Dalai Lama: Thinking China is an enemy is naive | 达赖尊者：视中国为敌是愚昧的
Dear friends around the world,
Phayul.com, which is a website that covers Tibetan news and other Tibet-related issues, has just published an article titled “Division based on province, religious sect or political stand harms unity, says Dalai Lama”. I wholeheartedly, excitedly and happily welcome this news of what His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, and the significance His Holiness’s words will have on a number of relevant issues that are happening now.
His Holiness was very young when he was enthroned as the supreme king of Tibet, with secular and religious power and similarly, he was very young when he left Tibet and entered India. The early years in exile were not easy and subsequently to that, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has worked extremely hard to raise funds and awareness for the Tibetan people, alongside also fulfilling all his duties as a spiritual teacher and leader. Now His Holiness the Dalai Lama is nearly 83 years old and throughout his long-suffering leadership, His Holiness has exuded unending wisdom and now in his compassion, he has again shown the right stance we should take towards a so-called or perceived enemy. His Holiness has come out with a wonderful way of looking at things to bring Tibetans together again, and I want to talk about that.
In the first paragraph of the Phayul article, His Holiness mentions that, “Sometimes, we see conflicts among ourselves based on our native provinces, or religious traditions, that’s completely not needed”. In Tibet, we have three main provinces or in Tibetan chogka sum, which are Kham, Amdo and U-Tsang. And people from the three provinces usually have issues with one another about which province is better, which province is superior, and which one is inferior and so on. Tibetans tend to be very regionalistic and provincial in thinking.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has now said that we should eradicate this kind of thinking because it doesn’t lead to unity. In a similar vein, we should not create conflict among ourselves based on religious traditions. This is very important because anyone practising religion, anyone who is truly absorbing the religious precepts of an enlightened being in the case of Buddhism, should exude compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance and most importantly, kindness. So, when we fight among ourselves and we denigrate each other and call each other names and we put each other down based on our individual religious ideologies, that is very dangerous.
Religion is meant to unite people and bring people together in knowing that we human beings all want the same thing – happiness, safety and love. We want a harmonious environment free of strife. Religion is supposed to do that. And so, when we have a certain religious ideology that we think is superior to others, or that someone else’s religious ideology is inferior, and we try to enforce our thoughts and opinions on others, the that creates friction, exchange of words, schism, separation and segregation and eventually this could even lead to violence.
His Holiness is infinitely compassionate and wise to say that it is important that we do not create differences and conflicts among ourselves in relations to our respective religions and beliefs. A person’s religious ideology and beliefs is his choice and it’s a personal thing. In every religion and every religious sect, there will be good people and bad people. No one should make sweeping statements that because some bad people belong to one certain religion or religious ideology, then everyone in that ideology is bad. This is completely incorrect.
For example, the beautiful Muslim people around the world who are 99% peaceful and compassionate, harmonious and very educated, do not want violence. And they do not want to harm and hurt other people. They practise their religion in peace. But then a small percentage of people who call themselves Muslims create some harm in the name of religion in order to garner support for their own agenda, which brings a bad name to the rest. So, if we were to say all Muslims are bad and violent, that is completely wrong, false, illogical and against all perceivable evidence. To say that everybody that belongs to that one religion or ideology is bad and should be banned and segregated, is completely wrong. And yes, I am referring to the accusations against Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world and Tibet, who have been relying on Dorje Shugden for almost 400 years.
Definitely, there will be good people who practise Dorje Shugden and likewise there will be bad people who claim to practise Dorje Shugden as well. But the good people are in the vast majority and the ‘bad persons’ are in the minority. So, the religion should not be tarnished and snuffed out based on the actions of the small minority that bring a bad name to the rest. This is very important and I really welcome His Holiness’s statement, to create unity so that we can move on.
Let’s consider this: what does everybody want? Everybody wants a home, security, to be well and safe, they want love, family, a feeling of harmony. Everybody wishes for the same things. The Tibetan people in Tibet and outside of Tibet have been disconnected and separated for four to almost six decades. Imagine not being able to meet a family member that you love, or someone you respect and care about for up to six decades. For many of the Tibetan people time is running out because people don’t live forever.
Whatever ideological stance we subscribe to, the bottom line is this – we all want happiness, harmony, we all want to be with our family, we all want to be with the people we like and the people we respect. And we wish to have that personal freedom. So, when that is taken and forced away from us for whatever reason and it is kept from us because of ideological differences, then we have a serious problem and so we see that the Tibetan people’s equilibrium has been destroyed. Therefore, His Holiness’s vision of the Middle Way approach is extremely powerful and it serves to unite all Tibetans around the world. Because whatever our ideology is, we all like to see our loved ones before we die. And that is not going to happen if we hold on to one ideology, say Rangzen or total independence, and fight other ideologies such as the Middle Way. Look at the wisdom of His Holiness’s Middle Way which, even before achieving, it has allowed Tibetans to travel in and out of Tibet to make brief connections so that all is not completely lost. As His Holiness correctly said, China would not have allowed this if His Holiness had not expressed his preference for the Middle Way and not insist on complete independence from China. So, I fully support the 14th Dalai Lama’s Middle Way approach for the reason His Holiness gave.
And following that line of thinking, His Holiness the Dalai Lama says very clearly in the second paragraph of the Phayul article that it is too naive to think of China as an enemy in resolving the Tibet issue. “If we confront China as an enemy, it is stupid. Instead we should achieve a bond, that is between two peoples which is the only way to solve the issue.”
What His Holiness the Dalai Lama said is farsighted and this is a very well-reasoned and visionary direction that His Holiness is giving us. And that is not to view China as an enemy, and not to degrade the Chinese government or irritate them. It is illogical to expect to build a bond with someone if at the same time we keep poking at them and putting them down and still expect them to give us what we want. That’s just illogical. So, if the Tibetans want the Middle Way to be a reality, henceforth the Tibetan leadership, and all Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet should make the best effort to understand their Chinese brothers and sisters better. To understand their culture, and in return let us hope that they do the same with us. What other choice do we have than to follow the Dalai Lama’s instructions.
So therefore, based on His Holiness’s wise advice, from now on we should not degrade and denigrate China openly, and ridicule and insult the Chinese government politically on social media platforms, in books or any print material because this will not achieve His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision of Tibetans reuniting and meeting once again. This applies to all Tibetans and sincere supporters of the Tibetan struggle alike who profess to respect and love His Holiness and care about the wellbeing of the Tibetan people.
If we do not do what His Holiness says, then definitely the Tibetans inside of Tibet and outside of Tibet will be separated for good and probably die without meeting each other ever again. And this tragedy of the separation of loved ones will be due to ideological differences and our inability to see beyond our own preferred ideologies.
In the fifth paragraph of the Phayul article, His Holiness is reported to have said “that the Middle Way Approach has support from the international community including the EU and the US. He also said that there is a growing number of Chinese intellectuals supporting the idea of Tibet within the framework of the People’s Republic of China as an autonomous entity with its culture and religion intact.”
That is very powerful. So, if we Tibetans and Tibetan supporters were to follow His Holiness wise counsel and stop provoking China, we have very substantial support from the international community for the Tibetan cause via the Middle Way approach.
Therefore, I feel this article is extremely important and it spells out a very clear mandate by His Holiness on fostering Tibetan unity and achieving the Middle Way. It doesn’t say it in this particular article but from another corresponding article titled, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama Reaffirms Middle Way Policy as Realistic Approach” His Holiness says, there are 400 million Buddhists in China. That is a very large pool of people and it represents about one third of the population of the largest nation on earth. This means that if Tibetans and Chinese can get together and have an understanding of one another, we Tibetans can definitely benefit our Chinese brothers and sisters by sharing the wisdom of Lord Buddha’s teachings. And that would contribute enormously to Chinese culture, because China was Buddhist even before Tibet. Prior to the Cultural Revolution there was already a vibrant culture of Buddhism in China and it produced vast numbers of the deepest thinking philosophers and scholars. So therefore, it is good for Tibetans who have preserved the pure Indian Buddhist tradition of spirituality, to bring this back and to share with China. The Chinese have a 5,000-year history which is rich and complex and highly sophisticated and the Chinese people are known to be deep thinkers, with great intellectual prowess and high learning in many fields and so they are ready to absorb the very deep philosophies and teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. This is not only good for Buddhism as a whole but also for the relationship between Chinese and Tibetan people.
Look at how China have surpassed many nations on earth with their learning abilities. Just think, a nation of 1.3 billion has become the second largest economy in just 20 years. That is not possible for just any other country. That is an amazing achievement coming from tremendous commitment combined with the hard work of the Chinese people, and reflects a very unique character of the people.
Therefore, it is very important that Tibetans now unify, become one and stop fighting each other on regional issues and political or religious ideologies and opinions. Whether I am Gelugpa, Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, whether I am a U-Tsangpa, Khampa, or Amdowa, it does not matter. Whether I practise Dorje Shugden or do not practise Dorje Shugden, it does not matter. All that has to be put aside because we already suffer from so much disconnection within our community. We don’t need any more division because division will not give us our cherished goals which is to preserve our language, our cultures, our religion in Tibet and also to see our beloved relatives. How many years are we going to waste and allow ourselves to be separated from loved ones and to be disconnected from one another because of old anger and differences that arises from having different opinions? It would be lovely if His Holiness the Dalai Lama accepts all Tibetans and even Shugden-practising Tibetans as one people. It would be good if His Holiness the Dalai Lama meets with Shugden people and unites them with other Tibetans.
So, I humbly request everyone to listen to His Holiness’s words and make friends with China instead of treating them like enemies and always putting them down and being a thorn in their side at every opportunity. You may have your reasons to feel a certain way and you may be right. What we must also realise that things that are right may not be achievable and things that are achievable may not necessarily feel right or ideal. We should try and get what we can and then slowly work on achieving what we want. His Holiness is old now and we must obey his advice in this respect, in order to save our culture, religion, language and country, so that families inside and outside Tibet can meet once more as some have not met for decades.
Tsem Rinpoche
Division based on province, religious sect or political stand harms unity, says Dalai Lama
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=40480
Click on image to enlarge.
Addendum
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Reaffirms Middle Way Policy as Realistic Approach
Source: http://tibet.net/2018/05/his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-reaffirms-middle-way-policy-as-realistic-approach
Click on image to enlarge.
Video: Dalai Lama says it’s narrow minded to consider China as an enemy
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/HHDLSpeaksForChina.mp4
达赖尊者为藏人实现目标给予明确指示
亲爱的全球各地的朋友们：
专报道西藏新闻和其他西藏相关事务的网站Phayul.com（中译名：故乡网）刚刊登了一篇文章，题为 《达赖尊者：区域、宗派或政见的分歧将破坏团结》。 针对文章中达赖尊者的谈话及其言论对当前许多相关事件所具有的意义，我全心全意，以兴奋和愉快的心情表示欢迎。
尊者很年轻的时候就已经当上西藏的政治与宗教领袖，同样的，他也在很年轻的时候就离开西藏前往印度。流亡早年，生活并不容易，达赖尊者因此必须十分努力地筹款及提高藏人的思想意识，同时也兼顾宗教导师与领袖的任务。达赖尊者目前已快83岁了，在长年艰苦的领导生涯中，他展现了无限的智慧，而现在他再度慈悲地为我们展示了我们对所谓的敌人所该持有的正确立场。尊者想到了一个看待事情的绝妙角度，有助于让藏人再度团结起来。我想对此发表一些个人看法。
在故乡网文章中的第一段，尊者表示： “有时候，我们会因各自的区域或教派而产生冲突，这是完全不必要的。” 西藏分成三个主要区域（藏文：chogka sum,），分别是康区、安多和卫藏。来自这三个区域的人民时常会为了哪一个区域比较优秀、哪一区比较高尚或低下等而产生纷争。藏人普遍上都拥有比较强烈的区域和乡镇主义色彩。
尊者现在说，我们应该摒弃这类想法，因为它并不会促进团结。同样的，我们不应根据宗教传统而自相残杀。这十分重要，因为任何拥有宗教信仰的人，任何真正吸收了佛教教义的人，都应该发挥慈悲、宽容、宽恕、接纳的精神，而最重要的还是善良。因此，当我们为了个人的宗教理念而自相残杀、诋毁彼此、相互辱骂和贬低对方的时候，那是十分危险的。
宗教理应让我们知道身为人类，我们同样都需要快乐、安全和爱，并在这个基础上团结起来。我们想要生活在一个没有冲突的和谐环境，而这是宗教所该做的。因此，当我们觉得自己的宗教理念比别人优秀，或他人的宗教理念比较低劣，并企图强加自己的想法和意见在他人身上时，就会产生摩擦、争吵、不和、分裂和隔离，最后甚至导致暴力冲突。
尊者无限慈悲和充满智慧地说，我们不应在与各自的宗教和信仰相关的事件上制造分歧和冲突，这一点很重要。 一个人的宗教理念和信仰是他本身的选择，这是他个人的事。 在每一个宗教和每一个宗教派别中，都会有好人和坏人。 没有人该为了某些坏人属于某种宗教或拥有某种宗教理念，就武断地说凡拥有这种理念的人都是不好的。 这完全不正确。
例如，全世界99％的穆斯林都是和平、善良、和谐和受过良好教育的群体，也不喜欢暴力。他们不想危害及伤害他人。 他们和平地实修自己的宗教信仰。 然而，有一小部分自称穆斯林的人，却为了想要他人支持自己的议程，而以宗教名义制造伤害。他们的做法给其他人带来了不好的名声。 所以，如果我们说所有的穆斯林都是坏的或喜欢暴力的，那其实就有违一切事实根据，也是一种完全错误、不实及不合逻辑的说法。任何人若宣称信奉某种宗教或拥有某种理念的人都是坏的，都应该被禁止或隔离，那是完全错误的。是的，我指的是西藏及全球各地依止了多杰雄登将近四百年，却惨遭指控的多杰雄登修持者。
当然，有些好人会修持多杰雄登，同样的，也有些坏人会自称为多杰雄登修持者。然而，好人占多数，而“坏人”只不过是一小部分。因此，我们不应基于少数人的行为败坏了名声而去诋毁和摒弃那个宗教。 这是非常重要的。对于尊者所发表的大家应该团结以继续前进的声明，我衷心地表示欢迎。
让我们来看看：每个人都想要什么？每个人都想要一个家、安全，想要安适的生活；他们想要得到爱、家庭与和谐的感觉。每个人都希望得到同样的东西。西藏境内和境外的藏人已经失去联系和分离了约四十到六十年。试想像，无法见到自己所爱的家人，以及自己所尊敬和在乎的人长达六十年是什么样的一种感受。对于许多藏人来说，时间已经不多了，因为人不可能永远都活着。
无论我们持有什么样的理念或立场，最重要的是——我们都希望幸福、和谐，我们都希望与家人，与自己喜欢和尊敬的人在一起。我们希望拥有这种个人自由。所以，当我们因为任何原因或基于理念的不同而被剥夺了这一切，那么我们就是在面对着一个严重的问题，所以我们今天会看到西藏人民的稳定性已经被破坏了。因此，尊者所提出的中间道路看法非常有力，它有助于团结世界各地的所有藏人。毕竟，无论我们的理念是什么，我们都希望在我们死之前能看到自己的亲人。如果我们坚持某种理念，比如说想要完全独立，并与其他理念如“中间道路”作斗争，那么这一切就不会发生。看看尊者在中间道路上所展现的智慧，即使这个理想尚未实现，它也已经允许西藏人进出西藏，至少可以建立简单的联系，不至于完全隔绝。正如尊者所说的，如果尊者没有表达他对中间道路的立场，且坚持向中国争取完全独立，中国就不会允许这一切的发生。所以，基于尊者所提供的理由，我完全支持第十四世达赖尊者的中间道路方案。
遵循同样的思路，达赖尊者在故乡网这篇文章的第二段文中非常清楚地指出，在解决西藏问题上，将中国视为敌人是太天真的想法。 “如果我们把中国当作敌人，那就太愚蠢了。相反的，我们应该实现双方之间的联系，这才是解决问题的唯一途径。”
达赖尊者所言极富远见，他给我们指引了一个理由充分且高瞻远瞩的方向。那就不是把中国视为敌人，不贬低中国政府或惹恼他们。 如果我们想要跟一个人建立关系，同时却一直在嘲笑和贬低他们，还指望他们给我们所想要的东西，那是不合逻辑的。因此，如果藏人希望能够实现中间道路，今后西藏领导层和西藏境内、外的所有藏人都应该尽最大的努力来更好地了解他们的中国同胞们。我们要了解他们的文化，并希望他们也能同样地对待我们。毕竟，除了遵循尊者的指示，我们还能有什么其他选择。
有鉴于此，从现在开始，我们应该遵从尊者的明智建议，不应该公然贬低和诋毁中国，也不应在社交媒体、书籍或任何印刷品上嘲笑和侮辱中国政府，因为这不会促成达赖尊者想要藏人团圆与重聚的愿景。 这适用于所有藏人，以及那些自称尊敬和爱戴尊者并关心西藏人民福祉的西藏斗争支持者。
如果我们不遵照尊者的话去做，西藏境内、外的藏人将会永远分离，也许至死都不会有重逢的一天。这种与亲人生离死别的悲剧，全是由于我们坚持理念的差异，以及无法超越个人偏爱的理念所致。
在故乡网文章的第五段文中，尊者说：“中间道路获得了包括欧盟和美国在内的国际社会支持。 他也表示，越来越多的中国知识分子支持西藏作为在中华人民共和国版图内的自治实体，并保有文化与宗教的完整性。”
这番话十分强而有力。因此，如果我们藏人和西藏支持者都能遵循尊者明智的劝告，停止挑衅中国，我们就能透过中间道路方案得到国际社会对西藏事业的大力支持。
因此，我认为这篇文章极度重要。它阐明了尊者促进藏族统一和实现中间道路的明确任务。尽管这篇文章中并没有直接提到这一点，然而在另一篇题为“达赖尊者重申中间道路政策为实际可行的方案”的相关文章中，尊者说，中国有四亿名佛教徒。这是一个非常庞大的人数，占全球最大国人口的三分之一。这意味着，如果藏人和中国人能聚在一起并相互了解，我们藏人必定可以透过分享佛陀教义的智慧来让我们的中国同胞们受益。这将对中国文化做出巨大贡献，因为中国人早在西藏之前就已经信奉佛教。在文革之前，中国早已拥有丰富的佛教文化，也产生了许多伟大的哲学家和学者。因此，藏人若能将西藏所完好保存的纯正印度佛教传统带回给中国，那将会是一件好事。中国拥有五千年的历史，其内容丰富而复杂，且高度完善。中国人素以伟大的思想家著称，在许多领域都拥有强大的智慧和高超的学识，因此他们能够吸收藏传佛教深奥的哲学和教义。这不仅在整体上对佛教有利，同时也有利于中国和西藏人民的关系。
且看看中国如何凭借其学习能力而超越地球上的许多国家。 试想看，一个拥有13亿人口的国家在短短20年内崛起成为世界第二大经济体，这对任何其他国家而言都是不可能的。 这是一项惊人的成就，它来自中国人民的过人毅力及艰苦奋斗，体现了中国人的独特个性。
因此，藏人目前应该团结一致，不要在宗教问题和政治或宗教理念上继续斗争下去，这是非常重要的。无论我来自格鲁、宁玛或萨迦派，无论我是卫藏人、康巴人还是安多人，这都没关系。无论我修持或不修持多杰雄登，也没关系。这一切都必须搁置一旁，因为我们已经因社群的分离而遭受了太多的痛苦。我们不需要更多的分裂，因为分裂无助于达成我们想要的目标，那就是保护我们西藏的语言、文化和宗教信仰，以及再度与亲人重逢。我们还要因意见不和所引发的旧恨和分歧再浪费多少年，让自己继续与亲人和彼此分离？如果达赖尊者能接纳所有藏人，甚至包括修持多杰雄登的藏人，那会是一件美好的事。如果达赖尊者能与雄登人会面，并将他们跟其他藏人团结起来，那更是一件好事。
因此，我谦恭地请求大家听从尊者的话，与中国交朋友，而不是视他们为敌人，时常贬低他们并利用每一个机会来针对他们。你的想法也许有你自己的理由，你也可能是对的。 然而，我们还必须意识到，正确的事可能并无法实现，而可实现的事也许并不一定是正确或理想的。 我们应该尽力而为，慢慢努力去实现我们的目标。尊者年事已高，我们必须遵循他这方面的建议，以保护我们的文化、宗教、语言和国家，好让西藏境内、外的家庭可以再度相见，因为有些人已经好几十年没见面了。
詹杜固仁波切
来源：http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=40480
点击放大图片。
达赖尊者：区域、宗派或政见的分歧将破坏团结
达兰萨拉30日讯：藏族领导人达赖尊者表示，西藏三区藏人及藏传佛教各派之间的团结十分重要。“有时候，我们会因各自的区域或教派而产生冲突，这是完全不必要的。支持中间道路和寻求独立者之间亦是如此。这仅是个人所追求的意识形态，不应成为冲突的理由。”
尊者说，将中国视为西藏问题的敌人是很天真的想法。“如果我们把中国当作敌人，那就太愚蠢了。相反的，我们应该实现双方之间的联系，这才是解决问题的唯一途径。”这位藏族领导人今日较早时在楚拉康寺大院向参加首届“国际中间道路大会”的与会者这么说。
当谈到中间道路所取得的成果时，这位藏族领导人表示，自邓小平担任中国国家主席期间与中国恢复关系后所展开的官方代表团互访，有助于作为西藏境内及流亡藏人之间的桥梁。“这些访问不仅能让我们知道西藏境内不朽的精神，也让我们修复与西藏同胞们的关系。如果我们寻求独立，这一切都不可能发生。”
“邓小平对流亡藏人的发展及在教育领域所取得的成就感到惊喜。由于当时人才短缺，他甚至试图招揽（流亡）藏人教师和译者。然而，由于他们拒绝持中国国籍证件出游，这项计划才没有实现。”
这位藏族领导人补充说，中间道路获得了包括欧盟和美国在内的国际社会支持。 他也表示，越来越多的中国知识分子支持西藏作为在中华人民共和国版图内的自治实体，并保有文化与宗教的完整性。
他还说，藏传佛教在西方越来越受欢迎，特别是在高等教育学府。“连科学家也表示我们的哲学是科学的，建基于逻辑而不只是信仰，”他补充说，中国与流亡藏人之间的亲密关系将使中国数百万佛教徒受益。
这位藏族领导人吁请青少年务必很好地学习藏文，因为那是唯一能够诠释佛陀及那烂陀大师们教诲的语文。“除了藏文，再没有其他语文能让我们了解这些教义，我们该为自己能让它维系下去而感到自豪。”
来源: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=40480
附录
达赖尊者重申中间道路政策为现实做法
来源：http://tibet.net/2018/05/his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-reaffirms-middle-way-policy-as-realistic-approach
点击放大图片。
视频：达赖喇嘛尊者说把中国视为敌人的想法是狭隘的
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/HHDLSpeaksForChina.mp4
For more interesting information:
- Reuters publishes my reconciliation prayers for Asia
- An Open Letter of Appeal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama (April 30, 2018)
- Dalai Lama’s sudden change of mind about China-backed Panchen Lama
- Reuters Investigation on Dorje Shugden Inaccurate?
- Reuters publishes my thoughts on Tibetan self-immolation
- Reuters covers international Dorje Shugden conference 2018
- Milestone International Dorje Shugden Conference 2018 | 2018全球雄登代表大会开创历史新篇章 | ས་ཚིགས་འཛམ་གླིང་རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་རྡོ་རྗེ་ཤུགས་ལྡན་ལྷན་ཚོགས ༢༠༡༨།
- Huffington Post: When Machiavelli Dons Tibetan Robes
- Huffington Post: Shugden Acolytes Decry Ostracism Within Buddhist Ranks
- Huffington Post: Three Times as Many Buddhists as Communists in China: Dalai Lama’s Tibet Wish May Require Rapprochement with Former Adversaries
- Dorje Shugden – The Protector of Our Time
- Dear Dalai Lama, please read this
- Dear Dalai Lama, With Folded Hands
- Why so rude?
- 700 Meet A Buddha (七百人幸睹佛现)
- Dorje Shugden People Do Not Go to the Three Lower Realms
- Why Accepting Dorje Shugden Is Good for Tibetan Democracy
- Why can’t the Dalai Lama ‘bind’ Dorje Shugden?
- H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s first live streaming!
- The Dorje Shugden category on my blog
- They were not wrong
- Can Tibetan Lamas Make Mistakes?
- My plea to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- My plea to His Holiness (Tibetan) | ངའི་༧གོང་ས་མཆོག་ལ་སྙན་ཞུ་ཞུ་རྒྱུར།
- Dorje Shugden: My side of the story
- 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
- The Buddhist Divide – An Unholy Campaign against Religious Freedom
- Tibetan Leadership’s New Anti-Shugden Video
- Updated: Dorje Shugden Teaching Videos
- The Dalai Lama Speaks Clearly About the Dorje Shugden Ban
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Water in mainland China comes from mountains in Tibet. This is why China will never allow Tibet to be independent. Too dangerous to let go.
It’s definitely the right way for Tibetan leadership to stop irritate China because their ultimate goal is to go back to their homeland, Tibet. China is very prominent in the global economic. A lot of countries would like China to invest in their countries and they will not go against China just because of Tibet. The sympathy card no longer can be used as at this point of time everyone is focusing on how to stabilize or create better opportunities for their country. Tibetan leadership should have done the same but unfortunately too much of personal interest and only people surrounding the Dalai Lama getting most of the benefit and neglected the Tibetan that staying in the refugee camp. If Tibetan leadership still don’t realize their situation where now they are not going to get much support from anyone, they are really looking into big big trouble. Tibetan leadership need to change their game plan already and just have to find ways to befriend China and China is their only way and hope.
To make the world a better place to live, there has to be peace and harmony. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is right, there is no need to make China the enemy, it will be more beneficial to make friend with China so both parties can have mutual benefits. By nature, the Chinese do not like to use violence but they believe in benefitting each other economically.
Tibet under the ruling of China has developed into a modern region and the standard of living of the Tibetans has also improved tremendously. The Chinese government has reduced the poverty rate in Tibet from 35.2% to 7.9% in 2018, it is a huge achievement. But the CTA fails to achieve anything significant in the past 60 years, the Tibetans are still refugees and many of them are still living in poverty.
What the Dalai Lama says is true, instead of making China an enemy, Tibetans should go for the Middle Way approach, to find a better way to work with China in order to give Tibetans a better future. The Chinese government has proven its ability in making a positive difference to the Tibetans’ lives. The CTA will not be able to give what the Chinese government is giving the Tibetans, it will be wise to follow what the Dalai Lama says and be part of China.
Great news which we waited long to read about it. Finally HH Dalai Lama is going to visit China. This in fact a historical event long over due. Having a good ties with China will definitely good for HH Dalai Lama and the Tibetans living in India as refugees who have long to go home. Regardless what ever outcome, this is really a big leap and a historical. Tibet has seen 60 years of destruction of its civilisation, culture and identity since the Dalai Lama fled to India. Thousands of Tibetans have been killed during the dispute. Tibetan Leardership has not make much progress in getting back Tibet and nothing much done in the welfare of the refugees living in India.
Its time for them to make peace and harmony and need a change . H H Dalai Lama is well known for his compassion ,harmony and peace . The past is past as now Tibet wish to stay with China . If China agrees HH Dalai Lama would return to Tibet . HH Dalai Lama is urging all Tibetans to be at peace and harmony.
HH Dalai Lama has been working on “Middle Way” approach as a realistic political means of his return to Tibet and fulfilling the aspirations of the Tibetan people ,has proven results in terms of dialogue with China. Through peaceful and democratic means , peace and harmony of a country can only be solved.
The Phayul .com done a good job for publishing HH Dalai Lama ‘s thoughts, approach and desire of going home to Tibet.
Thank you Rinpoche and writers for this sharing.
Nice short video of a new LED signage reminding us of who we can go to for blessings in case of need: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwrkaKUoH0
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
Think in this aspect His Holiness the Dalai Lama is letting everyone know, that we actually don’t have external enemies, the real enemy is our very own minds that has stored much negative karma and imprints.
Although this is a general speech by the Dalai lama but it related to the Dorje Shugden as well, Karma Kagyu vs Drukpa Kagyu, etc etc hope Tibetan will be clever enough to pick up on this and really work at healing the divide amongst Tibetans, divided by all of spiritual matters
The Dalai Lama’s words about the needless conflicts of Tibetans among themselves that have run on lines of religious differences and differences in province and how it is time that these conflicts be resolved and unity be restored, cannot be more timely. Unity and harmony are more important than ever before, as the Tibetans in Exile need to move forward in the right direction together. If they wish to return to Tibet, then there is no choice, but to be united. India, their host country, has already made it clear that they are not welcomed anymore. India’s stance is understandable -the Tibetans have been in exile for 60 years as refugees, without making any effort to become Indian citizens. At the same time, they are enjoying benefits which even locals do not get to enjoy. Furthermore, with all the funds flowing into their hands, not a single cent has been given over to their host country for its people to benefit.
It’s time to befriend China, Tibetans in Exile! It’s time to give up the naivete of thinking of China as enemy. Tibetans must begin to see China as a friend to pave their way to go home to Tibet, which is a part of China.
Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this article which is a powerful voice of reason very much aligned to the spirit to mend past wrongs and build a more just and hopeful future as demonstrated by North and South Korea as well as the recent Malaysia election. These a sparks of hope that humanity can and will do the right thing.
After suffering the loss of family, home, country and hope under the obsolete leadership of TGIE or CTA for 60 years, it is high time for the teachings of Lord Buddha to once again guide the actions and ways of all Tibetans once more: the middle path.
I hope that Tibetans will finally find the path back to their homeland through the middle way and find purpose and dedicate effort to meaningful work that is beneficial such as sharing Dharma with the 400 million Chinese Buddhists.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the good news coming from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, where Dalai Lama is urging on the unity of all Tibetans in Tibet and other Tibetans living in exile without being divided and separated because of the differences in geographical locations, religious divisions or political stand points. Evidently, the context of Dalai Lama’s message includes the issue of separation between Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden practitioners in the Buddhist community ever since the ban of Dorje Shugden was started officially back in 1996 until today.
As China is currently progressing well to become one of the powerful world leaders in economy, political, trading, safety as well as international affairs, China performs far better than many developed countries and thus, it is not wise for anyone to become an enemy with China, denigrate China and bring the Chinese government’s reputation down with the intention of creating more schism, further separation and false accusations such as Dorje Shugden practitioners are China’s spies and Dorje Shugden has caused Tibet from not achieving the independence from China. All Tibetans and Tibetan supporters should follow the advice given by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to start and resolve all the issues within Tibetan community through the Middle Way Approach as being emphasized by the Dalai Lama that can bring many benefits to both Tibet and China. The Middle Way Approach is being supported not only by Chinese scholars, activists, writers and public personalities but many governments from USA, Britain, France, Germany and Australia as well.
Since China has been performing well with strong foundation in many aspects, Tibetans can further spread, develop and preserve Tibetan Buddhism, cultures and traditions if all the current Tibetans living in exile return back to Tibet and reconnect back with their families and friends in their homeland, which is currently known as Tibet Autonomous Region. Further, it is the current wish of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to unite all the Tibetans living in exile and relocate back them to Tibet upon understanding and learning from the article news published by Phayul.com where Tibet is the home for all Tibetans. Hence, all the Tibetan Buddhists from lineages of Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Jonang and Gelug should come together for mutual dialogues and close the gaps among themselves towards reaching to a peaceful agreement in alignment with the direction spearheaded by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who is the emanation of Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig.
May religious freedom persists forever that allows for all practitioners inclusive of Dorje Shugden practitioners, to practise according to their lineages, traditions and belief freely without obstacles, pain and any form of suffering.
Humbly with folded hands,
kin hoe
It is terrific news that His Holiness is taking the Middle Way. It is definitely a more peaceful approach to almost everything.
The approach on treating China, the approach of uniting the Tibetans, especially on religious differences.. it is very beneficial.
Taking the recent Malaysian elections, the new government talks about “Malaysians”… not Malays, not Chinese, not Indians.. but Malaysians.. and that is why they have won the support of every Malaysian and brought Malaysia to a closer bond. Never have there been cases of new government without riots, strikes, fears etc..
With His Holiness making such statements on the website, it really means a lot to a lot of people.
Thank you.
自1959年的一场骤变，藏人流亡印度六十年，许多家庭自此分隔两地，有些人至死都没再见过自己的父母、孩子和亲友。这样的悲剧，没有人希望它会一直延续下去。
即便持有再怎么不同的政见或理念，人都属于情感动物。不可能那么自私，可以那么任性地单凭一己对某种理念的坚持，就让在家乡亲友永远都等不到团圆的那一天。
达赖尊者提出的中间道路，隐含着许多智慧和更多的慈悲。当年藏人固然一心希望能够以自己最理想的方式返回西藏，但达赖尊者早有远见，他早已预见西藏独立并不是实际可行的做法，一味坚持下去，不仅让流亡藏人永远都回不到藏地，甚至连最初所争取保存的西藏文化、语言和宗教也都会逐渐消失。这点可从近年来许多藏人纷纷从印度聚居地迁居西方国家的数据中看出来，栖居海外，连基本的生活都无法顾及，还谈什么保留文化和宗教？
想要保留自己的宗教、文化和语言，还有什么地方比得上在自己的家乡努力来得更有利？藏人想要保护这一切，就应该从西藏这个地方开始着手。不断在海外抨击中国，不但于事无补，反而让中国对此更加敏感。中国自古就是是一个多元民族、多元文化的国家，这是一个不争的事实。任何一个民族或文化群体在中国境内鼓吹分裂的言论，必然会对这个十三亿人口的国家陷入动荡。没有一个爱国爱民的领袖会愿意看到这一点。
藏人若想要保护自己家乡和人民，想要保存自己的文化和宗教，首先就必须先团结内部，继而再跟中国进行协商。无论是前者或后者，一定要做到异中求同，而不是继续为了个人的区域、教派和信仰理念等的不同，而继续发生分歧。西藏三大区域孰优孰劣；藏传佛教四大主要传承、噶玛噶举三位大宝法王、格鲁两位班禅大师，甚至是多杰雄登与反多杰雄登教派之间的争议，无论是谁赢了，都只会继续制造更多分裂，对西藏内部团结，对于两地藏人的大团圆，一点帮助都没有。
藏人若真的爱自己的土地、文化和宗教，就要看得更长远。选择一个最实际圆满的目标，再拟定一个真正可行之道，再分阶进行改革，而不是漫无目的的喊口号和浪费无谓的人力物力做一些无效的抗争。要先达致内部的团结，才有资格跟外部协商。若藏人真正爱达赖尊者，尊敬达赖尊者，也相信达赖尊者终有一天能促成境内、外藏人团圆，就应该支持他的中间道路。具体的做法，就是先摒弃内部区域、党派之争，携手共进。
以退为进，以守为攻；表面上看来是让步，实际上这才是最务实达成最终目标的做法。若相信因果定律，就必然也要相信只有解决分歧才能带来和谐，只有达致内部团结才能带来家国团圆。如果身为佛教徒本身的藏人都不相信这一点，还谈什么争取保留自身的语言、文化和宗教？毕竟，西藏的语言、文化都建基于佛教。要达致西藏的目标，必然也必须遵循佛陀之道。
Good to hear His Holiness is addressing the real Tibetan issue. Because what hold Tibetans back from achieving their Middle Way goal is the conflict and disharmony among themselves. So much division and so much argue about Rangzen (total freedom) and Umaylam (Middle Way); 3 Karmapas instead of one; 2 Panchen Lama instead of one; regional conflict and so on and on. With the absence of unity, people achieve nothing and this applies to everyone in this world, not only Tibetans.
I am glad to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama is addressing the real issue finally. It is human who creates obstacles and problems from achieving gaols, not any ghost/deity who can create problems for Tibet Cause – yes, I am referring to the what Dalai Lama’s government claims, that Dorje Shugden the evil spirit is the one who creates obstacles for Tibet Cause. This is so silly, illogical and very un-Buddhist.
People within Dalai Lama’s government like Dhardon Sharling should stop promoting this idea of Dorje Shugden the evil spirit is the reason why Tibet Cause failed. It is you and your fellow colleagues never really encourage harmony within your community, instead you created division using regionalism, sectarianism, Dorje Shugden to divide people so that you have absolute control on the people and gain power from this game. How selfish Dhardon Sharling and the Central Tibetan Administration are. Sad to know.
It is very encouraging that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is now speaking up the truth and advocating harmony and unity. Only with harmony and unity, the Tibet Cause, no matter what it is will come to fruition.
My very last advise to Dhardon Sharling and her fellow colleagues is: STOP USING DORJE SHUGDEN AS A SCAPEGOAT. PEOPLE WITH LOGICAL THINKING CLEARLY KNOW YOUR MOTIVE BEHIND. DO YOUR JOB WELL, DON’T CREATE FURTHER DIVISION AMONG TIBETANS USING HIS HOLINESS’S NAME. WE ALL KNOW HOW FAILURE YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT, PLEASE DON’T BLAME A GHOST OR A DEITY. THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING AND DOING.
Please abide with His Holiness’s wish for unity and harmony. It is time to lift Dorje Shugden’s ban and stop segregating and discriminating Dorje Shugden practitioners.
It is clear that there are only benefits for Tibetans especially to befriend China, now that more countries are ignoring the Tibetans, China is their best hope. Compared to the 1950’, China sure has changed a lot, China nowadays is a place/country where Tibetans can truly cultivate and preserve their culture better compared to many other countries.
I’m very glad to hear what His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, if people choose to heed HHDL’s advice, it will solve a lot of problems caused by regionalists and troublemakers within and outside of Tibet. In this 21st century, even HHDL himself sees benefits in befriending China, Tibetans who are truly loyal to him and truly support him should take HHDL’s advice to heart and make it a reality. Whatever HHDL does is for the benefit of sentient beings so he definitely cannot go wrong about this. If this trend continues, then it will eventually reunite Tibetans who were separated and divided due to regionalism and religion such as the practice of Dorje Shugden. I hope that all non-Shugden and Shugden practitioners will reunite and be friends again ; May the monks and monasteries of non-Shugden and Shugden practitioners be unified again, 2 decades of infighting, segregation and ostracism must stop.
REJOICE for this positive teaching from His Holiness the Dalai Lama !!
It brings my thoughts back to the time when H.E Tsem Tulku Rinpoche made an appeal along the same line of thought – and that was in Feb2017. Rinpoche has made many similar appeals to the Tibetans to not “fight” with China as it would not bring any good. Rinpoche was a very strong advocate for peaceful reconciliation between China and Tibet; and because of this Rinpoche has been labelled very negatively and received many abusive attacks which should not have been rendered. I am so glad to see that His Holiness have shared the same views and hopefully this advice will be taken seriously and amendments be made to have a good ending to this long and painful battle.
I would like to share here the advice which H.E Tsem Tulku Rinpoche made in Feb 2017 with regards to this matter .https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/dalai-lama-china-shugden.html
“”we have to be respectful to the Chinese government. My respects for the Dalai Lama is for his Buddhist learning and mastery which is free of any Geo-political issues or general politics full stop. I wish very much the Dalai Lama would do his utmost best to meet with the Chinese leadership regardless of their ‘demands’ or what has happened in the past. The Dalai Lama may have moral authority, but the great nation of China has economic might among many other attractive qualities to the secular world. Most nations if not all will be attracted to economics wouldn’t you think? Sometimes in life it’s not about what is wrong or right as it should be, but what needs to be done. We have to leap forward now. China is a great nation, with one of the longest ancient cultures spanning over 5,000 years, and her social-cultural-economic emergence is obvious in the world. To respect China and becoming her friend would accomplish more for everyone and changes in China we may wish to see. Everyone is rushing to make relations with China. We have to respect the powerhouse China is. Therefore I do not presume to give any advice to the Dalai Lama but I do hope he will meet with the Chinese government soon. Being friends with Western governments is good, but Tibet is not in the West, but in China. So the Dalai Lama should focus on China. In general, I do not get involved with politics. But these are some of my thoughts that came up this morning. I wish China and Dalai Lama well.I wish China growth, awareness and spirituality. I wish China to find her cultural roots as well as her spiritual roots along with economic growth. China plays a very important role in world economics, peace and general direction. She is a great nation with great people. I wish the Dalai Lama long life and also his situation always be perfect. I wish he can see his homeland Tibet soon and that he will also lift the ban against Dorje Shugden followers who have suffered tremendously. “”
Wisdom beings like His Holiness the Dalai Lama and H.E Tsem Tulku Rinpoche have deep compassion and very skillful means to guide beings out of samsara. It boils down to whether we have the karma to receive these teachings, accept and use them to transform our minds in order to reduce sufferings and benefit others.
May these teachings reach many people and create peace and harmony for many. With folded hands.
There’s no denying it is would be in everyone’s best interest to make friends with China instead of making enemies. The reasons are clear. There are definitely way more advantages than disadvantages especially since Tibetan refugees are losing support from the US, other nations, and even India. Their best hope is China. Dalai Lama is himself is old and wishes to return to Tibet. It’s really common sense to make friends rather than enemies if you want to curry any favors from anyone you can benefit from.
If Tibetans bonds with China, it could be a big turn in events for Shugdenpas. There are no more reasons to call Shugden practitioners Chinese spies. What else can Shugdenpas be “guilty” of now? In addition, China supports Dorje Shugden and adopts policies on freedom of religious belief to maintain religious and social harmony. There can be no “ban” on DS practice in China.
As much as I rejoice with the Dalai Lama’s statement in Phayul, I very much doubt his supporters will get the hint nor take heed of such advice. Otherwise, Dalai Lama’s messages of love, peace, and compassion would have been taken sincerely to heart by His loyal supporters. Instead, Dorje Shugden practitioners continuously took verbal and physical abuse from them for so many years.
For Dorje Shugden issue to resolve, Dalai Lama needs to stop sending out mixed messages. First and foremost, by removing the statement on Dorje Shugden in dalailama.com. Dalai Lama should also mend relationships with China by immediately enforcing rules to stop self-immolation instead of keeping quiet thus making China look bad. I hope these are Dalai Lama’s next steps.
Being a leader is never easy. Anyone who has ever held a high managerial position will tell you that. Being a leader equates to being the key decision maker on how things, processes, situations and environments, will be from the time of the decision. In all those things, people are an integral part of the decision and usually the most affected by it. Out of all the leadership positions available to anyone, being head of state probably has the most responsibility as every decision made involves and affects whole communities, citizen groups or the entire population. The problem with decisions is that in almost all of them, not everyone comes out a ‘winner’ as there will always be a someone who will be affected adversely.
In his earlier role as both secular and spiritual head of the Tibetan people, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, from the time he fled Tibet in 1959 had successfully organized his people – hundreds of thousands of them – and kept their unique culture and identity intact in exile in India. Once limited to only a few countries in the Indo-Pacific, His Holiness international outreach and diplomacy allowed Tibetan Buddhist traditions to grow stronger in those countries and their surrounding regions (and in recent times, even in China) as well as spreading it widely throughout the Western world. He also established the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and re-established Men-Tsee-Khang – Tibetan Medical and Astro-Science Institute – among other important institutions that preserve and promote Tibet’s ancient traditions. His Holiness also engaged with Western scientists that led to new ways for people to view and accept Tibetan Buddhism, gaining it the recognition as a valid science of mind and philosophy of life, especially in Western countries whose science is based on tangible concepts.
These are all great and wonderful achievements of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. As a leader, those are things that rank quite highly but those are not the only things that make a leader great. What defines a truly great leader is how one leads his people.
Until 1959, Tibet was a country that remained isolated and to an extent, cut off from the rest of the world which was fast evolving with science and technology as well as new and modern societal and economic structures. Tibet was a country whose people lived as they always have, as serfs and nomads in lands ruled by feudal lords presided over by the great monasteries. A country that was (and still is) romanticised by Westerners as a mystical land lost in time, and for quite understandable reasons too.
Thrust into the present, the Dalai Lama not only had to contend with their new living conditions in India, he had to cope with reorganizing the Tibetans to fit the new modern world they were now in. This includes collecting the various monastic traditions, ruling barons and commoners to ensure their survival in exile in India. This is no easy task and the process would have involved making very difficult decisions – political decisions that would often bear unpopular results.
At the top of those difficult decisions would probably be the democratizing of the Tibetan government from the feudal theocracy it was. As in any difficult decision, there are those, people who hold power to please and are at the forefront of the decision-making process, and others, the commoners and serfs, who will face the consequences of the decision.
Such is politics.
I can only imagine how difficult the task was for His Holiness to maintain the lives of the Tibetans-in-exile and creating the causes for them to return to their motherland.
The uncountable Tibetan lives lost in the people’s uprisings, the 150 more lives of those who self-immolated, the failure of the Free Tibet cause to regain independence as the biggest examples must be a terrible burden for the Dalai Lama to bear as a leader.
Could he have done better?
Were the decisions wrong?
What were the results of those decisions? Did they result in unity and solidarity of the Tibetan people or did they cause discord, tension and strife, such as the decision to discriminate against Dorje Shugden practitioners?
With the restriction of the Dorje Shugden practice, His Holiness’ decision has created a wide schism within the monastic community. A decision that has brought with it a lot of unnecessary suffering for the Tibetan people. Was the rift caused by the decision worth the positive results, if there were even any positive results to begin with?
How did the decisions made by His Holiness result with militant-minded Rangzen groups with extremist ideas? In an earlier attempt to bolster support for the Tibetan cause, did the Dalai Lama make decisions that even until today, these militant Rangzen groups continue to demonize and assault China with extremity, on the internet and in the media? How do any of these create hope for the Tibetans-in-exile to reunite with their families and friends in Tibet?
Will the decisions with Umaylam, the Middle Way Approach, be sufficiently pro-China for it to bear fruit? Can His Holiness reverse his ‘wrong’ decisions, with both restrictions on the Dorje Shugden practice and the extremist Rangzen movement, that will allow Umaylam to have gravity with China?
“China boasts the world’s second-largest economy today. The World Trade Organization ranks it as the largest global exporter and the second-largest global importer. Furthermore, the country’s economic, cultural and political reach spans the globe. China is second only to the United States in outbound foreign direct investment and aid, and projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank have put Beijing at the forefront of infrastructure development and investment in the developing world. At the same time, the country has expanded its military presence abroad, contributing significant numbers of troops to U.N. peacekeeping missions and participating in multinational anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden. China, in fact, just established its first overseas military base, located in Djibouti, though it is still wary of getting embroiled in conflicts abroad.”
China is definitely not the same country it was in 1959. It is not the anti-Religion ‘evil’ Communists they were once thought of as. Neither are they a poor, undeveloped nation that exists only to provide cheap labour to transnational corporations from developed Western countries. Therefore, whatever past policies the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-exile (Central Tibetan Administration) have with regard to gaining International support and opposing China for the Tibet Cause is no longer viable.
Even though he is no longer the secular leader of the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama still wields incredible amounts of influence with decision makers in the Central Tibetan Administration and his people everywhere, both in Tibet and in the diaspora.
There are important decisions the Dalai Lama will have to make to enable Tibetans to return, live and grow as Tibetans in Tibet.
And His Holiness has to make them quickly. Time is running out, for him and for the Tibetans-in-exile.
Can the West blame China when they themselves have conquered part of China during the reign of the Chinese emperor, and then later China herself did the same for Tibet. I don’t think so. It has been the strong who take control of the weak. This has happened to our human civilizations in the past, from the West and for the East. Then the Tibetan refugees in exiled complain and bad mouth China in the hope to gain independence from the assistance of foreign powers. No matter how loud the complain it didn’t work for 60 years. No one in the right mind would go to war with China. And if you win China is right besides your doorstep. And China was the source of cheap human labor for the West, now important trading partners. China is friends with many because of economic benefits.
When Tibetans refugees in exiled make China as the enemy they singled out the weaknesses they could find — human rights violation. The human right value and democracy principle goes hand in hand. Do Tibetans refugees in exiled subscribed to this value before they left Tibet? They can say they are now democratic. I doubt so. Both China and Tibet were ruled by monarchy. The Chinese and Tibetan don’t have the personal freedom as the ruler command is absolute. There was never democracy and human rights so to speak of. Therefore the Tibetan refugees in exiled brought with them the same value, thinking process and mentality from old Tibet, so do the leaders who escaped. The leadership of Tibetans refugees in exiled being exposed to outside world found the human rights value and democracy principle as ammunition to criticize China. Of course the West are more than glad to assist the Tibetan refugees in carry out putting down China.
Which refugees in the world have kept protesting as long as 60 years. It is expected that refugees to assimilate into their host country, abide by the local laws and get on with their lives. Tibetan refugees in exiled is the only refugees in the world having so much freedom that they can travel out of the host country and they can protest against China with little restrictions fom India. You can bet that the Tibetans were provided assistance and benefits by the West and India due to their own agendas for China. The treatment of Tibetans in China is labeled human rights according to the West definition, therefore China is bad. Unsurprising many including me think China has serious human right violations but the West have done the same human rights to other races eg African in the past too, and the West have gotten away with it.
Therefore when Tibetan refugees want to complain about China violated Tibetan human rights they must look at themselves whether they are the same too? Isn’t isolation and discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners a human right issue too? If you want to say it is only a Tibetan religious matter then it doesn’t make sense to apply human right values and democracy on religious matter. Otherwise it is justification for own agenda.
In these 60 years the leaders of Tibetan refugees haven’t make much progress in getting back Tibet. Obviously the strategies the leaders used don’t work. And here the Dalai Lama stated clearly the reason — taking the view that China is the enemy. The leaders of Tibetan refugees have been declaring China is their main enemy all these years. 60 years of hatred, revenge, grudge for China is insane. It is so un-Buddhist when Tibetans speak of compassion to the West and to blame and discredit China out of hatred on the other hand, like this, one can never be friends. China is changing and it is making friends along the way.
What does the Tibetan refugees leadership or CTA think now? Continue the old ways or change as “advised” by the Dalai Lama?
The above article “Division based on province, religious sect or political stand harms unity”, quotes the Dalai Lama saying that we should respect everyone no matter his origin, his religious choice or political views. I fully agree with this as this is what is commonly agreed in democratic systems and proven to keep harmony for everyone.
And as it is said, H.H. the Dalai Lamas Middle Way has proven results in terms of dialogue with China. I fully agree that there needs to be collaboration to further the path to a peaceful solution for the Tibetan people. I personally think that after 60 years, there is no way to become an Independent Tibet again but everybody have the right to hope for this if he wishes, which is can understand.
Internationally, the Middle Way Approach has much support and many people ask for the respect of Tibetan culture and religion within China. The respect that Tibetan Buddhism has gained worldwide, helps also to support Tibetan identity and language. Yet, the times have changed for the Tibetans. They have received much support internationally after losing their country but after 60 years, the support has become more quiet and their refugees are refused nowadays by more and more countries.
China, on the other hand, is very successful and is much welcomed worldwide. They have worked their way up to become a superpower and the world has noticed many positive changes that have happened in China over the past 30 years.
It would be good to implement the Dalai Lamas wishes within the Tibetan communities as there are many challenging situations such as the ongoing protests against the Central Tibetan Administration. The division within the Tibetan communities is also because of political interferences within Tibetan religious schools such as the three Karmapas and the Dorje Shugden ban for example. This should not happen as religion is not to be controlled by political power and everyone should have the right to practice their religion without repercussion and intervention from outside.
I hope that the Dalai Lamas words will have fruitful results in terms of bringing harmony to the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism as well as having a constructive relationship with China.
Personally, I think its very good news for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to have made this statement, that is, among others things, not to treat China like an enemy and not to create divisions based on religious issues.
I hope the loyal Tibetan people and supporters of the Dalai Lama take His Holiness’s advice to heart and act on them because it is a call not to persist with a formula that has been proven unworkable. What is crucial for the Tibetan people to “… realise that things that are right may not be achievable and things that are achievable may not necessarily feel right or ideal. We should try and get what we can and then slowly work on achieving what we want” (excerpt from the last paragraph of Rinpoche’s commentary on the Phayul news).
We have seen how the global balance of power have shifted and now favors China. That things change is simply a fact. I see a growing resentment towards China on the social media but the same people who lament China’s rise should recall that there was a time when Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Japan carved up China and forced her to open with their ‘gunboat diplomacy’ and let’s not forget the effort to corrupt and destroy an entire nation of people by introducing opium into what was a highly civilised nation.
I am not writing to defend or side with China because I have no stake in the quarrel but logically, the debate should now shift from ‘who is right’ to how the Tibetan people can best survive and preserve their culture, language and heritage. It may not be palatable but it is a reality and not a reality that has to be borne exclusive by the Tibetan people. The world over, we can see how many nations of people have been conquered/annexed/colonised/ forcibly assimilated, and how they have had to swallow the bitter pill of truth, make changes to the way they think, move and survive to tell that tale and seek some justice. It is the way of samsara.
The Tibetan government may say that this is unfair but here, they have to be reminded what the rulers of old Tibet told the Tibetan serfs and slaves before 1959 – it is your karma, accept it. Perhaps, the same should apply here.
I see His Holiness the Dalai Lama doing what is clearly necessary to appease China – first by acknowledging the China-backed 11th Panchen Lama and now telling the Tibetan to change how they view the Chinese government. It is now a question of whether the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) will have enough respect for and trust in the Dalai Lama to take the lead in this new approach. I cannot help but note that the official CTA website is still carrying news that allude to the Chinese Panchen Lama being a fake and also calls for the marginalisation of Dorje Shugden worshippers. Don’t these negative messages now fly in the fact of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s instructions?
In a book by Stephanie Roemer “The Tibetan Government-in-Exile”, she mentioned that the 2 key ingredients for a government-in-exile to overthrow the ruling government on power are:
1. The ability to secure loyalty within its own community
2. To gain international support and recognition
However, given the current Tibetan political and spiritual landscape, both key ingredients are sorely missing. This is attributed to the current situation within the Tibetan community, where there are many splintered groups due to:-
1. The recognition of 3 Karmapas
2. Umaylam (Middle Way Approach) vs Rangzen (Independence) with regards to regaining Tibet
3. The Dorje Shugden ban
4. Tibetan provincial conflict involving Amdo, Kham and Utsang.
China is well on her way to becoming the world’s next superpower. Many countries have begun fostering better relationships with China. The Tibetan government-in-exile (CTA) is still very anti-China to the point of condemning all who do not agree with their views as pro-Chinese and even labelling these groups as Chinese spies/Chinese dogs. This is not a very wise stance since CTA do not have any army or economic power that can overthrow China to regain Tibet on its own. Even CTA’s international support is slowly alienating them as Tibet is a lost cause due to CTA’s undemocratic and unsound political strategies.
Tibet is supposed to be the Buddhism powerhouse since many great masters such as Je Tsongkhapa, Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche were from Tibet. In my opinion, the ban on Dorje Shugden practice is one of CTA’s biggest mistakes as this not only further divided the already splintered Tibetans, it is undemocratic, unethical, and very anti-Buddhist. Which government in the entire world has a whole section specifically targeted to discriminate its own citizen’s religious practice? [Here’s the link – http://tibet.net/important-issues/dolgyal-shugden/%5D This infringement on the basic human right of religious freedom is against the UN’s Universal Declaration (Article 18) and logically speaking, no government or organisation would throw their support behind any government that oppresses its own citizens based on their religion.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s statement could not have come at a better time. His Holiness’ call for the Middle Way Approach and unity is the best way forward for Tibetans. CTA needs to realise that and fully support His Holiness advice, if Tibetans still hope to return to their country. Even if Tibet were to be handed back to CTA on a silver platter, this administration would not be able to sustain the country as seen from their track record as a government-in-exile. Befriending China will not only benefit Tibetans politically but also economically. Whether CTA likes it or not, they need to put the needs of their citizens first and work with China if they ever hope to return to their homeland.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s words make tremendous sense especially during this time when the Tibetan people are facing greater challenges than ever. It is an unprecedented situation for the Tibetans in exile:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is getting older
With His Holiness’ passing, the Tibetans will lose the only person capable of garnering international support for Tibet’s future, whatever form it may take. Not to mention that the Tibetans will lose the only person able to unite their community despite perceived differences of region, religion and ideology.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s popularity is waning especially in the political sphere
With the rise of China as the world’s next superpower, it is inevitable that the leaders of other nations, who put the welfare of their own countries first, will begin to distance themselves from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in order to cultivate better trade, economic, political and military relations with China. Tibetans should take note of this trend which will not reverse but only become stronger. If there was ever a time to take advantage of the influence that His Holiness the Dalai Lama still has, it is now.
The Tibetans are more and more unwelcome as refugees
More and more, Tibetans applying for refugee status are being rejected and it is even becoming difficult to get a visa to travel to western countries which have traditionally welcomed Tibetans in the past. With this trend, Tibetans should stop thinking of escaping to the west but take a good look at where their future lies. Do they see themselves living as refugees in India forever, unable to own property, businesses or have gainful employment? Do they see themselves as Indian citizens, making a home for themselves in their host country? Or do they see themselves returning to their homeland, where the weather, culture, traditions and religious beliefs are closer to their heart than any other place in the world? This is something the Tibetan leadership should look at – the welfare of their people for generations to come, instead of concerning themselves with pocketing foreign aid and securing their personal future in western countries, which they are currently doing.
Within communities with large numbers of Tibetans, their efforts to fight for the “Tibetan cause” are losing support from their local governments
In India and Nepal, Tibetan protests on Uprising Day have been banned, as these governments are more interested in building relationships with China and less concerned with getting Tibet back for the Tibetans. Clearly, Free Tibet is a lost cause.
The Tibetan community is more divided than it has ever been
With on-going divisions caused by Rangzen vs Umeylam, the Dorje Shugden conflict, the three Karmapa conflict, deeply ingrained regionalism, and now protests against the Tibetan leadership for corruption, embezzling, money laundering and much more, the Tibetan cause seems to have been lost at least in the minds of the Tibetans and their leadership as they are more focused on winning the little battles instead of the war.
So, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wise words come at perfectly the right time. All Tibetans and supporters of Tibet who truly value the welfare of the Tibetans and the future of Tibetan religion and culture should take a good look at what His Holiness is advising and Tsem Rinpoche’s well thought out commentary on this short yet profound statement.
It is time for the Tibetan leadership to really work on securing Tibet’s future the right way, the only way that has a moderate chance of success instead of continuing to dig their grave the way they have been doing for the past 60 years. With the wisdom and experience of 60 years in exile under their belt, it is clear that the future of the Tibetans lies with China, whether they like it or not, and the sooner they come to accept that and formulate policies based on that, the sooner the Tibetans can reunite with their families in the homeland and even more importantly, it will be even more beneficial for the future of Buddhism.
It seems like the Tibetan community and the leadership are caught in a Catch-22 situation.
On the one hand, deeply-entrenched conflicts continue to divide the people, for example those which are based on regionalism. On the other hand, more often than not, these conflicts are fueled by the leadership themselves because it serves a purpose. Autocrats will create wars, protests and riots to distract the populace so they fight amongst one another, instead of fight against their exploitation by the upper echelon, and that’s exactly what the Tibetan leadership has done. Created reason upon reason for their people to keep fighting, so they don’t look to the supposed leaders and hold them accountable for their failure to make political progress or improve the standards of living in exile.
So what can be done for change to take place? Actually, I think that after 60 years, it is too late. With the two Karmapas, no change will take place unless one Karmapa steps down or withdraws his candidacy. With the rangzen versus umaylam movement, no change will take place unless China makes a decision on either one…and since we know it is not going to be rangzen (because China just has way too much to lose in doing that), it may be umaylam but under what terms? And will the rangzen people really accept it?
And when it comes to the chogka sum conflict, a radical shift in thinking will be needed if the Tibetan community is ever to forget the Amdo-vs-Kham-vs-Utsang conflict. But that will never happen unless the leadership steps in and does something, but THAT will never happen because the Tibetan leadership will never do anything to make sure reconciliation happens. I also think the Tibetan community has to get real. If they go back to Tibet, the conflicts their leadership fostered while in exile will only continue back in Tibet. The Khampas will go back to Kham, the Amdowas will go back to Amdo and the U-Tsangpas will go back to U-Tsang, and everybody will fight and nobody will listen to Lobsang Sangay.
The one ray of hope seems to be the Dorje Shugden ban. If His Holiness accepts Dorje Shugden people back into the community again, very, very quickly there will be a greater sense of unity because let’s face it – Shugdenpas can’t wait to assimilate back into mainstream society and at this moment in time, mainstream Tibetans can’t wait to accept Shugdenpas back into the fold. Accepting Dorje Shugden people back into mainstream society will create such a wave of goodwill, everyone may just temporarily put aside all the other conflicts and division that the CTA have created.
It would also help you to keep the Dalai Lama’s instructions of not labelling China as an enemy, and using them or an alleged connection with them in order to vilify others.
So Lobsang Sangay and Dhardon Sharling, will you please consider this? Admit it – you don’t really care about Dorje Shugden either way, because you don’t practise it. So it’s no skin off your back to think about what I’ve suggested. After all, Dorje Shugden is our “personal ideology and should not become a reason for conflict.”
Considering how deeply unpopular the Tibetan leadership is at the moment, with everyone from national governments to local Tibetans to Indians to world leaders, showing your acceptance of Dorje Shugden people and ending the segregation against them may just give you the PR boost you so desperately need right now 😉
Seriously, think about it.
Understanding that nothing is permanent, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s latest shift in dealing with China is very a pragmatic approach to actually break the stalemate between China and Tibet, as well as plausibly move things in relation to the whole Tibet issue. This is considering;
• If the formula clearly doesn’t work, why continue?
The Tibetan leadership’s known pattern towards China for about 60 years is to religiously antagonise China by vilifying China in the eyes of the world. How is it logical to expect China to be open and agreeable to anything from the Tibetan leadership when such leadership degrade and denigrate China openly, ridicule as well as insult the Chinese government politically on social media platforms and even encourages people especially Tibetans to do so?
Yet, to date, the Tibetan leadership is still on this pattern. If such pattern hasn’t work for 60 years, logically it would mean such formula doesn’t work. To lift some of Einstein’s wisdom, it is insane to be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Hence, it is very logical that the Dalai Lama in His infinite wisdom and compassion, came up with this latest approach (emphasising on compassion, harmony and unity) which is essentially a major overhaul of the Tibetan leadership’s current (insane) approach.
• One catches more flies with honey than vinegar.
It would not escape the Dalai Lama that ultimately, the fulfilment of the Tibetan people’s dream requires the buy-in from China. Thus, the Dalai Lama’s major overhaul of the Tibetan leadership’s existing pattern necessitates them to stop antagonising China.
In fact, it downright requires the Tibetan leadership to now seek to befriend and rebuild a relationship with China. This is obviously meant to induce and coax China into agreeing to favourable terms for the Tibetans to live as truly autonomous people. Why else would the Dalai Lama clearly spell out “If we confront China as an enemy, it is stupid. Instead we should achieve a bond, that is between two peoples which is the only way to solve the issue?”
• Reality cannot be ignored no matter how harsh it is
Bottomline is that China will never let go of Tibet which has fallen into its hands. Further, China’s growth into a major international economic powerhouse pretty much translates to Rangzen group’s demand for independent will NEVER be entertained by China. Fully aware of this painful fact but also fully realising that there is no point crying over spilt milk, the Dalai Lama, again in His infinite wisdom and compassion do not pointlessly dwell on (and rehash) the past but instead pushes for this latest approach which is definitely more palatable to China than the current antagonizations by the Tibetan leadership.
• Unity is crucial
One of the major obstacles to the negotiations between the Chinese government and the Tibetan leadership is China’s mistrust of the motives of the Tibetan leadership. This mainly stems from;
(i) China’s aversions to any risk of inchoate unrest from its many ethnic tribes and the questionable Dorje Shugden ban which have been imposed by the Tibetan leadership.
(ii) In the eyes of the Chinese government, the Dalai Lama potentially can influence and mobilise Tibetans to spark riots that will then become the catalyst for ethnic uprising in China. In fact, the Dorje Shugden ban by the Tibetan leadership is one of the primary reason that the Chinese government is wary of the Dalai Lama being a dangerous separatist and would ‘weaponize’ the Buddhist religion to use it against the Chinese.
It is clear that the Dalai Lama’s latest approach aims at the practicality of removing any ill will which frustrates the efforts in reaching out to China for furtherance of the Tibetan cause. In this regard, it would only make sense for the Tibetan leadership to remove the groundless Dorje Shugden ban to meaningfully give effect to the Dalai Lama’s latest approach.
Taking into account all of the above, it is not far-fetched to surmise that if the Tibetan leadership truly meant to deliver on their main promises to Tibetans, namely
(i) the return to Tibet and
(ii) the preservation of Tibetan language, cultures as well as religion in Tibet,
then Tibetan leadership would integrate the Dalai Lama’s latest message laying out an approach which is clearly aimed at fostering Tibetan unity and geared towards the furtherance of the Tibetan cause.
These latest statements by His Holiness the Dalai Lama really makes a lot of sense and show you that he has thought about the situation carefully. Politics and ideologies are not permanent, even within my very short lifetime I have seen governments rise and fall, ideologies become popular and others decline, even within my own community, let alone on the world stage. Similarly, people often use religion to discriminate others and this can clearly be seen throughout history. From the persecution of Protestants and witch hunts of medieval Europe all through to the modern day, religious persecution has marred civilization.
But what we all seem to have forgotten is something so fundamental to the human condition that each and everyone of lives by it. Even the great Buddha Shakyamuni taught it – we all want to be free from suffering, and we all want happiness. And the most basic happiness that we all crave is that of family and love. Just imagine, we all crave for the closeness of family.
For decades, Tibetan families have been torn apart from another. They have not seen their relatives and loved ones for so many years. And time is running out, some have already passed on without seeing their loved ones and many are getting older. When is the world and the Tibetan community going to learn that the anguish they are going through can end if they give up their need to label China an enemy. Friendship with China is the only way forward, and the faster it is achieved, the faster the anguish will end. The Tibetan people should follow the advice of His Holiness before it is too late for the Tibetan families to be reunited.
I rejoice that H.H. Dalai Lama advised the Tibetan people to forgo the regional and religious divisiveness and not to allow rifts in the unity of Tibetans. What an incredible timely news and direction from the Dalai Lama. Harmony and unity are the two main elements necessary for the achievement of a bigger goal .H.H. Dalai Lama’s Middle Way approach is the the best way to preserve Tibet and its Language, Culture, and Religion. Hope this will also help bring more good news on lifting the Shugden ban. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this good news,and hopefully more to come!????
JUST BECAUSE I DON’T AGREE WITH THE DALAI LAMA DOES NOT MAKE ME A BAD PERSON
I live in a democracy and we are allowed to disagree with another person without persecution. We are allowed to disagree with leaders without retribution otherwise what is the point of democracy? Yet, when you disagree with the Dalai Lama, you are branded a Chinese spy or paid by China to do so. Let’s get something straight: there are more people, numbering in the billions, who do not agree with the Dalai Lama so are they all Chinese spies? Are they all bad? Obviously the Dalai Lama’s government in exile has paid social media employees to go on the internet to specifically vilify China in the hopes of getting the world to turn against China and thereby support the Tibetan cause. Unfortunately this is not working. Hence when there is any dissension and differing from the Dalai Lama’s views, these social media employees will attack someone’s appearance, background, upbringing, views and religion. This is all paid for by the Department of Information and International Relations currently headed by Ms. Dhardon Sharling and some prominent Dalai Lama supporters in Greece, England, Germany, India, Switzerland and the US. But we will talk more about that soon. This department has an annual budget of US$700,000 to pay for their various employees around the world, especially those on social media, to attack China, China supporters and Tibetans who don’t fall in line with the Dalai Lama’s views. This has been going on for decades. They produce websites, books, pamphlets, social media accounts and they spend great amounts of money to void out any dissension. It may surprise you that the Dalai Lama’s government does this, but it is very well-known among Tibetans this is what is done. You can hear Tibetans who are brave enough to speak out clearly tell us this. Not only that; there are many disgruntled ex-Tibetan exile government employees who have witnessed this firsthand and have spoken out anonymously. Remember, Tibetans do not come from a democratic background.
Yes, China does have her faults but what country does not? I do not support many policies in China but that’s their business. Look at the racial intolerance within the present-day USA where the Black Lives Matter movement is growing for obvious reasons. The anti-Muslim sentiment in Europe is also on the rise. The exploitative and genocidal recent history of Europe’s colonialism which decimated nations, people, cultures, religions in Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and North America, all in the name of progress, is in our recent memory. So who is to judge who? Nations which have a colonial past or people who descend from colonisers have no right to judge China or any other nation. Straighten out your own country first before judging another country. China is as good and as bad as any other nation on this planet. Their economic growth rivalling the US of course invites jealousy. Any neighbour that suddenly strikes it rich will immediately be the subject of gossip in the once-friendly neighbourhood. Human nature.
When people disagree with the Dalai Lama within the Tibetan communities, they are branded China sympathisers and are segregated, mocked and abused. Who was this started by? Of course the Tibetan leadership. But guess what? Not all Tibetans are ignorant farmers who will keep quiet and take the repression, or allow themselves to be abused and branded traitors, which they are not, just because they don’t agree with the Tibetan leadership’s policies. Thousands of Tibetans around the world who live in democratic and free societies can see the vast difference between the repressive, regime-like Dalai Lama’s government in exile (Dharamsala) and what a real democracy is in their own adopted countries. The non-Tibetan Dalai Lama supporters around the world also live in democratic countries and should open their eyes.
The Tibet prior to 1959 was a repressive theocratic monarchy where one person’s word was law. That person was the 5th Dalai Lama up till now with the present 14th Dalai Lama. Currently this form of government is active and alive in exile. Whatever the 14th Dalai Lama’s wishes or orders are, most will carry it out without question. They may question within themselves but will not dare to do so openly. This is how the Tibetan populace have been ‘trained’ in relations to their government for 400 years since time of the 5th Dalai Lama.
Therefore, personally I respect and like the Dalai Lama. But I do not agree with many of his views, especially on the segregation and persecution of his own people in regards to the Dorje Shugden issue. Whether Dorje Shugden is a demon, angel, Buddha, god, spirit or imagination DOES NOT MATTER. No leader in the 21st century, whether spiritual and secular, should condemn another person’s religion or choice of worship. The Dalai Lama as the Tibetan leader has said if you practise Dorje Shugden, you may not meet him, join his talks or be part of his gatherings. That is emotional blackmail. How is that possible? He is not a private person but a public figure and leader. How can a leader speak in this manner and segregate a portion of his people, and alienate them due to their religion? The Tibetan leadership likes to say Dorje Shugden followers are China spies, but Dorje Shugden practice has been around for 400 years and has had millions of followers in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia. Were they all China spies? The Dalai Lama’s personal teachers who educated him for over 30 years practised Dorje Shugden. Were his teachers China spies? It does get ridiculous when you think about it.
On the Dalai Lama’s exile government charter and website (tibet.net), you can clearly see their official website’s condemnation (given as ‘advice’) of this spiritual practice of Dorje Shugden and its hundreds of thousands of followers. It is official. This is the exile government that wishes to gain Tibet back and govern once again. If their official exile government website is a taste of how they will rule, then there will be civil unrest. Why did the Tibetan leadership, aristocrats, ministers and the Dalai Lama lose their country in the first place? Obviously because they did not know how to protect it. They did not have a good government at all. When China marched into Tibet in 1959 to ‘peacefully’ liberate Tibet, why did all the nations in the world, including its giant neighbour India, remain quiet and let it happen? Because the government of Tibet was arrogant and thought they were the centre of the world and nothing could happen to them. For centuries, they had totally avoided contact with the outside world and therefore had no friends, allies or a seat in the United Nations. This was very bad governance on their part. Their own fault. Military aggression from one country to another is rampant in human history. Look at all the countries England forcefully and brutally colonised. That is unfortunately the brutal truth. So if your government is not working well or doing their job, there are consequences. Tibet’s bad theocratic monarchy definitely failed its own people. For 60 years, they have been in ‘exile’ and still cannot gain their country back. They expect the whole world to feel guilty, pay the price for gaining Tibet back and stand up for Tibet. Too bad. Every nation has their own problems to solve. Economy comes first. Tibetans are on the last of any nation’s agenda as the de-popularisation of the Dalai Lama shows. No nation will send troops to fight China for the Dalai Lama and his government. It has been 60 years and no one has stepped up yet. Every country will become friends with China now. Good or bad is not the issue, but that is the truth. The Dalai Lama and his government must stop antagonising China and make friends with them, to preserve the culture and language of Tibet before the death of the current Dalai Lama. Even after the passing of the current Dalai Lama, if Tibetans in and outside of Tibet decide to use violence and weapons to fight China, it will be futile. They will be crushed. The Chinese are not afraid of the military might from USA, Europe and India, so why would they fear an internal uprising of six million Tibetans? After the Dalai Lama, there will be no one who can unite the Tibetans into one voice to negotiate with China.
Many people in the world find voodoo and witchcraft to be ‘evil’. Whether it is or not, no democratic government will condemn in speech, in writing or on official websites any restrictions against these faiths. If any leaders now should speak against these religions, there will be protests and unrest because democratic principles are not being practised. This is what is happening with the Dorje Shugden issue. So that being the case in democracies, why is the Dalai Lama and his exiled government condemning Dorje Shugden in the form of so-called ‘advice’? Why do they officially condemn Dorje Shugden on their website? The Dalai Lama likes to say he is not banning Dorje Shugden but is ‘advising’ against it. How about if all spiritual leaders start ‘advising’ people against a religion other than their own and ask them to convert? It is just advice. Would that be proper? Of course not. Wars will arise because of this. How about if Christian leaders advise their nations to segregate and ban all voodoo practitioners within their country? Would democratic people stand for that? Of course not. But that is exactly what the Dalai Lama is doing with the Dorje Shugden issue among his own people.
Again, the Dalai Lama has done many good things but not everything he has done is perfect, for whatever good reasons, just like all leaders. We do not need to fanatically support all his policies. Some people have not achieved much in their personal lives, so to identify their allegiance to the Dalai Lama somehow makes them look better to others and falsely less empty in their lives, and so therefore they fanatically support the Dalai Lama. There are many types of people. Some people’s bread and butter depends on the Dalai Lama and therefore they fanatically support everything he says. I do not dislike the Dalai Lama, but I am certainly not a bad person if I don’t agree with some of his thoughts, views and policies. I am not a Chinese spy either. If I have a view or spiritual practice different from the Dalai Lama’s and just because of this I cannot join in his public speeches, there is something inherently wrong with that. Just because I don’t agree with all his views, I should not be persecuted by his exiled government’s paid social media employees in Europe, India and the US. I do not agree with everything the Dalai Lama does but that does not make me a bad or an irrational person. I do not agree with the negative talk, ban and stigma the Dalai Lama has created against his own people (if their views differ from his) and against Tibetan Buddhists around the world, but that does not mean I am paid by China to disagree. I disagree only because my views are different and hence, for that reason, I disagree. I am a good person who has much to contribute to society and I have every right to practise what form of spirituality I choose without ‘advice’ (condemnation) from the Dalai Lama or any leaders. I am not a bad person just because my opinion differs from the Dalai Lama’s. I do not need to be persecuted by the employees of the Department of Information and International Relations. I grew up in a country that allows freedom and I will always speak when anyone or any leader, no matter how ‘holy’ he is deemed to be, says or does something and I do not agree with his policies. But that does not mean I am paid to do so.
James Yoshida
(Photo enclosed is of tibet.net’s page on ‘advice’ against Shugden. Why would an official ‘government’ website advise against ANY spiritual faith? All genuine democratic governments and leaders should allow freedom of choice in spirituality without encouraging or discouraging.)
Dear James,
I find your comment to be very insightful and accurate. From a long time, ago, I have liked the Dalai Lama. It is safe to say that most people who have heard the Dalai Lama speak and heard stories about his struggle or seen him in person or on TV, would be inclined to like him. It is the sheer power of his charisma. Also, I think everyone subliminally feels that this is a very harsh, competitive and dog-eat-dog world and so we are all naturally drawn to this perceived quality of innocence, guilelessness and sincerity that he exudes.
But it was only in recent years when I learned about his religious ban and the ways of his government that I began to ask myself what I actually like about the Dalai Lama and how much I truly know about him and his government in exile. And the honest answer was very little and again, it is safe to say that it is the same for most people. And yet, the Dalai Lama is an extremely shrewd politician and although he ‘retired’ in 2011, he remains a very prominent and influential statesman. For example, apart from the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans, I do not think there are any refugee communities in the world who has been allowed to form a government within another government like the Tibetan exile government has been able to do in India.
I don’t think there are many politicians in the world that can match up to China’s rise and I see President Trump fumbling. And yet, the Dalai Lama has been able to garner support for his struggle worldwide for 60 years now. Why is this important to note? Because I don’t think anyone in the free world today would support an authoritarian regime that kept its people as slaves for hundreds of years and treated them like chattels or animals. The simple and irrefutable fact is this – the Tibetan government under the Dalai Lama was a brutal feudal lordship and it used religion and its privileges to oppress an entire nation of people and kept them in chains and downtrodden. And look at how we cheer them and support them. This is mind boggling.
Everywhere I look on the social media, there is one cause or another that calls for action to be taken against those who are perceived to be cruel to animals and then you have activists working against those perceived to harm the environment. The same people support the Dalai Lama who was at the top of a ruling class that treated people worse than animals. And so, once I learned about how Tibet was before 1959 and how the Dalai Lama ran his country, it doesn’t surprise me one bit that this culture of oppression would continue in exile.
I am not a Shugden believer but I am a firm believer that individual rights must be defended. The internet today proliferates with articles about Shugden – both pro and against and frankly, it is not easy to know which version is accurate. But it should be far simpler than that. It shouldn’t be anyone’s business what someone believes in. I live in a Catholic country but I am Protestant. And I certainly would not like it if I am singled out by a Catholic government and marginalized and treated differently and denied my usual rights just because I belong to a different faith. I doubt if there is any sane person on earth who would say that it is justified for me to be treated differently just because I am Protestant. Neither should anyone be regarded as less or inferior because he believes in Shugden.
And yet that is what the Dalai Lama’s government has successfully got all their supporters to do. That if you like the Dalai Lama, that if you sympathize with the Tibetan struggle, you must by definition hate anyone who is a Shugden believer, and you must hate China. This is a terribly unhealthy development and the Dalai Lama could have cleared this up very early on but he didn’t. Instead in many ways, the Dalai Lama incited hatred against Shugden people. I am very confident that many who oppose Shugden do not even know what the issue is all about and only acts on what they have been told.
Frankly, I am a bit disappointed to read the Dalai Lama’s comment in Phayul. Why say one thing and continue to carry hate messages against Shugden people on dalailama.com? It doesn’t add up.
Harmony and unity are the two main elements necessary for the achievement of a bigger goal. Since 1959, the Tibetans were separated into different countries and that had made the preservation of the Tibetan culture difficult, especially the Tibetan language and Tibetan Buddhism. The Kangyur and Tengyur of Tibetan Buddhism are considered one of the most complete sets of the Buddha’s teaching collections extant today. Many of the lost texts in other traditions can be found in this collection and some of its content can even be reverted directly to its original Indian language. The Tibetan language was designed according to the Sanskrit language in order to translate the Buddha’s teachings by the great Thonmi Sambhota, who was one of Dorje Shugden’s previous reincarnations prior to arising as the great protector of our time. It is very important for the Tibetan language to continue to live so that the precious Dharma can continue to benefit many.
Since 1959, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has continued to seek for Tibet Independence until 1979 when the decision to pursue the Middle-Way Approach was made for the Tibetans to seek autonomy under the rule of the Chinese government. His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued a statement in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 15 June 1988 that formed the basis of the Tibetans’ negotiations on the types of autonomy needed by the Tibetan people. Since then, the Tibetans in India are further split into two groups, those who insisted on rangzen (Tibet’s independence from China) and those who wish for the Middle Way. Within some 130,000 Tibetans in India, there are also those being ostracised for practising Dorje Shugden due to the ban imposed on the practice by His Holiness and further enforced by the CTA.
It is a known fact and unspoken rule within the Tibetan community as long as you are seen going against His Holiness’ wish (in ways that benefits one’s selfish agenda), be it the rangzen group or the Dorje Shugden people, you will be segregated and denied basic human rights including the rights to visit the hospital, schools, shops, restaurants etc. to the extent of being harmed physically. There were signages outside the monasteries, clinics, libraries, shops that ban Dorje Shugden people into the premise (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/to-sum-it-up.html). This act is seen to further insinuate who should be targeted and harmed. To make things worst, the CTA published a list of Dorje Shugden people who joined the peaceful protest for their religious freedom on the CTA’s website. The list, again, suggests indirectly that the Tibetans should target and harm these people who want nothing but to exercise their religious freedom as part of the human rights, which out of the whole CTA Sikyong Lobsang Sangay should know better as an ex-Senior Fellow of Harvard Law School who majored in the international human rights law.
With the adoption of the Middle Way and the banning of Dorje Shugden practice, we can imagine how much disharmony there was in that already small Tibetan community in India. The focus of the CTA should not be banning the Dorje Shugden practice or silence the different voice of the rangzen group. They should always be alert and sensitive to His Holiness’ directions in order to follow His Holiness’ guidance and advice and to fulfill his wishes effectively. As His Holiness had an audience with Jamyang Norbu on 28 May to personally explain Umaylam to him and stated the progress of Umaylam cannot be successful without the Tibetans continue their efforts to prove that Tibet was indeed an independent nation before 1959, clearly, the different rangzen voice is necessary and should be respected and supported fully.
Likewise, His Holiness has mentioned that those who wish to practise Dorje Shugden can practise as they wished. This was reported by the same site Phayul on 18 September 2016 (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/dalai-lama-says-we-can-practise-dorje-shugden-finally.html). Yet, the CTA has not toned down their suppression on the practise that has resulted in many Dorje Shugden practitioners continue to live in fear and being attacked online. His Holiness has reiterated in the recent news on Phayul that “Sometimes, we see conflicts among ourselves based on our native provinces, or religious traditions, that’s completely not needed” so the ban on Dorje Shugden practise should no longer be enforced but to be lifted altogether.
As the governing body of the Tibetans in India, the CTA and all Tibetans who sincerely want the best for His Holiness and the Tibetan people should follow His Holiness’ direction, to unite the rangzen and Dorje Shugden people, as well as the Tibetans in China and around the world, so that all Tibetans can come together once again to work towards the success of the autonomy governance within the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China. The CTA should no longer have campaigns to protest China or to paint her in the negative light. “If we confront China as an enemy, it is stupid. Instead we should achieve a bond, that is between two peoples which is the only way to solve the issue” as mentioned by His Holiness is a clear statement that the CTA should find all ways to bridge His Holiness and the Tibetans in India and around the world with the Tibetans in the TAR. The CTA must put aside their personal interest and agenda to prioritize His Holiness’ wish to return to China. This is the only way for Tibetans to be lifted out of poverty in order for the Tibetan precious culture to be preserved and to be kept alive. In order to achieve this, the CTA and all Tibetans must embrace and actualized harmony and unity among themselves. There is no other way to this, and it has proven to be so for 60 years as no beneficial result for the Tibetans was gained from disharmony and disunity among the Tibetans.
I rejoice that His Holiness advised the Tibetan people to eschew the regional and religious divisiveness and to not allow rifts in the unity of Tibetans. In the Tibetan political scene, there are those who recently advocated for Utsang, one of the three traditional provinces of Tibet to be a free and independent country, which may lead to further divisiveness among Tibetans. In the Tibetan religious scene, the ban of Dorje Shugden further divides the followers of the Gelug school of Buddhism, which is one of the many traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
The issue of focusing on regional and sectarian differences is not new in the Tibetan community and it is high time that the Tibetans listen to what His Holiness has to say. This is particularly important as the ban on Dorje Shugden practice and the ostracisation of Dorje Shugden practitioners has been going on for more than 20 years and there has not been a single dialogue or meeting with the representatives of the Dorje Shugden practitioners to solve this conflict.
Since His Holiness the Dalai Lama reiterated that all the (Tibetan Buddhism) traditions have their source in the Nalanda Tradition and that “differences between us are relatively superficial”, I plea that His Holiness consider addressing the issue of Dorje Shugden ban in terms of the ostracization and discrimination in the Tibetan community, and particularly to remove the resolution passed by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on 17 March 2014 that recognises Dolgyal (Dorje Shugden) followers as criminals in history merely because of our religious belief.
His Holiness has again reminded the Tibetans to not think of China as an enemy as it will not resolve the Tibetan issue. The guiding spirit of the Middle Way Approach is the pursuit of a mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial solution through dialogue, in the spirit of reconciliation and compromise that “bears in mind both Tibetan and Chinese interests”. The approach of many Tibetans calling any critics and anyone whom they disagree with as Chinese spies, as well as denigrating Chinese online and offline will not yield a positive result and outcome for the Tibetan cause.
All Tibetans should stop speaking against Shugden followers and follow the Dalai Lama’s advice to be united, regardless of their province and religious tradition. As there has been much progress in the de-escalation in Asia with China and India resetting ties post-Doklam, and the commitment of the “complete denuclearization” of the Korean peninsula, Tibetans should follow suit with this direction set by His Holiness for the Tibetan cause.
It is a very simple equation.
China has land, people, military power, economic power, financial might and the whole world wants to be their friend to benefit their own economies. China will continue to grow and is rivaling the United States. No country has been able to do this.
Dalai Lama has no money, no country, no economic benefits, no financial might and most countries are now avoiding him. People might say it’s because of China, but all the countries that avoid Dalai Lama has freedom of choice to choose. Dalai Lama is ageing and losing support by the day from all the world governments. Time is not on Dalai Lama’s side obviously.
The conclusion is the Dalai Lama has no bargaining power. He has celebrity status and it stops there which will get him nowhere. It has gotten him nowhere for 60 years now in exile. Dalai Lama has to be humble and agree to what China wants if he ever wishes to see Tibet again. His people must stop antagonizing China and be their friend. Even if the Tibetans want to use violence to ‘regain’ their country back after the Dalai Lama is no more, they will be crushed and many lives will be unnecessarily lost.
Solution: Dalai Lama humbles down and stop antagonizing China and beg to be friends.
Wow! What an incredible timely news and direction from the Dalai Lama. I think this is a powerful way to gain some ground for the Tibetan cause considering the current geo-political situation with China and India.
It is so logical and true since China has and always been with the upper hand and it is just not logical or even possible to think of antagonising China with all sort of allegations and name-calling when you want to get something out of China.
Many of the Tibetan freedom fighters have been doing this for years and that has always been their modus operandi. It would do them some good to really think out of the box and support the Dalai Lama on his forward-thinking endeavour in dealing with China.
Unfortunately, due to years of antagonising China, it would take a bit of time to undo all the damage and hence, the Dalai Lama’s strategy may take some time and political manouevring from his part and also those who represent the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people.
The other important aspect is to be united and not to have any religious beliefs, ideology and regionalism stand in the way of Tibetan unity. There are many factors that divide Tibetan society from idealogical differences of Rangzen-Umaylam, regionalism and so forth but the biggest one to divide Tibetan society is actually the Shugden ban. That really has to go, in order to truly unite the Tibetan people.
After all, Tibetans of all regions, beliefs and idealogies have the same blood coursing through their veins. They are all Tibetans and wish to be reunited with family and loved ones and also return to their familiar countryside and be amongst their own people. This is especially for those who are old and therefore, it is imperative for Tibetans to listen, understand and try to implement and go along with the Dalai Lama’s grand vision. It is time for this to happen as time is of essence.
From my observation on news and social media, the Free Tibet cause (the movement to have Tibet for the Tibetans) has lost its focus and worse, lately turned into hate campaign. I am not sure why, but one of the main strategy people (on social media) use, is to spread hatred against China. I think may be the strategy is to get on to people’s emotion, and by hating China, it can achieve the Free Tibet cause.
It is because of this, when some of the people accused Dorje Shugden people to be funded by China (which is baseless), it got onto people’s nerve, and people starting to hate Dorje Shugden practitioners.
I am not saying China is completely not guilty of what happened in 1959 in Tibet. But using hatred to achieve the goal, is not something in accordance with Buddhism. Personally, I do’t agree with using hatred to achieve any goal, as our spiritual practice is more important than anything else.
As a Dorje Shugden practitioner, I am constantly ridiculed online for my practice. Sometimes I question HH Dalai Lama why would He created the ban on Dorje Shugden. However, I had the extremely fortunate to have Tsem Rinpoche as my guru, who has always shown respect to Dalai Lama (because Tsem Rinpoche strongly believe Dalai Lama is Chenrezig and Buddha cannot be wrong), and taught us to respect Dala Lama, and have patience with the whole issue.
When I read this news, I sincerely rejoice and I pray His Holiness’s followers will listen and start practicing acceptance. And most importantly, all the infighting should stop, because it does not bring any benefit to anyone. Reading this news is also like reaffirming Tsem Rinpoche’s teaching, through patience, kindness, reasoning and logic, we can achieve our goals. ??
I thank HH Dalai Lama for conveying this message to His followers adopt an acceptance method, and I sincerely pray His administrations, His ministers will listen and follow. May there be no more anti-China, no more anti-Shugden, no more hate messages and no more segregation.
The Dalai Lama created and instituted the Dorje Shugden ban himself in 1996. He made sure his govt in exile carried out his instructions (see their websites). He made sure the monasteries carried out his instructions. He encouraged and ordered the monasteries to kick monks who practice Dorje Shugden out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQa0mZEtRGA&t=1s This video is a powerful testament of how strongly Dalai Lama ordered the expulsion of monks who practice Shugden. It is not a democracy but a dictatorship.
Dalai Lama segregated the Dorje Shugden practitioners from his Tibetan communities. So of course they will speak up, write, make videos and protest. Why should they stay quiet?The Tibetan govt and Dalai Lama would like to silence the people who speak up by branding them ‘paid by China to speak up and create schism’ or simply ‘Chinese spies’.
When branded as Chinese spies, then easy for those who speak up against the ban to be targeted by mainstream Tibetans. Witch hunt. To silence the ones who speak up. Now the segregation of hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden people is making the Dalai Lama look undemocratic and tarnishing his image. Because Dorje Shugden people will not give up their religion and will continue to speak up. Their segregation makes the Dalai Lama look bad. Dalai Lama wants to unite all Tibetans into one nation, how to do that when the Dalai Lama creates religious persecution against his own people using Shugden as the method?
It’s time Dalai Lama remove the Shugden stigma which he created and stop speaking against Shugden followers and unite all Tibetans regardless of their province, gender, religious direction, faith, economic background and so on. BE A REAL DEMOCRACY. Dalai Lama spoke heavily for 20 years against his own people in relations to Shugden and now he must reverse it and stop persecuting them as Chinese spies WHICH HE BRANDED THEM.
Invariably China now is stronger and Dalai Lama is nearly begging for himself to return to China to the embarrassment of India (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/01/pm-in-exile-urges-tibetans-to-make-dalai-lamas-return-a-reality). But he cannot speak about Shugden if he wishes to accomplish this because this issues divides the people and creates disharmony. China does not want disharmony in Tibet. Tibet is now a part of China and even the Dalai Lama pragmatically accepts this. China will grow stronger and this is the prediction of every single economic guru out there.
It’s ironic the Dalai Lama wants to now unite all Tibetans regardless of province, religion and idealogical differences, but he was the one that created the segregation by creating the ban and painful segregation against hundreds of thousands of Tibetans using Dorje Shugden. Now it backfires.
Dalai Lama, it’s time to be a real democratic leader and unite your people. All the Tibetan officials in Dharamsala (Tibetan govt in exile), you must not remain silent for personal benefit when so many of your Tibetans are segregated due to religious persecution. Do something already. Do not remain silent. Have a conscience.
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His Holiness’s Middle Way approach is the the best way to preserve Tibet and its Language, Culture, and Religion. After 60years of fighting for the TibetanCause in India, the Tibetan Government should had known that Tibet is already under China’s grip stronger than ever. No matter what they do, China will not back off Tibet and they will only tighten their grip. So, in order for Tibet’s language, culture and religion to be protected and preserved from being destroyed completely, Dalai Lama had suggested the Middle way. It is absolutely brilliant because that approach is a win-win situation. No only Tibetans get to preserve their unique culture and identity, China will get what they want as well.
His Holiness also urge that it is important that we do not create differences and conflicts among ourselves in relations to our respective religions and beliefs. A broken and segregated Tibetan community is weak. His Holiness trying to unite all tibetans for the same cause. He is saying that there is a lot of unnecessary conflicts on religion or district in the Tibetan Community. These conflict will never lead to unity. Hence, His Holiness is trying to say that we should stop all those petty conflicts such as whether to practice Dorje Shugden or not and focus on unity of the whole community.
China had rose to be the biggest economy powerhouse in such a short period of time had proven the intelligence and capability of country. That is why His Holiness also said that it will be stupid for us to make China our enemy. It brings absolutely no benefit for Tibet or Tibetans to keep criticising China because no benefit will ever come out of that. Everyone who truly cared for Tibet should just listen to His Holiness and agree to the Middle Way approach because it is the best approach to achieve what His Holiness wants which is the preservation of the Tibetan Identity, Culture, Language and Religion. If you do not agree with the Middle Way, are you saying that you have more wisdom that His Holiness the Dalai Lama. So stop fighting a loss battle and follow what His Holiness is doing which had proven to be effective.
Dearest Rinpoche,
This news is historical, for Tibetans and especially for Tibetan Dorje Shugden practitioners, which will automatically affect all Shugden practitioners around the world.
The Dalai Lama specifically called out this meeting with Tibetans to reiterate the importance of Umaylam to unite all Tibetans. His message is strong and clear especially this part “it is too naive to think of China as an enemy in resolving the Tibet issue. “If we confront China as an enemy, it is stupid. Instead we should achieve a bond, that is between two peoples which is the only way to solve the issue.” ” This is VERY CLEAR how all who supports the Dalai Lama should be thinking and the direction they should be taking from now on.
So those who keep saying China is bad, China is an enemy and all negative comments that condemn China would be going against His Holiness and his wish, advice and the goal His Holiness are trying to achieve at this moment. Especially since His Holiness is not 80 over and does not have many more years to go. It would be kind and compassionate for those who are doing the opposite to stop and follow His Holiness’s advice and stop being selective as to what they wish to follow and what they do not wish to follow and use that to attack others. Especially in regards to Dorje Shugden practice and attacking Dorje Shugden practitioners.
It is amazing that His Holiness is asking his people/followers to achieve a bond with the Chinese, like “between two peoples which is the only way to solve the issue”. So not only did His Holiness said it was stupid/naive to think the Chinese as enemies, one should build a closeness with them! Wow!
“Speaking from the religious point of view, although we belong to different schools of thought, we must remember that all our traditions, Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Jonang and Gelug have their source in the Nalanda Tradition. Differences between us are relatively superficial. When we talk about Dharma, we need to be true to it in practice,” he said.
This speaks volumes and if people actually did this, it would be a real practice of the Buddhadharma – to forgive one’s perceived enemy and let go and move on. To me, His Holiness is saying stop all the segregation/discrimination and differences and start uniting as one people regardless of race/religion. These are words of a true spiritual leader.
Then His Holiness went on to say that “one can have political differences but one should not pit Rangzen vs Umaylam. One should not be overzealous and pit one against the other. The same goes for sectarian differences,” His Holiness said. So basically he is asking for everyone to STOP FIGHTING with one another due to differences in not only the spiritual but even in the political scene. This is probably why he requested a senior influential member of the Rangzen member, Jamyang Norbu to meet with him privately and spoke about this very topic on Umaylam which one can read here… http://www.jamyangnorbu.com/blog/2018/05/30/my-personal-audience-with-his-holiness/
It looks like His Holiness is seriously making great effort to get everyone to follow his Umaylam vision and I think it is probably the best strategy for Tibet/Tibetans to get back to their families and love ones in Tibet and to reunite with them again. Tibetans should start thinking long-term and should trust His Holiness in this matter. They’ve trusted him in so many other things, why not this? What else have they got to lose, they’ve lost everything. They should really heed His Holiness’s advice because this one makes sense, brings peace and unite people.
His Holiness is truly a great visionary and he definitely is looking at BIGGER PICTURE, one that when he is gone, HOPEFULLY his people are UNITED, the Tibetan culture is preserved and most IMPORTANTLY for Buddhism to be preserved and to continue to grow and what better way to revive Buddhism again then to have it grow from the biggest country and no.1 superpower nation in the world today – CHINA.
There’s 400 million Buddhists in China — imagine how far Buddhism can grow via China. This reminds me of what Rinpoche used to tell us many years ago before China became the no.1 superpower, perhaps it was what Protector said, I can’t recall exactly, but I know Rinpoche did share with us saying that one day China will rise to be the biggest superpower nation and that Buddhism would be revived via China and spread throughout the world and of course this naturally means Dorje Shugden’s lineage will also be spread far and wide through China, because China is promoting it simply because Dalai Lama banned it. So if we are to follow His Holiness’s advice all the way, it sure means STOP segregating and discriminating Dorje Shugden practice and people too! I feel this is the Dalai Lama’s way of telling his people to stop attacking DS people and his way of revoking his statement because it is hard to retract what he said, but instead presenting a new perspective and a new advice to his people/followers. Brilliant, just simply brilliant.
His final advice explains His Holiness main objective in my opinion. His Holiness told the younger generation to learn the Tibetan language well, as it is the only language that can interpret the teachings of the Buddha and the Nalanda masters. “No other language can enable us to understand the teachings except Tibetan, we can take pride that we have kept it alive.” This tells you His Holiness motivation is at the end of the day the preservation of Buddha’s teachings. Hence, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche was right as stated in his book “Music Delighting The Ocean of Protector” https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/music-delighting-the-ocean-of-protectors-a-definitive-guide-to-dorje-shugden-by-trijang-rinpoche.html which explains that great beings such as H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. the Panchen Lama and Dorje Shugden may manifest what seems like “conflict” with each other, but in reality, they are actually working together for the benefit of sentient beings. And that we should not take any sides during this Dorje Shugden conflict but watch as both His Holiness and Dorje Shugden work hand in hand to spread the Buddha’s teachings to the world. When we look at it from this perspective, EVERYTHING is CRYSTAL CLEAR and we know what to do, where we stand and how to move forward.
Thank you Rinpoche for this great news and for Rinpoche’s guidance all this while throughout this chaotic ban, as Rinpoche has never once criticised His Holiness and told us to also never to criticise. Instead, Rinpoche has always asked us to just be firm with our beliefs and never to be rude to others but explain with logic and knowledge to clear people’s doubts if required. Everything seems to be falling into its place just as it has been predicted. ? ? ??
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s views on this statement by the Dalai Lama is very apt and rational, this is exactly how we solve a conflict using Dharma. Whether China is big or small doesn’t matter, if we use the confrontational method and treat our “enemies” like a real enemies in the worldly sense, then there will never be a solution, because there is karma, and as Buddhists we should do things with karma in mind. The methods proposed by the Rangzen (pro-independent) group is far from desirable, China will not give away an inch of their territory, and with the power and might that China possesses today, they have even more means to prevent any loss of their territory, so the Rangzen group is only wasting their time with more and more impractical and unrealistic talk and conference. The Rangzen group’s demand for independent will NEVER happen, 100%. That’s why even the Dalai Lama who is at the center of the whole Tibet issue said that to confront China as an enemy is just plain stupid. So instead of wasting more time and resources demanding for something that will never happen, Rangzen gourp, together with the Middle-way group, should come together and approach China offer China their real friendship. As friends, they can talk amicably and something positive may arise, but as enemies, definitely nothing positive will arise, and it may even end up in violence with more losses. Unity between Rangzen and Middle-way people will bring something positive, likewise, extending the same rationale to the religious issues, unity among all sects of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Dorje Shugden sect, can only bring positive results. By continuing to segregate and divide the Dorje Shugden group from the other sects, no unity is achieved, and with no unity, how can there be positive results in general? So if the Tibetan leadership takes heed of Dalai Lama’s advice and start to come together to approach China as friend as talk, shouldn’t they do the same to the Dorje Shugden people and see them as friends and come together to talk as well? Since they now know that confronting China as an enemy is stupid, isn’t confronting the Dorje Shugden people as enemy (which is what happens now) is equally stupid as well?
Tibetans today are an ethnic group defined and bound by a common cultural and spiritual tradition that, generally speaking, has its roots in the 17th century during the time of the Great 5th Dalai Lama. Tibet today consists of three main provinces – Kham, Amdo and Ü-Tsang.
When the Great 5th was 25 years old in 1637 and the “head” of the peoples which controlled the region of Ü in central Tibet, Gushri Khan of the Khoshots came to Tibet with a contingent of some 800 soldiers, purportedly on pilgrimage, but very likely as reconnaissance and at the request of Sonam Chopel, the Treasurer of the 4th Dalai Lama, as part of the latter’s effort to find a Mongol ally in the fight against neighbouring Tsang which was controlled by the rival Sakya lineage.
At this time, the 5th Dalai Lama received both spiritual and temporal authority from Gushri Khan including the title “Dalai” which means “ocean” or “big”. The battles subsequently took place and Ü gained control over Tsang.
During this visit, Gushri Khan, the 4th Panchen Lama Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen, Sonam Chopel, and the Great 5th Dalai Lama also discussed plans for Gushri to invade Kham and destroy the Bonpo kingdom of Beri. By 1642, the Mongol king in control of Kham gave portions of Kham back to the Tibetans but Amdo remained under Mongol control.
Now these are the historical reasons why His Holiness the Dalai Lama has come out to warn: “Division based on province, religious sect or political stand harms unity”.
The wise Dalai Lama who is of the same mental continuum of the previous Dalai Lamas knows that only with unity will there be a continuation of the peoples we call Tibetans. Without unity whether between the Tibetan people of different spiritual lineages and sub-lineages, regions, tribes, between the people outside of China and inside China, and of course between Dorje Shugden and non-practitioners, these long and hard-fought roots will be quickly severed.
It has come down to the wire, like Rinpoche said, “everybody wants a home, security, to be well and safe, they want love, family, a feeling of harmony. Everybody wishes for the same things. The Tibetan people in Tibet and outside of Tibet have been disconnected and separated for four to almost six decades. Imagine not being able to meet a family member that you love, or someone you respect and care about for up to six decades. For many of the Tibetan people time is running out because people don’t live forever.”
So it is really up to the Tibetans and their appointed leaders to decide once and for all about this as time is running short. Unity and the birth of the Tibetan people today was hard won in the past, now it must be preserved or there will be no more soon.
It is now or never. If there is no unity, there will no longer be Tibetans in one or two generations, it will be the end just like the many other tribes that earth has hosted in the past.
Thinking China is the enemy is naïve. China in fact has to be friend in order for the Tibetan civilization to perpetuate, like in the past. It is actually nothing new at all.
Dear Rinpoche
Thank you for the article. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message for unity is very beautiful. While I could understand the reason why some people favor their own province, sect or religion, I do believe that keeping the big picture in mind is very important. What is that big picture – the preservation of Tibetan language and culture which is key to understanding Tibetan Buddhism. In the Phayul article, the Dalai Lama himself has said that “No other language can enable us to understand the teachings except Tibetan.”
Looking at the situation realistically, Tibetans’ destiny, if they would like to return to their homeland is interlinked with China, and they have to live side by side with the Chinese. Instead of finding differences and poking China by bringing up past hurt on every occasion, Tibetans and the Chinese should instead find common grounds and mutual objectives that will serve as a basis to work and live together in the future.
I do hope that His Holiness will also extend this message of unity to Dorje Shugden practitioners. Discriminating Dorje Shugden practitioners is harmful to the Tibetan unity, and most of Dorje Shugden practitioners respect His Holiness and never wish any harm for His Holiness or the Tibet cause.
His Holiness’s message for unity and reconciliation are beautiful and very relevant to the modern situation. I sincerely hope and pray that Tibetans and Tibet supporters around the world will take His Holiness’s advice to heart and follow this advice.
Thank you
Valentina