This happened in the USA
Dear friends around the world,
I was surprised when I came across this post on Facebook. When I was growing up in US, there was a lot of racial slander, slurs and name calling I had to contend with. Sometimes they even escalated into violence towards me because I was Asian. I often had to fend off racists in school. Racial comments and slurs for me was nearly a daily affair. My religion was different too. That was not a big target, but it would occasionally come into play. Growing up in this type of environment, I am now sensitive to others experiencing prejudice due to race, culture, ethnicity, handicaps and religion. These days there is much prejudice in the world against many groups of people from another group and that is truly sad because people cannot help the race they are. Not that anything is wrong with any race. There are people who are segregated because of their religious faith, like what is sadly happening in the Tibetan communities with their faith in Dorje Shugden today.
Segregating or showing prejudice to others is part of human ordinary consciousness but when it gets extreme, we have to be careful. We naturally have personal bias/preference towards our family, culture, pets, property, art and thoughts but we have to realize we what prefer or like is not superior to another’s. We can have pride in who we are and what we are but never to the detriment of others. When it is to the detriment of others, that is when it’s extreme.
We should never disallow another person from being accepted into or as part of the mainstream because of their religion, spirituality, race, economic background. What kind of society says this person is bad or this person is good because of their religion? We should not repeat negative history again. We cannot say that certain individuals or groups of people cannot join schools, work, meetings, hospitals or even enter a restaurant because of their spiritual orientation. It is one thing to have an opinion of someone’s choice that is different than our own, but to advise against them or create bias against them is plain wrong. How can we not be friends with another person just because their religion is different? How can we unfriend them on social media because their religious orientation is something we have been told is ‘bad’? Why is it bad? How has it hurt us? What is bad and good? Many in history using the name of religion have hurt many in every religion. In history many religions were labeled ‘bad’ and this type of negative thinking went unchecked, creating so much pain as in the case of Jews and their extermination by the Nazis. You may not agree with Judaism but that does not mean Judaism is not a proper religious path for many which it is. It certainly does not give you the right to discriminate against them and bring so much violence and suffering to their practitioners. Jews are just one example among many examples. Throughout history people were killed in the millions because of their religious faith and suffered persecution. Their properties taken away, fired from their jobs, not allowed to marry outside of their faith and not allowed in many public places. This is absurd. This happened in the USA with black people because they were black. The Colonialists forced the beautiful African people over to be abused for cheap or free labor and when black people rebelled and demanded equality, all types of laws were enacted to segregate them. To stop them from being equal. That was a dark and ugly period of American history. It’s not over yet in America unfortunately, and this type of prejudice still goes on.
What I and others as Buddha Dorje Shugden practitioners have endured is tiny compared to all the sufferings many had to endure in America due to prejudice against their race, ethnicity, religion and color as well as all over the world. I am in no way criticizing but I must say honestly, even today as someone who follows a faith that includes the Buddha Dorje Shugden, I experience much prejudice, taunts and threats, and I am spat upon. Yes it is happening. I even have people unfriend me just because of my religious orientation on social media. Can you imagine someone you have been ‘in contact’ with via social media for years and they unfriend you just because you practice Dorje Shugden? As if nothing else I did, said or contributed to their lives matters at all. I am suddenly bad. A demon practitioner of some sort. Someone to be hated and ostracized. These are supposedly ‘normal’ and ‘sensible’ people. Amazing that I am summarized for who I am just by my religion. But it’s happening. See what I mean.
It’s amazing; sometimes when you make a spiritual choice, some people can criticize and segregate you for it. As if your choice must be approved by them. If they don’t approve, they have some mandate to tell you that you are wrong and also can be rude for your choice of faith. If you don’t pray to what they pray to, then your ‘god’ is a demon or something. How archaic. LOL. I find that amazing. LOL again. And they say that you are in a cult because you choose to stick to what you choice, and you choose to follow what your teacher has told you. But THEY are not in a cult because they are only following what their teacher said, and their teacher tells them your practice is wrong. How come I am in a cult for following what my teacher tells me, but you are not in a cult for following what your teacher tells you? Interesting.
How can you come to my space, environment and life and tell me my religion is wrong? I didn’t hurt anyone with my faith and I don’t intend to. Whatever others of my same faith are or are not doing is not me. So don’t bundle me up into the same package. I am me and they are them. Besides, I am more than my religion. There are many aspects of who I am. So don’t just look at my spiritual choice and summarize me. You don’t know me. And you don’t have to know me. Also I owe nothing to you. I don’t need your approval for my spirituality. I would love to be your friend but let’s not let our spiritual choice ever get in the way. Be modern, be today and accept who I am as I don’t hurt anyone. So look at all the parts of who I am but the bottom line is my spirituality is my choice; do not ever presume to comment, disparage, judge or even think anything about it. I eat what I want. I dress as I like. Live where I want. Befriend who I wish. Write what I like on my social media space and pray to whatever I feel is working for me. Full stop! Thanks for letting me live my life as your opinion of it is not needed, requested or solicited and I say this with deepest respects to you. Do not ever tell people Dorje Shugden is bad and his practitioners have to be biased against. That is not spiritual, compassionate, ethical nor human.
Hatred because of my religious choice or race or culture should not exist anymore. People who encourage hatred, segregation, violence and disharmony should stop. Do not say that I have religious freedom and I can do what I want but then turn around and say I am worshipping something bad. And if I do not stop, you will not associate with me. Or that I should be segregated, hated, taunted and unfriended. That is emotional blackmail of a sort. Examine carefully the ramifications of what we are doing and the negative repercussions. I speak out for myself but also millions who are persecuted because they chose to follow Dorje Shugden’s peaceful form of worship. This persecution will stop because I have done nothing wrong and truth will prevail. What happened in the race riots against the black people of 1921 cannot in any way be compared to the sectarian hatred against Dorje Shugden practitioners of today. The race riots of Tulsa was horrible, tragic and should never be repeated. Black people if I may say humbly were forced to the US as slaves. They didn’t willingly go. Once they were emancipated from slavery, they were still not left alone to live freely. Sure the law said they are equals but in actual treatment they were not treated equally. They are still abused, hated and prejudiced against. It’s not like they wanted to be in the USA. Once there, generations later, they are alienated from their native countries, culture and customs in Africa and they have no choice but to adopt the prevalent US culture, ‘settle’ down and live. Yet they are even not allowed this dignity. Amazing. The millions of Shugden practitioners do not suffer as much as the beautiful strong black people of America suffered, but they ARE suffering. The Tibetan leadership says there is religious freedom yet if you are a Dorje Shugden practitioner you are spat upon, unfriended, not allowed in Tibetan public places and cannot join the mainstream. In principle you are free to practice Dorje Shugden, but in actual day to day life, you are emotionally blackmailed and threatened to stop your beliefs in Dorje Shugden. This time it’s because of religious beliefs many Dorje Shugden practitioners have to suffer prejudice and the Tibetan leadership can put an end to this through peaceful dialogue if they wish. All suffering based on color, ethnicity, religion, social background must stop. When I read what happened in Tulsa 1921, it reminded me of the millions today suffering prejudice, hatred and bias because they peacefully practice Buddha Dorje Shugden.
Tsem Rinpoche
The worst race riot in US history
The Tulsa race riot was a large-scale, racially motivated conflict on May 31 and June 1, 1921, in which a group of white people attacked the black community of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It resulted in the Greenwood District, also known as ‘the Black Wall Street’ and the wealthiest black community in the United States, being burned to the ground.
During the 16 hours of the assault, more than 800 people were admitted to local white hospitals with injuries (the two black hospitals were burned down), and police arrested and detained more than 6,000 black Greenwood residents at three local facilities. An estimated 10,000 blacks were left homeless, and 35 city blocks composed of 1,256 residences were destroyed by fire. The official count of the dead by the Oklahoma Department of Vital Statistics was 39, but other estimates of black fatalities varied from 55 to about 300.
The events of the riot were long omitted from local and state histories. Numerous witness accounts described airplanes carrying white assailants, who fired rifles and dropped firebombs on buildings, homes, and fleeing families. As unrest spread to other parts of the city, many middle class white families who employed blacks in their homes as live-in cooks and servants were accosted by white rioters. They demanded that families turn over their employees to be taken to detention centers around the city. Many white families complied, and those who refused were subjected to attacks and vandalism in turn.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203562818817109&set
“Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the color of your skin? To such extent you bleach, to get like the white man. Who taught you to hate the shape of your nose and the shape of your lips? Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soles of your feet? Who taught you to hate your own kind? Who taught you to hate the race that you belong to so much so that you don’t want to be around each other?” ~MALCOLM X
Click here to read more on how Dorje Shugden practitioners have to tolerate so much pain and prejudice.
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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
Attitudes toward minorities have been marked by discrimination historically almost everywhere. In the United States’s history many forms of discrimination had been happening in U.S. Population growth and cultural has change throughout much of the U.S. Americans enjoyed legally sanctioned privileges and rights which were denied to other races and minorities. All these should happened just because of their religion, spirituality, race, economic background. Anyway it did happened in USA, as Rinpoche did experienced before where discrimination and there are people who are segregated because of their religious faith.
In happened in the Dorje Shugden’s controversy as well all because of their faith which has affected hundred thousands of Tibetan communities . Even to this day the discrimination still continue with the Tibetan Leadership interference politics with religion.
History has a tendency to repeat itself and those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it. Hopefully it will not be repeated for peace and harmony .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 assistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
Racism is a lot like bullying. it’s a lot about power over the other person. As with bullying by kids, adults have to relearn about compassion and conscience and empathy.
It only with education can it be stopped. So, it is up to the adults now to teach the younger generation about bullying and equality, then only will there be hope for this earth.
What happened in 1921 and now is not much of a difference. We got more educated, we got more advanced, we gained more knowledge… but when it comes to attitude, character and tolerance.. we gained and improved nothing.
Such a shame we are.
Similarly, what is happening to racism is also happening to the Dorje Shugden practitioners community. As Rinpoche mentioned, we are just following what our teachers guided us, what is wrong with that, as compared to the other teachings the other practitioners received from their teachers? Contradicting and ironic.
I wish World Peace is not just a look good statement to anybody, but real actions taken towards world peace and equality.
Thank you.
What is happening in US in 1921 case is indeed sad enough to destroy a peaceful place. There is much prejudice in the world,different qroups of people from another group attacking each other.That is truly sad,thats what happenning to the practice of Dorje Shugden.The Tibetan leadership says there is religious freedom and even Dalai Lama said that we can prctice Dorje Shugden yet they threatened to stop the beliefs in Dorje Shugden.Many Dorje shugden practitioners suffered because of that.
It would be wonderful if the Tibetan leadership can have a peacful dialogue to put an end to this prejudice and hatred.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing, i do enjoyed reading at least we know what happen in Tulsa ,US is a history to learn from there and should never be repeated.
May H.H.Dalai Lama please lift the ban on Dorjeshugden.
And as Samdhong Rinpoche and Thich Nhat Hanh make clear—-
the mannerism/attitude/ behavior of those whom are protesting lacks the advice of buddha as being non hateful/ non discriminatory.
The African people were also betrayed by Africans; not just colonists as I have read—but, like you I was not there.
Yes, these days there are truly much prejudices in the World, not only against groups of people of different races, but even because of religion and faiths, which is sad to say, is happening to the Tibetan communities! This time it’s because of religious beliefs many Dorje Shugden practitioners, including non-tibetans, have to suffer prejudice, and, the Tibetan Leadership can put an end to this through peaceful dialougue if they wish. “In principle you are free to practice Dorje Shugden, but in actual day to day life, you are emotionally blackmailed and threatened to stop your beliefs in Dorje Shugden”. The millions of Shugden practitioners, though do not suffer as much as the wonderful and strong black people of America had suffered, but they are suffering! The Tibetan Leadership says there is religious freedom, yet if you are a Dorje Shugden practitioner you are spat upon, unfriended, not allowed in Tibetan public places and cannot join the Mainstream! Segregation or showing prejudice to others because of their religious faiths is part of the human ordinary consciousness but once it gets extreme or out of hand, it is very dangerous and critical. We have to be very careful! As written in all official graphic text and Novels, the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden arose out of great enlightened Compassion to benefit all sentient beings during our Time. His line of previous incarnations stem all the way back to Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom. Since this is the case, and through this, in multiple languages made for all willing and happy practitioners, everyone and anyone, if he or she do wishes, can see just how great, relevant and suitable this Dharma protector is for our modern day and age, to aid all hardworking practitioners to a successful enlightened end! May the fervent hope and wishes of our Rinpoche and all practitioners come true for the benefit of all beings! Om Benza Wiki Bittana Soha.
Be careful, when we think we are superior and discriminate against others, we might end up in our next life exactly like what we insulted others with. Out of hatred, label someone a pig or a toad and we might end up a pig or a toad in our next life or worse, or at least looking like one! At least those are some examples given in the Lamrim that I’d read before.
Why? Because we created the karma. Nothing happens by chance.
All men are created equally, but not all men are treated equally. Every human being deserved dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence, regardless of their color, culture, ethnicity or religion. We notice that racial discrimination exist even in developed country like USA and we knew the history how African Americans were unfairly treated as slave in 17th century. There are still many others all over the world who suffer unfair treatment due to their race, color or religion, just like Durje Shugden practitioners. The discrimination and attacks that DS practitioners received are completely irrational, ridiculous and groundless. If all of us are conscious and not blindly influenced by baseless accusation or rumors, truth will unfold and unnecessary suffering that DS practitioners endure will end one day. All of us and our children shall treat each other with loving kindness without any segregation.
Slavery in North America was the result of exploitative capitalism. This still rears its ugly head till today.
From: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=447
Slavery played a crucial role in the development of the modern world economy. Slaves provided the labor power necessary to settle and develop the New World. Slaves also produced the products for the first mass consumer markets: sugar, tobacco, coffee, cocoa, and later cotton. Slavery was an integral part of the earliest multinational systems of credit and trade that arose in the 15th and 16th centuries. The African slave trade also stimulated European shipping, manufacturing, and gun making.
During the earliest phases of capitalist development, planters, master craftsmen, and other early capitalists could not afford to pay wages. Chronically in debt, New World planters could exploit slave labor with expending scarce currency. Slavery provided the cheapest and most expedient way to meet the demand for labor in mining and agriculture.
This is exactly why we need to study history and learn the cold hard truth about sufferings, pain, torturous pain, death, and general regression as a result of brutality and bigotry base on singular attributes of fellow mankind.
And it is sad to know that we have not progressed very far from 1921, almost a century later. Today, we still receive news of angry mobs brutalizing homes and monasteries of Dorje Shugden practitioners in Dharamsala or the Tibetans community in India.
The irony is, acceptance and loving, kindness, are the core values practiced by the peace-loving Buddhist community. Why is it not being practiced by CTA or the people who rage and discriminate Dorje Shugden people in the name of the religion? Or is it something else?
I hope that the Tibetans in exile community under the leadership of Dharamsala can stop victimizing Dorje Shugden practitioners for events or issues that are of no fault of theirs. Unity and harmony are the keys to progression.
Laws against discrimination of minorities, differences in colour of the skin, religious preferences etc were in place long ago within the legal system and constitutions of many countries. It is the execution of such protective laws that is sorely missing.
Taking as example the ban against Dorje Shugden worship, HH 14th DalaiLama has publicly said that there is no Ban, but that in real daily lives of Dorje Shugden worshippers it is not true. Their experiences of such discrimination are documented and published.
One glaring segregation is the so permission granted by the Tibetan authorities for Dorje Shugden temples and monasteries to be established.
That is hypocrisy, why should Dorje Shugden monasteries be established and not existing ones incorporate this worship. A subtle way to hide the segregation in a very “so impressive” form of nobility.
Such is how the authorities who set up constitutional laws to protect Dorje Shugden worshippers, override them by putting them out of such protective laws. Result they can act in any way to continue the discrimination and segregation. What a disgusting act of hypocrisy.
Tsem Rinpoche has worked very hard over the years to provide accurate and important information about Dorje Shugden to dispel the malicious disinformation spread about the Protector. It is fantastic that Rinpoche’s efforts have translated into many people such as the commenter seeing the beauty in Dorje Shugden’s practice. Also Suzy has an interesting opinion about why His Holiness banned the practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-4lIwxph4&t=11s
Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa, TibetOver 400 years ago a great and learned lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was famed in Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and China for being very saintly and compassionate. He resided in his residence (Zimkhang Gongma Ladrang) in Drepung Monastery. His root guru was H.H. the Omniscient 4th Panchen Lama and his close dharma brother was the 5th Dalai Lama.
The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close and dharmic relationship and often went to receive teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. They were close in age. They both became very learned and well known. During this time, the Dalai Lama was enthroned as a Dharma King of Tibet. But more people went to see Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen for teachings, initiations and divinations. This made the attendants of the 5th Dalai Lama feel threatened that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame might usurp the power of the 5th Dalai Lama. So they had a khata forced down his throat. At that moment, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen dissolved his psychic winds and generated the wish to be a great guardian of Buddha and Tsongkapa’s teachings. As his consciousness dissolved, he entered ‘bardo’ as a dharma protector of the highest order (jikten depey sungma). Many signs were seen throughout Lhasa at this time and the earth was said to have shaken in Lhasa. This event was already predicted to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s previous incarnation when he was one of the 8 main disciples of Lord Tsongkapa the Supreme Master and he served Tsongkapa directly by building Gaden Monastery.
When the 5th Dalai Lama heard what his scheming and power-hungry attendants had done, he was very distressed. He was very sorry Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered and dishonored as he was a great dharma master. The 5th Dalai Lama composed an apology to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. In Lhasa, tens of thousands gathered for the cremation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s holy body. During the cremation, the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read out at which flames spontaneously arose from the body of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen commencing the cremation. From the body, during cremation, a powerful whirlwind of smoke tunneled into the sky for all to see as this was an indication Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s consciousness has arisen as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dharma Protector Setrap immediately recognized this new protector Dorje Shugden and ‘enthroned’ him as a powerful Dharma Protector in the realm of the Buddhas. From this, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are closely connected and very close working hand in hand always. After the cremation, the great 5th Dalai Lama built a Dorje Shugden chapel on the spot the cremation took place and named it Trode Khangsar. The 5th Dalai Lama commissioned the statue of Dorje Shugden in this chapel and had monks installed in the chapel to do continuous propitiations to Dorje Shugden. Trode Khangsar Chapel was a commemoration to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who was wronged and also a celebration of his consciousness arising as the World Peace Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
This Trode Khangsar Chapel still exists now in Lhasa where many make pilgrimages there. It is in good condition and was recently renovated. It is over 400 years old and a testimony to the respect the Great 5th Dalai Lama had to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who arose as Dorje Shugden.
I have visited this holy chapel in Lhasa years back. I’ve never heard of it till I was in Lhasa and by chance, I was told about it which I was happy to visit. I could not find the place but strangely a bunch of pilgrims from Amdo told me they would show me how to get there in Lhasa.
This short video is a short clip of this holy Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa today commemorating Dorje Shugden, built by the great 5th Dalai Lama. The great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden which is still available today and we can recite to invoke the blessings, protection, and assistance of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
Tsem Rinpoche
Read more: Trode Khangsar – A 400-year-old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-%E2%80%93-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html
Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTybDwTeLAM
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The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje ShugdenHUM
Though unmoving from the sphere of primordial spontaneity,
With wrathful turbulent power, swifter than lightning,
Endowed with heroic courage to judge good and bad,
I invite you with faith, please come to this place!
Robes of a monk, crown adorned with rhinoceros leather hat,
Right hand holds ornate club, left holds a human heart,
Riding various mounts such as nagas and garudas,
Who subdues the mamos of the charnel grounds, praise to you!
Samaya substances, offerings and torma, outer, inner and secret,
Favourite visual offerings and various objects are arranged.
Although, previously, my wishes were a bit dense,
Do not stop your powerful apparitions, I reveal and confess!
Now respectfully praising with body, speech, and mind,
For us, the masters, disciples, benefactors and entourages,
Provide the good and avert the bad!
Bring increase like the waxing moon in spiritual and temporal realms!
Moreover, swiftly accomplishing all wishes,
According to our prayers, bestow the supreme effortlessly!
And like the jewel that bestows all wishes,
Always protect us with the Three Jewels!
From: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/the-5th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden
Tibetan prayer from: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-14th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden.html
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for this article, first time i hear about USA Riot in 1921.. its sad to hear this kind of things until now..
When i hear about violence and war i am thinking for what people are fighting and killing each other, we live very short life as humans.. why cant all be happy and live in peace.. what violence bring, satisfaction? its sad to see many are not peace lovers..
It baffles me how much, indignation people can have for something they do not really know about.
I get really disappointed and sad when I read stuff [racism, segregation, prejudice, etc.] like this.
I thought we were past all this… 🙁
I’m not trying to offend anyone with this message or whatsoever. I don’t understand why most white people would think and judge someone based on their religion, race, skin colour and appearance instead of their personalities? They are humans too, it’s not right to treat other people like slaves. They do not deserve this kind of hatred, what they do deserve is to be treated like humans(And this will be the second time I’m saying this but) they are humans, shouldn’t they be treated like one? Why would most of the white people think that they are more superior compared to the ones that has darker skin colour. (What I’m trying to say is that, if you actually think that you are better than them then why won’t you try to become more successful than them such as Obama. If you think you are better than him, then why don’t you prove it? The truth is, Obama is hundred times more superior than you are, he has countless of money, has a happy family and most importantly he is the president of the United States of America. So why don’t you start treating them like humans, start from now on. Stop looking/putting them down and stop criticizing them.
Tsem Rinpoche indicated this is a fault of a samsaric mind, not white people.
Try to rethink the statement ‘most white people…’. I do not know where you live or your experience with white people, or how you identify yourself. It’s entirely possible most of the white people you met felt they were superior to others because f the color of the skins involved. And I’ll admit ‘white’ cultures have managed to dominate many other cultures around the world, unfairly. Many cultures of various skin tones have had slavery, or similar systems. There are images of Tibetan lower class wearing similar chains as American Slaves. Horrible. Inequality impacts every society differently.
As an individual, I cannot control or influence societal systems which preceded me. I can speak up about those that exist, and try to implement a better solution. I can control my interactions with you, I can cherish you to the best of my ability. That can be much harder when people expect me to hate them because their skin is darker than mine.
I have blamed others about suppressing me as a woman. Then later I realized it was my personal behavior that led to my suppression. When I stopped expecting it, more opportunities appeared. And I was more able to oppose actual discrimination when it happened because I conducted myself with aptitude and dignity. If you face actual systemic suppression, it is hard. Do not justify their prejudice with low behavior. Not everyone who is like your oppressors is prejudiced against you. Thinking like this will cause you to miss opportunities.
Believing in Buddha’s teachings on mind and rebirth allows me to wholly focus on our commonalities.
Thank you Rinpoche for the post. Some people discriminate others as what they had experienced from that race, that religion or that gender etc..but experience might not be true and this is very unfair just because one’s personal experience from the particular one person and they hate and discriminate the entire group people. Judging based on experience is very dangerous, we might do wrong thing or make wrong decision from that. Therefore, everything that we do need to come back to the point-are we showing compassion by doing this?. For those who hear the rumous or simply discriminate others for no reason is time to let go the arrogant as you are higher than no one, everybody is equal..
Human beings generally have this inherent nature in them to be protective of their “belongings”, be it their bodies,their material stuff, their rights, their status, their pride and ego, their territory, their beliefs, their religion etc, everything centred on themselves. It is this powerful instinct in them that can cloud their minds and when “threatened” propel them to take actions to protect themselves. With this reason their actions may result in hurting others, even at a very gross level, but due to their so called “self defense” they ignore the bad results to justify their actions. This over indulgence in self has caused centuries of pain and sufferings to many. Unfortunately, with the so called “progress” or “development”, the world has degenerated even further into the doldrums of samsara. It is very sad and depressing. There is such a desperate need for “medicine” like the Dharma and its equivalent to help neutralise and reverse all this negativities in this world. May all the great Lamas live long to continue to turn the wheel of Dharma to benefit all beings !
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article,I think people just cannot live in peace this is something about human race they like to gossip talk bad about others even down to using violent to hurt people I guess this people do not want peace, they like to live in havoc and hurting others, this is really again any religion practice , because religion practice teach us to be kind and tolerance what kind of world is this so much violent is so wrong.
It is just really puzzling that people can generate so much hate on something that does not even have to do with them. By being different, it has not harmed or even harmed them. It is just unfair that people are being judged based on the different looks or even culture that others have because they do not “fit in” with the norm.
The question that I always had would be is the norm really the norm? A group of people may think that one group is normal and how they behave is normal in a certain place, but when they are at another place, this so called “normal” would no longer be the case. And at that point, only would they be able to feel the criticisms that they may have been throwing at others due to their difference in look.
We should never stereotype people based on their culture, looks, colour, or even their religious believes. We all have the freedom to choose. No one can dictate saying what is right or even wrong. It is just unfair and not right to be doing so.
If by being different we deserve to be cursed, threatened, boycotted, or even spat on, then I would say that there is no love in this world. If we can accept and look beyond the flaws of those that are deemed “similar” with us, then why can’t we accept the same for those that are so called “different”?
I just do not understand what is the point of violence when people do not agree with something. We call ourselves civilised, but through the actions of violence for both the Shugden movement or even the race riot there are so many people harmed along the way. It is not even worth it. It is wrong to be doing actions like this. People feel pain when they see things happen to the people that are “similar” to them, then why can’t we feel the same way for those that we call “different”. They are too human beings.
By being so violent and separated on issues like this, it only shows the ugly animal instincts that we have. With that, those people that are causing these harm still have the check to call themselves civilised. I do not see any civilisation in their actions at all.
I really hope there would be truly a day where world peace is possible. Where people are able to accept people for who they are, helping those that needs help with no indifferences. Everyone would need a helping hand at a moment of time, why not help those that need it now first.
It really shocks me that even in the modern times of the 21st century people are still racist and keep killing people for their religious beliefs/race.
This tells me that history is sort of repeating itself, because 73 years ago the Nazi’s killed Jews because they were thought to be “dirty”
I really believe that everybody should be free to practice what they want and not get held down by laws or other things. Unless they are directly harming you i don’t see any reason why they should be prosecuted.
People used to talk about the blacks and now people are pointing at the CTA because they are doing the same thing as what happened before. More people are getting killed because of the Dorje Shugden ban. These people are no ordinary people, but highly attained monks.
I really hope that all these racial and religious problems stop immediately before something worse happens.
My thought on this article is that history always repeats itself since the dawn of human civilization. People in general do not wish to learn from past mistakes or they have hidden agendas using destructive methods for selfish gains.
The Dorje Shugden issue of religious freedom is one of the many injustices that are ongoing as I type this message. In the US, it’s racial discrimination such as the Ferguson case. In the Middle East, it’s religious intolerance leading to the creation of ISIS and many other fanatical groups causing lots of violence and human suffering in the name of God.
We have 2 choices. Either we make a stand for human rights and do something about it or we stay in silence and allow this injustice to grow to a level where the violence reaches our doorsteps and we regret not having stopped it earlier. The choices we make now, determines the future we want.
Thank you Rinpoche for making a stand for the benefit of humanity.
With folded hands,
JP