Are We All Obliged to Listen to the Dalai Lama?
(By Matthew Sinclair)
Dear friends,
Everyone knows that I am a devoted practitioner of Dorje Shugden. Everyone also knows that I hold His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the highest esteem and have always encouraged my students and friends to practice seeing things with equanimity and not judge in terms of good or bad. Therefore I do not encourage criticism or condemnation of any kind but instead wish for everyone to cultivate peaceful and tolerant states of mind.
Over the years, TsemRinpoche.com has gained quite a reach and we have all kinds of emails and letters sent to us daily. One such letter was sent by a Mr Matthew Sinclair who apparently follows me on Twitter and is a frequent visitor to this blog. He wrote this letter in response to some tweets that are not complimentary of me and my practice of Dorje Shugden. To be frank, such tweets do not bother me; I practice Dorje Shugden because of the promise I made to my beloved teacher, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, and not because I want to be popular.
Anyway, Mr Matthew Sinclair’s letter made a number of thought-provoking points and I have decided to publish it here for my readers to digest, discuss and agree or disagree. I mean no disrespect to anyone by publishing this letter and I hope it will encourage everyone to think deeper about issues such as Dorje Shugden. Please read with an open mind and learn from Mr Sinclair’s thoughts.
Thank you
Tsem Rinpoche
Dear Professor Robert Thurman,
Are we all obliged to listen to the Dalai Lama?
A person’s religion is no one else’s business. It is a matter between him and his chosen god or divinity and no one should have any say in how or what he worships, so long as no laws are broken and no one is harmed in the worship of his god and in the way he expresses his faith. To be sure, ‘harm’ in this case must be real and cannot be imagined. One person’s religion cannot be deemed to be harmful just because another person does not agree with it.
The suggestion that only the belief of one person or a select group leads to the truth while all other faiths are deluded and damaging has been behind some of the most tragic wars in history. Religion is also conveniently used to justify some of the most grotesque acts of terrorism.
Therefore, as the world becomes more globalised and older religions evolve into more modern expressions of exaltation and new beliefs form, it has become even more important to defend the right of people to worship as they choose. What we defend is not the validity of one religion over another, but the understanding that the essence of divinity can no longer, in a modern and multi-faceted world, be expressed as a singularity that is exclusively owned by a person or a spiritually elite group. Forbearance and acceptance are vital keys to peaceful cohabitation in this complex world.
If anyone should already understand this, it has to be Professor Robert Thurman. He is after all recognised as somewhat of an expert in Tibetan Buddhism – a syncretic blend of Mahayana Buddhism, and tantric rituals with a good dose of local pantheistic, polydaemonistic and animistic beliefs thrown in for good measure. It is not the easiest of religions to understand or even practice. With its rich pantheon of deities that includes, amongst other things, vampires, subjugated monsters, Buddhas emanating as spirits, and outer-worldly beings, even traditional Buddhists have a hard time accepting that the Buddha ever taught ‘Tibetan Buddhism’. Moreover, this mysterious religion only emerged a millennium after the Buddha’s passing. If we were to gauge Tibetan Buddhism from the perspective of ordinary and everyday ‘common-sense’, Tibetan Buddhism does sound like a fiction written by someone very high on acid. And yet, Robert Thurman has been allowed to teach and spread his version of religion and no one tells him that he is merely a glorified peddler of superstitious hooey and a self-appointed interpreter of a mythical apologue. This is as it should be but this is a very important point in this writing that addresses Robert Thurman’s attitude to other people’s religion. To some people, Robert Thurman is a modern-day messiah and to others, he is a throwback of a hazy, psychedelic hippie era. But he is allowed to be who he is and to prosper from it.
Professor Robert Thurman benefits from an open-minded world that understands that the soundness and cogency of any religion is what the practitioner makes of it and the good or bad it inspires in each practitioner. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Thurman graciously enjoys fame, fortune and recognition as an expert of an esoteric system of belief that few understand or would want to become involved in. Good for him but sadly Thurman does not extend this grace to others whose religious practice he targets and condemns.
Lately, Bob Thurman has taken to Twitter to attack the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, as well as hundreds of other Dharma centres both large and small, for their practice of one Buddhist deity amongst an entire pantheon of divine beings. While the NKT is an organisation with a network of Buddhist centres found predominantly in the West, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is an incumbent monk of the prestigious Ganden Shartse monastic university, who has a large following in Southeast Asia. Although Thurman likes to lump his targets together, probably for ease of levelling libellous statements at, the NKT and Tsem Rinpoche operate quite independently of one another, have unique ways of disseminating the teachings of the Buddha, and take markedly different approaches to addressing the same issues, namely the unlawful prohibition of one of their Buddhist rituals, a prohibition that Thurman now champions. Members of the NKT are well known to support protests against the Dalai Lama as a means of drawing attention to what they regard as the Dalai Lama’s misdeeds. On his part, Tsem Rinpoche has never participated in protests of any kind against the Dalai Lama or made any attempt to portray the Dalai Lama in poor light. To the contrary, Tsem Rinpoche has always had the highest regard and respect for the Dalai Lama and in fact, has always advocated for a peaceful end to the conflict without assassinating the Dalai Lama’s character.
Incidentally, Robert Thurman’s contempt for the NKT, which was founded by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, was not historically shared by the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama has written a foreword for Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s book ‘Buddhism in the Tibetan Tradition‘ where he introduced Geshe-la in glowing terms. This was at a time when Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was already known to be a devoted practitioner of Dorje Shugden. How Geshe-la’s character is supposed to have “changed” through the Dalai Lama’s own change of heart towards Dorje Shugden is a mystery to all. The Dalai Lama practised Dorje Shugden as a Buddha for decades but now demeans the same deity as merely a lowly and malicious spirit.
Professor Robert Thurman has taken to social media to gag anyone who presents a factual narrative of the Dorje Shugden religious ban. Click on image to enlarge.
The only commonality between the NKT and Tsem Rinpoche is, both are prominent figures of the Gelugpa order and both are practitioners of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden, an ancient Buddhist deity worshipped as a protector of the Buddha’s teachings. And in addition, both are victims of Robert Thurman’s virulent attacks.
Tsem Rinpoche is a loyal defender of the Dorje Shugden practice that lay at the heart of the Sakya and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism. To be specific, Tsem Rinpoche does not protect the deity Dorje Shugden or his practice. It would be absurd to think that a powerful god whom we propitiate for protection and blessings should instead need man’s protection from fellow man’s tampering. What Tsem Rinpoche stands up for is the right of a person, any person, to practise an important religious ritual that has been passed on to him by his teacher and sealed with an oath to uphold the practice and preserve it for posterity. To stand up for what is right and to keep to one’s promise regardless of how inconvenient it has become – aren’t these traits that everyone should celebrate and encourage, instead of condemning?
And yet, it appears that such integrity poses a problem for Professor Robert Thurman who is part of a cabal of detractors claiming that the practice of Dorje Shugden is not a proper Buddhist ritual because the Dalai Lama had opposed the continuation of the practice in 1996 for reasons that have never quite passed the simple test of logic. On his part, Thurman has in the past referred to practitioners of Dorje Shugden as the ‘Buddhist Taliban’, a term he coined with the intention of creating enmity against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
In addition, Thurman has also accused Shugden practitioners of being Chinese spies working against the Dalai Lama and his government. This too is absurd because Dorje Shugden is a 400-year-old practice whereas the Sino-Tibetan conflict only started 60 years ago. So what were Shugden practitioners spying on for the 300+ years prior to 1959? For Thurman to take a geo-political issue and attribute it to a centuries-old religious practice is extremely irresponsible and misleading. Such sweeping accusations are what has historically created division, segregation and exclusion – precisely the views that proper Buddhist practice trains one to see through. Thurman’s extremist views in this regard are not only an insult to himself and to the academic institutions he represents but also to the ordinary people’s common sense. The notion that one religion or one race of people or one nationality or people of one gender can be bad or evil in totality even though everyone is different, has different preferences, feelings and influences, is just absurd. The last time such a view was common, 6 million Jews perished. The Dorje Shugden issue, just like racial and gender inequality issues of the past, has never been a problem in its own right but is the result of bigoted views being allowed to spread. On this basis, we can see clearly how dangerous Robert Thurman’s views are, that he should try to draw the world back into the dark ages.
Professor Robert Thurman’s so-called qualification on this matter is based solely on his closeness to the Dalai Lama. One might think he, as an expert on Tibetan Buddhism, would know better. But one would be mistaken. Thurman after all has learned from very qualified masters, some of whom are regarded as highly attained beings. But the simple truth is that the Dalai Lama is not the only qualified Tibetan Buddhist master there is. There are hundreds more in the Gelug, Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu traditions. The Dalai Lama’s own teachers were themselves highly qualified scholars and attained practitioners, which was the very reason why they were chosen to tutor the Dalai Lama. However, the way Robert Thurman behaves is to insist that his master, the 14th Dalai Lama, is the only one with the qualifications to judge what is and is not authentic Buddhist practice. This is extreme, biased and incorrect. Thurman wants you to neglect the fact that virtually all of the old masters regarded Dorje Shugden as a special and enlightened god, as did Robert Thurman himself until it became more profitable to think otherwise. Contemporaries of Robert Thurman recall a time when he sought initiation into the Dorje Shugden practice from his then teacher, Domo Geshe Rinpoche. And when refused on account of his unstable mind, Thurman put on such a show of grovelling to be given the practice that people remember the event until this day. Clearly, Thurman’s loyalty to a teacher and to a religious practice changes according to what’s in vogue.
But I digress. Thurman is known as ‘the Dalai Lama’s man in America’ and by this connection alone, Thurman claims moral superiority over others and justifies his role in what is essentially spiritual totalitarianism, which in fact declares his master the Dalai Lama to be a spiritual dictator. What Thurman is conveniently forgetting is that not every Tibetan Buddhist has a spiritual bond with the Dalai Lama and therefore are not obliged to listen to his advice. And for those who do have such a spiritual bond with the Dalai Lama, in all likelihood it is not the only spiritual relationship that they have. It is common for Tibetan Buddhist practitioners to have more than one teacher, and each of these teachers may have different views, approaches, methods and opinions. So why is Thurman insisting that the spiritual bond with the Dalai Lama overrides the bond with any other teacher? Just because he is the most famous?
Professor Robert Thurman claims translations of the Dalai Lama banning Dorje Shugden are fake but does nothing to prove this.
If Professor Robert Thurman’s authority to judge and condemn the religious practice of others is based on his favour with the Dalai Lama, then the Dalai Lama’s authority is based on the belief that he is an emanation of Chenrezig, an enlightened god amongst the myriad of gods in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. However, it is important to note that Chenrezig is not the only god in Tibetan Buddhism and for sure he is not the only god in the history of mankind.
And so, if Professor Robert Thurman’s criticism of another person’s religion is to be allowed and considered valid simply by his connection with a human emanation of one of the Tibetan Buddhist gods, do we similarly empower and allow other ‘Thurmans’ with similar connections to other Tibetan Buddhist gods to disparage and condemn other religions?
Do we allow criticisms from self-appointed representatives of the gods, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Vajrabhairava, Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara, Vajrayogini, Tara, Hevajra, Kalachakra, Mahacakra, Hayagriva and Vajrakilaya? And what about the other Buddhist deities such as Nechung, Rahula, Dorje Legba, Tseringma, Vaishravana, Virudhaka, Dhritarashtra, Virupaksha, Tenma Chunyi and Ta’og?
And those are just some of the deities and supreme beings in Tibetan Buddhism. Seeing that Tibetan Buddhism is not the only religion in the world, should we also accord the same privileges to those who claim to have close connections with gods of the Indian pantheon – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh, Durga, Krishna, Ram, Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati; gods of the Sumerian pantheon – Ashur/Enlil, Anu, Dagon, Enki, Marduk, Shamash, Inanna, Ninlil, Ereshkigal and Nergal; gods of the Egyptian pantheon – Amun, Ra, Anubis, Apophis, Bastet, Hathor, Isis, Osiris, Nut and Sekhmet; gods of the Greek pantheon – Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, Ares, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hermes, Dionysus and Artemis?
And what about Mayan gods such as Itzamn, Chac, Ah Mun, Ah Puch, Ek Chuah, Acan, Ix-chel, Xaman Ek, Kukulcan, Quetzalcoatl; Native American gods, for instance Caribou Master, Chief Above, First Maker, Everywhere Being, Breathmaker, Great Spirit, Lone Man, Old Man Coyote, Silver Fox, Sky-Chief; supreme beings of the Wiccan pantheon – Diana, Hecate, The Horned God, Astarte, Cernunnos, Ogma, Dagda, Great Spirit, Herne, Pan; Chinese gods in the Taoist tradition – Huangdi, Yuhuang, Doumu, Xiwangmu, Yanwang, Baxian, Longshen, Tianshen, Huang Tian, Di; the various personifications of god in the Christian faith – El, Adonai, Yahweh, Jehovah, Elohim, King of Kings, Lord of Hosts, Lord of Lords, The Light, Abba, Jesus; and the prophets who often were regarded as vessels of god – St. Patrick, St. Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bernadette, St. Nicholas, St. Peter, St. Therese of Liseux, St. Anne, St. Christopher, and not to mention The Blessed Virgin Mary?
Professor Robert Thurman
Then there are gods of the Japanese pantheon – Susanoo, Benten, Amaterasu, Izanagi, Tsukiyomi, Sichi-Fuku-Jin, Bishamon, Hoori, Aizen-Myoo, Amida; and Norse gods – Odin, Thor, Balder, Vidar, Vale, Brage, Heimdall, Froy, Frigg, Tyr; and African gods – Fa, Imana, Nenaunir, Njambi, Ochumare, Ogun, Olorun, Shango, Unkulunkulu and Ymoja.
Should each of these gods have their own versions of ‘Professor Robert Thurman’ who in their name becomes empowered to judge the validity of all religions and belief systems in the world? And if a certain religion is found not to have met an arbitrary standard (otherwise known as a personal ‘opinion’), should it then be deemed false, demonic and harmful? If our answer is ‘no’, then it has to be asked – what entitles Professor Robert Thurman to declare the practice of Dorje Shugden to be harmful and demonic?
Who is to say which god is real, whether there is only one true god, or if all these divinities are emanations of each other? As we have seen from history, all efforts to promote a “single true god” at the expense of all others and all efforts to claim religious superiority whilst discrediting other faiths have led to conflicts, tremendous social upheaval and unnecessary loss of life. Haven’t we moved on from there? Civilised minds have enacted laws to avoid a repeat of such disasters and so, why does Robert Thurman wish to drag us back to those extreme and dangerous mindsets? We have seen good and noble acts arising out of the practice of all religions and faiths just as we have seen brutality and lunacy that is the result of practising the very same religions. Clearly, it is not the religion which is to blame but the person practising it. For Robert Thurman to attempt to deny this simple truth does not reflect well on his intentions.
When Professor Robert Thurman accuses Dorje Shugden practitioners to be members of an extremist cult, terrorists and demon worshippers, he risks being seen as an intolerant and extreme hypocrite, whose opinion arises out of a sycophantic need to please a master – in this case the Dalai Lama, upon whom Thurman’s claim to fame rests. It is not based on facts or hard evidence. Simply being labeled a professor of one religion does not validate the entirety of his opinions nor does it invalidate the no-less-qualified opinions of scholars and professors of other religions. To be sure, the opinion of a professor has no power to subvert the laws that provide for religious freedom and the free exercise of the people’s rights. Thurman’s crusade against Dorje Shugden and the reasons he furnishes are a trap for readers to abandon common sense.
In any case, no one owes Robert Thurman any duty to justify the authenticity of his or her religion. The law of most developed nations and the charter of the United Nations itself provides for freedom of religion regardless of what anyone feels about one religion or another and Robert Thurman is not above the law. For that matter, there is no spiritual authority or spiritual leader who can overturn or override any law that states without a doubt that every man is free to exercise his choice of religion. To even attempt to discredit a religion that is practised within the law of the country, and to call for citizens of that country to oppose practitioners of a certain religion, is not only to be disrespectful of the sovereignty of that nation but also to be at risk of being accused of wishing to incite religious unrest.
The simple lesson Robert Thurman needs to urgently accept is that he has neither the right nor the authority to coerce anyone into embracing or abandoning any religion. The Dalai Lama may be Robert Thurman’s living god but he is not everyone’s god and hence Thurman cannot demand that every one deifies the Dalai Lama the way he does. And neither does someone become a demon worshipper or a terrorist simply because he recognises that he has no obligation to obey the Dalai Lama, especially insofar as such obedience involves acts contrary to oaths made in practicing a religion.
As much as Professor Robert Thurman would like to deny it, it is a straightforward fact that the Dalai Lama was recorded giving directives on more than one occasion for monasteries to expel monks who refused to renege on their promises to uphold the Dorje Shugden practice alongside every other practice bestowed upon them by their teachers. In desperation, Professor Robert Thurman denies the accuracy of the translation of the Dalai Lama’s speech that directed monasteries to pick on Shugden worshipping monks (see video ‘Dalai Lama bans Dorje Shugden practice and expels monks’). He argues that there is no ban simply because the Dalai Lama has no authority to effect a religious ban. On this point, Robert Thurman is right but the truth is that the Dalai Lama holds a great deal of influence over the Tibetan people beyond what is normal for a religious leader. Tibetan society is at heart an autocratic one and not a democracy, and so, whatever the Dalai Lama says is treated as absolute law.
It is suspicious that Thurman’s objection to the alleged wrong translation does not result in him procuring a supposedly correct translation. This again defies common sense. You don’t shout down something that you claim to be wrong. You produce the correct version instead. Simple. Unless Robert Thurman is fully aware that the translation is in fact correct as it was done by qualified translators and vetted by scholars over the years since the video was first released. Semantics aside, the Dalai Lama’s posture, body language, tone and the intensity by which he drove his points across leave little to the imagination as to how the spiritual leader wishes for his audience to regard the practice of Dorje Shugden. After all, 70% of communication in non-verbal. Moreover, in Tibetan culture, when the Dalai Lama speaks in this way, it is nothing short of a religious commandment. And so, after this speech, the monasteries began expelling Shugden monks and discrimination against lay practitioners began in earnest.
Faced with the impossible task of debunking the video, Thurman decides to embark on a social media campaign instead, in a desperate attempt to gag Tsem Rinpoche from stating facts about the Tibetan leadership’s breach of Shugden Buddhists’ religious freedom. If anyone needs evidence of this, then both the Dalai Lama’s and the Tibetan leadership’s official websites carry messages instructing discrimination. Have a look and ask yourself why a spiritual leader of a peaceful religion and an advocate of peace and tolerance would carry messages on his official website designed to incite hatred against some people simply based on their religion? Thurman would no doubt argue that the Dalai Lama has a duty to warn the public about the ills of practising Dorje Shugden. Yet it’s okay to be a Satanist, it is okay to belong to a religion that calls for human sacrifice, it is okay to belong to a religion that in essence disclaims Buddhism and it is okay to belong to religions that call for the elimination of their detractors? All are okay except for Dorje Shugden? Doesn’t sound quite legitimate. And even if the Dalai Lama does not think Dorje Shugden is worthy of worship, does the Dalai Lama agree that everyone is entitled to exercise their constitutional right to practise whatever they believe?
Ultimately it’s not about which god is good or bad but about letting humanity make their own decisions without ‘advice’ or condemnation from secular and spiritual leaders which leads to separation and segregation. This is the point. This is religious freedom.
Robert Thurman is on an offensive against anyone who highlights the Tibetan leadership’s religious ban and it seems there is no measure he would not go to in order to achieve his aim. There is no room for such spiritual gangsterism today and the most unfortunate thing is that such simple common sense escaped a supposed Professor of the illustrious Columbia University. What a shame.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Sinclair
London
Addendum
By His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche
Central Tibetan Administration’s Website
Below is a screenshot of Tibet.net, which is the Tibetan leadership’s website. In it, they have a section with “information” about Dorje Shugden which is designed to promote hatred, negativity and direct vulgarities towards Shugden practitioners. What kind of democratic leadership has a section like this on their site targeting a religious group? Imagine the uproar there would be if the American or Canadian, or any other democratic government had sections like this on their site for the public!
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) website which has a section on Dorje Shugden. What kind of democratic government has sections on their website which target a religious group? Click to enlarge.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Website
This is a screenshot of DalaiLama.com which is the official website of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. When this section exists on His Holiness’ website, it actually emboldens Tibetans to discriminate against and segregate Shugden practitioners. This section is basically the Dalai Lama’s ‘endorsement’ of such behaviour; when anti-Shugden individuals see this, they think it is okay to segregate against the practice “because the Dalai Lama said so”. I don’t think the Dalai Lama would agree with this but the webmaster and shadow writers behind his website should not put this type of anti-Dorje Shugden section which subscribes to discrimination against a group because of religion. In the 21st century, this is not fitting of a great spiritual leader like His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Do not discriminate tolerate; is the way to go.
If the Dorje Shugden ban is just advice and not a ban, then why is a section like this necessary on any website?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s website which has a section on Dorje Shugden. This section emboldens Tibetans to discriminate against Shugden practitioners because it is the Dalai Lama’s endorsement of such behaviour.
Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Resolution Stating Government Employees Should Not Rely on Dorje Shugden
In 1996, the Tibetan leadership passed a resolution stating that all departments (and ergo their employees) should not rely on Dorje Shugden (point 8). The resolution also stated that individuals who do engage in its worship will harm the Dalai Lama’s life and the so-called Tibetan cause. That being the case, how will anyone within the Tibetan settlements and government be able to openly engage in Dorje Shugden practice after that, if their worship has been widely labelled as anti-Dalai Lama, anti-CTA and treasonous? To openly practice after that will leave them open to criticism, vulgarities, harassment and discrimination, as Dorje Shugden practitioners have been for the last 20 years. So they will be left with three options: to give up the practice (which many will not do), to practice secretly, or to give up their jobs.
A screenshot of tibet.net, showing the 1996 resolution which proclaimed that departments under the Tibetan leadership should not propitiate Dorje Shugden and that doing so will harm the Dalai Lama’s life.
Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Resolution Naming Dorje Shugden Practitioners as Criminals in History
This is a screenshot of tibet.net, the Central Tibetan Administration’s official website, which shows the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s unanimous resolution dated 17 March 2014 naming Dorje Shugden practitioners as criminals in history (point 3, paragraph 2).
The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile passed a resolution on 17 March 2014 naming all Dorje Shugden practitioners as “criminals in history”. On what basis can the Tibetan leadership condemn all Dorje Shugden believers, including the elderly, infirm, young, and those not of Tibetan nationality, as criminals?
VIDEO: Dalai Lama bans Dorje Shugden practice
and expels monks
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was recorded in Drepung Monastery in 2008 clearly stating that those who refused to give up their Dorje Shugden practice should be expelled from the monasteries. His Holiness even said that if people found it difficult to fulfill this instruction, that they should say that the Dalai Lama told them to expel Dorje Shugden practitioners.
My question is this: if giving up Dorje Shugden practice is just advice, and it is up to us who we wish to rely on, then why are there such heavy repercussions for people who choose to keep the practice? As a result of His Holiness saying this, thousands of Shugden monks were expelled from the monasteries, and were forced to set up their own monasteries where they would be able to continue their Dorje Shugden practice.
VIDEO: Dorje Shugden practitioner rejected
from Gaden Shartse Monastery Guest House
A Dorje Shugden practitioner enquiring about room rates at the Gaden Shartse Monastery Guest House in Majnu-ka-tilla, Delhi was rejected by the hotel staff and asked to leave.
VIDEO: France 24 reports on the Dorje Shugden issue
France 24 is a reputable news network based in France, known for their objective reporting style. They covered the Dorje Shugden issue extensively, surely a reflection of the seriousness of the issue for them to devote so much airtime to it. In their video, France 24 captured on film the discrimination against a Dorje Shugden monk.
VIDEO: Al Jazeera reports on the Dorje Shugden issue
Based in the Middle East, Al Jazeera was formed in response to the heavy influence of Western culture on the media. They are known to cover controversial topics that other news agencies may be reluctant to cover, and provide hard-hitting, objective coverage of current affairs.
Evidence of the Ban
Over the years, my students have collected evidence of the ban against Dorje Shugden. Personally, I find it quite disappointing and sad that they have been able to collect so much evidence because it just goes to show how widespread and pervasive this ban has become. As you can see below, notices banning Dorje Shugden practitioners can be found just about anywhere in the Tibetan settlements. Whether a Dorje Shugden person is trying to access healthcare or enter a restaurant, or try to buy something from a shop, they are banned everywhere and refused service. How is this just ‘advice’ when the repercussions of practising Dorje Shugden are so violent inside the Tibetan communities and settlements?
For more interesting information:
- Huffington Post: When Machiavelli Dons Tibetan Robes
- Huffington Post: Shugden Acolytes Decry Ostracism Within Buddhist Ranks
- A Gift from Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
- Dorje Shugden – The Protector of Our Time
- Dorje Shugden: Our Personal Stories
- 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)
- Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche
- Dorje Shugden Retreat: A powerful practice to fulfill wishes
- 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
- Manjushri Nagarakshasa comes to KFR!
- 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།
- The Fourteenth Dalai Lama & Dorje Shugden | ༧གོང་ས་ཆེན་པོ་སྐུ་འཕྲེང་བཅུ་བཞི་པ་མཆོག་དང་རྡོ་རྗེ་ཤུགས་ལྡན། | 十四世达赖尊者与多杰雄登
- The Fifth Dalai Lama & Dorje Shugden | ༧གོང་ས་ལྔ་པ་ཆེན་པོ་དང་རྡོ་རྗེ་ཤུགས་ལྡན། | 第五世达赖尊者与多杰雄登
- 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
- The Sakya Lineage & Dorje Shugden
- Dorje Shugden lineage holders in the Sakya tradition: Sonam Rinchen & Kunga Lodro
- Updated: Dorje Shugden Teaching Videos
- The Dalai Lama Speaks Clearly About the Dorje Shugden Ban
- Nechung – The Retiring Devil of Tibet
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hello everyone,
out of respect to his holiness and lama zopa recently i made a post saying that i was giving up dorje shugden…and i have to say that what tsem rinpoche says is that i have to practice dorje shugden because even if i don’t want to i still have to cuz he gave me the practice. and even if i don’t want to practice it i still have to. tsem tulku rinpoche kept his practice to his very last dying day and i should be no different. if i could go to a better rebirth in my next lifetime like tsem tulku that would be great. I was introduced to the practice because i stopped taking my medication in the hospital many years ago and I did not have anyone to turn to but the protector that i found through tsem rinpoche who at the time was setrap yet i then was able to receive the practice of dorje shugden from tsem rinpoche and i did keep up this practice as my main practice for many years so i don’t see how i can just give my practice up which is why i made sure to say that actually without dorje shugden I am powerless. Im sure theres some who would say thats not a good practice then but i think if I am able to practice it then it is a good thing. So im going to say it is a split fifty fifty decision but if i were to go with what I have been saying i would say that it is better to practice it then not to and I would reccommend it to anyone who wanted to practice it to do the same and to follow the footsteps of tsem rinpoche. just thought i would update my so called stance on the protector. Just in case anyone was confused from my previous posts I was pretty sure that I am still practicing dorje shugden despite what anyone says even though maybe they are saying I am not practicing it anymore but I have to I have no choice. That is the practice Tsem Rinpoche gave me so I am going to keep practicing it I would say. IT should not even matter in the first place. I made a promise to the protector that I would do what he said and if not I would walk. And tsem rinpoche gave me the practice for the rest of my life till i die and I must not go against his command. I swear. That is my promise. So sorry tsem rinpoche I will not give up my practice. I am going to still do it until I die. Thank you Master.
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. Thanks to Mr Matthew Sinclair for speaking up clearly with logic. Our world is diverse, acceptance and understanding are the keys to peace and harmony. We choose what we want to practice, no one can interfere with our choice of religion and beliefs. Mr. Matthew, for being open minded and wrote such a good letter that promote religion freedom and human rights. Everyone deserves a well respect on their religion. We should not simply condemn others because of their practice, their choice is theirs. Using the profession to influence and make false accusation rather statement on Dorje Shugden practitioners. Thank you Rinpoche ‘s sharing on Mr. Matthew Sinclair letter.
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
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 asssistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokitesvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
This elderly & innocent monk in India was brutally attacked, find out why. Shocking – https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=163953
“If the Dalai Lama, if His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by Dorje Shugden, then we might as well not practice Buddhism anymore. If His Holiness the Dalai Lama can have his life shortened by a so-called evil spirit, any evil spirit, then can he be Avalokiteshvara? So on one hand you say, we say, I say, everybody says, he is Avalokiteshvara; on the other hand you’re saying that he can be harmed by an evil spirit… Which one is it? Can he be harmed by an evil spirit or is he Avalokiteshvara? Do you think Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Tara all take refuge in something else to protect themselves from Dorje Shugden? How illogical is that? How illogical of people to say His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by an evil spirit, any evil spirit or “Dorje Shugden” evil spirit. How is that possible?” – Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Photo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, young Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s tutor Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe
DON’T MISS THIS! FANTASTIC NEW GREAT STUFF! High quality videos redressing the misinformation about Dorje Shugden practice and people and the current sad Tibetan situation and why they are losing ground in the world. Powerful and truthful – CLEAR VIDEOS – https://bit.ly/2LJbo35
Amazing post!!!!!
Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural: https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J
Tsem Rinpoche
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.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Mr Matther Sinclair’s letter. He did brought up many good points that it seems only one person has the authority to dictate what we should practise. All human has basic rights that is to choose the religion of their choice. No one can take away that right. But unfortunately, the Tibetan Leadership (CTA) which is supposed to be a democratic government did otherwise. The have ban the Dorje Shugden practise and discriminate the practitioners in many ways.
Robert Thurman who is supposed to be a very knowledgeable Tibetan Buddhism practitioner should also make sure he fully understand the fact right before blasting negative points about NKT and Tsem Rinpoche. I hope everyone would find out more and understand the issue before accepting any comment blindly. Everything has to be based on logic.
A true democracy allows everyone the freedom to exercise their human rights, including the freedom to practise any religion they want. In democratic countries, the government does not interfere with this right. Neither are democratic governments prejudiced against their citizens’ choice of religious belief. They do not force people to stop their religious practice or pass legislation criminalising people because of their religion.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan leadership who are based in Dharamsala are the exception. They are the only so-called ‘democratic’ leadership that puts a stranglehold on its people, persecuting them for their religious beliefs. They deny the rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners for simply practicing their religion as they have done for the past 400 years. Dorje Shugden practitioners are ostracised from their own community, denied medical care, education or even employment in government offices. The CTA definitely does not live up to the right to be called a democratic administration, especially when in it inflicts suppression of people’s freedom and disrespects basic human rights.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1523907609.mp4
Thank you for Rinpoche ‘s sharing on Mr. Matthew Sinclair letter which really speak up everyone deserves a well respect on their religion. We should not simply condemn others because the practice, and even using the profession to influence or make false statement on Dorje Shugden practitioners.
I fully agree the below statement by Mr Matthew :
“The simple lesson Robert Thurman needs to urgently accept is that he has neither the right nor the authority to coerce anyone into embracing or abandoning any religion. The Dalai Lama may be Robert Thurman’s living god but he is not everyone’s god and hence Thurman cannot demand that every one deifies the Dalai Lama the way he does”.
May the ban lifted up soon and no bias on religious.
Isn’t this just lovely?! Look at these cute Tibetan kids singing praises to Dorje Shugden during Losar celebration in Tibet! Great blessings to all – Click to watch! ???
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1519938132.mp4
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1519934791.mp4
Will the CTA (Tibetan govt in exile) and their supporters in East and West say voodoo is evil and cannot be practiced too? Will they advise against Voodoo and say its a demon’s practice and people who practice are bad too? Truth be told, no one has the right to say anything about anyone’s religion. Listen to what this man says in the short snagged clip because he speaks well and with the truth.
Watch the rest of the video on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0_syJQBteA
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this informative news. In my opinion I think is very wring for someone to criticise others people religion we should respect others people believe if we call ourselves religious because all religion teach us to be kind and live to each others is not bad month about others .
Not everyone is the Dalai Lama’s student, hence those students do not really have to listen to the Dalai Lama. Being an academic, Robert Thurman has great responsibility whenever he writes something or opens his mouth. It is sad that supposed Buddhist scholar advocates a view that brings about more pain, suffering and unhappiness.
新年快乐来自加拿大 Hoping this year will be prosperous for everyone and that all will know happiness and peace. Thank you Rinpoche, Pastors, Moderators, contributors and Dharma friends. Hope this morning finds you rested and embracing the promise of this new year and day. I would take this time to say I was disappointed to miss you all for the last blog chat discussion. Mr. Matthew Sinclair’s opinion was greatly appreciated and I thank Rinpoche and the author for their honestly and sincerity in publishing the facts regarding the ludicrous ban against Dorje Shugden practitioners and the smear campaign waged by the likes of Bob Thurman. Sorry to flood the room off the bat with this but, I just wanted to say that as far as influence in the west (Here in Canada at least), Anyone I ask, has no idea who Robert Thurman is, although they do know who Uma is? 🙂 Forewords at best and slanderous insinuations, unbecoming and ill intending. Truly pulp fiction to be sure from Robert Thurman. Mr Sinclair has made it blatantly obvious and entertaining to read, enlightening and welcome. As is this blog. Many thanks again. May All be happy and may all be well. Hands humbly folded in reverence to the three jewels. Thank you for your kindness in bring about understanding, showing great bodhichitta in your diligence to bring about an end to the ban, my there be reconciliation for the harm done to those faithful to their gurus, may Mr. Thurman renounce his comments and seize being an antagonist in an already volatile scenario. In realization of Shunyata may we come to clarity. Although we realize emptiness this is not to say we should make others feel empty. that would be wrong view, I am sure Mr. Thurman would concur depending upon what audience he was addressing. Ah! The importance of Non dualism. May we never forget our promise to liberate all sentient beings, not harm them. Long life and happiness to His Holiness and may he realize that he is harbinger who may bring about reconciliation.
???Everyone has freedom of speech but Professor Robert Thurman should have wisdom to know what to do and not blindly follow without further analysis and findings.
If everyone is condemning each other religion, the world will be like havoc. May there be peace and may everyone have wisdom.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Mr. Matthew Sinclair’s well thought letter to allow us to have deeper contemplation and review more on the ban of Dorje Shugden practice in a wider scope. Upon reading the letter written by Mr. Sinclair, it is made known that Professor Robert Thurman had accused Dorje Shugden practitioners negatively as Chinese spies working against the Dalai Lama and His government, and supported the ban of Dorje Shugden practice publicly by publishing baseless accusations against Dorje Shugden, are totally contradicting to the logical thinking which many people can observe. Further, all the damaging works done on Dorje Shugden by Professor Robert Thurman have directly reflected him as a person who does everything for his self-benefits rather than using his highly educated wisdom and knowledge to inspire and motivate others positively in all aspects of life. It is very hard to gain trust from someone such as Professor Robert Thurman who promotes compassion by loving your enemies and at the same time, disparages one’s religious practice, Dorje Shugden in this situation, where Dorje Shugden practitioners do not create any harms to others but simply would like to receive blessing and protection from enlightened Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden for smooth Dharma learning and practice.
I sincerely want to thank Mr. Matthew Sinclair for speaking out to raise the justice and equality for Dorje Shugden practitioners worldwide, especially to educate those who are new to Tibetan Buddhism and give every one of us a crystal-clear view about the injustice of the ban of Dorje Shugden.
May the ever compassionate His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama hear our humble plea to lift the ban of Dorje Shugden practice and grant equal religious freedom to restore the harmony among the Tibetan Buddhist community.
Humbly with folded hands,
kin hoe
谢谢Matthew 的来信。
Matthew 分析得非常对。 在很多国家， 宗教自由都是很多人的基本权益， 也得到宪法的保障。 比如在詹杜固仁波切的所在地— 马来西亚， 这里是多元种族和宗教的国家， 且大家都和睦共处， 互相尊重。 克切拉佛教中心拥有今天的规模的其中一个原因也是因为这里享有宗教自由。
在西方世界享有盛名的 Robert Thurman 博士， 也是达赖喇嘛支持者的他竟然在推特公开呼吁人们杯葛以及举报詹杜固仁波切和Geshe Kelsang Gyatso。 对我来说， Robert Thurman 博士这样做实在是不智之举。 身为在西方佛教界的其中一位学者， 他竟然公开呼吁大家杯葛两位修持多杰雄登的大师， 那么他是不是有在实践着佛陀的教诲呢？佛陀提倡众生平等， 不过Robert Thurman 博士却因为其他大师与他的修持不同而这样在社交媒体抹黑他们， 这是佛法吗？ 再说， Robert Thurman 博士也是达赖喇嘛的支持者， 他那么做又让达赖喇嘛情何以堪？ 达赖喇嘛身为其中一位宗教领袖， 不过他的追随者却与他背道而驰。
Robert Thurman 博士应该要清楚知道， 达赖喇嘛虽然是国际上有名的佛教大师， 不过也并不是所有佛教徒与达赖喇嘛有师徒关系， 必须跟从达赖喇嘛的指示。 以多杰雄登课题为例， 詹杜固是从他的根本上师至尊宋仁波切得到多杰雄登修持。 当然对于詹杜固仁波切而言， 他的根本上师的教导是最重要的。 Geshe Kelsang Gyatso 也是一样， 他修持和弘扬多杰雄登法门也是因为上师给予他的护法修持。 虽然如此， 他们就得被人在社交媒上被人抹黑吗？ 他们有错吗？
希望这个事件可以让大家看到多杰雄登禁令对于佛教界的重大影响。 甚至像 Robert Thurman 博士这样的学者也会因为这个禁令而公开呼吁人们杯葛多杰雄登修持者。
谢谢
In Tibetan Buddhism, guru devotion is of upmost importance and as such neither the Dalai Lama nor his edict holds importance to us, unless His Holiness is directly your guru. I would choose to follow my Guru as he is the one who compassionately gave me Dharma teachings and guided me in practice, not the Dalai Lama. I think that it is not right for an “expert” of Tibetan Buddhism like Robert Thurman to dictate who or what we should believe in. Religious Freedom is a basic Human’s Right and if CTA practices democracy as claimed, then there should not be any persecution, discrimination nor ban on religious practices chosen by the people. Why is Robert Thurman supporting and lending weight to repressive governance that had brought so much sufferings to the people for their choice of practice? Feeding off the popularity of the Dalai Lama seems to justify Robert Thurman’s ego to discriminate and influence others against Dorje Shugden Lamas and practitioners who kept their practices pure and authentic as given by their Gurus. Why is he not practicing as Buddha taught, to be compassionate and practice equanimity amongst all sentient beings? Thank you Matthew Sinclair for your honest view with such clarity.
Thank you Mr. Sinclair for writing this letter. I am grateful another wiseman like you passionately speaking up for religious freedom. Thank you for believing religion or faith is not something that can be denied or wiped off because someone does not like it or trying to abuse it by his power and take away from us by force. Millions of people being killed and suffered for over thousands years due to religions conflict. Not because of the religion or faith they believed in was bad but there was always someone powerful, who’s trying to control people’s mind by their power using religions. They killed those against their will, they changed the history and wiped off the truth. The question is, do we want this to happen again today?
As a Dorje Shugden practitioners i feel threaten everyday seeing this happening again today. We all have the right to choose what we want to believe in. Dorje Shugden is part of Tibetan Buddhism and have been practicing over 400 years. After all, Dorje Shugden is not an evil, we are not the spies of China, what is the true purpose of Dorje Shugden ban?
Robert Thurman being an expert in Tibetan Buddhism should have understood the essence of Buddhism is to promote loving kindness, tolerance and harmony. However, Thurman insisted that his Guru, H.H the 14th Dalai Lama is the only qualified person to justify what is not an authentic Buddhist practice, and in this case Dorje Shugden practice is accused as not an authentic Buddhist practice.
By saying Dorje Shugden is not an authentic Buddhist practice means Thurman had ignored all of the old masters regarded Dorje Shugden as a special enlightened dharma protector. Thurman extreme, incorrect and baseless accusation about Dorje Shugden practitioners as Chinese Spy or Buddhist Taliban, this has creating segregation and disharmony among millions of innocent Dorje Shugden practitioners around the globe. Thurman’s irresponsible views is dangerous too because the Dorje Shugden issue might ended just like racial and gender inequality issues back into the dark ages.
Thanks to Mr.Sinclair who made it clear and logic. Our world is diverse, acceptance and understanding are the keys to peace and harmony. A person’s faith is no one else’s business. As long as no laws are broken and no one is harmed worshiping certain God or Goddess according to personal preferences, this is religious freedom.
In our religious learning, it has been advocated in Lord Buddha’s teachings that strongly emphasized understanding over hallucinations, that arise from unrealistic perceptions, which will always pollute our mind and frustrate it! As said, human potential is great, but we have to use our good energy skillfully to put our lives in the right direction which is extremely important. In Dorje Shugden controvesy, finally Matthew Sinclair has said, “Ultimately it’s not about which God is good or bad, but about letting Humanity make their own decisions without ‘advice’ or condemnation from secular and spiritual Leaders which leads to separations and segregations. This is the point. This is religious Freedom.” We urgnestly pray for the Ban to be lifted and may peace be prevailed and all Dorje Shugden’s practitioners and worshippers all be happily reconciled once again. Thank you so much Rinpoche for the sharing.
Professor Robert Thurman, a former Tibetan Buddhist monk, and a recognized worldwide authority on religion and spirituality. Surprisingly Bob Thurman have been attacking anyone who highlights the Tibetan leadership’s religious ban. He has even taken to Twitter as well as hundreds of other Dharma centres. Every one of us has the right to profess, practice any religion, beliefs and to propagate it. Just because his closeness to the Dalai Lama, he speaks without checking and research on the Dorje shugden controversy and certain news before jumping into conclusion. He believes that of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism yet he now behaves irresponsibly, attacking towards Dorje Shugden practitioners. Robert Thurman has put down himself , by violating religious freedom and human rights of everyone . It seem he not at all empathetic to the plight of Shugden practitioners suffering under the ban of Dorjeshugden. Robert Thurman who claimed to be expert in Tibetan Buddhism should very well understand of Guru Devotion. Thank you Matthew Sinclair for speaking with logic as we choose what we want to practice, no one can interfere with our choice of religion and beliefs. May the discrimination against Dorje Shugden be truly lifted soonest to end the sufferings of many sentient beings. May veryone has the right to have freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article
Religious freedom is granted in most countries around the world. Even a young nation such as Republic of Croatia with a population of slightly over 4 mil people and predominantly Catholics (>80%), it is enshrined in the country’s Constitution that guarantees every citizen’s rights to practice his/ her faith freely. There is a clear separation of religion from state.
I think that the CTA people should learn from the countries around the world and deeply analyze what are the Key Success Factors that lead them to their current economic, socio-political status and the overall state of happiness of its citizens.
CTA has been trying its utmost best to “degenerate” backwards rather than moving forward. A country can only be strong when it leverages on its diversity rather than “monosity” (for lack of a term). When people are strong, the country can move forward. Similarly, if the CTA really has it Tibetan people at the CORE OF ITS HEART, then the DS ban has to come down and swift efforts must be devised immediately to reconcile all its people living in exile.
Bhutan is a great example of how happy a nation itself is. Why it is ranked so high in its happiness ranking? The CTA should really look and learn from Bhutan.
May the ban be called off and may all be reconciled and peace prevail.
The truth is Shugden practitioners in Tibetan in exile will has to build their own monastery and continue practicing even after losing all of their entitlement to equal rights and financial support and in additional received death threats. And they are banned from shops, hospital and so on. All these are just to tell you how the ban separate the families and communities to this day. Tibetan and Shugden practitioners will continue to suffer as long as the ban is there.
No one is perfect and no religion can tame all the races in the world. We should respect other religion practice freedom. Having sad that, still have many people blind follower their spiritual guide without check and do reserch before to condame others practice. Even Buddha Shakyiamuni allow his student to check his word before they agree with it. Guru devotion has not blind follow it. It take wisdom for it the reliase it with practice and get experience and apply it. Thank for Matthew Sinclair wrote this letter to Professor Robert Thurman explain how we should respect each other religion practice and not critisize it. It will cause unnecessry disharmony among each other.
Thank you, Matthew, for being open minded and wrote such a good letter that promote religion freedom and human rights. I’m touched, if more individuals could think in such way, we will all live together in peace and harmony.
It takes faith for everyone engage into their religions. As for me, my faith is to my Guru Tsem Rinpoche and my Guru practices Dorje Shugden , I follow. Many people received beneficial from Dorje Shugden knows well that Dorje Shugden is not a spirit or demonic practice.
As a highly literate person, Professor Robert Thurman should have fore eye sight to see and understand or doing research on the back ground before making any conclusion. Moreover, being welling understanding of Tibetan Buddhism should acknowledge deeply on vows, refuge or devotions. Condemning, accusing on baseless fact could only putting down his character as whole and as well toward his understanding of Buddhism. As a Buddhist, we were thought to respect everyone decisions regardless difference of races, gender, back grounds and spiritual path. This is the freedom of choice.
It is good that people from other country speak up for Dorje Shugden practitioners and Rinpoche. Robert Thurman, as an expert in Tibetan Buddhism, as a professor, shouldn’t say something out like that from his mouth. Just like Matthew Sinclair mentioned in his letter to Robert Thurman, what Rinpoche and all of us in Kechara do is not only to plea to lift Dorje Shugden ban, but to stand for human rights, religious freedom, and even the practice of the lineage that has been practiced for centuries. On the other hand, I respect Robert Thurman as he has strong Guru samaya that he is protecting his Guru, The Dalai Lama, but Robert Thurman has no rights to urge people not to practice this not to practice that. I hope, Robert Thurman, as an expert in Tibetan Buddhism, he will do more research about Dorje Shugden practice, and treat Dorje Shugden issue openly.
We are of course not obliged to listen to H.H Dalai Lama. The reason being our Guru is H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche and not H.H Dalai Lama. So, we listen and follow whatever practices that our Guru gives us for example Dorje Shugden.
It is great to know to that people like Matthew Sinclair speaks up from his thoughts and heart. That comes to show that our Guru’s work in spreading the Dharma through the social media platform is effective and brings attention to many around the world.
I am nobody to condemn Professor Robert Thurman, but he should have done his research well enough first before he social media it in Twitter requesting others to block Tsem Rinpoche.
Rinpoche’s work of spreading the Dharma has benefited many around the world including myself. So, there is nothing wrong with us practicing Dorje Shugden.
Thank you Matthew Sinclair for writing this article to rebut Professor Robert Thurman’s opinions and actions against Dorje Shugden practise. He who is supposedly known as an expert in Tibetan Buddhism but do not really behave in practicing the value of Buddhism. Buddhism do not condemn other religion or any other dharma centers. Everyone has religious freedom and no one is to say which God or religion is higher than the others. The allegations that he has made on Dorje Shugden practise is rather vague and baseless. To make the matter worse the comments on social media are not right and with instigation intention. Stop confusing people and please share only the truth.
Well said by Matthew Sinclair. Professor Robert Thurman really put down himself by violating religious freedom and human rights. From the spiritual point of view where have Lord Buddha teaches to discriminate and segregate others spiritual practice. In fact Lord Buddha always emphasize on compassion but unfortunately we don’t see any from Professor Robert Thurman which claim to be expert in Tibetan Buddhism.
Everyone has their own teacher that they follow through. In fact we should encourage one to be determine and devoted to their spiritual practice. Personally for me as long as the practice doesn’t go against the law of the authority and adhere the regulation and create peace and harmony, that should be fine.
We are living in 21st Century where everyone on earth are looking for peace and to live in harmony. We can’t eliminate the differences between people but we can tolerate by respecting others.
The ban by the Tibetan leadership had causes so much unnecessary suffering to many people and misguided many people from following the Buddhist teaching. Hope His Holiness the Dalai Lama will announce to lift this unnecessary ban and let everyone live in harmony and peace.
Robert Thurman had brought his reputation down to a low level by posting such petty posts on social media as shown here. To block others who are nobody on social media means those blocked are somebody. Else, why blocked them? Who gave him the right to condemn another religion and spiritual practice just because he doesn’t agree? In this case, Dorje Shugden. It is not about the religion and the spiritual practice but it is the person who makes the religion look good or bad. Certainly his actions do not jive with his credentials.
While it is correct for Thurman to adore and respect his teacher, HHDL, he has no right to call upon others to boycott Dorje Shugden practitioners. HHDL is a respected teacher of Tibetan Buddhism but he is not the teacher of all Tibetan Buddhists. In Tibetan Buddhism, it is taught that students listen to and carry out instructions from their teacher with whom they have the spiritual bond. But not from a teacher who has a bigger title than their own root guru who may not have a big title nor fame and fortune to match. One may learn from highly qualified masters but nothing goes in if the vessel is dirty or full of contamination, or a vessel that has too many holes, or a vessel that is full or overturned. It has nothing to do with the teacher but everything to do with the student.
Thank you Mr Sinclair for such a logical and well said letter. I especially like it when you said this “So what were Shugden practitioners spying on for the 300+ years prior to 1959?”. A point that should be thought of, whether one is religious or not, as it is logical. The CTA keep saying that Dorje Shugden practitioners are China spies but always without proof and very misleading for people who don’t really know what is going on. To accuse someone, one must have proof. Not just saying it for the sake of misleading. All these years, the CTA keep feeding misleading and non logical lies to practitioners of Buddhism which is very bad. Some people get confuse and they go away from the Dharma because they get confused and some don’t want to be a part of the politics. Such karma the CTA and Robert Thurman created. Whether the person practice Dorje Shugden, Satanism, paganism, Taoism, Hinduism, etc, NOBODY has any rights to say what is right nor wrong to practice.
My answer is definitely No, with due respect to His Holiness The Dalai Lama. I can choose what my religion in and Who i wish to pray for. My faith is definitely on Tsem Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden as points highlighted are definitely logical and makes sense. Most importantly, we cannot condemn or criticise the choice of religion of others. Dorje Shugden does not harm and there are still more unanswered questions raised by Tsem Rinpoche till today. The High Lamas who are still doing the practice cannot be wrong especially Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche and Gangchen Rinpoche. I honestly would expect a more wiser comment from the Professor re this issue and would not expect some ill thought comments in such nature coming out from a Professor. I urge people to really read articles that are available online especially in this blog which i felt is not biased but it is of logical “arguement”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is certainly one of the most popular Tibetan monks in the world. I rejoice for His great efforts and impact in spreading Tibetan Buddhism in all directions; I also rejoice for those who have the merits to meet the Dharma via His Holiness.
Besides His Holiness, there are also many many great Lamas who has created huge impacts to improve the lives of beings via the Dharma, and these Lamas are equally respected and honored for holding their vows and bringing so much benefit to many.
As a student of the Dharma with the rare and precious opportunity to have a Guru, my main obligation in to listen to my Guru, as He is the representation of the Buddha in my life. I respect all other Gurus, but I have no ability/capacity and am not obligated to listen to them as they are not my root Guru.
My Guru, HH Tsem Rinpoche has always adviced that we never talk bad about other Gurus and their centres but instead stay firm in our own learning and practice from our teacher and keep our lineage alive by keeping our vows and responsibilities and reaching out to benefit others with the Dharma.
The sharing from Matthew Sinclair is very logical in that no one can interfere with our personal choice of religion and certainly no one has a right to judge others religion as bad or good. No one has the right to stop others from practicing what they have faith in.
The argument is clear on the side of Tsem Rinpoche , but rather blurred on the side of the professor of Columbia University. The thrust of the argument is that no leader in a country or political entity that professes to be democratic has the right to unilaterally prohibit people from practicing a religious practice they have chosen. This is a matter of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM , which is a basic human right .
The professor of Columbia University says we should all listen to the Dalai Lama no matter what, even when he has overrode one of the basic tenets of democracy – freedom to pursue what one deems to be the spiritual path to one’s happiness. Over 4 million Shugden practitioners today and millions of Shugden followers for the last 400 years have practiced Dorje Shugden, following the advice and instruction of their Gurus, many of whom were/are great attained beings. This includes the Dalai Lama’s tutor . Suddenly a unilateral decision is made and declared as law – the ban on Dorje Shugden practice, bringing in its train religious discrimination and persecution, as the videos in this post show.
May the Dalai Lama please listen to the logical arguments presented by Tsem Rinpoche and other Shugden practitioners. May the Dalai Lama please allow peaceful negotiations to end this ban which has brought needless suffering to many practitioners.
This excerpt of the Swiss Television documentary presented in 1988 is a painful reminder of the hypocrisy and the sad reality of the oppression, discrimination, and ostracisation of Dorje Shugden practitioners. For 20 years, Dorje Shugden practitioners have endured this and no one supported their fight as the Tibetan leadership in exile continues to undermine their effort by denying the existence of this ban, and silencing their voice by peer pressure, flooding the media and fooling the general public with accusations that Shugden practitioners are political tools supported by the Chinese government to create discord within the Tibetan community. Please listen to their plea and please share this video far and wide to end this injustice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gis2vaURT40
“Ultimately it’s not about which god is good or bad but about letting humanity make their own decisions without ‘advice’ or condemnation from secular and spiritual leaders which leads to separation and segregation. This is the point. This is religious freedom.”
This paragraph pretty much sums up our stance. It’s presumptuous that leaders such as HH the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman have the authority to dictate what religion we practice and even label which religion is good or bad. There is absolutely no obligation for us to follow the Dalai Lama’s advice because HH is not my guru let alone Robert Thurman.
I am surprised and shocked at how a prestigious university like Columbia University would allow Robert Thurman to behave so irresponsibly in discriminating against any religious practice. It is obvious that he has intentionally breached basic human rights and is not fit to teach in Columbia University.
I don’t think why i should oblige anyone for what i love and it’s my right to practice. Especially if the person is not my root guru, and we have religious freedom and human rights to practice what we like. Even if i end up going to any realms is still my own choice. People should learn to mind their own business and practice and stop annoying others. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this article ???
This piece written by Matthew Sinclair makes a lot of sense. When a person of such command, authority, respect and fame such as His Holiness expresses as he did in the video, it in fact seems like an instruction, and purely just based on his words, by word of mouth, it would spread, and thus a ban effected as a result. I respect HH, but we need to also be embraced by his compassionate love for all.
For Robert Thurman, someone with his stature should in fact promote religious harmony, and tolerance, and even more so, as a fellow Buddhist practitioner. Buddha never taught to segregate, to discriminate, but infact, taught to show love and compassion to all sentient beings. I understand all sentient beings to be without labels, borders, limitations, categories, forms and despite of what they believe in.
We should not promote any conflicts with religion nor any separation or segregation. That is how wars start – When people de-value the beliefs of others, and say that they are wrong to choose what they belief in, and campaign against their believes. Freedom of choice and the true acceptance of this statement is extremely important in today’s society, especially when there is so much diversity.
I hope that His Holiness and his followers, will very soon make a statement to lift this ban, and truly allow religious freedom.
The video below is of a Pagan believer, who talks about religious freedom, which is so necessary.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1517220033.mp4
As students of H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, we are taught to respect and never disparage H.H the Dalai Lama. With reverence and gratitude to our Guru, we have honoured His teachings and even with the abuse that had been incurred on our Guru, our organisation and some of us directly over the controversy and ban on Dorje Shugden, we have always held onto our respect to the Dalai Lama.
However, it is thought provoking for me to read the logical debate by Mr. Matthew Sinclair on this particular question of whether we are all obliged to listen to the Dalai Lama.
Like religion is to each and every individual, listening to the Dalai Lama is of the same nature of privacy. The very fact that I am a Dorje Shugden devotee, I am not obeying the decree of the Ban, but with my Guru’s teachings in mind, I shall never disparage the Dalai Lama and respect wish Him wellness and live long.
I recommend all persons of a bright and curious mind to read this very informative article.
People like Professor Thurman has every right to benefit from his stature, learning and scholasticism, however with power comes responsibility. By openly denying that there is Dorje Shugden discrimination, is damaging to the Dorje Shugden people and practitioners. He goes on social media to say this translation is incorrect or inaccurate without presenting the a correct translation is just irresponsible. No one is expecting perfection from Professor Thurman, but a senior academician has to take ownership for his actions, words and all that they publish even on social media. Freedom of speech, has to be practiced responsibly.
It is quite a shame to see Robert has gone so low in trying to defend HH Dalai Lama. Is it because he has enjoyed all the “success” and “fame” for being associated with HH Dalai Lama, and he does not want to let go of them?
If there is no suppression, why did DalaiLama.com specifically talk bad about Dorje Shugden? Why didn’t DalaiLama.com talk bad about other supposedly more evil doing religious? How would Robert explain this?
It goes to show that, in this Dorje Shugden matter, even many westerners are caught in dilemma, and suddenly they forgot about democracy, religious freedom and logic reasoning.
The more I get into this Dorje Shugden controversial, I feel we need more people who are like Tsem Rinpoche who relies on logic reasoning and guru devotion.
Let’s give His Holiness the Dalai Lama the benefit of a doubt and say that His Holiness appearance at the NXVIM event did not have anything to do with the money the Bronfman sisters donated to his charity trust. There is still a lot that has to be explained.
For instance, how was it that Tenzin Dhonden managed to have such a tremendous influence on the Dalai Lama when it appears that the Dalai Lama knew about Keith Raniere’s reputation all along? How was it that Tenzin Dhonden was left to his own device instead of being reigned in when his sexual affairs were apparently public knowledge? At best it shows gross negligence on the part of the Dalai Lama’s office not to be on top of things.
This is not the only controversy that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has got himself embroiled in. There is the still unresolved matter of the Dalai Lama’s close association with Sogyal Rinpoche and His Holiness’s regular endorsement of Sogyal, now regarded as a serial abuser of women – again, something everyone knew except for the Dalai Lama.
There was the Dalai Lama’s denial that the Lord Buddha was ever born in Nepal which got the Nepali people understandably upset, given the fact that spiritual tourism is Nepal’s biggest source of revenue, and in addition, Nepal is host to some 30,000 Tibetan refugees. And that not long before that, the Dalai Lama’s suggestion that a woman has to be attractive otherwise, “it is not much use”. Then there was the financial scandal surrounding Lodi Gyari, the Dalai Lama’s ex-envoy to Washington.
And this is not to mention a series of increasingly disturbing news about the financial dealings of the Dalai Lama’s government-in-exile and those in the Dalai Lama’s inner circle –
(i) US Congressman Rohrabacher’s letter to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s man, Dr Lobsang Sangay warning Sangay about misuse of US grants (https://rohrabacher.house.gov/press-release/press-releaserep-rohrabacher-warns-tibetan-political-interference-radio-free-asia-not) ;
(ii) Questions raised after long-time Tibet supporter Maura Moynihan claimed that the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) which is a major money spinner for the Dalai Lama’s campaigns is perhaps serving itself more so than intended beneficiaries, the Tibetan refugees (https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/8/maura-moynihan-mission-failure-at-the-internationa/);
(iii) The Dalai Lama’s Karmapa candidate being caught in money-laundering charges (http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/courts/sc-stays-karmapa-s-trial-in-money-laundering-case/124474.html);
(iv) Recent confusion surrounding a sum of $1,500,000 that the head of the Dalai Lama’s government had apparently directed the Tibet Fund (another money spinner) to issue (https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/12/08/tibet-fund-says-1-5-million-dollars-was-loan-to-office-of-tibet)
And there area lot more.
The question is this – how come there are so many scandals surrounding the Dalai Lama’s people that it is almost a character of the Dalai Lama’s coterie? With all these high jinks dominating the minds of the Tibetan leaders, where do they find the time to care for the Tibetan people and see adequately and sincerely to the Tibetan struggle?
His Holiness Dalai Lama watchers would have read the Daily Mail’s recent article on another one of His Holiness’ bamboozling sycophant :
“EXCLUSIVE: Dalai Lama was paid $1 MILLION to endorse women-branding ‘sex cult’ after secret deal between Buddhist’s celibate U.S. emissary and his Seagram billionaire ‘lover'”
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5230067/Dalai-Lamas-1-MILLION-women-branding-sex-cult.html
This was followed by a denial from His Holiness’ office: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=40071&article=Dalai+Lama%E2%80%99s+office+rubbishes+UK+daily%27s+%271+million+USD+fee+for+a+public+appearance%27+claim
Now read this well researched reply to the reply on ArtVoice:
http://artvoice.com/2018/01/27/dalai-lama-secretary-denies-1-million-paid-speak-raniere-yet-dalai-lama-trust-founded-10-days-albany-speech-2-million-donations/#.WmydhKiWZPY
Saturday 27th January 2018
Dalai Lama Secretary denies $1 million paid to speak for Raniere; Yet Dalai Lama Trust founded 10 days after Albany speech with $2 million in donations
January 27, 2018 Artvoice News, NXIVM and Bronfmans 0
By Frank Parlato’
The Dalai Lama’s secretary has denied the Dalai Lama was paid $1 million by Clare and Sara Bronfman to endorse cult leader Keith Raniere. That may be true. He might have got $2 million.
The Dalai Lama’s secretary, Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, wrote:
Clarification in Response to the Daily Mail Story of 24 January 2018
The 24 January 2018 Daily Mail article by Ryan Parry regarding an appearance by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at an event held in Albany, New York in 2009 contains incorrect statements and untrue allegations.We wish to categorically state that His Holiness the Dalai Lama never takes an honorarium or fee of any sort, nor does he require that any payment be made to charities or organizations, as a condition of his making a personal appearance. Therefore, the reported allegation has no basis. Neither His Holiness the Dalai Lama nor the Dalai Lama Foundation ever received the alleged $1 million in connection with His Holiness’s appearance in Albany.As reported in the Daily Mail, during His Holiness’s talk in Albany in 2009, he called on the media to investigate the allegations made about the NXIVM organization and its founder, and was quite clear that the truth should be exposed.
It is true, the Dalai Lama asked the media to investigate Keith Raniere. But whether he received money or not is another issue. Let’s parse the above statement a little:
The Dalai Lama’s secretary said the Dalai Lama “never takes an honorarium or fee of any sort”.
A donation is not a fee or an honorarium.
The secretary said: “nor does he require that any payment be made to charities or organizations, as a condition of his making a personal appearance.”
Again, the secretary says a payment was not required. But he does not say a donation was not made by Clare and Sara Bronfman.
The Dalai Lama appeared in Albany on May 6, 2009 and he gave Raniere a white scarf onstage. He allowed the Bronfman sisters to sit onstage with him. {For readers unaware, Keith Raniere heads a cult called NXIVM which brands women on their pubic region with his initials and requires them to give him nude photos of themselves and other damaging material in case they reveal the secrets of his cult.]
The Dalai Lama may have received a donation that was understood to be an ‘unconditional donation” not connected to his speaking engagement in Albany.
He may have agreed to speak in Albany and they may have agreed the donation was unconnected to his speaking so therefore it not ‘connected’ to his appearance.
The Dalai Lama’s secretary does not deny that the Bronfmans donated money. The Secretary said, “Neither His Holiness the Dalai Lama nor the Dalai Lama Foundation ever received the alleged $1 million in connection with His Holiness’s appearance in Albany.” [emphasis mine].
I get it: He did not receive the $1 million ‘in connection with His Holiness’s appearance’ but, again, the secretary does not say the Dalai Lama did not get $1 million [or possibly more] from the Bronfmans.
He only states the Dalai Lama did not get $1 million ‘in connection with his appearance’.
It may have been what is called an ‘unconditional donation.’
Now let us look at some coincidences:
The Dalai Lama spoke in Albany on May 6, 2009.
The Dalai Lama Trust was founded May 16, 2009. [10 days later].
http://www.dalailamatrust.org/
https://www.charitiesnys.com/RegistrySearch/show_details.jsp?id={908B8702-9423-41B2-AACD-8491673198EF}
See the Dalai Lama trust’s IRS return for 2009.
See also: Dalai Lama Trust certificate of incorporation.
The IRS return shows $2.2 million in unconditional donations and royalties for 2009.
It could be a coincidence, but it is peculiar that the Dalai Lama appears in Albany on May 6, 2009 and 10 days later the Dalai Lama trust is formed in the USA which gets $2 million plus in donations etc..
When I worked for NXIVM/Bronfmans, I was told by a high ranking NXIVM official that, prior to the Dalai Lama’s coming to speak [before he canceled the first time] the Bronfman sisters pledged to donate $1 million to him.
When he canceled, the sisters, plus Keith Raniere and Lama Tenzin, rushed to India to get the Dalai Lama to change his mind. I was no longer working for NXIVM. But I heard they offered the Dalai Lama another million [making it $2 million]. I never confirmed the second million and I never saw the checks.
It may be true the Bronfmans did not donate anything. But it seems far fetched that the Dalai Lama came at his own expense to Albany and got nothing in return. And then a trust suddenly opens in the US just 10 days after his appearance?