dorjeshugden.com
About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: Big Uncle on April 05, 2014, 06:48:50 AM
-
This is just so sad and this article is a good reminder of how illogical the ban is and how it sows seeds of discord amongst fellow practitioners. In this day and age, the illogical should be put to rest with the proliferation of what's the truth and what will bring clarity to this seemingly chaotic machination of this Dorje Shugden ban. The truth is the lamas cannot be all wrong when so many lineage lamas accept him as an emanation of a fully enlightened being. Just a casual enquiry into this matter will reveal to you this truth. Please share what you think about this?
Reflections of Religion in the Modern Era
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/reflections-of-religion-in-the-modern-era/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/reflections-of-religion-in-the-modern-era/)
In this 21st century of technology, interconnectedness and fast-paced changes, Proof and Evidence are very crucial and it is important that people in today’s world verify the information that they receive, as new information and ideas are churned out daily. Technology has brought people closer – psychologically, geographically, economically, cultural and spiritually through religion.
Since ancient times, religion has been inherently mystical, and even as it enriches the nature of Man and shapes the character of Mankind, at times Man is overwhelmed by it. More and more, there must be an emphasis on evidence and logic when discussing religion so as to avoid the danger of falling into the trap of blind faith as has happened in the past.
In my opinion, for any particular religion to establish itself in a modern pluralistic society, there are two prerequisites needed.
First, the basis of a religion has to be able to satisfy logical examination and reasoned analysis instead of demanding a practice based on fear and threats, imposing “moral judgment” as a means to coerce man to do good deeds.
Second, a religion must be able to meet and fulfil the spiritual demands of modern people in order to improve the common practices of a society, and create a better society, which promotes and practices the values of tolerance, acceptance and understanding.
This article is premised on the aforementioned prerequisites that a religion must be able to meet. It is an analysis of the sound reasoning which characterizes a modern society’s approach to religion versus blind faith and superstitions of the old ways.
I am a Buddhist; I love the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism, to me, is a religion yet at the same time a philosophy. The beauty of Buddhism lies in its ability to use logic and rational thinking to expound the teachings. Buddhism neither demands blind allegiance to deity or gods or spirits, nor does it call for unquestioning belief by all Buddhist followers. In fact, the Buddha insisted that all Buddhist practitioners must check the teachings against their own logic and experience. Such is the conviction of Buddhism that it is based on a truth that does not alter with time.
Buddhism places heavy emphasis on the equality of all sentient beings and states that all have the potential to be enlightened. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are able to bestow blessings and guidance, but in no way decide one’s destiny.
Karma and its mechanisms are cornerstones in Buddhist doctrines. This law of karma explains one’s situation and each arises from one’s actions and thinking in the past. We decide our own destiny, and we can transform our futures with a change of perception.
Buddha’s teachings are related to understanding the Mind and the subduing and controlling of it. Through logical analyses and debates based on reason, Buddhist concepts help us understand the world’s phenomena, how it operates and the reality behind all things.
Unfounded Fallacy: Accusations that Dorje Shugden is a Demon
(http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/art205-1.jpg)
For Dorje Shugden to be a demon is not logical and people should not be persuaded to blindly follow
The foundation of Gelugpa scholarship is pure analysis based on reason and logic, which is also synonymous with Buddhism as taught by Buddha Shakyamuni. It is only through a pure logical approach that the Buddha taught and his disciples studied and understood the root causes of suffering and the time-tested formula of its cessation. This formula has survived challenges and criticism because it ultimately adheres to logic, which cannot be refuted, instead of random superstition and ritualistic blind faith.
When we apply logic to support the status of Dorje Shugden as an enlightened being, the core principles of Dharma, karma, reincarnation and enlightenment come into sync with the status of Dorje Shugden as a Buddha. These core principles were realized by the Buddha in the course of his path to full awakening and it took the Buddha over 40 years to fully elucidate and teach these principles, separately and how they jointly work as a dharmic mechanism to explain all aspects of a belief system that has come to be known and accepted around the world as the truth of Buddhism.
In fact it is common for Buddhism as taught by the Buddha to be used to realize the truth and reality behind all phenomena and indeed, this has been its draw in recent times – that it does not demand of its practitioners to have blind faith but to check and verify based on reason. And this same system of thought, and the same basis that comprises Buddhism is precisely what supports Dorje Shugden as an emanation of the fully enlightened and all-knowing Manjushri.
On the other hand, accusations against Dorje Shugden reducing this deity to the status of a spirit run contrary to all the principles and core foundations of what the Buddha himself taught. Therefore, to support the baseless accusation that Dorje Shugden is a demon is also to completely dismantle the principles of Buddhism and to say that the Buddha erred in his realizations. If Dorje Shugden is a demon, then how should we explain the following three facts?
Could these three holy and virtuous Lamas be wrong in their teachings and practice?
(http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/art205-2.jpg)
From left: H.H. Ling Rinpoche, H.H. Trijang Rinpoche, H.H. Zong Rinpoche
1. The Protector practice of Dorje Shugden was propagated by the great Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche who was one of the greatest lamas of the modern era and had himself attained Heruka. In addition, Pabongka Rinpoche was recognized as the leading Lamrim teacher of the 19th and 20th century, able to not only fully grasp but also perfectly elucidate Je Tsongkhapa’s Stages Of The Path To Enlightenment and summarized it in his Liberation In the Palm of Your Hand, which remains one of the greatest Lamrim texts today.Pabongka Rinpoche’s greatness can also be seen in the wisdom and high attainments of his students, of which Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was one of the most famous. Until today, no one doubts the greatness of Trijang Rinpoche. It is totally illogical that such a highly realized and attained lama as Pabongka Rinpoche could not discern between a Buddha and a demon. To say that Pabongka Rinpoche was “fooled” by a demon is to say that enlightened beings have no clairvoyance. Pabongka Rinpoche also advised that one should have Vajrayogini as one’s tantric yidam during these times. Was Pabongka Rinpoche also wrong about Buddha Vajrayogini? And if not, would it not be totally ridiculous for Pabongka Rinpoche to advise that the practice of Vajrayogini should be accompanied by the practice of the “demon”, Dorje Shugden?
Dorje Shugden was also practiced by Kyabje Zong Rinpoche with full devotion. Zong Rinpoche was well known for his skills in monastic debates, which is the quintessence of logical understanding and knowledge of all aspects of the Buddha teachings. One cannot be skilled in debate without being an erudite scholar of the Dharma in all its interpretations. To accuse Dorje Shugden of being a demon means that the great Zong Rinpoche suffered a serious lapse in his proficiency of logic and reason and failed to detect a demon. On the other hand, the fact that such a logical mind as Zong Rinpoche’s worships the Protector confirms by pure reason that Dorje Shugden is a Buddha.
The Dalai Lama himself was taught by two Dorje Shugden practitioners, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. These two erudite lamas were carefully selected over so many other candidates to be the senior and junior tutors of the Dalai Lama because of their brilliance and scholarly grasp of logical thinking and philosophy, as well as their attainments in spiritual practice.
The Tibetan establishment placed critical importance on the selection of the young Dalai Lama’s tutors as they would, without doubt, shape the development of Tibet’s most important figure, not only from a politico-governmental perspective (king) but also from a religious perspective (god).
To say that Ling Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche were demon worshippers would mean that the lamas and the entire system of selection for the Dalai Lama’s tutors failed to identify demon worshippers. In fact, that would infer that the entire pantheon of Tibetan high lamas and lineage masters all failed in their wisdom, logic and clairvoyance and mistook an evil spirit for a Buddha.
It is illogical to even consider that an entire nation of highly accomplished lamas and scholars would not be able to weed out a demon and contrary to their wisdom, empower the demon Dorje Shugden to infiltrate his way into the chambers of the Dalai Lama as well as that of so many high masters of various traditions, putting their respective lineages to risk.
2. At its core, Buddhism is about logic. In the Dharma we learn that we should only go for refuge with enlightened beings. This is even more critical for those who have taken monk vows – not to seek refuge in anything or anyone other than the Three Jewels. Going to demons and evil spirits for refuge is without doubt a cause to fall into the lower realms.To say that Dorje Shugden is a demon means that Trijang Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche and other equally attained lamas breached their refuge vows outright and sought refuge in a demon instead. The laws of karma are such that if the above were true, these lamas would not have any cause to take rebirth as human beings, let alone reincarnations of high lamas. And yet with these two high lamas, their reincarnations are back, recognized and enthroned.
What is most surprising and self-defeating for the anti-Shugden camp is the fact that the reincarnations of these three lamas were recognized by the Dalai Lama himself! Does this mean that Avalokiteshvara also failed to recognize the incarnations of demon worshippers if for some bizarre reason these demon worshippers managed to bypass their karma of going into the lower realms for breaching their monks vows and reincarnated as humans?
(http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/art205-3.jpg)
Ironically, the Dalai Lama recognized the reincarnation of the late Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, H.H. Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche
(http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/art205-4.jpg)
The young Ling Rinpoche is back and He is learning the precious Dharma in the monastery now. Does a monk who takes refuge in a demon reincarnate in human form and do what this young and holy lama is doing now?
3. Dorje Shugden’s line of incarnations cannot be disputed, that the Protector arose from a lineal heritage that includes Panchen Sonam Drakpa, Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, Sakya Pandita… all the way to the great Mahasidda Virupa – all without doubt emanations of Buddha Manjushri. And what’s more, the recognition of Manjushri’s line of emanations were all confirmed by the highest lamas of the time including the Dalai Lamas.To say that an enlightened being of such noble spiritual lineage can suddenly become a demon, or to say that a highly attained lama such as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen took rebirth as a “demon” after his death (as Dorje Shugden’s accusers say he is) is completely in contradiction to the laws of enlightenment. Enlightenment is irreversible and for Shugden accusers to be right, they would essentially be arguing that the state of enlightenment is still within the grasp of karma and that enlightenment is one of the realms of samsara, which makes a mockery of one of the core tenets of Buddhism. Why bother to aim for enlightenment when in the next moment, you could again fall to the lower realms? And yet, at the core of accusations against Shugden, this is what is being claimed.
If these three points are logically investigated, I think everyone would come to the conclusion that the accusations leveled against Dorje Shugden are pure nonsense, superstitious and without proof.
In particular, there are some who claim Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen (who was a candidate to be recognized as the 5th Dalai Lama) became a spirit after his death and caused the sudden death of monks in monasteries. However, if we examine further, it is illogical that a spirit would able to kill monks. A monk is protected because of the vows he holds, just as anyone who has taken refuge is similarly protected against spirit harm.
If those accusations are true, then there is no need for us to be kind/act kindly. And there is no need for us to take refuge, practice and collect merits, purify negative karma and gain enlightenment. If monks who hold hundreds of vows diligently can still get killed/harmed by a malevolent spirit, then what about the average lay person who hardly holds any vows? It means the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha do not have power to bring us under their protection after we take refuge.
In fact, we don’t even have to use sangha as an example. If lay Dharma practitioners are protected from human and non-human harm just by holding their refuge vows, why not the sangha who wear robes and hold strict monastic vows? How can they be killed by an evil spirit? How can an evil spirit kill attained sangha?
If this is the case, the laws of karma in Buddhism are invalidated. Good actions create good results. Whatever causes we create, we will get the relevant results, as taught by Buddha himself. But why is it that when it comes to the Shugden ban, the laws of karma, stressed so much in Buddhism, all suddenly disappear?
Superstition does not contribute to the continuation of a religion
In order for any religion to flourish and remain in this world, it is important for that religion to apply strict reasoning which is cogent and consistent. Likewise, it is important for those interested in Buddhism to be able to understand the Dharma through a process of logic and eventually reach the state of self-realization, completely liberated and in a state able to benefit all sentient beings.
Like other religions, Buddhism will not survive if it relies on superstition and fear, put in place by the so-called ‘authorities’. Buddhism as a religion should not promote unreasonable and wrong values. However, in the case of the Dorje Shugden ban, the reasons and justifications for the ban create such discrepancies that not only do they seem counter-intuitive to the logic of Buddhism, but they are also void of common-sense.
If we look closely, these unreasonable, illogical claims and threats have only resulted in emotional havoc and misunderstanding. The inconsistencies arising from this farcical challenge of Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden have caused disagreements between Gelugpa students, followers and their family members. Even worse, it has caused distrust, intolerance and misunderstandings among traditions and their followers.
This brings no benefit for Buddhist practitioners because on one hand we are supposed to hold vows, develop equanimity and the bodhi mind according to the dharma hoping all beings and ourselves will be released from the sufferings of samsara, while on the other hand, the ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice causes the same practitioners to be confused, some even starting to doubt and think negatively about their gurus, or to be forced to abandon their guru-disciple relationship.
This discrepancy has even caused some to openly condemn their gurus or other practitioners. It doesn’t matter who is being scolded or who is scolding – at the end of the day, such actions are tantamount to breaking one’s vows and creating tremendous negative karma. This kind of split has caused doubts amongst Buddhist disciples, caused estranged relationships between students and teachers, and created distrust between the different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.
For those who have chosen to continue with the practice of Dorje Shugden, their practices are not being accepted in any way, but there is no need to further discuss the reasons behind this. What I want to ask is, “Where is the freedom of religion? Where is the mutual understanding and acceptance between different religions?” If a person who can’t accept another religion is labeled an extremist or religious chauvinist, what more Buddhists who are supposed to promote peace and compassion?
Ultimately, this intolerance and blind faith has brought damage to Gelug practitioners and Buddhism. As a spiritual practitioner at this crucial time, it is extremely important for us to think and logically analyze the information at our disposal.
Is a religion meant to increase our wisdom; to bring about love, compassion, and acceptance in the world? Or is a religion meant to make us narrow-minded, intolerant, insist on blind faith, and depend on force and threats? At the end of the day, any religion should educate and guide its followers to make the right choices through understanding and acceptance, and not force them towards an opinion that has been formulated by those in power.
-
it is indeed very sad for the accusation towards Dorje Shugden being a demon. :(
I too like Buddhism because of her logic and reasoning. More so in Geluk school because of her famous debating method to gain understanding of Buddhist topics. As the author has intelligently pointed out, all of the accusations about Dorjes Shugden as demon do not hold water and mere baseless accusations. I think that's why ant-Shugdens even spent time and effort to change history to cover their tracks.
I agree with the author (written in the last part of the article) that, in this time of tension between religions and between different sects within a religion, practitioners should bring love, compassion and tolerance to the world, instead of creating more frictions and accusations. HH Dalai Lama as the spiritual leader should strongly give instructions to His administration such as CTA to release the ban.
-
The purpose of religion is to bring a group of people together, to create a community that is governed by the same cultural rules, understanding and faith in certain supernatural agents to ensure there is harmony, progress and a common identity for this community to relate with. Causing a split within a religious congregation is an insult to the lineage that has been set by the founder, in this case Shakyamuni Buddha, especially when it is frivolous as propounded by this article.
Personally, I do not think it is logical to use logic to say that Dorje Shugden is not a spirit but an enlightened being because we technically do not really comprehend what entails enlightenment. But I do agree that faith is determined by the relgious experiences of a supernatural agent, in this case being Dorje Shugden as both a Dharma Protector and one who is enlightened. For someone like the Dalai Lama to condemn Dorje Shugden and the practitioners is akin to demanding a community to breakdown in all aspects. How could you go against one who has saved you? Is it a matter of logic or is it a matter of heart?
As such, the sentiments are strong and potent for all Shugden supporters to stand for what is right. It is not blind faith but it is the feeling of being touched by "God" and we are changed forever.
For the Dalai Lama to play with fire this way, it is indeed unbecoming for a leader in exile knowing very well already how the Tibetans suffered under China.
In short, the battle and case for Dorje Shugden will continue to strive for justice and until it is served, the Dalai Lama will always be questioned by a faction of his own people and the Shugden practitioners worldwide, why? Have you no compassion, your Holiness? :-\
-
''I am a Buddhist; I love the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism, to me, is a religion yet at the same time a philosophy. The beauty of Buddhism lies in its ability to use logic and rational thinking to expound the teachings. Buddhism neither demands blind allegiance to deity or gods or spirits, nor does it call for unquestioning belief by all Buddhist followers. In fact, the Buddha insisted that all Buddhist practitioners must check the teachings against their own logic and experience. Such is the conviction of Buddhism that it is based on a truth that does not alter with time.''
The above paragraph from this article is the most profound definition of Buddhism that I have ever read. From this definition this article provides evidence that the BAN on Dorje Shugden is without basis and with the simple understanding of Karma, Samsara and reincarnation, it is impossible to believe that Dorje Shugden is a ''demon'' as proclaimed by HHDL.
Although I am grateful to the HHDL for introducing Buddhism to a great part of the world, it is beyond me to understand His reason for the BAN.
Not only is the BAN illogical and not within the concepts of Buddhism in its general context, it is also frightening that in order to ''RIGHT'' a wrong, so much harm is generated to the practitioners of Dorje Shugden lineage.
Details and knowledge expounded in this article will keep my faith in Dorje Shugden stronger and work to have the BAN lifted.
-
Thank you for posting this well written article which has logically given many good reasons why Dorje Shugden cannot be a demon. I would humbly also like to contribute another two more reasons why I personally think DS cannot be evil.
1. It was DS through an oracle who advised HH Dalai Lama to leave Tibet as China took over the country. In order to escape Chinese persecution, HHDL fled Tibet under the protection of DS and managed to arrive in India safely. I was even told that he had borrowed & rolled Trijang Rinpoche’s thangka of DS and had it strapped onto his back when he made his escape as a form of protection.
2. HHDL once claimed when he imposed the ban that the practice of DS would unknowingly harm and shorten his life. Well he made that statement more than 20 years ago and today he is still going strong and looks healthy.
So based my personal observations, it looks impossible that DS is in any way evil or harmful. In my opinion, DS has throughout these years, protected and served HHDL well, and may even be responsible for HHDL’s globally popularity and reverence.
-
Actually in today's modern era, with the vast internet access and fast paced changes, information are very much distorted and it's validity much questioned. The modern generation gets a huge amount of data and information available to them on the internet and MOST people never validates the source of information. People are too busy and too fast paced to spend time validating the source of information they receive.
People refers to Wikipedia and the internet for alarmist anything these days. How true are the information out there? Who really check? There's too much information out there to validate. Fast forward a few decades, handwriting may be extinct, ancient languages lost. Just like everything we read these days online are in English, regarding what the original source are recorded in. Meaning it's all translation and we know how dangerous the English language is and how translation can potentially and completely alter the meaning of something.
Belief is still a leap of faith. Do I know how to read Tibetan? The answer is No! If I encounter an old monk and he starts to tell me stories of the past and it's gets translated to me by some random strangers, it is by faith that I'm taking the translator words. One can always say why would anyone lie? The monks have no reasons to lie? That too is a leap of faith.
I'm not saying this because I doubt Dorje Shugden but I'm saying to say that proof of evidence so crucial and that in this modern era it's important for people to verify information is one thing. The hard truth is in today's modern era, it is harder to verify information and most information are not validated. Even world news to a degree is being "engineered". Today's people don't spend time validating information, they would even know where the library is!
-
I learn Buddhism when I was young. What I love about Buddhism in the first place is its logical way of explaining life via the concept of karma, in addition to loving and compassion.
However, I am very disheartened when I know about the fact of this ban on how schism on the Dorje Shugden practitioners. I just could not imagine why a group of practitioners of the religion known for loving and compassion can cause so much pain and sufferings to others. :'(
I thank you dorjeshugden.com that gives us the facts and knowledge about what's happening and what's the truth. We should create more awareness via social media on this ban and the truth behind.
Lastly, I would like to appeal to CTA: Please lift the ban CTA if you think you are a Buddhist! Please lift the ban if you are a HUMAN! Please do not mix politic into religion!
-
Indeed at this modern day religious is not something that people would blindly follow as comparing previous time. People at this time will look into logic whether it make sense to them. But this attitude is correct because it supposed to be able to explain every single teaching and make sense for people to relate to their current condition. For this the logic behind every single practice has to be explainable and this will make people understand not on general statement but specifically applicable to ourself.
Speaking about logic, referring to the band of Lord Shugden practice, HH Dalai Lama can’t provide any relevant reason and referring to the articles it really table out that the ban has no basis!
Looking from Lord Shugden line incarnation which goes all the way as to Manjushri which is the wisdom Buddha, how can it be spirit?
HH Dalai Lama was thought by to erudite master Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and how can HH Dalai Lama be right but thought by a wrong teacher (which claim by HH Dalai Lama)?
And this point I love the most which make the perfect sense that the Lama that practices Lord Shugden can able to reincarnate back and recognize by Dalai Lama himself. If the propitiate spirit should be reborn in hell but why they are mistakenly recognize?
This 3 strong point make a lot of sense that HH Dalai Lama has no basis to band the practice!
-
Buddhism as taught by Lord Buddha is based on the truths of nature. There is no place for superstition or element of blind faith. This is in line with The K?l?ma Sutta as taught by Lord Buddha which advocates the use of sound logical reasoning and argument when inquiring the authenticity and truth of a practice or teaching.
Based on the principles of the Kalama Sutta, we can invalidate the statement that Dorje Shugden is a spirit because there is no sound evidence to prove its validity as clearly explained in the article.
Another point to add is that the Dorje Shugden Ban defies logic and is against the fundamental Buddhist principles of love, compassion, equanimity, harmony and truth.
The conclusion is that the ban should be lifted immediately as it has no basis to support its existence.
-
In modern era like now, iron-fist method will not last. With latest technology, almost everything is becoming border-less… especially for entertainment and information.
Except in poor countries where illiteracy level is still very high, there is no way for the people in power to spread lies without any logical supportive information.
This article has put forward all the logical arguments to counter the fake justifications for the ban of Dorje Shugden practice. It is very clear and straight forward. Only those who shut their hearts, due to certain reasons or worldly benefits, will still believe or uphold the lies. Some are just too afraid, thus joined the bandwagon of discriminating DS practitioners.
So much unnecessary sufferings. The ban must come down.
-
It is so sad to see that something as pure as dharma practice can become so painful for the sincere practitioners of Dorje Shugden. It is not logical and it is quite ridiculous that people have to loose homes, break off with friends, unable to get basic provision from the grocer and live in fear to practice and develop their spirituality. Violence, threats and ostracization clouds their lives! Religion aside, this is outright smearing the world in the face on the basis of human rights. What CTA has done violates the religious freedom of believers and it has to stop!
-
Actually in today's modern era, with the vast internet access and fast paced changes, information are very much distorted and it's validity much questioned. The modern generation gets a huge amount of data and information available to them on the internet and MOST people never validates the source of information. People are too busy and too fast paced to spend time validating the source of information they receive.
Basically this is the problem - that technology is propelling information into the masses much faster than people are able to examine and gauge the veracity of these information. This certainly has contributed to the Dorje Shugden ban prevailing for as long as it has.
The ban never did have any factual basis and if one were to examine the facts as aptly laid out by Poleen Wu, then the absurdity of the CTA/HHDL's claims re Dorje Shugden becomes clear. However, as this article itself demonstrates, it takes quite a bit of effort to explain why the CTA is wrong and that effort requires one to be prepared to embark on a somewhat labyrinthine journey into the complexities of Tibetan Buddhism. For example, it takes one to understand the mechanism of karma to realize that an already enlightened being such as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, who was the reincarnation of equally enlightened beings such as Duldzin Drakpa and Panchen Sonam Drakpa, can no longer be subject to the influence of throwing karma. Therefore Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen could never become a spiteful demon.
Notice the CTA/HHDL camp have never properly explained the factual basis of the ban because there is in fact none. Within the exile community and monasteries, the Dalai Lama simply enforces his command. Outside the exile community, technology helps disseminate the Dalai Lama's PROPAGANDA, which is that of a compassionate and absolute authority of Buddhism trying to stop Tibetan Buddhism from degenerating into 'spirit worship'. And this propaganda is quickly spread and easily consumed by the public because it requires no reasoning and analysis. It fits into how the public consumes everything from food to information.
Look at all the news that have been disseminated around the world re protests against the Dalai Lama's ban? Not one carry sound analysis of why Shugden cannot be a demon but in reporting the protests, the media with the aid of technology continues to tag Dorje Shugden as a 'cult' and spread this false image of Dorje Shugden widely.
We are not fighting a war based on facts and logic but a propaganda war and the modern era favors the spread of hype more so than logic and analysis. I would disagree with Tenzin K ["Indeed at this modern day religious is not something that people would blindly follow as comparing previous time. People at this time will look into logic whether it make sense to them"]. Instead I would say that genuine religious practitioners are a scarcity these days and people do follow blindly because people seek what is convenient and easy to consume, not what is true and factual.
-
Thank you for yet another great article to rebut the fact that the ban is 'correct' and implemented to save the life of the Dalai Lama.
The very basics of Buddhism teaches that our destiny, our death, how we die, how we suffer is highly dependant and governed by our karma. To say that through doing a mass practise of Dorje Shugden will lead to a decrease in the life expectancy of His Holiness defeats the very fundamentals that you are your own saviour - that what you do in and with your life will determine the course of your life and your future lives.
If an attained master such as His Holiness can be affected by people practising Dorje Shugden, then why are all the other attained lamas who are non-DS practitioners not affected by the practise of Dorje Shugden? Only the Dalai Lama is affected? Makes no sense. Also, it would mean that Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongkha Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Domo Geshe Rinpoche will all contribute to the shortening of His Holiness's life.. that would consider them breaking their vows, no? It would mean that the 8 verses of thought transformation is not being practised. So why has it been a core practise in Vajrayana Buddhism? Also, when merit is dedicated, usually there would be a dedication to the long life of His Holiness. So, why contradict if these lamas really wanted to “harm” His Holiness.
Additionally, if Dorje Shugden was really bad, the Karmapa wouldn't have asked the statue of Guru Dragpo with Dharmapala Shugden being pressed down under the statue’s feet to be removed. See here:
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/karmapa/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/karmapa/)
… The 16th Karmapa also said that “in the future you will definitely need to rely on this deity.”
These are accounts from the Sungbum of Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche’s. Through implementation of the ban and the claim that Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit, does it also mean that the Karmapa is wrong for protecting Dorje Shugden in this way?
-
I totally agree with this article. In this modern times where information is widely available through the media and technology, we should be able to check out what is logical and what is illogical. Not like those olden days where the practice of spirituality is the worship of objects or just following our ancestors on their practices. We have the right to choose what is right for us based on findings that are true for ourselves. Now is no longer the time where information can be concealed to hide the truth.
When it comes to the practice of Dorje Shugden, I believe that everyone has equal rights to choose their protector and if Dorje Shugden is their choice, so be it. They should be discriminated against on their choice. With this ban on the practitioners, it has really caused pain and sorrows to majority of Tibetans and the world.
If what is claimed by the Dalai Lama and his followers that DS is a demon, then why does all great lamas who propitiates him come back to teach. Shouldn't they already become a spirit or born in hell? Where is the logic? Also mentioned in other articles in this site, the real protector who advised the Dalai Lama to escape Tibet from the Chinese invasion is Dorje Shugden himself and not Nechung. This fact has already been testified by the last remaining Cuchi Gangruk guards who protected the Dalai Lama in the journey from Tibet to India.
Appreciation should be given to the writers who write articles in this forum and this website for informing the world on the logic on the existence of this protector. Their work is beneficial to the world and will definitely bring hopes to many who suffers from this ban.
The truth will prevail and the ban will be lifted through modern technology! I truly support this article. Thank you.
-
In this modern era, any religious practice must be founded on logic and reasoned analysis. The practice of Shugden can be proven , without a doubt , to be the practice of an Enlightened Protector, who is also undoubtedly the incarnation of Manjushri and of the same mindstream as Manjushri Tsongkhapa.
Great masters who practice him have had their incarnations return without fail.Take the case of Pabongka Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche. Moreover, great masters who influence the course of the Gelug Lineage, especially after the Chinese invasion of Tibet, are around in the form of their incarnations, to ensure that the purity of the Gelug Lineage is preserved. These great master include Pabongka Rinpoche and his renown student, Trijang Rinpoche. Between these two illustrious Masters, they were the Lamas of the last two generations of great Gelug Masters.
So how can the ban on Shugden practice be imposed on the basis of his being a spirit, when there is no evidence whatsoever to that effect?
-
It is a shame that people had been led to believe in and uphold this ban. It's falsity is blatantly apparant if you just spend the time to find out more and use your own mind to analyse the situation just like how Buddha Shakyamuni stressed and taught us to do. The matter of the fact is that people simply do not want to think for themselves, but rather follow what they are told to do, not just in spirituality but in all aspects of life.
But if you just paused, studied the issue and contemplated you would come to the same conclusions as Big Uncle has posted here. Take myself for example, even though I didn't know much about Dorje Shugden before being asked to read up about his practice, I was always led to believe that he was a demon, and not a fully enlightened being, as he really is.
-
Thank you for highlighting the very well written post on many good LOGICAL points opposing the twisted claims by the Tibetan Leadership that Dorje Shugden is a demon despite all the help He has given to the Tibetan people especially on saving His Holiness's life which of course they will not say and lie about to suit their agenda.
The thing is in today's era where information is so important and crucial in helping us to make any decision, this also has to be applied in religion as well. The problem is I think the pro Dalai people are just too lazy to do more research on their own and would rather just agree so that their life would be easier. Whether or not it is right or wrong or if it is the truth it does not matter because taking care of their rice bowl is what matters most at this juncture.
And for the average people who are not in to religion nor are they aware of the hypocritical side of the Tibetan Leadership, who have no clue what is going on, which is the majority, would have very short attention span and would require catchy headlines and concise bite size information points that they themselves could relate, think and be left to make their own decision. Hence, the need to get information out there in creative ways is required such as these...
How can 350 years of attained great masters be wrong about Dorje Shugden, and ONLY the Dalai Lama be correct about him?
(http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/card18-bs.jpg)
(http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/card18-as.jpg)
Applause to dorjeshugden.com in always finding cool ways to spread Dorje Shugden and the injustice of the ban! http://www.dorjeshugden.com/category/mail-out/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/category/mail-out/)