Gen Chonze sustained some scratches, bumps, bruises and a swollen eye from the attack

By: Kay Beswick

On December 27, 2013 around 4:00 AM in the morning long-time assistant of His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche Gen Chonze was making water offerings in Trijang Ladrang in Shar Gaden Monastery. Gen Chonze is already 84 years old and has been serving Trijang Rinpoche’s previous incarnation and the current one till now for over 60 years. Gen Chonze is very devoted to Trijang Rinpoche and is a simple monk and has lived in Trijang Ladrang (residence) most of his life. While making the water offerings in front of Lord Buddha’s image he heard a loud banging at the door of the gate. He assumed it was people who wish to come in to circumambulate as Tibetans normally would early in the morning.

The attackers banged on the main gate of Trijang Ladrang, indicating they wished to be let in. Gen Chonze opened the gate, thinking they were there to circumambulate the Ladrang

He opened the door and five masked and gloved men took out their knives and started attacking the innocent old monk. Gen Chonze shouted and the Ladrang dogs started barking very loudly. The resulting commotion woke up the rest of the students who came running. This alerted the attackers and they ran off. During the attack they did not say a word and their hands and bodies were covered so no one can see who they were. They were silent during the attack which is very strange nor did they ask for or take any valuables from Trijang Ladrang.

In fighting them, Gen Chonze pulled off one of their gloves which is kept in the Ladrang now. The monks of Trijang Ladrang and Shar Gaden Monastery do not believe it is robbery by the locals because they would not have knocked on the gate’s door to bring attention to themselves, nor would they come into the premises when monks are walking around and the lights are on. They would be more stealth and quiet. It is clearly concluded the Central Tibetan Administration of Dharamsala had sent these men to harm Gen Chonze in retaliation to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche refusing to attend the Sera Monastery* Lam Rim talks by Dalai Lama. It is incredible that while the Dalai Lama is in Sera Monastery from 25 December 2013 to 3 January 2014 to teach compassion, tolerance and emptiness, just hours away an old monk is being attacked due to incitement at the teachings. The Dalai Lama had a lengthy speech against Shugden and insisted his practice damages his person although the mystery continues on how Shugden can harm the Dalai Lama an attained monk according to his disciples.

Illusion of civility: Though the CTA attempt to maintain the appearance of democracy, life in reality is very different for Tibetans like Shugden practitioners who are violently attacked and ostracized for standing by their spiritual practices

A few months back, Dalai Lama had sent the Gaden Shartse Abbot to request Trijang Rinpoche to attend the talks and demanded Trijang Rinpoche to give up the Shugden practice contrary to Dalai Lama’s previous statements. Trijang Rinpoche had replied politely he will not attend the teachings being held between 25 December 2013 and 3 January 2014, and he will continue his Shugden practice. This greatly displeased Dalai Lama and angered the Tibetan Government in Exile known now as Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), and perhaps in this incident of Gen Chonze’s attack, the abbot’s failed visit to Trijang Rinpoche and his subsequent report to the CTA contributed somewhat to this tragedy. The Abbot should take some responsibility in this. CTA has been known in the past to incite riots and violence among the Tibetans if certain factions do not bend to their ways. This follows their pattern of violence in which is common place among the Tibetans.

Trijang Ladrang in Shar Gaden Monastery where the attack took place

In addition, there have been monks who have attended the Sera Monastery Lam Rim Teachings by Dalai Lama who heard the Dalai Lama say the pujas by the Dorje Shugden people are ‘killing’ him. This was meant to incite the Tibetans to do something against Shugden practitioners and Serpom and Shar Gaden Monasteries it seems. Otherwise how can Shugden peaceful pujas and prayers be ‘killing’ the Dalai Lama? This violent attack on an innocent old monk happened a few days immediately after the Dalai Lama’s accusatory speech against Shugden practitioners again publicly regarding the pujas harming him. The monks out of concern called Shar Gaden Monastery and warned them that there will be violence against them and especially after the Sera Monastery Teachings (December 2013). True to their warnings, the violence and revenge attacks on Gen Chonze have begun because Trijang Rinpoche refused to attend the teachings in Sera Monastery. Serpom Monastery and as well as Shar Gaden Monastery in South India have braced themselves for more violence from the CTA. The timing and coincidence of this attack directly after the Dalai Lama’s 27-minute speech against Shugden practitioners are uncanny. Perhaps the CTA attacking Gen Chonze is to send a warning message to all Shugden practitioners to fall in line or similar action will be taken against them also?

Serpom and Shar Gaden are two monasteries totaling around 1,200 monks who refuse to abandon their Dorje Shugden practice. For this reason the CTA has had them ostracized and stripped of all rights such as medical care at Tibetan hospitals or the right to vote among the many other unfair practices.

A close-up of Gen Chonze’s hand which was cut by the knives that the men used during the attack

For many readers, it might come as a surprise to you that the CTA and Tibetan leadership are capable of these actions, but to the Tibetans in exile it is common place.

The CTA may deny their involvement in this attack on Trijang Ladrang. Even if the CTA did not direct these men to attack Trijang Ladrang, their incessant dissemination of anti- Shugden propaganda has now incited non-Shugden practitioners to take matters into their own hands. Hence the CTA are guilty by association because their repeated reminders of the ban have resulted in a violent attack on Trijang Ladrang and an innocent monk. This attack was to send a message to Dorje Shugden practitioners everywhere – give up the practice or there will be consequences. To continuously speak about the harmful effects of a practice is totally against the religious freedoms of Shugden practitioners to express their beliefs in peace. The CTA’s responsibility for this incident at Trijang Ladrang is undeniable; whether directly or indirectly, their actions resulted in an attack where an innocent old monk was hurt.

Gen Chonze’s right eye is visibly smaller than his left one, due to the swelling sustained during the attack

We are happy to report that after spending four days in the hospital, Gen Chonze has some scratches, bumps , bruises and swollen eye but otherwise he was in the hospital and now recovering at home in the Ladrang in Shar Gaden Monastery. This violent attack came just days after Dalai Lama’s speech in Sera Monastery against Shugden and accusing Shugden pujas as harming him. CTA immediately sought revenge against Trijang Rinpoche for not attending Sera teachings. This was also perhaps to teach the Dorje Shugden practitioners that you may not defy the Dalai Lama or there are consequences many have concluded.

CTA often vents out their anger and revenge in violence. Although outwardly they speak of compassion, tolerance, love and world peace, they contradict what they profess in handling their own people who are mostly illiterate and dare not complain or speak up. CTA needs to keep up their peaceful front to continue to gain sponsorship in the millions and support from the West.

The Tibetan government lost their country to China and until now are unable to retrieve it back or make any headway. Why? Because the way they operate their country is not for the benefit of its citizens but pure corruption and favoritism. Violence is common place although vastly unknown to the outside world.

If the Tibetan leadership is truly concerned regarding the harmful effects of Shugden’s practice, say it once and leave it be. Why repeat again and again at every opportunity unless it is to outwardly say you have freedom to practice, but inwardly to incite the Tibetan people to take action sometimes against Shugden practitioners? This is fear tactic as well as loss of freedom of religious practice.

NOTE: I have done my best to verify the accuracy of my information from my sources; I have merely presented you with the facts as I have received them and as my sources have alleged.

*Location of Sera Mey Monastic University
P.O. Bylakuppe – 571104
Mysore District, Karnataka, INDIA

For further information, please click here:

• Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/)
• UPDATE: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/update-abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/)
• Shartse’s Abbot sees Trijang Rinpoche: The Conclusion (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/shartses-abbot-sees-trijang-rinpoche-the-conclusion/)
• The Dalai Lama says Trijang Rinpoche can Practise Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/dalai-lama-says-trijang-rinpoche-can-practise-dorje-shugden/)
• TV Documentary by France 24: the Dalai Lama’s Demons Part 1 of 2 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/tv-documentary-by-france-24-the-dalai-lamas-demons-part-1-of-2/)
• TV Documentary by France 24: the Dalai Lama’s Demons Part 2 of 2 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/tv-documentary-by-france-24-the-dalai-lamas-demons-part-2-of-2/)

Serpom Monastery, Bylakuppe, India

Shar Gaden Monastery, Mundgod, India

Giving is a basic Buddhist virtue that goes back to the practice of selflessness, without which one can hardly call oneself a serious Buddhist practitioner. Giving consists not so much of the act of giving, but of the intention to give or share what one has with others. This feeling of wanting to give or share something beneficial is often the first manifestation of one’s spiritual life.

The karmic result of giving is to be reborn in happy states with an abundance of material wealth. Conversely, the lack of giving leads to unhappy states and poverty. Hence the practice of generosity is one of the six paramitas or perfections, which a Buddhist should aspire to achieve along their spiritual journey.

There is an image that we commonly associate with Buddhism, which is the lotus flower. It is said that after Buddha achieved Enlightenment, he had a vision of the world being like a lake with lotuses in different stages of growth – some still beneath the surface of the water, some buds just above the surface, some half-open buds and yet others open and reaching way above the water’s surface.

He saw living beings as these lotuses, representing the different stages of spiritual development. Many of us are like the buds just peering above the water but still closed within ourselves, protective of ourselves, looking into ourselves, and concerned with ourselves. There are also some amongst us who are like partially-open buds where we experience feelings of budding generosity, which indicates the beginning of the spiritual path.

Are we living our full potential like a lotus flower blooming above the reach of murky waters?

As spiritual practitioners, we must ask ourselves whether our generosity is still something that we have to fake, or if we have reached a level where it come effortlessly to us. If we haven’t achieved the paramita of generosity yet, fear not – like all aspects of spiritual training, it takes ‘practice’ and practice makes perfect!

Shohaku Okumura wrote in the Soto Zen Journal that for a time he didn’t want to receive gifts from others, thinking that he should be giving, not taking. “When we understand this teaching in this way, we simply create another standard to measure gaining and losing. We are still in the framework of gaining and losing,” he wrote.

Wisdom teaches us that there is no giving without receiving. In that sense, giving and receiving are one. If giving is “good,” then receiving is equally good. Furthermore, what we should give is not so different from what we want to receive. Whatever we want – love, appreciation, friendship – we should give also. One cannot help oneself without helping others thus when one helps others, one is also helping oneself.

Hence, if one is looking for the perfect gift, what better than a gift to that special someone of a practice which would help them in their spiritual journey? For that matter, why not gift yourself with the same?

The Dorje Shugden English Gift Set is a complete introduction to Dorje Shugden’s history and practice. The gift set comprises of a graphic novel illustrating the history of Dorje Shugden and an introductory book about Dorje Shugden’s practice and its benefits. A Dorje Shugden pendant and tsatsa is also included to complement your practice.

The Dorje Shugden English Gift Set available from our online shop

The first of its kind in the world, this well thought out gift set is perfect for anyone who wishes to start their practice immediately. Suitable for use at home, in the office or even when traveling, the Dorje Shugden English gift set doubles up as a portable altar, giving you protection and a focus for your meditations wherever you are.

So get yours TODAY and make that difference in your life and the lives of others.

I can’t say that I was ever interested in religion. I had been raised in one of the world’s major religious traditions but over the years, some of the things I witnessed led to my disillusionment. I’d pretty much lost faith in anything to do with bettering myself, with spiritual progress, with helping others.

I figured if the people who were supposed to possess the wisdom to help me could not even help themselves, why bother? Why not just try and do the best for me, for my family and not look beyond that? If things were really that bad for other people, I was sure they’d find their own way to salvation or whatever you want to call it. I lived this way until my late 20s, when I came across someone who would eventually change my life.

I was 28 and had just split up with what seemed like my 100th girlfriend. As she was leaving, she said it was because I was cold. Although I professed to care for her and for my family, she said she had never known anyone so afraid to open up. Say what now? It was a shock because I’d never thought I was this way. What guy thinks of these things anyway, right?

During one of the days that followed, I was commuting to work, sitting in the train and contemplating my next move. The fact that I couldn’t keep it together with my partners led me to consider that maybe I really did have a problem. For the first time in 10 years, I said a silent prayer to whoever was listening, “Please help me to change myself. It’s okay if I don’t find The One but if there’s really a problem with me, please help me to change.”

My train reached its next stop. As the doors opened, I looked up and in walked this monk. There was something about him that kept me looking. I couldn’t put my finger on it. The monk looked secure, happy, at peace. Like he wasn’t suffering the same kind of thoughts I was suffering.

The monk noticed me staring and smiled the warmest smile I had ever seen. It was kind and giving, and yet unnerving all at once. It was like he knew what I was thinking and what I was suffering. I hated him knowing how I was feeling, but something about him also seemed comforting, almost familiar.

The next stop was mine, so I got out and noticed the monk getting off too. Already late for work, I made my way to the ticket barrier. It was then I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Stupid tourists,” I thought to myself, “Why can’t they walk without bumping into me?” I turned around, ready to tell off whomever it was.

“Lama asked me to pass this to you.”

“Sorry who are you?” I’d never seen this person before, never heard the word “lama” before. At that moment, I didn’t really care; I just wanted to get to work on time.

“My teacher, the monk over there. He asked me to pass this to you.”

I was so preoccupied with staring at the monk that I hadn’t noticed his attendants. The man passed me a slip of paper and then went back to his teacher. I looked down and saw an address and a phone number, then put the paper in my pocket.

I didn’t go back to that slip of paper until a few weeks later when I finally got around to doing my laundry. As I was clearing my pockets, the paper fell out and I remembered what had happened. It couldn’t hurt, right? I picked up the phone and dialled. Clearly my own suffering trumped whatever aversions I had to organized religion.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“Hi, my name is Tom. You gave me your address a couple of weeks ago at the train station.” I wasn’t sure how I should identify myself. Did monks give out their contact details? Is it something they did all the time?

“Oh yes, hello Tom! Lama was wondering why you hadn’t called yet. Are you well?”

“I’m okay, I guess. Actually no, not really.” No one had genuinely asked me how I was in such a long time, I didn’t know how to react. “I don’t know how this works. Do I go for a confession or something? Can I talk to… the monk? I think there’s something wrong with me.”

“Well, Lama is quite busy at the moment, but we can arrange for one of his senior students to speak with you. Why don’t you come to visit our centre? See if there’s anything here that can help you.”

I looked again at the address. It wasn’t too far away, just a 20-minute train journey. I could do that. Yeah, I could do that.

I went down to the centre the very next day, and the day after that… and the day after that, for many weeks. During one of those afternoons, I was fortunate enough to meet Lama. After speaking to me for three hours, he gave me the practice of Dorje Shugden. There I was, having rejected religion for 10 years, suddenly being given a practice.

“I’m not a Buddhist now, am I? I mean, I’ve got nothing against you guys but I don’t think it’s for me.”

Lama laughed a hearty laugh and said, “No, you are not a Buddhist. You be whatever you want. Just ask Dorje Shugden for help and you will be okay.”

It took me a few more weeks before I began to recite Dorje Shugden’s mantra. I was still grappling with the idea of engaging in religious practice. In the end, I thought, “It couldn’t hurt, right?” It was hard at first – the weird syllables were a mouthful – but Lama was very patient with me and I’m glad I stuck with it. The rhythm was soothing but powerful and for the last 35 years, I’ve relied on Dorje Shugden to get me through good and bad times.

After a decade as a sworn agnostic, I know it was Dorje Shugden who drove me out of my apathy for myself and those around me. It was also Dorje Shugden who brought Lama onto the train that fateful day, at that stop, at that very moment in time because it was through Lama that Dorje Shugden taught me how to be compassionate to myself.

Somewhere in my readings, I learnt that the Protector doesn’t just help us materially but also provides us with spiritual support, strengthening our minds and guiding our thoughts at the most crucial moment. Why else would I have been prompted to pray to become a better person? You might not be able to fathom how some simple syllables can bring so much calm and security to a person, but now I understand where Lama’s serene demeanor comes from. Dorje Shugden’s mantra is his energy, and his energy is protection, blessings, compassion and wisdom.

Haimo Lacchus

Shar Ganden Khen Rinpoche receiving offerings from a long line of devotees during the puja

As an auspicious start to the year, on 9 January 2014 the Dorje Shugden Charitable Society had an audience with the newly enthroned Shar Ganden Abbot, His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jenpa, in Gangchen Ladrang, Nepal. Also in attendance at this historical event were 20 monks from Dagom Ladrang, Segyu Monastery and Phegyeling monastery along with many laity.

The meeting was hosted by Gangchen Ladrang, under the leadership of Gangchen Rinpoche’s faithful changtso, to offer felicitations and make offerings to commemorate the appointment of Shar Ganden’s new abbot. Lunch was also served by Gangchen Ladrang to celebrate this meeting.

H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche’s changtso offering the mandala to Khen Rinpoche, requesting him to turn the wheel of Dharma

It was a joyous celebration as monks gathered to perform Kachoma’s self-initiation and the offering of tsog. In the face of adversity, these pure and holy monks who place supreme importance on their Guru’s words have been upholding the practices which their Gurus compassionately taught them. It is very heartwarming to see that even though they are faced with much suppression and prosecution, they are still able to come together to ensure the continuity of the lineage and teachings.

The new abbot of Shar Ganden performing Kachoma’s Tsog offering together with the assembled monks

We at dorjeshugden.com rejoice in the recent enthronement of Shar Ganden’s Khen Rinpoche and we offer our felicitations and prayers for Rinpoche’s good health and long life, in undertaking the task of leading the monastery out of suppression.

The above picture was posted on Shar Ganden’s Facebook page and reveals the successful candidates who have been awarded the prestigious Geshe degree this year. The Geshe degree is a culmination of years of study according to the excellent Gelug educational system and lineage, and is one of the highest accolades in the Tibetan tradition of Buddhist studies, particularly the Geshe Lharampa degree (the equivalent of a doctoral degree).

The Gelug Education System

The Gelug monastic education system covers five major topics – Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Pramana, Abhidharma and Vinaya – studied through the medium of logic and debate.

The educational syllabus in all Gelug monasteries follow the commentaries that were written by Je Tsongkhapa and his two main disciples, Gyaltsab Je (1364-1432) and Kedrub Je (1385-1438). In addition, there are several additional textbooks that are used to explain the finer aspects of the teachings, most notably the set of texts composed by Panchen Sonam Drakpa (1478-1554), which is used by Shar Ganden Monastery, as well as Ganden Shartse and Drepung Loseling monasteries.

The Path to the Geshe Degree

Shar Ganden Monastery has a tradition of half-yearly and annual monastic examinations. The exams differ based on the number and depth of the subjects, according to the year of study. Upon completion of the yearly exams, successful candidates progress to the next level of study, eventually advancing to the debate classes and evening debate sessions. Each debate student seeks a personal tutor through the traditional offering of a khata and fresh fruits, after which the student then commences dialectic and philosophical studies, also known as color class.

The Gelug Exam or the Geshe Debate Exam is the final stage of Buddhist Sutra studies within the monastic community. Monks who have successfully passed the previous years of study will participate in a series of examinations comprising all subjects from the color class to the Vinaya class, prior to undertaking the Geshe Debate Exam.

Culminating during the Yarney season (Rainy Season Retreat), the Geshe Debate Exam is essentially a formal debate presentation before the assembled monks of the three main Gelug monasteries – Ganden, Sera, and Drepung – along with the Dalai Lama and his two tutors, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche.

Historical Evolution

Traditionally, the Geshe debate exam in Tibet was conducted during the Lhasa Monlam Chenmo (The Great Prayer Festival), and was held at the Jokang Cathedral in Lhasa. Originally a 6-year course of study, the current Gelug examinations in Shar Ganden Monastery are now conducted for a period of 4 years, in the wake of the unfortunate segregation in 2008 which resulted in a shortfall of candidates.

The modern Gelug exam was founded post-Tibetan diaspora of 1959 and closely follows the original structure, except for the addition of the grammatical discourse and philosophical written exams.

The current Gelug Examination Board consists of the general supervisory staff from Shar Ganden and Serpom Monastery, whose responsibilities include organizing the exam and its logistics. The board members are appointed with the consent and mutual agreement from both monastic colleges.

We at dorjeshugden.com congratulate Shar Ganden Monastery for successfully producing such qualified Geshes that will in turn become the next generation of excellent teachers, thus continuously perpetuating the pure Gelug lineage of Jamgon Je Tsongkhapa.

by Shashi Kei

It has been over half a century since Tibet was forcibly taken over by China. Since then, the Tibetan people have come to be defined by their struggle to regain their country and reinstate their beloved Dalai Lama in the Potala Palace. So far their struggle has not yielded anywhere near the result that they had hoped for.

To add to the Tibetan people’s woes, another tragedy has been unfolding ever so gradually, resulting in the people slowly losing their claim over Tibetan Buddhism which has been their birthright for centuries. We hear stories of the deep spirituality of the Tibetan people and we can be excused for expecting to find the same piety in the people’s government; however it is here that a different character of modern Tibet reveals itself.

One of the ministries within the Tibetan government-in-exile (now known as the Central Tibetan Administration or CTA) is the Department of Religion and Culture which, according to the CTA’s website, serves the function of overseeing religious and cultural affairs in the Tibetan exile community. The DoRC, as it is known, has the responsibility of “supervising works aimed at reviving, preserving, and promotion of Tibetan religious and cultural heritages that is being led to the verge of extinction in Tibet”. [1]

On the face of it, the DoRC’s purpose is to fulfill a very noble calling of preserving, for posterity, the Dharma as expressed by all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. And seeing that Tibetan Buddhism is synonymous with Vajrayana, which has the distinction of being the swiftest path to enlightenment, the DoRC’s mission takes on an even greater significance and becomes a duty to keep the most efficacious practice in Buddhism alive and flourishing.

The statement by the DoRC alluded to a threat of the Tibetan religious [and cultural] heritage becoming extinct. Looking at the history of the Tibetans, it would appear that other than a period in its past when Buddhism was suppressed almost into complete destruction by King Langdarma, the religion experienced an unprecedented renaissance from the time Lama Atisha emerged in Tibet to resuscitate the pure Dharma, right until recent decades. In that period, the Tibetan Buddhist culture took shape and became strong, reinforced over time. Even the invasion of Tibet by Mao’s China was a catalyst for the growth of the religion as the exodus of high lamas from Shangri-la paved the way for Tibetan Buddhism to spread all over the world, transforming lives and by that creating international disciples and Dharma teachers to transmit the teachings in a multitude of languages.

In fact, without the impetus of the annexation of Tibet, the dynamic propulsion of Tibetan Buddhism into the world may not have happened at all, and in all likelihood, the religion and its mystifying culture would have remained exclusively entrenched in the high plateaus, jealously guarded by its isolation from the rest of the world. The Tibetan Buddhist heritage, in fact, gained footholds around the world from the communist incursion. And while it is true that the communist party of China sought to eradicate all forms of religion earlier on, with the passing of Mao Zedong the party changed its policy to embrace especially Tibetan Buddhism as a means of winning over the Tibetans in the occupied Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Therefore in a broader analysis, within China there was no threat of Tibetan Buddhism becoming extinct while outside China, the practice and acceptance of Tibetan Buddhism gained momentum. So where does the threat to Tibetan Buddhism that the DoRC refers to actually come from?

It might shock many to learn that the real threat arises from within the very body that was established to preserve the Tibetan people’s culture and religion, and also to embody the struggle of the Tibetan people for freedom – their own government in exile. China may have taken their country but it is the CTA itself that is spreading a cancer, attacking the moral vertebrae of the Tibetan nation and stealthily working to dislodge pure Buddhist ethics from the conscience of the Tibetan people – ethics that so many masters in the past have tirelessly taught and instilled. Tibetan Buddhism may not be extinct to the world but it can certainly be lost to the Tibetan people unless the corruption that has allowed the Tibetan leaders to use the language of religion to disguise their irreligious intentions is exposed and weeded out.

One very clear example of the CTA’s degeneracy is in the way its uses its executive powers to persecute those whom it perceives to be opposed to its political ambitions by attacking their religious practice. On one hand, the CTA via the DoRC claims to preserve and promote Tibetan religious culture. But on the other hand, the kashag (Tibetan Cabinet) balefully harbors a unit of government known as the Dolgyal Affairs Scrutiny Section, whose function seems harmless enough until it becomes clear that it is in fact a spying and witch hunting unit, the “witch” being whom the CTA decides. [2]

The Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and Kashag members who jointly harbor the Dolgyal unit, a front for the government’s religious persecution activities

“Dolgyal” is a pejorative given by the CTA to an ancient Tibetan deity, Dorje Shugden, known to be a wrathful emanation of the Buddha Manjushri and worshipped as such since the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Dorje Shugden was the Dharma Protector of the Gelug lineage (known also as the Yellow Hats), which for centuries dominated the political landscape of Tibet. The Dalai Lamas themselves hail from the Yellow Hat sect and until 1996, the deity was a popular and sacred figure in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. However, things began to change when the CTA decided to enhance its control over the Tibetan people who adhered more to spiritual guidance than political governance.

The government initiated a program to combine all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism into one under its control. This was the first sign that the establishment was quite prepared to do away with the rich tapestry and heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. The plan did not work because an influential component of the people who opposed the government’s political ambitions were worshippers of Dorje Shugden. The ruling establishment then conspired to eliminate their presence from the Tibetan community in exile by banning the worship of their Protector and outlawing its practice. Buddhism became a tool to subjugate instead of liberate. Dorje Shugden became “Dolgyal”, a derogatory name (meaning spirit of Dol) by government decree as the CTA sought to demonize this particular Buddhist practice and its practitioners, thus sending them underground. [3]

The Dolgyal Affairs Scrutiny Section is thus the unscrupulous snooping unit that operates inquisitorial campaigns to eliminate dissenters of the government’s ambitions, on the pretext of safeguarding the welfare of the public, the state and the spiritual head of the Tibetan people. Its sole duty, in fact, is to make sure that all Dorje Shugden worshippers are marked out, socially oppressed and marginalized. They are stripped of all voting rights, denied basic welfare such as medical treatment in public clinics and hospitals, denied travel permits, positions in all government and government-controlled companies and offices, and banished from all levels of Tibetan society.

At the same time, the department makes sure that the Tibetan community in general participates in the persecution and in fact becomes agents of the government’s tyranny against Shugden practitioners. They do so by making it a crime to be associated in any way with Shugden practitioners. [4] For example, shops deny service to Shugden monks and laity because NOT to do so would be considered a crime. This is the Tibetan’s own Ku Klux Klan in action and how the CTA manages to convince itself that its finger-pointing at China is justified while it denies a significant section of the Tibetan community the freedom to practice their religion, is anyone’s guess.

Shugden worshippers turn to the Indian government for justice. As refugees, the Tibetans in exile are obliged to abide by the laws of their Indian host whose Constitution guarantees religious freedom

The very existence of the Dolgyal unit shows how gravely disingenuous the DoRC is in its claim to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture, and how deceitful the CTA is when it states over and over again that it is a democracy that protects the people’s individual rights unlike their enemy, China. If the DoRC is true to its purpose, then surely its first duty is to remove this, the CTA’s own witch-hunting unit, because nothing threatens the Tibetan Buddhist heritage more than a corrupt government politicizing religion and hijacking issues of faith where it should have no involvement.

The damage inflicted on Tibetan Buddhism by the ban on Dorje Shugden is greater than the CTA would admit. In the process of performing its unholy duties, the Dolgyal unit of the CTA created an alarmingly huge division within the Gelug monastic sect. Shugden monks were expelled from their monasteries and even the great Ganden institution founded by Je Tsongkapa himself was split into two. No amount of shelling by Chinese army cannons could have had as devastating an effect on Tibetan Buddhism as a corrupt government whose preferred instrument of control is manipulating its own people’s spirituality and superstitions.

The ban as enforced by the CTA successfully chased away learned masters and highly attained lamas who continue to practice their faith as they are supposed to and spread the Dharma as they have vowed to, but not under the traditional and official auspices of “Tibetan Buddhism”. Some of the biggest Dharma centers around the world today were founded by Dorje Shugden lamas without the backing of the Tibetan government and have nothing to do with Dharamsala. And as some of these centers are cut off from the religious base centered around the Dalai Lama and denied training and support, they are forced to adjust to fit the Dharma into a new environment. So the practice is evolved away from traditional Tibetan customs, which cannot be practiced without backing of the main monasteries in Dharamsala and elsewhere, which are prohibited from having any association with Dorje Shugden lamas.

For example, some new centers in the West no longer practice the recognition of tulkus and oracular divinations. Being cut off from the arterial support necessary for such uniquely Tibetan traditions to continue, these centers have no choice but to evolve away from it. This is just an example of how the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture is being eroded by the divisive policies of the CTA. Buddhism will prevail but the Tibetan Buddhist heritage may not, and if the CTA continues to wear away at the integrity of their religion, then slowly the Tibetans will lose what they have regarded as their inheritance for centuries. Under the Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan Buddhism has been in a state of stagnation for some time and instead of growth and unity, huge divisions within the Gelug and Karma Kagyu [5] sects have appeared, both as the result of the CTA’s unauthorized incursions into spiritual matters.

The Tibetan Buddhist legacy is already in the process of decay because for decades, the Tibetan people have allowed the CTA to do as they will. And if the rot is allowed to continue, then the DoRC’s fears of the legacy of Tibetan Buddhism becoming lost (just like how India lost its hold on the precious Buddhist doctrines and eventually its Buddhist heritage) might well come to pass.

Ironically the greatest Buddhist philosophers and masters like Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Asanga, Chandrakirti, Shantideva, Shantarakshita, Dharmakirti and Atisha were from India and yet Indian Buddhist culture is faint in the country today. Similarly the Tibetans are losing their claim and ownership of the only asset of value they possess as exiled people – their spiritual inheritance. As much damage as the CTA has inflicted on their religion, the Tibetan Buddhist culture has survived the last century due to it being embodied in the form of the aging Dalai Lama. But what happens when the Dalai Lama passes on?

From left to right: Ven Tenzin Rabgye Rinpoche, H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, H.E. Gonsar Rinpoche, H.E. Panglung Rinpoche, H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche – some of the highest Tibetan lamas who have moved away from the CTA’s reach to the great loss of the Tibetan people

It was foolish of the CTA to think that they could attack a highly venerated Buddhist deity who has been propitiated by the majority of Gelugpas, disparage Dorje Shugden masters like H.H. Pabongka Rinpoche and H.H. Trijang Rinpoche (whom all living Gelugpa lamas today are directly or indirectly students of) and force a wedge into the largest Tibetan monastic community, and not have the integrity of Tibetan Buddhism, as a body, compromised and weakened.

When the CTA disparaged Dorje Shugden, it miscalculated how such a move would undermine the credibility of Tibetan Buddhism as a whole. The line of Dorje Shugden’s incarnations include illustrious lamas such as Panchen Sonam Drakpa [6] whose works and writings are still in use as primary texts in the monastic curriculum of major Buddhist universities even today. If Dorje Shugden is indeed a demon as the CTA alleges, then the Tibetan Buddhist universities are using texts written by a demon-incarnate.

Similarly if Pabongka Rinpoche is truly a demon worshipper as he has been labeled for his strong worship of Dorje Shugden, and his great Lamrim work in the form of Liberation In The Palm Of Your Hand is being used by many students of Buddhism today, then it would surely mean that the evil has successfully infiltrated Dharma at its base and the entire Tibetan Buddhist structure is corrupt, tainted and defunct. These suggestions themselves, and what the CTA would like the unknowing observer to think and accept is insanely and obscenely ridiculous. And yet this is the lie that the Dolgyal unit perpetuates even as the DoRC claim to be preserving Tibetan Buddhism.

What will cause Tibetan Buddhism to go into extinction is the ongoing undermining by the CTA of the credibility of one Buddhist lineage, thinking that it will have no effect on the others. The simple fact is there is not very much that separates the beliefs and practices of the four main Tibetan Buddhist lineages and when the CTA undermines the credibility of the Gelugpa lineage, they are in fact undermining the essence of Dharma although expressed with subtle differences by the different schools. The teachings of the Gelug lineage are themselves syntheses of teachings from various other lineages, assembled by Je Tsongkapa.

Even without going into any close examination of the Dorje Shugden ban, the existence of the Dolgyal unit is a huge blow to the image of Tibetan Buddhism and the credibility of the spiritual head of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama. As the Dolgyal unit goes about its dirty business at home, the Dalai Lama is trotting the globe preaching peace and tolerance of all religions. The Dalai Lama has pleaded that;

“Harmony among the major faiths has become an essential ingredient of peaceful coexistence in our world. From this perspective, mutual understanding among these traditions is not merely the business of religious believers – it matters for the welfare of humanity as a whole”. [7]

And on another occasion, during the Anwar Sadat Lecture For Peace at the University of Maryland, the Dalai Lama said;

“Respect all religions and also respect non-believers, and no preference, this religion, that religion, but rather respect all religions”. [8]

And in yet another address, this time to the inter-faith seminar organized by the International Association for Religious Freedom, Ladakh Group, in Leh, the Dalai Lama said;

“I always say that every person on this earth has the freedom to practice or not practice religion. It is all right to do either. But once you accept religion, it is extremely important to be able to focus your mind on it and sincerely practice the teachings in your daily life. All of us can see that we tend to indulge in religious favoritism by saying, “I belong to this or that religion”, rather than making effort to control our agitated minds. This misuse of religion, due to our disturbed minds, also sometimes creates problems” [9]

How does one reconcile the Dalai Lama’s statements and his strong advocacy of religious tolerance with his own government’s unashamed practice of religious persecution at home? Does the Dalai Lama condone the activities of the Dolgyal unit? Because if the Dolgyal unit operates with the blessings of the Dalai Lama, it would mean that His Holiness is not true to his words and if the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism is not honest, then how credible is the religion he preaches and leads?

And if the Dolgyal unit operates without the approval of the Dalai Lama who is the spiritual head of the people, then the CTA is in fact working to undermine the spiritual authority of the Dalai Lama and the integrity of Tibetan Buddhism. If that is the case, then is it not true that the CTA is the biggest threat to the sanctity of Tibetan Buddhism and the most likely cause for the extinction of the Tibetan Buddhist heritage that the DoRC was concerned with?

The CTA’s persecution of Dorje Shugden worshippers and the presence of the Dolgyal unit in the government make a mockery of the Dalai Lama’s message of religious tolerance

The Dolgyal Affairs Scrutiny Section is the Tibetan people’s badge of shame and the ban on Dorje Shugden is the legacy of discrimination and persecution that the Tibetan government will be remembered by. Unfortunately after centuries of synonymy with the greatest Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan peoples’ image is being replaced by the actions of their government, known for the shallowness of its promise to govern its own people as free citizens, for its schismatic actions that have gravely divided the monastic community and for its precipitating the demise of the Tibetan Buddhist heritage.

References:

1. http://tibet.net/religion/
2. http://tibet.net/about-cta/executive/programs/political-and-public-affairs/
3. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/point-13-documentary-film/
4. http://www.jamyangnorbu.com/blog/2013/05/07/highest-peaks-to-lowest-gutters/
5. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/is-it-interference/
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchen_Sonam_Dragpa
7. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/opinion/25gyatso.html?_r=0
8. http://sathiyam.tv/english/world/dalai-lama-pleads-for-religious-tolerance-during-first-stop-of-u-s-tour
9. http://www.dalailama.com/messages/religious-harmony

His Holiness Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, the 101st Ganden Tripa, was born in 1927 in the Dawa region of Eastern Tibet. At the age of 8 years old, His Holiness joined the local monastery in Yangding and was consequentialy ordained as a monk.

Later His Holiness entered Gaden Shartse Norling College. While a student there Rinpoche studied Pramana Vidya (Logic), Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), under the guidance of various highly attained Masters, and also received many precious teachings and empowerments of the pure Ganden lineage.

During the Chinese revolution in 1959, Rinpoche escaped to India. Arriving at ‘Ba Se’ along the border of India and Bhutan, he continued his studies and completed the Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), Abhidharma (Treasury of Knowledge), and Vinaya (Spiritual Rules and Moral Law). Apart from the normal course of studies, Rinpoche often went for meditation retreats. In 1969, Rinpoche revised through the five major treaties of Buddhist philosophy and participated in the final exam at a renowned local Tibetan University, graduating in the 1st position of honor.

In 1970, a major debate exam which lasted over a period of 20 days was held. Candidates included over 30 outstanding scholars from the 3 great monasteries and other universities. Rinpoche still managed to emerge on top and the title of Geshe Lharampa was officially conferred upon him. Consequently, Rinpoche joined the Gyuto Tantric University and focused on intensive study of the Tantras.

In 1983 and 1992, the Dalai Lama appointed Rinpoche as the abbot of Gyuto Tantric University and abbot of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery respectively. During the years of Rinpoche’s abbotship, apart from supervising the administration and discipline of the Sangha, he also conducted various pujas and teachings personally. Rinpoche’s contribution towards the monastery is widely recognised, and deeply respected by all. In 1986, these remarkable qualities inspired the Dalai Lama to choose him as the representative of Buddhism in Ecumenical Encounters of Assisi interfaith meetings convened on the initiative of Pope John Paul II in Italy.

In 1995, Rinpoche was bestowed the honorary rank of Shartse Choje (2nd rank among dignitaries of the Gelug tradition). After 6 years in that position, on January 20, 2003, the Dalai Lama, during his Kalachakra Empowerment in Bodhgaya, announced the appointment of Venerable Lungrik Namgyal as the 101 Gaden Tripa – the supreme head of the Gelug tradition, and literally, the Holder of the Throne of Tushita.

Rinpoche is one of the most qualified Buddhist teachers alive today – being highly trained in both fields of Sutra and Tantra. Rinpoche has dedicated his whole lifetime to the propagation of the Buddhadharma, and has been tirelessly visiting many parts of the world to spread the Teachings. Countries which Rinpoche has visited include – France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, America, China, and Singapore. His Holiness Trisur Rinpoche currently lives in Paris, where he transmits precious Buddhist teachings of his lineage in Thar Due Ling Dharma center in Chelles, France which he founded in 1980.

Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche

Trisur Rinpoche meeting Pope John Paul in 1986

Source: http://shargadenpa.org/throneholder

The Venerable Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery, Geshe Lobsang Jinpa

The Venerable Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery, Geshe Lobsang Jinpa, was born in 1940 in a village named Medhu Kunga, near Lhasa, in Tibet. His father’s name is Sonam Bhakdo and his mother is Yeshe Kyemo.

At the age of 9, he fulfilled his wish to ordain as a monk and was admitted to Gaden Shartse Monastery, later receiving the fully fledged novice vows from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang. It was this Guru, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, who would become his Root-Guru and bestow on him many precious teachings and empowerments. Khen Rinpoche embarked on the monastic training and studied all fields of Buddhist Studies including the Five Principal Subjects of Buddhist Philosophy as a pupil of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Song Rinpoche and Zemey Rinpoche. After fleeing from Tibet in 1959, many Gaden monks temporarily resided in Buxar, in Northeast India, where they continued to keep focused on studying Sutra and Tantra.

Most of the major Gelug monasteries were reestablished in South India; with Gaden and Drepung Monasteries in Mundgod, while Sera Monastery was reestablished in Bylakuppe, Mysore. It was at the newly established Dokhang Khangtsen of Gaden Shartse Monasery that Khen Rinpoche Lobsang Jinpa began to take on leadership roles in the monastery. In 1972 he was appointed as Administrator of Gaden Shartse. During his term as administrator, many improvements were made to the various departments of the monastery.

Khen Rinpoche completed his formal studies in the year 1980 and was awarded the prestigious Geshe degree. The Geshe degree is comparable to a PhD in Buddhist philosophy. This was the culmination of over 30 years of rigorous studies, some of this during very difficult circumstances as a refugee in a new land.

In early 1991, Khen Rinpoche Lobsang Jinpa was appointed Geku (head-disciplinarian) of Gaden Shartse Monastery, a position much responsibility that he served with distinction and respect. In 1993, he was appointed as the main debate teacher of Gaden Shartse and thus became the teacher of many monks who would later become geshes and scholars in Buddhist philosophy and debate. It was also in 1993 that he became the Khangtsen Gen ( head of the regional house) of Dokhang Khangtsen. Dokhang Khangtsen is the largest regional house of Gaden Shartse, housing over 500 monks.

After completing his terms with success, Khen Rinpoche was invited to travel to Taiwan to start a branch center of Dokhang Khangtsen, on behalf of Gaden Shartse Monastery. His Dharma activities were so successful in Taiwan that he was asked to stay and continue to offer his skills in teaching Dharma to the people of Taiwan. Khen Rinpoche accepted and soon many became his students and supporters of Gaden Shartse Monastery. Rinpoche would often come back to Gaden to visit his esteemed teachers and offer his support to the monastery.

In December of 2013, Khen Rinpoche Lobsang Jinpa was officially enthroned as Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery. All of the monks gathered to offered him a long-life puja to express their appreciation for his accepting this position.

The Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery

Source: http://shargadenpa.org/throneholder

Dalai Lama’s reaction in this video is quite surprising in that he is angry, with pointing finger and curt. Dalai Lama does not give much chance for the nun to speak nor shows any compassion or care towards this ‘enemy’. No dialogue is allowed regarding the Dorje Shugden ban by the Dalai Lama. Publicly Dalai Lama encourages dialogue, but here it is not allowed.

In the video Dalai Lama says:

This is not a matter of religious freedom. No, no, no, no. I know Buddha’s teachings. I know Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings. This (Dorje Shugden’s practice) is not a religion. This is worship of a spirit. So that is wrong.

During this demonstration a gentle and sincere Buddhist nun asked His Holiness Dalai Lama for dialogue on the Dorje Shugden ban issue and also to request His Holiness to stop speaking against Dorje Shugden practitioners which is creating violence against them. The Dalai Lama was angry, rude and not polite at all which is not the usual media-friendly Dalai Lama we are use to. He was pointing at the nun as he spoke with his index finger. It seems as if he was talking down to the nun. He was in fact very angry when asked to stop the persecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners by the brave nun. Towards the end you will see a Tibetan man telling the nun to stop bluntly.

Tibetans must realize if you want the help of democratic countries like America, you must also accept freedom of speech, religion and the right to protest that comes along with this financial and political support. Protest incidentally within the Tibetan communities against the Dalai Lama is illegal. It is blatantly not allowed. Any policies by the Dalai Lama is seen as divine and no one may contradict or risk ostracizing.

What the Dalai Lama does not understand is he just met President Obama (February 21, 2014) and he is in the United States of America which stands for no discrimination against any religion whether it is ‘spirit’ practice or not. Dalai Lama may wrongly label Dorje Shugden’s practice as spirit worship, but many millions more do not agree and are deeply hurt if not insulted by his ban. He should not desecrate Dorje Shugden’s practice and publicly denounce it especially when he is traveling in democratic countries like the US where religious freedom is part of the constitution.

Dalai Lama has met President Obama in order to rally support for his cause. He needs the support of the American people also. If that is the case, he should not discriminate against any religion whether he himself deems it spirit practice or not. Which it is not. The issue here is not whether Dorje Shugden is a spirit practice, but the right to practice any religion or forms of worship without denouncements from religious leaders like Dalai Lama. He has progressively denounced the practice of Dorje Shugden publicly creating massive schisms, violence and seperations. Also he has incorporated the Dorje Shugden practice within the Tibetan exiled constitution as illegal. If any Tibetans are to practice, then they would be not allowed to use Tibetan institutions such as hospitals, schools, or even get their traveling documents. It is outright religious discrimination. Dalai Lama’s negative view on Dorje Shugden has had a adverse effect on millions which should be stopped now.

Meeting at the White House between President Obama and Dalai Lama on February 21, 2014.

What the Dalai Lama needs to understand is President Obama and all democratic leaders protect their citizens in their rights to free religious worship without discrimination, bias or prejudice. Whether the beliefs are deemed a religion or not does not concern democratic leaders because they respect the rights to worship as enshrined in the constitution.

A puzzling question this picture invites is the Dalai Lama had stated officially he has retired from politics, so why is he still involved with politics and politicians?

To protect millions from the Dalai Lama’s religious persecution the International Shugden Community began its campaign of demonstrations in San Francisco, CA (Saturday, February 22, 2014). They are peacefully requesting Dalai Lama to stop his persecution against Dorje Shugden practitioners and stop insulting their worship of Buddha Dorje Shugden as spirit worship. The Dalai Lama should respect other people’s practices and religious beliefs and their individual freedom to practice.

Location: (Louise M) Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
Time: Demonstration starts at 12:30pm and will end around 5pm

Sunday, Feb 23

Berkeley

Berkeley Community Theater
7.30am – 11am

Monday, Feb 24

Santa Clara

Leavey Event Center, Santa Clara University
7am – 12noon

Tuesday, Feb 25th

Los Angeles

The Forum, Inglewood
11am – 2pm

The protesters represent millions around the world who asks Dalai Lama to stop the persecution against their worship of Dorje Shugden and allow full democratic rights within for these followers of Dorje Shugden within the Tibetan constitution. They are asking Dalai Lama to not persecute against them on the basis of their faith and open for dialogue. Protestors are asking the Dalai lama to accept and allow religious freedom and not condemn any form of worship including Dorje Shugden’s practice.

Video of the protest at San Francisco

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Protestors for religious freedom in San Francisco

These peaceful protestors bravely represent the millions of Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world who are disappointed and hurt by the denouncements of their faith by Dalai Lama.

This man came from Japan to USA to join in the protests and has a few important questions for Dalai Lama.

Why did the Dalai Lama accept millions in donations from Shoko Asahara? Why does the Dalai Lama not aggressively speak out about the self-immolations in Tibet as he does against Dorje Shugden practitioners?

Dalai Lama and Shoko Asahara

Dalai Lama called Shoko Asahara his good friend. Shoko Asahara donated millions to the Dalai Lama and his causes. These are some of the questions the Japanese protestor had  and the reason he came to protest. Why in the Dalai Lama’s omniscience did he befriend such a person who is incarcerated for hurting hundreds in Japan? Did Dalai Lama’s promotion of Shoko Asahara as a genuine teacher propelled him to fame in Japan allowing him to have the circumstances for the harm?

Ms. Rebecca Gautier

Ms. Rebecca Gautier who is the representative for the International Shugden Community. She spoke clearly and accurately for major news stations covering the event regarding the undemocratic suppression of religious freedom against Dorje Shugden practitioners in Tibet, India, Nepal and worldwide. Dorje Shugden practitioners are not allowed basic rights within the Tibetan exiled communities in India and Nepal simply because of their religious beliefs.

Further links and videos to help you understand the situation

National and local news

• http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=9441887
• http://www.prweb.com/releases/DalaiLama/ReligiousDiscrimination/prweb11592622.htm
• http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/02/prweb11609135.htm
• http://worldjournal.com/bookmark/24629634–
• http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/23/shugden-buddhist-faction-protests-dalai-lama-as-he-visits-san-francisco/
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch5hCnq0fHQ
• http://www.facebook.com/dalailamatruth
• http://www.falsedalailama.com
• http://www.shargadenpa.org
• http://www.serpommonastery.org
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTAio7kr05I
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BheB_UwpGls

Dear Shugdenpas,

DorjeShugden.com is glad to bring you breaking news about the International Shugden Community’s latest peaceful demonstration in San Francisco, California. The ISC has been diligently planning this protest months in advance, after the Dalai Lama’s 4-day California schedule was announced.

The first day of the Dalai Lama’s visit to California coincided with the first day of a large scale demonstration by the ISC. The news of the demonstration was pre-hyped internally, and was passed among Shugden practitioners by word of mouth. Like many of the past demonstrations that took place in America, the first day of the demonstration for religious freedom to practice our protector Dorje Shugden, received great support from the public and also gained the much needed attention from the press such as abc7 News and Chicago Tribune.

We are informed that the members of ISC have vowed to beg for religious freedom throughout all 4 days of the Dalai Lama’s visit to California. Stay tuned for more news, images and videos as this page will be updated daily.

Please leave an encouraging comment and send your prayers and best wishes to the members of ISC for their hard work and dedication to lift the ban on our Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.

With prayers,
DS Admin

Day 1: 22 February 2014

News Coverage

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-dalailama-protests-20140222,0,2400788.story

ABC7 NEWS

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Source: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=9441887

REUTERS

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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/22/us-usa-dalailama-protests-idUSBREA1L17O20140222

DAILY PRESS

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Source: http://www.dailypress.com/sns-rt-usa-dalailama-protests-20140222,0,3366517.story

NBC BAY AREA

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Source: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Protests-Planned-During-Dalai-Lamas-Bay-Area-Visit-246626101.html

FIRST POST

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Source: http://www.firstpost.com/world/buddhist-monks-protests-dalai-lama-as-he-visits-us-1404563.html

ICI RADIO CANADA

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English translation:

Buddhists protest against the Dalai Lama in San Francisco

Dozens of Buddhists marched last Saturday in the streets of San Francisco to protest against the visit of the Dalai Lama, who, according to them, persecuted the followers of a deity that the Tibetan spiritual head in exile had denounced for several decades.

The small crowd of monks and other devotees of the Shugden Buddhist sect, who worship the deity Dorje Shugden, waved placards and chanted slogans in favour of the freedom of worship.

The demonstration took place near the building where the Dalai Lama was to give his address. The Dalai Lama was received last Friday at the White House by Barack Obama. He will be staying for two weeks in the United States and will be giving talks in different cities.

According to his critics, the Dalai Lama had excommunicated several thousand Shugden Buddhists living in Tibetan communities in exile in India and he continues to push them to leave Tibetan communities around the world, by depriving them not only of employment and health care, but also of an education for their children.

Source: http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/International/2014/02/22/008-bouddhistes-shugden-manifestation-sanfrancisco-dalai-lama.shtml

PRWeb

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Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/02/prweb11609135.htm

TOWNHALL

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Source: http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2014/02/22/buddhist-faction-protests-dalai-lama-as-he-visits-us-n1799229

Videos from Day 1

Protests at Dalai Lama’s event in San Francisco on TV

From abc7 News

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Protests Planned During Dalai Lama’s Bay Area Visit

From NBC Bay Area

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Dalai Lama loses cool with peaceful Buddhist nun

From ISC member

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Demonstrations for Religious Freedom – San Francisco 2014

From ISC member

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Over 200 for the International Shugden Community Demonstration at San Francisco

From ISC member

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Photos from Day 1

Source: https://www.facebook.com/dalailamatruth

Day 2: 23 February 2014

News Coverage

NAGALAND POST

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Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/ChannelNews/InterNational/InterNationalNews.aspx?news=TkVXUzEwMDA1NDk0MA%3D%3D

THE RAW STORY

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Source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/23/shugden-buddhist-faction-protests-dalai-lama-as-he-visits-san-francisco/

PR WEB

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Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/DalaiLama/ReligiousDiscrimination/prweb11592622.htm

YAHOO! NEWS

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/buddhist-faction-protests-dalai-lama-visits-u-235726705–spt.html

ZONEBOURSE

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Source: http://www.zonebourse.com/actualite-bourse/Des-bouddhistes-manifestent-contre-le-dalai-lama-a-San-Francisco–17986720/

WORLDJOURNAL.COM

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Source: http://worldjournal.com/bookmark/24629634

Videos from Day 2

Protest against the Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden, Berkeley 2014

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Photos from Day 2

Source: https://www.facebook.com/dalailamatruth

We at dorjeshugden.com rejoice in seeing this petition in change.org, calling upon everyone for a common humanitarian cause – “RELIGIOUS FREEDOM” and to an end to the persecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners for their religious beliefs.

We thank Darren Prout from the United Kingdom for speaking up on behalf of all who are suffering and struggling under this injustice. Your initiative to create awareness of the violence and suffering caused by the ban on Dorje Shugden gives courage and hope to many practitioners around the world. It encourages them not to lose faith or give up but instead, to work harder in response to the harm received by speaking up and educating others on this crisis.

There are many who wish to see a change; to stop the discrimination and to lift the ban on Dorje Shugden, but they may not know how to voice it out or what they can do. Well, this petition gives everyone a chance to participate, and to stand up for their rights and beliefs in a peaceful, positive approach.

The petition is written in a clear, concise, and respectful manner requesting His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to restore the unity of His people and to STOP encouraging discrimination amongst His people. We as Dorje Shugden practitioners must always abide in Dharma and in the laws of karma no matter what we do because those are the teachings we received from our Gurus, the Buddhas and our Dharma protector.

Tibetans should stop fighting and persecuting their own brothers and sisters due to differences of faith. Tibetans should not create more causes for disharmony and disunity and should not be selective in what His Holiness teaches or advises. His Holiness travels around the world to preach religious tolerance, compassion, kindness and forgiveness, so why is it that this advice not practiced by anti-Shugden practitioners? There is already enough chaos, crisis and wars in the name of religion. Why allow Buddhism to fall into a similar category of extremism and terrorism in the name of faith? It is baffling.

It is every human’s right to practice whatever they wish without prejudice, discrimination and death threats laid upon them. We encourage every Buddhist, Shugden practitioner and human rights activist to support this cause and sign this petition that seeks His Holiness’s attention to make that change happen for the sake of living in harmony, so that we can all openly, without fear go on peacefully to do our own practices.

SIGN THE PETITION

or click to learn more about other on-going activities in support of religious freedom

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From: https://www.change.org/petitions/dalai-lama-end-religious-persecution-of-faithful-buddhists

Ever wished there was a pill that could cure all ills? Such a pill may have to remain in the realm of fantasy, but there is something close enough – holy relic pills of Lama Tsongkapa, blessed by Dorje Shugden!

Tibetan medicinal pills are formulated based on traditional scriptural recipes, combining ancient Ayurvedic herbal knowledge with the five Tibetan medical tantras – the basis of Tibetan medical philosophy taught by the Medicine Buddha himself.

These highly prized holy pills contain the relics of many incredible masters including Lama Tsongkapa, H.H. Pabongkha Rinpoche and H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang, and are consecrated by the holy monks of Dorje Shugden monasteries. They also contain tantric water blessed by H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang during his retreat, Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s relics, the hair and clothes of H.H. the 10th Panchen Lama, the clothes and hair of H.H. Kyabje Denma Gonsar Rinpoche, Jetsun Yeshe Wanchug and Jetsun Gyaltsen Sakya.

And if you’re still not amazed, these incredibly rare blessed pills also contain the relics of Panglung Lobsang Thukje, H.H. Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Trihor Chopon Rinpoche, Khensur Jetsun Lobsang Nyudup, the ritual cakes from a Dorje Shugden Retreat, and waters from various holy lakes in India, Tibet and China.

Lhamo Latso in Tibet is a small lake with an area of no more than 2 square kilometers (0.77 square miles). Venerated as the holiest lake in Tibet, it is renowned as the place where Palden Lhamo, the Glorious Goddess of Tibet, bestows visions of the future on meditators

Apart from their tremendous healing abilities, these precious holy pills also bestow great protection and the blessings of the lineage masters. The pills can be consumed by placing them in a bottle of clean water and drinking it, or by crushing the pill and mixing it with water. Healing mantras such as the mantras of Medicine Buddha, White Tara, Amitayus, Loma Gyonma or Dorje Shugden’s healing mantra can be recited after consuming the pills to activate the healing and protective energies contained within. These blessed healing pills can also be added into lotions or creams for topical applications on problem areas.

In the Tibetan tradition, these powerful pills are also used to bless and aid the dying and newly deceased to take a good rebirth by placing them in the mouth or on the crown of the head.

You won’t find these pills in any pharmacy but they are now available from the Dorje Shugden online store! If there is only one pill you should have, this would be it!

Invite one home:

http://shop.dorjeshugden.com/blessed-items/dorje-shugden-holy-pills.html

At the Loseling Clinic in Drepung Loseling Monastery (Karnataka, India), there is clear religious discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners who are denied medical care on the basis of their belief

Dear friends around the world,

If you have your personal religious beliefs, you have every right to it and you have every right to express it and share it with others. There is nothing wrong about you having your personal beliefs, except when your beliefs materialize into a ban which brings pain, separation, schism and confusion for millions of people.

The Dorje Shugden practice has been passed down for the last 350 years from one eminent master to another eminent master. These masters were not only Dorje Shugden practitioners, but they were also supreme teachers and meditation experts of the highest caliber, who had mastered both sutra and tantra. They were masters who had spent their whole lives in study, contemplation, meditation and finally, gaining attainments. From their attainments, they had taught the vast corpus of sutras and tantras, and they held their practice of Dorje Shugden very strongly and closely to their hearts. All of these lineage masters who number into the hundreds cannot be wrong about their practice of Dorje Shugden.

It is impossible that all of these masters did not have the wisdom, the learning or perhaps even the clairvoyance to perceive the true nature of Dorje Shugden.

It is impossible that only one person, which is the Tibetan leadership, can be correct in saying Dorje Shugden is negative and that they negate all other masters’ learning, perception and clairvoyance of Dorje Shugden.

Therefore if you have your own opinion and you wish not to practice, that is fine. However you not wishing to practice should not be enforced onto others, nor should you use your name, fame or celebrityhood to suppress the practice, thus creating distress amongst millions around the world.

With the Tibetan communities in India and Nepal, if you practice Dorje Shugden, it is enshrined within the Tibetan constitution-in-exile that in the Tibetan communities, you may not vote. You may not go to any Tibetan hospitals. You may not go to any Tibetan schools, join any monasteries, join in public events, hold office, or get travel documents such as passports. You are not allowed to enter certain places of business or restaurants, nor can you get a job within the Tibetan administration. If you practice Dorje Shugden, none of the above are allowed to you, your immediate family, your children or your parents. This is within the Tibetan constitution.

When you say that Dorje Shugden is a negative practice, that is an opinion; when you say that Dorje Shugden is a negative practice and therefore it is banned, and if anyone does not follow the ban, they are not allowed what every democratic citizen is allowed, this becomes pure dictatorship of the worst type, of the worst kind. It is nothing short of a witch-hunt.

Therefore we at DorjeShugden.com, representing millions around the world, would like to express that the ban against Dorje Shugden should be removed immediately. That all Dorje Shugden practitioners should enjoy the same rights as any other Tibetan within the Tibetan communities; this is very important. The ban against Dorje Shugden and his followers must be removed from the Tibetan constitution in order for the Tibetan government to consider themselves a credible democratic leadership, especially since it survives on the compassion and donations of other democratic nations around the world. In this article from the Tibetan leadership’s own website, you can see clearly that they publish articles and statements against Dorje Shugden. In their public talks, they also state again and again negative propaganda against Dorje Shugden.

In the West and the East, you may have the freedom of religion and you may listen or not listen to the Tibetan leadership’s advice. In India and Nepal however, within the Tibetan communities, if you go against the grain, you will be fully ostracized and branded a traitor, a Chinese spy or someone who is against the Dalai Lama, none of which you are. So please take heed of this article and visit DorjeShugden.com for much more information to understand what is behind the ban.

Thank you.

Admin
www.dorjeshugden.com

Click the image above to view the article in full (opens in a new window)

By Saavie Acker

Losar is the most important holiday for Tibetans and also widely celebrated by Tibetan Buddhists worldwide. Marking the turn of a new year, it is a day for Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists alike to make offerings to the Gurus, Enlightened Beings and Dharma Protectors in appreciation for the year that has passed and for an auspicious year ahead.

Mr. Tsering Wangchuk

Mr Tsering Wangchuk, press officer for the Tibetan government in-exile, extended a new year greeting to the public on behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA):

Today is the first day of Tibetan New Year. As usual we invoke all the protecting deities particularly Dorje Shugden who is the official protecting deity of the Tibetan government earlier, now central Tibetan administration. So I wish everybody a happy new year,
~ Mr. Tsering Wangchuk, 2 March 2014

It is customary to invoke and consult the official Dharma Protector of the Tibetan government during this auspicious day. In 1998, H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama made a statement that Nechung should be consulted during the Losar celebrations. This year however, the CTA has seemingly decided to return to their roots by acknowledging Dorje Shugden as the official protector of the Tibetan government. Can this be true?

The auspiciousness of invoking and making offerings to Dharma Protectors during Losar is not only tradition for lay Tibetans, but a practice that even great Lamas participate in. A famous prayer to Dorje Shugden – Nyirtoe – was composed by none other than the great Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche during Losar in 1959, a prayer for abundance in the year ahead.

Dorje Shugden’s practice was mainstream particularly in the Gelug tradition and his oracular consultations were renowned for their accuracy until the 1970′s, when negative rumors began circulating at the behest of the CTA. What followed was decades of suppression and religious discrimination that has continued until today. Therefore, Mr. Tsering Wangchuk’s statement, although very welcome if true, comes as a surprise. The global citizens of today’s world know that separation of church and state is essential for any modern democracy to succeed, as proven in any number of historical examples, but are the Tibetans truly realizing this?

The golden question now is: What will be the CTA’s response to this unexpected turn of events? Looking back at the decades of suppression and ostracism against Shugden practitioners, one wonders if Mr. Wangchuk is a lone champion of truth, if he represents the CTA’s new found stance towards Dorje Shugden, if it was a karmic slip of the tongue, or something else altogether? What do you think? Please leave a comment below.

Happy Losar 2014!

Extracted from Yahoo! News

Tibetans-in-exile mark New Year by offering prayers in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Mar 2 (ANI): Tibetans in-exile in Dharamsala celebrated ‘Losar’, the Tibetan New Year on Sunday, and pledged to uphold the cultural ethos and traditional values of humility, integrity and resilience.

Tibetan monks were seen playing musical instruments and praying to mark the New Year.

Press officer of Tibetan government in-exile, Tsering Wangchuk, extended best wishes to everyone on the occasion.

“Today is the first day of Tibetan New Year. As usual we invoke all the protecting deities particularly Dorje Shugden who is the official protecting deity of the Tibetan government earlier, now central Tibetan administration. So I wish everybody a happy new year,” said Wangchuk.

‘Losar’ is marked with ancient ceremonies that represent the struggle between good and evil. The occasion is marked by chanting hymns and passing fire torches through the crowds.

A foreign tourist, Maya, offered prayers and said they were ushering in the year of wood horse.
“Today is the prayer for Losar, so it’s the Tibetan New Year. They are ushering in the year of wood horse and the year of the snake has been ushered out,” said Maya.

People enjoy levity provided by events such as dance of the deer and amusing battles between the King and his various ministers. (ANI)

Screenshots of other newspapers and articles with the same news

Yahoo! News

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Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/tibetans-exile-mark-offering-prayers-dharamsala-103805988.html

ANI News

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Source: http://aninews.in/newsdetail2/story157657/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala.html

Times Today

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Source: http://timestoday.in/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala/

Business Standard

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Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala-114030200435_1.html

Web India 123

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Source: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20140302/2350157.html

Sify

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Source: http://www.sify.com/news/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala-news-national-odcqpmffchf.html

New Kerala

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Source: http://www.newkerala.com/news/2014/fullnews-19695.html#.UxT6k_mSyno

News Track India

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Source: http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2014/03/02/196-Tibetans-in-exile-mark-New-Year-by-offering-prayers-in-Dharamsala.html

Truth Drive

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Source: http://truthdive.com/2014/03/02/Tibetans-in-exile-mark-New-Year-by-offering-prayers-in-Dharamsala.html

Inooz

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Source: http://www.inooz.in/article/view/2661353/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala/032014

WN.com

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Source: http://article.wn.com/view/2014/03/02/Tibetansinexile_mark_New_Year_by_offering_prayers_in_Dharams/

Tsering Wangchuk on other topics

Tibet.net

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Source: http://tibet.net/2013/04/10/cta-refutes-chinas-findings-on-tibets-mining-disaster/

Tibetsun.com

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Source: http://www.tibetsun.com/opinions/2013/11/06/tibets-middle-way

Tibet.ca

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Source: http://tibet.ca/en/newsroom/wtn/12744

by Gereon Willamar

A friend of mine who is not a Buddhist asked:

I read some interesting online news that some Tibetan Buddhist people are not allowed to pray to this deity called Dorje Shugden. Why is this so? I thought Buddhism taught freedom of religious views and practices, tolerance, acceptance, love, giving, non-violence, compassion etc?

Good question.

Why are Dorje Shugden practitioners not allowed to attend Dharma teachings in certain monasteries and Dharma centers all over the world?

When teachings were conducted by resident or visiting lamas, certain Dharma centers advertised, “All are welcome.” But a sign was put up in their center saying that Dorje Shugden practitioners are not welcome. A dog would have a better chance of attending a Dharma talk in these Dharma centers!

These centers falsely claim that Dorje Shugden is a demon yet the Dharma centers’ committee members do not ask other attendees if they worship spirits or worldly gods. So, it means that shamans, black arts practitioners, spirits worshipers, worldly gods’ worshipers, etc are welcome at these Dharma centers. But they deny entry to worshipers of the enlightened Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.

A demon is described as a usually malevolent spirit that may be conjured and controlled. These Dharma centers vehemently claim that Dorje Shugden is a demon but no fire puja rituals by any Tibetan lama, including all the Dalai Lamas, could subdue this demon. How is this possible? It would be easier, spiritually and politically correct and humane to snuff out Dorje Shugden, if he was a demon, rather than enforce a ban on his practice – a ban that has brought on so much suffering to innocent Dharma practitioners. In actuality, Dorje Shugden could not be harmed nor killed because He is an enlightened Dharma protector.

In fact, many lamas have not given up on Dorje Shugden at all. Some may indeed be practicing secretly for good reasons, while others are practising openly despite living in fear for their lives, because they practice real guru devotion, compassion, and upload their commitment to Dorje Shugden’s lineage, and to protect and defend the teachings of Lama Tsongkapa. Some of these great lamas include Kyabje Zemey Dorje Chang, H.E. Denma Gongsar Rinpoche, Lama Jampa Ngodrup Rinpoche, Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin, Ven. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche and recently Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche, just to name a few.

It seems that compassion is just an intellectual word that is analysed and spoken of but not practiced. So is the word Tonglen (Tibetan), loosely translated as “giving and taking.” The practice of Tonglen involves all of the Six Perfections; giving, ethics, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom. These are the practices of a Bodhisattva. H.H. The Dalai Lama, who is said to practise Tonglen every day, has said of the technique:

Whether this meditation really helps others or not, it gives me peace of mind. Then I can be more effective, and the benefit is immense.

(Extracted from Wikipedia)

But where is the giving, when it comes to Dorje Shugden practitioners? For the Tibetans, there is no democracy, no religious freedom and no rights for Dorje Shugden practitioners. Only dictatorship and a military-like government. One is damned if one does not listen and do as the CTA say. All the problems arising from the Dorje Shugden ban stemmed from the dictates of one man (the Dalai Lama), blindly followed and executed by his government (the CTA) and the citizens of his country. No wonder the Tibetan ex-government lost their country and now they have no choice but to exist and operate in Dharamshala through the kindness of the Indian government and its people.

Dear friends, The peaceful removal of the undemocratic ban that infringes on religious freedom of worship of Dorje Shugden is a concern for everyone. We therefore encourage the kind assistance of everyone towards the International Shugden Community (ISC) who are determined to remove the ban through peaceful means bringing no harm to His Holiness the Dalai Lama or anyone. Here is the link for you to show your support now: http://www.gofundme.com/75xk2o

Sincerely,
www.dorjeshugden.com

Dear Kelsang Norden, Kelsang Zangmo and Diane Cadman,

On February 25, we had sent a messenger to your spokesperson during the demonstrations at the Forum (Los Angeles), with a letter to ask how we can make a donation towards the upcoming Washington, D.C. March 7, 2014 demonstrations, to sponsor snacks, drinks and / or however you would like to use the money for the volunteers. We did not have any information so we included our email (ds@dorjeshugden.com) in order for him to please let us know how we could make a donation. He did not reply, most likely being very busy with logistics. He is a great spokesperson and we were very happy to see his summarization of the ban on YouTube and to the media.

We would like to make a payment via PayPal of US$1,000, as a donation towards the demonstrations. Please take these codes and load them into your PayPal account. Being unique codes, they will only work with one PayPal account and you will be able to receive the money instantly. For security reasons we will send you the PayPal codes and instructions on how to receive the donation separately and directly after this letter.

We at www.dorjeshugden.com are in full support of removing the undemocratic ban. Although our methods differ to that of the International Shugden Community’s (ISC), our motivation is the same. We at www.dorjeshugden.com find His Eminence Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche a tremendous inspiration as his knowledge of sutra and tantra are undisputed and he has disseminated Dharma throughout the world. His guru devotion and commitment to our holy lineage is unbiased and firm. We wish him to live 1,000 years.

We offer all of you our prayers in your works to remove the ban and we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you are doing towards the pure tradition of Je Tsongkapa to reach many more unimpeded. All of us Dorje Shugden practitioners wish no harm towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama or anyone. The recent attack on a senior monk by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/cta-creates-violence-again/) shows how violent and dangerous the pro-ban (Dalai Lama) supporters can be. We wish all of you going for a peaceful protest to be alert and free of any physical danger. Please take care. We will always be peaceful and use peaceful methods.

Please acknowledge when you have received our humble donation and we look forward to the updates for the upcoming Washington event.

Sincerely and with prayers,
www.dorjeshugden.com
CC Kelsang Virya

By Steve Lee

The Dalai Lama visited San Francisco, California recently (22 February 2014) to speak at the American Himalayan Foundation. During his speech, the Dalai Lama made a few statements regarding Dorje Shugden, referring to a picketing crowd of Dorje Shugden practitioners just outside the hall. The Dalai Lama’s statements were documented in an article published on EIN News desk. Here are some excerpts from the article, along with a rebuttal to each statement.
 

#1: Get the facts right

At this point His Holiness digressed to speak about the worshippers of the perfidious spirit Dolgyal or Shugden who had been demonstrating in the street outside the hall as he arrived. They were shouting and waving banners, their faces contorted in aggressive expressions. It was people like these who murdered a good monk and his students as they worked to translate a scripture into Chinese one night in 1997 near His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, he said. Today, their slogan was ‘Stop lying’, but the question is who really is lying.

The Dalai Lama is referring to an unresolved murder of a monk by the name of Lobsang Gyatso, who founded the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala. The case is considered unresolved by the Indian police because the two suspects responsible for the murder (allegedly Dorje Shugden practitioners) had escaped and have been untraceable since.

The connection with Dorje Shugden, if indeed there is one at all, is circumstantial and has no bearing on the crime committed. To illustrate this point, there are many wayward followers of the Dalai Lama who have committed theft and murder, but does the fault lay at the Dalai Lama’s feet? It is a certainty that no one would even attempt to blame the Dalai Lama for such crimes. Similarly, for the Dalai Lama to insinuate that the peaceful demonstrators are as good as murderers is unwarranted, nor do the murders provide adequate justification for an all-out ban on Dorje Shugden.
 

#2: Same mindstream, similar errors?

Turning back once more to the topic of Shugden he declared that he had once worshipped the spirit himself. Gradually, however, he came to realise that there was something wrong with it, particularly in the context of the Buddhist tradition. He looked into its history and discovered that it had come about during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, who had referred to it as a malevolent spirit arisen from distorted prayers that harms the Dharma and sentient beings. He suggested the protestors complain to the 5th Dalai Lama.

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama’s own tutor, along with the Panchen Lama and other High Lamas advocated the worship of Dorje Shugden as an emanation of Manjushri. According to Trijang Rinpoche, the Fifth Dalai Lama statement naming Dorje Shugden as a malevolent spirit was just his initial view and shortly thereafter, the Fifth Dalai Lama was well known to have acknowledged his error and recognized Dorje Shugden as an enlightened Dharma Protector.

The Fifth Dalai Lama also composed a Praise to Dorje Shugden, built Trode Khangsar in Lhasa as a temple of Dorje Shugden, installed Dorje Shugden as the Dharma Protector of Phelgyeling monastery and made several statues of Dorje Shugden. These cannot be the actions of a Dalai Lama who thinks Dorje Shugden is a malevolent spirit.
 

#3: Is this religious freedom?

As His Holiness left his hotel, some nuns told him that it was a matter of religious freedom, but he sees it the other way. Worship of this spirit goes hand in hand with sectarianism and restrictions on religious freedom. He recalled wanting to receive transmission of a Nyingma teaching from Khunu Lama Rinpoche, and consulting his main tutor Ling Rinpoche. Despite having no connection at all with the worship of this spirit, Ling Rinpoche cautioned him against receiving the transmission for fear of the harm the spirit might do. He cited this as an example of his own religious freedom being constrained. He declared that it was only when he stopped worshipping Dolgyal that he was really able to enjoy religious freedom. The audience broke into applause.

Many great masters have advised that receiving and practicing teachings from different traditions and lineages will lead to confusion. This arises because although all traditions and lineages have the same ultimate goal – Enlightenment, each lineage has different teachings and methods to achieve this, which may take lifetimes to master. Hence, the necessity of not mixing teachings from different lineages is not a sectarian one nor a restriction on religious freedom, but one of great wisdom to keep the lineage and its blessings pure. This advice is particularly relevant for those who have received Dorje Shugden’s sogtae (life-entrustment).

In some of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s writings, there are stories of Dorje Shugden’s retribution on those who transgressed their vows and mixed/corrupted their teachings. However, they are to be regarded as no more than cautionary tales outlying the pitfalls of mixing and confusing the teachings of different lineages.

#4: Political or spiritual?

Due to ignorance and distorted information, the followers of this practice are completely confused. In India, they have their own monasteries where they can do what they want. Kelsang Gyatso, one of their teachers once told a reporter in England that the 14th Dalai Lama had done nothing beneficial for the cause of Tibet. Isn’t this something of a lie?”

The Dalai Lama is of course referring to Serpom and Shar Ganden monasteries, whose monks suffer from discrimination and are ostracized within their own Tibetan community. These two monasteries arose because Dorje Shugden practitioners were forced out of their monasteries by the very same ban that the Dalai Lama imposed. To this day, the CTA (Central Tibetan Administration) continues to enforce the ban, denying Shugden practitioners access to public healthcare, basic supplies, teachings, even stores and households within the Tibetan community, regardless of human rights and religious freedom considerations.

Even worse, Dorje Shugden practitioners are not even allowed to associate with others in the Tibetan community, further breaking apart families and friendships as a result. In the case of Shar Ganden, a great wall was built to separate both monasteries in the name of upholding this ban. Clearly, there is no real freedom for these monks in the manner the Dalai Lama would have you believe.

Kelsang Gyatso’s statement was also taken out of context; his point was originally directed to the Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden and the damage it wrought to the unity of the Tibetan community and the Tibetan cause. It is evident that the Dalai Lama’s ban is self-defeating because it creates huge chasms within the Tibetan community and within practitioners of the same tradition. Conventional theorists summarize the Dorje Shugden ban as a political strategy to gain the upper hand but clearly, the ban does nothing beneficial except create negative press for the Dalai Lama and CTA and much suffering for the affected populace. Therefore, wouldn’t it be beneficial for everyone if the ban on Dorje Shugden was abolished?

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Source: http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/192005370/american-himalayan-foundation

Dear friends,

Shocking conflicting news reports which serve to further confuse readers on over nine major Indian news portals are here for you to examine. Who has done this? Of course the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) of Dharamsala which has undermined themselves further. They cannot seem to make up their minds whether their state Dharma protector is the ‘dreaded’ Dorje Shugden or Pelden Hlamo. Do continue reading to see the ‘blunders’ of the CTA if it was a blunder at all. Why has Dorje Shugden suddenly become their state protector? He has been banned by them and his followers not allowed basic social welfare due to religious discrimination. You formulate your opinions on the corrupt administration under the Dalai Lama as many Tibetans have complained:

On March 2, many news agencies published the following article titled “Tibetans-in-exile mark New Year by offering prayers in Dharamsala”.

“Dharamsala, Mar 2 (ANI): Tibetans in-exile in Dharamsala celebrated ‘Losar’, the Tibetan New Year on Sunday, and pledged to uphold the cultural ethos and traditional values of humility, integrity and resilience.

Tibetan monks were seen playing musical instruments and praying to mark the New Year. Press officer of Tibetan government in-exile, Tsering Wangchuk, extended best wishes to everyone on the occasion.

“Today is the first day of Tibetan New Year. As usual we invoke all the protecting deities particularly Dorje Shugden who is the official protecting deity of the Tibetan government earlier, now central Tibetan administration. So I wish everybody a happy new year,” said Wangchuk.

‘Losar’ is marked with ancient ceremonies that represent the struggle between good and evil. The occasion is marked by chanting hymns and passing fire torches through the crowds.

A foreign tourist, Maya, offered prayers and said they were ushering in the year of wood horse.

“Today is the prayer for Losar, so it’s the Tibetan New Year. They are ushering in the year of wood horse and the year of the snake has been ushered out,” said Maya.

People enjoy levity provided by events such as dance of the deer and amusing battles between the King and his various ministers. (ANI)

Two days later, on the same headline, they edited the article to become this:

Dharamsala, Mar 4. (ANI): Tibetans in-exile in Dharamsala celebrated ‘Losar’, the Tibetan New Year on Sunday, and pledged to uphold the cultural ethos and traditional values of humility, integrity and resilience.

Tibetan monks were seen playing musical instruments and praying to mark the New Year.

Penpa Tsering, speaker of Tibetan Parliament in exile, extended best wishes to everyone on the occasion.

“Today is the first day of Tibetan New Year. As usual we invoke all the protecting deities particularly Palden Lhamo who is the official protecting deity of the Tibetan government earlier, now central Tibetan administration. So I wish everybody a happy new year,” said Tsering.

‘Losar’ is marked with ancient ceremonies that represent the struggle between good and evil. The occasion is marked by chanting hymns and passing fire torches through the crowds.

A foreign tourist, Maya, offered prayers and said they were ushering in the year of wood horse.

“Today is the prayer for Losar, so it’s the Tibetan New Year. They are ushering in the year of wood horse and the year of the snake has been ushered out,” said Maya.

People enjoy levity provided by events such as dance of the deer and amusing battles between the King and his various ministers. (ANI)

(In our release on March 2 we had wrongly mentioned the name of the speaker to be Tsering Wangchuk and the protecting deity as Dorje Shugden) (ANI)

Note the highlighted differences between the two articles, where a retraction was issued within 48 hours of the original article going live. What is going on? Who issued the original statement? Was it a ruse? Was it a result of Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) disorganized attitude? There are a few possible theories behind this mystery.

1. It is a ruse designed to flush out Dorje Shugden practitioners. Premature celebrations of the lifting of the ban will reveal who is still practicing secretly. However, this is no longer possible since a retraction was issued; if they were attempting to flush out Dorje Shugden practitioners, they would have kept the news up for more Dorje Shugden practitioners to reveal themselves.
2. It was a manipulation of Indian media by the CTA, to try and convince Dorje Shugden practitioners not to protest against the Dalai Lama in Washington on March 7. However, this is no longer possible since a retraction was issued; if they were attempting to manipulate Dorje Shugden practitioners to not protest, they would have kept the news up until after the protests before issuing a retraction.
3. It was a mistake made by the CTA. It demonstrates how unprofessional they are, that they cannot issue an official press release without making an error on such important points i.e. the deity’s name and the press official’s name. If they can fumble on a simple press release citing such a sensitive issue such as Dorje Shugden by mistake, it only shows how disorganized they are.
4. It was a mistranslation by the newspaper. However, it is impossible on two fronts. One, the deities’ names are totally different. Even if the original Tibetan press release had referred to Nechung as Dorje Drakden (which, we assume, the Indian press mistranslated to Dorje Shugden), no Tibetan ever refers to Nechung in that way. They always refer to the Dalai Lama’s oracle as Nechung, and not as Dorje Drakden. Furthermore, the mistranslation should not occur in the press officer’s name as well.
5. It was a defection. The original article was published on one website and syndicated to other news outlets. It could possibly be that Tsering Wangchuk, as a final act in his role as press officer, announced this news through an outlet he has close connections with, and left his role as press officer. This would explain the change in name over who gave the statement to the media.
6. It was sabotage. Someone was attempting to sabotage Tsering Wangchuk by going to the press on the pretext that it was an official statement issued by him. They picked the topic that would be most damaging to his career and position.

Whatever the circumstances, all of this does not make the CTA in Dharamsala appear professional or in control. It was quite baffling to see statements issued by the Tibetan leadership to announce they are doing Losar (Tibetan Lunar New Year) prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden, a deity they have banned for the last 15 years. Was it something prophetic perhaps? That is, prophetic of the eventual acceptance of Dorje Shugden by the CTA and the general Tibetan public again, as it was before the ban. Perhaps the newspapers gave us a glimpse into the reality of the near future where Dorje Shugden is reinstated as a Protector of the Buddha’s teachings, and the witch-hunt against his followers ceases. The ban is removed and there is equality for all Tibetans and Buddhists without bias due to their religious orientation.

Until the CTA issues another statement to clarify this mistake, we will never know the real reason why the original statement was published in over 7 major Indian newspapers both in print and online. But whatever the reasons may be, it shows the incompetence of the *CTA to run an administration. If they can make such a blunder as issuing a wrong official statement, what other grave mistakes have they committed throughout their years in office? Was Dorje Shugden a victim of one of their many wrong decisions? Perhaps the accusation and ban on Dorje Shugden is one of their many wrong decisions as well? What is your opinion?

Admin

*formerly the Tibetan Government-in-Exile

You can see the original articles quoting Tsering Wangchuk here (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/newspapers-say-the-ban-is-down/) as well as below:

Some of the original articles picked up by news outlets:

These articles describe Tsering Wangchuk as the Press Officer and Dorje Shugden as the main protective deity of the Tibetan government.

Yahoo! News

Source: http://aninews.in/newsdetail2/story157657/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala.html

Business Standard

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala-114030200435_1.html

Times Today

Source: http://timestoday.in/tibetans-in-exile-mark-new-year-by-offering-prayers-in-dharamsala/

Web India 123

Source: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20140302/2350157.html

Some of the retractions published 48 hours later:

These articles describe Penpa Tsering as the Press Officer and Palden Lhamo as the main protective deity of the Tibetan government.

News Track India

Source: http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2014/03/02/196-Tibetans-in-exile-mark-New-Year-by-offering-prayers-in-Dharamsala.html

Asian News International

Source: http://aniin.com/top-story-details.php?va=Mjk0MDc=

Yahoo! News

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/tibetans-exile-mark-offering-prayers-dharamsala-152256292.html

Read how it all began:

http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/newspapers-say-the-ban-is-down/

REAL OR NOT: As the CTA are increasingly embarrassed by the illegal ban, they will seek to use any means to divert the public’s attention from the ban

Two days following the conflicting news reports that their state Dharma protector is the “spirit” Dorje Shugden and then, Pelden Hlamo, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) started another propaganda to divert the attention of media and protesters on the inhumane ostracization of Dorje Shugden practitioners. The CTA is now claiming that Dorje Shugden practitioners have caused security concerns to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and warned governments that the security of the Tibetan spiritual leader is under threat. They are trying to make Dorje Shugden practitioners look like a group of terrorists. This is total diversion from the point of the protests which is for religious rights and also trying to bring Shugden practitioners in a negative light at least with the various governments. Good tactic, but it will not work. No Shugden follower has any intentions to harm the Dalai Lama in any way as it defeats the purpose.

In fact, it should be the Dorje Shugden practitioners who should be worried for their own security. Two months ago, long-time assistant of His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche Gen Chonze was attacked by five men in Trijang Ladrang.

On what basis does the CTA claim that “Shugden practitioners have caused security concerns” to the Dalai Lama? All four demonstrations in San Francisco, Berkeley, Santa Clara and Los Angeles were peaceful protests. They were widely covered by media and clearly, there was not even a single aggression nor any signs of it. What the sincere and peaceful protestors wanted on those four demonstrations was religious freedom. It was very peaceful as clearly depicted in the videos. There were no sign that they threatened to harm the Dalai Lama.

Clearly, this is another tactic of the CTA diverting the Dorje Shugden ban by accusing Dorje Shugden practitioners that they are dangerous and wish to harm the Dalai Lama. Harming The Dalai Lama does not remove the ban nor fulfil their objective of lifting the ban for religious freedom. On the contrary, they wish for the Dalai Lama to be well, have a long life and fulfil their requests. This has always been their stance.

Gen Chonze sustained scratches, bumps, bruises and a swollen eye from the attack on December 27, 2013. In fact, it is Dorje Shugden practitioners should be fearful of attacks from pro-ban supporters who are potentially incited by the CTA

It would not be surprising that the CTA may stage an attempt to harm the Dalai Lama and immediately blame it on Dorje Shugden practitioners to divert the attention away from the inhumane suppression of religious freedom.

The CTA should focus on the main issue which is the ostracization of Dorje Shugden practitioners if they want international support for their political agenda. The ban is an infringement of religious freedom no matter how they want to justify it. Basic human rights are denied such as medical and education for Dorje Shugden practitioners in India and Nepal, while others followers of Dorje Shugden are spat on around the world.

The Dalai Lama travels the world, propagating peace, compassion and freedom. The Dalai Lama may not want to practice Dorje Shugden but he and the CTA have no right to stop others from basic civil rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners and also no right to continuously incite the ostracization of Dorje Shugden practitioners. At most talks The Dalai Lama gives, he will bring up the issue Dorje Shugden is evil or a spirit. Why repeat this over and over unless you are trying to incite the crowd. On one hand you say you have the freedom to practice, on the other hand the Dalai Lama mentions it is spirit practice. Confusing to the least. There were many requests for a peaceful dialogue to address the concerns and unjust treatment that were slammed down on Dorje Shugden practitioners. But The Dalai Lama and the CTA have blatantly ignored these requests for the last 18 years since the ban was instituted in 1996. Dorje Shugden practitioners have no other options but to bring this breach of human rights to the world via media and peaceful demonstrations.

The CTA may chase away and move protestors far from the entry/exit points of the Dalai Lama’s talks or warn security agencies that they are dangerous. However, Dorje Shugden practitioners will continue to protest peacefully and write to international papers, journalists, leaders, activists, etc continuously till the goal is reached. Someone will listen eventually. As a matter of fact, there has been vast media coverage as a result of these deliberate attempts to distant protestors from entrances of the venues of the recent talks by the Dalai Lama in Southern California. In fact more and more journalists are crowding around the protestors and asking what this ban is about. Many millions more will understand what the ban is about. More media are asking why the protestors are ‘parked’ far away. What is the CTA afraid of? You will not silence the Dorje Shugden practitioners and their right to civil liberties due to their religious faith. Remove the ban.

The CTA, please listen to our appeal and please do what is right. Nullify the ban now!

Kay Beswick

Press releases by Tibetans

Click the image to read the text

Click the image to read the text

By Brunhild Hekate

The public image of the Dalai Lama as the peaceful icon of Buddhism is fast waning in the West. Many more westerners are beginning to realize that he is not the man of peace that is commonly portrayed. The tragic truth is, his hypocrisy in suppressing freedom of religion and his prosecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners in his new-found homeland have made a mockery of the peaceful and holy image he has projected and advocated over the years. No matter how much the Dalai Lama denies his actions and his lies about Dorje Shugden, the truth will always prevail.

In the wake of the recent peaceful demonstrations across California by the International Shugden Community, dorjeshugden.com would like to bring attention to the peaceful efforts of another community of suppressed Shugden practitioners, who did the same recently in New York City.

Activists of the North American Gelug Buddhist Association (NAGBA) were distributing brochures on 18 December 2013, in hopes of creating awareness of the religious suppression and human rights violations by the Dalai Lama. The following is an account by NAGBA on how the event turned into a protest:

On October 18 as we prepared to hand out books and brochures in front of the Beacon Theatre, one of the Dalai Lama’s supporters attacked us and tried to rip down the banner we were holding. We then started saying “Stop lying Dalai Lama” and the event turned into a protest. The reaction from Tibetans was mixed. Some people even congratulated us and said we were very brave to stand up. Only a few people spit and cursed at us. Overall the experience was not bad. Wonder if maybe many Tibetans have started waking up and realize we have no choice but to do this.

The Beacon Theatre is located right next to a busy hotel full of tourists from all over the world and we got a chance to speak with some of them. They were very open minded about the situation and one young lady from France and a couple from Germany were willing to help us spread our message through the internet when they went back to their countries and they all took of brochures and books. Many Westerners were shocked when they saw the picture of the sign posted at Loseling Monastery which reads: “PUBLIC NOTICE This monastery is under pledge to dissociate itself from any individual or organization practicing Dorje Shugden or having any association with Shugden worshipers.  Therefore, they are requested not to visit this unit of the monastery for any reason. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Anti-Dorje Shugden sign at Loseling Clinic, Drepung Loseling Monastery

We at dorjeshugden.com appeal to all believers of human rights and freedom of religion to give both the International Shugden Community and the North American Gelug Buddhist Association your encouragement, support and prayers for their hard work and dedication to lift the undemocratic ban on our Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.