The Centrality of the Practice in the Geluk during the 20th Century
Particularly in the early days of exile, a number of claims were made about the centrality of the practice of Dorje Shugden in Geluk practice, in particular, that the deity was the main protector of the Geluk. This claim seems to be strongly linked to a doctrine connected with the 19th and 20th century charismatic…
Dorje Shugden Rescued the Dalai Lama
As the young Dalai Lama fled Tibet to safety in India, he carried on his back a thangka borrowed from HH Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. The thangka was of Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden protected the Dalai Lama’s party to freedom in India. However, the Dalai Lama has always attributed his escape to Palden Lhamo. This video…
Why Dorje Shugden Practitioners are not Isolationist – Part 2
Isolationism was intensified in 2008, when the Dalai Lama started a new phase of persecution against Shugden practitioners. Whilst ostensibly on a religious visit to Drepung Loseling monastery in South India, instead he instigated a political referendum on whether the monastery wanted Shugden monks to remain in their ranks. He forced the monks to vote…
Why Dorje Shugden Practitioners are not Isolationist – Part 1
Some people criticize Dorje Shugden practitioners for being ‘isolationist’ or ‘sectarian’, but it’s important to understand why these perceptions have come about because it may appear that ‘Shugdenpas’ have deliberately decided to separate from Tibetan society or Tibetan Buddhism as taught by the Dalai Lama. However, as is explained, this is not the case. The…
FAQs about Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama (Part 3 of 3)
(Read Part 1 and Part 2) Q: What prevents anyone from practising it anyway in his/her privacy? A: In theory there is nothing to stop people practising ‘in secret’, but as part of his campaign to remove the practice from Tibetan society, each person either has been forced to swear an oath to Palden Lhamo…