The Controversial Pope Leo X
Pope Leo X
(by Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai)
Pope Leo X was born Giovanni di Lorenzo de’ Medici on 11th December 1475 in Florence, Italy and was canonised as Pope Leo the 10th on 9th March 1513. He remained in power until his death on 1st December 1521.
Considered one of the leading Renaissance popes, his papacy was known for making Rome a cultural and political centre of Europe but at the expense of the papal treasury due to his lavish spending. He also failed to take the development of the Protestant Reformation movement seriously, which eventually resulted in the dissolution of the power and influence of the Roman Catholic Church.
Early Life and Religious Career
The portrait of Pope Leo X with two Cardinals by the Italian High Renaissance master, Raphael
Giovanni di Lorenzo de’ Medici was the second son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, the ruler of the Florentine Republic and a member of the wealthy and powerful Medici family. Raised from aristocracy, he was nonetheless destined for religious life and power. Giovanni received the tonsure — a Christian hair-cutting ceremony that signifies the transition from laity to clergy at the early age of eight, and five years later he was appointed as the Cardinal Deacon of Santa Maria in Dominica.
While he was still at his father’s court, he was provided with the best education available in Europe at the time. He even had several tutors, one of whom was the famous philosopher Pico della Mirandola. Giovanni’s first taste of power came when he became Cardinal in 1489. From 1489 to 1491, he spent time at the University of Pisa studying theology and canon law. In 1492, he was appointed a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals and moved to Rome. However, the death of his father later that year brought him back to Florence, where he lived with his older brother, Piero.
It was the election of Pope Alexander VI that took Giovanni back to Rome again. This time it was for a conclave, which is an assembly of cardinals that elect the next pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. If Giovanni had not returned to Rome, he would most probably have spent the remainder of his time in Florence, where he would have stayed until the entire Medici family were exiled in November 1494 on charges of treason.
For the next six years, Giovanni joined his family in exile, which they spent in Perugia, Urbino and Milan. Then in 1499, he travelled to Germany, the Netherlands and France. However, in 1500, he returned to Italy and settled in Rome, where he became the head of the Medici family upon the death of his brother Piero.
In 1503, he took part in the conclave that elected Pope Pius III in September of that year but the new pope passed away soon after. So, he also participated in the election of Pope Julius II in October, just one month later. In 1511, he was appointed the Papal Legate to Bologna and Romagna. He also re-established the Medici family’s control over Florence the following year and, although his younger brother Giuliano was the one who held a position in the Florentine Republic, it was actually Giovanni who ruled.
Ascending the Papal Throne
A 16th Century French wood engraving of Pope Leo X
Upon the death of Pope Julius II in 1513, the Sacred College of Cardinals convened to elect a successor. The conclave unanimously agreed that they wanted a peace-loving successor as opposed to the warlike Julius II. In doing so, they elected Cardinal Giovanni de’ Medici. He was to take on the title of Pope Leo X, but beforehand needed to be ordained as a priest. He was consecrated as the Bishop of Rome and two days after that, his papal coronation took place.
The new pope was truly a Renaissance man due to his cultured upbringing at his father’s court. Having acquired the decorum and discernment of some of the most aristocratic families of Europe, he was definitely the preferred candidate to succeed the recently deceased “Warrior Pope”. His calm and quiet temperament was exactly what Rome needed, especially after 10 years of chaotic rule under Pope Julius II. Nevertheless, Pope Leo was famous to have said,
“Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it.”
His words were a portent that would come to characterise his papacy.
During his first five years in his new position, the new pope had to address the Lateran Council. Pope Julius II had called the council a year before his death and it was designed to nullify the efforts of nine rebellious cardinals who had called for another council at Pisa in order to revive the conciliar movement. This movement was meant to usurp power from the pope and was ultimately aimed at ending the papacy. However, this alternative council collapsed when the first Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian and the French King Louis XII withdrew their support. Thus, the Lateran Council which was first opened in 1512 was Pope Julius II’s attempt to minimise the damage and regain control of the wayward cardinals.
Pope Leo X inherited the Lateran Council but was less inclined to initiate the sweeping reforms proposed by the council that the church so desperately needed. In fact, the council was poorly attended and was dominated by the Italian bishops. The principal issues of the day were discussed but the pope did not decide on a direction or encourage the council in any way. Without any urgency or necessity on the part of Pope Leo X, the issues were never resolved and this would spur on the Council of Trent some 40 years later. Without any significant plan of action, the Lateran Council was dissolved on 16th March 1517, just before Martin Luther’s circulation of his influential Ninety-five Theses and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Consolidation of Power
The construction of St Peter’s Basilica during Pope Leo X’s time was funded mainly from the sale of indulgences.
Aside from being the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo X was also the temporal ruler of the Papal States and the patriarch of the Medici family that ruled the Florentine Republic. In order to consolidate his power and influence, he resorted to the common practice of nepotism. He appointed his cousin Giulio de’ Medici (who went on to become Pope Clement VII) as the influential Archbishop of Florence. He also positioned his younger brother Giuliano and his nephew Lorenzo as Roman patricians or heads of the ruling aristocratic families. Unfortunately, Giuliano’s premature death in 1516 brought an end to the pope’s plan to create a central Italian kingdom under his rule.
On 1st July 1517, there was an attempt on his life. Pope Leo X quickly named 31 new cardinals in order to secure his support within the College of Cardinals and those implicated in the assassination attempt were either imprisoned and executed.
While consolidating his power in Italy, Pope Leo X also faced challenges from the encroaching kingdoms of Spain and France. After King Louis XII of France boldly marched into Italy in 1513 to claim Milan and Naples, Pope Leo X reluctantly formed the League of Mechlin with Spain, in which Spain joined forces with the pope to fend off the French. The French were eventually defeated at Novara; King Louis renounced his claim and withdrew his army. However, peace was short-lived. The ascent of Francis I to the French throne in 1515 renewed French interest in Italy. Pope Leo X again formed a coalition, this time between Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and England, but France still managed to win the Battle of Marignano on 14th September 1515.
The pope was compelled to make peace with the French king and the signing of the Concordat of Bologna followed. This treaty was officially announced in the form of a papal bull (the pope’s public decree) on 18th August 1516 and it set the standard that regulated church and state affairs in France for the next 275 years. According to the terms of this treaty, the French kings were given full authority to nominate bishops, abbots and priors while the pope retained the right to nominate his own candidates to fill vacant benefices (permanent appointments within the church with accompanying property and income rights) throughout the Roman Curia, the central body through which the pope conducts the affairs of the church. However, in practice, the French monarch’s nomination was always considered an appointment to office. In essence, the treaty allowed for greater control over the church and was the underlying reason for the French monarchy’s lack of interest in Protestantism during the 16th century, as it already had influence over the church compared to kingdoms in which Protestantism challenged church authority.
In 1516, Charles I, the Habsburg King of Spain, had just succeeded his maternal grandparents, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. In 1519, the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I passed away. Charles I sought to follow in the footsteps of Maximilian I, his paternal grandfather, to the throne of the empire. However, two other candidates, Francis I of France and Frederick the Wise of Saxony had also nominated their own candidacy for the throne. This series of events led Pope Leo X deeper into politics.
Pope Leo cast his vote in favour of Frederick the Wise as he was concerned that, if the Roman Empire were aligned to either France or Spain, Italy would come under the power of the victor. However, it was Charles I of Spain who ultimately became the emperor. He took the name Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire and his election led to a bloody war between France and Spain. Although Pope Leo X would have preferred to remain neutral, he was forced to cast his lot with the new emperor when France once again invaded Italy.
Christian Reformation
Pope Leo X excommunicating Martin Luther as a Heretic while in Rome, 1521.
The manner in which Pope Leo X ruled the papacy resulted in a constant and dire need for fundraising. From the expensive war with France and a protracted Crusade against the Turks to his ostentatious patronage of the arts and the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, the unending expenditure drained the papal treasury.
Throughout the long history of the Roman Catholic Church, an important although controversial source of revenue was the issue of indulgences in exchange for money. Indulgences were remission certificates for the temporal penalty of sins. In other words, the Church was essentially offering salvation for those who could pay the price. During the reign of the previous pope, Julius II, indulgences were first authorised by the papacy for financial contributions towards the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Leo X, who inherited this project, was delighted at being given the chance to complete the construction. Thus, he eagerly reaffirmed the sale of indulgences shortly after coming to power.
However, the raising of funds through the sale of indulgences proved to be highly unpopular in northern Europe when it was first introduced. It was not until early 1517 that Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, actually began to preach the sale of indulgences in the archdioceses of Mainz and Magdeburg in Germany. Martin Luther (1483-1546 CE), a German composer, priest, monk and professor of theology opposed this preaching, and he authored and circulated his Ninety-five Theses, which directly challenged the church for raising funds through the sale of indulgences. Martin Luther would go on to become the main figure of the Protestant Reformation that swept across Europe.
A year later in 1518, Luther’s ideas in his Ninety-five Theses had arrived in Rome. In response, Pope Leo X ordered the head of the Augustinian order to silence Martin Luther since this was the order he belonged to. When this failed, the pope tried to work through Frederick of Saxony, but again to no avail. On 15th June 1520, Pope Leo X issued Exsurge Domini, a papal bull that charged Luther with 41 instances of deviation from the teachings and practices of the church, and ordered him to recant within 60 days or suffer excommunication. However, Luther who by this time had gained the support of influential figures in Germany, defied the pope. Thus, Pope Leo X was left with no alternative but to issue Decet Romanum Pontificem, a papal bull of excommunication, on 3rd January 1521.
The Pope’s Legacy
A statue of Pope Leo X in the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome.
Pope Leo X was a great patron of learning and he was one of the few popes to emphasise the need for education. Neglected under Pope Julius II, the Roman University struggled greatly until Pope Leo’s constitution was signed on 5th November 1513. This led to many reforms, including the restoration of facilities, generously increased salaries for professors, and the invitation of distinguished teachers from afar to lecture at the university. Although the university never attained the prestige and importance of the University of Padua or the University of Bologna, by 1514 it had a decent reputation for its faculty of 88 professors.
Pope Leo X also loved the classical Greek language. This led him to summon Janus Lascaris, a famous Greek scholar of the Renaissance period, to Rome. There, he instructed Janus Lascaris to establish a printing press which produced the first Greek-language book to be circulated in Rome in 1515. Pope Leo X also installed Raphael, a leading figure of Italian High Renaissance classicism, as the custodian of the classical antiquities of Rome and the ancient ruins in the city’s vicinity. At the time, distinguished Latinists such as the famous poets Bernardo Accolti, Pietro Bembo, Marco Girolamo Vida and Gian Giorgio Trissino; writers of novella like Matteo Bandello, and a hundred other literati including bishops, papal scripters, and many others came under the employment of the papacy.
While jostling for power with major European powers, Pope Leo X always found time for the pleasures he loved. Artists, writers and musicians came to Rome from all over Italy at his request. He even created special projects to take advantage of the outstanding talent displayed by the famed artist and architect Raphael. At the very centre of it all was the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, initiated under Pope Julius II and continued under Pope Leo’s patronage. On top of this, he expanded the Vatican Library to include many more literary works.
Pope Leo X was also known for showing special favour towards the Jews. He permitted them to erect a Hebrew printing press in Rome. He also approved the formation of the Oratory of Divine Love, a group of pious men in Rome which later became the Theatine Order, and he canonised Francis of Paola as a saint.
Pope Leo X’s reign heralded the flourishing of the arts during this period in history. His patronage of culture also affected his papacy — his reign saw the reputation of the Roman Catholic Church increase after a sharp decline during the reigns of Borgia Popes Calixtus III and Alexander VI.
However, his extravagant tastes in art and literature caused the entire papal treasury to be emptied within a short span of just two years. A financial crisis ensued and he was forced to borrow indiscriminate amounts from banks, curials, princes and wealthy Jewish traders. In order to repay these loans, he resorted to pawning the palace furniture, tableware, jewels and even sacred statues of the apostles. As the debts mounted, he went on to sell the hats of various cardinals and even membership into a religious order known as ‘The Knights of Peter’.
The Pope’s Demise
A woodcut print depicting Pope Leo X as the Antichrist, signing and selling indulgences. From Martin Luther’s ‘Passional Christi und Antichristi’, by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
The last treaty of alliance that Pope Leo X signed was with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, which resulted in military expeditions against French forces. The emperor’s armies were able to recover Milan from the occupying French army; they also eventually recovered four other northern Italian provinces which were handed over to the pope’s soldiers. Unfortunately, Pope Leo did not have the time to enjoy the victory as he died suddenly while at the Papal Palace during the night of 1st December 1521, just days before his 46th birthday. Many suspected that he was poisoned but this was never substantiated.
Looking back at Pope Leo X’s life, it is clear that his priority was, first and foremost, the survival and welfare of his own Medici clan, followed by the political responsibilities of the papacy. His lifestyle was obviously influenced by his luxurious upbringing in his father’s court in the Florentine Republic and his aristocratic background allowed him to become a skilled negotiator and a shrewd diplomat. Unfortunately, he was not a spiritual pope and he failed to meet the spiritual needs of the time. His lack of foresight and failure to enact sorely-needed church reforms resulted in the Christian Reformation sweeping throughout Europe, which ultimately led to the rise of Protestantism and the decline of the Roman Catholic Church. He was definitely more like an Italian prince than a religious leader.
Addendum: Parallels with the Central Tibetan Administration
Martin Luther wrote the Ninety-five Theses and nailed it to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.
One can draw many parallels between the life of Pope Leo X and the actions of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA, Tibetan leadership based in Dharamsala, North India). The latter has created and further inflamed many religious issues that continue to plague the Tibetan Buddhist community today, including the Dorje Shugden controversy, the conflict surrounding the Karmapa succession and instability in the Sakya school, amongst many others.
The actions of Pope Leo X and the Tibetan leadership have a few things in common — the abuse of power, corruption for personal gain, and the manipulation of religious issues as a diversion to distract from their failures.
Abuse of Power
In the case of Pope Leo X, he had absolute power over the churches within the dominion of Western Europe. He also continued the tradition of raising funds through the sale of indulgences, specifically to fund the construction of an extravagant St Peter’s Basilica and to fund expensive Crusades against the Turks. Indulgences were a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to endure for sins committed, and their sale represents the exchange of funds for one’s salvation. It represents the highest abuse instigated by the church and sparked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation that swept across Western Europe.
In the case of the Tibetan leadership, they created an unconstitutional ban on the worship of the protector deity Dorje Shugden, which is enforced within the Tibetan communities of India and Nepal, and among Tibetan Buddhists across the world. Ironically, the Tibetan leadership in India claims to be a democracy, which means that freedom of religion should be upheld in its constitution. However, this privilege is not granted to practitioners of this protector deity. Furthermore, the Tibetan leadership has abused their power and influence to implement insidious campaigns to segregate Shugden practitioners, to instigate violence and abuse against them, and to ostracise them from governmental as well as religions institutions.
The false reasoning perpetuated by the Tibetan leadership is that Shugden practitioners are heretical Chinese spies hell-bent on the destruction of the Tibetan cause. To this day however, the Tibetan leadership have not been able to prove the existence of monetary ties between Shugden practitioners and the Chinese authorities. Nevertheless, the result is that one of the largest and most influential Tibetan Buddhist sects, the Gelug school, has been torn apart by this controversy, a sign of the Tibetan administration’s divide-and-conquer strategy.
The Tibetan leadership has also created tremendous division and strife within the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the largest Kagyu sub-sect, by interfering in the recognition process of the 17th Karmapa candidate. The Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyus and his selection and affirmation should be a purely spiritual affair dictated by tradition and determined by the regents of the Karma Kagyus. However, by sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong, the Tibetan administration have successfully divided the Karma Kagyus into three warring factions, once again distracting a large segment of the Tibetan population while the Tibetan leadership go about their business to advance their political goals for personal gain, unnoticed.
(L to R): Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the Karmapa candidate endorsed by the Tibetan leadership i.e. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Trinley Thaye Dorje, selected and confirmed by the top Karma Kagyu regent (Sharmapa) as the authentic reincarnation of the previous Karmapa. Dawa Sangpo Dorje, the 3rd Karmapa candidate contending for the throne as head of the lineage.
His reincarnation was also authenticated by the 3rd Karma Kagyu Regent, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. The Karmapa controversy has resulted in a lot of fighting and division among the Tibetan community.
Because there are 3 Karmapa candidates, Ogyen Trinley as supported by H. H. the Dalai Lama is seen more often and well known but it does not mean that the other two candidates have any less supporters. The controversy of these 3 contenders has been going on for the last 20 years resulting in tremendous upheaval, riots, separation, fighting and legal suits. The Tibetan leadership is responsible for this as they are doing a good job in redirecting their own failures towards this.
There are many high level Gelug masters such as H. H. the 101st Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal. He has never surrendered his personal practice of Dorje Shugden and in fact, at the age of 91, he is still practising Dorje Shugden strongly and will not submit to the Tibetan leadership’s ban on Dorje Shugden that has attempted to force him to give up his freedom of religion.
Corruption
There is no denying that corruption was at the heart of the sale of indulgences within the medieval Roman Catholic Church. The faithful were duped into believing that paying large amounts could be exchanged for salvation in the afterlife, and that the funds would go towards the upkeep of the church and its charitable causes. This was far from the truth; the funds actually went into expensive and extravagant building projects for the papacy, and unnecessary Crusades against the Turks in the Middle East.
Similarly, the Dorje Shugden ban is a means for the Tibetan leadership to justify the use of misappropriated funds (originally intended to relieve the sufferings of the Tibetan refugees) to publish anti-Shugden materials, websites and propaganda. By creating deep schism within Tibetan society, the leadership keeps Tibetans divided, so they can continue to rule.
Thus, it is clear that corruption is at the heart of the ban on Dorje Shugden as well as the Karmapa controversy. The Tibetan leadership’s revenue stream comes from the generous donations of Western countries and well-meaning individuals, with the expectation that the funds will be used for projects that support the Tibetan people. These include increasing global awareness of the Tibetan cause and uniting Tibetan society, not spending on projects that further divide it.
Diversion Tactics
Finally, the sale of indulgences by the medieval Roman Catholic Church was used as a diversion. The papacy wanted to avoid accountability for its failure to control its extravagant spending, and other abuses by the clergy. Therefore, Pope Leo X, financially strapped due to wars with France and other countries, was still able to build lavishly and furnish these buildings with exquisite frescoes by some of the greatest artists of the day. The faithful were unaware that the funds raised would be used in such an extravagant manner and with no real tangible benefit to the clergy, the church or the faithful.
Similarly, the Karmapa controversy and the Dorje Shugden ban represent the Tibetan leadership’s diversion tactics to distract from their own failures. The truth is that the Tibetan leadership has made very little to no progress to improve the lives of ordinary Tibetans. Likewise, negotiations with China are non-existent, for either an independent or autonomous Tibet. Most Tibetans are unhappy with the fact that the Tibetan cause has no future. And so, it is through the ban on Dorje Shugden and the Karmapa controversy that the leadership manipulatively drives attention away from the real issues facing the Tibetan people.
In conclusion, the excesses and abuses of Pope Leo X have many parallels with the religious controversies plaguing Tibetan society. Pope Leo X had Martin Luther opposing him and over time, the ideas that Luther preached and championed became so successful that it became the Protestant Reformation that swept through Europe and greatly diminished the power and influence of the Roman Catholic Church.
As for the Tibetan leadership, many more people have stepped forward to challenge them on both the Dorje Shugden and Karmapa controversies, but China is by far their biggest challenge. These days, China’s influence is so great that even India is reconsidering its support for the Tibetans, despite having given them a home for the last 60 years. Unsurprisingly, India would rather foster greater cooperation with China for economic and political stability in Asia. Although it may be too early to tell, the Tibetan leadership could be swept away by the changing political tides. They should have concentrated on making a real difference in the world, rather than selling their ‘indulgences’ of corruption, power plays and discrimination.
Addendum
Central Tibetan Administration’s Website
Below is a screenshot of Tibet.net, which is the Tibetan leadership’s website. In it, they have a section with “information” about Dorje Shugden which is designed to promote hatred, negativity and direct vulgarities towards Shugden practitioners. What kind of democratic leadership has a section like this on their site targeting a religious group? Imagine the uproar there would be if the American or Canadian, or any other democratic government had sections like this on their site for the public!
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Website
This is a screenshot of DalaiLama.com which is the official website of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. When this section exists on His Holiness’ website, it actually emboldens Tibetans to discriminate against and segregate Shugden practitioners. This section is basically the Dalai Lama’s ‘endorsement’ of such behaviour; when anti-Shugden individuals see this, they think it is okay to segregate against the practice “because the Dalai Lama said so”. I don’t think the Dalai Lama would agree with this but the webmaster and shadow writers behind his website should not put this type of anti-Dorje Shugden section which subscribes to discrimination against a group because of religion. In the 21st century, this is not fitting of a great spiritual leader like His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Do not discriminate tolerate; is the way to go.
If the Dorje Shugden ban is just advice and not a ban, then why is a section like this necessary on any website?
Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Resolution Stating Government Employees Should Not Rely on Dorje Shugden
In 1996, the Tibetan leadership passed a resolution stating that all departments (and ergo their employees) should not rely on Dorje Shugden (point 8). The resolution also stated that individuals who do engage in its worship will harm the Dalai Lama’s life and the so-called Tibetan cause. That being the case, how will anyone within the Tibetan settlements and government be able to openly engage in Dorje Shugden practice after that, if their worship has been widely labelled as anti-Dalai Lama, anti-CTA and treasonous? To openly practice after that will leave them open to criticism, vulgarities, harassment and discrimination, as Dorje Shugden practitioners have been for the last 20 years. So they will be left with three options: to give up the practice (which many will not do), to practice secretly, or to give up their jobs.
Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Resolution Naming Dorje Shugden Practitioners as Criminals in History
This is a screenshot of tibet.net, the Central Tibetan Administration’s official website, which shows the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s unanimous resolution dated 17 March 2014 naming Dorje Shugden practitioners as criminals in history (point 3, paragraph 2).
VIDEO: Dalai Lama bans Dorje Shugden practice
and expels monks
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was recorded in Drepung Monastery in 2008 clearly stating that those who refused to give up their Dorje Shugden practice should be expelled from the monasteries. His Holiness even said that if people found it difficult to fulfill this instruction, that they should say that the Dalai Lama told them to expel Dorje Shugden practitioners.
My question is this: if giving up Dorje Shugden practice is just advice, and it is up to us who we wish to rely on, then why are there such heavy repercussions for people who choose to keep the practice? As a result of His Holiness saying this, thousands of Shugden monks were expelled from the monasteries, and were forced to set up their own monasteries where they would be able to continue their Dorje Shugden practice.
VIDEO: Gaden Monastery Attacked
Since the inception of the Dorje Shugden ban 20 years ago, the CTA (Central Tibetan Administration) continues to organize a hateful campaign against Dorje Shugden practitioners. In doing so, the Tibetan leadership has gone against the very core teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on compassion and tolerance and thereby, misled the world over the nature of their activities. The Tibetan leadership pursues huge sponsorship and financial aid from the West in order to run its operations but they actually channel these funds towards campaigns that suppresses religious freedom within the Tibetan communities through various means to instigate violent suppression against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
This video footage shows clearly how Dorje Shugden practitioners have lived their lives in fear for the last 20 years due to the ban on Dorje Shugden. Although the Tibetan leadership and supporters have continued to use various violent and underhanded means to segregate and discriminate Dorje Shugden practitioners, the practitioners themselves have not fought back. Instead, they continue to uphold their peaceful reliance on their Dorje Shugden lineage lamas and especially the practices and teachings they have received in relations to the protector deity. The main part of the video was filmed in 2000 and it shows 3,000 lay and ordained Tibetans heading towards Gaden Shartse Monastery in South India in order to riot against a group of Dorje Shugden practitioners.
Disclaimer: This video belongs to a third party. Permission was granted for us to upload here. This video is not being used for any commercial purposes, it is being used for educational purposes only.
VIDEO: Dorje Shugden practitioner rejected
from Gaden Shartse Monastery Guest House
A Dorje Shugden practitioner enquiring about room rates at the Gaden Shartse Monastery Guest House in Majnu-ka-tilla, Delhi was rejected by the hotel staff and asked to leave.
VIDEO: France 24 reports on the Dorje Shugden issue
France 24 is a reputable news network based in France, known for their objective reporting style. They covered the Dorje Shugden issue extensively, surely a reflection of the seriousness of the issue for them to devote so much airtime to it. In their video, France 24 captured on film the discrimination against a Dorje Shugden monk.
VIDEO: Al Jazeera reports on the Dorje Shugden issue
Based in the Middle East, Al Jazeera was formed in response to the heavy influence of Western culture on the media. They are known to cover controversial topics that other news agencies may be reluctant to cover, and provide hard-hitting, objective coverage of current affairs.
Evidence of the Ban
Over the years, my students have collected evidence of the ban against Dorje Shugden. Personally, I find it quite disappointing and sad that they have been able to collect so much evidence because it just goes to show how widespread and pervasive this ban has become. As you can see below, notices banning Dorje Shugden practitioners can be found just about anywhere in the Tibetan settlements. Whether a Dorje Shugden person is trying to access healthcare or enter a restaurant, or try to buy something from a shop, they are banned everywhere and refused service. How is this just ‘advice’ when the repercussions of practising Dorje Shugden are so violent inside the Tibetan communities and settlements?
For more interesting information:
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- Interesting Popes
- Pope John Paul ‘Stabbed by Priest’
- Animal-headed Divinities in Christianity
- Bishop John Spong on Religion and God – Very interesting!
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- The Devil
- Halloween
- Buddhist Pastors Around The World
- Animal Rights Campaign Over Killing Chickens During Jewish Ritual
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Pope Leo X was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States. Was the son of Lorenzo de’ Medici, best known for his wasteful habits, lecherous activities, and hedonistic quote. He was crowned Pope at the age of 37, honored as a doctor of the Church and his writings. Pope Leo X was a very powerful Pope during a time when the Catholic Church was at its height in power. During his reign, he advanced the city to highly prominent status in Europe through his advocacy for the arts and education. He was the first of four Medici popes. Upon his ascension, Leo X behaved as most Medici leaders before him by working arduously towards the advancement of his family and becoming a generous benefactor of the arts. Interesting biography of a Pope known for his lavish spending, misused funds and abused his power . Tibetan leadership based in Dharamsala, North India has similarity to the Pope’s reign. The Tibetan leadership has cause many sufferings, disharmony within their own people. All can be seen in the Dorje Shugden and Karmapa controversies as well. Many Tibetans are speaking up and it has since changed for a better welfare.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David 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
If something is hot off the ‘press’, as well as
on your site, then you can certainly bee in front of the competition. So, I guess,in terms of London, you will
need to take tthe rough using the smooth. How many times do
you have a comment to produce reading a specific partt of news
but nowhere excpressing your opinion or feelings.
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
Many come to Kechara Forest Retreat in Bentong, Malaysia to make offerings and prayers to the increase form of Dorje Shugden who appears like a prince and rides on a golden horse. Many report having their wishes fulfilled and return many times. Am happy to see this. Tsem Rinpoche
You can learn more about this form of Dorje Shugden here: https://bit.ly/2wxQyes
and
See video of this chapel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEK35F_O5Hg
COMPASSION at its best: His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained in Ladakh, 31 July 2018:
“Usually at the beginning of an empowerment there is a ritual to drive away interferences. But I no longer feel it’s consistent to regard some beings as evil forces. At the start of each day I cultivate altruism, but in the evening we say, ‘May the evil forces be driven away.’ There seems to be a contradiction here that I’m no longer keen to comply with. I’m not highly realized, but I have great confidence in the power of Bodhichitta.”
Source: https://bit.ly/2wVsqSb
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This latest statement by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is excellent. I fully believe in his compassion and I hope he will fully implement it.
All negative beings take rebirth with negative minds due to deep attachments. The attachments result in negative states of rebirth and angry minds that carry out harmful actions, like spirits or hungry ghosts who can be very bothersome because they are very angry as they died in the state of attachment in their former rebirths.
Indeed we need to generate compassion towards these beings, especially the formless type, as it would be the best remedy to stop their harm. We can recite mantras with love and bless them with it. While reciting prayers, we can meditate on them being at peace. When we generate compassion towards these harmful interferences of the formless type, many of them will calm down and stop their harm and even go away. Some of them, you can talk to them and subdue their harm and they will stop harming completely if they feel your love. That is how you can help them.
Many high masters of India and Tibet generated great compassion towards certain ghosts, spirits or interferers and subdued them in this manner and even made them into protectors of regions. I’ve witnessed this with one of my lamas where he subdued a female spirit that crossed over the Himalayas. After making the spirit promise it will not harm others, my lama gave the spirit a drink to seal the promise.
Since the Dalai Lama has manifested saying Dorje Shugden is negative (although many high lamas disagree), then he can apply this method to Dorje Shugden. He can ‘subdue’ Dorje Shugden by generating tremendous love, prayers and talking nice to Dorje Shugden who will be ‘subdued’. Then people are henceforth ‘free’ to practice Dorje Shugden without more discrimination, segregation and being called degrading names for practicing this protector.
Give peace a chance. His Holiness the Dalai Lama can generate great love towards Dorje Shugden and all the hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners that love the Dalai Lama and miss him like I do. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama bring peace and heal the rift with Dorje Shugden practitioners.
May His Holiness live very long and always be healthy,
Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Reading- https://bit.ly/2wWQGUh
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
Dear Kecharians and friends,
Last night, I gave a teaching to a group of people who were in Kechara Forest Retreat. I shared with them the correct way to pray for our loved ones and why we shouldn’t “demand” Dorje Shugden with fulfilling our wishes but let Dorje Shugden decide what is the best outcome. He has infinite Manjushri wisdom beyond our own and we should trust this wisdom. Sometimes what we pray for is not what should be fulfilled. Sometimes what we don’t want turns out to be the better result in the future.
I also shared with them about a beautiful monk, Tsawa Pulthok Rinpoche, who was jailed and badly tortured by the soldiers for 19 years, starting back in 1959 in Lhasa, and yet he has no anger towards his torturers. He was released and had resettled in Nepal where I met him. For the remainder of his life, he spent his time in meditation, retreats and pujas for the public until he passed. He was glowing, happy and very proud of the fact he was a student of His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, which he told me when we met. He did full meditations on Vajra Yogini and short puja to Dorje Shugden daily in his small room in Kathmandu, Nepal where I had to honor to join in his prayers. He told me he was very happy to have his room to do his meditations, pujas and prayers openly. Whatever happened to him, he accepted as part of his karma and he spent much time in prison meditating and quietly teaching dharma to his other cellmates. He was very much respected in prison in Lhasa because he never showed anger, always meditated and consoled others, giving them great strength. He endured much hardship, torture and beatings but he never lost his monk vows. His full understanding of karma helped him not feel any anger or bitterness towards the soldiers. He told me that daily, he would meditate that the karma of others in prison would come to him. That all the torture and abuse he received was so others in prison did not have to suffer this. He said suffering for others was what kept him going and made him be able to endure the pain.
We are not bound by our experiences. We are bound by our choice. I also reminded those were present about the good person inside each and every one of us, and how we should not “bury” this good person with our excuses because the more excuses we give, the deeper this good person is buried and soon the layers of excuses will make it very difficult for us to find this good person. We are all beautiful good people and we should not let it get lost by lying, laziness, lack of integrity and procrastination. We all have a choice. If we have to make excuses, we should choose to make excuses to be a winner. When we win, we make ourselves happy and those around us happy.
The teaching session went well and it was spontaneous, and I requested the people who live and work in and around Kechara Forest Retreat for the talk. We had some good laughs to during the talk.
Thank you,
Tsem Rinpoche
‘If we trust in karma which exists, then there is no reason for anger’.
~ Tsawa Pulthok Rinpoche
“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
Listening to the chanting of sacred words, melodies, mantras, sutras and prayers has a very powerful healing effect on our outer and inner environments. It clears the chakras, spiritual toxins, the paths where our ‘chi’ travels within our bodies for health as well as for clearing the mind. It is soothing and relaxing but at the same time invigorates us with positive energy. The sacred sounds invite positive beings to inhabit our environment, expels negative beings and brings the sound of growth to the land, animals, water and plants. Sacred chants bless all living beings on our land as well as inanimate objects. Do download and play while in traffic to relax, when you are about to sleep, during meditation, during stress or just anytime. Great to play for animals and children. Share with friends the blessing of a full Dorje Shugden puja performed at Kechara Forest Retreat by our puja department for the benefit of others. Tsem Rinpoche
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbzgskLKxT8&t=5821s
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
Thanks designed for sharing such a pleasant opinion, post is good,
thats why i have read it fully
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.
The sale of indulgences is the start of the Protestant movement and the end of the Catholic Church overwhelming influence over the Europeans and Western world.
The CTA, used their persecution of Dorje Shugden people, creating controversy with the Karma Kagyu tradition etc etc to blindside the Tibetan for their failures in getting Tibet back.
Leo X was the last of the Renaissance popes before the dawn of the Reformation. His role in which the indulgence controversy left the indelible impression of his pontificate. Very complicated and interesting biography of Pope Leo X . He was well known for his infamous declaration about Christianity. He has lived a lavish papacy ,corrupted, misused funds and abused his power . He has the similarity of the CTA Tibetan leadership based in Dharamsala, North India. He has renovated the Vatican library and other parts of Rome, using up the country treasury. He even borrowed money and started selling off Vatican treasures.
As for the CTA they instituted many religious issues which has cause many sufferings, disharmony among the Tibetan Buddhist community today, that includes the Dorje Shugden and Karmapa controversies, and instability in the Sakya school, to name a few. Time has changed, many more Tibetans in exile have been aware of the circumstances surrounding the CTA are looking forward to a better environment by speaking up and goes against them.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Davis Lai for these sharing
During the papacy of Pope Leo X, a widely practiced way of fundraising was to offer salvation to people who could afford it; meaning the rich people could done all evil and gone sin-free. Much fund was needed in order to sustain the Pope’s lavish patronage in culture and arts. He practiced nepotism, which was no difference from abuse of power. It seemed that Pope Leo X was a corrupted leader, abused his authority and manipulated religious issues for his personal gain. One would wondered how a religious leader could have no discipline in his controlling his own desire and only cared about himself and his crony. It certainly cast much bad light on the religion he represented. Unfortunately, all the above traits are familiar to us because they are extremely similar to how the CTA rules today from Dharamsala. The CTA is corrupted, abuses their power and manipulates religious affairs to suit their personal gain; i.e. cover their failure and to raise fund in fake pretext. May more people see the truth behind the CTA ugly intention and step forward or step up to challenge them. Thank you for this sharing.