Fabrizio Pallotti, who has previously received teachings from masters such as H.H. Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe, who now claims that the Dharma Protector his teachers relied upon is a demon
On April 26, 2014, journalist Johannes Nugroho published an article about the undemocratic and illogical ban on Dorje Shugden (click HERE). His article invited many comments in response. One such comment which listed the names of some highly realised practitioners who had relied on Dorje Shugden, including Ribur Rinpoche.
On May 1, 2014, Fabrizio Pallotti wrote to refute this, claiming that Ribur Rinpoche had not practised Dorje Shugden since the 1970s. Here, DorjeShugden.com presents to you Johannes’ original article, as well as Fabrizio’s comment. We highlight and counter the inaccuracies of Fabrizio Pallotti’s comment and it’s negative implications that reflect FPMT’s current stance.
Click image to enlarge. Fabrizio was commenting in response to this article by Johannes Nugroho – http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2014/04/26/dalai-lama-troubled-over-shugden-worship/
Our response
By: Kay Beswick
(Information received from Yeshe Sangye)
Fabrizio,
1. Did you and FPMT not follow Lama Yeshe for many years? Did you not receive many teachings, transmissions and empowerments from Lama Yeshe? So was Lama Yeshe wrong too for practicing Shugden? If he is wrong, where does that leave your practices that you received from him? When you visualize Lama Yeshe in your practices, do you see him as an enlightened or unenlightened teacher due to his practice of Shugden? Think thoroughly.
2. Did Lama Yeshe not follow Dorje Shugden till the end? Of course, Lama Yeshe was a devoted follower of Dorje Shugden till the end. He even requested great lamas to confer Shugden sogtae (empowerment) onto his students and encouraged his students to practice Shugden. So what does that make Lama Yeshe? A devil worshipper? A Dolgyal follower? Was Lama Yeshe stupid, confused, bewildered and without any wisdom? Because he practiced Shugden, are you saying that the founder of FPMT is without wisdom and a follower of evil? Is that the conclusion you would like us to have?
Lama Yeshe (far right) performs puja in front of a Dorje Shugden thangka, with Lama Zopa (second from right)
3. Did you and FPMT not take teachings from H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche? Did he not follow Shugden till the end? Is Kyabje Zong Rinpoche wrong? A devil worshipper? Someone who took money from the Chinese government to destabilize Tibetan refugees in India? Was Kyabje Zong Rinpoche on the Chinese payroll too? The CTA likes to say that about all lamas who practice Shugden. Do you agree with that? Do you agree that Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was unenlightened? That he was wrong? That he was taking money from Chinese? When you do your practices, how do you visualize Kyabje Zong Rinpoche as your lama and lineage lama or devil worshipper who went wrong? Is Zong Rinpoche someone who is wrong and who worshipped the devil Dolgyal too? Is that how you would like to see this lama? Do listen to the advice on Shugden by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6KuCPKDuCI
Fabrizio Pallotti circled in red, with Lama Yeshe taken during a Dharma celebration in India, 1982
4. Did you and FPMT not take teachings from H.H. Trijang Rinpoche and did he not follow Shugden till the end? Why do you deny all of the lamas you and FPMT have followed, and only highlight Ribur Rinpoche? Was His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche wrong too? Was Trijang Rinpoche a devil Dolgyal worshipper also? Was His Holiness Yongzin Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang also on the Chinese payroll? CTA accuses all Shugden practitioners as being agents of the Chinese and on their payroll. So for all of the sadhanas, prayers, compositions that were composed by Yongzin Trijang Rinpoche which are used by FPMT, Sera, Drepung and Ganden, does that mean they are all ineffective and impotent of blessings? How can all of you use the works written by a Dolgyal worshipper? How can a Dolgyal worshipper’s writings confer enlightenment? When you do your practices, how do you visualize Trijang Rinpoche? As a devil Dolgyal worshipper who makes mistakes? As a devil worshipper without attainments? Without any deep experiences in dharma? Since you feel Trijang Rinpoche is a devil worshipper, then in your eyes he has broken his refuge vows and unqualified to teach. Does that mean all the transmissions he gave to Dalai Lama and FPMT are nullified, impotent and without blessings? Is it your conclusion that many of the teachings of which Trijang Rinpoche is the source, are now nullified and without power of blessings or ability to confer attainments? Is that what you believe? Did His Holiness Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Dorje Chang also break his refuge vows and fall to the Three Lower Realms because of his close relationship with Dorje Shugden? Dalai Lama says Shugden is evil and brings harms. It’s against our refuge vows. But Dalai Lama’s root teacher says clearly Shugden is Manjushri. Which one is it? Please consider this carefully.
Since the ban on Shugden and the harsh speeches against Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche by the CTA, what has been accomplished? Is there more harmony now among the sects or less? Is there more harmony within the Tibetan communities and international Buddhist communities or less? The CTA is speaking against every lineage lama that FPMT once held dear and holy, yet you seem to go along with this. Are Geshe Rabten, Kyabje Pabongka Dorje Chang, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche all wrong? Are they all devil worshippers because they relied on Shugden? In your estimation, are all of them are wrong and only Dalai Lama is right?
5. When a person gains attainments, their attainments are not higher than another person’s just because they are more famous than the other person’s. When a lama is attained, their attainments are not higher than another lama’s just because they are more famous. Can the attainments of Trijang Rinpoche be lower than his disciple the Dalai Lama, just because he is not as famous as the Dalai Lama outside of Tibet or in this period? Does the Dalai Lama’s attainments rank higher or more superior than his guru’s, just because he is more famous? Are you and some in FPMT following the Dalai Lama so that when you rub shoulders with him, your centres will grow, and more donations and fame will pour in? Is it so that some of the Dalai Lama’s fame can be exploited by FPMT for gain? Now you are so ‘close’ to the Dalai Lama and translate for him, is this the reason you seem to have abandoned all that your lamas and lineage lamas have taught about Dorje Shugden? But in the end, so what? What difference does that make for our personal practice? What is the message being sent to hundreds of people who have taken your lineage lamas as their lamas? That Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Geshe Rabten and all did not have reverence for the Dalai Lama and that they practiced Dorje Shugden to shorten his life, to create disunity among Tibetans and were on Chinese payroll?
Lama Yeshe’s personal Dorje Shugden statue. Lama Yeshe relied upon Dorje Shugden to help his organization FPMT grow. After his passing, in order to look politically correct, the monks of Kopan gave the statue away to the Ladrang (private household) of Gangchen Rinpoche where it remains to this day.
6. Do you see Nyingma lamas, Sakya lamas and Kagyu lamas giving Tsongkapa initiations or teaching the Guru Yoga of Tsongkapa? Do you see any of these non-Gelug lamas give teachings on texts composed by Lama Tsongkapa or his disciples? No, you do not. Yet Gelugpas who practice Dorje Shugden are considered extremist and sectarian? At the same time, Drigung Kagyus who worship Hlamo Apchi or who are exclusive to Kagyus, they are not considered sectarian even though their protector only and strictly protects the Kagyu cycle of teachings. Do not get me wrong. It is ok for them to worship Hlamo Apchi so that the Kagyu teachings can grow, but how come it is not okay for Gelugs to worship Dorje Shugden so that the Gelug teachings can grow?
It is okay for various Buddhist centres around the world to head their centre by their sect name. Some simple examples:
- Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in Europe
- Sakya Buddhist Centre Bristol
- Tibetan Nyingma Institute
By placing their sect name in their names, does this not make them sectarian? Why is it okay for them to highlight their lineage and not okay for Gelugs to highlight their own? Why don’t just call themselves Buddhist centres without sect names? Each one of the sects has their own lineage tree. Sakyas do not use the lineage tree of the Gelugs, Nyingmas or Kagyus, and this is same for everyone else. That is fine. But when they promote their own cycle of teachings, why is it not sectarian for them to do so? Do you see any of the Kagyus, Nyingmas and Sakyas giving any teachings or empowerments from the Gelug lineage? Why not? Because they are sectarian? Then why is it wrong when Gelugs practice their own teachings, lineage and protectors, and do not give teachings from any other sects? Why does the CTA not press down on the other lineages? Are they afraid of them? Traditionally, the CTA has done a lot of damage to the non-Gelug sects in Tibetan history so they are highly sensitized to this now. Thus when the Dalai Lama mentions Rimey teachings, this only applies to Gelugs.
Recently, Gelug monasteries have been forced by the CTA to perform Guru Rinpoche’s tsok offerings. But non-Gelug monasteries do not have to perform Lama Chopa Tsok (based on Tsongkapa’s imagery) written by Panchen Rinpoche. Why is that? Ultimately there is no difference between Guru Rinpoche and Je Tsongkapa or any tsok, but the CTA makes a difference when they do not apply the rule equally. Ultimately all lineages can confer great blessings, but why do the CTA only target Gelugs? Rimey for the non-Gelug sects is easy because they all have Guru Rinpoche as their focal point, yet they will never give teachings by Je Tsongkapa. And in fact, why are there heads of sects? Why do positions such as Gaden Tripa, Sakya Trizin, the various Kagyu heads and Nyingma heads exist? If the Dalai Lama wants to make it all Rimey, then he should eliminate all the heads of Tibetan Buddhism. No one should head any sect, but everyone should teach all Tibetan forms of Buddhism. Why should there be heads of a certain sect? Would that not just encourage sectarianism? Remember, not a single non-Gelug teacher will teach or empower their students into Gelug teachings or anything from Je Tsongkapa’s works and disciples. So where is the Rimey? Why does the Rimey (non-sectarian) movement only apply to Gelugs and Dorje Shugden? Why not the other schools also? There is no Rimey whatsoever today at all. Dorje Shugden does not create sectarianism but encourages to practice Dharma purely. People who are power and money hungry create sectarianism.
Fabrizio Pallotti circled in red, with H.H. Zong Rinpoche taken during a Dharma celebration in India, 1982
7. Were you not a monk and then, due to lack of discipline and application of practice, disrobe? You who could not keep your vows and commitments to your lamas prior to Ribur Rinpoche, and now you are speaking for Ribur Rinpoche? If you cannot keep your vows, you are not a qualified speaker representing great lamas. Please just do your translations and save your damaging comments to yourself. You can give the wrong impression of your lamas. Do not use your slight fame gained because you abandoned your lineage lamas to cavort with the famous Dalai Lama, in order to exert your wrong views please. Do not further confuse practitioners. Did you not choose your indulgences and passions over your vows? So why do you judge others then? Are you such an advanced practitioner? Someone like you who has jumped from one lama to another in your 30 year ‘career’ in the dharma should not be speaking for any lama. You have translated for Dalai Lama, so what? So has tens of others, but that gives them no rights to be some authority about the illegal Shugden ban. You have no right to speak against those who practice Shugden because your lamas practiced. You are European. Does any democratic European leader condemn any form of worship in their countries? Of course not. That would be political suicide. Dalai Lama can do so because the feel good spiritualist followers have no idea of the Shugden issue and it’s damages. You have some fame and limelight because of this association with Dalai Lama, but it does not make your opinions correct. This is not just for you but so many like you in FPMT and other centres who ride on a squeaky clean image for profits perhaps.
But observe your aging body and wrinkled face carefully and look mortality in the eye. We all have to contemplate our aging bodies and mortality. That should inspire us to become more practiced and controlled in our three doors. Where are you in your practice if you criticize the protector of your root teachers? You have denied your root teacher(s) and their protector. You have denied your lineage lamas and joined the CTA in criticizing the protector of your teachers. You seem to back up what the CTA says against your lamas and lineage lamas, is this going to help you in the end? Is this the path to blessings and attainments? You entered Buddhism for what purpose decades ago? Think back carefully within yourself. This is not meant to criticize you but to help you and many others to think further. You have exchanged your lineage lamas and root lamas for fame and sponsorship. The Dalai Lama is famous but again, so what? Remember that fame cannot afford you enlightenment. Remember the vast amount of teachings you and FPMT people have received from Geshe Rabten, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe. They were infinitely kind to you long before the Dalai Lama. How do you repay their kindness? By criticizing their heart protector and as a result saying they are wrong? By criticizing their protector, you are saying their choice is wrong and therefore they don’t have the wisdom or attainments to judge for themselves who Dorje Shugden is. You are wrong in this. FPMT have the audacity to post signs if you practice Shugden, you may not participate in their centres. Why please the CTA and Tibetan leadership? You should make every effort to please your humble and kind root lamas such as Lama Yeshe, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche, Geshe Rabten instead. Dalai Lama did not start your centre decades ago. Nor build it up. Lama Yeshe did with the help of Shugden. Where is your spiritual loyalty. Where is the compassion when you post signs no Shugden people allowed in FPMT? All sentient beings deserve dharma EXCEPT Shugden people? Does that fulfill your bodhicitta aspirations and vows? Your own Lama Yeshe practiced Shugden and now you deny entry if others practice the same deity your lamas did? How negatively ironic.
8. Ribur Rinpoche is a heart disciple of H.H. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. Recently the CTA (Penpa Tsering) and their administration have been heavily criticizing Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, so where does that put Ribur Rinpoche? If Ribur Rinpoche could speak, would he agree with the CTA or oppose their opinion? Yes he is dead but what would his opinion be, since you seem to be the self-appointed Ribur expert? If Ribur Rinpoche would agree, then he is not the great lama you portray him to be. How can he agree with negative comments about his own root teacher? If Ribur Rinpoche opposes what the CTA is saying, then how can he himself have stopped the practice of Dorje Shugden in Tibet which was a precious practice to his root guru Kyabje Pabongka? You must be careful how you comment on behalf of Ribur Rinpoche which you have no right to do.
The Dalai Lama says his gurus, including Trijang Rinpoche, are wrong for practicing Shugden.
The Dalai Lama said his guru Trijang Rinpoche made a mistake by promoting Shugden. If Ribur Rinpoche were alive today, would he have said Kyabje Pabongka is mistaken in promoting Shugden also? Would Ribur Rinpoche say clearly and defiantly that his guru Pabongka Rinpoche was wrong, mistaken and worshipped a devil therefore went to the Three Lower Realms? If you agree that he can say his lama is wrong, then Ribur Rinpoche (as your lama) can be wrong too. How can one lama be wrong and another lama like Dalai Lama can never be wrong. Either they all can be wrong or they all cannot be wrong. Which one do you choose for the gurus and the tantric path of guru devotion? That Ribur Rinpoche can be wrong too is very important to remember. Therefore you have been taking teachings from a lama that can call his lama wrong? You had better not practice tantra then. Or perhaps Ribur Rinpoche was wrong, if he stopped the practice of Shugden promoted as you said in Tibet and practiced by his root teacher Kyabje Pabongka Dorje Chang. Was Ribur Rinpoche wrong for choosing a devil worshipping Shugden lama like Pabongka to receive extensive teachings from? Is Ribur Rinpoche’s lineage correct and not lost it’s blessings since it came from Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. Who is wrong or right? Kyabje Pabongka Dorje Chang or his disciple Ribur Rinpoche? Think deeper why CTA is really doing all this. Think carefully.
How about if Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Dorje Chang starts to say his root teacher Pabongka Dorje Chang is wrong. Let’s go further and Pabongka Dorje Chang says his root teacher Kyabje Dakpo Dorje Chang is wrong. All of Ganden, Sera and Drepung should say Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is wrong and expel all the texts, rituals, prayers, and writings by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. FPMT and all Gelug centres should do the same. Let’s all say all of our teachers are wrong? Then where is Gelug form of Tibetan Buddhism going to end up? Dalai Lama saying his teacher is wrong is totally wrong. Dalai Lama is famous but outside of the Tibetan Buddhist students in the West, who really understands the pain, guilt, schism, separation this ban on Dorje Shugden has created? Sure Dalai Lama travels the world speaking about love, compassion, tolerance and a whole host of non-denominational feel good brand of spiritual talks. But what is important is that there are genuine practitioners who do not chase after the feel good talks by Dalai Lama and genuinely practice the dharma for decades, how does all this schism affect them and the continuation of the lineage?
FPMT has gained a great deal of fame, ‘squeaky clean’ image, millions of dollars in donations pour in and constantly inviting or associating with Dalai Lama on this or that for further fame perhaps. But at what price? All of our lineage lamas are wrong, devil worshippers, broken their refuge vows, unqualified teachers and should go to the three lower realms according to CTA/Tibetan leadership just because they practice Shugden. Why accept the teachings, rituals, sadhanas and texts written by the lineage lamas who practiced Shugden, should they all be discarded already? Is that the correct action. Are all our lineage lamas all wrong and only CTA/Tibetan Leadership is correct? All images of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and so on within FPMT, Ganden, Sera, Drepung all be thrown out or better yet burned perhaps as they were all Shugden devil worshippers or as you like to use the new term Dolgyal followers? Shouldn’t images, pictures, thangkas of Lama Yeshe all be discarded as he was a Dorje Shugden devil worshipper and he is evil? Why venerate him in FPMT now when he worshipped Shugden? All the other Shugden worshipping monks, Tulkus, Kensurs, Geshes and teachers were expelled from their monasteries for refusing to give up Shugden’s practice. Why still have Lama Yeshe’s images throughout FPMT? Why proliferate Lama Yeshe’s books, videos, websites, centres since he was a devil worshipper. Why are you still in FPMT full stop? Your ‘clean’ now because you gave up Shugden and take photos with Dalai Lama? But your Lama Yeshe is not clean and neither is his teachers. Your practice, foundation and lineage stem from Lama Yeshe who is unclean. When the source of the river is unclean, no matter how far south the river extends, it still unclean. FPMT was started by a Shugden devil worshipper so it has no blessings. Start a new centre and rub shoulders with Dalai Lama again perhaps, money will come in. Fame wins sponsorship as FPMT should know that very well. This not only applies to you, but all who think like you wrongly.
Important question: All those who supported Lama Yeshe like Zina Rachevsky all went to the Three Lower Realms following their lama? Lama Yeshe made a huge ‘mistake’ to practice Shugden throughout his life. Was Lama Yeshe a devil worshipper who went to the Three Lower Realms because he practiced Dorje Shugden?
For further reading:
Where is Lama Yeshe? (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/where-is-lama-yeshe/)
FPMT Lineage Masters are Dorje Shugden Believers (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/fpmt-lineage-masters-are-believers-of-dorje-shugden/)
FPMT, Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/fpmt-dalai-lama-and-dorje-shugden/)
A True Inspiration: Claudio Cipullo (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/a-true-inspiration-claudio-cipullo/)
Politically Correct at the Expense of the Lineage (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/politically-correct-at-the-expense-of-the-lineage/)
Lama Yeshe and Geshe Rabten (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/mail-out/lama-yeshe-and-geshe-rabten/)
The Broken Samayas of FPMT (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/the-broken-samayas-of-fpmt/)
The Questionable Policies of the FPMT (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/the-questionable-policies-of-the-fpmt/)
Lama Zopa admitted to being recognized by Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/others-old/lama-zopa-admitted-to-being-recognized-by-dorje-shugden/)
Recognized by Dorje Shugden, but Speaks against Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/recognized-by-dorje-shugden-but-speaks-against-dorje-shugden/)
Kopan Monks Asking for Dorje Shugden Puja for Lama Zopa (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/kopan-monks-asking-for-dorje-shugden-puja-for-lama-zopa/)
Dakini Healed Lama Zopa? (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/dakini-healed-lama-zopa/)
Who made Lama Zopa a Rinpoche? (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/who-made-lama-zopa-a-rinpoche/)
A Tribute to Ven. Lama Yeshe Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/great-masters/a-tribute-to-ven-lama-yeshe-rinpoche/)
(This article above was composed from information emailed to www.DorjeShugden.com from Yeshe Sangye, an ex-FPMT member. His views do not necessarily reflect this website’s views. Nevertheless the information is logical. It would be helpful to read. Admin)
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Dharmacrazy79
June 28, 2014
The 5th Dalai Lama wrote a prayer in honor of Dorje Shugden as well as made the first Dorje Shugden image. Does that mean that His Holiness evil should have gone to the lower realms for spirit worship?
For that matter, wouldn’t all the teachers who practiced Dorje Shugden to the end of their lifetime have gone to the lower realm for worshipping a spirit? If that is the case, how could the reincarnation of Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and Domo Geshe be recognized? To top this sundae with a cherry, the recognition was confirmed by none other than His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama himself.
Not only did His Holiness recognize the return of Trijang Rinpoche, His Holiness gave permission to the reincarnate of his Junior Tutor to practice in private. Why would His Holiness do such a thing and ostracize any Dorje Shugden practitioner the CTA could lay their hands on?
Reading this article causes much contradiction within myself: whether to be amused by the complete lack of sense and sensibility in the arguments presented by Dalai Lama’s followers or to be completely appalled by the ignorance, ego and hatred portrayed by them.
Time and again, the anti-Shugden camp has failed to present themselves with dignity or logic. Based on one of the fundamentals of Lord Buddha’s teachings, one of the litmus test to determine if something represents the pure Buddhadharma is that there should be no contradictions. In the ban against Dorje Shugden, not only are there contradictions, the contradictions are so potent that it is becoming an international embarrassment and shame.
So, enough already, please do not continue to cause further damage to humanity during these degenerate times.
dondrup shugden
June 28, 2014
There are so many logical and practical questions asked of Fabrizio Pallotti to his declaration that Ribur Rinpoche did not worship Dorje Shugden that it makes me wonder how a disrobed monk can answer to the challenge. If he does it will be interesting to read what goes on in his mind.
It is nice to note the 100% devotion Shugden worshippers have for their Gurus who taught them on Shugden and how during such repressive times that it is the same trust and devotion that will hold true and carry the work on to lift the BAN.
It is for the good of all Tibetans living in exile for the Dalai Lama to have CTA stop the act of dividing the Tibetans people to have first a united front for their quest to return to Tibet.
kris
June 28, 2014
I find that most (if not all) anti-shugden people are really amusing. when they make a statement or want to convey their points, they don’t have facts to back them up. Either they are so arrogant (that they don’t care if anyone finds out there is no facts), or they are so ignorant they can’t think for themselves and will just take everything literally from the CTA government.
To me, it is very sad that CTA has trained so many people who can’t think for themselves. It is even more sad that because of this ban and discrimination by CTA towards Dorje Shugden practitioners, Tibetans are now being divided.
Lift the ban and unite the people is the most important job of CTA now!
Icy
June 28, 2014
This is an excellent article that all should read. It is all logic and is beyond doubt that it does not only counter to Fabrizio Pallotti’s defamation but to every defamation on Dorje Shugden and Shugden lamas. This article should help people who are in doubt about Dorje Shugden. It should certainly clear their doubts and restore faith in them. There cannot be any denials that Dorje Shugden is Manjushri the Wisdom Buddha. The ban is an injustice and should be lifted so millions can benefit from the practice.
Fernando B.
June 28, 2014
Fabrizio use to follow and join the activities of Gangchen Rinpoche in Italy. When Gangchen Rinpoche decided to be loyal to the practice of Shugden, Fabrizio decided to move on to lamas who were politically correct so it can further his ‘career’ perhaps. He is known by many to jump from one lama to another. The more famous the lama is what he seeks. It is never about genuine dharma practice, but how famous and well known he can become. I might be wrong, but many speak this way about him.
Gerald Cummings
June 28, 2014
It is incredible Fabrizio has taken teachings from Zong Rinpoche and now criticizes the protector Zong Rinpoche held very dear. So in Fabrizio’s mind Zong Rinpoche is wrong, deluded and worshipped something negative as in Shugden?
paolorossi4444
June 28, 2014
Pallotti sei ridicolo.un vecchio amico.
Eli
June 29, 2014
Fabrizio, KOpan Monastery was built on Dorje Shugden money, the entire Sera paid off by great Dorej Shugden practitioner Khensur Lobsang Tharchin. if you have renounced the practiced why not return property built with demonic money back to Shar Gaden and Serpom.
Kopan was built by Lama Yeshe do not forget your roots, Zong Dorje Chang was a Dorje Shudgen practitioner till his last breath. If Dorej Shudgen is a spirit and when we practice a spirit we still get a perfect human rebirth that contradicts buddhism.
Michaela Smith
June 29, 2014
I found it very sad that a senior practitioner like Fabrizio jumped from one lama to another and denied the practice that his gurus held dear. So what is the point of having gurus in the first place? Does refuge vow means anything to you?
Nonny
June 29, 2014
Wow, we’re quite condemning. Maybe we need a different approach. If the result is concordant with the cause, we need to mark carefully whether our condemnation is motivated by sincere good will, sincere compassion, or wisdom. Where is our attention? One of our secondary bodhisattva vows talks about not rejecting those with shattered ethics: from http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/practice_material/vows/bodhisattva/secondary_bodhisattva_pledges.html
“Four Faulty Actions That Concern Situations in Which Our Main Consideration Is Others
(1) Ignoring those with shattered ethics
If, because of anger, spite, laziness, indifference, or forgetfulness, we ignore, neglect, or put down those who have broken their vows or even committed heinous crimes, we weaken our ethical self-discipline to engage in positive acts and to help others. Such persons are in special need of our concern and attention since they have built up the causes for present and future suffering and unhappiness. Without self-righteousness or moral indignation, we try to help them…”
And yet I read these words here and in other comments on this site and elsewhere, and it’s as if it’s believed that the Protector gets to do all the work and we as self-identified Tibetan Buddhists can do anything we want. What would the Protector say about these condemning words? Would he be pleased and want to protect that sort of practice in which we claim to adhere to and uphold Je Tsongkhapa’s pure tradition?
I once heard a student of the late Master Domo Geshe Rinpoche relate that he had told her that the only people who should be propitiating the Protector are those who have actually generated the two bodhicittas. The rest are not qualified to do so. Now I appreciate more fully what that great Master said and why. Maybe this crisis is more nuanced than the black and white perspectives presented here.
sun bear
June 30, 2014
The CTA is excising its decretory derogatory and defamation works again by gathering those disrobed or with broken samaya against their lineage master. By putting words in one Guru’s mouth after his passing is as good as good as disparaging the whole lineage! Think about what could happen to your own attainment (if any) by performing such deeds?
paolorossi4444
July 2, 2014
Ok fabrizio follow your way,we follow the Gaden Niengyu.bye bye fab…………..
Peter Edge
July 3, 2014
@Nonny: Have you not judged and condemned those you claimed to be condemning others by slapping around your quoted dharma text? Why be so self-righteous and egoistical?
Manisha Kudo
July 3, 2014
How can a disrobed monk have the rights to speak on behalf of highly attained spiritual masters?
Kelly
July 4, 2014
This guy very silly how to believe in what he said he can’t even hold his monk vows, he is manuplating the current situation and try to take advantage he is not even a Buddhist he behave like this is shame to call himself a Buddhist .
Bond
July 4, 2014
Ridiculous a ex-monk who breaking his vows now want to speak on behalf of the high lama that is very silly, whatever he said cannot be trusted because he is a person who can’t even hold his vows . I don’t think he dare to said why he is disrobed he has committed a very bad karma for separating among the Buddhist .
paolorossi4444
July 8, 2014
let it be,it is not your business pallotti go back to zocca may be you can become the maneger of the great Vasco.good luck.an old friend.
Sofia Neumerkel
September 16, 2014
What a mind blowing article. Indeed, if Lama Yeshe, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche, etc were all demon worshipper, that would make their teachings unclean. If that is the case, all their texts, teachings should be abandoned but why are they still used in the monasteries? It is very illogical to, on one hand criticise the purity of a master, then on the other hand still learning and doing practices passed down by this master.
Fabrizio as a person, there is no integrity and loyalty in him. He has learned so much from Zong Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe but now he turns around to accuse them of being demon worshipper. If by abandoning his gurus and following Dalai Lama is the correct path, I wonder if he has gained any attainment at all so far. Besides, how credible is he to speak on Ribur Rinpoche’s behalf?
Sierra
August 13, 2016
A very sharp and insightful article. The questions were very to the point. This Fabrizio Pallotti seems to want to be politically correct over keeping his samaya with his lineage Gurus clean.
Looks like followers like this Fabrizio Pallotti are following the “greenback” trail. Wow! Maybe because they follow the money trail they think the Dorje Shugden practitioners do that too! Maybe that’s why they keep accusing the Dorje Shugden practitioners of being paid by China, their nemesis.
So, easy and convenient for them to just turn around and call their lineage Gurus as demon worshipers.
“When the source of the river is unclean, no matter how far south the river extends, it still unclean”
That was a very good point made that if we question our Gurus, then our practice, foundation and lineage is not pure too. All that we have practiced will have no blessings.
Very good read, this article.
Thaimonk
October 25, 2018
It became a sad situation- Lama Osel disrobed, never finished his studies, achieved nothing much in his secular life, just running around with his girlfriend and clubbing in Ibizia, Spain. His previous life accomplished so much with the help of his determination, hard work and Dorje Shugden. Lama Yeshe credited much of his success to the help he was bestowed by Dorje Shugden. By FPMT abanding Dorje Shugden, they broke their samaya with their lineage gurus such as Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche from whom they received the Dorje Shugden sogtae commitment practice. Also it was with Lama Yeshe’s permission they received sogtae from these great masters. By abandoning the practice, they broke their spiritual bond (samaya) which is sacred in tantra with Lama Yeshe and lineage lamas. So it is no surprise Lama Yeshe came back in this incarnation unable to manifest being a great dharma teacher like his previous life. It is a shame and embarrassment to FPMT that Lama Osel ended up not doing much. It is a testimony to their failure in keeping their samaya to their guru and lineage lamas. FPMT wanted fame and rub shoulders with the famous and in return, they lost Lama Yeshe. After Lama Zopa passes away, FPMT will just go down for sure. No one can take over. Breaking their samaya was the wrong thing to do. 😒
So many more pictures and information to read here: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=6197.0
Tenzin Paljor
October 25, 2018
💔
Lama Zopa, who has received sogtae (initiation of Dorje Shugden) from His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, had said that:
“Lama (Yeshe) and I practiced Shugden for many years. That was always the main thing that Lama did whenever there were problems to overcome. At the beginning of every Kopan course, Lama always did Shugden puja to eliminate hindrances.”
“My root guru, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche; Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guru’s root guru; His Holiness Zong Rinpoche, from whom many of the older students received the initiation of Shugden; and the previous incarnation of Gomo Rinpoche, who has a strong connection with Istituto Lama Tsongkhapa, here in Italy, all promoted the practice of Shugden.”
Photos: 1) Teachings by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche to FPMT students. 2) As Lama Yeshe reached the end of his life, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche came to the hospital to do prayers for Lama Yeshe. Lama Yeshe was very devoted to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden till the end. 👍
Toby
October 25, 2018
In FPMT’s centre called Tushita in Dharamsala (North India), they have a statue of Lama Yeshe in the form of Vajrasattva with consort. Now the question is simple: If Lama Yeshe practised Dorje Shugden, then he is a bad lama, so why doesn’t FPMT stop the homage/respect to their founding father Lama Yeshe? If they trust him, they will go to three lower realms for worshipping Lama Yeshe who worshipped Dorje Shugden. And all statues of Lama Yeshe should be discarded from all their centres right? In fact, in nearby Gaden Choling Nunnery in Dharamsala, the nun’s took their Dorje Shugden statue out of their main prayer hall where it was worshipped for decades and destroyed the statue in the garbage dump and jumped up and down on it to further desecrate it.
Furthermore they make a Dorje Shugden worshipping Lama Yeshe in the form of divinity as Buddha Vajrasattva. That is a double-whammy no right? Why is FPMT so contradictory? Why are they blind to this double standard?
If they wish to disassociate from Dorje Shugden lamas, they have to disassociate from their own centre-founding Lama who is Lama Yeshe. They must set the example right. Everyone knows Lama Yeshe worshipped, trusted and believed in Dorje Shugden till the end of his life. Lama Yeshe is the one that founded FPMT, so they have to be clean across the board and be honest right? If disassociate, then do it all the way. They should have no pictures, statues and images of Lama Yeshe at all. They should not be making images of him as a deity (Vajrasattva) as that is even more wrong according to their stance against Shugden and Shugden Lamas.
Why encourage their members to worship a Dorje Shugden loving Lama like Lama Yeshe? That is what they are doing when they keep all his images in their centres around the world. They are sending the wrong message out. Lama Yeshe was wrong in their view to practice Dorje Shugden. Lama Yeshe broke his refuge vows by practicing Dorje Shugden. Lama Yeshe’s lineage, teachings, initiations and commentaries are all corrupted because he worshipped Dorje Shugden. So they should ritually expel his images from their centres with immediate effect to be in the clean arena.
Dalai Lama said if you worship Dorje Shugden, no one should associate with you and you will go to hell. So how come FPMT still keeps a statue of Lama Yeshe in many of their centres? Is that not hypocrisy?
Photos attached: Lama Yeshe as Vajrasattva with Consort housed in Tushita Centre, Dharamsala AND Lama Zopa prostrating to a statue of Lama Yeshe
Lophun
October 25, 2018
I do not understand how a Lama like Lama Rinpoche can write things like this, when it is well-known that he himself gave Dorje Shugden initiations and told the initiates that they were incurring a lifelong obligation to continue the practice, and that breaking such an obligation would incur grave negative karma. It is very confusing and frankly, depressing.
Lama Zopa has written some excellent books, such as his work on the Medicine Buddha. However, his logic in this foreword is gravely flawed and perhaps even essentially anti-Buddhist. For instance, he says, “If the Precious Victorious One, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is not the actual Buddha and Arya Avalokiteshvara, then you can say that in this world there is no emanation of Buddha benefiting sentient beings. In this way bodhicitta and the entire teachings of the Buddha become false.”
Say what??? I do not know whether the Dalai Lama is or is not an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, though, based on his words and actions, I sincerely doubt it. (I mean, the man has repeatedly stated in countless interviews that he is not enlightened, and seems to relish scoffing at the notion that he might be). Regardless, the fact that the Dalai Lama is or is not such an emanation has nothing whatsoever to do with whether there are other emanations of Buddha currently on earth benefitting sentient beings.
Logically, one does not rule out the possibility that other living Buddhas exist today, or other emanations of Avalokiteshvara, simply by denying that the Dalai Lama is such a one. If I deny that my wife is a panda bear, I am not denying that pandas exist. Indeed, to make a claim of exclusivity on the Dalai Lama’s behalf, as Lama Zopa has done, is really anti-Mahayanan in spirit, for it belittles and denigrates the efficacy of all other Buddhist schools and traditions. Someone seems to have imported the Roman Catholic doctrine of papal infallibility into Dharamsala, and now they are beginning to round up the infidels and burn them at the stake.
It is the height of irony that Lama Zopa urges practitioners to examine their beliefs openly and honestly, and then states as a matter of fact that the Dalai Lama is omniscient and one must adhere to what the ‘omniscient one’ says. Am I not permitted to question whether the Dalai Lama is truly omniscient, and to judge this claim by the evidence of the man’s words and actions? Am I not allowed to take him at his word when he says he is NOT omniscient? Am I not allowed to question his lack of success in defending the cause of Tibet, or his lack of compassion in his treatment of Shugden practitioners, or his bumbling manner in any number of interviews, or his willingness to be used as a CIA puppet or guest editor of a highly immoral fashion magazine?
Sadly, the recent actions of Lama Zopa and the Dalai Lama have completely soured me on Tibetan Buddhism. I have been forced to turn back to the Theravadan and Chinese teachings, because I will never again turn my will and intellect over to a guru who demands total obedience, even when he teaches one thing today and a completely different thing tomorrow. With this version of Buddhism, it’s a heads-you-win, tails-I-lose situation for the sincere follower … any faults of the guru are really the fault of the practitioner, whose bad karma has caused those faults to manifest. And even when the guru manifests obvious error, he still is not to be questioned because the error again is in the eye of the practitioner and only through blind loyalty can he cleanse his karma to the point where sincere questioning is of any value. If this is the case, then there is no point in advising practitioners to question and judge the teachings, because their bad karma will not allow them to make reasonable judgments. Reason itself is banished; it has become soiled and fallen and no longer can be trusted. Blind obedience becomes the only permitted path … you must believe in the Dalai Lama because he is a priori infallible and any evidence to the contrary is not credible, because ONLY the Dalai Lama represents Buddha in today’s world and EVERYONE ELSE is deluded.
And so the question arises: if I am required to have blind faith in the Dalai Lama in order to be “saved”, what separates this form of Buddhism from any other exclusivist, country-club members only, religion? What separates Buddhism from the monotheistic religions once reason has been outlawed? You can use the same “your bad karma prevents you from seeing things as they are” argument to justify any religion, any cult, any superstition, any belief whatsoever. It might take a slightly different form — “your ways are not God’s ways,” or “your reason was broken in the original fall from grace of sinful man,” but the essence is the same: don’t trust yourself, look to others, particularly those who are held up as masters, for the truth. In this way, Lama Zopa’s attempt to defend the Dalai Lama becomes an atomic weapon capable of destroying any and all religious belief, or empowering any and all zealots of every stripe.
I find all of this unworthy of the spirit of inquiry I believe Buddha Shakyamuni promoted, and the spirit of compassion that Avalokiteshvara represents. I hope that one day all the confusion that these modern-day avatars have sowed will be cleared up and those of us who relied upon them as examples and guides on the spiritual path will have our disappointments honestly and frankly acknowledged and rectified.
Comment left by a Howard from http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/recognized-by-dorje-shugden-but-speaks-against-dorje-shugden/comment-page-1/#comment-911810
Picture attached: Kyabje Zong Rinpoche performs last rites for Venerable Lama Yeshe. Both these lamas were totally devoted to Dorje Shugden until the day they passed. Decades later, Lama Zopa who has abandoned his guru Lama Yeshe’s practice of Dorje Shugden, to befriend the Dalai Lama.