Tibetans seek greener pastures
Since the Tibetans first entered into an exiled existence in 1959, the vast majority of them have found a home and refuge in India. They reestablished themselves on 27 tracts of land throughout India which were granted to them by the government under Jawarhalal Nehru, the Prime Minister at the time. On these pieces of land, they set up the Tibetan settlements and established their shops, schools, hotels, hospitals, colleges and most importantly, their monasteries.
In 1959, Tibetan refugees received a warm welcome in India thanks to the close relationship between the then-Indian Prime Minister Jawarhalal Nehru (left) and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Little did Nehru know that the Tibetans would fail to integrate over the next 60 years, and fall short in their contributions to Indian society.
Tibetans were fortunate to find such an accommodating host such as India. No other nation in the world would voluntarily give up entire portions of their land, to allow another group of people to resettle and do whatever they like. Compared with other refugee communities around the world, and thanks to India’s kindness, Tibetan refugees these days no longer live the life of a stereotypical refugee. As a whole, the community enjoys good facilities and monasteries that no other refugee community even comes close to having. So it is true indeed that India was kind and very respectful not to adopt an approach towards integration, instead allowing the Tibetans relatively free reign to do as they like within these spaces of land.
What is clear however, is that the Indian government did so with the hopes that the Tibetan leadership, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), would accomplish some of their political goals and soon return to their homeland. Their hopes were evidently misplaced due to 60 years of CTA inactivity and lack of results. This article below by Dr Yeshi Choeden therefore brings up some troubling facts.
(1) The first is that after 60 years, most Tibetans in India (pop.: 94,203) are still engaged in “agriculture or agro-industries or handicrafts for their livelihood”. Knowing this, it is illogical to laud the Tibetans for not assimilating into their host culture, under the guise of preserving and protecting it. Are the Chinese and Jews any less culturally aware because they have made efforts to integrate into their host countries? In fact, historically speaking, the Chinese and Jewish diasporas around the world are some of the most successful, whose refugees went to other nations and established themselves as productive members of those societies. They are also very culturally aware and very culturally identifiable wherever they go – in every major city in the world, there is a Chinatown and wherever they are established, Jewish neighborhoods are instantly recognisable. So while they may be citizens of another nation, they do not neglect their cultural roots. A Chinese or Jew born in America will self-identify as American Chinese or an American Jew.
Even in Malaysia with its large Chinese population which has integrated with the local population here, there is still a very easily recognisable Chinatown.
These days, we also see refugees from places like Syria making an effort to integrate into European societies, to be contributing members to those nations. Just because they make an effort to integrate, does not mean that their love and longing for their homeland diminishes. It simply means that they are being practical – they need to survive and they do not want to burden their host country to provide them with any more aid. As they integrate more, their living standards improve accordingly, because integration gives them access to services which help them to improve their standard of living.
So why did they fail to integrate? It can only be because the CTA equated “integration” with being anti-Tibetan, so everyone was discouraged from proactively integrating with their host countries. As a result, the Tibetan workforce today suffers from a 17% unemployment rate. It is solely due to the failure of the CTA to integrate Tibetans into Indian society, which may have given them a better chance of economic success and social welfare advancements.
This raises suspicions about the unbalanced distribution of wealth within Tibetan society where the leadership receives housing benefits for their housing, children’s education, and enjoy luxury trips on the pretext of raising awareness, while the 17% remain poor and lack integration into the Indian society. How did the CTA manage their wealth and what have they done with it that nearly a quarter of their workforce has no recourse or viable employment opportunities?
(2) Regardless of the Tibetan leadership’s activity (or lack thereof), the integration and cultural assimilation will happen passively anyway. Tibetans will marry citizens of their host nations and already 2nd and 3rd generation Tibetans are losing the ability to speak their language, because the CTA has done so little to preserve it. They have failed to set up language schools and cultural exchanges, and programs to encourage members of their diaspora to learn the language.
The Chinese on the other hand, wherever they go, have children in the 4th and 5th generations who still speak some form of Chinese dialect. For example, my own great great grandparents came from China as economic refugees seeking a better living and as a 4th generation Chinese living in Malaysia, I can speak a Chinese dialect. Meanwhile, many 2nd and 3rd generation Tibetans have already lost the ability to speak their mother tongue, and struggle to learn it due to the lack of resources made available to them by the CTA.
My great grandparents (left and right). It was their parents and grandparents who came from China as economic refugees. Although I am a 5th generation ethnic Chinese living in Malaysia, I am still able to speak my native tongue. This is not an unusual situation for members of the Chinese diaspora around the world, although we may have assimilated into our host nations. The same however, cannot be said of the Tibetan diaspora.
(3) It is a shame that the author writes with some semblance of pride that Tibetans are the ‘most successful’ refugee community in the world. First, after 60 years of practice, it is a given that they would be the most successful out of all refugee communities.
Second, it should not be that they are STILL refugees after 60 years. Other countries have gone to war, dissolved, changed their borders, seen changes of government, gained independence in the time Tibetans have become the ‘most successful’ refugee community in the world. The fact they remain refugees and have made no discernible political progress in the last six decades, is something the CTA has to answer for.
(4) The Tibetan leadership’s inactivity for the last 60 years has created a generation of unemployed Tibetans whose talents and youth are going to waste. For such a small exiled population, 17% is a huge number to be unemployed. Their statelessness and the fact the CTA spent 60 years encouraging people NOT to integrate, has led to an existence of limbo for this young generation of exiled Tibetans who are now falling into drug addiction (thereby creating more social issues in the community).
Is it any wonder then, with such bleak prospects in exile, that many Tibetans are going back to Tibet? I was told by friends of mine that in Delhi, there are 30 to 40 Tibetans queuing up outside the Chinese Consulate every single day, applying for travel papers to return to Tibet and to the promise of a brighter future. There have also been newspaper reports that with nowhere else to turn to to earn a living, Tibetan youths in North India are opting to spy on India and sending the information to China. By suppressing their youth and refusing to acknowledge or encourage their talents, the CTA have in effect created a generation of disgruntled youth primed to be used in this way.
The yellow book (also known as yellow passport) the Indian government issues to Tibetan refugees. It identifies the bearer as a protectorate of India, and asks that the receiving country allow its bearer admittance. Every Tibetan refugee travels on the yellow passport, even His Holiness the Dalai Lama. However, to get a yellow book from the Indian government, one needs to get a letter of No Objection from the local branch of the Office of the Dalai Lama. Those who practice Dorje Shugden will never receive this letter, thereby preventing them from receiving the yellow passport and limiting their travel and movements. The CTA abuses this method to try and pressure Shugden devotees into giving up the practice.
(5) The challenge of travel arises from the Tibetan leadership’s failure to gain ease of passage for their people. Tibetan refugees travel on the yellow book, a document granted to them by the Indian government to identify the bearer as a Tibetan refugee and protectorate of India. Because this book is not widely recognised, it limits the movements of the Tibetan community. But the real problem is that the Tibetan identity has been so strongly linked to this yellow book which theoretically grants freedom to travel, and to the green book, which all Tibetan refugees carry as a record of the nominal annual tax that they pay to financially support the CTA. This green book also allows them to vote, and to access any welfare services the CTA makes available.
For marginalized members of the Tibetan community such as Dorje Shugden practitioners, they are not granted the green book, and the CTA creates bureaucratic hurdles to prevent them from receiving a yellow book from the Indian government. In effect, they become unable to travel or access any welfare services. The CTA does this to isolate them, to control them, and to force them to give up the practice of Dorje Shugden. Is it any wonder therefore, that when faced with such difficult circumstances, many Tibetans would opt to apply for citizenship in other countries just so they can survive?
When there are so many limitations placed on the Tibetan community as a result of their statelessness, it is mind-boggling that the Tibetan leadership would STILL encourage them NOT to apply for Indian citizenship when many Tibetan leaders themselves have dual citizenship (illegal under Indian law). It is as though they are purposefully keeping Tibetans from social progress, while increasing their own access.
To be fair, the author Dr Yeshi Choeden does entertain the notion that double standards are practiced by the Tibetan leadership. She points out that while the CTA are ‘neutral’ over Tibetans gaining Indian citizenship, they encourage Tibetans to take up citizenship of Western nations, even celebrating them as Tibetan ambassadors.
The fact the CTA prefer for their people to take up citizenship of Western nations over Indian citizenship, is discrimination against the Indian government and biting the hand that has so generously fed them for 60 years. This ingratitude from the CTA is not lost on the local Indian populace – due to the CTA’s lack of effort towards integration, some pockets of the Indian community, such as students in Arunachal Pradesh, have begun to express their dissatisfaction. Specifically, they are against the Indian government’s decision to grant more privileges to the Tibetans, such as provisions to lease land. This dissatisfaction will inevitability create more problems for India and without any outlet for the discontent, it may eventually be directed at the Tibetan refugees in India.
So it seems that the CTA are masters of creating divisions, sufferings and disgruntled citizens who eventually grow tired of being exploited and suppressed. One such group are Dorje Shugden practitioners who have spoken up against the illegal and unfair ban against their practice for the last 20 years.
And yes, as Dr Yeshi Choeden says, the Tibetan leadership does need to be more proactive in assisting Tibetans. They should also open up a way for all marginalised Tibetans to rejoin mainstream society, for no other reason than they are Tibetan too. Dorje Shugden practitioners for example, are no less Tibetan than any other member of their community. As the government of all Tibetan people, they should not discriminate or encourage discrimination against any of their own people. Would it be acceptable for the American government to refuse access to welfare services to all Zoroastrians, simply on the basis of their faith? So why is it okay for the CTA to do this in relations to Shugden people? Opening up a way for Shugden practitioners to rejoin mainstream society would indicate their sincerity to assist ALL Tibetans (and not just some) if the Tibetan leadership were to allow this unfairly vilified group of people to rejoin the fold.
Anti-Tibetan refugee protests in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The Indian government has already given so many concessions and benefits to the Tibetan refugees, that the local Indian population are starting to protest against Tibetans. If the Tibetan leadership has any real gratitude towards India, they will stop demanding that the Indian government does more for them, which would only encourage further protests.
The one thing I would disagree with the author is her assertion that there is any need for India to do anything. It was the CTA’s choice to implement these policies on their people which has created difficult living conditions for them. The Indian government has already gone above and beyond their duty of care in terms of the aid rendered to the Tibetan people. What other government in the world would give up parts of their country to another community, and allow them free run and relative autonomy to do as they like, without stipulating that they must integrate? To say that the Tibetans are grateful for this freedom granted by Indian government, then turned around and demand more concessions from the Indian leadership is disappointing to witness from an educated professor.
The fact is that responsibility for Tibetan welfare lies with the Tibetan leadership, not with the Indian leadership whose first responsibility is towards their own population of 1.2 billion. If the CTA cannot oversee and be responsible for the welfare of just 94,000 people, and they rely on the Indian government for their people’s social advancement, then why even push for a return to a homeland where they will be in charge of 6 million? Their failures in exile are a reflection of their inability to govern, which will only become even more apparent if they ever gain control over millions of people.
The green book which the CTA has made synonymous with the Tibetan identity and how Tibetan a person is. When someone does not possess a green book, they are looked down upon as being not Tibetan enough, or even as anti-Tibetan. Given so much importance being placed on the green book, is it any wonder why Tibetan refugees are discouraged from integrating with their host nations?
The irony is that this situation was created by the CTA themselves. It was the Tibetan leadership who discouraged their people from seeking citizenship from other nations, claiming that doing so would dilute the Tibetan identity. They claimed this was part of their protectionist attitude towards their culture and religion. Yet, by virtue of the fact their living conditions have become so limited and difficult, Tibetans will be compelled to seek greener pastures where they will inevitability lose their connection with their culture.
The current situation of the Tibetan diaspora lies squarely on the shoulders of their leadership. Everything can be pointed back to an ineffectual leadership who have allowed their people to wallow in limited existence for six decades. Artists whose talents could have been fostered, scientists whose intelligence could have been harnessed, doctors, lawyers, engineers – all of these Tibetans never got a chance to realise their full potential because of the obstacles and challenges that their government unnecessarily threw up in front of them.
I guess the biggest difference between Tibetan refugees and other diaspora communities is that maintaining their refugee status has proved to become a profitable enterprise for the Tibetan powers-that-be. Thanks to the deservingly celebrity status of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, governments and individuals have in the past flocked to donate to the so-called Tibetan cause, millions of which reputable papers like The Guardian has discovered was pocketed by the leaders. Artificially maintaining their refugee status for the longest time kept alive this easy source of personal income and the current state of the community is a reflection that the leadership had no real intentions to improve the living standards of their people, because it would mean destroying this revenue stream.
When you step back and witness the situation at hand, I can understand why more articles expressing fear and worry for the Tibetan situation are being published. There is an active community of Tibetan intellectuals who are coming to the same conclusions, and are prepared to express some of the concerns plaguing their people. So while I do not agree with everything Dr Yeshi Choeden has expressed, I can understand where she is coming from and I hope more people join this growing voice of analysis and reason.
Pastor Jean Ai
The Unintended Consequences of
India’s Policy on Citizenship for Tibetan Refugees
The original article, click on image to enlarge. Source: https://idsa.in/policybrief/unintended-consequences-of-india-policy-on-citizenship-for-tibetan-refugees-ychoedon-230218.
For more interesting information:
- Tibetans Rejected Twice
- Why are these Tibetans successful without the CTA?
- Mr. Shenpenn Khymsar speaks with so much wisdom
- Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel Speaks Up Against Nechung | 西藏流亡政府人民议会议员丹巴雅培发表反对乃琼护法的谈话
- My plea to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- Lama Jampa Ngodup Wangchuk Rinpoche on Guru Devotion | 向巴恩珠上师（旺秋喇嘛）讲解依师法 | བླ་མ་བྱམས་པ་དངོས་གྲུབ་དབང་ཕྱུག་རིན་བོ་ཆེ་ནས་བཤེས་གཉེན་བསྟེན་ཚུལ་གྱི་སྐོར།
- Bishop John Spong on Religion and God – Very interesting!
- Should there be a separate autonomous Dorje Shugden state? Part 1
- Should there be a separate autonomous Dorje Shugden state? Part 2
- To Sum It Up
- Louis Tse does something incredible!
- Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche
- They want to kill me
- Will the Dalai Lama agree with this?
- Mr. Lukar Jam
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For decades, Dharamshala has been the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile and a mini-Tibet in India. But now, the Tibetans are leaving as they are facing economic uncertainty and mistreatment. There are barely any jobs opportunities for them and a lack of opportunity and earning power is pushing younger generation to look for jobs elsewhere. Some Tibetans are migrating to the West, many are even choosing to go back to Tibet. Tibetans sought refuge in India from the Chinese invasion since 60 years ago. After all these years situation remained stagnant . They are not officially recognised as refugees in India, instead, on paper, they are designated as foreigners. Because of the Tibetan Leadership political agenda, many Tibetans are discriminated, they are not allowed government jobs, denied medical services, schools and so forth. Due to the kindness of India, they were given land when they first came to India. Economically, many of the Tibetans in Tibet and across the world are doing relatively better than the Tibetans in India. More and more are looking for greener pastures and prefer to migrate.
Thank you Rinpovhe and Khong Jean Ai for this sharing.
More and more Tibetans are seeking greener pastures else where . After 60 years since then the CTA has done nothing much to improve the lively hood to those in-exile . Feeling frustrated with the Tibetan Leadership they have to look else where for jobs and so forth. There is lack of better opportunities as where they are. The India government is kind enough to give land, opportunities, education and aids to the Tibetan leadership yet they are asking for more. Instead, they have spent millions on campaigns against Dorje Shugden and not helping the people in need but exploiting them. Because of the Tibetan Leadership political agenda, many had suffered , divided ,disharmony and so forth.
In no time more there will more people speaking up on the unfairness and discrimination. There are many talented people in their communities yet they were not given opportunities . Many of the Tibetan refugees have made a right choice going abroad for a better living. After six decades the Tibetan still remained as refugees that’s not a good choice. May the Tibetans speaking out to protect their own rights.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for this sharing .
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
I am not surprised that the Tibetans are seeking greener pastures, especially when CTA is keeping in poverty just so they are able to beg for sponsorships. Dalai Lama had expressed his wish to return to China in cooperation with Chinese government and had conceded that China is doing a lot for Tibet. China is the place to go back to as she is creating so much opportunities and raising the standard of living for the Tibetans. China is revamping the country to be on par with other states and maybe in time the Tibetans will appreciate it. Yes, it would be nice to remain as it is but the conditions of the past will not help Tibetans to live in the better conditions that they are today. Many countries had already closed off their acceptance of the Tibetans in exile as they had faced problems before, so the best rich country would be China. Thank you for sharing this article which opens our mind to the Tibetan situation.
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
When the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans escaped from Tibet in 1959, India was very kind to open its door to them. The Tibetans were given tracts of lands throughout India under Jawarhalal Nehru who was the Prime Minister at the time. The Tibetans set up their Tibetan settlements, built shops, schools, hotels, hospitals, colleges, and monasteries on these pieces of land.
Tibetans are very lucky to have a friend like India, they were allowed to re-establish their community in India and have the freedom to run their own administration. India has never forced Tibetans to integrate with the Indians because they think Tibetans would be going back to Tibet very soon. Who knows after 60 years, the Tibetans are refugees living in India.
After 60 years, the Tibet Cause is still not successful, should the Tibetans face the truth that they will not be going back to Tibet? Since they have lived in India for so long, it makes more sense for them to take up the Indian citizenship. Many younger generations are born in India, they are more familiar with Indian than Tibet, perhaps becoming an Indian citizen gives a better future to the Tibetans.
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 asssistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokitesvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
“If the Dalai Lama, if His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by Dorje Shugden, then we might as well not practice Buddhism anymore. If His Holiness the Dalai Lama can have his life shortened by a so-called evil spirit, any evil spirit, then can he be Avalokiteshvara? So on one hand you say, we say, I say, everybody says, he is Avalokiteshvara; on the other hand you’re saying that he can be harmed by an evil spirit… Which one is it? Can he be harmed by an evil spirit or is he Avalokiteshvara? Do you think Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Tara all take refuge in something else to protect themselves from Dorje Shugden? How illogical is that? How illogical of people to say His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by an evil spirit, any evil spirit or “Dorje Shugden” evil spirit. How is that possible?” – Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Photo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, young Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s tutor Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe
This elderly & innocent monk in India was brutally attacked, find out why. Shocking – https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=163953
DON’T MISS THIS! FANTASTIC NEW GREAT STUFF! High quality videos redressing the misinformation about Dorje Shugden practice and people and the current sad Tibetan situation and why they are losing ground in the world. Powerful and truthful – CLEAR VIDEOS – https://bit.ly/2LJbo35
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Amazing post!!!!!
Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural: https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J
Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
How can a nun curse someone they do not even know and wish the person to die quickly and be born in hell? What kind of nun is this? Shocking! What more she’s cursing a Buddhist teacher and a monk?! Is this the face of Bhutanese Buddhist?
This is so shameful for her as a nun, her teacher, her monastery, her country and her King. A sangha should not behave in such a manner. A Sangha should carry enlightened Buddha’s teachings of compassion and wisdom to benefit all sentient beings.
A Sangha is not supposed to promote hatred and certainly should not be cursing or wishing another person to die. That wish itself is already breaking one of the vows.
A Sangha is one of the 3 Jewels, an object of refuge. They should not behave like an uncivilized person with so much hate. This is how bad the Tibetan Leadership has spread their lies and hate about Dorje Shugden and Shugden Buddhist practitioners.
A true democracy allows everyone the freedom to exercise their human rights, including the freedom to practise any religion they want. In democratic countries, the government does not interfere with this right. Neither are democratic governments prejudiced against their citizens’ choice of religious belief. They do not force people to stop their religious practice or pass legislation criminalising people because of their religion.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan leadership who are based in Dharamsala are the exception. They are the only so-called ‘democratic’ leadership that puts a stranglehold on its people, persecuting them for their religious beliefs. They deny the rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners for simply practicing their religion as they have done for the past 400 years. Dorje Shugden practitioners are ostracised from their own community, denied medical care, education or even employment in government offices. The CTA definitely does not live up to the right to be called a democratic administration, especially when in it inflicts suppression of people’s freedom and disrespects basic human rights.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1523906946.mp4
With an increasing challenging and ever changing environment, Tibetan people in exile may have reinvent itself. The kindness shown by the Indian government should never be forgotten, but with Tibet offering much more flexibility and opportunity it has crossed the minds of many Tibetans in India to ponder about returning.
And why not? China has poured so much resources into developing Tibet, Tibet is quite ready to join the rest of the modern world.
I agree that not doing anything for 60 years is akin to not wanting to progress and taking advantage of the kindness of India.
Whilst the Tibetan camp looks stand alone and in harmony with India, they are eating themselves away from the inside, and maybe slowly corrupting / destroying the host nation.
Even with just less than 100,000 people to control, they fail to do so, so I highly doubt the CTA can do much for 6 million. In a tiny country like Singapore, we are also talking about racial harmony, multi-ethnicity and diversity, embracing one another as fellow Singaporeans and humans.. simply cannot understand why such discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
I pray for a day where there is really free speech and freedom of religion within the Tibetan / CTA community.
Thank you Pastor Jean Ai for sharing so many facts of Tibetan leadership (CTA) and the way they lead the people living in exile. It is really sad that after 60 years that the CTA did not do much to improve and help the people and that they are still having refugees title. Not only that the is no development for the people but the social situation it getting worst. It is illogical to discourage the people from integrating with the host country and distance themselves in order not to be labelled as anti Tibetan. And ironically, most Tibetan leadership have 2 citizenship but discouraging their people from integrating with the locals and going out of the country. This is clearly discrimination and the leaders are all doing these for their own political agenda. They sacrifice their people in order to ‘gain’ from the situation. I really hope that more young Tibetan will speak out and protect their own rights. This discrimination and unfair treatments needs to be heard in order to stop the CTA from continuing to suppress their people.
Isn’t this just lovely?! Look at these cute Tibetan kids singing praises to Dorje Shugden during Losar celebration in Tibet! Great blessings to all – Click to watch! ???
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1519938132.mp4
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1519934791.mp4
Will the CTA (Tibetan govt in exile) and their supporters in East and West say voodoo is evil and cannot be practiced too? Will they advise against Voodoo and say its a demon’s practice and people who practice are bad too? Truth be told, no one has the right to say anything about anyone’s religion. Listen to what this man says in the short snagged clip because he speaks well and with the truth.
Watch the rest of the video on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0_syJQBteA
The Tibetan refugees, who left their homeland following a failed uprising against the Chinese invasion around half a century ago for greener pastures. Due to India’s kindness, the Tibetan were allowed to stay freely till today. The Tibetan refugees continue to seek shelter in neighbouring countries Nepal, India and so forth. Many of them are frustrated with the Tibetan Government-in-exile CTA for the past four decades. They realised the CTA has done nothing to help them and there is lack of better opportunities as where they are. . Faced with an uncertain future, as there is little hope of freedom, feeling restless a majority of the Tibetan youth are now exploring opportunities to go abroad. Can imagined after 6 decades the Tibetan still remained as refugees. The Tibetan leadership has created un necessary problems since then having discouraged their people from seeking citizenship from else where. By doing so they claimed that the Tibetan identity, cultures and religion will be lost. A number of those Tibetan refugees made a right choice going abroad for a better living. They got to think of the future generation to come by . In fact there are a number of talented Tibetans and professionals never got a chance to realise their full potential . They soon will be speaking up against the corrupt Tibetan leadership and through exposure the truth , things will change then. Chinese migrants are found all over the globe yet they maintained their identity,cultures and religion. These goes to the Tibetan as well.
May the sufferings end and the Tibetan refugees found better opportunity .
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for sharing this interesting article.
Many national policies are debated on, at the parliamentary level of Governments of that Nation and with democratic practice are voted on and them passed as law to be of reference and service to its citizens.
From results of the past 60years, although termed as democratic the CTA had always acted on basis of absolute autocratic nature resulting in non progress and stalemate of a community called the Tibetan in exile or Tibetan refugees.
It is greatly appreciated that Pastor Jean Ai has logically pointed out the ineffectiveness of the CTA and how sadly CTA had not done enough for Tibetans excusing their lack of progress to preserving Tibetan heritage, culture and traditions.
As accurately pointed out by Pastor Jean Ai, Chinese are scattered all over the world and it is interesting to note that these migrant Chinese have not only retained Chinese culture and traditions but also contributed to their countries of adoption. As like me, I am a Malaysian of Chinese descent. As much as I am a Chinese (as I have worked in China and noticed that my cultural and traditional background do not differ much from the Chinese in China) I am just as much a Malaysian upholding the Malaysian values both lawfully, culturally and traditionally.
It is therefore sad that CTA is still proud and arrogant enough to be still refugees after 60 years.
It is the agenda of CTA to entrap Tibetans in this old fashioned feudal manner so that further disharmony and division be created by once again dividing Tibetans with those who propitiate Dorje Shugden and those that do not. When such distractions are created, Tibetans will be too busy fighting amongst themselves to consider their situation and with no time left to demand more from their so called elected Leaders, for improvement to themselves.