Tibetans peacefully protesting against the Dalai Lama in Rotterdam
At the Ahoy Rotterdam in May 2014, the Dalai Lama gave a teaching on the topic of Compassion. Outside the Ahoy, the International Shugden Community (ISC) conducted a day-long peaceful demonstration for the Dalai Lama to stop lying and to revoke the ban on Dorje Shugden.
With hundreds of Tibetans and Westerners participating in the peaceful protests, the Dalai Lama supporters (who were there for the Compassion teaching) started attacking the ISC, who tried their best to ignore them. The Dalai Lama’s supporters accused the protestors of not being real Tibetans. A Tibetan participant’s response?
We are always Tibetan. But we always respect for religious freedom.
The peaceful demonstrators comprised both Westerners and Tibetans
Although authorities stepped in to restrain the Dalai Lama’s supporters, they continued to abuse the demonstrators verbally and made threatening gestures. They even went up close to the ISC protesters and spat at them!
The behavior of the Dalai Lama’s supporters was totally uncalled for. Such actions certainly reflect badly not only on themselves, but also on the Dalai Lama himself. After all, the ISC was protesting by holding placards and handing out pamphlets to support their cause, all done in a peaceful and respectable manner. Why did the Dalai Lama’s supporters react so violently an crudely?
Peaceful ISC protestors. Unfortunately, the Dalai Lama’s supporters verbally abused, spat at and made threatening gestures at the protestors.
The two videos below show clearly the extent of the pro-Dalai Lama faction’s aggression towards the ISC, both in Rotterdam and during the subsequent peaceful demonstrations in Frankfurt.
Dalai Lama’s Supporters in Rotterdam
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Dalai Lama’s Supporters in Frankfurt
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Compare that to the next two videos below, which show the ISC members and Tibetans protesting against the ban in a peaceful manner. They even created a catchy song and dance!
International Shugden Society’s Protestors in Rotterdam
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International Shugden Society’s Protestors in Frankfurt
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Frankfurt, Germany, 15 May 2014 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with local Tibetans in the iconic Museum of Modern Art.
In his talk, the Dalai Lama gave many powerful Dharma teachings which, however, contradict with the way the Dorje Shugden issue is being handled. If the Dalai Lama applied the Dharma that he taught, there would be less suffering for Dorje Shugden practitioners and less negativity from the Dalai Lama’s supporters. If the Dalai Lama practiced his own Dharma, the first thing he would do is to revoke the BAN.
The following are extracts from the Dalai Lama’s speech, and examples of his contradicting actions:
His Holiness mentioned that although once-powerful Tibet fragmented in the 9th century, what has bound Tibetans together down the centuries has been Tibetan Buddhism.
[Tibetans are currently divided due to the BAN. Hence the right thing to do is to lift the ban and allow Tibetan Buddhism to flourish and benefit ALL.]
In answering questions from students, His Holiness referred to human beings as social creatures who are equipped from birth with the potential for affection. This natural capacity for affection and compassion tends to diminish because the modern education system is geared to materialistic goals rather that the enhancement of inner values. He said that although all religious traditions are based on ethics, what we need today is a system of ethics that includes everyone, which is what secular ethics is intended to do.
[To the contrary, Dorje Shugden practitioners are not welcome nor included in the system.]
When he was asked about how to resolve the difficulties in Ukraine, His Holiness said he was insufficiently informed to comment. However, he said:
“Violence and its unpredictable consequences spell trouble. You might think to only use a little force, but it escalates. Violence may exert control over people physically, but doesn’t win over hearts and minds, leaving fear, anger and hatred in its wake.”
[This is exactly what is happening now due to the Ban imposed by the Dalai Lama and CTA.]
It is very clear that the Dalai Lama does not practice what he preaches – loving kindness and compassion. The policies and actions of the Dalai Lama, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and their supporters may have looked good in the beginning but as time passes, their true colors are revealed through their actions, showing how silly, irreligious, and unmannered they are.
The Dalai Lama’s supporters think they are doing the right thing and look good by protecting the Dalai Lama and the CTA. But they are caught on film spitting at the ISC. How can this possibly reflect on them well?
Furthermore, during the meeting in Frankfurt, the Dalai Lama THANKED the Tibetans in attendance for protecting him. How can the Dalai Lama possibly condone and encourage the aggressive behaviour as seen in the videos above?
The lady in green (circled in red) is the one from the Frankfurt video who repeatedly yelled in Tibetan: “Aren’t you embarrassed to be here to protest against the Dalai Lama?”
If the Dalai Lama and the CTA do not take corrective action (which they have not thus far), they are directly and indirectly encouraging others to abuse, malign and hurt Dorje Shugden practitioners freely.
We call upon the Dalai Lama and CTA to speak out firmly to discourage all forms of aggression against Dorje Shugden practitioners and for the Dalai Lama to live up to his name as a Nobel Peace Prize winner and world peace advocate. If, as the Dalai Lama and CTA claim, there is no ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice, then the behaviour of the Dalai Lama’s supporters is unwarranted, uncalled for, and MUST BE CORRECTED. If the Dalai Lama and CTA continue to do nothing, there is clearly disconnect between their claims that there is no ban, and what is being practised in reality.
The Dalai Lama’s supporters making a run at the International Shugden Community’s members
English
Indonesia
Tibetan
Peter Edge
June 23, 2014
Many people would probably think that the Dalai Lama is a great guy and he is an epitome of peace and represents the Buddhist principle of Loving-Kindness. Of course, we can’t deny that he has done a lot of good deeds for the Tibetans as perceived by his believers and followers. However, on a humanitarian level, we can’t deny that he has caused a lot of grief for the Shugden practitioners. Just because he is the Dalai Lama, he is not immune to making mistakes and owning up to them when innocent parties are injured by his deliberate actions.
Manisha Kudo
June 23, 2014
Well, if the Dalai Lama is on a world tour giving talks on compassion, wisdom, kindness and what have you, then, it makes all of us wonder why would the same students and adherents who attend these talks be so violent towards the protestors. If they really wish to protect their teacher, the Dalai Lama, perhaps they should firstly conduct themselves better. Next, if they really understand the Dharma, perhaps they should lend a ear to the cries of the Dorje Shugden practitioners and not shun them and hit them with abuse and aggression.
kris
June 28, 2014
To me, when HH Dalai Lama impose the ban, he has already given the approvals to attack all Dorje Shugden practitioners, and that includes ISC members of course.
And when HH Dalai Lama raise His voice against the Dorje Shugden practitioners, it gives approvals to be nasty; and when CTA incite violence and HH Dalai Lama didn’t say a thing, that gives approvals to be nasty; and when CTA published the “hit list” and HH Dalai Lama didn’t say a thing, that gives even more approvals for even more attacks.
How sad.
How ironic. The most peaceful person on earth has a lot of students who are so hateful and revengeful.. and worst of all, hurting others just outside the hall where HH Dalai Lama is giving talk on compassion.
Eli
June 29, 2014
I still think the Dalai Lama is a Buddha and whatever he is doing is fulfilling the bigger purpose as proclaimed by the dorjeshugden website.
The people who have not read in between the lines take the dalai lama’s words literally, it is very clear for the world to see that the supporters of the ban have not integrated the dharma into their core. If they did , they would not spit and abuse people who are protesting peacefully.
Yeshe Dondrub
November 2, 2014
Political issues are testing Buddhists, and the way we apply dharma, as well as reflect the Buddha nature is important. We all are responsible for our own conscious thought, and some show it with clarity, others are allowing pressure, issues, to re-cloud it, then you fall backwards on the path.
It is important to have dharma taught, for others to experience this precious chance. We can’t ignore that. We also need to be mindful or decisions.
The Karmapa issue is an example. Some listen and respect haye for very real reasons. Experience, connection, and what Sharmar hoped to teach in the west as it was the desire of the 16th Karmapa. The 16th Karmapa was clear, he wanted the Sharmapa to return as a reflection within himself, and was strong about it. They were very close, more so then Situ or other tulka will admit.
The Sharmapa had head decision on the matter, but while away, others acted without true authority, Then the Dalai lama acted to recognize, after 12 years later a claimed letter was produced. The Dalai lama does not retain decision in Kagyu matters, despite even Oygen not be factual on the matter. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje was clear about the decision factors, and Sharmapa would lead it. As it has been, as he wanted, and te Sharmapa-Karmapa-Karmapa-Sharmapa close relationship was dishonored, reputed, and both situ, and even Ogyen have disrespected the 16th Karmapa in discussion of that, and that is clear that it is political driven because Tibetans were suppressed by china.
Ogyen eyes were altered, claims of money movement with support of China, political issues arose, and division created, probably as planned by Chinese political heads (not the Chinese people). Extra effort made to convince and hold.
Look at howa lama sits when they teach. Their state of mind. Do they remain agitated and rock more then needed back and forth? Eyes roll. Tempered and covert words against the situation? So they seem bored in the lesson they give. As if it is repetitive, and not serious? Take a look at Both Karmapa’s in image, and remember Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Thaye reflects that in mind.
So the test is issued, and some truly follow dharma, while being wise and straight forward. Those of us around who were present at one time or another with the 16th Karmapa, fel the connection, as well as other evidence.
Now the Dalai Lama. Again more caught in tough positions. Making choices for Buddhism, and the resistance is larger then you think. I do respect him, he cares about Tibet, and what has happened. Yet he can not decide how Buddhist approach teachings and becoming mindful. He can not speak for the older Kagyu schools. He can’t say that Tibetan Buddhism is the most complete, at least not referring to just Mahayana approach.
HE has to respect all people, with equanimity, compassion, and be supportive, even if not his point of view.