His Holiness the Dalai Lama shouts?
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
In a recent exclusive interview with Telegraph UK, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama mentioned that he gets angry too… to the point that he shouts and says harsh words. Wow. So honest. Unlike someone who shouts profanities simply for self benefit or ordinary anger, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s words and shouting comes 100% from pure compassion.
He comes back life after life to benefit people through love, peace and compassionate methods… So if he shouts, it can be from no other motive but to benefit you. How fortunate for those who receives the shouting of His Holiness! In Tibetan system, we believe he is purifying your negative karma using wrathful means when necessary. It is possible for sure. We believe sometimes something negative will happen to us, so a highly evolved being like His Holiness can percieve this and he will instantly change the course of that karma or purify it by using wrathful means (shouting). Then we will avoid this turnout. Such is the benefits of working with highly evolved beings.
Like a father towards his only child, I am sure His Holiness shouts at his advisers, secretaries and other people around him because he wants them to improve. The works of the Dalai Lama is very important as it is purely for the benefit of others. Therefore it is important for his assistants and the people working alongside the Dalai Lama to do their work well without mistakes. What would the Dalai Lama gain through shouting anyways??
Another way to see this is that His Holiness is totally honest with his emotions and reactions. He ‘admits’ he shouts too. I think His Holiness is very honest always and brutally honest about himself. Such an inspiration.
Those who work with the Dalai Lama should always be grateful as Dharma work brings benefit to countless of sentient beings.
Do take a read at the interesting article below.
Tsem Rinpoche
Dalai Lama: I shout and say harsh words
Ahead of his visit to St Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow to receive the £1.1 million Templeton Prize for contributions to advancing the world’s understanding of spirituality, the Dalai Lama spoke exclusively to the Sunday Telegraph in Dharamsala about China, his temperament, close friendships and his extreme daily routine.
Exiled since 1959, he watched helplessly as China imposed its totalitarian rule on Tibet. Today, Tibet is no closer to freedom than when he first fled Chinese occupation, but without him, the Tibetans might have been forgotten, simply another group of exiles clinging on to a fragmented culture.
Despite Beijing’s countless efforts to discredit him, the Dalai Lama has become one of the world’s most revered leaders, praised for the non-violent way he has led his people, and has a rock-star-like following (tickets to next month’s lecture tour of Scotland, for instance, sold out within hours). Along with his close friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he remains one of the last great surviving 20th-century icons of peace.
Tomorrow he will be in London, at St Paul’s Cathedral, to receive the £1.1 million Templeton Prize as “a universal voice of compassion” with a respect for “spiritually relevant scientific research that centres on every single human being.” He will announce how he is to spend the money during the ceremony. The award follows the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to non-violence, and highlights his championing of science as a vital element in religious life.
He still hopes that China will change its approach to Tibet and will initiate democratic reforms within his lifetime. “My lifetime means if I remain another ten, 20 years, then definitely we’ll see it. If I die next year, I don’t know.”
He believes that the Arab Spring has had a deep impact on China’s thinking, and that Buddhist logic could offer its leaders a way out of totalitarianism. “If they face the reality, then there is no reason for fear or distrust” – something he believes are the product of China’s rule. “A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.”
Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Einstein are cited by him as people who inspire him, but says he has been most heavily influenced by the second-century Indian Buddhist monk Nagarjuna. “He said that there is a huge gap between appearances and reality. Appearance is something absolute, but reality is not that way – everything is interdependent, not absolute. So that view is very helpful to maintain a peace of mind because the main destroyer of a peaceful mind is anger.”
But he hasn’t quite mastered this himself, he concedes. He gets angry “quite often” with “advisers, secretaries, other people around me when they make some little, little mistake, then sometimes I burst. Oh yes! Anger and I shout! And some harsh words. But that remains for a few minutes, then it’s finished.”
At 76, he wakes at 3.30 every morning, meditates for four hours, pounds the treadmill, and then uses Buddhist prostrations to relax. He hasn’t watched television for two years, doesn’t read novels or poetry, but is a BBC radio addict. He stops work just after three in the afternoon, and is tucked up in bed by 7pm.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/tibet/9261176/Dalai-Lama-I-shout-and-say-harsh-words.html
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Everyone of us do get angry and annoyed , even shout but there’s always a reason for that. Revisit this old post again , HH Dalai Lama is totally honest with his reaction, he too shouts. HH Dalai Lama believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. He is a man of peace where his words and shouting comes from pure compassion. Many believed he is purifying one’s negative karma using wrathful means by shouting. Everything he did solely to benefits others. Truly inspiring action.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing .
Everyone shouts ,there must be some reasons behind it. Some when angry who shouts for self benefit or ordinary anger, But His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s words and shouting comes from pure compassion to benefits other or the person shouted at.Every one got the right to shout but to me silence is the loudest shout for help. H.H Dalai lama is an inspirition example for us as His Holiness is very honest always to admit that he too shouts.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing .
It is normal for everyone to shout. Even the Dalai Lama. When His Holiness shouts, it is only for the benefit of the person being shouted at. It is not really a scolding but vajra anger. A form of anger fuelled by compassion and not malicious wrath.
Just like a caring parent that shouts at their children for misbehaving, HHDL shows his care that is alike a parent to his only child by correcting his student’s wrong doings.
I do not believe HHDL have true anger in him, his wraths are all motivated by compassion and genuine care for his student’s welfare. Sometimes when a person faces obstacle, there really is no other choice either than using wrathful means to make them experience a mental shift because merely talking would do the person no good. Whoever have been fortunate enough to receive these type of wrathfulness from their Guru is truly fortunate as their Guru helped them to purify their negative karma and help them through their mental block that makes them non receptive to Dharma.
I remember once I have heard of a very high lama whom has a reputation of beating people out of compassion. Whenever he walk down the street, he would sometimes go up to another person and slapped them. He was very well known for helping others purify their karma by beating them, which is why anyone that was beaten by him would kneel, fold their hands and say thank you to this high Lama.
The wrath that a high Lana shows although from the outside it look scary, but actually, it is purely motivated to purify our negativities that is hindering our spiritual growth.
I think it is helpful to consider and contemplate upon the intent and the meaning of the teacher’s words rather than the tone in which it is said. For example, a mother’s shouting at her child isn’t because she is really angry or upset but arises out of great concern and compassion, and that is understood. It is the same way for the lamas towards his students and the people working around him – being “angry” is just another manifestation of compassion, probably because a more peaceful method has not yet worked to wake up the student or push him out of harmful habits / behavior.
Someone once pointed out to me to think of what the lama feels as he is ‘shouting’ or displaying anger towards at the student – that it most probably hurts the teacher more to do this, than for the student hearing it. So we should realise the teacher does what he does not because he’s angry in the ordinary ways that we we are or because he dislikes us … but conversely because he actually loves us so very much. Again, to listen to the intent and meaning of his words, than the way in which he expresses it is the most helpful way for us to realise his teachings, whatever way it manifests to us.
I think I can relate more to this now. When one shouts at others, it normally happens in two types of situation. One is he gets really emotional due to his benefit being jeopardized, the other is out of love or compassion.
Just like how our parents shouted at us when we were young and innocent. Their motivation although might not be as altruistic as HHDL, is still out of concern. The fact is those very close to us and love us won’t simply shout at us for no reason.
I wouldn’t shout at anyone whom I don’t care enough. Of course when I examine it deeper, I started to realize that not shouting when it is necessary is a type of selfishness too.
Therefore, my conclusion is: shout whenever I need to, but before that examine carefully what my motivation is. It must come from true care but not trying to win. It must be out of Eight Worldly Dharma. Or else it is just another manifestation of emotion that will only bring harm to us.
“Appearance is something absolute, but reality is not that way – everything is interdependent, not absolute. So that view is very helpful to maintain a peace of mind because the main destroyer of a peaceful mind is anger.”
Definitely His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the wisest man alive that in our present life now that we can see as a living walking Buddha of Compassion or an inspiration. He is one of those beings that gives hope to today’s society not just Tibetans… the hope that there is “good” and “compassion” still in our world. So definitely I believe if HHDL shouts, it is out of compassion like a father shouts and love for his only child.
Yes “anger” which I have lots… robs us of peace of mind and gives us heavy heart. But since I met Rinpoche… and know a little bit about Dharma, my anger has lessen tremendously and my tolerance level gone up. Some people say I am an idiot, because I allow myself to be so called “abused or used”… but a friend’s mother once told me, that in fact the the “strength” which few would have, now why would you want to be like the norm? Words of wisdom if we heed the advices 😉
I believe very much what Rinpoche have mentioned about purification of negative karma using wrathful methods. If I have the merits to be shouted at for the above, I will never think of it as the Lama scolding me. In fact, what does the Lama get out of it except our selfishness, ego and pride? Only out of pure compassion and love for me… What about the wrathful deities then? Isn’t it the same method..
The big difference between a high incarnate lama like His Holiness shouting and ordinary people shouting is that the Lama shouts at a person to help him or her, and to purify the person’s bad karma, and is done out of compassion. Whereas when ordinary people shout it is usually out of anger and done to hurt others and instill fear in them. The first arises out of kindness and the second out of anger or unkindness.
It is wonderful how the although Dalai Lama is aware that he is viewed by many as a living saint, he does not project a holier-than-thou image and often think of himself as a simple monk.
I cannot imagine the pressure that is on the Dalai Lama’s shoulders and yet he goes about his ways in a such a calm manner exemplifying peace.
His holiness openness, directness and straightforwardness is so inspiring. Being in his presence, you can’t help feeling overwhelmed by his compassionate, loving kindness. He is a living saint, a saint living solely for the benefit of others. How fortunate are we to be living in the era where he is here with us!
Every action or words of His Holiness does is to benefit everyone around him.
I am not surprised in the least to read that the Dalai Lama uses wrathful methods like shouting or being “angry”. I had not heard of wrathful means until I came across Tibetan Buddhism. Then I learnt that when a qualified Buddhist master scolds you, screams at you, or perhaps hits you, much negative karma is purified.
I also heard that it depends on your view of the teacher. If you believe that the teacher is enlightened, and anything he does to you is for your own good, then the benefit is much more as you will accept whatever methods your teacher chooses to guide you along the spiritual path. However, if you are unable to see your teacher in the correct light, and you get angry and upset at the methods he is using, the benefit is less but there is still benefit anyway. Just like an animal circumambulating a stupa still gets the benefits of circumambulation without understanding the nature of the stupa.
I would also like to share a story which Rinpoche shared with me previously. The previous incarnation of H.H. Zong Rinpoche was known to be a wrathful teacher. One time, he caught two monks doing something naughty. He called one of the monks into his room, and was said to have given him a very strong beating. The other monk was not scolded nor beaten. The next day, the monk who escaped punishment died. And the monk who was punished was fine. This is a true story which is a good testament to the power of purification by a wrathful teacher.
So anyway, if you happen to have the fortune to have a lama who uses wrathful means, be happy that you are so lucky. The wrathful path is so much faster than the peaceful one.
May His Holiness Dalai Lama have long life and good health. His Holiness has teach us honesty towards our emotions, there is no meaning to cover by mask..
Yes, HH Dalai Lama, emanation of the most compassionate Chenrezig and winner of the Nobel Peace prize, humbly admits that he does get angry and shout at “advisers, secretaries,other people around (Him) when they make some little little mistakes”.
However,his outbursts of anger come and go very quickly; and , being Chenrezig,they are manifestations of his compassion and are designed to purify the negative karma of those who get shouted at by Him. This will prevent something huge and unbearable from happening to these people, who will now have their negative karma ripen on a reduced scale and under ‘controlled’ conditions.
When I know nothing much about Buddhism, about compassion of a Guru, I will not understand why a Guru uses wrathful action, or why Guru gives BF. With more and more understanding I realise a Guru shouts or get angry or uses wrathful way or any other ways that I don’t understand, towards or to train students is only with one motivation, that’s for the benefits of the students.
Normally people has the perception that monks need to be goodie goodie and gentle. They should not show any emotions. However, in Tibetan buddhism, it is believe that the Guru will use all ways to make sure his students transform to better person. The Guru might show love, anger, joking or use all different ways to make the student win.
His Holiness Dalai Lama is very humble. He is showing that he is same as us with emotions but I’m sure his anger is with great compassion. Sometimes, wrathful way are more effective and faster to get the results.
Besides, this article also reveals that HHDL is very discipline. At the age of 76, he stills wakes up at 3.30am to start his daily practice. This is very inspiring.
He’s human after all
It must be shocking to many people that this Nobel Peace Prize winner gets ‘angry’. Anger is the last thing people expect from a monk or nun, always thinking that monks and nuns are peaceful and always smiling. I do believe that their nature is peaceful but that those who have spiritual attainments would manifest anger as an antidote to our delusions. It’s interesting that the Dalai Lama would reveal this side of him though…perhaps it is a skilful method for people to relate better with him.
A guru is not only here to please us and telling us to do things that we like only. This would not help us at all. A guru is here to teach and guide us to beat out our comfort zone and overcome our attachment,ignorance,anger,hatred,ego and to guide us to enlightenment. His holiness shouts and uses harsh words, I believe that the motivation behind such actions are for our own benefits.
In every people’s perception that Buddhist monks or nuns are loving, kind and full of love for others. Again, they are human too but when they are angry and “scold” at their students is to “wake” them up and to drum in the message out of pure motivation to help the person. It is not done to hurt him or her.
I always belief that Lama’s anger towards students because he wants us to improve.
Not only HHDL does use harsh words to scold people, truly with compassion. All gurus anger are with pure motivation and helping others. As student, should not react back as anger but pure compassion for us to transform.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring post
Dalai Lama talks so openly where he shouts and get angry very fast, and yet it only lasted a few minutes only. There is nothing for him to hide or he only say good things wanted to get praise or anything, because his act is purely Dharma and no personal agenda, that’s why he does not need to look good in the public. The truth is the truth, nothing to hide.
Angry only for a few minutes? I think if anyone who were to really get angry for their personal agenda, they would not calm down in few minutes time, that is impossible, so for Dalai Lama who is able to do so, then you should know what his anger mean. That is purely for the benefit of others.
To me personally, I don’t think it is weird that Dalai Lama will shout too. I believe a Guru with wisdom like the Dalai Lama has many different ways of teaching the students that are from many different backgrounds. A real Guru is not the one who always looks goody-goody, a real Guru is the one who willing to risk having us ‘hate’ him if he can benefit us by doing something that looks controversial or crazy(in this case like the Dalai Lama shouts at His students). This is what stated in ‘Gurus For Hire, Enlightenment For Sale’ (http://vajrasecrets.com/books/english-books/gurus-for-hire-enlightenment-for-sale.html).
A Buddha like Amitabha has the wrathful emanation like the Dharma protector Setrap, and Manjushri has the wrathful emanation like Kalarupa. This shows clearly that people just need different ways of guidance at the different point of time. Sometimes we need advice and care, sometimes we need to be pushed, it is just the matter of way of approach at different point of time.
I believed when His Holiness shouted at someone, He means no harm even with His harsh words. Just like Rinpoche said, Tibetans believed when a Highly Attained person shouted at one person the motivation is to purify our negative karma which is purely from a compassion mind.
Even in the news report Dalai Lama is giving universal teaching values to all of us. His statement: “the main destroyer of a peaceful mind is anger” is very valid and applicable when we live our every day lives with so many difficulty and circumstances to do our work, relationship with others.
As an emanation of Chenrezig, H.H.the Dalai Lama is full of compassion and he will even use wrathful methods to benefit others if He deemed fit. He is so humble and speaks the truth with regards to His emotions. His motivation is pure and when He scolds it is to clear away obstacles and a method to purify the negative karma. As such, we should not judge the action but the motivation behind the harsh words.
Buddha does get angry, but for a good reason, so that someone will grow or realise something. Just like Setrap, he is the emanation of Buddha Amitabha but he is so wrathful, looks angry. He is angry because we are deluded by our wrong views, he will use his wrathfulness to lead us to the right path.
The ”anger'” from a normal lay person is usually based upon their own selfish needs for the benefit of themselves only. But when a holy being like HH Dalai Lama or highly enlightened beings becomes “angry”, it would be towards the situation or their assistants making repeated mistakes for not being mindful or aware of their own actions and its repercussions.
In practising the dharma path, when our teacher or Guru or Lama scolds us, it must be for a very good reason to help see the path clearer, or make us realise some mistakes or help to purify us. Highly enlightened beings do not just get angry for no other reason. It is just like a father or mother scolding their children. The scolding is for the good of the children and not for the parents, in most cases for lay people.
HH Dalai Lama is so humble to admit his having anger. He demonstrated that it is only human to have anger. However, we all know an enlightened being like HH Dalai Lama who is believed to Chenrezig or the Buddha of Compassion, can only be angry to benefit others and for no other reasons!
Anger is one of the three poisons of our mind – anger, attachment and ignorance. Anger is so elusive! It only strikes us when we least expect it. Even if we have strong mindfulness and awareness, we can’t help but get angry at moments when we lose control of ourselves. We lose control of ourselves when we want to protect and defend our ego. Our ego is the most important thing in the whole wide world at that particular instant of anger. Anger happens instantly and spontaneously. And after the anger, almost always we have regrets. But it is no point regretting because much hurt and damage would have been done to the persons (including ourselves) during our anger. Unless we have accomplished total renunciation of the eight worldly concerns, anger will remain with us. It is like a time-bomb waiting to explode!
The practice of patience and mindfulness will keep us in check of anger. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the danger of anger. Anger can destroy us in many ways. One of the most harmful ways is the burning of our merits. Anger can lead to wars between nations. Anger can break relationships. There are many other many disadvantages of anger. The irony is when we realise that we will die the every next moment, even anger becomes irrelevant! So why become angry? Knowing the dangers of anger, we should strive to be patient.
Look at all the fierce deities like Yamantaka and Setrap they are all wrathful and all are enlightened. When the lama scolds us it is a purification for us and they do it out of deep compassion. As probably the gentle methods do not work anymore or there isn’t any more time so the wrathful method has to be employed.
相信每一位尊贵的上师都有他们特别的 教导方式。
达赖喇嘛的方式，只是于一般我们见到的佛法老师不同！ 因为从小家人就灌输我们，出家人就应该怎样， 怎样的！
其实我觉得，上师爱我们就应该在我们有错时及时纠正。不听话时也应该骂。 如果我的师父从来都不骂我，惩罚我， 。。。。那。。。。我觉得有点怪！
As from whatever were disclosed in a recent exclusive interview with Telegraph UK, it can be extremely painful and depressing to the Dalai Lama, who is on his “exiled since 1959, as he watched heplessly as China imposed its Totalitarian rule on Tibet. Today, Tibet is no closer to freedom than when he first fled Chinese occupation, but without Him, the Tibetans might have been forgotten, simply another group of exiles clinging onto a fragmented culture”. Its truly not an easy role to be the Dalai Lama, though “who has become one of the World’s revered Leaders, praised for the non-violent way he has led his people, and has remained one of the last Great surviving 20th-century Icons ofPeace”. So, if he shouts, it can be of no feelings of displeasure to the secretaries, advisers and other ‘choosen’ people around him, as this can, or should be accepted as “purification of compassion” by the Dalai Lama of any negative karma/forces to devade its course of happening through such wrathful means. This in itself is pure kindness and deep care, as the Dalai Lama himself is awared of. The whole Universe salute the Dalai Lama with the greatest of esteem and admiration for being what he is, and lives for! “Long live the Dalai Lama”. OM MANI PADME HUM.
It is inspiring to read that HH Dalai Lama talks candidly for it is an education for me that highly realized beings’ actions may be the same as others but it’s the motivation that counts.
Buddhist monks usually give people the perception that they are cool and compassion. Yes, that is true, but at times, one needs to use the wrathful energy to get message across.
For example, parents at times will “scold” the children to get certain messages across. The difference is the motivation. If one uses harsh or wrathful words out of anger, it will hurt; but on the other hand, if one uses wrathful words for people to improve or to give them good values, it will benefit;
As such, we cannot just look at the action (shout and use harsh words) and decide if a person is angersome. I have also seen Dharma protector (through oracle in trance) use a stick to hit a villager who were very ill (apparently he was possessed by some spirits), but the villager “woke up” and restore consciousness.
Every Guru will use their skillful ways to teach us, and we should ready when our Guru press our button. We are so fortunate to have a Guru so near to us and always direct point to our mistakes.
I truly wish that Rinpoche, HH Dalai Lama and all spiritual guides long life and continue turn the Dharma wheel…
HH Dalai Lama is very humble and tells us he does shout. But his shouting is with a different motivation. That is, to buck us up and mind transformation. As a living Kuan Yin, His Holiness actions are pure and sincere. He cares for our welfare and rebirth. May His Holiness live long to see Tibet gain independence from Tibet.
Yes we all view HH as Chenrezig (Kuan Yin) and to find him faultless. To know that He shouts and uses harsh words may come as a surprise but we know the motivation behind such actions are for our benefits. And really, he is not angry at you, just the situation.
So true about what has been said about His Holiness Dalai Lama: Without His Holiness, Buddhism will not spread so wide and deep, and those Tibetan people may have to go through a lot more hardships that what it is now.
I wish long life for His Holiness Dalai Lama, so that his compassion and wisdom can continue. I wish too that China’s totalitarian rule on Tibet can be taken back very soon, so that the beauty of Tibet, its religion, culture and people can remain.
Reading this article also make me realised how disciplied His Holiness Dalai Lama’s daily life is – to wake up at 3:30am and then be up in the bed at 7pm.
I wish happiness and great health for His Holiness Dalai Lama.