In the thick heat of July, a crowd of protestors gathered outside Radio City Music Hall. Inside, the exiled leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, was speaking to followers concerning the four noble truths of Buddhism. After the discussion, the followers were confronted by a small contingent of Western Buddhists outside the building, holding signs and chanting "the Dalai Lama is lying" and "we demand religious freedom." It was not long before the Dalai Lama's faithful clashed with the protestors, verbally and physically. The NYPD was needed to break up the confrontation.
Onlookers and pedestrians assumed the conflict had to do with the Chinese and the issue of Tibetan independence. In reality, the clash was the result of an internal theological conflict. Recently, a split has occurred within Tibetan Buddhism concerning a particular deity, Dorge Shugden.
The protestors were practitioners of Kadampa Buddhism, a particular tradition within Mahayana Buddhism that believes Dorge Shugden is a Buddha, or an enlightened being. Kadampa Buddhists, led by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, claim that the Dalai Lama is trying to end their particular religious tradition and has resorted to tyrannical tactics to do so. The Western Shugden Society has made the claim that "…monks and nuns are…expelled from their monasteries…people who refuse to renounce [Dorge Shugden] are losing their jobs and their children are being expelled from schools…"
The Dalai Lama rejects these claims. The exiled leader acknowledges he has denounced the veneration of this particular deity, who he regards as a harmful spirit and associates with sectarianism. He is attempting to unite the sects of Tibetan Buddhism to create a more effective singular entity, but claims that if one wishes to continue practicing this particular tradition, they can, but they should no longer associate with him
In regards to the particular practice, most individuals here in the West are probably indifferent. So why do I think you need to know about this issue? Although the situation at the moment is hardly what we can call a sectarian rift, it certainly has the potential of becoming one. Many individuals have begun making outrageous claims that have done nothing but added fuel to the fire. Robert Truman, an American Buddhist and scholar of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism at Columbia University, made a public statement referring to the followers of Shugden tradition as "the Buddhist Taliban." Likewise, the Western Shugden Society has made the claim that the Dalai Lama is not really a Buddhist at all. Sectarianism has plagued many of the world's religions. While Buddhism has its variations, for the most part, they have all accepted one another as legitimate paths to enlightenment. No one wants to see this debate escalate to the point where one side completely denounces the other as illegitimate Buddhism.
The political undertones that surround Tibet make this issue all the more sensitive. With political, as well as religious, unity at stake, both sides have begun to ponder what a rift might mean for the future of Tibet. This presents a particular point of interest to the West. For decades, the Dalai Lama has been revered as a champion of peace and, as a result, we have developed a particular soft spot in our heart for him. However, if the claims made by the Western Shugden Society are true, and there is actual religious persecution occurring in Tibet and in the exiled communities, will the West be willing to confront our champion of peace on this issue? I am not suggesting that the claims are definite; however, if the problem persists and persecution becomes an undeniable reality, we will have to decide what is more valuable to us, a united Tibetan community able to reach an agreement with the Chinese or our basic belief in religious freedom.
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11 comments:
Thank you so much for highlighting this issue, your interest is very much appreciated. I think your question here is key:
"For decades, the Dalai Lama has been revered as a champion of peace and, as a result, we have developed a particular soft spot in our heart for him. However, if the claims made by the Western Shugden Society are true, and there is actual religious persecution occurring in Tibet and in the exiled communities, will the West be willing to confront our champion of peace on this issue?"
So far, only one team of French reporters have investigated the claims of the Western Shugden Society precisely because I don't think the world's press is willing to confront our champion of peace on this issue. Their report is here:
http://www.france24.com/en/20080808-dalai-lama-demons-india-buddhism-dorje-shugden
For myself, because I practise Dorje Shugden, this is an important religious issue and I agree with you that here in the West it probably isn't that important. However, what is important is how the Dalai Lama is dealing with those who do not follow his view. Those who refuse to give up this Deity are ostracized from their society and denied food, access to medicine and hospitals and even contact with their families. These human rights issues should be of importance to everyone.
I would urge the world's press to please investigate this issue and report what you find.
The Dalai Lama was entirely correct for denouncing Dorje Shugden. Several important Shugden lamas in Gyatso's claimed lineage openly talked about how Shugden punished those who strayed from the Gelug. The Yellow Book described Shugden shortening the lives of several lamas who had strayed from the Gelug. Gyatso and Shugdenpas will tell you that the Yellow Book is a collection of superstitions - but they have to, or they would not have a single leg to stand on in defending Shugden. Why would superstitions be penned by a prominent Shugdenpa - it would appear very frivolous and unnecessary to pen a colection of superstitons. The author ceased to teach after the Yellow Book fell into the hands of the Dalai Lama in 1975/6. The Dalai Lama was a Shugden practioner until this point, but almost refused his long life offerings after realising this betrayal. He then spent 20 years researching texts into Shugden before finally denouncing his practice. Lord Buddha himself had to deal with schisms within his growing sangha, and inefvitably there was always a side that was left displeased. The charges that Gyatso has levelled against the Dalai Lama are grossly oversimplified and the very fact that the NKT has never mobilised itself for anything apart from the Shugden issue is testimony to their sectarian nature. What is more, many new NKT members are drawn to Gyatso's centers because they have been personally inspired by the Dalai Lama. They then find themselves ignorantly sitting in a supposed Gelug school with no pictures of the Dalai Lama, no other books on offer apart from Gyatso's and no idea that Gyatso is attacking His Holiness so viciously. Gyatso ordered that the long life offerings that used to be present in some of his books be removed. He clearly does not want His Holiness to have a long life anymore. So much for universal compassion. Instead line drawings of Gyatso are placed in his books alongside great lamas of the past. Apparently this is because 'his students requested it' - perhaps he should have explained to his over zealous students who have no exposure to any other form of Buddhism that it would not be appropriate because he must demonstrate more humility. Instead he happily attempts to immortalise, even deify himself within his own lifetime. History should decide whether this man is a saint or a pariah. Most lay NKT members are lied to by omission and they do NOT know about the issue unless they find out for themselves - and when they do, many of them leave, like myself. This demonstrates a lack of courage and integrity on Gyatsos behalf - he knows full well he would lose most of the NKT membership if his hidden agenda were announced in class. He has also left many NKT teachers in a very awkward position, far from all of them agree with the manner in which Gyatso is leading his assault. The nastiness spewed on the WSS website goes far beyong the issue at hand and is basically a deply personal attack. People have suffered in India as a result of the denouciation, that I will not deny, but this is due to overzealous guru devotion, Tibetans love the Dalai Lama and have persecuted Shugden practioners. But before Gyatso blames the Dalai Lama for this he should look at his own following, who are just as zealous in their love for him. The lawsuit by the Shugden Devotee's Charitable & Religious Society is pending in Delhi's high court. I am confident the case will be thrown out. No doubt Gyatso will blame this on the Dalai Lamas resources and evil influence, never willing to evem concede the remotest possibility they may be wrong. Amnesty International has already found nothing actionable - nice of Gyatso to waste their resources. Shugdenpas should realise that many, many people are suffering in this world a great deal more than ostracized Shugdenpas. Buddhists are supposed to care for sentient beings everywhere, but Shugdenpas are only prepared to act on behalf of their own kind. Every time Gyatso throws mud at the Dalai Lama the NKT gets damaged, its teachers, many of whom genuinely want to just spread the dharma and probably weren't Shugden practioners until they joined the NKT, are all tarred with the same brush and it makes their life very difficult. Thats why they have had to set up a website to defend themselves from allegations of being a personality cult and a deity cult. The defense of these allegations is poor for anyone who has been an NKT member and knows better. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, Gyatso's rise has been tainted by his actions also, he is far from faultless. I do not believe he is funded by China as some have accused, but the nature of the protests have alligned the demonstrators with the Chinese in their distate for the Dalai Lama and a repressive communist government may not be the best for Gyatso's followers to be seen protesting alongside.
This is a very highly polarizing issue, there are strong opinions on each side and I respect them all. There is no 'truth' to be found in this affair, nothing palpable, it is only peoples feelings and beliefs. I do hope the issue resolves with a win/win and that Tibetan Buddhists continue to demonstrate their famed unity despite the diapsora. I also hope that should the Dalai Lama return to Tibet he would institute a democracy there - I believe he has had enough exposure to the nature of the world to know that this is now important. It was of interest though that recently the ruling King of Bhutan offered his people democracy and they weren't even interested. He insisted on a general election anyway and the party that largely represnted the Kings method of rule won by a landslide. I suspect a similar situation would occur in any democratic election ordered by a Dalai Lama back in Tibet.
Gyatso is putting the NKT at grave risk of being labelled a cult. Scholars and Theologians are beginning to come to this view as the reference to Prof Thurman indicated. If this happens, it will be an absolute tragedy as his dharma teachings are most excellent - it is a shame that he hides his agenda from lay NKT - you won't find a reference to the Shugden controversy on the websites of any NKT schools? Why not? Surely if Gyatso has nothing to hide or fear he would ask lay members to join the protests, to make them more effective and better attended? But no. Casual visitors to NKT centers would baulk at the very concept.
Remember, there are two sides to every coin. If GKG could find a way to reconcile with HHDL, the NKT would flourish on an unprecendented level instead of being dragged through the mud.
Love, peace and prayers for the long lives of both HHDL and GKG.
Hi Taima,
Most of your statements will find dispassionate and factual answers in
www.NewKadampaTruth.org
Also, issues to do with the Western Shugden Society, an ad hoc federation of Dorje Shugden practitioners throughout the world, who are the ones actually leading the protests against the Dalai Lama, can be found here: www.aboutwss.org.
But to reply to you on some of the things you say:
You said:
"Lord Buddha himself had to deal with schisms within his growing sangha, and inefvitably there was always a side that was left displeased."
Both sides in a schism end up displeased. But this particular schism has been caused by one thing and one thing only -- the Dalai Lama's ban of a religious practice of millions of people. Who will be the Lord Buddha -- or indeed any independent arbiter -- who will stop the Dalai Lama from creating this schism?
"The charges that Gyatso has levelled against the Dalai Lama are grossly oversimplified and the very fact that the NKT has never mobilised itself for anything apart from the Shugden issue is testimony to their sectarian nature."
What are you saying here? The NKT is mobilized day and night to help living beings find inner peace through the practice of meditation and Buddhism. As individuals, also, they are working in every walk of life, putting the principles of cherishing others into practice.
"He clearly does not want His Holiness to have a long life anymore."
The NKT doesn't say long life prayers for you either, but it does not follow that it does not want you to have a long life. We don't have enough hours in the day to make long life prayers for every political leader or religious teacher.
"Instead line drawings of Gyatso are placed in his books alongside great lamas of the past. Apparently this is because 'his students requested it' - perhaps he should have explained to his over zealous students who have no exposure to any other form of Buddhism that it would not be appropriate because he must demonstrate more humility. Instead he happily attempts to immortalise, even deify himself within his own lifetime."
Have you seen Robert Thurman's latest book on the Dalai Lama "Why the Dalai Lama matters?" And, if so, have you seen not only the completely OTT and cult-like praise of the DL throughout, but also the picture of him in his present form as 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara? Case closed.
"Most lay NKT members are lied to by omission and they do NOT know about the issue unless they find out for themselves - and when they do, many of them leave, like myself."
This is nonsense. It may have been true ten years ago that some people coming to NKT Centres were not aware of the dispute, but it is certainly not true now. It is impossible not to know about the NKT's difference of opinion with the Dalai Lama over his ban of Dorje Shugden - the whole world knows about it! And if you see Modern Day Kadampas, it mentions it off the bat.
"This demonstrates a lack of courage and integrity on Gyatsos behalf - he knows full well he would lose most of the NKT membership if his hidden agenda were announced in class."
What hidden agenda?
"People have suffered in India as a result of the denouciation, that I will not deny, but this is due to overzealous guru devotion, Tibetans love the Dalai Lama and have persecuted Shugden practioners."
I agree with you.
"But before Gyatso blames the Dalai Lama for this he should look at his own following, who are just as zealous in their love for him."
Errm, since when have NKT practitioners been mobbing other Buddhist practitioners, making them sign double oaths to give up their practice and those who do the practice or else be denied ID cards, throwing bricks and stones at them, erecting nine foot walls, turning off their water, denying them medicines, denying their kids schooling etc? All this can be found on YouTube in video evidence as well as on blogs and websites everywhere. There is nothing wrong with loving your Spiritual Guide but zealotry and extremism in following the Dalai Lama's less "enlightened" edicts is the problem here.
"Amnesty International has already found nothing actionable"
Amnesty said: "None of the material AI has received contains evidence of abuses which fall within AI's mandate for action – such as grave violations of fundamental human rights including torture, the death penalty, extra-judicial executions, arbitrary detention or imprisonment, or unfair trials".
This is some commentary to the meaning of the Amnesty statement from an academic book published by Routelidge: "This neither asserts nor denies the validity of the allegations against the CTA (Central Tibetan Administration), nor finds either side culpable. Amnesty International regards "spiritual issues" and state affairs as separate, whilst seeing the command-based nation-state as the fundamental framework for understanding the category of "actionable human rights abuses". Fundamental to this were linked criteria of state accountability and the exercise of state force, neither of which could clearly be identified within the CTA context." Human Rights in Global Perspective, Routelidge ISBN 0-415-30410-5"
"I do hope the issue resolves with a win/win and that Tibetan Buddhists continue to demonstrate their famed unity despite the diapsora."
This depends on the Dalai Lama. The ball is in his court.
Thanks for listening.
Hi Jimmy,
I am an ex-NKT member who left quite upset when I saw some of the material on the WSS website, material such as this:
"According to some sources, you were born in a Muslim family. When you were a child who did not know anything, some ignorant Tibetans acting as repre¬sentatives of the Tibetan Government chose that boy as the reincarnation of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. Since that time, that boy wore saffron robes, and the local people jokingly nicknamed you as ´The Saffron Robed Muslim´. In this way, you received the position of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. Because of this, many people now keep your photograph on their shrines and worship you."
How is this about Shugden? this is an assault on the Dalai Lamas institution. It is mean and personal. GKG formed the WSS after a 2 week trip to Dharamasala to 'confirm' reports of the persecution, that word came from an NKT teacher. He and Pema didn't even go with an open mind.
Both sides in a schism end up displeased. But this particular schism has been caused by one thing and one thing only -- the Dalai Lama's ban of a religious practice of millions of people. Who will be the Lord Buddha -- or indeed any independent arbiter -- who will stop the Dalai Lama from creating this schism?
This is a chicken and egg situation. Some may blame the Dalai Lama for his reaction to Shugden – but he seems to have had good reason given some of the material espoused by Trijang Rinpoche and Zemey Rinpoche. Hopefully this will be decided in court.
"The charges that Gyatso has levelled against the Dalai Lama are grossly oversimplified and the very fact that the NKT has never mobilised itself for anything apart from the Shugden issue is testimony to their sectarian nature."
What are you saying here? The NKT is mobilized day and night to help living beings find inner peace through the practice of meditation and Buddhism. As individuals, also, they are working in every walk of life, putting the principles of cherishing others into practice.
I know, I was a member, I benefitted greatly from GKGs teachings until I was horrified to see trusted NKT teachers attacking HHDL. He is a fine Buddhist master. Unfortunately he has brought with him a deity that has been controversial for a long time. Some websites such as www.dorjeshugden.com are proud to announce the murder of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen specifically to create a protector deity, proud to announce that the Yellow Book is NOT a collection of superstitions, perhaps you had better educate these guys because they are doing nothing for your cause. GKG wrote to his NKT teachers to ask that they participate in WSS activities. When I was discussing my departure with my teacher, he was concerned about the nature of the protests but when he had tried to mention it at NKT teacher gatherings he said it was like 'spitting in a hurricane' and that 'unfortunately many NKT teachers were 'tripping over themselves to please GKG'. The protests have detracted from the enjoyment of the attendees Dalai Lamas lectures on Buddhist themes, and were admittedly pleased to have provoked the audiences when they came and left this is not something they should take pride in.
"He clearly does not want His Holiness to have a long life anymore."
The NKT doesn't say long life prayers for you either, but it does not follow that it does not want you to have a long life. We don't have enough hours in the day to make long life prayers for every political leader or religious teacher.
Yes, but surely you must appreciate that HHDL heads up the Gelug, was the removal of the long life wishes based on a thought that we would have to name everyone on the planet at the beginning of a book? Or is it more likely to be symptomatic of GKGs increasing antipathy toward the Dalai Lama? Really?
"Instead line drawings of Gyatso are placed in his books alongside great lamas of the past. Apparently this is because 'his students requested it' - perhaps he should have explained to his over zealous students who have no exposure to any other form of Buddhism that it would not be appropriate because he must demonstrate more humility. Instead he happily attempts to immortalise, even deify himself within his own lifetime."
Have you seen Robert Thurman's latest book on the Dalai Lama "Why the Dalai Lama matters?" And, if so, have you seen not only the completely OTT and cult-like praise of the DL throughout, but also the picture of him in his present form as 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara? Case closed.
I have not. But you must be aware that Tibetans have considered reincarnates of the Dalai Lama as the embodiment of Avalokiteshvara for generations, so this is a strange point to make and I don't think it closes any cases. Prof Thurman can read Tibetan and has no doubt access to materials that many Westerners do not and is therefore more likely to be better educated, I suspect he has come across more writings along the theme of the Yellow Book. He is not the only theologian scholar to express doubts about the NKT. David Kay has also published research which does not show the NKT in a good light.
"Most lay NKT members are lied to by omission and they do NOT know about the issue unless they find out for themselves - and when they do, many of them leave, like myself."
This is nonsense. It may have been true ten years ago that some people coming to NKT Centres were not aware of the dispute, but it is certainly not true now. It is impossible not to know about the NKT's difference of opinion with the Dalai Lama over his ban of Dorje Shugden - the whole world knows about it! And if you see Modern Day Kadampas, it mentions it off the bat.
I can tell you, the members of my center had NO IDEA about the activities of GKG in his capacity of the prime mover of the WSS. Even those close to the teachers – I asked them when I first found out – they were saying 'never heard anything about that' and I didn't press the point because they were happy in their practice. The resident teacher eventually told foundation program students, who he hoped were sufficiently vested in the NKT not to leave. Again – why is it not on NKT center websites? The WSS petition could be massively swollen if lay NKT members were asked to sign. Again I make the point the HHDL is one of the reasons that people turn up at the NKTs doorstep. GKG is biting the hand that has helped feed the NKT with newcomers. I sat and listened as newcomers mentioned the Dalai Lama and how inspiring they thought he was and every single time the teacher would move on as quickly as possible. Where is the integrity? Unless my center was the only such NKT center where people were not informed (which I don't believe for a moment) then what you say is simply not true.
"This demonstrates a lack of courage and integrity on Gyatsos behalf - he knows full well he would lose most of the NKT membership if his hidden agenda were announced in class."
What hidden agenda?
The anti-Dalai Lama agenda. The fact that GKG has 2 faces (as opposed to a thousand arms ;-) ). One being the kind, gentle lama who leads the NKT. The other face is the one that hides behinds his Shugden organizations who are active in trying to topple the institution of the Dalai Lama. I repeat, no one at my center new of the controversy, our teachers never spoke of it to GP members.
"People have suffered in India as a result of the denunciation, that I will not deny, but this is due to overzealous guru devotion, Tibetans love the Dalai Lama and have persecuted Shugden practioners."
I agree with you.
"But before Gyatso blames the Dalai Lama for this he should look at his own following, who are just as zealous in their love for him."
Errm, since when have NKT practitioners been mobbing other Buddhist practitioners, making them sign double oaths to give up their practice and those who do the practice or else be denied ID cards, throwing bricks and stones at them, erecting nine foot walls, turning off their water, denying them medicines, denying their kids schooling etc? All this can be found on YouTube in video evidence as well as on blogs and websites everywhere. There is nothing wrong with loving your Spiritual Guide but zealotry and extremism in following the Dalai Lama's less "enlightened" edicts is the problem here.
I saw NKT practitioners mobbing other Buddhists at WSS protests. In 1996, when the first advice was given about Shugden. Shugdenpas were still welcome in monasteries, until they started aggressively proselytizing Shugden to non practitioners, attending Vajra initiations by the Dalai Lama despite being requested not to come, constantly going behind the Abbots back at Sera Je in ordering Shugden statues and at one point tying a Tibetan official to a chair. They had their chance to live in harmony, they blew it. Again, I am sorry that Shugdenpas are being persecuted by over zealous Tibetans. But there are many overly zealous GKG followers too as my NKT teacher admitted. It is natural on both sides, Dalai Lama followers consider him a hero and Geshe la followers consider him a hero. People rally in defense of their heroes when they come under attack. Which we are both doing now!
"Amnesty International has already found nothing actionable"
Amnesty said: "None of the material AI has received contains evidence of abuses which fall within AI's mandate for action – such as grave violations of fundamental human rights including torture, the death penalty, extra-judicial executions, arbitrary detention or imprisonment, or unfair trials".
This is some commentary to the meaning of the Amnesty statement from an academic book published by Routelidge: "This neither asserts nor denies the validity of the allegations against the CTA (Central Tibetan Administration), nor finds either side culpable. Amnesty International regards "spiritual issues" and state affairs as separate, whilst seeing the command-based nation-state as the fundamental framework for understanding the category of "actionable human rights abuses". Fundamental to this were linked criteria of state accountability and the exercise of state force, neither of which could clearly be identified within the CTA context." Human Rights in Global Perspective, Routelidge ISBN 0-415-30410-5"
Errmm, Semantics? Why would the SSC have gone to Amnesty if they knew they didn't dabble in spiritual affairs and didn't think they would find anything. Why would you try something which you knew would fail? You can bet if Amnesty had reported something you would be shouting it from the rooftops. Likewise, when the lawsuit fails, this will be downplayed by the WSS, they would not dream of respecting the courts decision if it went against them. They will carry on regardless. What also of GKGs promise not to go through what happened with the SSC again? Seems he is not a man of his word to me. Now the SSC shapeshifts into the WSS hoping for a fresh image. But they espouse the same.
"I do hope the issue resolves with a win/win and that Tibetan Buddhists continue to demonstrate their famed unity despite the diapsora."
This depends on the Dalai Lama. The ball is in his court.
That's an opinion. Let us not forget why the Dalai Lama is difficult to target. Attempting to defame him is like attempting to defame Nelson Mandela, or the legacy of Martin Luther King or Mother Theresa. If you genuinely believe the Dalai Lama is an evil dictator, then this is really very sad. He has put a lot of positivity into the world, no on can deny this, but again, the WSS cannot find ONE nice thing to say about HHDL despite the fact that a lot of Westerners wish their politicians showed a bit more of his nature. Not ONE mistake will they concede they have made. The close mindedness and obstinacy is staggering. Not one nice thing, he has been characterized only by his Shugden denouncement. Anyway, it's been interesting exchanging views. Personally I've moved to Dzogchen now. I'm a complete amateur but it will teach me more about the richness and diversity of todays traditions.
With Love
Hi Taima,
you say "Personally I've moved to Dzogchen now. I'm a complete amateur but it will teach me more about the richness and diversity of todays traditions."
This indicates that you have the karma to see this situation in a different way, due perhaps to some Nyingma imprints from past lives. That is fine by me. I wish you well with your dzogchen practice and would only ask that you wish the NKT well with their Gelugpa practices, including their reliance upon Wisdom Protector Dorje Shugden.
Why continue to criticize your old tradition just because it no longer suits you? Because you have lost faith in Geshe Kelsang and Kadampa Dharma and, possibly, Dorje Shugden?
You must know from your years of listening to teachings in the NKT that things do not exist from their own side. Therefore everything you say makes no sense to someone who holds the view that Dorje Shugden is a Buddha (and thinks that it is entirely wrong to use political power to ban this practice.)
So, I would like to agree to disagree with you. You can go on with your practices and I will go on with mine. Only difference is that I will never stop defending my fellow Dorje Shugden practitioners who are facing persecution in India for as long as that is needed. I will do this with patience, love and compassion in my heart for beings of all spiritual traditions.
Thanks.
Tenzin, I have become so tired of the Shugdenpas who cannot find a single complimentaey word about HHDL that I have taken to a Dzogchen class for a break and also to hear the teachings of other Buddhist schools of thought. It would be nice if GKG might recognise that teachings from the other schools might actually complement his own. By exploring the various aspects of the four schools, I am more likely to find a guru that suits me instead of within the NKT where there is a choice of...hmmm...let me think...ONE guru. Sounds a bit like a dictatorship really, strange, because that what they accuse the Dalai Lama of. My antipathy toward the NKT and activism against it is because innocent Westerners interested in Buddhism and meditation are being conned by Gyatso, the Dalai Lama is responsible for much of what Westerners know about Tibetan Buddhism and has undoubtedly contributed to it's growth. It is out of compassion for these people that I speak. They do not deserve to have the fine teachings of GKG brought down around their ears because of his wreckless actions as the instigator of the WSS. Enough people have left the NKT disappointed as it is, now trying to find sanghas they can trust to be truthful with them. Once again, I repeat, lay NKT members ARE NOT INFORMED of Gyatzos hostility towards the Dalai Lama. Do not presume to think that they are informed by assimiliation of talk within NKT centers.
Tenzin - I challenge you, I have complemented GKGs fine dharma teachings, will you do the same for the Dalai Lama? - will you refuse to concede that he has injected not even a modicum of good into this degnerate world?
This is what is lacking from Shugdenpas. Not a single kind word for the Dalai Lama or recognition of his accomplishments. Where is at least a semblance of objectivity? Show your compassion! If you genuinely think the Dalai Lama is simply evil or deluded, then you should be praying for him and recognise that you have performed the same actions in your previous lives and pray for him as your mother. Instead you choose slander and bias.
PLEASE, just think - there IS a buddhist world outside of the NKT that is beautiful, rich and diverse. If only GKG would encourage his followers to explore it......
I agree that the polemics are hard to grasp at first glance, but the reason this issue has hotted up again is due to the political actions surrounding this arcane dispute. The Dalai Lama has used his political power to ban the practice of Dorje Shugden. Whatever reasons he uses -- and Shugden practitioners do not agree with any of them -- they are not justification for his theocratic actions in this modern world and they are causing needless suffering. For that reason alone, this dispute is worth not dismissing but investigating again. A lot has happened since Tricycle wrote their article in the 1990s, not least the fact that with the growth of the Internet it is easier for Shugden practitioners to have their voices heard (not possible in the 1990s, when it was more like David v. Goliath in the media).
Check out a recent TV documentary by France 24 that does its best at presenting both sides of the dispute: http://www.france24.com/en/20080808-dalai-lama-demons-india-buddhism-dorje-shugden
Also, I don't know if you happened to see the four New Statesman blogs about it, which generated a great deal of interest: http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-faith-column/2008/08/dalai-lama-c
There is enormous bias in the Buddhist community towards the Dalai Lama such that it becomes an obstacle to objectively investigating his actions in India. No one wants to investigate the shadow side of the Dalai Lama's leadership. I can understand this. No small child wants to find out that Santa Claus doesn't exist - it's a massive disappointment, a blow to the magical world they believed existed in their imagination
But it's time to grow up now. It's time to objectively examine the Dalai Lama's actions of ostracism and oppression in his own community and report the truth for the good of Buddhism, even if it's disappointing to discover that the champion of tolerance and religious freedom is a political and religious dictator who is harming the Gelugpa school of Buddhism, and who will destroy it if allowed.
The recent France 24 investigation revealed this clearly but it's not enough - the press needs to pick up on these illegal and unconstitutional activities.
If your readers are interested in finding out more about this, there are an increasing number of websites and blogs about the subject.
The official Western Shugden Society website:
www.aboutwss.org
An unofficial but incredibly resource-filled website including background, chronology, persecution, videos, press, opinion pieces, book reviews, etc:
www.WisdomBuddhaDorjeShugden.org (and its blogspot)
To address many of Taima's allegations against the NKT above, please see the NKT's response to the smears and misinformation that have arisen mainly as a result of their opposition to the Dalai Lama on the Dorje Shugden issue:
www.NewKadampaTruth.org
and its blogspot:
www.newkadampatruth.wordpress.org
Thanks.
There is already evidence that proves there is religious persecution taking place in the Tibetan in Exile communities and the Dalai Lama is the main person inciting the persecution. This video shows evidence of the persecution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0jQpQlUGJ8 See for yourself.
For Nyingma practitioners, HH Dalai Lama's speaking out against this practice makes perfect sense. How can the Dalai Lama work to fight against sectarianism in Buddhism when Shugden's purpose is this, written by Shugden Lama Trijiang Rinpoche (who happens to be the late teacher of NKT's Kelsang Gyatso, main supporter of the protest):
"This protector of the doctrine is extremely important for holding Tshongkhapa's tradition without mixing and corrupting it with confusions due to the great violence and speed of his actions, which fall like lightening to punish violently all those beings who have wronged the Yellow Hat tradition, whether they are high or low. This protector is also particularly significant with respect to the fact that many from our own side, monks or lay people, high or low, are not content with Tsongkhapa's tradition, which is like pure gold, and have mixed and corrupted this tradition with the mistaken views and practices from other schools which are tenet systems that are reputed to be incredibly profound and amazingly fast but are in reality mistakes among mistakes, falulty, dangerous and misleading paths. In regard to this situation, this protector of the doctrine, this witness, manifests his own form of a variety of unbearable manifestations of terrifying and frightening wrathful and fierce appearances. Due to that, a variety of events, some of them having happened or happening, some of which have been heard or seen, seem to have taken place: some people become unhinged and mad, some have a heart attack and suddenly die, some see through a variety of inauspicious signs their wealth, accumulated possessions and descendants disappear without leaving a trace, like a pond whose feeding river has ceased, whereas some find it difficult to achieve anything in successive lifetimes."
http://www.nktworld.org/contact.html
Nyingmas and Kagyus know what this practice is about. Protecting Gelugpa hegemony. Please don't try to pull wool over our eyes.
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