Comments on: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/ The Protector whose time has come Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:35:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Mar Nee http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51809 Mar Nee Tue, 12 Nov 2013 08:01:19 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51809 On the 5th of November the Ganden Shartse Abbot wrote a response in the Comment section of the article "Abbots Urgently Sent To The USA". The Khenpo's Comments is posted below verbatim, and since the Khenpo's statement is plagued with such grave irregularities, I feel it is incumbent upon me to set the record straight and accordingly, my response to the Khenpo appears below after the Khenpo's Comments. I sincerely hope that the Khenpo would in turn provide answers to the questions I raise, and I thank the Ganden Shartse Khenpo in full anticipation. The Ganden Shartse Khenpo's Comments: Dear Melisa Sands and Kay Beswick, I hope you are in great health. I send you wishes for prosperity and happiness. Please note I am sending this clarification reply to you on your baseless reports published on September 26, 2013 Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA and November 2, 2013 UPDATE: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA. I think this is right time to clear the misleading information to enlighten public. Please don’t mislead public by writing baseless reports. At least try to spend little more time to find authentic information before reporting it to public. Thanks for adding up final paragraph on November 23 report. I am happy to read that paragraph of your report on me as great blessings from you. 1. I and my colleagues at Gaden were concerned about the gap between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche. That motivated us to take this initiative to bridge the gap but alas. 2. I was never ordered or appointed by Kuger Yigtsang or anyone to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to participate any program, anywhere. I personally and as an abbot of Gaden Monastery took initiatives to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to talk to him. In great kindness Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche gave me plenty of time to talk and be with him. Please note, Kuger Yigtsang never delegated or appointed me to reach Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche. 3. On meeting Trijang Rinpoche I requested him to re-consider his stand on Shugden issue for various important reasons. Though he didn’t say yes or no to my request, but he didn’t told me “Gaden monastery has ‘forgotten’ about him”. 4. How and why some people left Gaden Monastery and Gaden Shartse in 2008 is well-known fact. No one can change the truth by twisting the story after five years. It is very simple. Some people chose to abandon the monastery for personal interest and benefit and the monastery failed to stop them from doing that. 5. Since, I travelled to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to Vermont, USA on personal initiative and as abbot of Gaden with messages from Gaden Shartse Monastery and Gaden Lachi, why should I relay any reply to those messages to Kuger Yigtsang. This is just an insane comment from the reporter. I have no knowledge about what email Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche want to send to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and CTA in Dharamsala. 6. What is curious about letter being written on the letterhead of Gaden Lachi and Gaden Shartse Monastery? As a senior abbot of Gaden, I represent Gaden Lachi and as abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery I represent Gaden Shartse Monastery. Messages of these two organizations definitely comes on their letterhead. Why should it come on the stationary of the Kuger Yigtsang? His Holiness the Dalai Lama don’t need to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to some where. His Holiness has achieved unimaginably great achievements through his own efforts. If some one returns or not, won’t make any difference to him. Please don’t try to mislead people by writing baseless comments. 7. We felt it is really important to revive relationship between Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The holy relationship between these two historic figures are buildup for many lifetimes and we believe it is not good to let it break now. Therefore, I and my colleagues felt it is good to try to have presence of Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche in upcoming teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sera Monastery. Thus we planned it solely in our own initiative. To His Holiness the Dalai Lama, if Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche attends these upcoming teachings in Sera or not won’t make any difference at all. Most important issue for me and my colleagues are to restore relationship between two holy man. But it is really a great disappointment to see some people doing everything possible to stop or topple our efforts. Gaden Shartse Khenpo Topanga, California, USA ........................................................................................................................ My response to the Khenpo: This post is in response to the Ganden Shartse Khenpo’s comments on an article “Abbots Urgently Sent To The USA” that appeared in DorjeShugden.com on the 26th September 2013 and a more recent update, “Update: Abbots Urgently Sent To The USA”, published on 2nd November 2013. In his comments, the Shartse Khenpo has sought to imply that DorjeShugden.com is an unprofessional and disingenuous site that publishes “baseless reports” without making any effort to “find authentic information”. The fact is, more often than not, this site is extremely sensitive to the feelings and reputations of the lamas it may report on, as the site’s main objectives are to create awareness of an unfair, unholy and illegal ban on the practice of the Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden, and to provide facts and supported information to anyone who may wish to learn the truth about Dorje Shugden and the events surrounding the banning of this ancient practice. The site has no interest and indeed finds no necessity to twist facts, when the truth itself provides an abundance of material to write about. However, and quite alarmingly some, such as the Shartse Khenpo have not respected this and continue to mislead the public with distorted information, most of which can be easily proven to be false. The report on the Shartse Khenpo being sent to the USA was based on facts communicated by people who are very familiar with the circumstances surrounding his visit. Some were even present when the Khenpo visited Trijang Rinpoche. The Shartse Khenpo’s plan to visit Trijang Rinpoche was not public information and was not available on his personal website, his Facebook, Ganden Shartse’s website, the CTA’s website nor the Dalai Lama’s website. It was known only to a small selection of people within the monasteries and for DorjeShugden.com to have come to know of the visit even before it took place is an indication of how reliable and authentic the site’s sources are. What the Khenpo must realize is that there are still honest monks who wish to have the truth being told, and there are still serious Dharma practitioners who realize how wrong the Shugden ban is, and how the efforts to hide the truth from the people have placed the sanctity of Tibetan Buddhism on a slippery slope to extinction. In response to the Shartse Khenpo’s fallacious statement, we would like to highlight a number of observations. 1. To begin with, the Khenpo’s attempt to repair the damage between the Dalai Lama and Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche, by his own statement, is a clear indication that he acknowledges that there IS a serious problem that has been caused by the ban. The illegal ban forced on the sangha caused deep fractures and schism within the sangha community and ruined many relationships, including that of many gurus and their students. The “gap” between the Dalai Lama and Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche was not the only one created by the ban. If the Khenpo recognizes the significance of a guru-student relationship, then he should not selectively contain this matter of great import to merely the relationship between the Dalai Lama and his teacher, but to all similar relationships. 2. The Khenpo, if he were to be true to his proclamation, should look into repairing the multitude of relationships torn asunder by the Shugden ban that he has condoned thus far. But the Shartse Khenpo has not done anything to that end and therefore it is intriguing that he should, after so many years - each presenting a multitude of opportunities, suddenly make a surprising, feeble and short-lived attempt now. Why only now is the Khenpo interested in this problem that has been festering right under his nose all this time? Why hasn’t the Khenpo done anything about damaged guru-student relationships closer to his own monastery, for instance the individual and collective relationships between Ganden Shartse and Shar Ganden monks? Is the Khenpo only interested in relationships and matters that involve the Dalai Lama? 3. The Shartse Khenpo’s comments in fact does not say anything much of substance. But the Khenpo’s vehement and emphatic denials are reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and like the guilty Queen Getrude in the play, the Khenpo “doth protest too much…” a phrase that has come to mean to “insist so passionately about something not being true that people suspect the opposite of what one is saying”. What or who here is the Shartse Khenpo protecting by his insistence? 4. Assuming the Shartse Khenpo did act on his own accord to approach Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche instead of doing so in carrying out the Dalai Lama’s instructions, then it does raise an interesting point. The Dalai Lama himself had made an exception to exempt Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche from the Shugden ban (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWi1fJkTA9Q ). And if the Dalai Lama had decided thus, who is the Khenpo to second-guess the Dalai Lama’s decision on this matter? Instead of respecting the Dalai Lama’s decision, the Khenpo, if indeed he acted on his own accord, presumed to know better and this is just pure and unadulterated arrogance. 5. The truth is, Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche was forced to choose between continuing his devotion to Dorje Shugden (whom his predecessor Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was famous for among other great achievements), or to remain on the good side of the Dalai Lama, which meant being able to remain in Ganden Shartse. Sources close to Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche confirm that at the onset of the ban, the young Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche had asked if he could remain in the monastery should he choose to keep his Shugden practice. The answer was a resounding ‘No’. 6. As a young lama living in Ganden Shartse, Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche’s life was threatened on a number of occasions for his refusal to abandon Dorje Shugden. Monks in Trijang Ladrang had to stand guard 24 hours a day to protect him. So serious were the death threats that some of the monks were quite certain that they would not have made it out alive if not for Dorje Shugden. The very monks who watched over Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche relayed accounts such as these and of how Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche’s life was placed under threat whilst in Ganden Shartse personally to DorjeShugden.com. Things have not changed since then and the ban is still in place. Dharamsala, and the world at large, is still a dangerous place for Shugden practitioners. After all, the CTA’s official decree effectively sanctioning the use of violence against Shugden practitioners is still in place! Given that conditions have not changed and the CTA and Dalai Lama’s office have not reversed a terrible injustice, how can the Shartse Khenpo even hope that Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche would return to India? 7. The Shartse Khenpo’s statement that Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche “didn’t say yes or no” to his request is dishonest and mischievous and is designed to imply that Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche may have considered his request. This would not be the first time Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche has encountered attempts to bribe him to abandon his protector practice. Many have tried, including the Dalai Lama who promised fame and position if Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche agreed to drop his practice of Dorje Shugden. Ten years ago (2003), in a meeting with a young Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche in Graz, Austria, the Dalai Lama had told the young lama pointedly “If you give up this deity [Shugden], 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 the Dalai Lama issued an ultimatum to Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche in English: “YES or NO?” It was ‘No’ then and it is still ‘No’ now Khenpo-la. But then you knew that for sure. 8. But it was not enough for the Shartse Khenpo to mislead the people with falsities that he should also chose to insult the innocence and intelligence of many monks who suffered under the ban. The Shartse Khenpo said in his comments: “some people [monks] chose to abandon the monastery for personal interest and benefits…” Personally this is the unkindest and most sinister cut of all. The Shugden monks did not choose to leave. They were expelled! Any suggestion otherwise is an outright lie. In this video [ see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wxUTbsKo-0], the Dalai Lama went on record to say: “Recently monasteries have fearlessly expelled Shugden monks where needed. I [Dalai Lama] fully support their actions. I praise them. If monasteries find taking action hard, tell them the Dalai Lama is responsible for this…” Shugden monks were thrown out of the only homes they knew after having renounced all worldly life. Many disrobed very simply because they could not remain as monks without support. Others, like the 450 monks from Dokhang Khangtsen, had no choice but to separate from Ganden Shartse and went on to found Shar Drokhang Draktsang (Shar Ganden) so that they can keep practicing the pure Ganden lineage, which includes the worship of Dorje Shugden. These monks endured tremendous hardships having lost their monastic homes, gurus, brothers, friends, and sponsors because of the heinous acts of the CTA, which was fully supported by the Dalai Lama’s office. The monks from Dokhang Khangtsen’s practice of Dorje Shugden was bestowed upon them by none other than Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche himself and therefore even before the Shartse Khenpo could think of suggesting to Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche to return to Ganden, the Khenpo should have invited and welcomed the return of the monks of Dokhang Khangtsen (now Shar Ganden) who were expelled, back to Ganden Shartse. The Khenpo after all is the Abbot of Ganden Shartse and is therefore authorized to effect such a reconciliatory move. But no such acts of sincerity ever took place. The Shartse Khenpos’s statement is an affront to all things truthful and honest. It is an insult to the memory of Je Tsongkhapa himself. It shows the Shartse Khenpo’s true character. 9. On another point, the Shartse Khenpo seemed quite interested to have Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche attend the Dalai Lama’s upcoming teachings in Sera Monastery. Notwithstanding the Khenpos’s interest in the guest list of Sera Monastery, which is not under his scope of responsibility nor is it his affair, the Khenpo contradicts himself. On the one hand, he spent a significant sum of money travelling with an entourage to Vermont to request Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche’s attendance at the upcoming teachings, and presumably to reconcile with the Dalai Lama. But on the other hand, the Khenpo concluded that whether “some one returns or not won’t make any difference to the Dalai Lama”. This itself reeks of insincerity and deception on the Khenpo’s part and obscene recklessness on the Dalai Lama’s part. [See Note 1 below] And yet in the same breath, the Khenpo felt that it is “really important to revive the relationship between Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama”. It appears that if the Khenpo truly believes in the importance of closing the gap between the Dalai Lama and the present incarnation of the Dalai Lama’s guru, even though it matters not to the Dalai Lama whether Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche returns to India, then it should be the Dalai Lama that the Shartse Khenpo must work on, instead of flying at great costs of sponsors’ money to Vermont. Surely, one way of securing the return of Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche and indeed those of the many great Shugden lamas (who are the true treasures of Tibet), and repair the rift between the Dalai Lama and Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche (and that of other gurus and disciples who were affected by the ban) is to convince the Dalai Lama to abolish the Shugden ban that has caused such tremendous damage to the delicate fabric of Tibetan secular and monastic community in exile. But this, the Khenpo has not even begun to do and yet he speaks of the importance of repairing relationships. [Note 1: The great Trijang Rinpoche was a holder of Ganden Oral Lineage and whether directly or indirectly, Trijang Rinpoche is the guru to all Gelug lamas today. In the Lama Chopa itself, it is stated that: “The Guru is Buddha The Guru is Dharma The Guru is also Sangha The Guru is the source of all joys” And unless faith and complete reliance as taught by the Buddha is no longer the root of the spiritual path and the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, then the presence of Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche does matter in no uncertain terms. Where would the legitimacy of the Gelugpa lineage’s be, if Trijang Rinpoche’s line, which is so central to the Gelugpas, were to be repudiated . It is shocking that the Shartse Khenpo would utter such thoughtless remarks. In fact, it is just downright dangerous]. 10. The Shartse Khenpo recognizes that he is the “senior abbot of Ganden” and that he is the representative of Ganden Shartse but he failed to remember that Je Tsongkhapa formed the Gelugpa lineage in response to and in defense of monastic codes that were undergoing severe corruption at that time. Those codes had at their core, the upholding of the truth. Ganden Shartse was meant to be a fortress against the degeneration of monastic codes and therefore an Abbot of Ganden Shartse is supposed to be an example of the sangha that Je Tsongkhapa established, not the epitome of the degeneration that Tsongkhapa fought against. The many attempts to divert the course of the truth and the many distortions of facts in the Khenpo’s comments are all proof of this corruption. The Shartse Khenpo’s comments are plagued with inconsistencies but then, this is very much the characteristic of statements built on the shaky foundation of lies and mistruths. In fact the entire range of reasons given for the Dorje Shugden ban is flawed with incongruities. What is most unfortunate is the impact the ban has had on the sangha. Apart from the heinous schism it has wreaked, the ban has also forced (and in the Khenpo’s case, perhaps even willingly) many monks to abandon their devotion to their gurus and protector, and defend lies that in turn create even more lies. Some uninformed readers may be taken in by this deception and wonder how can monks who are bound by vows even dare to lie? The Buddha did warn after all that the destruction of the Dharma would eventually come from within the sangha. Still, the Khenpo’s haphazard response to his failed mission, flawed with endless discrepancies would indicate that the Khenpo was forced to issue a statement of denial that the Dalai Lama was involved in the doomed enterprise. That the Shartse Khenpo should attempt this feat on his own and without the sanction of the Dalai Lama, would make this one of the most ridiculous stories ever to be told of a senior monk. If it is true that the Khenpo acted on his own, he would be directly countering the Dalai Lama’s instruction that Shugden practitioners not be allowed to attend his teachings. How then can the Khenpo invite Trijang Rinpoche to the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Sera Mey? This is absolute insubordination and would surely call for immediate disciplinary action by the Dalai Lama. Clearly, there is a lot more to this story than the Khenpo has led on but without doubt, the whole truth shall be uncovered very soon. On the 5th of November the Ganden Shartse Abbot wrote a response in the Comment section of the article “Abbots Urgently Sent To The USA”. The Khenpo’s Comments is posted below verbatim, and since the Khenpo’s statement is plagued with such grave irregularities, I feel it is incumbent upon me to set the record straight and accordingly, my response to the Khenpo appears below after the Khenpo’s Comments. I sincerely hope that the Khenpo would in turn provide answers to the questions I raise, and I thank the Ganden Shartse Khenpo in full anticipation.

The Ganden Shartse Khenpo’s Comments:

Dear Melisa Sands and Kay Beswick,

I hope you are in great health. I send you wishes for prosperity and happiness.

Please note I am sending this clarification reply to you on your baseless reports published on September 26, 2013 Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA and November 2, 2013 UPDATE: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA.
I think this is right time to clear the misleading information to enlighten public. Please don’t mislead public by writing baseless reports. At least try to spend little more time to find authentic information before reporting it to public.

Thanks for adding up final paragraph on November 23 report. I am happy to read that paragraph of your report on me as great blessings from you.

1. I and my colleagues at Gaden were concerned about the gap between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche. That motivated us to take this initiative to bridge the gap but alas.
2. I was never ordered or appointed by Kuger Yigtsang or anyone to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to participate any program, anywhere. I personally and as an abbot of Gaden Monastery took initiatives to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to talk to him. In great kindness Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche gave me plenty of time to talk and be with him. Please note, Kuger Yigtsang never delegated or appointed me to reach Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche.
3. On meeting Trijang Rinpoche I requested him to re-consider his stand on Shugden issue for various important reasons. Though he didn’t say yes or no to my request, but he didn’t told me “Gaden monastery has ‘forgotten’ about him”.
4. How and why some people left Gaden Monastery and Gaden Shartse in 2008 is well-known fact. No one can change the truth by twisting the story after five years. It is very simple. Some people chose to abandon the monastery for personal interest and benefit and the monastery failed to stop them from doing that.
5. Since, I travelled to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to Vermont, USA on personal initiative and as abbot of Gaden with messages from Gaden Shartse Monastery and Gaden Lachi, why should I relay any reply to those messages to Kuger Yigtsang. This is just an insane comment from the reporter. I have no knowledge about what email Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche want to send to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and CTA in Dharamsala.
6. What is curious about letter being written on the letterhead of Gaden Lachi and Gaden Shartse Monastery? As a senior abbot of Gaden, I represent Gaden Lachi and as abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery I represent Gaden Shartse Monastery. Messages of these two organizations definitely comes on their letterhead. Why should it come on the stationary of the Kuger Yigtsang? His Holiness the Dalai Lama don’t need to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to some where. His Holiness has achieved unimaginably great achievements through his own efforts. If some one returns or not, won’t make any difference to him. Please don’t try to mislead people by writing baseless comments.
7. We felt it is really important to revive relationship between Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The holy relationship between these two historic figures are buildup for many lifetimes and we believe it is not good to let it break now. Therefore, I and my colleagues felt it is good to try to have presence of Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche in upcoming teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sera Monastery. Thus we planned it solely in our own initiative. To His Holiness the Dalai Lama, if Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche attends these upcoming teachings in Sera or not won’t make any difference at all. Most important issue for me and my colleagues are to restore relationship between two holy man. But it is really a great disappointment to see some people doing everything possible to stop or topple our efforts.

Gaden Shartse Khenpo
Topanga, California, USA

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

My response to the Khenpo:

This post is in response to the Ganden Shartse Khenpo’s comments on an article “Abbots Urgently Sent To The USA” that appeared in DorjeShugden.com on the 26th September 2013 and a more recent update, “Update: Abbots Urgently Sent To The USA”, published on 2nd November 2013. In his comments, the Shartse Khenpo has sought to imply that DorjeShugden.com is an unprofessional and disingenuous site that publishes “baseless reports” without making any effort to “find authentic information”.

The fact is, more often than not, this site is extremely sensitive to the feelings and reputations of the lamas it may report on, as the site’s main objectives are to create awareness of an unfair, unholy and illegal ban on the practice of the Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden, and to provide facts and supported information to anyone who may wish to learn the truth about Dorje Shugden and the events surrounding the banning of this ancient practice. The site has no interest and indeed finds no necessity to twist facts, when the truth itself provides an abundance of material to write about. However, and quite alarmingly some, such as the Shartse Khenpo have not respected this and continue to mislead the public with distorted information, most of which can be easily proven to be false.

The report on the Shartse Khenpo being sent to the USA was based on facts communicated by people who are very familiar with the circumstances surrounding his visit. Some were even present when the Khenpo visited Trijang Rinpoche. The Shartse Khenpo’s plan to visit Trijang Rinpoche was not public information and was not available on his personal website, his Facebook, Ganden Shartse’s website, the CTA’s website nor the Dalai Lama’s website. It was known only to a small selection of people within the monasteries and for DorjeShugden.com to have come to know of the visit even before it took place is an indication of how reliable and authentic the site’s sources are. What the Khenpo must realize is that there are still honest monks who wish to have the truth being told, and there are still serious Dharma practitioners who realize how wrong the Shugden ban is, and how the efforts to hide the truth from the people have placed the sanctity of Tibetan Buddhism on a slippery slope to extinction.

In response to the Shartse Khenpo’s fallacious statement, we would like to highlight a number of observations.

1. To begin with, the Khenpo’s attempt to repair the damage between the Dalai Lama and Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche, by his own statement, is a clear indication that he acknowledges that there IS a serious problem that has been caused by the ban. The illegal ban forced on the sangha caused deep fractures and schism within the sangha community and ruined many relationships, including that of many gurus and their students. The “gap” between the Dalai Lama and Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche was not the only one created by the ban. If the Khenpo recognizes the significance of a guru-student relationship, then he should not selectively contain this matter of great import to merely the relationship between the Dalai Lama and his teacher, but to all similar relationships.

2. The Khenpo, if he were to be true to his proclamation, should look into repairing the multitude of relationships torn asunder by the Shugden ban that he has condoned thus far. But the Shartse Khenpo has not done anything to that end and therefore it is intriguing that he should, after so many years – each presenting a multitude of opportunities, suddenly make a surprising, feeble and short-lived attempt now. Why only now is the Khenpo interested in this problem that has been festering right under his nose all this time? Why hasn’t the Khenpo done anything about damaged guru-student relationships closer to his own monastery, for instance the individual and collective relationships between Ganden Shartse and Shar Ganden monks? Is the Khenpo only interested in relationships and matters that involve the Dalai Lama?

3. The Shartse Khenpo’s comments in fact does not say anything much of substance. But the Khenpo’s vehement and emphatic denials are reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and like the guilty Queen Getrude in the play, the Khenpo “doth protest too much…” a phrase that has come to mean to “insist so passionately about something not being true that people suspect the opposite of what one is saying”. What or who here is the Shartse Khenpo protecting by his insistence?

4. Assuming the Shartse Khenpo did act on his own accord to approach Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche instead of doing so in carrying out the Dalai Lama’s instructions, then it does raise an interesting point. The Dalai Lama himself had made an exception to exempt Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche from the Shugden ban (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWi1fJkTA9Q ). And if the Dalai Lama had decided thus, who is the Khenpo to second-guess the Dalai Lama’s decision on this matter? Instead of respecting the Dalai Lama’s decision, the Khenpo, if indeed he acted on his own accord, presumed to know better and this is just pure and unadulterated arrogance.

5. The truth is, Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche was forced to choose between continuing his devotion to Dorje Shugden (whom his predecessor Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was famous for among other great achievements), or to remain on the good side of the Dalai Lama, which meant being able to remain in Ganden Shartse. Sources close to Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche confirm that at the onset of the ban, the young Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche had asked if he could remain in the monastery should he choose to keep his Shugden practice. The answer was a resounding ‘No’.

6. As a young lama living in Ganden Shartse, Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche’s life was threatened on a number of occasions for his refusal to abandon Dorje Shugden. Monks in Trijang Ladrang had to stand guard 24 hours a day to protect him. So serious were the death threats that some of the monks were quite certain that they would not have made it out alive if not for Dorje Shugden. The very monks who watched over Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche relayed accounts such as these and of how Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche’s life was placed under threat whilst in Ganden Shartse personally to DorjeShugden.com. Things have not changed since then and the ban is still in place. Dharamsala, and the world at large, is still a dangerous place for Shugden practitioners. After all, the CTA’s official decree effectively sanctioning the use of violence against Shugden practitioners is still in place!

Given that conditions have not changed and the CTA and Dalai Lama’s office have not reversed a terrible injustice, how can the Shartse Khenpo even hope that Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche would return to India?

7. The Shartse Khenpo’s statement that Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche “didn’t say yes or no” to his request is dishonest and mischievous and is designed to imply that Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche may have considered his request. This would not be the first time Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche has encountered attempts to bribe him to abandon his protector practice. Many have tried, including the Dalai Lama who promised fame and position if Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche agreed to drop his practice of Dorje Shugden.

Ten years ago (2003), in a meeting with a young Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche in Graz, Austria, the Dalai Lama had told the young lama pointedly “If you give up this deity [Shugden], 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 the Dalai Lama issued an ultimatum to Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche in English: “YES or NO?” It was ‘No’ then and it is still ‘No’ now Khenpo-la. But then you knew that for sure.

8. But it was not enough for the Shartse Khenpo to mislead the people with falsities that he should also chose to insult the innocence and intelligence of many monks who suffered under the ban. The Shartse Khenpo said in his comments: “some people [monks] chose to abandon the monastery for personal interest and benefits…” Personally this is the unkindest and most sinister cut of all. The Shugden monks did not choose to leave. They were expelled! Any suggestion otherwise is an outright lie.

In this video [ see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wxUTbsKo-0, the Dalai Lama went on record to say: “Recently monasteries have fearlessly expelled Shugden monks where needed. I [Dalai Lama] fully support their actions. I praise them. If monasteries find taking action hard, tell them the Dalai Lama is responsible for this…”

Shugden monks were thrown out of the only homes they knew after having renounced all worldly life. Many disrobed very simply because they could not remain as monks without support. Others, like the 450 monks from Dokhang Khangtsen, had no choice but to separate from Ganden Shartse and went on to found Shar Drokhang Draktsang (Shar Ganden) so that they can keep practicing the pure Ganden lineage, which includes the worship of Dorje Shugden. These monks endured tremendous hardships having lost their monastic homes, gurus, brothers, friends, and sponsors because of the heinous acts of the CTA, which was fully supported by the Dalai Lama’s office. The monks from Dokhang Khangtsen’s practice of Dorje Shugden was bestowed upon them by none other than Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche himself and therefore even before the Shartse Khenpo could think of suggesting to Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche to return to Ganden, the Khenpo should have invited and welcomed the return of the monks of Dokhang Khangtsen (now Shar Ganden) who were expelled, back to Ganden Shartse. The Khenpo after all is the Abbot of Ganden Shartse and is therefore authorized to effect such a reconciliatory move. But no such acts of sincerity ever took place.

The Shartse Khenpos’s statement is an affront to all things truthful and honest. It is an insult to the memory of Je Tsongkhapa himself. It shows the Shartse Khenpo’s true character.

9. On another point, the Shartse Khenpo seemed quite interested to have Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche attend the Dalai Lama’s upcoming teachings in Sera Monastery. Notwithstanding the Khenpos’s interest in the guest list of Sera Monastery, which is not under his scope of responsibility nor is it his affair, the Khenpo contradicts himself. On the one hand, he spent a significant sum of money travelling with an entourage to Vermont to request Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche’s attendance at the upcoming teachings, and presumably to reconcile with the Dalai Lama. But on the other hand, the Khenpo concluded that whether “some one returns or not won’t make any difference to the Dalai Lama”. This itself reeks of insincerity and deception on the Khenpo’s part and obscene recklessness on the Dalai Lama’s part. [See Note 1 below] And yet in the same breath, the Khenpo felt that it is “really important to revive the relationship between Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama”.

It appears that if the Khenpo truly believes in the importance of closing the gap between the Dalai Lama and the present incarnation of the Dalai Lama’s guru, even though it matters not to the Dalai Lama whether Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche returns to India, then it should be the Dalai Lama that the Shartse Khenpo must work on, instead of flying at great costs of sponsors’ money to Vermont.

Surely, one way of securing the return of Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche and indeed those of the many great Shugden lamas (who are the true treasures of Tibet), and repair the rift between the Dalai Lama and Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche (and that of other gurus and disciples who were affected by the ban) is to convince the Dalai Lama to abolish the Shugden ban that has caused such tremendous damage to the delicate fabric of Tibetan secular and monastic community in exile. But this, the Khenpo has not even begun to do and yet he speaks of the importance of repairing relationships.

[Note 1: The great Trijang Rinpoche was a holder of Ganden Oral Lineage and whether directly or indirectly, Trijang Rinpoche is the guru to all Gelug lamas today. In the Lama Chopa itself, it is stated that:

“The Guru is Buddha
The Guru is Dharma
The Guru is also Sangha
The Guru is the source of all joys”

And unless faith and complete reliance as taught by the Buddha is no longer the root of the spiritual path and the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, then the presence of Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche does matter in no uncertain terms. Where would the legitimacy of the Gelugpa lineage’s be, if Trijang Rinpoche’s line, which is so central to the Gelugpas, were to be repudiated . It is shocking that the Shartse Khenpo would utter such thoughtless remarks. In fact, it is just downright dangerous].

10. The Shartse Khenpo recognizes that he is the “senior abbot of Ganden” and that he is the representative of Ganden Shartse but he failed to remember that Je Tsongkhapa formed the Gelugpa lineage in response to and in defense of monastic codes that were undergoing severe corruption at that time. Those codes had at their core, the upholding of the truth. Ganden Shartse was meant to be a fortress against the degeneration of monastic codes and therefore an Abbot of Ganden Shartse is supposed to be an example of the sangha that Je Tsongkhapa established, not the epitome of the degeneration that Tsongkhapa fought against. The many attempts to divert the course of the truth and the many distortions of facts in the Khenpo’s comments are all proof of this corruption.

The Shartse Khenpo’s comments are plagued with inconsistencies but then, this is very much the characteristic of statements built on the shaky foundation of lies and mistruths. In fact the entire range of reasons given for the Dorje Shugden ban is flawed with incongruities. What is most unfortunate is the impact the ban has had on the sangha. Apart from the heinous schism it has wreaked, the ban has also forced (and in the Khenpo’s case, perhaps even willingly) many monks to abandon their devotion to their gurus and protector, and defend lies that in turn create even more lies. Some uninformed readers may be taken in by this deception and wonder how can monks who are bound by vows even dare to lie? The Buddha did warn after all that the destruction of the Dharma would eventually come from within the sangha.

Still, the Khenpo’s haphazard response to his failed mission, flawed with endless discrepancies would indicate that the Khenpo was forced to issue a statement of denial that the Dalai Lama was involved in the doomed enterprise. That the Shartse Khenpo should attempt this feat on his own and without the sanction of the Dalai Lama, would make this one of the most ridiculous stories ever to be told of a senior monk. If it is true that the Khenpo acted on his own, he would be directly countering the Dalai Lama’s instruction that Shugden practitioners not be allowed to attend his teachings. How then can the Khenpo invite Trijang Rinpoche to the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Sera Mey? This is absolute insubordination and would surely call for immediate disciplinary action by the Dalai Lama. Clearly, there is a lot more to this story than the Khenpo has led on but without doubt, the whole truth shall be uncovered very soon.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51779 Rachel Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:50:04 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51779 Khenpo-la, Thank you for posting this comment. It is good to know that Khenpo-la is a regular reader of dorjeshugden.com... this post is so new and yet there is already a comprehensive response from you! If this website did not have credibility, or the ability to change people's opinions, my guess is that Khenpo-la would not bother to respond. Please allow me to share my thoughts on your comment. 1. I find it interesting that Khenpo-la mentions Trijang Rinpoche did not say yes or no to your request about changing his stance on Dorje Shugden. Why would Khenpo-la ask Trijang Rinpoche a question like that if Trijang Rinpoche is not practising? Why is the Dalai Lama's teacher still practising? And since Trijang Rinpoche is practising, why visit a Shugden lama if they are negative and evil? I thought His Holiness' advice was for all non-Shugden lamas to stay away from those who practise Shugden. 2. I mean no disrespect but if the Dalai Lama cannot persuade his own teacher to give up Shugden, why does Khenpo-la think he can change Trijang Rinpoche's mind? Especially if Khenpo-la did not receive instructions from Kuger Yigtsang to make this trip? 3. Why did Khenpo-la feel it is necessary to use monastic resources to visit Trijang Rinpoche, although the Dalai Lama has told everyone to stay away from lamas who practise Shugden? It makes me wonder if perhaps Khenpo-la is courting favourable reviews from Kuger Yigtsang, by being seen to reach out to Trijang Rinpoche. I certainly do not hope this is the case. I find the whole affair quite amusing because if Trijang Rinpoche does not want to practise Dorje Shugden anymore, he would have said so at your meeting. Then Khenpo-la would definitely report that Trijang Rinpoche has given up. Since there is no such report, therefore Trijang Rinpoche has not given up the practice which means Khenpo-la was not able to convince Trijang Rinpoche to give it up. So therefore, I am truly sorry to hear Khenpo-la did not have a successful trip to the USA. I hope Khenpo-la's future use of monastic resources has a greater chance of coming to a successful outcome. Kind regards. Khenpo-la,

Thank you for posting this comment. It is good to know that Khenpo-la is a regular reader of dorjeshugden.com… this post is so new and yet there is already a comprehensive response from you! If this website did not have credibility, or the ability to change people’s opinions, my guess is that Khenpo-la would not bother to respond.

Please allow me to share my thoughts on your comment.

1. I find it interesting that Khenpo-la mentions Trijang Rinpoche did not say yes or no to your request about changing his stance on Dorje Shugden. Why would Khenpo-la ask Trijang Rinpoche a question like that if Trijang Rinpoche is not practising? Why is the Dalai Lama’s teacher still practising? And since Trijang Rinpoche is practising, why visit a Shugden lama if they are negative and evil? I thought His Holiness’ advice was for all non-Shugden lamas to stay away from those who practise Shugden.

2. I mean no disrespect but if the Dalai Lama cannot persuade his own teacher to give up Shugden, why does Khenpo-la think he can change Trijang Rinpoche’s mind? Especially if Khenpo-la did not receive instructions from Kuger Yigtsang to make this trip?

3. Why did Khenpo-la feel it is necessary to use monastic resources to visit Trijang Rinpoche, although the Dalai Lama has told everyone to stay away from lamas who practise Shugden? It makes me wonder if perhaps Khenpo-la is courting favourable reviews from Kuger Yigtsang, by being seen to reach out to Trijang Rinpoche. I certainly do not hope this is the case.

I find the whole affair quite amusing because if Trijang Rinpoche does not want to practise Dorje Shugden anymore, he would have said so at your meeting. Then Khenpo-la would definitely report that Trijang Rinpoche has given up. Since there is no such report, therefore Trijang Rinpoche has not given up the practice which means Khenpo-la was not able to convince Trijang Rinpoche to give it up. So therefore, I am truly sorry to hear Khenpo-la did not have a successful trip to the USA. I hope Khenpo-la’s future use of monastic resources has a greater chance of coming to a successful outcome.

Kind regards.

]]> By: Gaden Shartse Khenpo http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51772 Gaden Shartse Khenpo Tue, 05 Nov 2013 10:49:03 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51772 Dear Melisa Sands and Kay Beswick, I hope you are in great health. I send you wishes for prosperity and happiness. Please note I am sending this clarification reply to you on your baseless reports published on September 26, 2013 Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA and November 2, 2013 UPDATE: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA. I think this is right time to clear the misleading information to enlighten public. Please don’t mislead public by writing baseless reports. At least try to spend little more time to find authentic information before reporting it to public. Thanks for adding up final paragraph on November 23 report. I am happy to read that paragraph of your report on me as great blessings from you. 1. I and my colleagues at Gaden were concerned about the gap between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche. That motivated us to take this initiative to bridge the gap but alas. 2. I was never ordered or appointed by Kuger Yigtsang or anyone to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to participate any program, anywhere. I personally and as an abbot of Gaden Monastery took initiatives to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to talk to him. In great kindness Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche gave me plenty of time to talk and be with him. Please note, Kuger Yigtsang never delegated or appointed me to reach Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche. 3. On meeting Trijang Rinpoche I requested him to re-consider his stand on Shugden issue for various important reasons. Though he didn’t say yes or no to my request, but he didn’t told me “Gaden monastery has ‘forgotten’ about him”. 4. How and why some people left Gaden Monastery and Gaden Shartse in 2008 is well-known fact. No one can change the truth by twisting the story after five years. It is very simple. Some people chose to abandon the monastery for personal interest and benefit and the monastery failed to stop them from doing that. 5. Since, I travelled to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to Vermont, USA on personal initiative and as abbot of Gaden with messages from Gaden Shartse Monastery and Gaden Lachi, why should I relay any reply to those messages to Kuger Yigtsang. This is just an insane comment from the reporter. I have no knowledge about what email Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche want to send to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and CTA in Dharamsala. 6. What is curious about letter being written on the letterhead of Gaden Lachi and Gaden Shartse Monastery? As a senior abbot of Gaden, I represent Gaden Lachi and as abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery I represent Gaden Shartse Monastery. Messages of these two organizations definitely comes on their letterhead. Why should it come on the stationary of the Kuger Yigtsang? His Holiness the Dalai Lama don’t need to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to some where. His Holiness has achieved unimaginably great achievements through his own efforts. If some one returns or not, won’t make any difference to him. Please don’t try to mislead people by writing baseless comments. 7. We felt it is really important to revive relationship between Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The holy relationship between these two historic figures are buildup for many lifetimes and we believe it is not good to let it break now. Therefore, I and my colleagues felt it is good to try to have presence of Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche in upcoming teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sera Monastery. Thus we planned it solely in our own initiative. To His Holiness the Dalai Lama, if Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche attends these upcoming teachings in Sera or not won’t make any difference at all. Most important issue for me and my colleagues are to restore relationship between two holy man. But it is really a great disappointment to see some people doing everything possible to stop or topple our efforts. Gaden Shartse Khenpo Topanga, California, USA Dear Melisa Sands and Kay Beswick,

I hope you are in great health. I send you wishes for prosperity and happiness.

Please note I am sending this clarification reply to you on your baseless reports published on September 26, 2013 Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA and November 2, 2013 UPDATE: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA.
I think this is right time to clear the misleading information to enlighten public. Please don’t mislead public by writing baseless reports. At least try to spend little more time to find authentic information before reporting it to public.

Thanks for adding up final paragraph on November 23 report. I am happy to read that paragraph of your report on me as great blessings from you.

1. I and my colleagues at Gaden were concerned about the gap between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche. That motivated us to take this initiative to bridge the gap but alas.
2. I was never ordered or appointed by Kuger Yigtsang or anyone to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to participate any program, anywhere. I personally and as an abbot of Gaden Monastery took initiatives to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to talk to him. In great kindness Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche gave me plenty of time to talk and be with him. Please note, Kuger Yigtsang never delegated or appointed me to reach Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche.
3. On meeting Trijang Rinpoche I requested him to re-consider his stand on Shugden issue for various important reasons. Though he didn’t say yes or no to my request, but he didn’t told me “Gaden monastery has ‘forgotten’ about him”.
4. How and why some people left Gaden Monastery and Gaden Shartse in 2008 is well-known fact. No one can change the truth by twisting the story after five years. It is very simple. Some people chose to abandon the monastery for personal interest and benefit and the monastery failed to stop them from doing that.
5. Since, I travelled to meet Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to Vermont, USA on personal initiative and as abbot of Gaden with messages from Gaden Shartse Monastery and Gaden Lachi, why should I relay any reply to those messages to Kuger Yigtsang. This is just an insane comment from the reporter. I have no knowledge about what email Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche want to send to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and CTA in Dharamsala.
6. What is curious about letter being written on the letterhead of Gaden Lachi and Gaden Shartse Monastery? As a senior abbot of Gaden, I represent Gaden Lachi and as abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery I represent Gaden Shartse Monastery. Messages of these two organizations definitely comes on their letterhead. Why should it come on the stationary of the Kuger Yigtsang? His Holiness the Dalai Lama don’t need to request Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche to return to some where. His Holiness has achieved unimaginably great achievements through his own efforts. If some one returns or not, won’t make any difference to him. Please don’t try to mislead people by writing baseless comments.
7. We felt it is really important to revive relationship between Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The holy relationship between these two historic figures are buildup for many lifetimes and we believe it is not good to let it break now. Therefore, I and my colleagues felt it is good to try to have presence of Kyabje Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche in upcoming teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sera Monastery. Thus we planned it solely in our own initiative. To His Holiness the Dalai Lama, if Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche attends these upcoming teachings in Sera or not won’t make any difference at all. Most important issue for me and my colleagues are to restore relationship between two holy man. But it is really a great disappointment to see some people doing everything possible to stop or topple our efforts.

Gaden Shartse Khenpo
Topanga, California, USA

]]> By: Tenzin http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51652 Tenzin Sat, 26 Oct 2013 16:32:39 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51652 Tashi Delek, there is far wider differences in the two truth, the conventional one that we see and hear and the ultimate truth that is be only known between the two. If we were to say snow is brown which it is to be seem under the black shade, it does not indicates that snow is brown in color, is it white and it will be so as its nature... so the point is his holiness sending the two delegates to encouraged Trijang Rinpoche to be able to engage in dialogue with His Holiness does not indicates any other thing, except for his openness and acceptance. the issue could be raised, why Trijang Rinpoche didnt meet with His Holiness when he was in Switzerland? and so on.... instead of pointing our fingers on this and that we should not manipulate things to make it worst. Tashi Delek,
there is far wider differences in the two truth, the conventional one that we see and hear and the ultimate truth that is be only known between the two.
If we were to say snow is brown which it is to be seem under the black shade, it does not indicates that snow is brown in color, is it white and it will be so as its nature…
so the point is his holiness sending the two delegates to encouraged Trijang Rinpoche to be able to engage in dialogue with His Holiness does not indicates any other thing, except for his openness and acceptance.
the issue could be raised, why Trijang Rinpoche didnt meet with His Holiness when he was in Switzerland? and so on…. instead of pointing our fingers on this and that we should not manipulate things to make it worst.

]]> By: cookie http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51477 cookie Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:33:20 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51477 I see this development as a step towards mediation, to resolve disputes between DS and non DS practitioners. It is obvious that Kyabje Trijiang Rinpoche's teachings and spread of DS is growing stronger day by day. More and more practioners of the DS will not be happy with The CTA and HHDL's stand on keeping the ban on DS. This may then result in more disputes and uncertainties in the world of Tibetan Buddhism . What will others think of this ? Isn't Buddhism promoting peace and happines ? Why are they in conflict over a certain practice? Closing this gap is very necessary. And in due time the ban need to come down to eliminate any diiferences and biasness . Hence, the first step is taken by the HHDL by sending the abbots of Gaden to the USA to seek audience with Kyabje Trijiang Rinpoche. This situation is very delicate. Each assessing the motivation of the other carefully. Not a surprise that Trijiang Rinpoche has not granted any audience to the abbots yet. I pray for a positive outcome on this development to be realised soon , so that the ban may come down and many can benefit from the protection of the great Dorje Shugden. I see this development as a step towards mediation, to resolve disputes between DS and non DS practitioners. It is obvious that Kyabje Trijiang Rinpoche’s teachings and spread of DS is growing stronger day by day. More and more practioners of the DS will not be happy with The CTA and HHDL’s stand on keeping the ban on DS. This may then result in more disputes and uncertainties in the world of Tibetan Buddhism . What will others think of this ? Isn’t Buddhism promoting peace and happines ? Why are they in conflict over a certain practice?
Closing this gap is very necessary. And in due time the ban need to come down to eliminate any diiferences and biasness . Hence, the first step is taken by the HHDL by sending the abbots of Gaden to the USA to seek audience with Kyabje Trijiang Rinpoche.
This situation is very delicate. Each assessing the motivation of the other carefully. Not a surprise that Trijiang Rinpoche has not granted any audience to the abbots yet.
I pray for a positive outcome on this development to be realised soon , so that the ban may come down and many can benefit from the protection of the great Dorje Shugden.

]]> By: Jack Harness http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51475 Jack Harness Sat, 28 Sep 2013 00:03:08 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51475 @the true dalai lama... A Buddha has countless enumerable emanations? whether or not an incarnation is or not is your opinion? Can only mean 2 things: 1) You do not believe in Buddhas and Enlightened Beings or 2) You are a Buddha yourself to discern? what is who? However like most who frequent this non-biased site we are not enlightened beings but we choose to respect HHDL and our DS / Lamas / Gurus. I hope I am wrong interpreting your response...a subtle doubt / innuendo of anothers Guru is advice in 50 stanzas of Guru Devotion is it not? I choose to respect HHDL because he has done much good for many to have faith in him and dharma in some shape or form...however my heart lies with my Guru and Dharma Protector practice the advice is very clear on the matter...a middle way that respects both without disparaging the other. If Dharma grows and many receive benefit as a result. It does not matter if you are pro HHDL or pro DS or NOT? That Dharma Grows and the sufferings of others is reduced or eliminated is of most importance in my humble opinion. It is pointless to point fingers more important to support your Gurus works to bring Dharma to others. If this is so a sure sign is the Gurus works grow bigger and reach many as is the case with HH Trijang Rinpoche growing into a modern, independent Lama we see today. Jack H @the true dalai lama…

A Buddha has countless enumerable emanations? whether or not an incarnation is or not is your opinion? Can only mean 2 things:

1) You do not believe in Buddhas and Enlightened Beings or
2) You are a Buddha yourself to discern? what is who?

However like most who frequent this non-biased site we are not enlightened beings but we choose to respect HHDL and our DS / Lamas / Gurus.

I hope I am wrong interpreting your response…a subtle doubt / innuendo of anothers Guru is advice in 50 stanzas of Guru Devotion is it not?

I choose to respect HHDL because he has done much good for many to have faith in him and dharma in some shape or form…however my heart lies with my Guru and Dharma Protector practice the advice is very clear on the matter…a middle way that respects both without disparaging the other.

If Dharma grows and many receive benefit as a result. It does not matter if you are pro HHDL or pro DS or NOT? That Dharma Grows and the sufferings of others is reduced or eliminated is of most importance in my humble opinion.

It is pointless to point fingers more important to support your Gurus works to bring Dharma to others. If this is so a sure sign is the Gurus works grow bigger and reach many as is the case with HH Trijang Rinpoche growing into a modern, independent Lama we see today.

Jack H

]]> By: Pema Claudia Yangchen http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51474 Pema Claudia Yangchen Fri, 27 Sep 2013 20:59:25 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51474 It makes one wonder why His Holiness wanted to pass back all the teachings to the young Trijang Rinpoche he received from his predecessor, and not the 'clean' Ling Chocktrul Rinpoche as claimed by the Dalai Lama (in the recent article here on dorjeshugden.com). Is this another effort to subdue Shugden practitioners or a step forward to reconciliation? Passing teachings to Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche would mean Chocktrul Rinpoche will be under the direction/ advice of His Holiness' advice as his Vajra Master. Chocktrul Rinpoche will ever give up on Dorje Shugden and I am glad that Chocktrul Rinpoche is who he is/ was, not caring about fame. I am sure Chocktrul Rinpoche's work and fame will grow bigger as Rinpoche travels more and reaches more audience. It makes one wonder why His Holiness wanted to pass back all the teachings to the young Trijang Rinpoche he received from his predecessor, and not the ‘clean’ Ling Chocktrul Rinpoche as claimed by the Dalai Lama (in the recent article here on dorjeshugden.com).

Is this another effort to subdue Shugden practitioners or a step forward to reconciliation? Passing teachings to Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche would mean Chocktrul Rinpoche will be under the direction/ advice of His Holiness’ advice as his Vajra Master.

Chocktrul Rinpoche will ever give up on Dorje Shugden and I am glad that Chocktrul Rinpoche is who he is/ was, not caring about fame. I am sure Chocktrul Rinpoche’s work and fame will grow bigger as Rinpoche travels more and reaches more audience.

]]> By: Kim Hyun Jae http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51471 Kim Hyun Jae Fri, 27 Sep 2013 12:45:41 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51471 Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche still hold on strongly to his belief and practice of spreading DS like in his previous reincarnation like a vajra and does not even rebuke to give it up even though HHDL sent 2 of Gaden's abbots to seek audience with him personally in the USA. I agree that Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche should not be bribed into giving up the DS practice just to be able to return to Gaden to teach which will go against the ban enforced on DS by HHDL himself unless HHDL issue a official statement to lift the DS ban. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche still hold on strongly to his belief and practice of spreading DS like in his previous reincarnation like a vajra and does not even rebuke to give it up even though HHDL sent 2 of Gaden’s abbots to seek audience with him personally in the USA.

I agree that Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche should not be bribed into giving up the DS practice just to be able to return to Gaden to teach which will go against the ban enforced on DS by HHDL himself unless HHDL issue a official statement to lift the DS ban.

]]> By: The True Dalai Lama http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51470 The True Dalai Lama Fri, 27 Sep 2013 08:43:28 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51470 Pointless... Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang told his heart disciple that he wouldn't take rebirth as the Dalai Lama would use his reincarnation as a puppet. Pointless… Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang told his heart disciple that he wouldn’t take rebirth as the Dalai Lama would use his reincarnation as a puppet.

]]> By: Lin Cassidy http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-51469 Lin Cassidy Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:39:37 +0000 http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=30094#comment-51469 What wonderful or not so wonderful news depending on your point of view? I am so happy that H.H.Trijang Rinpoche has been nurtured and supported by our Dorje Shugden Lamas and Supporters his work continues to grow without the support of Monastery / CTA. I am just wondering why H.H.Trijang Rinpoche would need to receive teachings from His Holiness Dalai Lama when many of Trijang Rinpoches past life students and previous incarnations teacher H.H Pabongkha Rinpoche have maintained their close relationships even today. Nothing has changed only the DS Ban and results of the Ban. I honestly believe that DS Lineage is more than in safe hands due to karma / merits of these holy masters from many lifetimes. If anything it is the merit and karma of us humble practitioners creating the opportunities for these peerless masters to spread the dharma to us and others throughout the world. With the increasing support of DS practitioners all over the world with good motivation is where dharma continues to grow and takes hold. In my humble opinion a global Dharma Protector DS and DS Lamas will indeed grow on the world stage as opposed to a small Tibetan community in South India. If the Abbots of Gaden Shartse and Gaden Jangste were to receive audience with H.H.Trijang Rinpoche surely pure motivation must first start from showing a good example in your home monasteries first? Repairing the damage of the Ban and Karmic effects that has taken place... Thank you again Admin and DS.COM. Much Love Lin Cassidy What wonderful or not so wonderful news depending on your point of view?

I am so happy that H.H.Trijang Rinpoche has been nurtured and supported by our Dorje Shugden Lamas and Supporters his work continues to grow without the support of Monastery / CTA.

I am just wondering why H.H.Trijang Rinpoche would need to receive teachings from His Holiness Dalai Lama when many of Trijang Rinpoches past life students and previous incarnations teacher H.H Pabongkha Rinpoche have maintained their close relationships even today. Nothing has changed only the DS Ban and results of the Ban.

I honestly believe that DS Lineage is more than in safe hands due to karma / merits of these holy masters from many lifetimes.

If anything it is the merit and karma of us humble practitioners creating the opportunities for these peerless masters to spread the dharma to us and others throughout the world.

With the increasing support of DS practitioners all over the world with good motivation is where dharma continues to grow and takes hold.

In my humble opinion a global Dharma Protector DS and DS Lamas will indeed grow on the world stage as opposed to a small Tibetan community in South India.

If the Abbots of Gaden Shartse and Gaden Jangste were to receive audience with H.H.Trijang Rinpoche surely pure motivation must first start from showing a good example in your home monasteries first?
Repairing the damage of the Ban and Karmic effects that has taken place…

Thank you again Admin and DS.COM.

Much Love

Lin Cassidy

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