Nyentog Tashi Dargyeling Monastery in Tibet.
Despite the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) eagerness to engage in talks with China for greater autonomy of the Tibetan region, the CTA’s ridiculous policies and enforcement of the Dorje Shugden ban has once again caused a stir and generated unrest in their homeland.
On 18 September 2016, Tashi Dargyeling Monastery in the Nyentog region of Tibet released an official letter warning of the monastery’s boycott of all Shugden practitioners and those who have connections with these practitioners. A rough translation of the letter issued by the sangha of the monastery is as follows:
Click to enlarge
Letter from Nyentog Tashi Dargyeling Monastery
Generally, the Buddha’s Dharma and especially H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama’s life is harmed by Dorje Shugden. Recently, some people within our community have been making thangkas of this deity and supporting this practice. We would like to inform that the monks of Nyentog Monastery firmly protest against these works and urge them to stop. If these individuals do not conform to the monastery’s requests and continue to worship Dorje Shugden or remain connected to the deity’s practitioners, we will cut connections with these said individuals completely. For those who refuse to distance themselves from the practice, the monks of the monastery will not go to the homes of these individuals to perform pujas (prayers). If there is anyone who passes away in these households, the monastery will not be open to them . These are the three conditions that our monastery is firm with, and this promise is witnessed by our Protectors Kalarupa and Chechog Sheltred.
Signed by all Sangha members of Nyentog Monastery
Looking at this letter, let us first examine the spiritual implications it has on the community.
1. Setting A Bad Example
As human beings, there are three crucial moments that are most important in our lives, which are birth, illness and death. These are three occasions when many seek comfort and blessings from their religious order.
However, with the recent letter from Nyentog Monastery, it will no longer be possible for Shugden practitioners in that area to receive these basic religious rites in times of need. Even though the families of these practitioners have supported the monastery for many generations, they will now be deprived of even funeral services, which are much needed during one of life’s most trying times.
This letter is nothing more than blackmail to force Shugden practitioners in Nyentog into abandoning their religious beliefs, and is particularly unacceptable because it comes from an institution that people have put their faith and trust in.
2. The Real Harm to Buddha’s Dharma is Segregation
The Buddha himself predicted that the Dharma would not be destroyed by external sources but by Buddhists themselves. By subscribing to the ostracism and segregation of Shugden practitioners, the sangha of this monastic community have successfully broken one of their root vows, the Bodhisattva Vows.
Even when faced with an individual who has committed heinous crimes, as a religious order the monastery should provide solace, blessings and ensure that the person goes to the afterlife peacefully. Instead, the sangha of Nyentog Monastery are doing the exact opposite.
The question everyone should ask here is, how can following the Dalai Lama’s advice cause the monks of Nyentog Monastery to become less compassionate, more discriminatory and even break their Bodhisattva Vows? If proving one’s loyalty and absolute obedience to the Dalai Lama comes at the price of harming others in the process, then clearly something is very wrong.
3. What is the True Purpose of the Monastery?
Monasteries are formed to help relieve the sufferings of sentient beings, whether on a basic level or to the ultimate level of Enlightenment. However, with the recent actions by Nyentog Monastery, the results are the exact opposite. The effect of their letter on the small community of Nyentog will, without a doubt, be discrimination against Shugden practitioners. The ‘condemned’ community will soon be treated as social pariahs by their own people.
The experiences of the exiled Tibetan community in India when the ban on Dorje Shugden was enforced some 20 years ago will be replicated in Nyentog. Families will get into arguments over the issue and break apart; people such as the thangka painter in the news will shortly find themselves unemployed; innocent people who have done no wrong except practice Dorje Shugden will soon find themselves ostracized by their own neighbors.
All these unfortunate events will take place just because the monks of Nyentog Monastery want to ‘prove’ their loyalty to the Dalai Lama. Great Buddhist masters of the past have been known to take on the sufferings of others quietly, and the sangha have historically been placed on a pedestal by the lay community for their selfless acts. However, the monks of Nyentog Monastery have displayed nothing but their concerns of self preservation, succumbing to the pressure created by the CTA’s cronies and throwing Shugden practitioners to the wolves. They have absolutely no regard for the chaos and harm resulting from their actions as long as they themselves are safe.
4. The Claim that Dorje Shugden Harms the Dalai Lama’s Life is a Lie
Apart from the government, religious institutions such as monasteries or temples have great influence over the community in most small villages. In some cases, they have even greater influence than the government officials. As such, the monasteries have a great responsibility and it would behoove them to uphold and educate the public of the truth. To most Tibetan Buddhists, the 14th Dalai Lama is considered to be the emanation of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. Thus, claiming that the Buddha can be harmed by any worldly being is contradictory to Buddhist principals, beliefs and philosophy. On top of that, in recent times, the Dalai Lama himself has declared that Dorje Shugden does no harm to his life. Thus, the monks’ actions to spread this lie by capitalizing on the lay community’s lack of knowledge is unbecoming.
Another Perspective
These spiritual implications may not be of significance to everyone. However, we should also examine the situation from a more practical point of view on how the actions of this monastery (and all communities who shun Dorje Shugden practitioners) have deprived innocent people of their basic human rights.
With 5000 years of history and a melting pot of 1.3 billion citizens, China has seen its fair share of civil wars and the effects of disunity within its borders. If China is ever to fall, the fault would most certainly lie in the destabilization of its internal security. It is a known fact that the authorities in China have clamped down on individuals who have caused unrest in Tibet in relations to the Shugden issue, and have also released statements indicating they are aware that the Dorje Shugden issue is being used as a tool by the CTA to create disunity within China.
As such, monasteries such as Nyentog Monastery do not help the Dalai Lama’s vision of Umaylam. With each incident such as this one, China’s distrust of the Dalai Lama grows and the Dalai Lama’s wish for a peaceful return to Tibet becomes more unlikely. If the Dalai Lama being in exile can create such disharmony within Tibet leaving the Chinese authorities to clear up the mess, what would be the effect of the Dalai Lama and the CTA once they return to Tibet? Thus, if Tibetans really want the Dalai Lama to have an opportunity to return to Tibet, they should avoid creating further unrest through the Dorje Shugden issue lest China clamps down even harder on the Tibetan leader in exile. After all, any country/government can implement new laws as and when necessary especially when internal security is at stake; we can see this most recently in the news about France’s unpopular ban on the burkini.
While some people claim that China lacks religious freedom, we should also question why a supposedly “suppressed” Tibetan religious group would further suppress the religious rights of their fellow Tibetans? Why cherry pick on China but allow people like the monks of Nyentog Monastery to get away scot-free with their religious suppression of Shugden practitioners? When a religious group encourages discrimination and causes disharmony and riots, it is no longer a religious issue but a matter of security and social harmony.
Radio Free Asia Article
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English Translation
Recently, a big Shugden thangka appeared at Nianduhu Village in Tongren County, Qinghai. The local sangha community protested against the thangka and a statement has been released to urge the people to boycott this deity.
The spreading of a photo of the large Shugden thangka appearing in Nianduhu Village at Tongren County of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture led to strong criticism amongst netizens, denouncing the local people for practicing Shugden and going against His Holiness’ instructions as well as destroying the uncontaminated relationship of lineage Gurus and students.
On Friday, a source informed RFA that it is true that the Shugden thangka appeared in Nianduhu Village of Tongren County. However, that thangka had nothing to do with Nianduhu Monastery and in contrast, the sangha community of Nianduhu Monastery released a joint statement protesting against the thangka. They hope to make their stance clear in the media.
The source told RFA: “Since the photo of the Shugden thangka was widely spread, Nianduhu Village and its monastery are under constant criticism, thus some of the elderly people in Nianduhu Village and the administration of Nianduhu Monastery gathered for a meeting and concluded the following: In the future regardless of which village they are from, those who have Shugden’s picture, statue or thangka found in their houses should be totally cut off from us. If their family members are sick or pass away, Nianduhu Monastery’s sangha will no longer perform rituals for them.”
The source also said: “Nianduhu Monastery’s sangha community also released a joint statement on 18th September 2016 urging the villagers to boycott Shugden.”
“None of the monks in Nianduhu Monastery practice Shugden. In the joint statement released by the sangha community of Nianduhu Monastery, it says clearly that practicing Shugden not only brings harm to Buddhism, it also is harming the Dalai Lama’s long life. That statement is protesting against the actions of some villagers who are producing Shugden thangkas, and stressed that if the people producing these Shugden thangkas insist on continuing their works, Nianduhu Monastery will cut them off from the monastery, no puja will be performed for them and they will be banned from entering Nianduhu Monastery.”
Another source also told RFA about the origin of the “Shugden thangka” incident.
The source said, “This is the whole story: There is an ex-monk in Nianduhu Village. Even though he is not a practitioner of Shugden, one time after he returned to Nianduhu Village, he received an order to produce a Shugden thangka. He then assigned some of his acquaintances to paint the thangka and he paid them upon completion of the work. After Nianduhu Monastery found out what was happening, some of the monks and the elderly people in the village not only had a meeting to address this issue, they also went to each family in the village to explain the harm of practicing Shugden and requested the villagers to distinguish between what is wrong and what is right. After releasing the joint statement, the sangha community also distributed their statement to the villagers, stressing that they would implement the contents of their statement and advising the people to conduct themselves well.”
The Shugden issue has lasted for almost 400 years since the 5th Dalai Lama’s time. The origin of Shugden is in fact a local deity, but to its practitioners, Shugden is within the fundamentalism of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. However, after the investigation conducted by the 5th and 13th Dalai Lama, they explained in detail that Shugden is a demon and it is harming Buddhism, and Shugden is the cause of the disharmony between the different sects. Gelug lineage lamas from the past to this day also oppose the practice of Shugden. After closely observing the issue, in the mid-seventies, the 14th Dalai Lama officially gave advice to all Tibetan Buddhists to stop the practice of Shugden and claimed that he has responsible for educating people about Shugden’s background, characteristics and the negative impact of this practice. However, it is up to the people’s personal choice to practice Shugden or not.
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Carole McQuire
October 26, 2016
Ignorant monks who get involved with politics and trying to look like they are on the right side so they get more patrons (money donations) for their monastery. These monks are disgusting. They don’t do pujas and prayers for a household of a deceased because they practice Dorje Shugden? What kind of garbage is that? What kind of monks are they? Monks should never be involved with choosing sides, politics and all this hatred. VERY BAD MONKS!
Monks should meditate, study the dharma, pray for all sentient beings and achieve Nirvana! Full stop!
Tenzin Paljor
October 26, 2016
These monks are very uneducated in the dharma and set a very bad example. Buddhist monks should show compassion to all beings and emulate the Buddha himself. They should show no bias to anyone.
I do not practice Dorje Shugden but since the ban against Shugden started in the 90′s, no good results has arisen. The ban against Shugden should be removed. The ban has only caused bias, hatred and segregation.
Steve Rogers
October 26, 2016
Hi Carol & Tenzin!
Could someone please point to the scripture in which Buddha warned that Buddhists, not others, would destroy the Dharma? It sounds plausible but I hadn’t heard of it before.
Best wishes to you both and I look forward to meeting you in the Pure Lands if not before.
Sierra
October 26, 2016
What utter rubbish is this? Where is the equanimity as taught by the Buddha? Why is the sangha forsaking their vows for the sake of politics? And, they add schism, a heinous act to their repertoire of bad and negative actions totally against the Buddha’s teachings. Are they playing politics or they in the monasteries to walk the path to enlightenment with Bodhicitta? How on earth are they going to achieve Bodhicitta if they cannot even accept his small matter?
Tenzing Paljor
October 27, 2016
The Tibetan leadership should not ‘advise’ against the practice of Dorje Shugden. They should be wholly secular and not get involved with any religious or philosophical issues they are not equipped to handle or if equipped should not handle. They should make a distinction between secular and spiritual issues. Never mix the two. No leader on this planet should ever discourage anyone against any form of religious worship. No leader should ‘advise’ against any form of religious faith because if they are well known or popular, a lot of hero worshippers will take this literally and carry out the ‘advise’ of the leaders they idolize. This can create havoc among the populace and create division and disharmony. This will create violence, hatred, segregation and bias. All leaders religious or secular should never speak of or speak against another’s faith ever. This is just good governance.
Sascha
October 27, 2016
Of course conciousness has one aspect of Teacher (Guru/Lama) to teach and help others to study and practice dharma/wisdom and compassion but this is about becoming aware of your inherent wisdom and compassion and using your inherent wisdom and compassion to stop creating karma and overcome karma.
Of course Teachers are leaders but beings who teach ignorance, duality, eternalism and nihilism are not teachers nor leaders.
Please only follow teachers, please don’t follow illusions. At the end, you have to follow your conciousnesscontinuum or inherent wisdom and compassion.
Refuge is to take refuge into the wisdom and compassion of your conciousness or to take refuge into yourself. Wisdom and compassion is our true identity because our conciousness is free of lastingness and non-existence or so called wisdom and compassion that the so called buddha dharma is about.
Shakyamunis advice to his students, before he passed away, was to only follow the light within ourself.
When we look a the elements, nature and beeings, we can discover that elements, nature and beings are free of lastingness and non-existence. Elements, nature and beings are basicly pure, are wisdom and compassion.
Also we can discover that regeneration and healing is happening as well as protection like ones immunesystem of our psychophysical body.
Dharmapala aspects are aspects of reality you can find within elements, nature and beings. This is why in dharma you practice dharmapala practice to protect yourself with wisdom and compassion from ignorance, duality, eternalism and nihilism or violence to stop creating karma and to overcome karama or to effect freedom and wellbeing.
Wisdom and compassion teachings are rooted in space- and conciousnesscontinuum, and these movements are protected and will be protected by beings who perform dharmapala activities.
Space has much more power than human beings, remember that dharma will stay because space stays. Space is governement and law, there is nothing that can do something about it. We are free, we are not bound to illusions. We only belong to space and the law of dharma.
Daniel
October 27, 2016
Rather then bringing any benefit to the Tibetan people, Nyentog Monastery exposes local Tibetans to greater scrutiny from Chinese authorities and tighter control. It is potentially inflammatory issues like this that concern the Chinese authorities and this is precisely what the CTA hopes to achieve by injecting this division into the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The CTA’s purpose is simple. Create problems for China.
It’s unfortunate that a monastery has allowed itself to be involved in matters that are political in essence. It allowed itself to be reduced from an institution of the Dharma to a political tool. In the process they forsake kindness and compassion to all sentient beings.
Makes a mockery out of the phrase ‘for the sake of all sentient beings’. This is how the CTA destroys the Dharma and the world continues to celebrate them as victims.
sarah kays
October 27, 2016
Wow ! Imagine how THREATs can arise from the simple tasks of displaying a Thangka ! Its unbelievable that people can actually have so much insecurities and fears in them. It has been repeated over and over again that there is no way that Dorje Shugden can harm His Holiness the Dalai Lama or cut his life short etc etc.All these ridiculous insecurities are being used to hide the truth of the matter – which is THE FAILURE OF THE TIBETAN GOVERNMENT IN OBTAINING ANY FORM OF AUTONOMY AND PERMISSION FOR HIS HOLINESS TO RETURN TO TIBET IN PEACE. AFTER 57YEARS THE CTA HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE EVEN ONE SINGLE PROGRESS WITH THE CHINA GOVERNMENT.
What does it say ?
Dear CTA. You know its ok – accept the defeat and please do not create any more sufferings for others at the expense of your ego to face the truth that you don’t have the karma to achieve anything. If you bow and accept and move on and don’t harm anymore, China may decide to be compassionate and allow HH to visit Tibet.
Tenzin Dolma
October 28, 2016
This is ridiculous! You said it Ms. Carol and Tenzing Paljor… monks should be meditating not minding their business in politics!
They need the Chinese Government to kick them out like Larung Gar then they will shut up! How stupid to cause more disunity, more diversion when they are already such a minority.
This just goes to show there is 100% a ban on Dorje Shugden and the stinks all the way to Tibet. The ones carrying such diversion news will surely reap negative karma.
I just can’t wait till they get caught for causing religious disharmony and for creating problems because as I recalled China laws vows to punish those who creates divisions amongst their people. So they better be careful!
The Chinese government, seeing just how divisive this ban is, have outlawed the creation of division and intolerance. Any government that truly cares for its subjects would want harmony and unity within its society. That they are doing so is simply good governance, as compared to the CTA who continue in their efforts to divide and conquer. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/man-jailed-for-creating-division/
Elibuchen
October 29, 2016
If one compares CTA verus the Chinese Government, the Chinese are much more liberal and forgiving and giving religious freedom as compared to the wolves at CTA.
The monks from this monastery, are fortunate, if the Chinese people wanted to expose the Dalai lama practitioners, they could persecute the people from that monastery. Not that I wish for that, but one does not need a PHD to tell, the people in that monastery are die hard Dalai Lama supporters. Why should the Chinese stay their hand, when they know it is something criitical to do to maintain peace in Tibet.
Sascha
October 30, 2016
May all harmful powers – outer, inner and secret – all harmful powers that are hostile against wisdom and compassion be destroyed by the wrath of vajrakilaya and my the wisdom of non-duality protect all beings from harmful views against the lifestyle and actions of others and may anything that happens taken as a teaching to inspire the healing and liberating power of wisdom and compassion.
SabrinaS
October 30, 2016
This really show the degeneration of Buddhist practices in monasteries like Nyentog Monastery and Nianduhu Monastery. It is very clear that they had been fed wrong informations and as such they in turn pass these on to the people. They are still holding on to that Dorje Shugden’s practice shortens the Dalai Lama’s life which means clearly they had been kept in the dark of the new statements by the Dalai Lama that Dorje Shugden does not harm and never has harmed his life. But whether it’s wrong information or not, it is clear they are not very learned in Buddhist teachings. If they were, then they would have known that the Dalai Lama can’t be harmed as he is the emanation of Buddha Avalokiteshvara of enlightened nature. Actually if they hold this view, they are insulting the Dalai Lama as ordinary, who’s practice holds not blessings and can be harmed.
As Buddhist monks, they should be practising wisdom and compassion. Where is the compassion in denying prayers for the sick and dead? Where is the equanimity in discriminating against Shugden practitioners? The Dalai Lama wishes to return to Tibet and yet CTA, the Dalai Lama’s misguided followers and monks like these are creating the conditions not conducive for even the start of a dialogue with China. Which country would want potential trouble makers into their country? May CTA gain quick realisations of its mistakes and choose the “fair rule” policies for all Tibetans, including Shugden practitioners. Why are they denying the Dalai Lama his wishes? Isn’t the Dalai Lama the spiritual leader for them?
Tibetan Dhammapada
November 1, 2016
Prayers of Je Tsongkhapa
(The Splendor of an Autumn Moon : The
Devotional Verse of Tsongkhapa):
May I be cared for by true spiritual friends,
filled with knowledge and insight,
sense stilled, minds controlled, loving, compassionate,
and with courage untiring in working for others.
May I never fall under sway
of false teachers and misleading friends
their flawed views of existence and nonexistence
well outside the Buddhas intention.
I pray that I listen insatiably
to countless teachings at the feet of a master,
single-handedly with logic unflawed,
prizing open scriptures’ meanings.
I pray that in no way I be misled
by unwholesome friends and deceiving Mara
but in care of true spiritual friends,
complete the enlightened way.
May I bring to the path praised by the Buddha
those lost and fallen onto wrong paths,
swayed by deluded teachers and misleading friends.
The head turned by dark forces
hinders experience of the joyful festival
that is the community of the Dharma life.
May I never encounter misleading friends,
in reality the cohorts of Mara.
Gaz
November 5, 2016
This is a load of tripe. Why do they invoke the Dalai Lamas name into their own dirty politics? Monks REFUSING to do funerary services for people on the basis of their faith? Wheres the compassion in that? If you believe Shugden is so bad, all the more reason you SHOULD conduct last rites for them so they can create some merit before they experience what you think will happen, which is them going to the three lower realms.
If this is what the “monks” of Nyentog Monastery are like, sorry but I wouldnt want you lot doing my last rites! What kind of monks are they?? The very basis of sanghahood surely is compassion and these lot sound more interested in politics than practice.
John Casstock
November 5, 2016
Well to be fair Gaz you don’t know the whole story so let’s try and give them the benefit of the doubt. Don’t blame monks who don’t know any better and who think what they’re doing is the right thing. Let’s talk about the root of the problem which is the CTA who are enabling a group of people still stuck in samsara to act out their worst traits. If the CTA advised against this type of behaviour, then you and I would not have anything to complain about, would we? But the fact is that they exist to enable and approve it. So as long as the Dalai Lama doesn’t lift the ban against Dorje Shugden, you’re just going to see more of these types of announcements. But let’s not blame the monks. Let’s blame the Tibetan leadership instead, ha.
Dominique
November 5, 2016
This is all Dalai Lama’s fault! If there was no ban then there will be no such problems! And there will not be division amongst the Tibetans. So many people, monks and lay all suffering even up to Tibet because of the stupid ridiculous ban Dalai Lama created and the idiot CTA executed.
CTA’s the worst government on this planet that calls themselves democratic! What a scam and a sham! No wonder Tibetans lost her country, they’ve been led by idiot like this new idiot Sangay who does nothing but just pockets lots of western funds and support to himseld a mortgage free house in the US! Well, I guess partially need to admit the westerners are such a huge sucker and so gullible of a “FreeTibet” cause. Little did they know all the “FreeTibet” donations goes to Sangay’s donations.
So yes Tibet was lost because of the incompetent leadership then and now seems to be the same pattern of their dumb and greedy idiosyncrasies. Never in history where a democratic government dedicated a portion of their webpage talking about a “spirit” and condemning or targeting their own people’s human right to religious freedom by having a hit list to target them. Never before you see a democratic government committed to dividing their own people, causing disunity and so much heartaches. And stupid westerners blinded by the Dalai Lama’s charm and status happily follows in creating more negative karma.
Cheryl
November 7, 2016
Sad to see Monastery are getting involve into politics instead of focusing on spreading Dharma.
Buddha’s love is universal. Buddha teaches us to be kind to all sentient beings, including non-human like hell beings & spirits. Why the Buddhism degenerated so much in Nyentog Tashi Dargyeling Monastery that the monks will not pray for anyone with family members practicing of Dorje Shugden or drawing any thangka of DorjeShugden!!!
I can’t see any values of compassion or wisdom in that notice!
Very sad to see that….
Lionel Tashi
November 11, 2016
怎么了？ 这间寺院是回到18世纪了吗？
现今社会乃至中国政府都在推崇宗教自由的时代， 这间寺院则与其他人唱反调， 竟然还杯葛多杰雄登修持者？？
这是释迦牟尼佛的教诲吗? 分别心还比慈悲更重要。
我只能说， 你们实在太“OUT ” 了。 是非不分、种族歧视、宗教歧视一点都不Fashion。
Winnie MB
November 13, 2016
I find it quite ridiculous of monastery and sangha imposing terms in threatening form to the people of Tibet. In a democratic country everyone has religious freedom to believe and practise what they want. It is made worse when a Buddhist is suppose to practise fairness, compassion, loving, kindness and other good values but acting and practising negative values.
From the articles and the stance taken by the monastery and the CTA it clearly violates human rights. It does not help Dalai Lama to resolve the issue with China government when internally Tibet is segregating the people.
Please stop this segregation and please create peace among Tibetans.
Sherabz
November 15, 2016
Buddhism promotes peace and harmony among human. Everyone is responsible for world harmony which should begin in the heart. Whereas, monastery is a holy place containing Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It is true that monastery a place to spread the dharma in order to help relieve the sufferings of sentient beings.
Unfortunately, we are seeing these 2 monasteries, Nyentog Tashi Dargyeling Monastery and Nianduhu Monastery are still prejudice and practice discrimination against those are practicing Dorje Shugden. Their actions are definitely caused the disharmony which is contradicted with Buddhism.
Camillia
November 29, 2016
On one hand, it is sad to see that monastery which is the settlement of sangha community, set up to relief the suffering of samsaric beings, in actuality cause more suffering to the innocent people by creating segregation and imposing discrimination. On the other hand, it is kind of foolish to see people who don the robes, and claimed to be supporters of Dalai Lama, is doing a huge disfavor to Dalai Lama by creating more disunity and disharmony among the people in Tibet. Thinking deeper, I can completely understand why Dalai Lama is not welcome in China “…monasteries such as Nyentog Monastery do not help the Dalai Lama’s vision of Umaylam. With each incident such as this one, China’s distrust of the Dalai Lama grows and the Dalai Lama’s wish for a peaceful return to Tibet becomes more unlikely. If the Dalai Lama being in exile can create such disharmony within Tibet leaving the Chinese authorities to clear up the mess, what would be the effect of the Dalai Lama and the CTA once they return to Tibet?”
Tenzin Paljor
January 28, 2017
The Shugden groups dare to defy the Dalai Lama because they do not have a country. The Tibetans are scattered all over the world and they have their various power basis from their various countries. I have spoken to Ms. Dhardon Sharling about this. If all the Tibetans were back in Tibet, they would have no chance to defy the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama’s government would crush them into silence. How dare they defy the Dalai Lama. Democracy is not for the backwards and illiterate Tibetans. They need a strong, smart and able ruler like the Dalai Lama and his ministers to tell them what is good or bad for them. The Dorje Shugden practice should be banned completely from the Tibetans and Tibetan nation because it is a harmful practice. And no religious freedom should be allowed to let this Dorje Shugden religion arise. In history, many other harmful religions were suppressed for the good of mankind. Shugden should be suppressed and all people who practice him should be forced to give up the practice.
Tenzin Paljor
January 28, 2017
Everyone should be seen and take a picture with the Dalai Lama and post it. It will boost ‘business’. It’s made me look really valid and more people trust what I am saying simply because I had my picture taken with the Dalai Lama. I’ve roped in Carole MccQuirre and gang to do the same things. You see because I am from East Germany and we don’t believe in any sort of religious freedom. Whatever the regime in the past told you to do, you do it without question. The Shugden groups should not be allowed to practice their religion because the Dalai lama says so. We shouldn’t question the Dalai Lama or defy him. After all he is not human but a god. So if Dalai Lama says don’t practice Dorje Shugden, just follow along without question because why should there be religious freedom. The populace are too stupid to see what religion is good and what is harmful.
Carol McQuirre
January 28, 2017
I agree with you Paljor. The Tibetans do not need democracy, but a strong firm hand to tell them what to do. They are not like us educated English people who can handle and know what to do with democracy. The fact that Tibetans have no real elected leaders and the leader is really the Dalai Lama for the last 60 years is good news. Tibetans cannot elect their own leaders. When the Dalai Lama dies, we wait for him to reincarnate back and take over again because he is the only leader that can handle Tibetans.
Tsering Palden
March 26, 2017
Tenzin Paljor, refering to your comment above on January 28, 2017, it is exactly people like you who and the monks of Nyentog Monastery want to ‘prove’ their loyalty to the Dalai Lama that are bad representation of Sangha/ monks.
It is clear this was done for the purpose of self preservation, for Nyentog monks, and for you. There is no reason to do so because Nyentog Monastery is in Tibet, and China has not ban the practice of Dorje Shugden, unlike Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala who claimed to give religious freedom, but on 17 March 2014, The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile unanimously passed the resolution to label Shugden followers as criminals in history.
The Berlin Wall was a tangible symbol of the suppression of human rights that symbolised the difference between the western democrats and the eastern communists and the way they thought Germany should be lead. Why is it that you do not lend your support to religious freedom of Shugden practitioners, but continuously spit against them with your negative talks online? Perhaps it is just the ex-stasi thing to do? By the way, Stasi Tenzin Peljor aka Michael Jäckel aka Mick Jackman topic is active with more than 3000 views the last I saw, you may want to take a look, http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=5784.0
Doreen Park
October 28, 2017
Isn’t it absurd of the sangha of Nyentog Monastery, Tibet, to call on their Dharma Protectors to witness their decision to cut off all connections with all Shugden practitioners because of their making of several Dorje Shugden thangkas? . Not only will Dorje Shugden practitioners be barred from the monastery, but the monks will not go to their homes to do pujas , including bereavement pujas and last rites for their loved ones who have passed away! How lacking in compassion for the sangha who have taken their Bodhisattva vows and pledged to uphold them and guard them as they would their eyes!
They appear to be more political than spiritual, more like towing the line with the CTA than anything else. In so doing. they fail to realise, they will be creating unrest within their community. How would that rest with the Chinese Government, especially when Lobsang Sangay and the CTA are supposed to resume negotiations on autonomy for Tibet anytime now ?
TseringD, Delhi
October 29, 2017
Nechung is ZUMA 👎 before I m think he is one of d best when I m watch dis video By Geshe Dorjee la but now I m think is not d truth n he is lie to Tibet people we r not back to Tibet yt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8 Chithue Tenpa Yarphel la tq for talk about truth of Nechung . I m watch to this video many time la https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8 n after I hear you talk I m not belief to Nechung
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 13, 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.
Ayana
August 16, 2018
Why doesn’t the United States and its allies end Refugee Status for the useless Tibetans? They have been refugees for 60 years now and don’t tell me they still cannot get their lives back in order?
Tibetans really know how to put on a good show and use people, take their money and do nothing in return.
Ojas
August 18, 2018
Supreme Court of India JUSTICE Mr. MARKANDEY KATJU (RETD) writes that Tibet is much better under the Chinese than it was under the lamas who only wanted to make the populace slaves. It was feudal and it will never return to the backwardness again.
Yoezer
August 19, 2018
While the government of Nepal has framed a policy to tighten the noose around non-governmental organisations, they have welcomed 30 Chinese NGOs to enter the country. These NGOs will penetrate the country’s social sector at the grassroots level. This is the first time such a large number of Chinese NGOs have entered Nepal at one time. Nepal is increasingly open to Chinese influence, a sign that ties between both countries are strengthening, while India’s influence is being reduced. The time has passed for India’s monopoly to remain uninterrupted in Nepal as opportunities to engage with China are being welcomed.
Vardaniya
August 24, 2018
The cracks in Tibetan society are starting to show, and it is now coming to the attention of local Indians who have all but identified the Tibetan leadership as the source of the divisions. According to this author, disunity amongst the Tibetans is now creating problems for Indian law enforcement agencies, and this disunity may culminate in young Tibetans holding silent grudges against their host country. It is incredible that after six decades of generosity from India, Indians are now facing the very real possibility Tibetans can be ungrateful towards India. The Tibetan leadership totally failed to impart positive values upon their exiled community, like gratitude for those kindest to them and the need to repay these kindnesses with real, tangible results. It’s also very unlikely that the Tibetan leadership will now start to do this, after six decades of failing to do so. Indians need to realise this, and see that there is no benefit for their nation to align themselves with the Tibetan leadership, and there never will be.
Maya
August 24, 2018
Although the Dalai Lama has offered an apology, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) still expressed their disappointment over his controversial comment on Nehru, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Dalai Lama called Nehru self-centred.
The Congress said Dalai Lama being a foreigner should shun and refrain from interfering in the internal as well as external affairs of India.