The Dalai Lama at the Jangchub Lamrim teachings in December 2013
In recent months, after the International Shugden Community (ISC) organized a series of peaceful demonstrations against the Dorje Shugden ban across USA and Europe, the Shugden issue is once again in the limelight and has received extensive media coverage all over the world. While the ISC received much needed attention towards their efforts in lifting this unjust ban, the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) also received their fair share of media attention regarding the Dorje Shugden issue.
When questioned about the existence of such a ban and accusations of discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners, a typical reply from the the Dalai Lama or members of the CTA would be:
No there is no ban, no one is discriminating them (Shugdenpas).
Such blatant lies may be taken at face value by the Dalai Lama-loving faction. However, the discerning reader seeks out the truth behind the matter, and we at DorjeShugden.com bring you recent and current proof of discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners, some of which are instigated on a large scale by none other than the Dalai Lama and his administration.
Proof of Discrimination
While the CTA proudly declares that no ban is being imposed, Shugden practitioners living in exile communities beg to differ. Various establishments in the Tibetan refugee settlement of Bylakuppe openly deny entry to Shugden worshipers as a sign of their allegiance and support for the Dalai Lama and CTA.
“Dolgyal Practitioners Not Welcome”
Outside a statue shop in Bylakuppe, Tibetan Camp No. 1
Closeup of the anti-Shugden sign
As if prohibiting Shugden practitioners from patronizing non-Shugden shops wasn’t enough, the CTA found an ingenious way of discriminating against establishments owned by Dorje Shugden practitioners, right under the nose of human rights organisations and international media. During the Dalai Lama’s Jang Chub Lamrim teachings in Sera Monastery which took place in December 2013, participants were instructed only to patronize establishments that displayed the official Jang Chub Lamrim banners, and to avoid entering any premises without it.
No banner, no entry. The Jangchub Lamrim banner became synonymous with pro-Dalai Lama (anti-Shugden) establishments.
Yet, when questioned by international media, the Dalai Lama and CTA blatantly denied the existence of the ban and the discrimination that arose as a result. Instead, the CTA claimed that the very act of denying entry to Shugden practitioners (mind you, based purely on their religious beliefs) was in fact an act of freedom. Clearly, the Tibetan administration values the truth only when convenient, and freedom and human rights are misconstrued to serve their own ill motivation.
Kyabje Phabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day
The Great Gelug Master, Kyabje Phabongka Rinpoche
While the Jangchub Lamrim teachings were in full swing in Sera Monastery, Dorje Shugden practitioners who were banned from attending the Dalai Lama’s teachings celebrated Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day next door in Serpom Monastery.
The Parinirvana Day of a great master is an extremely significant day in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. For those unfamiliar with Vajrayana Buddhism, Parinirvana is not viewed as a day of death, but is considered to be the day of enlightenment. Great practitioners consider the moment of death to be the best opportunity to gain enlightenment. Thus, Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day is an auspicious and important celebration for the monks of Serpom Monastery.
We were chanting the mantra Migtsema loudly when a Sera monk came to our monastery to ask what we were doing. So we told him we are celebrating Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana today. Later that day, we found out that the Sera monks too went to get offerings and did a puja to celebrate Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana, it was Dalai Lama’s instruction as Pabongka Rinpoche is also the lineage master of Sera.
- A monk from Serpom Monastery
Given that Pabongka Rinpoche is a staunch Dorje Shugden lama (and therefore an enemy of the Tibetan state) why would the Dalai Lama encourage the monks of Sera to celebrate his Parinirvana Day? Conversely, if Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day is to be celebrated (thus signifying that he has attained enlightenment), then how can his teachings on taking Dorje Shugden as the enlightened protector of the Gelug lineage be wrong?
Thus the Dalai Lama’s advice to Sera monks to celebrate Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day was met with confusion, especially given that the Dalai Lama had just endorsed the latest anti-Dorje Shugden book during one of the Jangchub Lamrim teachings – a book that completely opposes Pabongka Rinpoche’s teachings. The contradiction must have been too much for the Sera monks and after the teachings, hundreds of newly distributed anti-Shugden books were found piled up in the trash.
Doubts arising against the Dalai Lama’s stance on Dorje Shugden? Sera monks threw away hundreds of anti- Shugden books in the aftermath of the Jangchub Lamrim teachings
Truly, the ban on Dorje Shugden has done nothing but create confusion and harm, even in the monastic environment. Even the simple fact that Sera Monastery’s failed to celebrate Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day until prompted by the Dalai Lama is a clear sign that tradition has fallen by the wayside, and only the sycophantic wish for the Dalai Lama’s approval remains.
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ronykhan
July 11, 2014
The following is extracted from the Official Website of Jangchup Lamrin Teachings :-
((Registration To Attend the 2014 Teachings
There is no fee to attend the teachings or tickets to be purchased, but you are required to complete the three registration steps.
You may attend for as many days as you wish. Attendance at all 7 days of teachings is not required.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has requested those who propitiate Dolgyal (Shugden) not to attend his formal religious teachings, which traditionally require the establishment of a teacher-disciple relationship. (For more information, see http://www.dalailama.com.) Therefore, the Jangchup Lamrim Teaching Organizing Committee will not accept any registration forms from Dorje Shugden followers or those who are associated with Dorje Shugden followers. ))
This discriminatory statement on DS practitioners is on an OFFICIAL WEBSITE (assessible by everyone). Hence, there cannot be any denial on the side of HHDL or CTA that there is no ban issued and there is no discrimination ! The denial becomes a blatant LIE !
Galen
July 12, 2014
The sign ages are displayed out so clearly outside shops and monasteries. Isn’t this clear discrimination? This is enough proof but the CTA still denies that there is no ban? How is this possible?
The Sera monks are surely confused as the Dalai Lama gives different instructions that they do not which to follow; to celebrate Pabongkha Rinpoche’s paranirvana day or to follow the book opposing Dorje Shugden……… i pity the monks.
Eli
July 12, 2014
Je Pabongka is master for all the Gelug Masters of our lineage. He cannot be wrong. Not only that of Dorje Shugden is a spirit, then the entire Gelug lineage is invalid.
Furthermore despite taking the picture of the proof of the ban, the website was conscientious not to reveal the name of the establishment that is enforcing this ban.
happy sun
July 13, 2014
Stop lying and the truth will come out very soon. Already 18 years passed, the people who pro-HHDL had done some many damages towards Dorje Shugden practitioner. Now is the time to stop all the harmful towards people! The young generation of Shugden leadership will come out very soon, I believed we can use different to deliver important without any violence action happened.
Kelly
July 17, 2014
If the practice of DS is wrong and harmful then why to the monk still pay respect to Pabongka Rinpoche parinivana day I think is very contradicting with the DS ban because as we know Pabongka Rinpoche is DS practitioner .
Anonymous
July 22, 2014
R First of all I want to say all shugden group of Tibetan that why u all doing this kind of protest hey please think about HH DALAI LAMA in hole life he do for Tibetan n our freedom hey u all not feeling shame if u all not feeling shame then u all are not Buddhist n most important is that u all r not Tibetan shame on u all he is going older and u all still create a problem for him Kyabsu che…
Anonymous
July 22, 2014
Om mani ped me hun for wat they guy comment Dorjee Shugden practitioner community connects wid China u fools Tibetan who practice of this kind of things oh god wake up this westerner they don’t know about our religion???
Agnes Kohl
July 26, 2014
“Truly, the ban on Dorje Shugden has done nothing but create confusion and harm, even in the monastic environment. Even the simple fact that Sera Monastery’s failed to celebrate Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day until prompted by the Dalai Lama is a clear sign that tradition has fallen by the wayside, and only the sycophantic wish for the Dalai Lama’s approval remains.”
It saddens me to see what all this contradiction does to the minds of even the holy sangha. We sentient beings who suffer from our self-inflicted delusions seek solace and teachings from sangha to free ourselves from further suffering. Now the source of peace and teachings are themselves conflicted and suffering from mental confusion!!! How does the community of Buddhists thus seek freedom from suffering?? My point is that HHDL and the CTA are creating tremendous suffering. And if HHDL thinks that his teachings and denial can change the course of events and pains, he is wrong. Until the Ban is lifted, the presence of HHDL is only causing more anguish and suffering. I sincerely believe, or want to believe, that HHDL is not deliberately doing this. With humility and folded hands I ask that the Buddhas hear our prayers and HHDL will lift this Ban. If this is all about purification then I ask is 18 years not already enough? Is the further enforcement of the Ban not creating more negative karma?
Michael Maynard
August 8, 2014
I also ask the CTA, when they say followers of Buddha Dorje Shugden have not been anathematised by the Tibetan Theocrats and excluded from Tibetan society, why have the CTA not repealed their resolution preventing employment and participation in tibetan civic society?
Also, why the posting of names and addresses of protesters? Why the graphic pictures of the terrible, hideous murder of Lobsang Gyatso on their web site under the heading /dxxxxxl-shugden/violent-incidents can they explain why that isn’t create hatred and fear of practitioners of Buddha Dorje Shugden? Is that the responsible act of a government? or does it look more like a hate group?