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By: Karma Yeshe
Recently, a short video clip of the current 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche Pema Tönyö Nyinje surfaced within WeChat groups, causing quite a commotion. The minute-long footage features Tai Situ Rinpoche who is one of the four Regents of the Karma Kagyu lineage, fanning the fears surrounding Dorje Shugden, a Dharma Protector of the Gelug tradition.
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It is extremely disappointing that Tai Situ Rinpoche, believed to be an emanation of the future Buddha Maitreya, would lobby opinions that bring no benefit to the unity of the Tibetan people. Someone who is labelled an emanation of the Buddha Maitreya should actually be filled with love, compassion and great tolerance, and should not fear any so-called ‘spirits’. Any emanation of Maitreya should not incite fear in the people who have trust in him, as well as his followers because in the end, if the so-called Maitreya is afraid of a spirit, then it must be your intention to create schism. On the contrary, Tai Situ Rinpoche’s speech contains not-too-subtle connotations that sow seeds of doubt and discord. Tibetan society does not need more ‘high’ lamas who criticize other lineages’ practices, deities and protectors. What they need are representatives of Buddhism who will create harmony, love, acceptance and tolerance; if someone like Tai Situ wants to start criticizing another lineage, practice, religion or spiritual path, then there will be many other paths which are not Karma Kagyu which will be considered wrong by him. Where do you draw the line? Maybe he should remain silent and respect all religious paths, would that not be better? It is not his place to judge another person’s spiritual path but to practice tolerance and perhaps remain silent.
Translation of the WeChat video of the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche, Pema Tönyö Nyinje commenting on Dorje Shugden.
Who is really causing schism?
One cannot help but question Tai Situ Rinpoche’s intentions for playing on and amplifying such unfounded fears. Why is Tai Situ Rinpoche taking sides in the Dorje Shugden rift? After all, it is unnecessary for him to be involved in such a sensitive and charged issue, especially when it does not directly concern his lineage. Tai Situ Rinpoche should set a good example and not interfere in the philosophies, practices, deities and spiritual path of another sect of Buddhism. His opinion will not hold water nor will it be respected but will be the cause of much more schism and dissension amongst various sects.
Until the implementation of the undemocratic ban in 1996, Dorje Shugden was widely practiced by great masters of both the Sakya and Gelug traditions. In fact, Dorje Shugden was first practiced, enshrined and written about in the Sakya tradition – a few great Sakya throne holders composed lengthy prayers and liturgies to Dorje Shugden for meditations and pujas, and within the Sakya tradition, Dorje Shugden is known as ‘Dorje Shugden tanag’ (Dorje Shugden depicted riding on a black horse). His was a highly recommended practice by some of the Sakya throne holders and in the main temple of Sakya in Tibet, there are shrines dedicated to him. Historically, it was the 30th Sakya throne holder Sonam Rinchen who first enthroned Dorje Shugden as an enlightened protector who, together with Dorje Setrap and Tsiu Marpo, formed as one of the groups of protectors of the Sakya lineage known as The Three Kings (Gyalpo Sum). It was from the Sakyas that great Gelugpa high-ranking masters, luminaries, yogis and scholars received this practice and up until today, many Gelugpa meditational practices were actually imported from the Sakya lineage. Hence, having originated amongst the Sakyas, Dorje Shugden became a mainstream practice in almost all Gelug monasteries in and out of Tibet for the past 400 years.
The Sakya Gyalpo Sum trio of protectors include Setrap, Dorje Shugden and Tsiu Marpo.
Therefore, when historical evidence shows the extensive, multi-tradition and interminable practice of this enlightened Dharma Protector prior to the 1996 Dorje Shugden ban, Tai Situ Rinpoche saying that Dorje Shugden “creates a lot of disharmony” and “within the Sangha there will be a lot of schism” is not only completely untrue but ironically is itself the cause of disharmony, distrust, animosity and schism. Tai Situ Rinpoche himself has created so much controversy, schism, division and fighting within his own lineage, and that he cannot blame on Dorje Shugden since he is so frightfully fearful of even mentioning his name. It is ironic he says Dorje Shugden creates division and schism, when he is doing a fine job of doing so all on his own.
His statements also demean all the great masters of the Gelug tradition (and the Sakya masters preceding them) who had tremendous faith in Dorje Shugden and engaged in his practice. Is Tai Situ Rinpoche implying that all the great Sakya and Gelug masters were wrong? That they lied to and misled their followers by encouraging them to rely on Dorje Shugden? That they were bad practitioners with no wisdom and foresight? That Tai Situ himself is higher and has better insight than all of them? How can Tai Situ Rinpoche judge lamas who are much more superior than himself? As sad as it seems, many within Tibetan Buddhism (both Tibetans and foreigners) find Tai Situ Rinpoche’s actions and speech more akin to a politician’s for self-gain than that of a so-called high lama. His immediate senior, His Eminence Shamar Rinpoche, is considered much more spiritual, direct and honest, and it would not come as a shock to know that Tai Situ has created great schism, talk and divisiveness against Shamar Rinpoche. For that, Tai Situpa was in fact banned by the Indian government from entering India for five years. That itself should say a lot. Shouldn’t a lama of Tai Situ Rinpoche’s standing be promoting religious tolerance, unity and peace instead?
Perhaps this is because Tai Situ Rinpoche is no stranger to divisiveness – he is a central figure in the controversy surrounding the recognition of the 17th Karmapa candidate. He has also instigated and promoted violence within the Karma Kagyu sect by encouraging his supporters to ransack Rumtek Monastery. Tai Situ Rinpoche’s encouragement was fueled by jealousy and unhappiness with His Eminence Shamar Rinpoche enthroning his Karmapa candidate Thaye Dorje in Rumtek Monastery itself. Within this video that was captured, you can see the extreme violence and vandalism by Tai Situpa’s supporters in Rumtek Monastery while Shamarpa and his Karmapa candidate were inside. Take note that Rumtek Monastery is the headquarters of the Karmapa in India, where Tai Situpa and Shamarpa had both grown up. Tai Situ Rinpoche overstepped his boundaries when he recognized Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Karmapa, a responsibility traditionally reserved for Shamar Rinpoche, the second highest ranking Karma Kagyu lama.
The Tibetan government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has been implicated in the controversy surrounding the recognition of the 17th Karmapa. Shamarpa Rinpoche should be the traditional lama to recognize and enthrone the 17th Karmapa. Due to the CTA’s interference, Shamarpa’s candidate received many threats and problems during the recognition. This picture shows His Eminence Shamar Rinpoche (right) with the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje (left).
The Tibetan government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has been implicated in the controversy surrounding the recognition of the 17th Karmapa. This picture shows Tai Situ Rinpoche (right) with the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje (left). With much violence, in-fighting and split among the Karma Kagyus, this very political Tai Situ Rinpoche did his Karmapa candidate’s enthronement. Many within Karma Kagyu sect do not accept his choice of candidate. The Dalai Lama was asked to withdraw his support for this candidate but said he could not do so because he has already signed his name to it, which means that he was endorsing this candidate for perhaps political reasons. The reason why Tai Situ broke with tradition and went to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to recognize his candidate is because he wanted his candidate to win so that he, Tai Situpa, could have access and control of the Karmapa’s estate accumulated over 16 generations. He therefore went to the Dalai Lama to gain an endorsement for his candidate Ogyen Trinley, thereby riding on the Dalai Lama’s fame to override Shamarpa who is the traditional person who is supposed to recognize the Karmapa.
The Tibetan government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has been implicated in the controversy surrounding the recognition of the 17th Karmapa. This picture shows His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (right) with his candidate of the 17th Karmapa Dawa Sangpo Dorje (left). So within the Karma Kagyu school of Buddhism, due to the politics and greed, there are three candidates to Karmapa. It is a very sad situation indeed, with so much in-fighting and schism within the Karma Kagyus. Tai Situ Rinpoche would like to say Dorje Shugden creates divisions and schisms, but it seems without Dorje Shugden, Tai Situ is creating a lot of divisions on his own.
Tai Situ Rinpoche also broke tradition when, in a bid to force his candidate onto the Karma Kagyu throne, he involved His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala, North India) in the recognition of the 17th Karmapa. Everyone knows the reason why Tai Situ broke with tradition and went to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to recognize his candidate – he wanted his candidate to win so that he, Tai Situpa, could have access and control of the Karmapa’s estate accumulated over 16 generations. He therefore went to the Dalai Lama to gain an endorsement for his candidate Ogyen Trinley, thereby riding on the Dalai Lama’s fame to override Shamarpa who is the traditional person who is supposed to recognize the Karmapa.
To further inflame the issue, Tai Situ Rinpoche refused to submit for verification the evidence he claimed substantiated his choice of candidate. In fact, the line of Karmapa incarnations are known for finding their own next incarnations – before they pass away, they leave a written letter stating the location their next incarnation, as well as the name of their parents. This letter is sealed until the appropriate time when the four Regents open it together and embark on finding the Karmapa incarnation. The four regents are Shamar Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
Tai Situ claimed he had this important recognition letter from the 16thKarmapa giving the whereabouts of the 17thKarmapa but he would not show it to anyone nor share it with the other regents. Shamarpa also claimed to have the letter and said that the letter held by Tai Situ is a forgery. The division continues from thereon without end; until today, the Karma Kagyu school is split into two, fighting, lambasting, criticizing, finger-pointing and badmouthing each other to such a point whereby one of the Karmapa candidates, Ogyen Trinley, spoke up about it. For someone who is as colorful as Tai Situ Rinpoche, who has created so much division, fighting and anger within his own lineage with his alleged deceptions, do you think he has the right to criticize another sect’s choice of protectors? Maybe he should solve his own problems before he sticks his nose into other issues that he knows nothing about. With his refusal to show his letter allegedly in the handwriting of the 16th Karmapa, his actions have since caused a deep split within the Karma Kagyu school which shows no sign of healing.
Inflammatory and untrue statements
This is the head of the Gelugpa order, His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal. During his tenure, which was extremely successful, he was the supreme throne holder of the Gelugpa school. Currently 92 years old, His Holiness resides in France where he remains a very strong practitioner of Dorje Shugden, always encouraging people to rely on the enlightened Protector. When the highest-ranking lama within the Gelug school of Buddhism tells you Dorje Shugden is beneficial and Manjushri in nature, maybe a much lower-ranking lama such as Tai Situpa should take heed of his senior. The 92-year-old Gaden Tripa is one of the greatest scholars of Buddhism on this planet and the head of the spiritual tradition of Gelugpa. He has lived a stainless, faultless life, remains very healthy and strong, and continues to advocate the practice of Dorje Shugden which he has received from his own root guru. Compare this to the politically-inclined Tai Situ Rinpoche who sends his followers to storm his own monastery, and throw rocks and bottles, and break its windows to disturb an important ceremony. You think which one you should listen to.
The divided opinion on the divinity of Dorje Shugden, which has gone on for decades, is still a highly charged topic today. Regardless of one’s opinion, what is crystal clear is that Dorje Shugden has not been conclusively proven to be a malevolent spirit. Contrary to this and in fact, there is vast evidence of Dorje Shugden’s enlightened nature.
In the video, Tai Situ Rinpoche clearly says that,
If you practice Shugden, it will bring obstacles to your life.
This alludes to the wrong views held by the anti-Shugden camp that a person’s life is shortened if he propitiates Dorje Shugden. Yet, it has been established that many lamas who are or were steadfast Dorje Shugden practitioners have long lifespans with some living well into their eighties and nineties. These include:
- H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, who lived until the age of 81 (1901-1981)
- H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, who lived until the age of 79 (1905-1984)
- H.E. Sogpu Rinpoche (Bundasheri Tulku Guru Deva), who lived until the age of 101 (1908 – 2009)
- H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, who lived until the age of 88 (1922 – 2010)
- H.E. Kensur Lobsang Tharchin Rinpoche, who lived until the age of 83 (1921 – 2004)
- H.E. Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche, who lived until the age of 82 (1929 – 2011)
- H.H. 101st Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal, who is still going strong at 91 years old (1927 – present)
- H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, who is still very much active and healthy at 83 years old (1935 – present)
- Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, who is already 87 years old (1931 – present)
- H.E. Drubwang Gangchen Rinpoche, who is at present 77 years old (1941 – present)
- H.E. Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Phende, who is also currently 77 years old (1941 – present)
His Eminence Sogpu Rinpoche is considered to be an emanation of Gyenze, the “increasing” form of Dorje Shugden. He was born in 1908 in Hanchen Hosguu of Ordos in Inner Mongolia, and was enthroned on the Hutugtu throne at a young age. He entered clear light and left his earthly body in 2009 at the age of 101 years old.
Is a malevolent spirit more powerful than the Buddhas?
Early Karma Kagyu Refuge Tree showing the Buddhas, enlightened protectors and lineage masters. Click to enlarge.
As one of the oldest tulku lineages of the Karma Kagyu tradition, Tai Situ Rinpoche should possess the knowledge to understand that there is no basis to fear any spirit, malevolent or otherwise, if one has taken the Refuge Vows and even more so if one has taken the Sangha Vows. The Buddhist teachings are clear that no ghost or spirit can harm a monk or nun unless they themselves have broken their vows.
By encouraging fear of malevolent spirits, Tai Situ Rinpoche makes the supposition that the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) do not have the power to bring people under their protection. To make matters worse, when most lay people would turn to their lama or guru for spiritual assistance, including for protection against spirits and black magic, Tai Situ Rinpoche’s seeming lack of faith in the power of vows and refuge is akin to him saying that he is powerless to assist or protect his followers from malevolent spirits. This is illogical — can you imagine going to the Dalai Lama only to have His Holiness tell you that not only is he powerless to help, but he fears the spirit? Can you imagine His Holiness encouraging you to be afraid of a malevolent spirit and advising you to refrain from saying its name just in case you attract its attention?
In fact, high Tibetan lamas are renowned for their ability to subdue malevolent spirits. Given his repute, it should not be beyond Tai Situ Rinpoche’s ability to do so as well. As such, instead of playing up people’s paranoia with continuous talk, if Dorje Shugden were really that harmful, why not be practical and apply the proven solution i.e. subjugation?
Nechung was once an evil worldly spirit that did his best to destroy the advent of Buddhism in Tibet until he was subdued by Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava. In fact, Nechung is said to have originally come from Persia. So here you have a perfidious Persian spirit subdued by an Indian saint, turned into a Protector force within Tibet. Who is the real spirit? Today, he is the State Oracle of Tibet. In this picture, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and representatives of the CTA attend the invocation of the Nechung Oracle at Nechung Monastery on 18th July 2016. They are all waiting for the Nechung spirit to enter his human oracle and give predictions of the future, many of which have been proven wrong.
Spirits and ghosts are beings who are experiencing great pain and suffering. So, instead of encouraging his followers to fear Dorje Shugden who is supposedly a malevolent spirit, would it not behoove Tai Situ Rinpoche to subdue Dorje Shugden and send his consciousness to a pure land? Or alternatively, to subdue Dorje Shugden to serve as a Dharma Protector as in the case of Nechung, the State Oracle of Tibet? Lamas like Tai Situ Rinpoche are supposed to help people overcome spirit problems, as well as help spirits be released from their suffering. So how does Tai Situ Rinpoche subdue ghosts or spirits if he is afraid of them?
No demon or evil spirit can be more powerful than a Buddha but by Tai Situ Rinpoche labelling Dorje Shugden a spirit and then encouraging his followers to fear Dorje Shugden, he is implying that Dorje Shugden is stronger than Buddha Shakyamuni, Yamantaka, Manjushri or Palden Lhamo. What kind of message is he spreading to his students and followers? Why is he spreading information that is contradictory to the basic tenets of Buddhism?
There is only one possible explanation as to why Dorje Shugden cannot be subdued, which is that Dorje Shugden is himself a Buddha, an enlightened being emanating as a worldly protector. The only beings that cannot be subdued by Buddhas, are Buddhas themselves.
What is Tai Situ Rinpoche really saying?
It is a shame that Tai Situ Rinpoche is abusing his position as one of the leaders of the Karma Kagyu school to spread misleading, unsubstantiated fears and distorted information to the tens of thousands of adherents of his lineage, and to worsen an already-wide rift amongst Tibetan society. In fact, Tai Situ is very well-known to follow politics of the majority in order to have access to financial gain. By him sticking his nose and interfering with Gelugpa and Sakya business, and criticizing a Protector that has nothing to do with them, he is trying to nuzzle up to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, and to be seen to be on the ‘right’ side. When he is seen to be on the ‘right’ side and he is supported by the Dalai Lama, it will mean more fame for him which will of course translate into more donations. This could be his only motive for speaking up on a subject that he knows nothing about. By speaking against Dorje Shugden, he is automatically criticizing the great Sakya and Gelug lamas who are much more senior than him, and much greater in knowledge than himself.
Instead of accepting Tai Situ Rinpoche’s words wholesale, discerning viewers should analyze the contents of his speech, examine them logically against the Buddha’s teachings, and then speak up to correct the wrong views that this video may have created. Tai Situ Rinpoche should really be held accountable for the pain, suffering and discrimination that he is encouraging through this short one-minute video – what is his motive for making these comments and what is he trying to achieve, personal, political or spiritual gain?
Addendum
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche’s autobiography ‘A Tulku’s Journey from Tibet to Canada’, published in 2016, provides historical evidence and irrefutable proof that the Central Tibetan Administration is falsifying the facts when it comes to the practice of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.
The autobiography of Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, a high lama of the Gelug lineage, provides accurate historical accounts of the Dorje Shugden practice. Click to enlarge.
The back cover of the book, click to enlarge.
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Historical accounts show that prior to the politicization of the Dorje Shugden practice by the Central Tibetan Administration, this popular deity was relied upon by Dharma practitioners to help in their spiritual practice. Contrary to detractors’ claims about Dorje Shugden being ‘anti-Dharma’, this Dharma Protector practice was traditionally deemed to be suitable to be practiced alongside the Highest Yoga Tantras.
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Zasep Rinpoche and his family were able to escape to safety prior to the events of 1959 through the clairvoyance and prophetic advice of Dorje Shugden through one of his oracles, Lama Gelong Chojor Gyamtso.
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Oracles of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden were known for the accuracy of their prophecies due to Dorje Shugden being a fully enlightened deity with perfect clairvoyance. As stated clearly by Zasep Rinpoche in his autobiography ‘A Tulku’s Journey from Tibet to Canada’, Dorje Shugden warned the Tibetans of the impending loss of their homeland but his advice was mostly ignored by the Tibetan government.
The Tibetan government chose to consult the worldly state protector Nechung, and Nechung advised that the Dalai Lama should remain in Tibet where he would be safe. This was mistaken advice, as historical events would later show. Fortunately for Tibetan Buddhists all around the world, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang had great faith in Dorje Shugden and consulted the protector for advice on the Dalai Lama’s safety. Dorje Shugden via the Panglung Oracle urgently adviced the Dalai Lama to leave for India immediately and gave the exact escape route. In saving the Dalai Lama from certain harm, Dorje Shugden prevented the destruction of Tibetan Buddhism and preserved the future of the Tibetan culture and people.
Zasep Rinpoche’s account of events concur with monastic records that it was indeed Dorje Shugden who saved the Dalai Lama instead of Nechung, contrary to the claims of the Tibetan leadership.
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Dorje Shugden’s practice was first established within the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Sakya Throneholders regarded this Dharma Protector as an enlightened being and Dorje Shugden, together with Dorje Setrab and Tsiu Marpo formed the triune of Sakya Protectors known as Gyalpo Sum. Today, Sakya practitioners claim that Dorje Shugden was never widely practiced by their lineage but history proves otherwise. The undeniable fact is that before the CTA’s religious ban, Dorje Shugden was practiced first by the Sakyas and was later transmitted to the Gelug school where it was practiced by the majority of the Gelugpas.
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Contrary to the CTA’s claims that Dorje Shugden’s practice is sectarian, Zasep Rinpoche’s autobiography shows how practitioners of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism lived and practiced together in harmony, especially during the early years of exile in India. It was only when the CTA launched a virulent smear campaign against Dorje Shugden that the general public began to label Dorje Shugden a sectarian practice. In truth, Dorje Shugden’s practice is no more sectarian than the practices of other Dharma Protectors such as Mahakala Bernagchen, Achi Chokyi Drolma or Dorje Legpa, who protect the Karma Kagyu, Drikung Kagyu and Nyingma schools respectively.
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By the 1980s, the Tibetan government had failed to fulfil multiple promises to return the Tibetan people to their homeland. A scapegoat was needed and they made one out of an ancient Buddhist practice, pinning the loss of Tibet and the failure of the Tibetan cause on Dorje Shugden. In his autobiography, Zasep Rinpoche is of the same opinion, stating that “…the [Dorje Shugden] controversy was orchestrated by the Tibetan Central Administration…”
The Tibetan leadership effectively sanctioned witch-hunts on Dorje Shugden practitioners and persecuted them using government instruments, declaring that simply by being a Shugden worshipper, one was effectively an enemy of the Tibetan nation.
As a result of the hatred against Dorje Shugden practitioners instigated by the Tibetan leadership, virtually all Shugden Buddhists had to fear for their lives, or at least for their safety.
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Dorje Shugden’s beneficial practice has continued to thrive due to the courage and commitment of high lamas such as Zasep Tulku Rinpoche.
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For centuries, Dorje Shugden has been practiced alongside the highest practices of the Gelug and Sakya lineages. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche’s list of transmission is an indication that the highest scholars viewed the Protector as an enlightened being compatible with their yidam practices.
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Samten
April 20, 2018
We karma Kagyu people do not trust on Tai Situ Lama. We know he like money. He build a big temple in Nort India and want everyone to join him for monlam prayer. But many will not join. He has big tmpel because he very rich and like moeny. Many Kagyu people angry at Tai Situ Lama because he bring much shame and bad name to our leneage of Kamra Kaygu. He is not a good lama.
Tai Situ is not nice
April 20, 2018
Karma Kagyu lineage is much better without Tai Situpa who is NOT an emanation of Maitreya. I’ve met him several times and if you are wealthy, he shows you much preference. He has built his huge temple and large golden statues inside. But he himself does not do much to bring Buddhism to others. He was banned from entering India for five years due to the trouble he caused in India in invading and vandalizing Rumtek Monastery during the enthronement of Karmapa Thaye Dorje. Shameful. He endorsed his followers to attack Rumtek monasteries and they threw rocks, bricks and other objects breaking the monastery’s windows during the enthronement. Police had to be called and many of his followers arrested.
Tai Situ is shameful and harmful.
Shut up Tai Situ
April 20, 2018
BIG MOUTH TAI SITU LAMA SHOULD SHUT UP! He should mind his own business. He created so much trouble within his own karma kagyu sect by fighting with Sharmapa Lama due to greed and lust for power and now he wants to give his opinions on a Gelugpa Protector. He knows nothing on the Gelug school and he should mind his own business. He should shut up!
Gelug adherent
April 20, 2018
Gelugpas should write a letter to Tai Situ Rinpoche and tell him to mind his own business.
CTA will lose VERY SOON
April 20, 2018
Dorje Shugden will win as Tibetan govt in exile is going down. India is starting to shift their direction to China and ignore the Tibetans in India. The Tibetan leadership is being snubbed left and right by Indian govt. Now the Tibetans in exile will not be able to make much noise and problems and issues within the communities. Tibetans create so much problems like the illegal Dorje Shugden ban hurting thousands of people. ‘Supporters’ like Tai Situ Rinpoche who chases and hobnobs with Tibetan leadership for financial gains will realize he was on the wrong side. Too bad. Too late.
phyag na rlangs pa
April 20, 2018
Tai Situ Rinpoche he surely is not, he should rename himself to Tai Schism Rinpoche! This Tai Situpa has a track record of creating only schisms.
First, creating a schism among his own Kagyu sect with his meddling in the selection of the Karmapa which he had no authority to because he’s only second in line to the Sharmapa. That until today, is yet properly resolved.
Second, his power hunger is a disgrace to the entire Tibetan Buddhist community. Tai Situpa should have been disrobed from the get go when they found the millions stashed during the raid at Gyuto Tantric University. Imagine that, such a prestigious insitution getting raided for money laundering! What a disgrace, this Tai Schism has brought on to the name of the Karmapa and all of Tibetan Buddhism!!!
Secondly, it is as clear as daylight that his only reason for meddling in the Karmapa selection is purely political and with a selfish agenda to control the millions of funds that the Karmapa holds and manipulate a succession agenda to controlling the seat of the Dalai Lama. Poor Karmapa Orgyen Trinley to be caught in the centre of all this. No wonder he was so distraught in his video address at this year’s Monlam Chenmo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdI4DMRFkm4
Third and finally, this Tai Schismpa wants to meddle in the affairs of the Dorje Shugden practitioners! Can anyone disgrace Tibetan Buddhists more than this. How dare he?!! FOR FIVE CENTURIES, THERE HAS BEEN NO BIG PROBLEM, but of course all the problems with Tibet losing their country has nothing to do with poor governance; nothing to do with power hungry greedy individuals who care nothing about Tibet or Tibetans but interested only in how much money they can get from the US and European governments; nothing to do with all those millions obtained from the international community to help Tibetans that have gone to I wonder where – maybe to fueling anti-Dorje Shugden propaganda to cover their failures, maybe?
Seriously. It’s no wonder the Tibetans will prefer being under China than under these crooks! At least, the Chinese government is making steps to develop the country.
After nearly 60 years and billions of US dollars, these clowns have done and achieved nothing, except blame Dorje Shugden. Even if Dorje Shugden was a spirit, which he isn’t by the way, it is really dumb to say that Tibet will never be free because of a spirit! How about I slap Tai Schism and say, “Oh, it’s because of Nechung I slapped you.” I would sound dumb right? Yeah, I would. So, that makes everything Tai Schism and his CTA goons are saying sound dumb too.
Please note, that in the last 60 years, there have been countless countries obtain their independence, and with less funds than the CTA have had. You want to know why? Because those countries that have gotten independence learned how TO UNITE THE PEOPLE. NONE OF THEM DID IT BY DIVIDING PEOPLE AND BLAMING IT ON A SPOOK!
Tai Schism, please retire, please go to the Virgin Islands and enjoy your millions of off-shore funds and leave us Dorje Shugden practitioners alone. If you won’t unite Tibetans and people in the world, then leave us and let us do it. With the guidance of Dorje Shugden, we know we can, with you around it may be troublesome, but we’ll still do it. So, better you disrobe and retire.
Tai Schism Rinpoche, no thank you very much for your unkind words.
snowlion
April 21, 2018
Hahaha… I like that new name for this Rinpoche – Tai Schism Rinpoche. Sure fits the bill!
phyag na rlangs pa
April 20, 2018
Orgyen Trinley Dorje is a nice guy and I like him but I think Trinley Thaye Dorje will probably make a better Karmapa.
celia
April 21, 2018
For someone of his stature, it really is disappointing that Tai Situpa is still causing rifts within adherents to Tibetan Buddhism, within and beyond his lineage. Instead of doing justice to his highly revered position, he wastes it all for lesser samsaric benefits with his self-serving actions which are so destructive and harmful to Buddhists. Then again if he can betray his own lineage for self-gains, what more when it comes to other traditions?
There is really no logical reason for Tai Situ Rinpoche saying the things he said in the video other than to attempt to degrade Dorje Shugden and to further his own self-interests. And if anyone seeks to attempt to chalk Tai Situ Rinpoche’s destructive actions up as a manifestation of crazy wisdom, it is NOT.
“Crazy wisdom” fundamentally entails controversial methods customised by the Guru for his students based the Guru’s intimate observation and careful assessment of the students’ state of mind/conditions. It is clearly not the case with Tai Situpa’s reckless statements which are disseminated beyond such relationships or boundaries. One do not need to be clairvoyant to be able to see that the words of Tai Situpa, one of the oldest lineages of tulkus in the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, second only to the Sharmapa will have far reaching impact. Further, the damage he inflicts with his comment is even rapidly multiplied and intensified given how immediate messages can be electronically disseminated nowadays.
Seriously, what kind of Buddhist monk becomes associated more with severely destructive and harmful activities instead of constructive and compassionate activities? To say that Tai Situpa is a disgrace to the Sangha and even entire Tibetan Buddhism is definitely a gross understatement.
karma
April 21, 2018
Where is the spirit of respect and harmony?
Tai Situpa’s comment of putting down the wisdom of Sakya and Gelug lineage masters brings more harm than good.
Anyone who is new to Buddhism will take what he said as true if one doesn’t check the facts.
Tibet United
April 21, 2018
I don’t know if Tai Situ lama is really an emanation of Buddha Maitreya, but because Tai SItu lama has high rank, he should talk to promote peace and unity of people.
Tai Situ lama is not from Geluk also not from Sakya, why do you say bad things on other people religion? Did you hear HH Dalai Lama say bad things about Christian or Islam? Why not tell people to be friend with each other? I think that is what Buddha teach all of us correct?
Tibetan in India is not a big community, but why so many problems? why so many hate? why so many politics? I thought Tibetans practice Buddhism and are kind to everyone?
Dondrup Shugden
April 21, 2018
Since Dorje Shugden is not within the Karma Kagyu tradition, how can Tai Situ Rinpoche talk about the subject?
After going to the Dalai Lama to support him in creating schism in choosing Ogyen Trinley as the 17th Karmapa, maybe it is time to pay back to CTA to talk like he did.
Or was it for money from CTA?
It is obvious that this video has a hidden agenda to creating disharmony and schism with total disrespect to the grace of Buddhism to create peace and harmony.
What is formidable is that CTA has chosen the right person for this purpose, after all Tai Situ Rinpoche has split the Karma Kagyu tradition into chaos.
Let us not be fooled by all this abominable display by Tai Situ Rinpoche.
Eli Buchen
April 21, 2018
Very shocking from Tai Situ Rinpoche, instead of making more harmony amongst the people from his tradition he goes and talks about the protector from another tradition.
The way Tai Situ says it, to me it feels like in not so many words, a spirit is much more powerful than Buddhas.
I think thinking like this or saying such statements, gives no credit to reincarnation lineage of Tai Situ Rinpoche. It is almost saying that Fire Pujas and Buddhist prayers have no power against mere spirits. If a Rinpoche cannot overcome a mere spirit, then we all should be worried.
Jushri
April 21, 2018
It’s shocking to see Tai Situpa, someone who has a high standing in Karma Kagyu tradition
1) stick his nose into another tradition’s business
2) spread false information and views
3) negate the powers of The Three Jewels to lower than a spirit
4) create schism with his comments
5) make all the high lamas look dumb and powerless against a spirit
As a high lama, shouldn’t he be promoting unity and harmony?
His own lineage is divided. Shouldn’t he be spending his time and energy uniting Karma Kagyu?
snowlion
April 21, 2018
This is extremely disappointing to see. :-[ This ban on Dorje Shugden has really caused so much disharmony and suffering on so many levels. It has created broken samayas of great teachers and students. It has created families to split and betray one another. The Dorje Shugden ban has caused friends to become enemies. How can a spiritual leader say something that would cause further disunity and further suffering to so many? This is clearly political and it is such a shame that someone of Tai Situ Rinpoche’s calibre and status, supposedly an emanation of Maitreya to join in the bandwagon in condemning Dorje Shugden. :-\\ A person of his status should actually do the opposite and try to mend the broken, segregated Tibetan community and bring people together out of compassion. That is a true spiritual leader. Well, he lost the chance to show the world he is a Bodhisattva, instead, he just showed the world he is one of those with an agenda. Nothing special. I lost respect to yet another great Lama – not so great after all.
Forum Discussion: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=6100.0
phyag na rlangs pa
April 21, 2018
😥
Dalai Lama can't speak against Shugden
April 21, 2018
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been openly saying he wants to return to Tibet. He has dreams he is in his potala palace with many butterlamps lit and meeting Tibetan people meeting him. Lobsang Sangye says Tibetans should make the Dalai Lama’s dream come true. Members of the Indian govt also says they hope he can go back.The interesting thing is if Dalai Lama goes back to Tibet, he will not be able to speak against Dorje Shugden anymore. Speaking against Dorje Shugden forces people to take sides and segregate. So much disharmony and pain created. The Tibetan leadership have divided their exiled Tibetan communities into two factions due to their illegal ban against Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden people are not allowed into Tibetan hospitals, clinics and events since the ban started in 1996. Their children are asked to leave Tibetan schools which was damaging. Dorje Shugden people have suffered tremendous discrimination due to the ban from the Tibetan leadership.
China does not want social disharmony especially in Tibet for whatever reasons. So China does not ban Dorje Shugden but ironically gives religious freedom. Therefore the ban against Dorje Shugden by the Tibetan leadership in exile will not be allowed if Dalai Lama returns to Tibet. In fact, if Dalai Lama and his people want to get on the good side of China to even be considered to visit or return to Tibet, they better stop speaking about Dorje Shugden negatively. The tables have turned. The oppression against Dorje Shugden people have to end now.
Video of His Holiness Dalai Lama expelling monks from monasteries solely because they practice Dorje Shugden. Remember, Dorje Shugden has been practiced in major monasteries for the last 400 years. Dalai Lama in the video says he is happy they are kicked out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgYWidYw3U&t=1s
Tenzin Tsundue
April 23, 2018
Samten Lhamo
April 25, 2018
It sure looks like both China and India are determined to achieve successful reconciliation, something that will mark a new milestone in the history of India-China relations. This will continue to impede the Tibetan leadership’s attempts to spew anti-China rhetoric and propaganda. India already began its clampdown on the Tibetans in March, when they banned key Tibetan events, including cancelling celebrations marking the Tibetans’ 60 years in exile, which were going to be held in Delhi.
India changed her strategy after recognising that a hard-line approach with China did not work. Rather, there is much more to gain if Asia’s two giants come together for the common goal of mutual benefit. If all goes well, India may even be the one cutting a deal with China to allow the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet. After all, the Tibetan leadership in-exile have failed miserably in making progress in this regard. Nonetheless, we know for sure that India will no longer tolerate nonsense from Tibetans in-exile that would jeopardize their relations with China any further.
bambi
April 25, 2018
Tai situ shdnt meddle in Gelug lineage just to look good in front of DL.Why is it ok to talk about other ppl prob when they have their own prob to take care of.Coz of him their lineage have two Karmapa.How can something like that happen.He is one of the cause of the many probs happening in KK.One thing which I find illogical is there are so many high Lamas that practiced Dorje Shugden all of them are wrong?Many practiced without probs & came back in new incarnation & recognised so how can they be wrong.Just do fire puja & try & see if Dorje Shugden can be subdued.🤔😂
Minus
April 25, 2018
It’s truly sad such preserved lineage were diminish by him. Why create schism among all sact and lineages? What will Tai Situ Rinpoche gain or benefited? Other than FAME and STATUS, he will be disparage by his own sacts, lamas and students. His actions is an embarrassment and insulting on his own lineage. Sad to say, Karma Kagyu will never be united. ☹️
Pema
April 25, 2018
Tai Situ Rinpoche really put down the 3 Jewels and the sangha vows. As a monk and believed to be an emanation of Maitreya Buddha creating fear in people’s mind just by saying Dorje Shugden’s name is ridiculous. Why Tai Situ Rinpoche which believed to be an emanation of a Buddha didn’t subdue Dorje Shugden if he really think it’s a spirit that will bring obstacle and disharmony to many people?
Vajra10
April 25, 2018
Tibetan Buddhism is well-known to subdue spirits, but why can’t they perform any powerful puja to subdue the so called evil spirit Dorje Shugden. If the puja is not working for Dorje Shugden, but other powerful spirits, doesn’t it means that something is unusual? At the same time, there are many highly attained lamas, monks, nuns and lay people are practicing Dorje Shugden, but there is obviously no sign of bad omen or negative effect on any of the practitioner..
Tenzin K
April 25, 2018
Why Tai Situ Rinpoche is condemning others lineages practices where as a monk he should not? Further more by saying Dorje Shugden is a spirit, is there any prove? Dorje Shugden has been practiced for the past 400 years and many Shugden lamas had taken rebirth back and continue to benefit many people. If Dorje Shugden is a spirit how could this be possible?
Tai Situ Rinpoche had created a division by recognizing another Karmapa that break the tradition and unable to show the recognition letter from the 16th Karmapa to prove his candidate this is what I call as the real schism and obstacle that created for his own lineage.
Pema
April 25, 2018
Tai Situ is really Tai Situ? I mean what is he speaking about !?
Why does he speak about Gelug lineage – he should mind his own business, isn’t it!?
It is just funny that this monk is scared of a so-called spirit… I think no monk who holds his vows should be afraid of a spirit…. and why has no fire puja had the result to subdue Dorje Shugden?? Right, because he is enlightened !
Samayakeeper
April 25, 2018
Tibetan Buddhism has gotten worse with more politics than dharma being taught. The ‘high’ lamas of all sects should just stick to teaching dharma, stop talking and shut up on political issues that would lead to breaking up and dividing Tibetans, and bringing about the deterioration of the Buddha’s dharma. If each household can manage its own affairs, then manage it more and bring your household to another level. Stop looking inside your neighbour’s house, stop judging and condemning your neighbour’s garden. Just clean up your household mess and weed your own backyard.
Belinda Mae
April 25, 2018
I just cannot imagine a monk like Tai Situ Rinpoche can say and do such things like creating schisms. A monk should be harmony and united with one another and not breaking one another by all the negative speech. Monks should concentrate in learning and spreading the Dharma and should not be involve in worldly affair like politics.
Brian
April 25, 2018
My humble conclusive opinion.
This saga will roll on and on and has no benefit for CTA especially. The last thing they want is their reputation is being further tarnished. Of course they need to have a good image to gain more cash donations and one way of doing that is blame it on Dorje Shugden. Make people blame Dorje Shugden in order to stir further problems and CTA to look like the victim. Victims are those who were discriminated and harmed due to the unfounded ban, not CTA. Wake up fellow Tibetans, CTA is as corrupted as they can be and people need to know that.
Canada DS society
April 25, 2018
Why a highly attain monk ( Tai Situ ) causing schism? Doesn’t make any sense for me. And until today there’s still got people talk bad about Dorje Shugden practice? Don’t your guys feel boring to causing schism?
In Canada, what we practice is ours own freedom.
Tianni
April 25, 2018
If you believe in what Tai Situ Rinpoche said,then the past Throne holders of sakya and those incarnated high lama who is still practicing Dorje Shugden in gelung lineage have make a mistake. So Dalai lama also practice dorje shugden for the past was making mistake too. Then Dalai Lama’s teaching can be wrong also since his received teaching form his teacher who also practicing Dorje Shugden, So what the point going to get teaching form him and listen to what he say.
Richard TamLak
April 25, 2018
A lama should concentrate in their own practice, and stop criticizing and talk bad about other lineage, especially it is about other deities or protector that the other lineages are practicing. Unless he doesn’t believe in karma. Criticizing other lineages like this doesn’t make it look good on Tibetan Buddhism. Whether this Tai Situ Rinpoche is Dalai Lama supporter or he’s being paid by CTA or not, he himself as a Tibetan should know it clearly. Spread Dharma, spread Tibetan Buddhism, be a good person, be a good example, instead, he doing all the opposite now. It looks bad…. it really looks bad.
Wangel
April 25, 2018
Tibetan buddhism has involve some many political issue, it bring down the hold image of buddhism. What Tai Situ Rinpoche has said has create more fear and segegation other lineage practice. Is Karma Kagyu so perfect without any schism and problem. Two Karmapa issue already separated follower of Karma Kagyu. Stop critizing others what they have belieave. Especially dorje shugden practise.
Addan Rig
April 25, 2018
For the past few years, i have been hearing many politics in Tibetan Buddhism, with the inteference with CTA, the politics already very bad, what I dont understand is why did the sangha members also want to involve and create more complicating politics. A sangha member should be focus only in their spiritual practice, not intefering with other sect or tradition’s practice, because every tradition has their own method and practice, we should not involve and confuse others by our own opinion. To me, what Tai Situ Rinpoche did is very not right, he should stay away from creating more schism towards the sangha members.
Jing Jing
April 26, 2018
This is another scary scene I witnessed about how high ranking Tibetan lamas happily create schism and put down other lamas not only among his own lineage but other lineage by saying things that not a lamas should say without thinking much. Create schism is one of the rescue vows that all Buddhists seriously hold in our daily life. But Tai Situ Rinpoche, leading his people not only harming to his own dharma brothers, now he dare to point finger at Gelug lineage and intended to further split the gelugpas.
If these so called high lamas do not respect, do not hold their vows nor remember what the Buddha had taught, why do others care about what they teach any more? He even failed himself and his lineage by showing their students, there’s no dharma, no integrity and need not talk about holding one vows.
Jing Jing
April 26, 2018
This is another scary scene I witnessed about how high ranking Tibetan lamas happily create schism and put down other lamas not only among his own lineage but other lineage by saying things that not a lamas should say without thinking much for their own selfish benefits and political purposes.
Create schism is against one of the refuge vows that all Buddhists seriously hold in our daily life. But Tai Situ Rinpoche, leading his people not only harming to his own dharma brothers, now he dare to point finger at Dorje Shugden issues and intended to further split and adding more sufferings to the gelugpas.
If these so called high lamas do not respect, do not hold their vows nor remember what the Buddha had taught, they show no wisdom and no compassion, then why do others care about what they teach any more? He even failed himself and his lineage by showing their students, there’s no dharma, no integrity and need not talk about holding one vows.
Tsering Wangyal
April 27, 2018
The beginning of the end for Tibetan leadership in India.
The Dalai Lama and Tibetan govt in-exile better be on the alert now. For years they have met politicians, organizations and private individuals while talking negatively about China and painted an ugly picture of China wherever they went to get sympathetic votes and more free aid in dollars. It didn’t work, as the whole world wants to be China’s friend now, even the Indians. Tibet was no Shangrila and the reason they even lost their country back in 1959 was due to their own ineffective and corrupt leadership. It’s their own fault. For the last 60 years living Tax free in India they have still not secured their country back. It shows their lack of abilities and ineptness. Now Prime Minister Modi has landed in China to meet the powerful President Xi. One of the agendas to be discussed is the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans in India. Definitely China will work something out with Modi against the freeloading Tibetan refugees. High time too. Many Indians on social media have called for the Dalai Lama and Tibetans to return home as they have overstayed their welcome in India. Why should India stick their necks out any further for the useless Tibetans? That is how the Indians have rightly complained.
Now with Modi getting closer to China and President Xi, this spells doomsday for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans. For years the Tibetans have been meddling in Indian politics and insulting China and now the day of reckoning is near. The Tibetan govt in-exile are corrupt, useless, self-serving, schismatic and hateful. For years they have spoken against Dorje Shugden practitioners, segregating them and inciting violence against them in India. Now their karma has returned. The Tibetan govt in-exile likes to call Dorje Shugden pracitioners ‘Chinese spies’ and the funny thing is now the Dalai Lama is nearly begging China to return to Tibet/China. Who is the Chinese spy now?
Now the Dalai Lama and his exiled govt better keep quiet about China and be humble. They better remain silent on the unjust treatment of Dorje Shugden people and ‘allow’ religious freedom. They are losing power and losing support fast. Now the time has come they will have to swallow their own bitter pills they so happily doled out to others previously. Tibetan govt leaders better keep quiet and be humble now. The Tibetan govt in-exile should not have segregated Dorje Shugden people. Now Dorje Shugden people should go and become friends with China and return to Tibet to live also. The Dalai Lama wants to return to Tibet so bad but China does not want him. Too bad. India does not want him either. Too bad. Should have been friends with Dorje Shugden people in order to have more support in the hundreds of thousands. They should not have made trouble. Too bad the Tibetan leadership is so corrupt. So narrow minded, they trampled on their own people’s religious rights. Now we will see who wins. The Tibetan leadership or Dorje Shugden. I have a feeling Dorje Shugden will win.
Karma bhu
April 27, 2018
Did His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognize the wrong Karmapa?
The Karmapas and Sharmapas are spiritually inseparable. Both are fellow holders of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage, a spiritual tradition that predates the lineage of the Dalai Lamas by over 200 years. They are also responsible for the recognition of each other’s reincarnations. However, in 1992, Tai Situ recognized a Karmapa candidate different from the candidate chosen by the Sharmapa. He effectively overrode centuries of tradition amongst the four Karma Kagyu regents. Tai Situ went ahead and enthroned his own candidate without the Sharmapa’s approval, and received the Dalai Lama’s approval. Therefore, the Dalai Lama may have endorsed the wrong Karmapa.
Due to the Dalai Lama’s endorsement, the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala acknowledged Tai Situ’s candidate, Ogyen Trinley, as the 17th Karmapa, hosting him at the Gelug lineage’s Gyuto Tantric monastery. They even side-lined the Sharmapa’s candidate, Thaye Dorje. The world’s media were also misled to believe that “the Dalai Lama’s Karmapa” is the sole and legitimate candidate for the position. Until today, thanks to the Tibetan leadership, there is no end in sight to the rift that the Karmapa issue caused within the Karma Kagyu tradition. This long-standing feud occurred because of the Tibetan leadership’s political interference in spiritual matters.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1524833812.mp4
phyag na rlangs pa
April 27, 2018
Tai Situ doesn’t need Dorje Shugden to create schisms, he’s very well capable of doing it himself. Instead of banning Dorje Shugden, I wonder why the CTA didn’t ban this Tai Situ… could it be that a few people got a fat kickback from the wealthy Karmapa funds for endorsing his Karmapa candidate?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFxphAVnRFo
Lionel Tashi
April 27, 2018
没想到 Tai Situ只是一个虚有其名的仁波切。 他发表的谈话只是让人混乱的邪见。
身为一位被“称为弥勒佛” 的仁波切， 你竟然会怕你所谓的”邪灵”？？？
如果你是一位皈依三宝的出家人， 你就会得到三宝的保护。 就算是邪灵也不会伤害到你。 你发表这样的谈话很难让人不联想到你只是要得到金钱的利益。
你为了自己的利益不惜反传统请达赖喇嘛为你的的大宝法王认证， 把你自己的传承分裂成两位阵营， 那么造成分裂的到底是你还是多杰雄登？？
人心可怕， 愚痴更是让人无法分辨是非。 我为你的支持者感到伤心。 很多忠诚对你的弟子因为你发表的邪见而误入歧途。
Palden
April 27, 2018
His Holiness on Why a Woman Should Be Very Attractive to Be a Candidate for the 15th Dalai Lama
How come a spiritual leader is commenting on the value of women based on their looks? This is not funny, not intelligent and not politically correct. It is wrong. It is debasing and makes people lose respect for a monk such as Dalai Lama for talking about human beings in this manner.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1524861358.mp4
Chao Choden
April 28, 2018
Chao Choden
April 28, 2018
Tai Situ Rinpoche has done enough damage in his own lineage of Karma Kagyu when he broke the traditions by override Sharmapa selecting his own candidate onto the Karma Kagyu throne. He involved H.H the 14th Dalai Lama and the CTA in the recognition of the 17th Karmapa which only worsen the situation, where now the Karma Kagyu school split into two.
And now he is spreading non sense and baseless statement that Dorje Shugden brings obstacles to our life, creates disharmony and schism and accusing that people are actually afraid of Dorje Shugden. Seriously, why Tai Situ Rinpoche fanning Dorje Shugden ban that has nothing to do with his Karma Kagyu lineage? Perhaps by showing his “loyalty” to CTA, he can get what he wants to fulfill his selfish personal agenda?
Being one of the oldest lineages of tulkus in the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, Tai Situ Rinpoche is responsible to spread Buddha’s teachings, bring peace and compassion to people and not the other way round. The schism and disharmony from Tai Situ Rinpoche’s actions is a total shame to Buddhism and Tibetan people.
Tsering Kyi
April 29, 2018
Breaking news!
Well, all the people who was saying China-backed Panchen Lama is fake sure look ridiculous now. They attacked all the Tibetans and supporters who respected the China-backed Panchen Lama calling them all types of dirty and foul names in person and on social media. Calling them China stooges and China paid vulgar names for believing in the China-backed Panchen Lama. Now who looks so ridiculous? Now the Dalai Lama says the China-backed Panchen Lama is good and has a good teacher. If he has a good teacher it means he is turning into a good teacher himself. So he is qualified to teach. The end.
Dalai Lama says the China-backed Panchen Lama is an emanation of the previous Panchen Lama because high lamas can incarnate back as several lamas at the same time. So the Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama and the China-backed Panchen Lama are both good and both are incarnations of the previous Panchen Lama. How the tables have turned. Now all the people who criticized China-backed Panchen Lama can keep quiet and remember how ridiculous they look now. Listen to what the Dalai Lama says now as of April 2018 about the China-backed Panchen Rinpoche http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/11PanchenLamaIsAlive.mp4
The Panchen Lama recognized by Dalai Lama is alive and well also according to Dalai Lama himself.
Sonam Rinchen
May 4, 2018
Is it time to save the sinking ship that is the Tibetan cause? But wait a minute, the ship has already been sunk for the likes of Mr Ugyen Gyalpo.
Gone are the days when Tibet’s independence was possible, yet Tibetans like Mr Gyalpo are still living in a fantasy, asking the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to go against the Dalai Lama’s goal of meaningful autonomy for Tibet, and advocate full independence instead. On top of that, he wants India to help Tibet gain its independence, disregarding how these actions would jeopardize India’s relationship with China.
This is the same kind of illogical, self-centred, wishful thinking that caused the Tibetans to lose their country to China by signing the 17-Point Agreement in 1951. Why ask someone to fight for a lost cause? Perhaps Mr Gyalpo was on holiday and did not catch the latest media flurry about the Dalai Lama stating that he is happy for Tibet to be in China. The CTA President Lobsang Sangay even urged Tibetans to make the Dalai Lama’s dream of returning to Tibet come true.
It is time for My Gyalpo and other pro-independence activists to seriously wake up from their self-imposed slumber and plan what they can actually do if and when the Dalai Lama gets the green light to go back to Tibet. Do they want to support the Dalai Lama, their spiritual leader? Or will they betray and abandon him?
UTsang Kunga
May 5, 2018
In March 2018, Tibetan protestors gathered near the Tibetan parliament, seeking to impeach Lobsang Sangay because his actions are unjust and akin to those of a dictator. Protestors also questioned his sudden termination of Penpa Tsering, the former Representative of the Office of Tibet in Washington, DC, who was his arch-rival during the 2016 Tibetan election.
But this is not all, Lobsang Sangay’s CV includes a long list of deceitful actions, such as hiding the loan trail of $1.5-million taken by his office from Tibet Fund to purchase a building to house the Office of Tibet in DC. He even ordered the Auditor General to remove any mention of the loan in various financial reports. Lobsang Sangay is also alleged to have sexually assaulted an intern of the International Campaign for Tibet advocacy group. Even before he became the Sikyong (the president of the Central Tibetan Administration), scandals surrounding his actions were rampant. Four years after buying a house near Boston, his US$227,000 mortgage disappeared overnight, one week before he became the president of the CTA. It is no wonder that Tibetans like Pelgyamo express their dissatisfaction by posting sarcastic comments on Lobsang Sangay’s Instagram page.
Joo Won
May 11, 2018
It’s a shame to say you don’t even dare to spell Dorje Shugden’s name. How possible a sangha who hold his vows be harmed by a “spirit”? This may be able to bluff those without Buddhism knowledge but not may with basic knowledge. Please don’t bring more bad name to your lineage by creating split and disharmony by having another Karmapa. The damage done is big enough. Please stop criticising Gelug or another lineage. This is really bad.
Yeshi Dorje
May 11, 2018
The Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in Dharamsala refusing to accept Tibetan RCs (Registration Certificates) is yet another example of interference by the Central Tibetan Administration. Tibetans need this document to apply for an Indian passport. The CTA does not want to lose its grip on Tibetan refugees, as fewer refugees under their control means less foreign aid. That translates to less money that they can line their own pockets with.
This is not the first time that the CTA has created problems for Tibetans who wish to apply for Indian citizenship. Last July, the CTA ordered all its departments to stop issuing NOC (No Objection Certificates) to Tibetans applying for Indian passports, effectively sabotaging India’s goodwill of offering citizenship to eligible Tibetans. Perhaps that is a reason why many Tibetans are leaving their settlements in India, some of them even returning to Tibet! The CTA’s days as a ‘government’ are numbered, as more and more Tibetans apply for Indian citizenship or leave the CTA’s influence in India altogether.
Khampa Bhu
May 14, 2018
The Dalai Lama Fears that He Might be Expelled from India!
The situation in India is not getting better for the Tibetan government in-exile or the Dalai Lama. Since India is getting closer to China, this trend will not slow down. Whether it is the current Prime Minister Modi, or the next Prime Minister of India making efforts to get close to China, it does not matter because the momentum has started. It benefits both India and China tremendously to be friendly and on good terms with each other. The parasite-like Tibetans leeching off India brings no benefit whatsoever to India and India realizes this sad fact finally. The Dalai Lama and his team in the Tibetan government in-exile have created so many problems externally for India and internally within the Tibetan communities, enough is enough. Tibetans like to use India to irk China. They have done that for decades and now it’s over. The Tibetans have been put in their place. The Indian government has been snubbing the Dalai Lama this year. The Dalai Lama and his cohorts have created tremendous problems, segregation, hatred, and violence towards thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners, now that karma is coming back. Too bad. The Tibetan leadership is losing support from India, in fact, Modi purposely humiliated the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama and cohorts have less power to create so much schism and trouble now. If you read this article carefully, the Dalai Lama himself has expressed concerns he might be kicked out of India. It has reached this level that the Dalai Lama is unsure of his footing in India now. Too bad.
Tsamduk
May 15, 2018
More and more Tibetans are expressing their dissatisfaction with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). This even extends to accusing them of ruling without legal precedence. This is a serious matter as their management of funds, administrative procedures, and even their governing constitution are all flawed. From the simple of choice of words used for the translation of a title, the CTA have exposed the way in which they run their “nationless government” in an egotistical and self-serving manner. The CTA simply do things based on their personal agendas and needs, using the title of democracy as a cover.
Clearly, there is no system of governance for what the CTA do and how they spend the money they gain from people sympathetic to the Tibetan plight, aid from their host and donors from around the world. Since law is at the core of any administration, their underhanded tactic of finding loopholes and bending the rules to suit their individual needs has failed the Tibetan people. As an ex-Senior Fellow of Harvard Law School and a self-proclaimed expert in international human rights law, Sangay deters people’s faith in the integrity of a leader and the legal system, instead of upholding the cause of justice. After the public apology during his swearing in ceremony in 2016 and his firm pledge not to repeat his misconduct, it looks like Sangay is at it again.
Sherabz
June 7, 2018
India tightening its grip on the Dalai Lama and Tibetans
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed Himachal police to tighten its grip on Tibetans meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those Tibetans without paperwork showing individual identity and establishing legal credentials of their arrival in India will be turned away from seeing the religious leader. Undocumented Tibetans have been arriving in India, usually from Nepal, where they are aided by the Tibetan communities there. India seems to clamping down of Tibetan activity, from cancelling Thank You India events in Delhi and now restricting Tibetans from seeing the Dalai Lama. What else with the Indian government do next?
Thinley Woeser
June 8, 2018
Things are going to be very different for Tibetans in India from now on as Sino-Indian relations get warmer by the day. India has vowed to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and ensure Tibet-related issues are handled ‘properly’. This means India will tighten her grip on all Tibetan-related activities. So, the trouble-making Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) better watch themselves and not create further problems that may antagonise China. This is something India will no longer tolerate.
Peljor
June 14, 2018
Ex-Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche caught sleeping in a meeting
The representative of the Dalai Lama and former prime minister of the Tibetan government in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche during an important meeting having a nice sleep. The Tibetan government in-exile are run by people like this who have no control over their body and manners. They only stay awake in the meeting if there is FREE aid money coming their way to line their pockets. Shameful how Samdong Rinpoche is sleeping in the middle of a meeting and he represents the Tibetan government in-exile. This is why after 60 years Tibetan leaders have failed to get Tibet back but blame others for their failures. Shame!
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1528941530.mp4
Dorji Damdu
June 28, 2018
The Dalai Lama has emerged as the biggest talking point during informal Sino-Indian bilateral talks during 2018, such as the Wuhan Summit. This is all due to concerns related to the Dalai Lama’s health. China wants the Dalai Lama to travel to Tibet, knowing that it would most probably be a one-way ticket. India on the other hand initiated the talks, shunning the Dalai Lama and kowtowed to China’s rising power. Their aim was to strike a deal to resolve border issues.