dorjeshugden.com

About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dharmapal on August 03, 2010, 06:46:25 PM

Title: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Dharmapal on August 03, 2010, 06:46:25 PM
Zhalmed Pawo makes an important point:

"If you have samaya with HHDL, you should not share any resources with DS-practitioners. Therefore why would anyone like that be here, in this forum, for instance? As no-one who holds the samaya to HHDL would not come here, whatever we talk here, can not harm the ears of those. Therefore we cannot be a cause for any samaya-splits, or breaks. Even if we here would all adore HHDL, we would still be DS-practitioners, and therefore no samaya-holding disciplse of HHDL should ever come here, unless they are already breaking their samaya by simply coming here. Merely being here, in this forum, is a cause for samaya to break towards HHDL, for this is a DS-forum."

If you want to remain faithful to the Dalai Lama, you should not be hanging out with Dorje Shugden practitioners. Period. That is what every Tibetan monk and lay person has been forced to put their signature to, those refusing were made to leave their monasteries.

The Dalai Lama could not have made it clearer that you cannot be both his disciple and a Dorje Shugden follower. He doesn't want Dorje Shugden followers at his teachings and says so regularly (and the FPMT also will not allow Shugden practitioners at their teachings now either, even though their founder was faithful to Dorje Shugden til his death). The Dalai Lama has said that no Dorje Shugden practitioner is a friend of his. And so on.

The Dalai Lama has made it an either/or. You can try to have your cake and eat it, but this is not what the Dalai Lama wishes. He asks you to choose. Faith in him or faith in Dorje Shugden.

Just a reminder also to those of you who don't know, Trijang Choktrul's disciples did attend the demonstrations asking the Dalai Lama to give religious freedom.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: thaimonk on August 04, 2010, 12:27:57 AM

NKT members do not own this website.

So whoever you are, you may come to this website as far as I understand it.

This website according to mission statement is not a hate site against Dalai Lama.

Everyone is welcomed on this site and no one but the mission statement makes the parameters for this website as far as I read it.

So let's talk about issues that concern our dharma practice not rules and regulations of who and who cannot come here.

********


Mission Statement


This website, an ongoing work in progress, is dedicated to the glorification and deeper appreciation of the name and holy work of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who by peaceful, increasing, subjugating and wrathful means spreads in this world the general and profound teachings of the Buddhadharma that can dispel all suffering and its causes. We believe that what may sound contradictory today, will be revealed as skilful means in the future.

It is dedicated to the lineage Lamas, without whom the holy teachings would have disappeared, and without whose blessings, obtained by a pure bond of faith and reverence, the transmission is broken and the foundation of Enlightenment destroyed.

It is dedicated to the increasing number of aspiring practitioners who have been affected by the apparent controversy about the nature and intent of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden, whose enlightened mind and qualities have and are being recognized and relied upon by so many exalted Masters, some of them with reincarnation lineages all the way back to Buddha Shakyamuni.

We have no wish to convert or even convince anyone about this. In Buddhism we can only convert ourselves, by studying and applying the methods offered – if you practice Tara and become more arrogant and materialistic, it is a bad practice, as far as YOU are concerned. If you pray to Dorje Shugden and become more humble and committed to the Bodhisattva ideal, it is a good practice, as far as YOU are concerned. It is our thoughts, words and actions that make karma. It is our motivation that determines these.

We have a great wish to serve in healing the schism and doubts created in the minds of those new to Dharma or otherwise yet unable to look deeper and strive to apply the principles of non-harming and introspection on every level.

For those passing judgment on enlightened Beings (can you REALLY be sure who is and who is not?) – may we remind you of the Lamrim teachings where it is stated that converting anyone at the cost of their faith in their previous teachers or religion is equal to killing a thousand Buddhas. May we remind you that creating schism within the Sangha is one of the five “crimes of immediate retribution”. May we remind you of the Bodhisattva vow of never giving up Bodhicitta. If something or someone is harmful, misdirected etc., wouldn’t the sign of true practitioners be that their compassion grows?

For those who are influenced by these judgements – their door to Dharma may well close for this life, and who knows when such an opportunity will arise again. Anyone truly concerned could easily avoid the horrible karma created in this way, by truly practicing what they believe is good and becoming a shiny example of goodness and wisdom that speaks for itself.

It is dedicated to provide information and inspiration for those with an affinity to Dharmapala Dorje Shugden, based on writings, sayings, prayers and praises by enlightened Masters and their examples of wisdom and compassion, as well as on sharing interesting thoughts of intelligent people.

Much of our own thoughts and conclusions will have to remain in the realm of speculation, just like so much that has been written, as we are ordinary beings lacking the clairvoyance of the wise. We will, however, do so with the sole aim to present possible ways to see what arises as the display of enlightened minds, not the battle between right and wrong, so as to decrease afflictive emotions and actions and to invite us all to focus on our ongoing responsibility to look deeper; to look within.

“Drive all enemies into one,” as the old Kadampas said; the one (and only) enemy being of course the self-grasping and self-cherishing mind.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: thaimonk on August 04, 2010, 12:33:50 AM


The current Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche is both friendly and disciple of Dalai Lama and also a practitioner of Dorje Shugden.

So he is leading an example of being able to reconcile with both sides. Good example.
 

**********************************************************

H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has already given a good indication of how he will manifest. By looking at his website you will see he is going to be (and already is) a great teacher: http://www.tbiusa.org

And before leaving for America he gave a very interesting interview with the Tibetan Radio in which he also makes clear his position in relation to DS:

“I could not decide against him [the Dalai Lama] but nor could I stop propitiating Shugden with whom my relationship dates back to previous incarnations. I find myself in an immensely difficult situation. The followers of the Protector would not have listened to me…and no one seems to care about the difficulties I am facing…

I also don’t want the people of Chatreng, who have great expectations of me, to be disheartened. But if I continue to propitiate the Protector publicly, I would be compelled to become a sort of head of his worshippers, and this would be an offence to the Dalai Lama from whom I received my Bhikshu ordination, and has always treated me with extraordinary benevolence.

I cannot even hope to keep a low profile as they [the Shugdenpas*] would not let me.

I have reason to believe that my return to India may possibly result in internal chaos, attempts on lives and other immoral activities bringing disgrace to His Holiness…

I cannot sleep and I have had health problems. I am worried about thinking what will happen next. It is quite terrifying to think that I might be a cause of disgrace instead of serving the Tibetan people and His Holiness…

Some have told me, ‘If you abandon the Protector [Shugden], there is no knowing what will happen. We will not consider you a lama [as guru]. The people of Chatreng are strange, very wild and unruly. We do not know what they may do.’

It is very clear my life might be in danger. So I have decided to leave my Labrang and disrobe, so that none of the Shugden worshippers can ask me to be their leader. I hope that this way I can respect the wishes of the Dalai Lama and still revere the protector, practicing in private and far from everyone. I intend to follow a middle way, neither for nor against Shugden. I appeal to both parties not to contact me.

In my own Labrang I have recently witnessed a kind of factionalism and I have discovered that one person in particular was planning an evil conspiracy. This plan was to murder my assistant, Tharchin, and to implicate His Holiness’s government in exile with this odious crime. The conspirator aimed to become chakzoe [manager] of my estate. Tharchin has been very kind to me, more so than my own parents, and has taken care of me since I was three years old. As well as managing the affairs of my Labrang.

Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: thor on August 04, 2010, 01:46:21 AM
Zhalmed Pawo makes an important point:

"If you have samaya with HHDL, you should not share any resources with DS-practitioners. Therefore why would anyone like that be here, in this forum, for instance? As no-one who holds the samaya to HHDL would not come here, whatever we talk here, can not harm the ears of those. Therefore we cannot be a cause for any samaya-splits, or breaks. Even if we here would all adore HHDL, we would still be DS-practitioners, and therefore no samaya-holding disciplse of HHDL should ever come here, unless they are already breaking their samaya by simply coming here. Merely being here, in this forum, is a cause for samaya to break towards HHDL, for this is a DS-forum."

What then, if someone were to visit a non-DS Buddhist forum where the topic of discussion at hand is Dorje Shugden? There would be pro and anti DS parties - is that considered a breach of samaya?

I disagree. The nature of the modern information society is such that borders become invisible and information is available for all to share. To say that no disciple of HHDL should ever come here is false. Why not? They too deserve information and resources to make their own decisions and their own minds.

As Zhamed Palwo also eloquently writes in another thread, we are allowed to disagree and debate with our gurus  - not out of disrespect, but out of a true desire to understand. Hence by logic, it would be perfectly acceptable for a samaya-holding disciple of the Dalai Lama to visit this website and forum for the purposes of gaining information and understanding the issue. Most certainly, the resources available to them from so-called 'kosher' sources would be one-sided.

If I were the a disciple of such an attained master, I would do further research, study and contemplation on any topic or instruction that he saw fit to give me, in the hope of understanding more of what I have been asked to do. NOT to disagree or disobey his advice. Hence all should be welcome to this website and forum without fear of samaya-breakage. Information is information, period.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: DharmaDefender on August 04, 2010, 01:57:58 AM
Zhalmed Pawo makes an important point:

"If you have samaya with HHDL, you should not share any resources with DS-practitioners. Therefore why would anyone like that be here, in this forum, for instance? As no-one who holds the samaya to HHDL would not come here, whatever we talk here, can not harm the ears of those. Therefore we cannot be a cause for any samaya-splits, or breaks. Even if we here would all adore HHDL, we would still be DS-practitioners, and therefore no samaya-holding disciplse of HHDL should ever come here, unless they are already breaking their samaya by simply coming here. Merely being here, in this forum, is a cause for samaya to break towards HHDL, for this is a DS-forum."

What then, if someone were to visit a non-DS Buddhist forum where the topic of discussion at hand is Dorje Shugden? There would be pro and anti DS parties - is that considered a breach of samaya?

I disagree. The nature of the modern information society is such that borders become invisible and information is available for all to share. To say that no disciple of HHDL should ever come here is false. Why not? They too deserve information and resources to make their own decisions and their own minds.

As Zhamed Palwo also eloquently writes in another thread, we are allowed to disagree and debate with our gurus  - not out of disrespect, but out of a true desire to understand. Hence by logic, it would be perfectly acceptable for a samaya-holding disciple of the Dalai Lama to visit this website and forum for the purposes of gaining information and understanding the issue. Most certainly, the resources available to them from so-called 'kosher' sources would be one-sided.

If I were the a disciple of such an attained master, I would do further research, study and contemplation on any topic or instruction that he saw fit to give me, in the hope of understanding more of what I have been asked to do. NOT to disagree or disobey his advice. Hence all should be welcome to this website and forum without fear of samaya-breakage. Information is information, period.


You make good points there duldzin. I'd also like to add - if we are going to say that HHDL supporters cannot come to this site to do further research or study (and we're going to use the samaya card against them!), then we can hardly accuse them of not understanding our point-of-view, when we discourage them from accessing resources that will help them to consider our point-of-view.

Surely learning about each other will form one of the basis for the controversy to fade away?
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: WisdomBeing on August 04, 2010, 02:57:42 AM
If samaya-holding disciples of the Dalai Lama come to this site and read about the points raised which counter the Dalai Lama's stance against Shugden, which are logical and straightforward, their minds might be changed towards Shugden. However, they might have inner conflict about the Dalai Lama.

If they also read and subscribe to the Dalai Lama's bigger picture theory, it will allow them a broader view of the Shugden issue - that Shugden practice is not wrong and they can maintain their right view of their Guru.

They will be able to change their opinion of Shugden practice without seeing their Guru as wrong. They may or may not practice Dorje Shugden but at least they will stop having a wrong view about Shugden.



Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Zhalmed Pawo on August 04, 2010, 03:49:41 AM
If samaya-holding disciples of the Dalai Lama come to this site and ...

HHDL has made it very clear that he does not want disciples who do associate with ruffians like us. Any student of HHDL should respect his wishes on this issue.

PS: HHDL does not support the "Big Picture" -theory. That theory is conceived by those, who hold onto HHDL while disregarding his straight comments about our practice.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: harrynephew on August 04, 2010, 04:54:04 AM
If samaya-holding disciples of the Dalai Lama come to this site and ...

HHDL has made it very clear that he does not want disciples who do associate with ruffians like us. Any student of HHDL should respect his wishes on this issue.

PS: HHDL does not support the "Big Picture" -theory. That theory is conceived by those, who hold onto HHDL while disregarding his straight comments about our practice.

Hi ZP,

In previous times, in my earlier posts which refers to the bigger picture, I think it is not true to just say that we just have conceived of this theory. To me, many people regardless if they're Tibetans or not would not want to mean harm to HHDL and would keep DS as our spiritual practice. Like HH Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche, he's not against or for HHDL and DS simply because He wants to take the middling stand just like all our Lord and Master Je Tsongkhapa has done. I think we should sincerely do the same.

thanks
H1N1
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Big Uncle on August 04, 2010, 05:13:19 AM
Zhalmed Pawo makes an important point:

"If you have samaya with HHDL, you should not share any resources with DS-practitioners. Therefore why would anyone like that be here, in this forum, for instance? As no-one who holds the samaya to HHDL would not come here, whatever we talk here, can not harm the ears of those. Therefore we cannot be a cause for any samaya-splits, or breaks. Even if we here would all adore HHDL, we would still be DS-practitioners, and therefore no samaya-holding disciplse of HHDL should ever come here, unless they are already breaking their samaya by simply coming here. Merely being here, in this forum, is a cause for samaya to break towards HHDL, for this is a DS-forum."

If you want to remain faithful to the Dalai Lama, you should not be hanging out with Dorje Shugden practitioners. Period. That is what every Tibetan monk and lay person has been forced to put their signature to, those refusing were made to leave their monasteries.

The Dalai Lama could not have made it clearer that you cannot be both his disciple and a Dorje Shugden follower. He doesn't want Dorje Shugden followers at his teachings and says so regularly (and the FPMT also will not allow Shugden practitioners at their teachings now either, even though their founder was faithful to Dorje Shugden til his death). The Dalai Lama has said that no Dorje Shugden practitioner is a friend of his. And so on.

The Dalai Lama has made it an either/or. You can try to have your cake and eat it, but this is not what the Dalai Lama wishes. He asks you to choose. Faith in him or faith in Dorje Shugden.

Just a reminder also to those of you who don't know, Trijang Choktrul's disciples did attend the demonstrations asking the Dalai Lama to give religious freedom.

I don't like Zhalmed's logic at all but I do like Duldzin's viewpoint. I think, this is not the middle ages where on the basis of samaya, one can cut off information from another person. On top of that, Thaimonk brought up an interesting point as well in his reply when he posted the mission statement of this website - in short, this is supposed to be neutral or non-bias website anyway, right? I like that non-bias nature of the information as I get a broader picture of what is happening and not just another one-sided 'Dalai Lama is lying' thingy.

On the other hand, I think the Big Picture is not a theory that needs the Dalai Lama's support. He is part of that picture and a rationalisation of his reasons for saying and doing the things that he does. The Bigger Picture observes that the ban has done very little to stop the growth of this practice and it also notices strange contractions like why is Trijang Rinpoche allowed to practice and the bigger picture also notices that the practice is flourishing in China and how big China will become and perhaps be instrumental in spreading this practice to the world in the future. So, I don't think the Dalai Lama need to support this view but the result of what the view proposes is already happening. Large monasteries in China like Denma Gongsar Rinpoche's huge monastery and others are a haunting testament and indication of what is to come.

Just a sharing from...

Big Uncle
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: WisdomBeing on August 04, 2010, 06:37:48 AM
just to add... i hardly expect the Dalai lama to not support the bigger picture theory. He's unlikely to say oh by the way, I have a bigger picture in mind when i banned Dorje Shugden. It would be the last thing he would say i.e. he supports this theory because it would weaken the ban and the whole picture - bigger and smaller.

I don't know if you believe in HH Trijang Rinpoche. I do. And he advised: “Don’t lose faith in His Holiness – don’t lose faith in Dorje Shugden.” (from http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=134 - a very logical article examining the outer, inner and secret purpose of the controversial ban)
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Zhalmed Pawo on August 04, 2010, 09:02:24 AM
just to add... i hardly expect the Dalai lama to not support the bigger picture theory. He's unlikely to say oh by the way, I have a bigger picture in mind when i banned Dorje Shugden. It would be the last thing he would say i.e. he supports this theory because it would weaken the ban and the whole picture - bigger and smaller.

Oh but this is so cute and wonderful. I hope we all could...

...but seriously, HHDL has repeatedly said what he has said. He has even threatened the non-conformists with something just like the Cultural Revolution, if they do not conform.

If your understanding of the actions of a Public Lama allows all that, then so be it - but do not come here to tell us about it.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: honeydakini on August 04, 2010, 10:43:36 AM
The question that heads this thread assumes in the first place that people are disciples of the dalai lama when in fact this may not be the case. I imagine that there will be a lot of people out there who do NOT have the Dalai Lama as their Guru but are still torn within this issue and not sure what to follow or do.

There are also people out there - like myself - who are already DS practitioners but NOT followers of the Dalai Lama but at the same time, also wish to bring some balance to the situation: which is to show the world that it doesn't have to be about critiquing lamas and saying nasty, hateful things.

I strongly agree with Dulzin's point also that this is about getting more information and knowledge. This is very clear. Also, our motivation for being on here in the first place should be to learn so we can understand the situation better, NOT to take sides, denounce any sides or become political. Perhaps a DL follower may come here and gain a better view of what is going on in the lives and practice of DS practitioner - it could inspire him to be less hateful and aggressive towards DS practitioners. He may still choose to follow DL's instruction of not doing the practice but at the same time, getting more information may stop him from badmouthing other DS lamas etc isn't that the result of good practice? I would not see this as breaking samaya.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: shugdenprotect on August 04, 2010, 04:52:43 PM
There are many reasons for everybody with sincere interest in the Dharma to be a part of this forum. In addition to the comments already posted, I would like to add that participation by all parties is what makes this forum rich with all angles of information and points of view.

It is also the presentation of views different from ours that gives us the opportunity to learn as well as strengthen our understanding about Dorje Shugden through constructive debate.

Lastly, being able to respond constructively to arguments that contradict our own beliefs develops our spirituality in the form of tolerance, awareness and management of our own ego etc.

All in all, this forum is a powerful learning ground for pure Dharma and all should be welcomed. This is in alignment not just to the forum mission but also the mission of the Dharma: to benefit ALL sentient beings.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: WisdomBeing on August 04, 2010, 04:58:56 PM

If your understanding of the actions of a Public Lama allows all that, then so be it - but do not come here to tell us about it.

Why not? Do you own this website?  On whose behalf are you speaking for? Is my stating what i believe to be offensive to you?
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Dharmapal on August 04, 2010, 06:28:50 PM
The point about this thread is not what WE as forum members want, but what the Dalai Lama would think of those of you who have faith in him polluting your minds and breaking your samaya by hanging out with us fascist Dorje Shugden practitioners.

Just a reminder of how much the Dalai Lama despises us:

Whoever fights against the Shugden spirit defends religious freedom. I compare this definitely to the Nazis in Germany. Whoever fights them defends human rights, since the freedom of Nazis is not freedom. — The 14th Dalai Lama

An example of Godwin’s Law, this quote is taken from the Dalai Lama’s interview with the well known, long-time Tibet observer, Klemens Ludwig (“Auch im Buddhismus gibt es gute und böse Kräfte” [Even in Buddhism there are Good and Evil Forces], Esotera, May 1998, p. 82).

The English translation is very precise. In German it says, “Wer also den Shugden-Geist bekämpft, verteidigt die Religionsfreiheit. Ich vergleiche das durchaus mit den Nazis in Deutschland. Wer sie bekämpft, verteidigt die Menschenrechte, denn die Freiheit der Nazis ist keine Freiheit.”
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: DharmaDefender on August 04, 2010, 07:52:55 PM
HHDL has made it very clear that he does not want disciples who do associate with ruffians like us. Any student of HHDL should respect his wishes on this issue.

There's a difference between associating, and reading. I can read the Bible but not agree with it, or associate with the teachings.

Likewise, having faith and having respect are two different things. I respect the Dalai Lama for how he's brought Buddha's teachings into many people's living rooms. Maybe he's got a bigger picture, maybe he hasn't but my faith lies in my root guru. So yes, the point of this thread isn't about what we want...but what do we care about what the Dalai Lama thinks? If he's not our guru (and I'm going to assume that for many people active on this forum, he isn't!), what does his opinion of us have to do with our samaya? Surely our samaya is with our root guru. Personally speaking, I don't mind if the Dalai Lama despises me. Opinions are impermanent, as is everything else in samsara.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Zach on August 04, 2010, 07:55:59 PM
HHDL has made it very clear that he does not want disciples who do associate with ruffians like us. Any student of HHDL should respect his wishes on this issue.

There's a difference between associating, and reading. I can read the Bible but not agree with it, or associate with the teachings.

Likewise, having faith and having respect are two different things. I respect the Dalai Lama for how he's brought Buddha's teachings into many people's living rooms. Maybe he's got a bigger picture, maybe he hasn't but my faith lies in my root guru. So yes, the point of this thread isn't about what we want...but what do we care about what the Dalai Lama thinks? If he's not our guru (and I'm going to assume that for many people active on this forum, he isn't!), what does his opinion of us have to do with our samaya? Surely our samaya is with our root guru. Personally speaking, I don't mind if the Dalai Lama despises me. Opinions are impermanent, as is everything else in samsara.

I think it was directed at people who do have a samaya with the DL DharmaDefender... :)
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: DharmaDefender on August 04, 2010, 08:11:40 PM
HHDL has made it very clear that he does not want disciples who do associate with ruffians like us. Any student of HHDL should respect his wishes on this issue.

There's a difference between associating, and reading. I can read the Bible but not agree with it, or associate with the teachings.

Likewise, having faith and having respect are two different things. I respect the Dalai Lama for how he's brought Buddha's teachings into many people's living rooms. Maybe he's got a bigger picture, maybe he hasn't but my faith lies in my root guru. So yes, the point of this thread isn't about what we want...but what do we care about what the Dalai Lama thinks? If he's not our guru (and I'm going to assume that for many people active on this forum, he isn't!), what does his opinion of us have to do with our samaya? Surely our samaya is with our root guru. Personally speaking, I don't mind if the Dalai Lama despises me. Opinions are impermanent, as is everything else in samsara.

I think it was directed at people who do have a samaya with the DL DharmaDefender... :)

Fair enough!
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: beggar on August 09, 2010, 07:32:26 AM
The point about this thread is not what WE as forum members want, but what the Dalai Lama would think of those of you who have faith in him polluting your minds and breaking your samaya by hanging out with us fascist Dorje Shugden practitioners.

And who are we to assume what the "Dalai lama would think of those of us..."

Are we so much wiser and cleverer than the high Lamas to know what they are really thinking and then jump to conclusions! Wow.

We are all here to question and debate which is the basis of all Buddhist teachings. There is a difference between wanting to learn and understand, and "associating" for the sake of socialising!

By the way, it isn't cool to be sarcastic like this, even about ourselves. "Fascist Dorje Shugden practitioners"?? Yes, let's have a little humour, but please don't put down our own protector like this, even in jest.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Helena on August 09, 2010, 08:56:36 AM
For the record, I am not the student of HHDL.

I know I am going to be "bombarded" for posting this - but I am doing this in the spirit of sharing.

It appears that there are two very distinct perceptions here - one who believes that HHTDL is doing something much more than what meets the eye and one who believes that HHTDL needs to be reminded or told off that HH is wrong.

Whatever your views are, you have the right to express them, of course. This goes without saying.

I applaud the Admin/Webmaster to post up the Rules and Regulations. It does spell out everything very loud and clear.

Here, I just want to say that what appears to be 'unpleasant and outright evil' to us may be actually something else in disguise. And if we all believe in Karma, as we should, it may just be our own collective karma that this is all happening to us in one way or another.

Whether you can accept it or not, it is something you have to deal with. While others will deal with it, in their own way.

Yes, sometimes it is much easier and more convenient to tag all the blame onto someone else or something else. Of course, that always makes us feel much better when we can place all our angst and grief onto someone else. It removes our own role/responsibility in the whole deal. Bearing in mind, this role and responsibility could have stemmed from many lifetimes ago, and not just this.

I personally did not understand and agree with GKG's "demonstration" acts, and asking all his students to protest when I first read about it or heard about it. It did seem rather strange to me and very conflicting.

It is the same as what GKG and his students say of HH. To me, both sides appear to be doing the same thing.

However, upon reading more, I realised that I am neither that enlightened to understand and most of all, to criticize and judge. Having said that, it does not mean that I do not think at all. It means, I rather use some discerning wisdom and compassion to shape my thinking.

Both GKG and HHTDL are highly attained Masters. How could they both be wrong?

I may not agree with both their ways, but it does not mean that I can discount the fact that they both have "bigger pictures" to accomplish. Perhaps. May be.

Now, before anyone thinks that I am suggesting that they are both working together - just let me say it now, NO. That is not what I am suggesting.

If GKG were my Guru, then I believe I would do as he says. If HH were my Guru, I'd also be doing what he says. No question about it. That's Vajrayana.


As extracted from "Dangerous Friend": The Teacher-Student Relationship in Vajrayana Buddhism by Rig'dzin Dorje

"The Lama is the ecstatic, wild, and gentle figure who short-circuits your systems of self-referencing. The Lama is the only person in your life who cannot be manipulated. The Lama is the invasion of unpredictability you allow into your life, to enable you to cut through the convolutions of interminable psychological and emotional process. The Lama is the terrifying compassionate gamester who re-shuffles the deck of your carefully arranged rationale. To enter into vajra commitment is to leap from the perfect precipice. To find yourself in the radiant space of this choiceless choice, is the very heart of Tantra. To leap open-eyed into the shining emptiness of the Lama's wisdom display, and to experience the ecstatic impact of each dynamic gesture of the Lama's method display is the essential luminosity and power of the path."

As of now, we are caught in this 'spiritual battle' within and without pertaining to the issue of Dorje Shugden.

One High Lama has re-shuffled the"deck of our carefully arranged rationale" - that is obvious. Is it to make us leap from our own deluded state into the state of "choiceless choice"? And if so, why?

This is all a grand display of a High Lama's Method - yes, I can also choose to see it that way. So, when I do choose to see that way, whatever this High Lama does, I choose to learn from that and deepen my Dharma practice.

For those who choose not to see it that way, then your main practice may just lie in only going against the Lama itself. And not learn from it. Perhaps, may be. This is something only you would know best, upon deeper reflection.

So, again, I am not suggesting anything at all here.

I am just sharing my thoughts.

"Vajrayana holds that all beings are equally worthy of compassion. However, Vajrayana does not hold that beings should be restricted in their capacity according to the lowest common denominator allowed by those who wish to curtail human freedom. To restrict people's freedom to make value judgements in order to enforce an artificial equality is to shrink the quality of life."

The real question is always - what is the "artificial equality" and what is true freedom?

Most of the time, we tend to only see and think what we choose and want to think.

"Relationship with a vajra master is not democratic. This may appear somewhat shocking, but we need to understand that our relationship with reality is also not democratic....Even if democracy were such a wonderful phenomenon - where do we authentically find democracy in the world? Every 'democratic' society would appear to be ruled by powerful influential factors that attempt to remain discreet. Within every democracy we find dictatorship manifesting under the guise of consensus."

"Neither democracy and totalitarianism offers real freedom - and neither has anything in common with vajra relationship. From the perspective of Vajrayana, dictators are no freer than those to whom they dictate."

"We can never be free of freedom - if freedom is our obsession. If we cannot be free to give up the sovereignty of our narcissistic rational, Vajrayana becomes meaningless."

"If we fail to recognize the compassionate nature of vajra relationship as the heart of Vajrayana, then we are left merely with a prosaic esoteric pastime."


GKG is a Vajra Master to many thousands of students all over the world.

HHTDL is a Vajra Master to hundreds and hundreds of thousands of students worldwide.

At the end of the day, you will decide on your own what you want to believe. Naturally, because - "we only do things with which our ego can comfortably identify."

"There is actually nothing worse than having everything your own way. There would be nothing more claustrophobic than having a partner who agreed with you all the time, nothing more depressing than being able to design existence according to your own quality judgements. There is therefore nothing more useless than having a Lama whose advice is conditional on your own agreement with it. The Lama is there to wreck our personal pattern of samsara in order that we can become vast in our appreciation rather than contracting and becoming more rigid. The Lama is always pointing at the beautiful scenery which lies outside the safety of our comfortable cages."

All the above quoted are extracted from "Dangerous Friend".

In here, yes, they do rattle that cage and that cage is your very cherished mind set and thinking. And I believe, we all can do that with due respect.

In ending, if GKG is your Lama and you are following his advice, then fine. You are practising what your Guru says.

If HH is your Lama and your are following his advice, then it is also practising what your Guru says.

However, for those, who have a few Gurus and have received ordinations & teachings from both HH and their own Gurus, and they are caught in this dilemma - then you have the toughest decisions to make.

If all Gurus cannot be wrong, then we need to find a more peaceful and respectful way to continue with our practice in order NOT to create more problems and bad karma for ourselves. In this respect, if some Lamas and students need to practice in secret, I can totally empathize and understand. It is the best way for them not to lose their Gurus and go against Guru Devotion.

As long as someone is still sincere and makes genuine efforts to continue practicing, I believe that is courage personified and epitome of his/her guru devotion.

We do not need to disparage anyone who chooses this or that. They are in a "choiceless choice" state and is doing the best they can do at this time.

More than anything else, they need our understanding, support and help.

Hence, this Forum is that haven for those confused, orphaned by virtue of their beliefs and those seeking to understand more.

It does rattle the cages of our minds and it does it with care, respect and kindness. I do not see what is so wrong about that. In fact, I welcome that.

So, whatever your opinions are - you have your own points and they are valid to you, please understand that others hold the same.

Some may even be seeking for more clarification or understanding - despite who their Guru is. In this respect, this space is open to anyone who wishes to learn more. And if in the process of finding our more, they 'fall in love' with DS - regardless of who their Guru is - I would say that this space has done a great job. And I'd like to help this space do just that because it further promotes our Protector.

If Dorje Shugden is embraced by more people, that also means that more people will be helped by him and benefit from him as DS will lead them to the Dharma, the Lamrim.

That to me, is the best gift of all that we can give to so many others whom we may not know or even meet. In this way, I return the kindness that I have received and benefited from my own Protector Practice. I share it with others, and help make it truly available to as many people as possible.

This is my 2 cents worth. Thank you and good night!
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: thaimonk on August 09, 2010, 09:12:54 AM
Helena,

You really think out your thoughts and express them so well and so nicely.

I may not agree with everything you say, but I sure agree with how you say it.

Thank you for sharing and I appreciate your thoughts, time and efforts put in for the benefit of all of us.

 :)
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: honeydakini on August 09, 2010, 05:25:31 PM
Helena,
What a powerful post. Thank you. It sure has brought up many relevant and wonderful points about Guru devotion. I appreciate you taking out all that time to quote from “Dangerous friend” and for sharing your views.

What stuck out for me particularly was this:

Yes, sometimes it is much easier and more convenient to tag all the blame onto someone else or something else. Of course, that always makes us feel much better when we can place all our angst and grief onto someone else. It removes our own role/responsibility in the whole deal. Bearing in mind, this role and responsibility could have stemmed from many lifetimes ago, and not just this.

So often we get caught in a cycle of blaming everyone else for why our practice is going wrong. It is not because of His Holiness that we are breaking our samaya – it is because of US that we are breaking our samaya. But it would be easier to just blame him for “messing things up for us” than to take responsibility for our practice and samaya, wouldn’t it? This isn’t just to do with HH but with any of our teachers in general; we don’t need to look at such a massive issue of Dorje Shugden to see how we are always chucking our responsibility onto others – our dharma community, our spouses, our Gurus – for why we can’t hold our samaya, keep our promises and do our practice.

I also loved what you have said here:

“Yes, they do rattle that cage and that cage is your very cherished mind set and thinking”

There is another way of looking at this very difficult situation, regarding what HH has said to all of us about this ban. Let’s look at it this way – HOW are we reacting to what our Lamas say/do to us? How do we maintain our practice and samaya from our side? The fact that we flail about and get up-in-arms, blaming the whole wide world, our lamas, our dharma community and everyone else about how THEY are screwing up our samaya is evidence enough already of how we are practising (or not).
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: beggar on August 09, 2010, 06:19:22 PM
Helena and Honeydakini,

You are both dakinis! It is very good to see both of you examining your own part to play in this whole cosmic play of events. I sure like what you are saying - stop the blame and start looking at how we are each, every one of us, creating our very own futures, declines, broken samaya, happiness, peace, attainments, ever-lasting rainbow bodies!

All practices on the Guru - guru yoga - is to help us to realise the Guru within ourselves. So how can it be that we talk about this on the one hand but we blame our teachers on the other. In fact, we blame everybody! All the teachers! So if all these teachers are so much at fault, then how can it be that we are aspiring to develop that same aspect within ourselves through our practices on the Guru?

What a good way of moving forward in practice. thank you for showing the way, like real dakinis do

yours, Beggar
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: Helena on August 10, 2010, 07:44:13 PM
Hi TM, HD & Beggar,

Currently I am reading the book, "Dangerous Friend" and find it most truly amazing. It helps me to search into the expanse of my mind and look at what/how I really look at things.

This is really a fabulous book on the teacher-student relationship. It is my third read and each time, I learn something different - something that I did not realise or see before. It never fails to challenge the way I perceive how a Guru should or should not behave.

It'd be great if there was something like a book club in this forum and we can actually share things that we are reading and learn more from each other. I would find that most helpful and enriching.

There is really a lot that we can learn from one another. As it is, I am already learning a lot from this Forum.

In any case, I always think that everything that happens around us, give us plenty of opportunities to open up and practice more or withdraw within.

Like what I quoted from "Dangerous Friend" - The Lama is there to wreck our personal pattern of samsara in order that we can become vast in our appreciation rather than contracting and becoming more rigid.

No matter what, I rather choose to become more "vast" rather than contract and "becoming more rigid".

Thank you all and have a beautiful day!



 
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: kurava on August 11, 2010, 04:47:19 AM
Visiting this site will benefit HH’s disciples because :
1)   This site advocates open mindedness, it doesn’t condemn HH
2)   The accounts and reports on the experiences of the DS practitioners give the other side of the story to HH disciples. Hopefully they will stop their persecution and be less aggressive towards DS practitioners when they see the other side of the coin
3)   If I were a disciple of HH, I would feel exonerated with the “larger picture” hypothesis proposed by some participants here. Perhaps may even increase my faith in HH.
4)   Since the gurus of HH were also DS practitioners , visiting this site  CANNOT amount to breaking samaya  for HH’s students.
Title: Re: Are you breaking your samaya to the Dalai Lama?
Post by: emiko on August 11, 2010, 06:01:54 AM
marked ..