Why Does the Dalai Lama Persecute Shugdens but not the Bon Religion?
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: December 17, 2009
The Dalai Lama has declared the practice of Dorje Shugden as ‘non-Buddhist’ and has taken unusually strong action to ostracise Dorje Shugden practitioners from the Tibetan community. This has included denying them basic human rights such as medical treatment, access to shops, and denial of paperwork so that they can travel. He has been responsible for expelling 900 Shugden worshipping monks from Gelugpa monasteries in South India. No-one who worships Shugden can study there now.
The Central Tibetan Admininstration, at his behest, has changed the law so that no Shugden practitioner can hold public office and Shugden families have also been discriminated against, their children denied education, and other extreme forms of human rights abuse.
The question is – “why?”. Why all this strong action?
Okay, so in the Dalai Lama’s (wrong) view, Shugden worship is not Buddhism; but then again neither is Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and every other religion that is not Buddhism. Why doesn’t the Dalai Lama react strongly against those? On the contrary, the Dalai Lama has good words for other religions. On a visit to Harvard in May 2009, the Dalai Lama made positive comments about Islam:
In his opening remarks, the Dalai Lama not only paid tribute to the importance of educating students about religions other than their own, but he also made a more specific point, that Islam, like Buddhism and other religions, emphasizes compassion. The Dalai Lama made his point visually, as well as verbally, pulling off his wrist his Buddhist prayer beads – called a “mala” – while referring to Muslim rosaries and talking about how Islam fits into the family of faiths
Dorje Shugden practitioners, too, have compassion because they are Buddhists, and pray for the happiness of all living beings – but the Dalai Lama persecutes them. Why? He praises Muslims for their compassion but he does not have a positive word to say about Dorje Shugden practitioners:
“Shugden followers have resorted to killing and beating people. They start fires. And tell endless lies. This is how the Shugden believe. It is not good.”
These are lies. There is no evidence for the Dalai Lama’s words.
The Dalai Lama is also tolerant towards another religion which is closer to home – the Bon religion that also existed in Tibet alongside Buddhism. If the Dalai Lama hates Shugden practitioners for being ‘non-religious’ and ‘ non-Buddhist’, why does he also not hate the Bonpos? (practitioners of Bon). His attitudes are most odd and inconsistent. Before the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Bon was discriminated against and marginalized. As it says in the Wikipedia article on the subject:
Lozang Gyatso, the fifth Dalai Lama, was the first to declare Bön to be a fifth school of spirituality in Tibet. However, the Bönpo remained stigmatised and marginalised until 1977, when they sent representatives to Dharamsala and Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, who advised the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies, to accept Bön members.
Since then, Bön has had official recognition of its status as a religious group, with the same rights as the Buddhist schools. This was re-stated in 1987 by the Dalai Lama, who also forbade discrimination against the Bönpo, stating that it was both undemocratic and self-defeating. He even donned Bön ritual paraphernalia, emphasizing “the religious equality of the Bön faith.”
However, Tibetans still differentiate between Bön and Buddhism, referring to members of the Nyingma, Shakya, Kagyu and Gelug schools as “nangpa,” meaning “insiders,” but to practitioners of Bön as “Bönpo,” or even “chipa” (“outsiders”).
So, rather than rejecting Bon, which is viewed as an ‘outer’ religion whereas the four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism are viewed as ‘inner religion’, he actively promotes it! As you can see from the picture, the Dalai Lama is not adverse to donning Bon regalia and taking part in their rituals. This is most strange in itself. Why is the Dalai Lama playing at being a Bonpo? It’s like the Pope deciding, on a whim, to don the robes of a Muslim Imam or even the robes of a Buddhist monk!
The Dalai Lama dons these robes to emphasise ‘the religious equality of Bon’, yet it is not Buddhism. He fights for equal rights for Bon but he harms Shugden practitioners who are Buddhists and students of his own root Spiritual Guide! Does this not seem strange?
Why doesn’t the Dalai Lama act consistently and forbid discrimination against Shugden practitioners, declaring it undemocratic and self-defeating as he did with the Bonpos? rather, he promotes discrimination and ostracism with hate speech, enforced signature campaigns and government legislation. Why? The Dalai Lama fears Shugden practitioners because they are an obstacle to his plan to merge all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism together so that he can be head of his own ‘Buddhist’ tradition. This is his best chance of maintaining his power and prestige as a leader if he should go back to a Chinese ruled Tibet at any point in the future. The Bonpos are no threat to his plan so he ingratiates himself with them and promotes their equal rights because he knows he can control them without difficulty. Being kind to them is good for business.
It’s clear that the Dalai Lama doesn’t have equanimity towards groups that he views as non-Buddhist. The only explanation of his un-Buddhist actions towards Shugden practitioners is that you harm what you fear will stop you from achieving your worldly goals. The Dalai Lama is deliberately trying to destroy the power and reputation of Shugden practitioners so that he can control the Gelugpa tradition for his own political purposes – otherwise, his lack of equanimity is irrational. If he really felt the same towards all traditions that he views as non-Buddhist, he’d be donning a round yellow hat to show the equality of Shugden practice instead of trying to destroy those practitioners as if they were his enemies.
The Dalai Lama in a round yellow hat and tiger boots……now that I’d like to see!
The Mean-Spirited ‘Buddha of Compassion’
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: December 15, 2009
Recently Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden blog posted a letter from Geshe Tashi Tsethar exhorting the Tibetan community not to share religious or material relation with Dorje Shugden practitioners. This is an outrageous action with the Dalai Lama’s fingerprints all over it and it’s not a new request – this was the Dalai Lama’s idea from January 2008 when, on his visit to Drepung Loseling monastery, he said in one of his speeches:
In contemporary democratic practice, there is such a thing as ‘referendum’, ‘consulting the majority’. The matter has now reached this point of consulting what the majority wants. Therefore, when you return to your respective places after this program at Loseling Monastery, put these questions: 1. Whether you want to worship Dholgyal. This is the first question. Those who want to worship, should sign saying they wish to worship Dholgyal; those who don’t want should sign saying that don’t want to. 2. “We want to share the religious and material amenities of life (live together in the monastery) of life with Dholgyal worshippers.” You should sign saying so. “We do not want to share religious and material amenities of life (live together) with Dholgyal worshippers.” (You should) sign saying so.’
(‘Dholgyal’ is a derogatory term for Dorje Shugden)
This ‘referendum’ was a travesty of democracy because it was conducted in public with clear negative consequences for those who disagreed with the Dalai Lama, however it went ahead for one reason: the Dalai Lama wanted to create a split in Tibetan society and wanted to deny religious and material support to Dorje Shugden practitioners. This was his idea. No doubt Geshe Tsethar’s letter is his idea too. It is deliberately made to look as if it is not coming from the Dalai Lama, but since he is the sole religious and political dictator who alone wields power over Tibetan society, who else could it come from?
Many people claim that the Dalai Lama is Avalokiteshvara, but how can he be when he’s harming others? His desire to cut off Dorje Shugden practitioners from spiritual, emotional and material support is a petty-minded, mean spirited selfishness because they will not conform with his wrong views. As it says in the blog article:
The Dalai Lama does not have the four arms of Avalokiteshvara, rather he has the two faces of a deceitful politician wearing a spiritual mask, abusing the Dharma for his own position and power.
Another image comes to mind too. Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, wants a thousand arms so that he can reach out and protect all living beings. The worldly so-called ‘Buddha of Compassion’ wants a thousand arms so that he can spitefully withhold resources from Dorje Shugden practitioners and harm them as much as possible. How can they be the same person?
This letter from the Dalai Lama is exhorting thousands of Tibetans to harm their spiritual brothers and sisters in accordance with his spiteful intentions. Buddha taught the practice of giving but the Dalai Lama is exhorting his followers to practice withdrawing love and support from Shugden practitioners. Since his actions are the opposite of Dharma, the opposite of those of the compassionate Buddhas, how could he and Avalokiteshvara ever be the same person?
As the great Buddhist Master Shantideva says in his masterpiece Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life:
If we harm a child,
There is no way to please its mother.
In the same way, if we harm any living being,
There is no way to please the compassionate Buddhas. (Chapter 6, verse 123)
In this light, the Dalai Lama’s actions are not only non-Buddhist, they are not worthy of anyone who claims to be a spiritual practitioner of any religious tradition. All religions teach love, compassion and tolerance. This is what the Dalai Lama teaches with his mouth when he flies all over the world, receiving the respect and adulation of others – but what he teaches with his example is division and sectarian hatred. How shameful! As the Western Shugden Society says, he is cheating other people’s faith.
It’s time the Tibetan people woke up and saw the deceiver in their midst who hypocritically preaches love and compassion whilst doing exactly the opposite.
Samdhong Rinpoche Blames Abbots for Signature Campaign!
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: April 29, 2009
Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden Blog reports a bizarre new twist in the saga of the Dalai Lama’s vendetta against Dorje Shugden and his followers in the Tibetan monasteries.
In January 2008, the Dalai Lama visited Drepung Loseling Monastery to preside over its opening and grant a Yamantaka empowerment. During the empowerment he started to talk about holding a referendum regarding Dorje Shugden. The following is an extract from his talk which was broadcast on ‘Voice of America’:
A problem lingering from about 370 years, which remained overlooked in about the last 30 years. Since Communist China is taking special interest in the matter… You abbots, do you understand? You office bearers, do you understand? The literature will be distributed later. You sponsors, did you understand? You Western monks, do you want to join in the referendum? To neglect it is of no use. In the Vinaya rules also, when there is a contentious issue, the monks take vote-sticks and decide, as mentioned in the seven methods of resolving conflict. In contemporary democratic practice, there is such a thing as ‘referendum’, ‘consulting the majority’. The matter has now reached this point of consulting what the majority wants. Therefore, when you return to your respective places after this program at Loseling Monastery, put these questions: 1. Whether you want to worship Dholgyal. This is the first question. Those who want to worship, should sign saying they wish to worship Dholgyal; those who don’t want should sign saying that don’t want to. 2. “We want to share the religious and material amenities of life (live together in the monastery) of life with Dholgyal worshippers.” You should sign saying so. “We do not want to share religious and material amenities of life (live together) with Dholgyal worshippers.” (You should) sign saying so.’
It’s clear from the Dalai Lama’s own words that it was he who initiated a referendum on Dorje Shugden and encouraged the Abbots of the Three Great Seats (Sera, Ganden and Drepung) to expel Shugden worshipping monks through a signature campaign that demanded that the monks either swear an oath to abandon Dorje Shugden or they were to leave the monasteries. This is corroborated by a statement issued by the Kashag (Tibetan Government in Exile) on March 10th 2008, an extract of which reads:
…during his recent visit to Mundgod, South India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has suggested to the Gelug monastic institutions that, for the future convenience of all, a referendum must be conducted amongst the monks. The responsible authorities of the monastic institutions unanimously supported this idea and a referendum was conducted by relying upon the Buddhist Vinaya system of voting by administering Tsul-shings (Sangha voting sticks). Subsequently, most of the Gelug monastic institutions, including the three Great Monastic Seats, have disassociated themselves completely from the Dholgyal propitiators
‘While expressing our appreciation for this, the Kashag would like to urge the monastic world that they should not be negligent in this matter in the future as well. There are still a tiny number of monks who have not stopped the propitiation of Dholgyal. Since they cannot live within the compounds of the Great Monastic Seats, they should move out of the monasteries and live elsewhere. Towards this end, the Central Tibetan Administration will provide the necessary assistance that we provide to all other Tibetans.’
(my bolding)
From this is it clear that the responsible authorities of the monastic institutions supported the Dalai Lama’s idea but they did not initiate it, and the Kashag is urging the monasteries to take action against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
Recently, the Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche summoned the Abbots of the Three Great Seats to Dharmasala where he admonished them for insisting on the signature campaign which has now ‘made personal difficulities for the Dalai Lama’.
Because of the focus on this issue brought about by the case against the Dalai Lama in the Indian High Court over Deity discrimination, the poor Abbots of the Three Seats are left to carry the can for the Dalai Lama’s personal vendetta against Dorje Shugden and his followers.
Because of the draconican political control of the Three Seats by the Dalai Lama, this is not a good time to be an Abbot of a Gelugpa monastery. The whims of the Dalai Lama have to be accommodated but then, if things go wrong, you are expected to take the blame.
Can this get any more absurd?
Life Entrustment
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: March 19, 2009
One of the issues that critics of Dorje Shugden have is that in the system of Dorje Shugden that was practised in Tibet and transmitted by Je Pabongkhapa and Trijang Rinpoche there was a ritual called ‘life entrustment’ which was reserved for the most sincere and committed practitioners by which they would entrust their lives and refuge to Dorje Shugden in order to receive his care and protection. They argue that such life entrustment is not appropriate for a “worldly spirit” like Dorje Shugden.
Je Pabongkhapa himself composed the life entrustment ritual for Dorje Shugden:
I have written this at the request of Shugden, because in the past there was a tradition of Sogde (srog gtad) to Shugden but later neither the tradition nor the text could be found—they have become like flowers in the sky—so Shugden has asked me two times to write a new initiation text. I have passed on the practice of initiation (dbang) to some disciples in accordance with my own experience, and (a text) has been written as a seed for (a detailed text). But only that would be not reliable and something like an illegitimate son. Therefore, I explained it in detail to my master Tagphu Dorje Chang and presented this draft to him. … (501) He took that draft and wrote his text down, combining this seed text with his own vision. Tagphu commented about the five types of Shugden, the respective colors etc., the offerings to be arranged, thus at the time of initiation the large Lamrim text should be there on the altar, a cakra representing one’s life, damaru, dorje etc. The practitioner has to utter the life generating words of Vajrabhairava and to make torma21 offerings. … (502) The initiation can be given to somebody who has received initiation into Vajrabhairava and keeps the commitments connected with it. … (502-503) Though there are so many different traditions and philosophies in Tibet, only this tradition of Tsongkhapa is the supreme, the top of the victory banner, the most complete, the essence of the teaching. … (505) To bring Shugden into one’s own service is a very powerful blessing. In order to receive this initiation the disciples visualize themselves as the yidam (Vajrabhairava) and as such invoke and control Shugden. The dharmapala (Shugden) is presented to the disciples as the one who abides by their commands. [1]
It should be noted that this life entrustment is not an invention of Je Pabongkhapa because there was an earlier tradition alluded to by him that had been lost. He mentions a text by Lama Rinchen Wangyal which had been lost and so he is writing a replacement.
Michael Von Bruck makes the following comments about Pabongkha’s explanation:
The text quoted does not say that master and disciple actually take refuge in Shugden. The yidam and Shugden are kept apart, and the dharmapala is to be controlled. The master transfers the power to control Shugden to the disciple, and this is common practice. However, in so far as the disciple merges with the Shugden energy an identification with Shugden takes place, and this is against the genuine Gelukpa tradition. There can be no life-entrustment initiation (srog gtad) concerning a dharmapala, for the dharmapala is a minor being and not a yidam. [2]
(my bolding)
Firstly, Je Pabongkhapa’s ritual is not against the genuine Gelugpa tradition because Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri and seen to be an aspect of the Guru. This is what is taught in the Gelugpa tradition. Von Bruck makes the point that there can be no life-entrustment for a Dharmapala because they are a minor being. Again, this is not so for Dharmapala Dorje Shugden because he is regarded as one with the Guru and the Yidam (personal Tantric Deity).
However, the situation is different with Nechung, the State Oracle of Tibet and a source of reliance for the Dalai Lama. Nechung is a spirit, not a Deity:
When Padmasambhava consecrated Samye Monastery with the Vajrakilaya dance, he tamed the local spirit protector, Pehar Gyalp, and bound him by oath to become the head of the entire hierarchy of Buddhist protective spirits. Pehar, later known as Dorje Drakden, became the principal protector of the Dalai Lamas, manifesting through the Nechung Oracle.
According to the Dalai Lama, “Tibetans rely on oracles for various reasons. The purpose of the oracles is not just to foretell the future. They are called upon as protectors and sometimes used as healers. However, their primary function is to protect the Buddha Dharma and its practitioners.” [3]
Given that Nechung is a spirit, why is there a life entrustment ritual for him? The life entrustment of Nechung (Pehar, or the Five Great Kings, ‘King’ meaning ‘Gyalpo’, a particular class of spirit) was given recently in Dharamasala by Kyabje Dema Locho Rinpoche.
This completely contradicts all the arguments of critics who claim that life entrustment is not appropriate for a minor worldly being like Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden is a Buddha but Nechung is not, so they should either say that life entrustment is appropriate for any being (which would definitely contradict Buddhist refuge) or they should stop granting life entrustment of Nechung because it contradicts Buddhist refuge.
Welcome to the Dalai Lama’s world of double standards and contradiction. It’s not okay to rely on Dorje Shugden because he’s a spirit, but yet the Dalai Lama relies heavily on the spirit Nechung. It’s not appropriate for there to be a life entrustment practice of Dorje Shugden, yet a life entrustment for a worldly spirit is given openly in Dharamasala.
I wonder if the Dalai Lama has taken that life entrustment?
__________________________________________________________
References:
[1] Canonicity and Divine Interference – The Tulkus and the Shugden Controversy by Michael Von Bruck published in Charisma and Canon: Essays on the Religious History of the Indian Subcontinent Edited by Vasudha Dalmia, Angelika Malinar, and Martin Christof. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2001, ISBN-13: 978-0195666205
[2] same text
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nechung_Oracle
Confusion or Propaganda?
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: March 11, 2009
Recently, a certain anti-NKT site that invites readers to submit essays has been posting essays containing politically motivated quotations from people who are obviously not NKT, but the site owner is posting them as if they are. It seems clear that in the mind of the site owner, NKT/Shugden practitioner/pro-Chinese/anti-Dalai Lama/anti-Tibetan are all one thing, which is completely wrong. There are many people on the internet who are politically motivated and who claim to be Shugden practitioners simply because they know that the Dalai Lama is against the practice. To avoid this confusion, Geshe Kelsang has very wisely made the NKT free from political affiliations.
These essays are really is ‘putting words into the mouth of the NKT’ and creating a false impression by doing so. Whether this is being done by the site owner in confusion or as deliberate propaganda is uncertain. Here is one such example from a recent essay entitled ‘Shugden Protectors Vitriol’:
In striking contrast to the writings of the Dalai Lama, authentic Buddhists, and Buddhist and Tibetan historians, Shugden protectors known as NKTites and Shugdenites (NKT is the leading Shugdenite organization in the world) pontificate vitriol like this recent and unfortunately representative post:
“Push the Tibetans out of India and back home to China to pursue their dreams and hopes. India is a dead branch for these unfortunates exiles….
Shugden protectors are not known as NKTites because there are many Shugden practitioners who are Tibetan or Mongolian and who are not part of the NKT. There are a lot more people against the Dalai Lama’s illegal ban of Dorje Shugden practice than NKT practitioners, for example the Dorje Shugden Society in India which consists entirely of Tibetans. Kundeling Rinpoche, who is conducting the court case against the Tibetan Government in Exile is also against this ban, and he’s obviously not NKT. The Western Shugden Society is an affliation of all such practitioners.
Having said that, I’m quite pleased to see the author say that ‘NKT is the leading Shugdenite organization in the world’ because this indicates that NKT is true to the Gelug lineage received from great Teachers such as Je Pabongkhapa and Trijang Rinpoche. It indicates that NKT is continuing the Gelugpa teachings in accordance with tradition, unlike most of the ‘Gelugpa tradition’ of Tibetan Buddhism which has changed course in accordance with pressure from the Dalai Lama.
Here is another example, from an essay entitled ‘NKT’s Spiteful Shugdenism’ where the author expresses the following wrong views:
Shugdenism is determined to undermine the Dalai Lama. The spiteful movement supports the communist Chinese government overthrow of Tibet during the 1950s. Shugdenites (aka NKTites) applaud the tyranny and even blame it on the Dalai Lama, claiming that Shugden worship, which is being forced by the communist Chinese government, will lead to nirvana.
It’s a lie to say that Shugdenites support the communist Chinese overthrow of Tibet. It is simply not the case that all Shugden practitioners are NKT/pro-Chinese/anti-Dalai Lama/anti-Tibetan. However, it certainly suits those who are anti-NKT to give this impression, sadly. This is more distortion and propaganda in line with the ‘cult’ accusation.
The ONLY thing that Dorje Shugden practitioners want is religious freedom and not to be treated like the Jews of Buddhism.
I’d just like to make the following clear.
1. Not all Shugden practitioners are NKT
2. NKT has no political affiliations and is not interested in Sino/Tibetan politics. I don’t know any NKT members who talk about the Tibetan situation and its relationship with China because this is nothing to do with Kadam Dharma but is simply worldly politics.
I don’t officially represent the NKT but I’ve been around long enough to know that these essays are false and the impression they are giving is a wrong and damaging one, therefore something needs to be said.
The True History of Dorje Shugden
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: February 19, 2009
It’s a fact that the CTA has tried to re-write the history of Dorje Shugden practice through George Dreyfus’ The Shuk-den Affair: Origins of a Controversy. This paper puts the onus of the development and spread of Dorje Shugden on Pabongkha Rinpoche’s personal ideas and subsequent activities in the 20th century. Not only is this false, Dreyfus also imputes a derogatory sectarian agenda as the motivation behind Pabongkha Rinpoche’s alleged promotion of the practice with very little sources or evidence noted.
Therefore, I’m delighted to say that there is a new website by scholar Trinley Kalsang which will gradually show the history of Dorje Shugden practice from the time of Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen’s murder to the present day, using the available Tibetan sources. This will counter the shameful re-writing of history for political purposes.
The Dalai Lama Tempts And Threatens His Guru
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: January 18, 2009
I was going through the chronology of the Dorje Shugden issue the other day on the Shugden Society website www.shugdensociety.info when I came across this shocking entry concerning Choktul Rinpoche (the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama’s Guru Trijang Rinpoche) and the Dalai Lama:
Choktul Rinpoche, then lived in in western Europe and asked for audience each time, when H.H. Dalai Lama visited Europe. Choktul Rinpoche requested His Holiness’ unconditioned, compassionate acceptance to allow him to continue his relation to Dorje Shugden, who has been closely linked with the last three predecessors of the line of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoches. This has been repeatedly refused.
In their last meeting in Europe, in Graz, Austria, in 2003, H.H. Dalai Lama stated his Final Judgement: “If you give up this deity, myself and all Tibetan people will appreciate it very much and our protector Nechung will take care of you and make you more successful and famous than ever. If you do not give up this deity, then your monastic career, like receiving the full monk’s ordination and taking Geshe examinations will not be possible. So I leave it to your judgement.” Then he concluded the conversation with the English words: “YES or NO?” Choktul Rinpoche, in great disappointment, neither wanting to give up the tradition of his own predecessors, nor wanting to stick out as opponent to His Holiness, chose to change his life-style totally and now lives freely, concentrated in his own Dharma-studies and practices in the USA.
This shows how much the Dalai Lama has lost it! Would anyone who had faith and respect for their main Spiritual Guide treat them like this? It reminded me of something from the Bible, that story of when Jesus is in the desert, fasting for forty days and forty nights and he is tempted by the devil.
[5] The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. [6] And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. [7] So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Doesn’t that sound to you like
If you give up this deity, myself and all Tibetan people will appreciate it very much and our protector Nechung will take care of you and make you more successful and famous than ever.
The Dalai Lama wanted his Guru to bow down to his wishes. Get thee behind me, Mara!
Given that Choktul Rinpoche is a Lama and renunciate, why would he be interested in ’success and fame’? I wonder if the Dalai Lama is interested in these and that’s why he’s offering them. It’s also curious that he says that Nechung will take care of him and make him more successful and famous. Nechung is a worldly Deity, not even one of the Three Jewels. On the other hand, the Dalai Lama is supposedly a Buddhist, so why is he relying on a worldly deity or spirit to give success and fame? That surely breaks the Dalai Lama’s refuge commitment. Curiously, the Dalai Lama isn’t saying “all the Buddhas of the three times and the ten directions will make you more successful and famous than ever before”, he’s saying “a worldly spirit will make you more successful and famous than ever before”.
Has the Dalai Lama sold his soul to Nechung for success and fame? Just kidding, but it is a strange thing for a Buddhist Monk to say. It also seems hypocritical of the Dalai Lama to accuse Dorje Shugden practitioners of relying on a worldly spirit when he is doing so himself.
However, not content with tempting his Guru with worldly success, the Dalai Lama tries the carrot and stick approach by threatening his former Teacher thus:
If you do not give up this deity, then your monastic career, like receiving the full monk’s ordination and taking Geshe examinations will not be possible.
Who does the Dalai Lama think he is trying to dictate to his Guru’s reincarnation? It’s arrogance beyond belief and the complete opposite of Buddha’s teachings on reliance on the Spiritual Guide where we are advised to develop faith and respect for our Guru. Whereas Trijang Rinpoche was the source of the Dalai Lama’s education in Dharma, the Dalai Lama repays his kindness by making his own Guru’s reincarnation’s spiritual education conditional on obeying him! Does the Dalai Lama sound respectful here? Compare that also with the Dalai Lama’s scary words from 1996 when threatening an assembly of Holy Sangha:
“If you private monks and spiritual masters in the monastic colleges continue making excuses and continue worshipping thus, you shall have a day of regret… it will not be good if we have to knock on your doors.”
Dalai “Don Corleone” Lama – he always makes you an offer you can’t refuse!
The Twelfth Samding Dorje Phagmo Admonishes the Dalai Lama
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: January 14, 2009
Here is a interesting news story from April 2008.
The Twelfth Samding Dorje Phagmo is Tibet’s only officially recognised female living Buddha. She was born in 1942 and was recognised at the age of five to be the incarnation of Vajravarahi, Dorje Phagmo, a female Buddha of enlightened wisdom who is the same nature as Vajrayogini.
Last year after the riots in Tibet, the Twelfth Samding Dorje Phagmo, who is the third most important Tulku in Tibet after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, and above Sakya Trizin, the head of the Sakya Tradition severely criticised the Dalai Lama, saying:
“The sins of the Dalai Lama and his followers seriously violate the basic teachings and precepts of Buddhism and seriously damage traditional Tibetan Buddhism’s normal order and good reputation,”
The article continues:
Samding Dorje Phagmo was quoted as saying – though she did not detail what his transgressions were.
I think we may have a good idea – maybe being a religious dictator by banning Dorje Shugden practice, causing a schism in the Sangha and generally causing Tibetan Buddhism to degenerate by mixing with politics?
Okay, this is old news but I didn’t realize its significance until today! Isn’t it quite surprising that such a high ranking Tulku should choose to criticise the Dalai Lama so harshly? But then again, she isn’t under his control and so she has the power to say what she thinks, unlike all the other reincarnate Tibetan Masters in India who have to fall in line with the Dalai Lama’s views or risk injury, harm or explusion from Tibetan society.
Ten Simple Reasons Why Dorje Shugden is a Buddha
Posted by: dorjeshugdentruth on: December 19, 2008
Who said there’s no Santa Claus? 
Dorje Shugden's Mandala
We’ve got an early Christmas Present from Santa Shugden in the form of a wonderful summary of the main reasons why Dorje Shugden is a Buddha!
Merry Christmas Dalai Lama!
The present we would most like from you is religious freedom in 2009
