published.
More than 700 ISC members participated in this demonstration in Washington, triple the number compared to the previous week’s demonstrations in California. Amongst them were some 60 Tibetans supporting the ISC’s call for religious freedom. Preparations for the protest began weeks in advance, when ISC members went online to raise funds for their Dharma brothers and sisters who wanted to join in the protests but could not afford the travelling costs. As a result of such support, they were able to bring in members from as far away as England and Mexico to join them.
The protestors arrived at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. at 5:30am. If they were tired, their exhaustion did not show on their faces because they were happy to exercise their right to freedom of speech which has been granted to them by the US Constitution, and guaranteed by their government. From 5:30am to 11:30am, they stood across the road from the Dalai Lama peacefully protesting for religious freedoms to be given to their fellow Shugden practitioners in Tibet and Nepal.
Because more than 700 people showed up, the police had to block off the road so that they could safely protest in peace. This meant that His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s motorcade had to be rerouted and he had to be escorted in to the Cathedral via a different entrance. The protestors however, did not lose their opportunity to make themselves heard. A number of ISC members were able to get to the new entrance in time, to ensure His Holiness saw and heard them protesting as he entered the building.
Later in the day, as the Dalai Lama spoke inside the Cathedral, two members of the ISC was able to ask the Dalai Lama questions about Dorje Shugden. First, they asked the Dalai Lama why there is a ban. The Dalai Lama replied saying that the 5th Dalai Lama had instituted it and actually, Dorje Shugden monasteries are good but it is the lamas who have made a mistake.
Then the two ISC members asked the Dalai Lama if Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche were wrong about Dorje Shugden. The Dalai Lama could not answer their second question. The two members were quickly silenced and escorted out by security personnel. This incident is totally reflective of the Tibetan leadership’s unwillingness to entertain any opinions other than their own, and does not represent the true spirit of democracy which involves a respect for other people’s opinions (no matter how unpleasant they may be).
We at DorjeShugden.com and Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world were encouraged by the number of media outlets who covered the protests, both in California and in Washington, D.C. With such media coverage, news of the Tibetan leadership’s unjust ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden has gone all over the world. While the Tibetan leadership can try to whitewash the issue amongst the Tibetan community by claiming that there is no such ban, the media knows better than that…hundreds of Buddhist monks and nuns cannot all be wrong enough to protest against a non-existent ban! As the saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire. To prove this point, there has been much press coverage regarding the ban to the just embarrassment of the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala. The Tibetan leadership needs to realize in a genuine democracy, religious freedom is allowed.
We at DorjeShugden.com and Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world are very inspired by the ISC’s faith and dedication in representing Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world. Other Buddhist practitioners put them down, calling them names and attacking the validity of their practice. However, they never waver in their guru devotion and despite the obstacles, continue to defend their lineage and practice for all Shugden practitioners around the world. They have promised to upkeep the protests so that wherever His Holiness goes throughout the world, he is reminded of this most illogical and unfair act of religious suppression currently being upheld by the Tibetan leadership.
We hope that more people will join us in contributing to the ISC and their works. May our joint effort and hard work bring down the ban on Dorje Shugden as soon as possible. The ban must come down and the truth must come out. Until the ban has been removed, we will continue to peacefully call for dialogue with His Holiness.
With prayers,
DS Admin
Click on the images below to enlarge them and read the text
News Coverage of the Washington DC ISC Demonstration, 7 March 2014
WUSA 9
WASHINGTON (WUSA9) - Close to 700 people demonstrated outside the National Cathedral Friday morning. The man at the center of the protest – the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness The Dalai Lama scheduled to speak about religion and ethics at the National Cathedral.
A Buddhist community divided in spiritually and physically: Students of the Dalai Lama on one side of Wisconsin Avenue, NW; followers of a centuries old and what His Holiness calls a sectarian form of Buddhism on the other. Rebecca Foley represents the Shugden community, which is 4 million strong around the world.
“Dorje Shugden is a prayer and it’s ludicrous to say this prayer hurts him, the Tibetan people, or the cause in any way,” said Foley.
The Dalai Lama himself practiced Shugden for 40 years until further research when he denounced the following calling it divisive and a cult.
Protestors, chanting “Dalai Lama – stop lying” and banging on drums, say their fight is for religious freedom. They claim the Dalai Lama has banned their practice and exiled them from the community.
“A mother goes out to buy food for her children and are turned away from the store because she practices Dorje Shugden. People are thrown out of hospitals,” said Foley.
“The Dalai Lama hasn’t banned their practice. He doesn’t have the power to ban,” countered Bhuchung Tsering, “Unfortunately, they are not dealing with reality or facts. If you want to talk about the real denial of religious freedom it is by the Chinese Government.”
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Source: http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/dc/2014/03/07/dalai-lama-protest-national-cathedral/6166593/
WTOP
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WTOP – Group protests Dalai Lama during his D.C. visit
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Source: http://www.wtop.com/220/3575302/Group-protests-Dalai-Lama-during-his-DC-visit
WASHINGTONIAN
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ABC7 NEWS
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KSDK NEWS
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TIME
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Source: http://time.com/15949/dalai-lama-pushes-for-religious-unity-at-national-cathedral/
WTSP
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THE WASHINGTON POST
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THE WASHINGTON POST TV
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USA TODAY
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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/07/dalai-lama-national-cathedral-talk/6166207/
REUTERS
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YAHOO! NEWS
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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/video/buddhist-faction-protests-dalai-lama-192116879.html
WLTX NEWS
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NEWSR
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Source: http://newsr.in/video/20140307/1665383/Buddhist-faction-protests-Dalai-Lama-as-he-visits.htm
ONE NEWS PAGE USA
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ONE NEWS PAGE UK
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RP-ONLINE
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JC ONLINE
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THE NEWS DAILY
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Source: http://www.the-news-daily.com/dalai-lama-china-great_143858
PICTURE DOT NEWS
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Source: http://picturesdotnews.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/protesters-denounce-the-dalai-lama-as-a-dictator/
EIN NEWS
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Videos of the Washington DC ISC Demonstration, 7 March 2014
From ISC
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Hundreds protest Dalai Lama’s visit to Washington DC
From WUSA 9
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Buddhist faction protests Dalai Lama as he visits Washington
From Washington Post
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Hundreds turn out for Dalai Lama’s visit to National Cathedral
From ABC 7
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Dalai Lama Draws Protesters at National Cathedral
From WTSP
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Interview with Adar Tsering and Gen Gyatso @ ISC Protest at Washington March 7th
From Radio Free Asia
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Tibetan Public Talk, Demonstration in Washington DC, March 7
From Tibetan Public Talk
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
ISC Washington DC demonstrations at National Cathedral
From the public
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Photos of the Washington DC ISC Demonstration, 7 March 2014
From Dalai Lama Truth Fan Page and ISC Members
Source: https://www.facebook.com/dalailamatruth
English
Indonesia
Tibetan
Steve Lee
March 13, 2014
Thank you ISC and all who protested peacefully so patiently and purposefully. They are so devoted to their lama and lineage. May this add to the pressure on CTA and all those involved in enforcing the ban and especially on the Dalai Lama to change his mind and abolish the ban…
Down with the Dorje Shugden ban!
Valerie
March 13, 2014
Happy to see so many people speak up to fight for religious freedom, from what I’ve seen in the picture and video that this is the first time demonstration can be so much happy faces around peacefully.
Thank you ds.com admin posting so much update and good news !
Dorje Rinchen
March 15, 2014
Thank you to the 700 ISC member who participated to let our voices heard to the CTA and DL. what we all want is religious freedom to practice this great lineage without being ostracize and treated like a criminal!
with such rally more and more people across the globe will get to know more about who Dorje Shugden really is, how compassionate DS is to all. Truth will prevail, what ever the CTA and HH is doing, the world is watching every single action of them.
what really baffles me is HHDL speaks of religious harmony, treating everyone with compassion, and need varieties of Method to develop compassion, so contradictory to what is being experience by all the Dorje Shugden practitioner, especially the Tibetans and the sangha at the Mnaestery in India who practices DS! WHERE IS OUR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM? WHERE IS RELIGIOUS HARMONY!
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/demonstration_feb2014/wtsp-protest-video-7March2014.mp4
Emma
March 16, 2014
This is great news! It is heartwarming to see so many Shugden practitioners joining in the protest in Washington and this time it included many Tibetans protestors. They all brave the cold to pressurise the Dalai Lama and CTA to remove the ban. The ISC certainly make a strong stand and had a close opportunity to question the Dalai Lama. ISC organise the protest well.
The ban has to come down!
Peter
March 16, 2014
The ban is shaking! It is weakening! The more the suppression the more the protest. Don’t dodge Dalai Lama. Give religious freedom.
Lesly
March 16, 2014
“His Holiness” either needs to change his name, or start living up to it.
Celine
March 18, 2014
The name “His Holiness” is fast going down the drain with the ban.
Jacob Walter
March 19, 2014
Very good! Very good! Its wonderful to see such a huge turn up to protest peacefully in the freezing cold. They all have such good guru devotion to be standing there and have raised their own funds to make sure they make it in time to protest. Everything was so organised and peaceful. Their voices are definitely heard all over the world.
Many people around the world practicing Dorje Shugden has been suppressed by so many anti-ds it is good that these beautiful people are speaking up for them, being the voice for them.
It’s being taken notice by the CTA, its being taken notice by H.H.D.L, its being taken notice by the anti-ds, but most importantly its being taken notice by the public and they will learn more about the ban and they will learn more why it is wrong.
Lesly and Celine, we cannot put H.H.D.L down because through how much His Holiness has spread Dharma throughout the west we cannot stop His Holiness and ruin his reputation because there are still many hundred thousands possibly millions that has benefited from Buddhism or could benefit from it.
All we should focus on is to peacefully focus on removing the ban and give us the religious freedom to practice Dorje Shugden and by doing so bringing more awareness to the public and the anti-ds community that what is going on is wrong.
Sandra
March 20, 2014
They were total 700 people stand up to voice out give religious freedom and Dalai Lama stop lying. I feel very touch that they are a group of people really care and dare to defence for their lineage, fight for religious freedom. Now is the time to make known to the public how unreasonable for the ban. The ISC members really done a very good job by having such peaceful rally. I believe more and more people will come in to tell Dalai Lama stop lying, lift the ban. By the time for those supporters of the ban will realise how innocent they follow blindly without any query on the ban. Please give religious freedom.
pgdharma
March 27, 2014
It is heartwarming to see so many devoted practitioners near and afar gathered together for a peaceful protest to have the rights to religious freedom. What DS practitioners are asking for is to practice without being ostracized and treated like criminals. Not only are DS practitioners deprived of religious freedom, they are also deprive to freedom of speech. When two braved protestors managed to question the Dalai Lama; they were escorted out from the National Cathedral. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=4713.0. What is baffling is that the Dalai Lama speaks of peace, harmony and compassion yet when it comes to Dorje Shugden practitioners it is the contrary.
May the ban be lifted soon as it has already caused so much pain and sufferings.
Icy
March 29, 2014
This quote from International Shugden Society representative Len Foley makes a powerful point; “One unacceptable aspect of the Dalai Lama’s discrimination right here in the US, is that he has openly banned people of this faith [Shugden faith] from attending his talk at the National Cathedral this week. This means that thousands of Americans who rely upon the practice of Dorje Shugden are not welcome to attend. To our knowledge this is the first time in the history of the National Cathedral that people have been turned away from this illustrious National monument on grounds of their religious belief.”
Scott Lee
April 6, 2014
Very well done Washington!
We must make our voice heard, exposure the injustice behavior of CTA imposing the ban on Dorje Shugden practitioner.
I must congratulate the two ISC members who asked the Dalai Lama if Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche were wrong about Dorje Shugden. The Dalai Lama could not answer their second question. There is no room for lying or manipulation at all, as the whole wide world already knew that CTA and HHDL are behind the ban, there are just too many evidence and witness to testified against CTA and their cronies.
We must be brave, have courage and don’t simply give up any work we are doing now to bring down this injustice ban, in fact, we need more people to joint forces with dorjeshugden.com to bring down the ban. We need to get all information and facts stated inside dorjeshugden.com spread out to lots more people, put on Facebook and twitter whenever we can, spread the words out! We need to be heard and we want more people to help doing this.
We need more people who has the same courage like the ISC members that confront CTA and HHDL directly asking why are they doing this? No one can fool the public anyone cos we all know Dorje Shugden is Manjushri and he is a Buddha.
Belinda Mae
March 23, 2017
Wow! This is good news for Dorje Shugden practitioners. Everyone should be given the freedom to protest and to voice out their thoughts. And when a protest happens, it should be in a peaceful manner whereby no attacks should happen. Peaceful protest is the way to be. If someone uses forceful manner, what outcome will you get? Thinking from other point, if you hurt someone during the protest, what karma will you accumulate? 700 people turned up for a protest is no joke. The people have make the effort to be there and to show Dalai Lama that his ban should be lifted soon. I pray that this Shugden ban be lifted soon.
Richard LakTam
March 23, 2017
Well done ISC!! It is so heart warming to see this! Yes, we must have religious freedom! Turning people away just because the Dalai Lama doesn’t agree / approve on their practice??? In Tibet, yes, he is their spiritual leader. He said 1, nobody dare to say 2. But this is the world! He is facing the world! People around the world are watching his show! Hopefully he makes a good show. It seems now he pushed everything back to 5th Dalai Lama. That was, 400 years ago? Really, I feel like, Chinese saying “he said it all!” That means, suddenly like this, suddenly like that. Sometimes he says this is true, sometimes he says this is not true. No fix statement. However, this protest really indeed is a good news to all the Dorje Shugden practitioners out there. Let’s hope that the Dorje Shugden ban will be lifted soon.