What Would You Do If Your Religion Was Criticised?
I am a Dorje Shugden practitioner. I received this practice from my Lama, H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche; my Lama received it from his teacher, and the lineage goes all the way back to the 15th Century. I am also a Vajrayanist who has suffered discrimination from other Vajrayana Buddhists.
Some of you may not know of this issue because the rot of discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners has not yet reached you due to various circumstances. I rejoice for you and I hope you will never have to face the ugliness that some people have shown me and my friends, solely because we practice Dorje Shugden. Those of you who have faced discrimination due to your practice may find some peace and safety in what I’m about to share.
In today’s modern and fast-paced world, people are quick to judge even though they do not know you. Strangers will judge and say negative fictional things about you just by looking at your Facebook profile. So, for the longest time, I lived carefully due to my practice. I have supportive friends who tell me, why worry about what others say about you? But when you know that hate and discrimination is going to pour in continuously on a daily basis, it makes you think twice about ‘coming out of the closet’.
Teacher fined RM4,000 for posting seditious statement about Thaipusam procession
A school teacher was fined RM4,000 by the Sessions Court today for posting an insulting statement on the Thaipusam procession in Batu Caves.
Hidayat Mohamad, 36, was unrepresented and defended himself after claiming trial last year under Section 4 (1) (c) of the Sedition Act 1948 which provides a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a maximum jail sentence of up to three years upon conviction.
He was found guilty for committing the offence on Jan 17 last year at 11.13 am in Ariza Garden Villa, Taman Rainfree in Batu Caves.
Hidayat had published the statement, laced with seditious remarks, on Facebook.
He posted “penyembahan iblis, syaitan dan berhala secara besar-besaran sedang berlangsung, kemudian mendapat liputan meluas media massa tempatan dan antarabangsa” (The worship of the devil and idols is happening now on a grand scale and subsequently, it got extensive local and international media coverage).
A total of 19 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial.
Sessions judge Tasnim Abu Bakar then ordered him to pay a fine of RM4,000.
Prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Hamdan Hamzah.
Source: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/11/18/teacher-fined-rm4000-for-posting-seditious-statement-about-thaipusam-procession/
I sighed with relief when I read the recent case “Teacher fined RM4,000 for posting seditious statement about Thaipusam procession” which was reported in The Rakyat Post website. Why? Because I am a fortunate citizen of Malaysia and my country’s policy advocates ZERO tolerance towards seditious acts by the public, whether it is through face to face interactions or electronically. This is the best gift Malaysia has ever given to me, which is the freedom to practice my choice of religion and curbing those who are ignorantly against it.
There are those in Malaysia, both organisations and individuals, who have publicly advocated that ‘Dolgyal’ practitioners be outcast and avoided. ‘Dolgyal‘ is a derogatory name for Dorje Shugden. ‘Dol‘ is a region in Tibet and ‘Gyal‘ is an abbreviation of ‘Gyalpo‘, which means spirit king. The direct translation means ‘The King Spirit of Dol’ and it is equivalent to calling the deity we practice a ‘demon’, just like Hidayat Mohamad’s seditious comment on the Hindu deities worshipped during the Thaipusam procession.
It saddens me greatly that our country, which is known for its cultural and religious diversity, has to resort to using the law to enforce harmony and tolerance among its citizens. But it is even more disappointing that some of my fellow Buddhists in Malaysia fail to recognise the ‘wrong conduct’ inherent in discriminating and putting down another’s practice. After all, how does one practise wisdom and compassion by excluding a group of people? What happened to the Bodhicitta vows and the motivation to return to samsara until all sentient beings are liberated?
I have seen too much nastiness that has befallen Shugden practitioners, and my Lama happens to be one of them. As a Dorje Shugden practitioner, I hope that we can all live in peace and practise our religion of choice without being attacked. After all, it is not about Dorje Shugden, it’s about behaving like a decent human being.
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The status of religious freedom around the world varies from country to country. We are thankful living in Malaysia where people are free to have a different belief and practice what we like. We must acknowledge that religious freedom is a basic human right for. To live in peace and harmony we need to create and express ourselves freely. It’s the duty of everyone of us to defend religious freedom and promote it for all people.
Unlike countries like Tibet, India and so forth many Dorje Shugden practitioners are segregated and discriminated. The Tibetan people lack religious freedom to practise, discuss religion and the right to choose a religion.
May the H H Dalai Lama lift the ban on Dorje Shugden practice.
Thank you Rinpoche and Sarah for this sharing .
Sometimes I really wonder, what did His government CTA (Central Tibetan Administration) teach their people. Didn’t they teach them about acceptance, tolerance, and religious freedom? Didn’t Buddhism teach us to be kind to everyone? Why use vulgar and defamatory words against other Buddhists? Sometimes I wonder why didn’t HH Dalai Lama put a stop to this? Isn’t He the Nobel Peace Prize Winner, who is supposedly advocate peace to everyone?
After all, we are not forcing everyone to embrace Dorje Shguden. All we ask is they just leave us alone and let us practice what we received from our Guru.
I sincerely pray that these people who do not tolerant other religious to find peace within themselves.
Religious freedom should be given in every country, as it is a human right. To practice one’s religion is to have personal faith, belief, and trust in that specific religion. Why follow a religion blindly without having it suited to your personal belief? With that said, why would people discriminate religions of other faiths and their practices, as the choice of choosing or following a specific religion would be one’s personal choice?
Different faiths have different practices that have their own cultural history and meaning behind it. For example, one would prefer a different choice of color than another due to their own personal reasons. Not everybody has the same taste in food, color, music genre, etc. If one could respect my choices, why can’s they respect my choice of religion? My religion is my own personal choice. It does not bring disturbance to anybody neither does it ask me to discriminate religions of other faiths.
To be frank, I do not believe that the leaders of each religion would pass down the teachings of discrimination. Buddha did not teach us to harm practitioners of other faiths. Jesus did not ask us to harm or kill the people who do not wish to practice Christianity. All religions preach the teachings of peace and harmony. “Discrimination” is created by man. So why follow the unruly actions created by unenlightened or holy beings than putting our trust in the true teachings, taught by those who have achieved higher attainments. I follow the practice of Dorje Shugden and I personally believe that it helps me in many ways. Why tell me that my practice is wrong when I can see positive results. Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean that I don’t see it. With much said, people need to open their minds and realize how each religion has different practices and a different cultural history and meaning to it, instead of discriminating and causing mental and physical harm to others.
I do not think that anyone or practice is above criticism, however when the criticism becomes personal and not based on logic then one should oppose it. By not opposing it then we are at fault in the propagation of false and incorrect ideals.
In a civilization country, people are free to choose their own religion. In Tibet, Dorje Shugden (DS)practitioners are segregated by non DS practitioners.This issue bring a lot of trouble to DS practitioners especially in basic benefit and medical treatment were being neglected.
Education on DS should be done via social media channel to let more people know who is Dorje Shudgen(DS).DS is emanation of Masjushri and not a spirit which claimed by Dalai Lama.
In Malaysia, DS practitioners not facing much problems like Tibetan DS practitioners,but some people are asking me to give up DS practice because of unfavor incident happen between DS and non DS practitioners in Tibet. I did explain to them the real story of DS .
May DS ban will lift soon to benefit more sentient beings.
Thanks Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings on Dorje Shugden practices.
Jason
Dear Sarah,
Thanks for sharing this article. I agree that we in Malaysia are very fortunate as we have the freedom in religious practice. Unlike other countries like Tibet where the government discriminate and segregate Dorje Shugden practitioners in many ways.
I pray every country, every leader would exercise fairness and freedom to the people and not propagating bias for their own selfish agenda.
No one should put down another person’s practice. May everyone has religious freedom.
Everyone claims to be okay with freedom of religion, but the moment you mention Dorje Sugden there is a strange tension that fills the air. We leave in 21st century even now so much discrimination for who practice DS. Malaysia is very nice country where u can have your religious freedom no one said what u should practice, it would be so much easier around the world if Tibetan Government left the ban against DS if not CTA will go down hill.. Discrimination doesn’t last long
Similar to you Sarah, I am very happy that Malaysia advocates zero tolerance towards seditious acts by the public. I am very glad that both Singapore and Malaysia teaches their citizens to respect all religions and ask their people to not act or treat people of the different cultural/religious backgrounds differently but to accept them as one big happy family.
However, what is upsetting is that there are many citizens in both countries that do not see that we are all the same only being different with our believes. There is no one perfect way of religion or of doing things. We are free to choose the different methodology that allows us to reach a common path that we target. No one is more superior than another.
I am very happy to read about this that Malaysian government have zero tolerance towards discrimination like that.
We are very lucky to be in Malaysia.. I am not a Malaysian but I here more then 13 years . I have no problems practiceing my religion and I can do anything. Now suddenly because of the Tibetan government ban the Dorje Shugden practice.. I get a lots Criticise some of my friends. What wrong with CTA government we all should have our Religious Freedom. Thank you Sarah for for article.
We are indeed very lucky that the Malaysian governments are fair and that we are allowed to practise our own respective religions. I have always believed that religion is a choice, and the people should have the freedom to practise whichever religion they want to without bring discriminated or segregated by the society.
Dorje Shugden practitioners have been discriminated ever since the ban is started, I find it very unfair and pbviously it’s against human rights. Why are witch crafts, black magic and etc are allowed while Dorje Shugden practise isn’t? I don’t understand what is the logic behind it. It has always been Dorje Shugden and H.E Tsem Rinpoche who helped my parents through the hard times, I don’t see how Dorje Shugden is evil or whatsoever like what those who are against the practise claimed.
Dear Sarah,
I like your simple little article and how you had weaved discrimination from two different context of religious discrimination together. However, the discrimination experienced by Dorje Shugden practitioners are far more subtle as it is discrimination experienced within a particular school of Buddhism not inter-religious conflict. For most people on the street, they would tend to listen to hearsay and rumors especially if it is from a source they deem to be reliable. Hence, we are fortunate that Rinpoche has built a reputation for his reliable and insightful teachings online.Therefore, many people’s acceptance of the practice and even accept that we are okay is due very much to rinpoche’s presence online.
Thank you for this article, Sarah. Thank you for speaking up.
When we practice a religion, I always thought it was because we need a personal path of spiritual practice. There are so many different faiths that can be practiced. Each person is entitled to the religion of their choice. Hence freedom to pursue one’s religion of choice is enshrined in many country’s constitution.
Hence Malaysians are fortunate that we have been enjoying freedom of choice to practice one’s religion for a long time. Unfortunately, there are some individuals and groups, even here, who think that religious practices must be controlled and they set themselves up to be the critiques and watchdogs. There are those who are so against the practice of Dorje Shugden that they have gone to the extent of vociferously criticizing Shugden practitioners online and reported them to “self=appointed spiritual authorities”. This contravenes the very basis of any democratic constitution.
Any Dorje Shugden practitioner can, without hesitation, tell you that we practice Shugden because we have been relying on Shugden all this while and Shugden has never failed us. Not only that, Shugden has taught me to be kinder and more tolerant of others, and to respect others’ freedom to practice the religion of their choice.
There are a few basic and fundamental human rights that have been established for decades in human civilization and religious freedom is one of them. As many of us develop tolerance for diversity and some actually master harmonious embrace of differences, there are some communities that still discriminate, apply violence and threat to those they deem wrong.
It is very conflicting that the culprits in the case of the Dorje Shugden ban is the Central Tibetan Adminstration that represents the 14th Dalai Lama global icon of peace and tolerance.
This ban is possible as it was exercised within the helpless Tibetan community in exile who had no one to turn to. However, as this issue has gained international attention, it is urgent and time for this ban to be put to an end. Nations like Malaysia act as examples by upholding laws that protect individuality and diversity but they can also by source of pressure for the Tibetan authority to stop such obsolete method of governance.
Thank you Sarah for your post and sharing of your thoughts and personal experience.
Personally, I find the hatred and discrimination against Dorje Shugden’s practitioner alarming. From what I read here and through other sites, I believe this could be just the tip of an iceberg. Even though what I practice should be my personal choice, but in reality there are people who judge, persecute by virtue of their rank & position, and to the extend of harming Dorje Shudgen’s practitioners.
It is indeed very fortunate for us living in Malaysia, being protected by the policy of our nation against religion extremities. By practicing acceptance towards other religious practice is actually a form of spiritual practice itself. We do not live in silo or in isolation of the world. And since we are living with other human beings who are different from us yet sharing the same fundamental biological structure; we should strive to embrace the difference and live in harmony for the benefit of everyone, including ourselves. Disharmony leads to discrimination leads to hatred and so on.
May all those haters out there, please refrain yourself and stop the extremity action as it is not only hurting us, but also yourself ultimately.
Thank you Rinpoche and thank you Sarah for this blogpost.
humbly,
Stella
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Sarah. I fully agree – we are fortunate to be living in a country that takes seditious thoughts seriously, and deals with them fairly. So lucky in fact, most of us take it for granted. Because we are not Tibetan, because we are not living in the Tibetan settlements, and by virtue of our nationality and passport, we have this religious freedom.
But what kind of people would we be if we just sat back content with the religious freedom that Malaysian law affords us, and not speak up (politely) for others who share the same faith as us, yet do not get to enjoy religious freedom in their respective countries?
I hope Malaysia continues to stand up fairly against seditious thoughts and behaviours, and does not let the policies of external parties like Dharamsala affect the practice of Shugden practitioners in Malaysia. Religious freedom is and should be a universal human right, and people’s personal thoughts and faith should not be policed by an external authority like the CTA.
谢谢 Sarah 的分享。
其实不论身在何处, 做任何东西， 都会有人在身边或者其它地方说好的，不好的，一大堆的。 难道我们要跟随他们做同样的东西吗？
对我而言， 我会出来保护我觉得是对的东西。 我会以友善的方式去处理。 学佛可以修智慧，知识， 还有等等的。 所以我们应该以不会伤害任何人的方式去告诉大家，我们做的东西。 有一些人可能会保持沉默，这是不对的。
在马来西亚是三大民族的国家，我们充满了许多教派，文化的国家。我们一定要遵守国家的法律与大家的感觉。
千万不可以利用自由度，做的太过火。 拿巨额很难收拾了。
Malaysia is a harmony country that always respect each other religious and believes. In fact the people from other religious together celebrate others religious believes and it’s the wonderful thing you would ever see in a country.
We thanks a lot to Malaysian government to protect and provide freedom of religion. This is strongly an encouragement from the government and we as the citizen or people staying in Malaysia should support to achieve the highest state of harmony in the country.
For those that discriminating others believe like Dorje Shugden should stop their act as this action does not go along the line to bring harmony to the country. Whatever we believe should just practice within and should not create disharmony. Our practice is our action and I don’t think any religious will create schism or seperation for others. I support our Malaysian leaders in creating the harmony for the country and respect each other religion for the growth of Malaysia.
Thank you Sarah for sharing your thoughts.
The constitutions of some countries contain provisions expressly forbidding the state from engaging in certain acts of religious intolerance or preference within its own borders while in some other countries, the constitutions contain provisions forbidding discrimination on religious grounds. This shows that freedom of religion is considered by many people and nations to be a fundamental human right.
Freedom of religion is enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution. Article 11 provides that every person has the right to profess and to practice his or her religion and (subject to applicable laws restricting the propagation of other religions to Muslims) to propagate it. The Constitution also provides that Islam is the religion of the country but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony (Article 3). Relations between different religious groups are generally quite tolerant, and religious harmony is seen as a priority by Malaysian politicians.
However, earlier this year, influential UK paper Financial Times columnist David Pilling had written that growing religious intolerance in Asian countries could turn into a “disaster” for the region. He cited Malaysia as an example of yet another country with “hardening ideology” but did not elaborate on the disaster this might cause. I find it sad because the Malaysia I know and grew up in is a country where festivals are held for all major religions, which are participated in by people from that religion and others in a Malaysian practice known as ‘Open House’. We also have a reputation for being a successful multicultural country, with minimal occurrences of religious intolerance. What doesn’t help is the existence of individuals and organisation in Malaysia who have publicly advocated that ‘Dolgyal’ (derogatory name for Dorje Shugden) practitioners be outcast and avoided.
In Malaysia, we do not welcome religious intolerance or discrimination that will disturb social harmony, especially that of any Buddhist group seeking to garner the support/ recognition/ favour of Central Tibetan Administration by creating schism and disharmony within the Buddhist community here, and the larger Malaysian society.
Malaysia has been placed on a watch list by an advisory body of the United States government US (USCIRF) over concerns about its limitation on freedom of religion, please do not make it worse.
Dear Sarah.
Thanks for writing this article
This article resonance in me a lot. Once I told my friend I believes in Dorje Shugden, some friend without further checking have already call me a cult. Some even posted nasty words in my Facebook. Some just shut off. The friends that care to told me the reason, said that Dorje Shugden is ban by H.H Dalai Lama. Hello! H.H Dalai Lama is not the head of Gelug schools. Not even My Lama – H.E Tsem Rinpoche who have been in Malaysia for over 20 years and benefits many Malaysian with His Dharma knowledge.
I am lucky enough that many of my friends care to check double on the practices of Dorje Shugden. Those who care, who learn about my practices, have even gain benefit from Dorje Shugden. Drove Shugden helps them to over come their problems
I hopes. People who want to criticize. Check the subject before do so. Not only to gain more wisdom and act more mature, also not cause embarrassing to oneself.
Great article, thanks Sarah!
Yes I do agree with you this news has so far been the best news I’ve received! It is wonderful to know that we are born in a country where our religious freedom is given and our rights protected! Thank goodness for that good karma of ours lol.
This is what real democratic government should do for their people, in serving their people which they have been given the honour to do so and by ensuring the PEACE, HARMONY and PROSPERITY of the country. That is what makes a nation and country strive to success and progress.
I’m glad justice was served to the one that criticised because when you criticise and insight such insensitive hurtful remarks that creates hate, it is really damaging everyone. The motivation is clearly racist, biased, prejudice with the malicious intent to create disharmony and possibly even violence because such comments only stems from hatred which stems from an ignorant mind. If such actions are left unchecked, it can cause huge issues such riots which will destabilise the country and in the end nobody wins. No one ever wins with hatred… haven’t we all learnt this from all the war we’ve seen on this planet?
So as a Shugden practitioner, I am glad I am a Malaysian and not living in Dharamsala. However, I do hope that the other Buddhist practitioners who are not Shugden practitioners can at least be decent enough to respect the laws of the land which I believe is also in the United Nations constitution that religious freedom is every human right, hence stop the discrimination and peacefully follow your own like a practitioner would.
Also I do noticed this unfortunate truth when I observe those who need to always criticise others… It is because of their own deep seeded insecurities about their own position in life which they are not ‘happy’ about. So they take it out on others, they need to criticise and put another person down so that they can supposedly ‘look’ right/good but in reality it is actually the opposite. Om Mani Pedme Hum…. I truly hope the ban of Dorje Shugden will be lifted soon for the sake of peace for all! Grateful to be Malaysian in this case here.
Excellent article, thank you for sharing