Today, those who worship the deity Dorje Shugden and similarly, those who wish to pursue the Tibetan dream of Independence are labelled enemies of the Tibetan people and friends of the enemy-China. As a matter of fact, it is well known that anyone who is perceived to have views and opinions that are not completely aligned to those of the Tibetan leadership are thus tagged and labelled. The inference is, to be sympathetic or supportive of China is immediately taken to be anti-Tibetan and to wish the demise of the Tibetan people, culture and religion. At least, that is how the propaganda goes.
What is ironic is that in the modern history of Tibet, no one has courted or spoken more highly of the Chinese than the 14th Dalai Lama who history has shown was such a friend and admirer of Chairman Mao, the dictator who would go on in his campaign to destroy the Tibetan identity and religion.
In fact, the Dalai Lama so truly loved Mao that in 1954, he composed a glowing hymn to Mao. The Dalai Lama started the hymn by calling Chairman Mao
The great national leader… the cakravarti (a holy, powerful monarch) born out of boundless fine merits.
And then, he went on to proclaim:
O! Chairman Mao! Your brilliance and deeds are like those of Brahma and Mahasammata, creators of the world.
In the hymn, he also regarded Mao (hence China) as a liberator:
You liberated all with your brilliance.
Above from Anna Louise Strong’s “Tibetan Interviews”; 1959, New World Press, Peking. Click to enlarge.
It is interesting that, China having invaded Tibet in 1950, the Dalai Lama still regarded Mao as a liberator. And yet today, the same Dalai Lama and his government claim that Tibet was unjustly annexed instead of liberated. This switch is confusing although when we study the history of the present Tibetan leadership, sudden and drastic about turns in policies and views seem to be the norm.
Later, the Dalai Lama also wrote a poem after meeting Mao in Beijing in 1955. According to “A History of the Liberation of Tibet“, the Dalai Lama gushed,
Only limitless blessing could create such a leader like the sun radiating across the land. His writings are as precious as pearls.
And despite all the anti-Chinese rhetoric, the Dalai Lama’s view has remained. Rather recently, he said on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC,
He (Chairman Mao) appears to me as a father and he himself considered me as a son. (We had) very good relations.
[Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/mao-zedong-considered-me-as-his-son-dalai-lama/article1-878134.aspx]
The Dalai Lama and Chairman Mao in 1954
Deng Xiaoping and the Dalai Lama in 1954
And as recently as March 2014, the Dalai Lama continued to praise Mao.
Dalai Lama urges Xi to think widely, praises Mao
Phayul [Sunday, March 02, 2014 09:29]
Minneapolis, March 1: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has urged the Chinese leadership to think widely while praising Mao Zedong as a great revolutionary.“I knew Mao very well. He was a great revolutionary. He trusted me a lot. He even told me that religion is opium,” said the Tibetan leader Dalai Lama during an interactive session with a group of Chinese students at his hotel. “The Chinese revolutionary leader later got himself corrupted by his own power,” added the Tibetan leader, sending the audience into laughter.
Therefore, we see that the Dalai Lama’s admiration for Mao and hence the China that invaded Tibet and deprived the people of their homeland remained. But why praise a China that destroyed Tibet and at the same time condemn Tibetan lamas who are friendly with a China that seeks reconciliation today?
After all the praise, Mao’s People’s Liberation Army came and destroyed everything!
Shortly after the glowing hymn, Mao remarked during a 1954 meeting with the Dalai Lama that “religion is poison”. Then,
“By 1957, Kham was in chaos. Beatings, rapes, starvation, and torture were reported. Monks and nuns were forced to have sex with each other and forcibly renounce their celibacy vows.”
At 4:00pm on March 17, 1959 – the Chinese fired two mortar shells at the Norbulinka. They landed short of the palace walls in a marsh. This event triggered the Dalai Lama to finally decide to leave his homeland.
The Norbulinka was bombarded by 800 shells on March 21, 1959. Thousands of men, women and children camped around the palace wall were slaughtered and the homes of about 300 officials within the walls destroyed. In the aftermath 200 members of the Dalai Lama’s bodyguard were disarmed and publicly machine-gunned.
Lhasa’s major monasteries, Gaden, Sera and Drepung were shelled -the latter two beyond repair – and monastic treasures and precious scriptures destroyed. Thousands of their monks were either killed on the spot, transported to the city to work as slave labor, or deported. In house-to-house searches the residents of any homes harboring arms were dragged out and shot on the spot.
Over 86,000 Tibetans in central Tibet were killed by the Chinese during this period.
Two days after the Dalai Lama escaped from Lhasa, the Communists closed down the Tibetan government, seized land and bombed Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and the medical college of Changp Ri. Chinese snipers picked off protestors, some with Molotov cocktails, in the streets. When 10,000 more protestors sought refuge in the Jokhang Temple, it too was bombed.
Some estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Tibetans were killed in three days of violence.
It is estimated that some 6,000 Buddhist monasteries were destroyed during Mao’s “Cultural Revolution” and yet Mao is admired by the Tibetan leader.
Men drag a monk through the streets of Lhasa.
Shide Monastery, one of Tibet’s most venerable Buddhist monasteries, destroyed.
The destruction and killing then escalated during the Cultural Revolution
The man the Dalai Lama had so admired and trusted would go on to order the biggest rampage and destruction of Tibet.
Over the next few years, monasteries were destroyed with dynamite and artillery, libraries were looted and rare books and paintings were burned. Buddhist scriptures were used as shoe soles or wrapping paper, monks were forced to wear blue Mao suits instead of their traditional robes. Some were put to work for 20 years on communes digging vegetables.
Tibet was particularly hard hit in the Cultural Revolution. Many temples and monasteries were destroyed often with the help of Tibetan Red Guards.
Buddha was declared a reactionary and the Dalai Lama was called a criminal. Festivals, pilgrimages and partying were banned. Some Tibetans were forced to cut their hair. Others had to learn a new “friendship language” that incorporated Chinese and Tibetan words in weird ways. By the time it was over 99 percent of Tibet’s 6,000 religious monasteries, temples and shrines were looted or totally decimated and hundreds of thousands of sacred Buddhist scriptures were destroyed.
Source: http://factsanddetails.com/china/cat6/sub32/entry-4425.html
The Cultural Revolution arrived in Lhasa in July 1966. Red Guards entered Jokhang Temple two months later and destroyed or desecrated everything they could.
How did the Dalai Lama make such a big mistake?
How could the Dalai Lama, who is worshipped as an emanation of the enlightened Bodhisattva Chenrezig who is supposed to have complete clairvoyance, have made such as disastrous mistake about Mao? Why didn’t he foresee what Mao and his PLA would do? In the hymn, the Dalai Lama regarded Mao (hence China) as a liberator of Tibet but Mao and the PLA came and destroyed Tibet.
Why does the Dalai Lama still maintain his admiration for Chairman Mao yet condemn China for being an aggressor and colonist? This, like many actions and decisions by the Tibetan leadership, does not make sense. However, if the Dalai Lama is capable of making such a grave mistake, couldn’t he also have been mistaken about Dorje Shugden whose practice he has banned?
Calling enlightened world protector Dorje Shugden an evil spirit, a mistake too?
For almost twenty years, the Dalai Lama together with his Central Tibetan Administration (“CTA”) has been relentless in labeling enlightened world protector Dorje Shugden as an evil spirit. The Tibetan people and Dalai Lama fans worldwide readily accepted the Dalai Lama’s proclamation of Shugden as a malicious element. This has caused immense suffering amongst Dorje Shugden practitioners.
Given the big mistake the Dalai Lama made about Chairman Mao and the PLA, could he also have made another “big mistake” once again?
For sure, the Tibetans have and are suffering from the Dalai Lama and the CTA’s actions with regards to Dorje Shugden. And no closer is the CTA in securing Tibet’s autonomy, much less independence.
So, what other serious mistakes has/will the Dalai Lama and CTA make? And for that matter, why condemn anyone for trying to bridge the divide between China and Tibet (a job the CTA is failing miserably at), when the Dalai Lama himself is still cooing admiration for Mao? Why the bias and double standards?
After all, there is a Tibetan proverb: No matter if you eat a little or a lot of garlic, the smell is just as strong.
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Elibuchen
January 12, 2016
It is very possible that the Dalai Lama spoke the way he spoke to Chairman Mao, out of trying to preserve his life.
Giselle
January 16, 2016
Wow this is a powerful article stated with facts to raise doubts on the accuracy of the ban imposed by H.H. Dalai Lama on Dorje Shugden practitioners. How can an enlightened mind like Dalai Lama made so many “mistakes”???? The damages brought by Mao’s cultural revolution are indeed unforgivable, just like how Shugden practitioners are being persecuted by the CTA.
Dondrup Shugden
January 17, 2016
Indeed this article of so many historical facts gives evidence that the Dalai Lama besides being inconsistent can make a grave mistake with the Ban on Dorje Shugden.
History is history, let the future begin and the Ban be lifted. May the Dalai Lama be inconsistent and remove the Ban, I will be the more happy with such inconsistency as it always been.
Mark
January 17, 2016
Quite logical and it makes sense.
Could the Tibetans think that it is mistake but they didn’t dare to admit it? Voicing it would be tantamount to death?
Manjushri
January 23, 2016
Thank you for this! Powerful findings!
I just cannot pinpoint why His Holiness who is believed to be one with Chenrezig can make such flawed and changing decisions? From writing praises to Chairman Mao, to enforcing the ban on Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness in his current incarnation wrote a praise to Dorje Shugden, but then later said he was wrong and the practice is evil. His Holiness wrote praises for Chairman Mao, who destroyed Tibet and caused so much harm and suffering, but never retracted his praises and instead continues praising the one thing that took away Tibet’s independence. So, His Holiness continues blaming the practise of Dorje Shugden that Tibet cannot gain its independence but not the person who did it all. Ironic.
I can’t wrap my head around it, but what I know is that we cannot trust the words of His Holiness because it has been unreliable so far and constantly changing. This shows that we can’t trust His Holiness in his words especially what has been said about Dorje Shugden.
Sarah
February 1, 2016
I believe that His Holiness was trying to work out a peaceful coexistence with the Chinese. He probably feared for his life. One of his brothers had escaped to India and the Chinese were not happy at all. When the Chinese invited him to China, H.H. decided to accept thinking that his cooperation would persuade the Chinese to adhere to the Seventeen-Point Agreement that had been signed previously granting regional autonomy to the Tibetans. When the Tibetans returned to Lhasa a year later, they were amazed and frightened by the increase in the numbers of Chinese people there. The Chinese had become very powerful and more violent. I think H.H. and his entourage escaped in the nick of time.
Sascha
April 19, 2016
Socialism is rooted in ignorance regarding reality, free of lastingness and non-existence, interdependency. Therefore socialism it is rooted in duality and eternalistic and nihilistic views that are effected by duality and the cause of dualistic thoughts and emotions that are the cause of destructive actions of mind, speech and body who keep up this ignorance and suffering.
Because freedom and wellbeing is completely up to the basic freedom of lastingness and non-existence regarding conciousness which is rooted in the basic freedom of lastingness and non-existence of space, socialism can’t effect freedom and wellbeing at all but suppression of dignity and therefore tyranny and so on.
So socialism is against dignity, against intelligence, against freedom and wellbeing that only can be effected by dignity which is free of lastingness and non-existence.
It is very natural and healthy to follow your own dignity, you allways have the freedom not to practice ignorance/socialism so that you can effect freedom and wellbeing for yourself an others by your own wisdom and compassion.
Space is the one and only world order, there is no other world order than space than the basic freedom of lastingness and non-existence.
All law that contains eternalism and nihilism will only bring good and bad, god and devil, rich and poor, knowledge and belief, peace and war but no freedom and no wellbeing.
So don’t trap into the dualistic systems of the ignorant people that only supress themself for the sake of their suffering.
These people have no power over you, you are free because of the basic freedom of lastingness and non-existence of your counciousness and space where you are rooted in anyway. Nobody and nothing can cut your samaya with space and conciousness. You are only a citizen of the Kingdom of freedom and wellbeing, of Samatabhadra and Samantabhadri there is no other King and Queen than the basic freedom of lastingsness and non-existence so also no other people who are allowed to rule you or others. You are free anyway!
Violence only means that they have lost controll over themselv. So someone who has lost control about himself can’t have control about you beacause he has no control about himself. You see, you are free and not bound to Illusions!
Violence only says that they have no control and no power, they only want you to belive that they have power and that Illusions, fortune and pain (suffering) are power, which obviously cant be true at all because violence is rooted in Illusions and not in the reality of basic freedom of lastingness and non-existence of space and conciousness (dignity) which is eternal and limitless.
So don’t subdue yourself to eternalism and nihilism, duality, ignorance and these criminal systems of suppression and tyranny, you are free anyway!
Stay away from Religions, States/Republics, they just supress themself, harm the nature, animals and themself and lead themself into suffering. Thats not dignity, thats not according to reality.
You are free, stay with space and your own wisdom and compassion only!
Michaela Smith
April 25, 2016
Dear DS.com
Thank you for the article. I believe Dalai Lama praising Chairman Mao is just a political tactic. When your country is small and powerless, sometimes your survival would depend on your wit.
Looking at the history of China under Mao and how Mao was treating Dalai Lama during his state visit. The insults were apparent. Chairman Mao had full control of China since 1949 till a few years before his death in 1976 where the state affairs were mostly run by people around him during his illness.
I think Dalai Lama praising Chairman Mao was more like a survival political tactic rather than being fooled by the Chairman Mao.
Michaela
Lovett
April 25, 2016
The Dalai Lama of late has been making a string of several boo-boos but I do think this is not a very big one. Perhaps, he was trying to court Chinese brownie points, it is not going to work since the Chinese are already turn off. I think the Chinese leadership has given up on the notion of dialogue or would even entertain the notion of self-autonomy. Out of the years of negotiations, they probably do no think very highly of the Tibetan leadership in its ability to lead and govern. Hence, they are just probably waiting it out for the Dalai Lama’s passing before installing a loyal, young and nationalistic lama instead. That’s how the Chinese is probably thinking and planning.
Olivia
April 25, 2016
It’s ironic that the relationship between China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama has deteriorated so badly to a point that, I’m sorry to say this, they just wish His Holiness ill. I’m sure it wouldn’t come to this point if Chairman Mao was still alive, it’s so nice to see such good relationship between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Chairman Mao. Just by looking at the picture, you can feel great warmth and friendship.
I hope that His Holiness will live a very long life and may His Holiness be friends with China again, not to get involved in the politics but to spread the lineage of Buddha to all directions.
Benedict
April 25, 2016
It is totally possible that the Dalai Lama sang the praises of Chairman Mao to appease him, or perhaps he was totally in awe of Mao. We will never know for sure and that is what happens when politics and religion mix. You never know when it is politics and when it is religion.
But one thing is for sure that is anything to do with the Chinese, past or present is taboo to the Tibetans and yet here it is, the Dalai Lama actually regarded Mao as a liberator. Today the same man and same act is regarded as an act of an oppressor.
Personally I have given up supporting the Tibetans because after all this time, you see that they are not sincere in whatever they do.
Sam Smith
April 25, 2016
Of course th Dalai Lama would be singing praises to Chairman Mao in hope to charm him to not take over Tibet. But unfortunately the karma of the Tibetans overpowers what little Chenrezig can do to hold it off. They should have consulted or rather listened to Dorje Shugden advice back then during the 13th Dalai Lama http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/dorje-shugden-assists-the-great-13th-dalai-lama/
“This is the time when Lower Hor (possible reference to China) rises.
As remedial measure, it is vital to renovate the two stupas in the east and west of central Tibet immediately”.
I guess they did not heed the advice… if they did, then perhaps Tibet would have been saved?
Well there is still hope if only they would listen, perhaps they can still help their people that is in China’s Tibet. All they have to do is request Dorje Shugden through the oracle and I am certain Dorje Shugden will assist.
Amber Sonam
April 25, 2016
Contradictions have been seen throughout the history of His Holiness’ reincarnation lineage, from denying Jonang lineage to re-recognise it as an acceptable lineage, from practising Dorje Shugden to banning it, etc. so it is not strange that he praised Mao even though Mao destroyed Tibet and its people. Contradictions confuse people thus resulting in people losing faith in the dharma and His Holiness, definitely, the Tibetan Leadership who is under His Holiness’s guidance. The CTA’s inconsistency is a direct result of that.
Tashi Choezom
April 25, 2016
Hahahaahhaa how come no one say to Gyalwa Rinpoche he is Chinese spy because he praise to Mao . But who dare to say something like that?? There is one law for the people n one law for our kalon and chittue. Cannot trust to our leaders cos they are always change their mind . Sometime Taiwan is bad n sometime Taiwan is good. Sometime India is bad for taking China money n sometime India is good for allow to Tibetans for living there.
If anyone want to say Gyalwa Rinpoche is make the mistake about Mao then they should also say he make the mistake about Shugden . Maybe Gyalwa Rinpoche is wrong this time about Shugden also.
Pema
April 25, 2016
The praise to Mao is amazing. How can the Dalai Lama write such words about the person who is invading his country and killing thousands of people. It is one thing to write a hymn but the Dalai Lama has chosen the words himself.
What has happened is so painful to read. The killings, cruelties and destruction is beyond words.
Indeed, it seems like the Dalai Lama has made a mistake by writing this hymn and I think more mistakes might have happened. The Dorje Shugden people still wait for a discussion and a resolution to the ban. The 14. Dalai Lama has written a praise to Dorje Shugden and later on he banned this practice with harsh consequences for the practitioners in all aspects of their life.
May the Dalai Lama revisit his orders on Dorje Shugden and the Dorje Shugden practitioners soon. May the Tibetan people soon be united again.
Dorjee
April 25, 2016
I have seen how Dorje Shugden practitioners are being called rude and vulgar names with words such as ‘Chinese dogs’, Chinese spies and so on. However, the Tibetans have to realize that in reality, a big part of ‘Tibetan’ people are still in Tibet, China. The Tibetans are officially ‘Chinese’. If the Tibetans are so united and pro-Tibetans, why are those in China not go into exiled and remained as ‘Chinese dogs’ instead?
I am surprised that the Dalai Lama maintains his admiration for Chairman Mao even after what he did – as an aggressor and a colonist, so much harm was done to Tibet. To me, this shows that His Holiness is capable of bias, hence, I believe that His Holiness is trying to appease other Lamas and sects so he had to put down his own Gelugpa sect and tutors in a self-defeating way.
I do hope the Dalai Lama does not make mistake by continuing the Dorje Shugden ban. After all, he has already made ‘mistake’ in attributing his escape to Palden Lhamo, whatever reason it could be. The Chushi Gangdruk members and many people who went into exiled with His Holiness know that it was Dorje Shugden, so definitely they know the Dalai Lama had made a mistake, and to continue the ban is making a bigger mistake.
dhar
April 25, 2016
Just reading the facts, it would look like the Dalai Lama has made quite a bit of mistake with most disastrous consequences. Reading what happened in Tibet especially to the monastic community after the Chinese invasion never fails to make my cringe…regardless of how many times I come across these words of suffering. I do not think anyone in their sane mind would opt to relive such atrocities where men acted lower than a beast. Hence, what I am about to say is not a disregard to the men and women who lost their lives in Tibet or those who still carry the burden of this loss in their hearts despite the decades that have gone by.
If we conclude that the Dalai Lama made a mistake in his praises for Mao, then you are right, His Holiness is susceptible to making other mistakes. The Dorje Shugden ban could be a mistake, the teachings he has been disseminating could be a mistake, the advises he prescribe spiritual aspirants could be a mistake. This list will go on.
If the Dalai Lama can make mistakes, then every other Lama can also make mistakes. What would this mean for the entire Vajrayana tradition?
It would mean what China did was right because is the masters can make mistakes as fundamental as taking refuge in an evil spirit, then their basic refuge vows are broken. With broken refuge vows, all their works, teachings, initiation and empowerments are without the blessing to bestow attainments. All the statues consecrated are just empty shells. All the sangha are but lay men and women in robes. All the temples are but just another structure of shelter. This is if we conclude that the the Lamas can make a mistake.
So, my point is we need to take a step back and look at the long term consequences of the “mistake”. Today, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is more prosperous than ever with a wholesome education system and infrastructure to make life more comfortable in the hardy conditions of the mountain range. Today, Tibetan Buddhism flourished to various parts of the world, bringing this once unknown secret practice into the mainstream. Not only did Vajrayana pave way for international spiritual seekers to discover its potent teachings, this event also shed more light on the other traditions of Buddhism, i.e Theravadan and Mahayana. With such a potent religious “asset” in its helm, even China is finding ways to reconnect with its more religious side.
War is rampant in our day and age and with the disharmony surrounding Tibet, perhaps an invasion was inevitable. So, an invasion that would bring the maximum ultimate benefit would be like making the best situation out of the worst options.
So, Lamas can manifest mistakes so as to cause certain events to manifest. What is important as people with very limited view is to stay away from the politics and focus on the teachings and be patient to look at long term results.
Again, I do not mean to put down the lives who suffered greatly in Tibet and the world today because of the invasion but I hope that instead of fueling anger and hatred, we can harness forgiveness, wisdom and great appreciation for peace and harmony in their honor.
Dharmacrazy
April 25, 2016
Just reading the facts, it would look like the Dalai Lama has made quite a bit of mistake with most disastrous consequences. Reading what happened in Tibet especially to the monastic community after the Chinese invasion never fails to make my cringe…regardless of how many times I come across these words of suffering. I do not think anyone in their sane mind would opt to relive such atrocities where men acted lower than a beast. Hence, what I am about to say is not a disregard to the men and women who lost their lives in Tibet or those who still carry the burden of this loss in their hearts despite the decades that have gone by.
If we conclude that the Dalai Lama made a mistake in his praises for Mao, then you are right, His Holiness is susceptible to making other mistakes. The Dorje Shugden ban could be a mistake, the teachings he has been disseminating could be a mistake, the advises he prescribe spiritual aspirants could be a mistake. This list will go on.
If the Dalai Lama can make mistakes, then every other Lama can also make mistakes. What would this mean for the entire Vajrayana tradition?
It would mean what China did was right because is the masters can make mistakes as fundamental as taking refuge in an evil spirit, then their basic refuge vows are broken. With broken refuge vows, all their works, teachings, initiation and empowerments are without the blessing to bestow attainments. All the statues consecrated are just empty shells. All the sangha are but lay men and women in robes. All the temples are but just another structure of shelter. This is if we conclude that the the Lamas can make a mistake.
So, my point is we need to take a step back and look at the long term consequences of the “mistake”. Today, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is more prosperous than ever with a wholesome education system and infrastructure to make life more comfortable in the hardy conditions of the mountain range. Today, Tibetan Buddhism flourished to various parts of the world, bringing this once unknown secret practice into the mainstream. Not only did Vajrayana pave way for international spiritual seekers to discover its potent teachings, this event also shed more light on the other traditions of Buddhism, i.e Theravadan and Mahayana. With such a potent religious “asset” in its helm, even China is finding ways to reconnect with its more religious side.
War is rampant in our day and age and with the disharmony surrounding Tibet, perhaps an invasion was inevitable. So, an invasion that would bring the maximum ultimate benefit would be like making the best situation out of the worst options.
So, Lamas can manifest mistakes so as to cause certain events to manifest. What is important as people with very limited view is to stay away from the politics and focus on the teachings and be patient to look at long term results.
Again, I do not mean to put down the lives who suffered greatly in Tibet and the world today because of the invasion but I hope that instead of fueling anger and hatred, we can harness forgiveness, wisdom and great appreciation for peace and harmony in their honor.
Aloysius Bong
April 26, 2016
Dalai Lama befriended Mao, the arch-enemy of Tibet, the very person who caused Tibetans to lose Tibet, Dalai Lama praised Mao many times. But when it comes to Dorje Shugden, Dalai Lama persecuted the practitioners, expelled monks, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wxUTbsKo-0
Why? Not because of justice, not because of who is good and who is bad, but simply because Mao more powerful, while Tibetans who practise Dorje Shugden are not.
Sierra
June 16, 2016
Whether it being a political ploy to please the leaders of the time, which was Mao at the time, it is nonetheless a very cloying praise for a leader insulted the Dalai Lama during these meetings. Obvious;y these praises did not work as Tibet got invaded and torn apart. Did Avalokisteshcara see this coming? Must have. But did the Dalai Lama see it coming? Only he can answer that.
If the Dalai Lama was playing a political game then with Chairman Mao, can he playing a game with Dorje Shugden? If I were to believe that he was trying to play the political bum to Chairman Mao, can he be playing the “spititual’ bum here with Dorje Shugden?
But, nothing can detract from the fact that Dorje Shugden instructed the Dalai Lama to leave Tibet when he did. The Chinese obviously did not expect that. So, can the Dalai Lama really be doing another maneuver playing a divine game that is yet to be played out?
I’m such an optimist!! lol…the glass is always half full…….
Domeo
August 23, 2016
I do not think the Dalai Lama made any mistakes, perhaps everything is deliberate. An illusory play as many would say. Perhaps it has to be so in order for Tibetan Buddhism to be brought out to the world? If we go along the logical lines of karma then we could say if there was no karma/group karma for Tibetans to be invaded and sorry to say killed, then they would not have experienced what they experienced and be invaded by China.
Let us not forget that before Tibet became a Buddhist country and nation, they were very rough ruthless barbarians who killed as well. We need to always look at things logically and to be impartial instead of bias.
So if the world did not have the good merits to received Tibetan Buddhism, then the causes will not be there to support it growth we are seeing today and basically you and me, will not even be on this website reading anything remotely Buddhism related. What I find fascinating is that everything the Tibetans are assuming and expecting of the Dalai Lama, the Dalai Lama is sort of doing the opposite, instead of creating the causes to be able to return to Tibet, He is actually creating the causes not. So as far as if He is Bodhisattva/ Buddha is concern, now would’t that very act a fact that He is in actuality more focused on getting Buddhism out to the world, which seems to be the case and going back Tibet is something secondary, which is Not so align with the Tibetans believe it or not. But all we know is, His actions seem to be yielding the opposite results.
Lhakpa Dhendup
August 11, 2018
What will the all the people around the world and in Tibet do now? Dalai Lama says he is happy that Tibet is a part of China and should remain a part of China. So many Tibetans self-immolated for Tibet to be independent and now Dalai Lama did a 360 degree turn and says he wants to go back to Tibet and China and Tibet should be a part of China. So unbelievable. So many are angry and disappointed.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 12, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.