Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche continues to smile although India detained him for 20.5 hours and subsequently deported him, thanks to the CTA’s manipulation of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
On 15th January 2015, His Holiness Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche was detained whilst entering India. He was due to give teachings in Serpom Monastery, South India just a few days later. Upon arrival at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bangalore however, it was discovered that Yongyal Rinpoche’s valid 10-year visa had been cancelled with no explanation. It is strongly believed that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) engineered the cancellation of Yongyal Rinpoche’s visa, and his subsequent detainment and deportation.
It is indeed shocking and disappointing that the CTA continues to disrespect Article 25 of the Indian constitution which guarantees freedom of religion. For the hundreds of monks who had travelled to Serpom in preparation to receive teachings from Yongyal Rinpoche, their religious freedom to develop their learning, knowledge and faith were denied with this manipulation of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. For more information about this incident, as well as more photographs, please visit http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/cta-manipulated-yongyal-rinpoche-to-be-detained/
Below are two news articles covering the incident, which highlights the schism that has been caused to the Tibetan community as a result of the ban on Dorje Shugden. You may also click on the images to enlarge them, to read the full articles.
‘Pro-China’ Tibetan lama is deported from Bengaluru
By Rakesh Prakash, Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Jan 16, 2015, 04.00 AM IST
On orders from the Centre, the leader of Shugden practitioners, Yongyal Rinpoche, was refused entry into the country due to ‘visa issues’
India has refused entry to Yongyal Rinpoche, a Tibetan spiritual master and leader of Shugden practitioners who has been listed as a teacher for many American-Buddhist centres. He was detained by immigration officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on Wednesday night and deported to Hong Kong.
Though the reason given by officials for refusal-of-entry was “visa-related problems” there are a lot of questions being asked by Rinpoche’s followers, as his deportation comes at a time when China is appealing to western nations including America to recognise the sensitivity of the Tibet issue and not to provide room for any anti-China activities.
“We really do not know what message India wants to send by refusing entry to Rinpoche. He was coming to Karnataka to teach,” one of his followers told Bangalore Mirror.
Click the image to enlarge. Source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/cover-story/Pro-China-Tibetan-lama-is-deported-from-Bengaluru/articleshow/45904018.cms?
Rinpoche, who is the abbot of Serpom monastery in the state, is one of the Tibetan spiritual leaders who has been cast out of the mainstream Tibetan exile community in India, headed by Dalai Lama for two primary reasons: One, Rinpoche and his followers continue to worship the protector deity Dorje Shugden; Two, he has been reportedly befriended by Chinese authorities.
Rinpoche landed in KIA along with a few of his associates after travelling from Los Angeles, via Taipei and Hong Kong, and was supposed to go by road to Bylakuppe. Rinpoche, who is recognised as the fourth reincarnation of his lineage, is currently based out of the US and he is also the founder of the Lamrim International Dharma Center in California. He is a respected spiritual teacher in Australia, Taiwan and Singapore.
A lot of Shugden followers had gathered at KIA to welcome the spiritual master. One of his followers said: “We were shocked when the others came out of the airport while our leader did not. On inquiry we were told that his travel papers had been declared invalid and that he cannot be given entry. He should not have had any problems in immigration as we were told that he has been given a 10-year visa. His associates told us that they were allowed to board the flight to India after their visas were checked and approved.”
When contacted, immigration officials refused to comment. Sources in immigration, however, said: “His visa was apparently revoked. We do not know the politics behind it; we have only done our duty. The politics and diplomatic moves behind his deportation can only be answered by Delhi [referring to Ministry of External Affairs]. He [Rinpoche] was told to take the 1.30 am flight to Hong Kong.”
The deportation not only dampened the spirit of his disciples here but also left many Shugden followers crestfallen across the world.
While some tweeted to Karnataka Home minister K J George requesting his intervention even as Rinpoche continued to be detained at the airport many called it an “embarrassing matter” for India.
Schism in exiled Tibetan community comes to fore
Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Jan 17, 2015, 04.00 AM IST
War of words after Yongyal Rinpoche denied entry
The rivalry and split in the Tibetan exile community has come to the fore after Tibetan spiritual master of Shugden practitioners, Yongyal Rinpoche, was sent back from the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Wednesday for ‘visa-related’ issues.
After the incident was reported in Bangalore Mirror, a war of words has broken out between his supporters and other Tibetan exiles in India, including those in the large settlement of Tibetans in Bylakuppe in Karnataka.
Followers and supporters of Rinpoche believe the Tibetan government in exile, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is responsible for denying him entry to India.
The war of words following the report has not just been limited to India, but has spilled out across the world through social media platforms. “CTA should be happy with this as they caused it, but their happiness will turn to embarrassment,” was one of the scores of tweets by Mondoloni, a supporter from France, on Friday.
Tom Fine, another Rinpoche supporter, had this to say, “Serious ‘Acts of Desperation’ by the Central Tibetan Administration. Personally I am doubling my efforts to combat the scourge of the CTA.”
Click the image to enlarge. Source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/Schism-in-exiled-Tibetan-community-comes-to-fore/articleshow/45916478.cms?
Chris Chapman, from UK, commented, “What a shame that India’s principles of democracy, particularly of religious freedom, have been seriously compromised by pressure from the Dalai Lama and his Central Tibetan Administration in not allowing an innocent and respected Buddhist teacher into the country. It’s disappointing to see the Indian authorities being so easily led by the deceptive force of the exiled Tibetan leadership. I’d like to see even one piece of evidence that this Lama is political and has any connection with China. Sad times.”
But the opposition to Rinpoche has been as strident from supporters of the Dalai Lama who doubt Rinpoche’s credentials and accuse him of being a Chinese stooge.
“Shugden is not an integral part of Buddhism at all. Study and research well. His holiness did not BAN to practice this spirit. He only advises not to. Please be clear,” says a comment in support of the Dalai Lama.
While Kelly from France says, “India took the right decision by refusing him to land on Indian soil. These people receive money secretly from China and disrupt the peace of society. Religion taught us to train our minds from falling into negatives and not to kill or murder. Buddhism originated in India and Lord Buddha is the main teacher and founder of Buddhism. But these worshippers consider that (ghost) spirit are more important than Buddha. What a pity!”
