Manjushri Buddhist Centre

From Más Allá de la Ciencia

Number 103/9/1997, by J.C. Deus
(Translated from Spanish; scroll down to see scans from the original Spanish magazine)

For the first time in history, the Dalai Lama is having to confront serious accusations made against him publicly for infringing the religious freedom and human rights of his own people. His attempt to eliminate a deity which he describes as ‘suspicious’ and ‘defiled’ is causing him, the highest Tibetan authority, endless problems. Even though the feared ‘demon’ is in fact harmless, the internal demons of Tibetan Buddhism seem to have woken up from their sleep.

Readers of MAS ALLA DE LA CIENCIA will remember that I have written two articles about the religious persecution which the Dalai Lama has implemented against one of the most revered of the countless number of deities within Tibetan Buddhism, a deity known as Dorje Shugden (see numbers 94 and 100). These articles were also recently published on the Internet. In these articles we can read about the ban of the worship of this deity, who has officially been declared as evil, about the persecution of his devotees, and public demonstrations by a number of dissidents who, for the first time in the history of the Tibetans in exile, accuse the Dalai Lama of being a dictator and an oppressor. Finally, there were three murders at the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, the court of Dharamsala, for which the dissidents were blamed. This was an obvious sign that ‘the blood had reached the river’ and that this quarrel, which at first just seemed like another of the countless quarrels that have characterised the history of this theocracy (which has not yet lasted a millennium), is becoming a story that has heavy consequences for the future of these people.

For this reason, it was not surprising that one day I received a message through the Internet from someone who complained about my bias in favour of the Dalai Lama, and who offered to tell me the other side of the story. This person was a Basque-born Buddhist nun called Kelsang Dewang, who has been studying with Geshe Kelsang Gyatso – known as Geshe-la by his followers. This Lama has been brave enough to contradict the orders of the Dalai Lama, to protest publicly against them, and to lead a movement of disobedience. The organisation that Geshe leads – the New Kadampa Tradition – not only regards the deity Dorje as a ‘divine emanation’ and one of their main spiritual practices, but is also an important group within Western Buddhism, since it is the one that is growing the most at present.

In this way, we started exchanging messages, with much discussion, not only about the decision of the Dalai Lama, but also about a little-known story of alleged abuse, persecution and despotism by the man who the media has enthroned as a symbol of tolerance and the embodiment of human rights. However, the new image presented by his critics is that of a man hungry for power, cruel to those who oppose him, and ruling the Tibetan government-in-exile with an iron hand while preaching compassion around the world.
 

The Demons of the Dalai Lama

But let’s do a bit of history. The Dalai Lama himself previously revered the deity Dorje Shugden, as had his tutors and teachers, until inexplicably in 1978 he changed his view and adopted a hostility [towards the deity]. Initially this hostility was expressed only within the complex labyrinth of his feudal court and in the puzzling organisation of the Tibetan religious apparatus in exile.

But in 1996 this repudiation of Dorje Shugden was made public and what until then had been only exhortations, often ignored, became prohibitions implemented with violent persecution of the followers of this [deity], now a so-called ‘demon’. The Dalai Lama presented his attack as a matter of life or death for the Tibetan cause. Dorje was portrayed as an evil being responsible for the failure to attain Tibetan independence and for many other problems. If he were not completely abolished forever, he would sink the Tibetan people into the greatest of catastrophes. He was even harmful to the life of the Dalai Lama, the highest leader in Tibetan Buddhism.

His assertions stunned the devotees of this deity, to the extent that the lama Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, director of the New Kadampa Tradition, ignored his orders, and his followers organised public demonstrations in England and Switzerland protesting against the Dalai Lama’s decision. Officials of Tibetan Offices, representing the Dalai Lama in the West, promptly relayed to the media accusations against the New Kadampa Tradition, describing it as a dangerous sect, worshippers of the devil, and people who had sold their soul to a Satanic cult in exchange for Mephistophelian favours of money and power. Dorje was portrayed as a demon, hungry for blood and responsible for a cult that brainwashed and financially exploited innocents who fell into its hands.

For this reason, doubts assailed me when Dewang, the Basque-born Tibetan Buddhist nun and member of the New Kadampa Tradition, invited me to see for myself that these accusations were completely false, to visit their main centre and interview their leader Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, and to know about Dorje Shugden directly. Thoughts such as ‘Am I going into the very mouth of the wolf by going to the headquarters of a fanatic group? What if the Dalai Lama was right and Dorje Shugden really bites?’ arose.
 

In the House of the ‘Demon’

The Manjushri Buddhist Centre is located in the north of England, five hours by train from London, next to a bay in the midst of idyllic green fields. It is a huge mansion, whose property includes a large wood, a beach and several secondary smaller buildings. It is certainly impressive, especially since the purchasing price twenty years ago was only £75,000, as Dewang hurried to tell me in order to counter rumours.

The problem of owning such a mansion, said Dewang, is not so much buying it but maintaining and repairing it. Religious communities are free from this problem as their members work diligently in exchange for room and accommodation, work being considered as ennobling. Dewang took me to see the new temple that was to be inaugurated in two weeks’ time, when more than 1600 followers of the New Kadampa Tradition from all around the world would be gathering for their annual festival. In stone, wood and glass, it is a magnificent place with capacity for about 700; a great work of art made exclusively by the members of the community. I saw impressive bronze statues ready to be placed in the shrine, monks sand-papering the wood and painting walls.

I was guided by Dewang around the whole property, going up and down a labyrinth of staircases, visiting large and beautifully-maintained meditation rooms, and listening to detailed explanations about the statues, mandalas, pictures and shrines of the vast pantheon of Tibetan Buddhism. I was introduced to some of the monks and nuns who had arrived from many of the 200 centres of the New Kadampa Tradition around the world. The fact that it was a mixed monastery, with [some people keeping] vows of chastity, gave the place a charming hippie touch. The nuns with their short hair had a good appearance; they looked at you smilingly, and you forgot that they were nuns. Their faces were beatific, and I couldn’t find anything that was weird or suspicious.

Finally I saw Dorje, as he appeared in Newsweek, holding a blazing sword and riding a wrathful white lion that steps over a human body. A Dorje of wrathful fangs and bulging eyes, including the third eye. Dewang explained that in Tibetan Buddhism there are thousands of beneficial deities with wrathful aspects, and that they only subdue evil and show their wrath against obstacles that prevent spiritual realisations.

I looked and looked at it, but I didn’t feel any fear. It reminded me of the silly things shown to children during the Valencian fallas [typical Spanish fiestas of Valencia]. It was placed in a huge glass cabinet surrounded by four other representations mounted on different animals. If the one mounted on a dragon was quite repulsive, the ones riding a horse and an elephant had kind faces. Perhaps to compensate for his wrathful representation, the most well-known, Dewang insisted on me looking at another of his manifestations, a handsome peaceful youth that seemed to have come out of a poster from the Chinese cultural revolution. Undoubtedly, I could see nothing that was strange, or which you would not see in any one of the hundreds of religious movements that presently exist around the world.
 

A New Portrait

Then the time came for me to meet with Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the thin and enigmatic person who from his photos seems difficult to reach (see the interview that follows). With his English and mine, we struggled to understand each other. He would continually put his hand at his heart to express that his objectives were pure. He looked happy and very little affected by the controversy. When we finished the interview, he surprised me with a hug and gifts of a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a pen.

Then I had supper with James Belither, the Secretary of the New Kadampa Tradition, who lives in one of the little houses that surround the main building, and where the Buddhist families live. He is not a monk but a lay person, a gentle English man. That day he was a little taciturn as he told me of the difficulty of knowing the exact number of people affiliated to the New Kadampa Tradition, estimating that there are between two and four thousand. He explained that he could not understand why the Dalai Lama had launched such an absurd witch hunt, and expressed his concern about the possible future harmful effects of ill-intentioned rumours spread by some people against them.

From what I gathered in my conversations with Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the nun Dewang and James Belither, there emerged a surprising portrait of the Dalai Lama from which we can conclude that although he is considered a world hero, he is in reality a superstitious dictator who relies heavily on oracles and divinations. It also gave a dark description that tore through the idyllic veil of his propaganda; a scenario filled with intrigues more suited to a medieval court in which cruel feudal men fight to the death, while court favourites and sorcerers manipulate the sovereign. Demons and deities fighting to control people’s minds; spells and curses…

It was said, for example, that the new favourite medium or oracle of the Dalai Lama is a young girl who has recently arrived from Lhasa, expert in fanning the inquisitorial fire against the deity Dorje. Recently, in the middle of a public religious ceremony, this young girl, who invokes a favourite spirit of the Dalai Lama called Nechung, entered a trance and accused an old and respected lama of being a secret servant of the demonic deity [Dorje Shugden]. The old lama slapped her. Later, it was agreed to keep quiet about the incident.

An oracle of the protector Nechung

At midnight I switched off the light, mindful that my door had no lock. I slept very well and woke up early in the morning. I had a walk in the woods, went down to the beach, looked at the various buildings and took some pictures. I spoke with a young monk from Barcelona who insisted that the way Geshe Kelsang Gyatso presents Tibetan Buddhism is much more accessible to Westerners than the way shown by other lamas and traditions. Later on, Dewang showed me the local prehistoric stone circle, and we also had time to visit the New Kadampa Tradition’s office. There was nothing else to see, nothing else to discuss, my stay had come to an end.

On the train back to London, I reflected on the conflict. It is a repeat of one that occurred three and a half centuries ago between the then-Dalai Lama and Ngatrul Dragpa. That conflict finished with the Dalai’s assumption of military-political power, the assassination of Ngatrul by [suffocation with] a katag (the traditional white silk scarf), the blaming of problems on the vengeance of Dorje, and the Dalai’s repentance. Would the story repeat itself again?
 

Intrigues at the Palace

For many years, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, guru of the New Kadampa Tradition, was not allowed to work independently until his followers threatened to expose publicly the dirty linen of a drug trafficking operation organised by certain organisations in order to finance Tibetan centres. The truth is that the growth of the New Kadampa Tradition in the West is causing fear to some, and is the envy of many. Its rapid development over the last six years provides Geshe Kelsang Gyatso with a growing leadership which is a threat to the Dalai Lama. Because of this, the followers of the Dalai Lama are trying to destroy Dorje Shugden, his protector and emblem. However, he has shown himself to be an independent figure and it will be difficult to silence him.

According to one of the personal translators of the Dalai Lama, there is a secret society, the self-styled Secret Organisation of External and Internal Enemy Eliminators [of Tibet] that has threatened to kill anybody who continues to practise Dorje Shugden. The translator, who has offered to prove and expand on his assertions, says that the accusations against the Dorje Shugden Society in Delhi of having planned the three recent assassinations at the court of the Dalai Lama are totally unfounded.

“The Lama who was killed in February 1997″, says the translator, “was known for his strong attacks on Dorje Shugden and those who worship him. It was said that he had returned from Taiwan just a few days before, carrying a lot of cash. Among the hypotheses that circulated at the palace-in-exile in Dharamsala about the motive of the crimes were: there was disagreement about the distribution of the money; Mr Gyalo, a brother of the Dalai Lama, was involved in the crimes, and that he was in contact with other secret organisations; the murders were committed by the Khampa guerrilla organisation that led the fight in 1959 and who are also in disagreement with the Dalai’s government; or by a desperate individual follower of Dorje Shugden; or by Chinese or Taiwanese secret agents; or even done purposely to incriminate the Dorje Shugden Society.”

The accusations that the Dalai Lama and his court are obsessed with eliminating internal dissents are also confirmed by this translator and Western monk: “While the Tibetan government-in-exile has shown itself powerless against the Chinese occupation, they have concentrated on repressing Tibetan opposition to the point of eliminating it, as is shown by the suspension in 1996 of the only independent newspaper in the Tibetan exile community, the recent amendment of the Tibetan Constitution so that a Supreme Judge cannot possibly be a devotee of Dorje Shugden, and by rejecting attempted mediation by abbots of the great monasteries.”

While the followers of the Dalai Lama say that the practitioners of Dorje Shugden are the Talibans of Tibetan Buddhism, they themselves did not show a very good example or good sense when, in July 1997, Lobsang Thubten, one of the leaders of the Dorje Shugden Society in New Delhi was furiously attacked by 200 followers of the Dalai Lama. On the other hand, the Shugdens deny allegations that they use their deity to obtain material and personal favours. They say that they rely on him only for help in their spiritual progress and in their praying for the happiness of all beings. The followers of the New Kadampa Tradition admit that pictures of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, their spiritual director, take pre-eminent place in their meditation rooms and that they also have special prayers for his long life but as they explain, this is a common practice in Tibetan Buddhism, in which the figure of the guru, or spiritual guide, is crucial.

In summary, all this indicates that the Dalai Lama will not stop until he manages to stop Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. And if the latter has the powerful deity and protector Dorje Shugden on his side, the Dalai Lama tries to counteract this power with his own protector, the spirit Nechung. Lama against lama and deity against deity, it is possible that behind this bloody religious battle, which is not short of threats, intrigues and assassinations, there hides manipulation, which is not spiritual, by a feudal monarchipope trying to eliminate a dangerous rival. On his side he has world public opinion, headed by Hollywood. But in matters of gods and demons one never knows….
 

Deus writes here that Kyabje Ling Rinpoche practiced Dorje Shugden. Click to enlarge.

The Friends of the ‘Evil One’

Among famous Lamas who have already passed away, Ling Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche, the tutors of the Dalai Lama, were probably the most renowned figures who worshipped the controversial deity and protector Dorje Shugden. But there are also many famous living Lamas and teachers whose responsibility has been to keep this tradition alive. Despite their cautious silence, they have all become direct opponents of the official line promulgated by the Dalai Lama, and many continue their practice in secret due to fear of reprisals.
 

Geshe Kelsang Gyato: The Dalai Lama is Infringing Human Rights

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The difficult responsibility of leading the opposition to the Dalai Lama has fallen into the hands of the highest authority in the New Kadampa Tradition, the independent and intellectual lama Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. But his disagreement goes further than the question of the intrinsic virtue or otherwise of a figure within the Buddhist pantheon. Behind his words, well measured and respectful, throb doubts and accusations of greater depth.

His private residence is on the second floor of Manjushri Buddhist Centre, on top of the visitors’ rooms and next to a meditation room where there is a big statue of Vajrayogini, a female Buddha with naked, swollen breasts who does not seem to take such prominence in orthodox monasteries.

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s house is similar to an upper middle class apartment in any Western city. In the kitchen, next to a machine for making organic bread, I was served tea, and then in the sitting-room I finally met him, a gentle man of indefinite age – actually he is over sixty – who has published sixteen books over the last ten years, after completing a three-year retreat in which he alone knows what happened.
 

J.C. Deus: Is there a solution to the serious conflict that divides Tibetan Buddhism in relation to the ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden, the deity you regard as an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: If the Dalai Lama decided to give freedom and allow the practice of Dorje Shugden, the problem would finish automatically.
 

J.C. Deus: What steps should be taken to resolve the situation?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: The Dalai Lama has to understand that his ban and the methods his government-in-exile is using to implement it are illegal, cruel and inhumane. The Dalai Lama is infringing the human rights of many people.
 

J.C. Deus: Are there other important figures in Tibetan Buddhism who are disappointed with the Dalai Lama? If so, why don’t they make their criticism public?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: There are very many indeed who do not agree with him, but they cannot express their critical point of view for fear of reprisal. In Tibetan society, no one is allowed to express ideas that oppose those of the Dalai Lama. If you do, they will destroy you. They will discredit you to the point of making you a pariah, if they don’t resort to violence.
 

J.C. Deus: Is it possible that the Dalai Lama is just a moderniser of Tibetan Buddhism who is clashing with more traditional sectors? Or are you amongst those who think that he is hungry for power and wishes to monopolise all Tibetan religious and political power?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: The second description seems closer to reality.
 

J.C. Deus: What, in your opinion, is the real reason why on 14th July 1978 the Dalai Lama publicly went against the deity and protector Dorje Shugden?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: I think that there are many reasons. One of them was the influence of the spirit Nechung, the protector of the Dalai Lama. The oracle (medium) of Nechung with the consent of the Dalai Lama wants to have all the power. Many people think that jealousy was an important factor because the practice of Dorje Shugden was, and still is, very popular among many Lamas, including the tutors and root gurus of the Dalai Lama, as well as many scholars and thousands of other practitioners. But there is also a factor of ignorance and superstition, because the Dalai Lama based all his decisions to implement this ban on divinations, oracles and dreams. He himself says so in the discourse he gave in July 1978.
 

J.C. Deus: Do you think this is an attempt to stop the preponderance of the Gelug tradition in Tibetan Buddhism?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: Yes, this is clear.
 

J.C. Deus: Who is responsible for this problem, the Dalai Lama or the human oracle through whom the spirit Nechung manifests? Who is this oracle, how was he elected and whose interests does he represent?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: The Dalai Lama chooses everything. He also chose Nechung. I don’t know much about him but they themselves say he is a spirit.
 

J.C. Deus: It is said that the Dalai Lama has more oracles (mediums) than ministers, that he is surrounded by oracles and that he does not take a step without consulting them. What do you think about such reliance? Do you think that there is a hidden power at the palace in Dharamsala?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: This reliance is inappropriate. These methods of divination are often the source of many problems, conflicts and quarrels, and give rise to superstition. The person who gets into the habit of relying upon these methods ends up losing self-confidence, and there comes a time when he becomes incapable of taking a single decision by himself based on logical reasoning and using his own wisdom, or relying on the wisdom of other experts who could advise him. Buddha did not teach these methods; they are not Buddhist practices. About the second part of the question, whether or not there may be a hidden power in Dharamsala, all the power is in the hands of the Dalai Lama. If tomorrow he were to say that all Tibetans have to worship Dorje Shugden, they would put photos and images of this deity on their shrines. If the next day he said the opposite, they would remove all these images. This is his power.
 

J.C. Deus: Has the Tibetan government-in-exile failed? Do you think that the fight for independence should be abandoned and instead accept dependency on China?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: It is obvious that the Tibetan government-in-exile has failed in its principal task: to gain independence for Tibet. But I prefer not to comment about political matters, so I will abstain from replying to the second question.
 

J.C. Deus: How do you see the Dalai Lama’s role as a political Tibetan leader? Do you think that he may have become a puppet of the United States in its disputes with China?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: I think that it is a serious error to have a political leader who is at the same time a spiritual leader. Politics and religion are two different things, and to mix them gives rise to many political and religious problems. Often they use religious methods, such as devotion to the spiritual guide, to attain political objectives. It is very problematic. To me it is unacceptable that the government-in-exile forces all of us to take the Dalai Lama as our spiritual guide or guru. In Buddhism there is complete freedom; no one can force you to choose someone as your spiritual master, this is something that each of us has to choose with complete freedom.
 

J.C. Deus: Would you say that the Dalai Lama runs a dictatorship over the Tibetan exile community?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: Yes, in many aspects it is a dictatorship. There are no elections and an opposition is impossible in present Tibetan society, and these are two of the main characteristics of a dictatorship.
 

J.C. Deus: Finally, do you think that it was a serious mistake to have chosen the present Dalai Lama? Is it possible that he may not be the actual reincarnation of his predecessor?
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: I think that political leaders should be elected democratically, and it is a mistake that the same person embodies and administers both the political and religious power of a country.
 

Interview with Kelsang Dewang, Buddhist Nun

The Dalai Lama makes decisions based on oracles, and dreams, and throwing little balls of dough into the air.

Despite her name, Kelsang Dewang is a Spanish nun who converted to Buddhism twenty years ago. She is the translator and personal assistant of the leader of the New Kadampa Tradition. As a practitioner of the deity Dorje Shugden, her voice has been listened to in this controversy, and presents a serious and critical point-of-view about the historical roots of Tibetan Buddhism and the present role of the Dalai Lama.
 

J.C. Deus: You are a practitioner of Dorje Shugden, a deity that is accused of being a demon and of taking the souls of those who worship him.
Kelsang Dewang: No, he is not a demon. He is a protector of Dharma and these protectors, by definition, are emanations of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas (realised and liberated beings), and the practitioner relies on them seeking help to attain spiritual realisations. Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom and one of the main protectors of the Gelugpa tradition.
 

J.C. Deus: Are we in fact facing a political conflict and a battle for power which is obscured by an apparent religious confrontation?
Kelsang Dewang: It could be, religion and politics are very much mixed in Tibetan society. The truth is that the Gelugpa Tradition is the most widespread and the most successful, and this always gives rise to jealousy and envy. It is a conflict that has its roots in the XVII century, but it is dreadful to bring these resentments into the present. It does not matter that some people think that Dorje Shugden is a spirit and others think that he is a Buddha. In democratic countries we have freedom, and we should also respect those who have different views to us. Besides this, they cannot prove that Dorje is an evil spirit. When they try to, they only tell superstitious stories. If someone has a bad dream, if someone gets sick, if the crops are not good, or if a Lama falls off a bicycle and dies, all these are blamed on Dorje Shugden. Just recently a young girl in Dharamsala was raped, and they immediately said that the perpetrator was a follower of Dorje Shugden. Tibetan culture is very superstitious, but this has nothing to do with Buddhism. Buddhism and Tibetan culture are two different things, and we have to learn carefully to unwrap the precious treasure of Dharma from the dirty wrappings in which we have received it.
 

J.C. Deus: It seems that the attack is not limited to Lama Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and to the New Kadampa Tradition, but that they are also trying to discredit the whole Gelugpa tradition by forbidding the essential practices of this tradition. News has been heard that some of the Lamas of this lineage have been discredited. Are there any details of this situation?
Kelsang Dewang: It has been said that they have started to suppress the practice of Lama Chöpa, and that the Dalai Lama has also publicly criticised the famous Jamyang Shaypa. But the principal objects of the attack are the lamas that have brought the Gelugpa tradition into the present day, Pabongkha Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche. This criticism implies that they were not realised beings, but were ordinary beings with delusions, so it would follow that their teachings lack blessings and are not valid. From this it would follow that the Gelugpa Tradition is a degenerate path. But the paradox is that the Dalai Lama himself was educated as a Gelugpa, and received all his instructions from Trijang Rinpoche, his root guru, whom he now criticises. In reality, in Tibetan society there has never been any democracy. In the VIIth century in Tibet they threw criminals over a cliff, and in the XXth century the way of punishing those who oppose the Government has not changed so much, even in exile.

Before the present Dalai Lama escaped to India, members of his government assassinated the great Gelugpa Lama Reting Rinpoche. He was poisoned in 1947, after it was decided that to throw him over a cliff was not an appropriate way to kill a lama of such rank. And this lama was killed just because he did not agree with the government’s activities. Because of these reprisals, Tibetans are forced to wear two masks: with one they smile to the Dalai Lama, and with the other they criticise him. All the power is held by the Private Office of the Dalai Lama and its orders have to be followed at all costs. No one has the opportunity to express a different view. This institution [the Private Office] is in charge of passing on information to the people. When it criticises someone for holding different views, and that person does not retract his views or keep silent, he will start receiving threats. Many people feel unhappy for other reasons also. For example, the Dalai Lama and his government have spent the last twenty six years fund-raising for the purpose of Tibetan independence, but now the Dalai Lama says that he is not interested in the independence of Tibet, so for this reason many people feel that they have been cheated.
 

J.C. Deus: What is the relationship between the Dalai Lama and other schools and traditions?
Kelsang Dewang: The Dalai Lama has a very bad relationship with the other main Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Kagyupas. Recently they underwent a lot of suffering due to the interference of the Dalai Lama in the choice of the reincarnation of the new Karmapa, the head of the Kagyupas. The Dalai Lama forced the recognition of a boy that the Chinese authorities had recognised as the new Karmapa, but the Kagyupas had already found a boy they believed to be the true incarnation. Besides, the Dalai Lama has no power to recognise officially this reincarnation and in doing so, he has divided the Kagyupas into two main factions: those who follow the Dalai Lama and those who follow Shamar Rinpoche, the lama in charge of recognising the Karmapas. Consequently, the Tibetan Government has done everything possible to make this lama another pariah. In Gelugpa society, the problems created by the ban of the practice of Dorje Shugden has forced many lamas and monks, who cannot accept abandoning their religious practice, to escape to Nepal or Mongolia. Many monks demonstrated, and several of them were expelled from their monasteries.
 

J.C. Deus: Nechung is the spirit protector of the Dalai Lama. How does he manifest?
Kelsang Dewang: Nechung is a worldly spirit, they say so themselves. Tibetans like spirits and divinations very much. In the New Kadampa Tradition, we do not follow these methods because we do not consider them to be truly Buddhist. In my opinion, often the medium or oracle is just a good actor. When the spirit has entered the body of the oracle, people ask questions and he replies. I find this way of answering questions incorrect and open to criticism, because often a medium will reply according to his personal interests. Also, I cannot understand why the Dalai Lama, if he is an enlightened being as some say, needs to consult a worldly spirit. The Dalai Lama decided that he had to ban the worship of Dorje Shugden following the advice he received from the spirit Nechung transmitted via a medium. The writings of the Dalai Lama confirm that he makes his decisions based on divination through oracles, dream interpretation and throwing little balls of dough into the air. Considering that his internal and external political activities are based on these methods of discrimination, we should not be surprised that in all these years in exile he has [only] managed mainly to become one of the idols of Hollywood stars. Besides, the spirit Nechung is notorious for making many mistakes. The 13th Dalal Lama died because Nechung gave him poison by mistake.
 

J.C. Deus: Do you think that the Dalai Lama has degenerated?
Kelsang Dewang: A being of high realisations cannot degenerate. There is a point on the spiritual path when it is impossible to go backwards. It is not possible for the Dalai Lama to be a Buddha and then to degenerate; therefore, the only possibility is that he is an ordinary being and his actions are showing it. A real Buddhist does not need to be afraid of spirits, so why should he be?

J.C. Deus
 

Addendum

Spanish author José Catalán Deus is renowned for having worked with the likes of CNN, and other big name newspapers and magazines. He has even published book after book of historical reporting, giving factual accounts of events and issues. His article in a 1997 issue of the Mas Alla magazine is no different. Aiming to fulfil the magazine’s aim to report on events and matters regarding religion, spiritual affairs, and metaphysics, he has provided a balanced, unbiased overview of a somewhat tricky situation – the conflict surrounding the practice of Dorje Shugden, as orchestrated by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala). Published well before the height of this coordinated ban, the article is free from the CTA’s machinations to hide the truth.

The CTA have long spewed the false claim that Kyabje Ling Rinpoche did not practice Dorje Shugden but as Deus reports, this is not even close to the truth of the matter. He clearly interviewed the right people and as an independent commentator, discovered that Kyabje Ling Rinpoche did in fact practice Dorje Shugden and has even composed prayers to the deity. In fact, it was not only Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, the senior tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama who practised the deity, but Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the junior tutor to the Dalai Lama as well. The CTA often claim that these two primary teachers of the Dalai Lama were not involved with the practice, but as Deus’s objective reporting clearly indicates, they both in fact did practice. And Deus has no recourse to lie or take sides on the matter, as such a blunder would have ruined his reporting career – neither he himself nor the magazine he was writing for were linked to Tibetan Buddhism in any way, and therefore have no reason to report either in support for or against the Dorje Shugden ban.

The very fact that an unbiased author, in a matter-of-fact reporting manner, reaffirmed the truth that both tutors of His Holiness the Dalai Lama practised Dorje Shugden, undermined the CTA and exposed them for what they are – liars. What they propagate is nothing near the truth, and here it has been exposed for all to see.

You can scroll down to page 33 of the magazine to see where José Catalán Deus specifically mentions that Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche both practised Dorje Shugden.

The cover of the September 1997 issue of Mas Alla magazine in which the article by José Catalán Deus was published. Click to enlarge.

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José Catalán Deus highlights the fact that both Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche were practitioners of Dorje Shugden here on page 33 of the magazine. The sentence in English reads “Among famous Lamas who have already passed away, Ling Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche, the tutors of the Dalai Lama, were probably the most renowned figures who worshipped the controversial deity and protector Dorje Shugden.” Click to enlarge.

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[Editor's note: If you would like your Dharma centre's activities to be featured on DorjeShugden.com, please write in to our editors at ds@dorjeshugden.com]

USA & CANADA

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, Toronto

The Supreme Practice of Loving Kindness – Empowerment of Buddha Maitreya

Requirement: Contact Centre
Date: 1 – 5 May 2015

The annual Canadian Festival is an opportunity for new practitioners and old, from across the country, to gather together to receive practical spiritual advice in our National Kadampa temple. This year, Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab, retired General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition, will grant the empowerment of the Buddha of Loving Kindness, Buddha Maitreya and help us to deepen this peaceful state of mind in our hearts. He will also teach us more about how to lead a life of a Modern Bodhisattva – someone who is inspired and finds joy in helping others.

For more information, visit http://kadampafestivals.ca/program/program

EUROPE

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

The Alchemy of Enlightenment, The Meditation of the 5 Supreme Healers and 5 Great Mothers

Requirement: Contact Centre
Date: 1 – 3 May 2015

The 5 Father Buddhas and 5 Mother Buddhas are a symbol of the complete purification of our body and mind. If we had nothing similar with a buddha, we could not hope to become one, but fortunately we have a buddhanature – the potential for change if we apply the right causes and conditions and the raw materials, our present body and mind. Through the alchemical process of Ngalso Tantric Self Healing and other highest yoga tantras, we can transform our five elements and our fear, materialism, anger desire and ignorance into ten pure crystal non-dual energies and achieve inner peace, happiness and wellbeing for ourselves and others as well as healing the wounded environment.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/initation-and-commentary-of-the-five-supreme-healer-and-the-five-great-mother-of-the-five-elements/?lang=en

Rabten Choeling

Transmission of Lamrim and Teachings on Guru-Puja

Requirement: The Guru-Puja teaching. Please note that these teachings can only be attended by disciples who have received the Yamantaka initiation by Venerable Trijang Choktul Rinpoche.
Date: 19 May 2015 – 16 June 2015

We will have the extraordinary opportunity to receive teachings and transmissions in the month of Saga Dawa. During the first two weeks, Venerable Geshe Buga will give the word-transmissions of the eight great Lamrim commentaries. During the following weeks, Venerable Gonsar Rinpoche will teach on the Guru-Puja.

For more information, visit http://www.rabten.eu/eventsSwiss_en.htm

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Medicine Buddha Empowerment and Teachings on Healing the Mind

Requirement: Open to all
Date: 22 – 27 May 2015

For centuries, people have found in Kadampa Buddhism simple methods to solve their daily problems, experience a deep and lasting happiness and help others to do the same. These powerful methods are available to us today in the form of modern Kadampa Buddhism, which is a special presentation designed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Through these practices we can discover a deep inner peace, overcome problems and difficulties with a happy mind and realize the full potential of our human life.

For more information, visit http://kadampafestivals.org/spring

[Editor's note: If you would like your Dharma centre's activities to be featured on DorjeShugden.com, please write in to our editors at ds@dorjeshugden.com]

USA & CANADA

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

The New Year Retreat

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 27 December 2014 – 2 January 2015

The Stages of the Path to Happiness
Start off the year by immersing yourself in this New Year’s meditation retreat on Kadam Lamrim, ‘The Stages of the Path to Happiness’. Meditating on Lamrim overcomes all obstacles to our peace of mind, solves our daily problems, and leads us to realize pure lasting happiness for ourself and others. Gen Chögyan will be using the new presentation of the 14 meditations as described by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in ‘How to Understand the Mind‘. Suitable for everyone.

Four guided meditations each day. Join for one session, one day or for the full retreat.

For more information, visit http://kadampa.ca/coursesevents/retreats/

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

Attaining the Inner Dakini Land

Requirement: For practitioners who have received Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments
Date: 3 – 10 January

Generation and Completion Stage Meditations
Immerse yourself in a week long retreat to become closer to Buddha Vajrayogini.

Gen Chögyan will guide us in a blissful journey along the two tantric stages, with an emphasis on completion stage meditations on the channel, drops and winds.

Four guided sessions each day. Join for a few session, full days or the entire retreat.

Morning silence (until lunch) will be observed Jan 4, 5, 9 & 10. Full silence will be observed from Jan 6-8.

For more information, visit http://kadampa.ca/coursesevents/retreats/

Kadampa Meditation Center New York

Lamrim and The Wheel of Life

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 9 – 15 January

Discover the Lamrim Pure Land through contemplating the 14 meditations presented in the book How to Understand the Mind with the Wheel of Life.

For more information, visit http://kadampanewyork.org/retreats/ buddhist-retreats/winter-retreats
 
 
 

Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver, Canada

Buddha Green Tara Empowerment with Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 16 – 18 January

Fearless Wisdom
Everyone is welcome to the annual Western Canada Dharma Celebration (WCDC) where people from Western Canada gather for a weekend of empowerment, teachings, meditations, and the good company of spiritual friends.

This annual event was established by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). All profits from the event go to the International Temples Project (ITP), a fund dedicated to building Temples, retreat centres, schools and more throughout the world.

This year’s WCDC will be taught be the General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU, and acting National Spiritual Director of Canada; Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, she will grant the Empowerment of Buddha Green Tara.

During this special event we will receive the special blessings of Tara, a female Buddha embodying enlightened compassion and wisdom. If we rely upon her with strong faith we will quickly receive her protection and blessings.

For more information, visit http://kadampacelebrations.ca/western-celebration/

Kadampa Meditation Center New York

Vajrayogini Generation Stage

Requirement: Participants must have already received Heruka and Vajrayogini Empowerments.
Date: 16 – 22 January

Enter the magical world of meditation in the blissful mandala of Vajrayogini.

For more information, visit http://kadampanewyork.org/retreats/ buddhist-retreats/winter-retreats

Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada

Buddha Shakyamuni Empowerment & Commentary to Liberating Prayer

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 23 – 25 January

Following The Liberating Path
The annual Ontario Dharma Celebration (ODC) is a wonderful opportunity for people all across Ontario to come together to receive practical spiritual advice. It is held in the National Kadampa Temple in Toronto, which arose from the compassionate intention of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). All profits from the event go to the International Temples Project (ITP) fund, dedicated to public benefit.

Early in 2015, we will establish a deep connection with Buddha Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism in this world. By learning how to rely on him as our supreme unchanging friend, we can awaken our own compassion and wisdom. Gen-la Dekyong will give a commentary to the Liberating Prayer. This prayer, composed by Venerable Geshe-la for this modern time, is particularly accessible to everyone and engaged in daily by the people in Kadampa Buddhist centres around the world.

For more information, visit http://kadampacelebrations.ca/ontario-celebration/

Kadampa Meditation Center New York

Channels, Winds, & Drops Retreat

Requirement: Participants must have already received Heruka and Vajrayogini Empowerments.
Date: 23 – 29 January

Realize the nature of your own mind – the secret dakini – through this retreat on tantric completion stage meditation. Do not seek Buddhahood elsewhere!

For more information, visit http://kadampanewyork.org/retreats/buddhist-retreats/winter-retreats
 

EUROPE

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

New Year Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 31 December 2014 – 3 January 2015

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Migtsema Retreat

Requirement: Open to public (2nd and 3rd January); Highest Yoga Tantra Practitioners Only (Whole Retreat)
Date: 2 – 30 January

This is a very special opportunity to engage in guided retreat on the beautiful practice of Migtsema mantra recitation. The practice of Migtsema is very important for fulfilling one’s own and others wishes and contains the meaning of all Buddha’s eighty-four thousand teachings.

The sessions will be using the self-generation sadhana, King of the Dharma, and will allow time to focus on the various, beautiful meditation objects within this practice as well as for recitation of the Migtsema prayer.

The retreat can be done as a counting retreat or simply to gain familiarity with and enjoyment of these practices. You can attend the whole month or part of it.

Everyone is welcome to attend the introductory teachings on Friday and Saturday. The retreat sessions are only open to those who have received either a Je Tsongkhapa or Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment.

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Lamrim Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 3 – 8 January

Lamrim, or stages of the path to enlightenment, is a special step-by-step presentation of Buddha’s teachings taught by Venerable Atisha around a thousand years ago. This presentation makes the teachings very accessible and practical as we know how to enter, how to progress and how to complete the Buddhist path to enlightenment.

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/
 

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre (MKMC), UK

Training the Mind Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 4 – 18 January

Vajrayogini is a female Wisdom Buddha of Highest Yoga Tantra. By following the skilful guidance of an experienced retreat leader we can take the blessings of this powerful practice into our heart. Short, simple and immensely powerful, these meditations open the door to the pure world of Buddha Vajrayogini.

For more information, visit http://nkt-kmc-manjushri.org/the-new-year-retreats-january#tab-id-5

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Lamrim Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 9 – 11 January

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Naro Cho Druk, commentary on the Six Yogas of Niguma, Part 1

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 10 – 11 January

This teaching is based on the commentary on the Six Yogas by the yogini Niguma which are similar to those of Naropa. This first part will deal with the Lineage and Trulkor, the Yoga of Sleep and Tummo.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/naro-cho-druk-commentary-on-the-six-yogas-of-niguma-part-i/?lang=en

Thekchen Kadampa Buddhist Centre, UK

Vajrayogini Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Practitioners only
Date: 10 – 15 January

Vajrayogini Retreat: January 10 – 13

Focusing on the practice of ‘Quick Path to Great Bliss’, this retreat will help to bring new life and inspiration to our practice of Secret Mantra.

‘Quick Path to Great Bliss’ contains all the essential practices of Highest Yoga Tantra, and as Geshe Kelsang Gyatso explains, it is the quick path to enlightenment.

 
The Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability Retreat: January 14 – 15

Gain experience of this essential practice of transference of consciousness in the ideal conditions of retreat.

The uncommon yoga of inconceivability is a special method, unique to the practice of Vajrayogini, whereby we can attain the Pure Land of Keajra or Dakini Land, the Pure Land of Buddha Heruka and Buddha Vajrayogini, within this life without abandoning our present body.

For more information, visit http://www.thekchencentre.org/vajrayogini-uncommon-yoga-inconceivability-retreats-2015

Compassion Kadampa Buddhist Centre, UK

Guided Concentration Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 10 – 17 January

This is an essential opportunity for us to train together in concentration. On this retreat we will emphasis improving our mindfulness and our ability to focus, creating an inner brightness and clarity that makes our meditation session effective and deeply enjoyable.

With the inner peace that good concentration brings, we will find a natural sense of contentment and freedom from craving.

For more information, visit http://www.meditation-newcastle.org/guided-concentration-retreat-10th-to-17th-january-2015/

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Mind Like a Clear, Blue Sky: Realising our own Mind

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 16 – 18 January

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Loving Kindness

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 16 – 22 January

Developing a good heart, a mind of unconditional love, is the foundation of all spiritual attainments. This retreat will focus on meditations that help us to improve our love so that it becomes unlimited and unconditional and more like the love of a Buddha. Love really is all you need!

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Teachings of Buddhist philosophy – Practice of purification: the four opponent powers

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 17 – 18 January

There are two factors which support spiritual development: the purification of negativities and the accumulation of positive energy (virtuous actions).

The purification of negative actions is important but often not well understood; it is not through suffering that we purify but through specific attitudes and practices.

In these two days Lama Michel will clarify the meaning of purification, why and how to do it. He will give the transmission and meditative experience of the purification practices according to sutra and tantra, specifically through the practice of the 35 Confessional Buddhas and the practice of Vajrasattva, the Diamond Mind.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/teachings-of-buddhist-philosophy/?lang=en

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre (MKMC), UK

Vajrayogini Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only
Date: 18 – 31 January

The teachings on Lojong, or Training the Mind, focus in particular on developing minds of universal love, compassion and the supreme good heart of bodhichitta through the special practices of equalizing and exchanging ourself with others. They also show how we can transform all life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual methods. Through meditating deeply on these teachings and integrating them into our daily life we can experience greater meaning and lasting happiness in our busy modern lives.

For more information, visit http://nkt-kmc-manjushri.org/the-new-year-retreats-january#tab-id-5

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Vajrayogini Self Generation Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only
Date: 23 – 25 January

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre, UK

Vajrayogini Self-Generation Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantric Practitioners only
Date: 23 – 30 January

Highest Yoga Tantra is the quick path to enlightenment in which we can attain Buddhahood in one short life. This retreat will focus in the self-generation meditations based upon the practice of Quick Path to Great Bliss; a perfect way to energize your formal tantric practice and draw closer to Vajrayogini.

For more information, visit http://www.madhyamaka.org/january-retreats/

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

White Manjushri Initation and Practice

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 24 – 25 January

White Manjushri, Sita (Tibetan: jam kar little pal.) is the bodhisattva of wisdom in its peaceful form, and is part of Tantra Siddhaikavira.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/white-manjushri-initation-and-practice/?lang=en

Thekchen Kadampa Buddhist Centre, UK

Transform Your Life Retreat

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 24 – 28 January

Everyone is looking for happiness. But are we looking in the right place? By focusing outside of ourselves all the time for solutions to our problems and a cure for our unhappiness, we are making a big mistake because happiness comes from within.

In this retreat we will learn how to transform ourselves into the person we wish to be. Through teachings and guided meditations, Gen Lekma will reveal how to develop positive attitudes to ourselves, our life-situations and our relationships.

Everyone is welcome. Suitable for beginners, as well as those with more experience. These meditations are taken from an ancient, timeless sequence of Buddhist meditations called Lamrim (Stages of the Path).

The retreat is based on ‘Transform Your Life’ by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

For more information, visit http://www.thekchencentre.org/transform-life-retreat-24-jan-28-jan-2015

Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC), UK

Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra practitioners only
Date: 30 January – 1 February

For more information, visit http://www.tarakmc.org/category/retreats-events/weekend-events/

ASIA

Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia

Vajrasattva Empowerment & Teachings on Purifying Obstacles and Negative Karma

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini
Date: 31 December 2014 – 4 January 2015

At this year’s Australasian Festival, Gen-la Dekyong will grant the blessing empowerment of Vajrasattva – the Buddha of purification. After making this special connection with Guru Vajrasattva, Gen-la will explain how we can remove the causes of all our daily problems and unhappiness by relying upon him.

By putting Gen-la’s teachings into practice, we can not only find freedom from life’s difficulties but also eliminate discouragement, and clear our path of obstacles, filling our lives with joy and confidence.

In the New Meditation Handbook, Geshe-la explains that by purifying our mind and engaging in pure actions or karma, we come to abide in a pure world. He says ‘This is how to find true happiness from within our mind.’

Join us for this special spiritual event and start the new year by embarking on journey to a completely pure world.

For more information, visit http://www.australasianfestival.org/the-festival/

Kalpa Bhadra Kadampa Buddhist Centre, New Zealand

A Silent Retreat in New Zealand’s Southern Alps

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 6 – 13 January

Gen Kelsang Dornying will guide a special silent retreat of Buddha Vajrasattva. By deepening our reliance on Buddha Vajrasattva, the buddha of purification, we will cleanse our mind of delusions, negativities, and obstacles. On this silent retreat Gen Dornying will give teachings on the practice of Buddha Vajrasattva and there will be sessions of meditation and recitation. This gives us the great opportunity to purify our mind quickly, so that we can make swift progress on the spiritual path.

For more information, visit http://meditateinchristchurch.org/wp/mountains-retreats/post-australasian-festival-retreat

Kadampa Meditation Centre, Hong Kong

Close Retreat of Vajrayogini

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini
Date: 8 January – 12 February

From 8 January to 12 February 2015, the Centre will organize the Close Retreat of Vajrayogini. Those who have received the Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini are welcome to join either the Counting Retreat or the meditation retreat to deepen the generation and completion stages practices.

For more information, visit http://www.meditation.hk/en/courses/Close-Retreat-of-Vajrayogini

Kadampa Meditation Centre Singapore

The Blissful Path – Vajrayogini Retreat

Requirement: Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments of Heruka Body Mandala and Vajrayogini
Date: 15 – 19 January

This retreat is for those wishing to train in the Highest Yoga Tantra self generation practice of Buddha Vajrayogini, called ‘The Blissful Path.’

For more information, visit http://nkt-kmc-singapore.org/retreats

Serpom Monastery, Karnataka South India

Public Teaching and Empowerments by His Eminence Yongyal Rinpoche

Requirement: Open to public
Date: 16 – 23 January

New York City was the final destination in the Dalai Lama’s recent USA tour, where he was scheduled to give a 3-day teaching. Once again, the Dalai Lama had to face both Western and Tibetan Shugden practitioners, who were peacefully demonstrating for religious freedom at the various locations where the Dalai Lama was scheduled to appear.

• 2nd November 2014: Manhattan Center
• 3rd and 4th November 2014: Beacon Theater

DorjeShugden.com has been closely following the protests organised by our fellow Shugdenpas to bring our readers this compilation of news, pictures and videos. If you have more pictures or information to share, please email us at ds@dorjeshugden.com.

Admin

News Coverage

THE EXAMINER

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Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/the-dalai-lama-accused-of-discrimination

BLOOMBERG NYC

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Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-02/nyc-protesters-say-dalai-lama-rejects-their-buddhist-sect.html

CBS NYC

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Source: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/11/04/buddhist-group-protests-dalai-lamas-nyc-visit/

HUFFINGTON POST

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/04/dalai-lama-new-york_n_6097362.html?ir=Religion

THE TECH

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Source: http://tech.mit.edu/V134/N52/dalailama.html

SOUTH COAST TODAY

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Source: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20141106/Opinion/141109502

Photos of the NYC Demonstrations

Video Coverage of the New York City Demonstrations

Proud to be Shugden

From ISC News

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The Dalai Lama’s Religious Intolerance Spreads to the US

From ISC News

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One Flag: Buddhism

From ISC News

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Protest against the Dalai Lama at Beacon Theatre, NYC

From ISC News

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As the glorious Chandrakirti said:
Any time you have freedom and your state is favourable,
If you do not take their advantage
And lose your freedom by falling to the lower realm,
Who will then raise you up again?

- Pabongka Dorje Chang, Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand

Why Must I Practice?

The greatest thing we can achieve in this life is to be able to liberate ourselves and others from suffering and its causes. To achieve that, we have to achieve the lam-rim, the gradual path to enlightenment through purifying all the negative karma we have collected and accumulate extensive merit.

What is Spiritual Practice?

Spiritual practice is not something mystical that is separate from what we do as we go about our daily business. Often, people think that to be a spiritual person, one must leave the trappings of everyday life and embark on an epic journey to a faraway land in search of awakening.

The truth is, spiritual practice can be incorporated into our daily lives. Many of these practices are readily available and establishing a consistent routine of study and practice ensures our progress along the spiritual path.

Relying on a Spiritual Guide

The Guru is the root of the spiritual path and the foundation of all spiritual attainments, hence the importance of relying on a qualified Spiritual Guide. Just like carpenters and sculptors must first study with a teacher, spiritual aspirants also need to find a guru who is capable of guiding us along the spiritual path.

Without receiving instructions and guidance from a qualified Spiritual Guide, one can never gain realizations or attainments. The Spiritual Guide helps us by giving us vows, empowerments and initiations, teaching us what is to be practised and what is to be avoided, and it is through the teacher that the blessings of the lineage flows.

If you do not have a teacher, it would highly recommended that you search for one living in your area. If you don’t know where to start, this is a list of established lineage masters and spiritual guides and dharma centers that you may wish to consult:

USA

1. H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche
   Trijang Buddhist Institute
   http://www.tbiusa.org/
2. Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche
   Gadenpa Buddhist Centre
   http://gadenpa.com/
3. Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche
   Jewel Heart Headquarters
   http://www.jewelheart.org/
4. Dagom Tensung Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery
   http://www.dgtlmonastery.org/

Canada

1. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
   Gaden For The West
   http://www.gadenforthewest.org/
2. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche
   Tsongkhapa Meditation Center
   http://meditationtsongkhapa.org/

Europe

1. Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
   Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center
   http://nkt-kmc-manjushri.org/
2. H.H. Trisur Rinpoche Lungrik Namgyal
   Thar Deu Ling
   http://www.thardeuling.com/
3. H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche
   Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre
   http://ahmc.ngalso.net/
4. Gonsar Tulku Rinpoche
   Rabten Choeling
   http://www.rabten.eu/
5. H.E. Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoche
   http://www.dagyab-rinpoche.com/

For more reading on Spiritual Guides:

• Relating to a Spiritual Teacher: Building a Healthy Relationship (2000). Snow Lion Publications.
• Liberation in the Palm of Your hand: A Concise Discourse on the Path to Enlightenment (2006). Wisdom Publications, p. 217-269.
• The Fulfillment of All Hopes: Guru Devotion in Tibetan Buddhism (1996), Wisdom Publications.
• Great Treasury of Merit: How to Rely Upon a Spiritual Guide (1992). Tharpa Publications, p. 1-11

Studies and Practices

Lama Tsongkapa presented a special arrangement of Sutra and Tantra practices which can lead one to full enlightenment in one short lifetime. Below is a summary of the core teachings, beginning with the Lamrim (Stages of the Path), following by Lojong (Training the Mind) and lastly Mahamudra (the actual quick path to enlightenment).

I. LAMRIM (Stages of the Path)

The Lamrim (Stages of the Path) tradition presents a systematic, step-by-step cultivation of the Buddhist path to enlightenment from the point of view of three types of individuals.

First it leads students through the stages of the two lower spiritual motivations – individuals who aspire for a better rebirth, and then those who aspire for individual liberation. It culminates in the presentation of the path for those practicing from the point of view of the highest spiritual motivation, the Mahayana – individuals who aspire to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all living beings.

One studies the Lamrim to gain a panoramic understanding of the general teachings of the Buddha, and then receives the Lojong teachings in order to establish a quintessential regime of daily practice.

For more detailed information on the Lamrim and how to meditate on it, these are some suggested reading materials:

• The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (www.lamrim.com)
• Liberation in the Palm of Your hand: A Concise Discourse on the Path to Enlightenment (2006). Wisdom Publications.
• Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment (1995). Tharpa Publications
• The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Volume I (2004). Canada: Snow Lion.
• The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Volume II (2004). Canada: Snow Lion.
• The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Volume III (2004). Canada: Snow Lion.

II. LOJONG (Training the Mind)

Lojong is a special formulation of the practical essence of the Lamrim teachings. Atisha embodied the pith of the Lojong teachings in his Lojong Tsa-tsig, and many of Atisha’s own Lojong teachings come to us only through passages found in the Book of the Kadampa Masters.

Two Lojong texts most studied today across all schools of Tibetan Buddhism are Geshe Chekawa’s Seven Points for Training the Mind and Geshe Langri Tangpa’s Eight Verses for Training the Mind.

For more detailed information on Lojong, these are some suggested reading materials:

• Transforming the Mind: Eight Verses on Generating Compassion and Transforming your Life, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Thorsons
• Mind Training: The Great Collection, Geshe Thupten Jinpa. Wisdom Publications.
• Universal Compassion: Inspiring Solutions for Difficult Times, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Tharpa Publications.

III. MAHAMUDRA

“Mahamudra” is a Sanskrit word meaning “great seal” and refers to the nature of all phenomena. It also refers to sophisticated Buddhist systems of meditation and practice to realise this great sealing nature. The distinctive characteristic of the Mahamudra method is the realization of the relationship between mind and reality through focusing on the mind itself.

The Gelug tradition of Mahamudra is known as Gelug-Kagyu because it uses Kagyu-style methods for recognising the conventional nature of mind and then typically Gelug methods for its deepest nature.

For more detailed information on Mahamudra, these are some suggested reading materials:

• The Gelug/Kagyu Tradition of Mahamudra, H.H. the Dalai Lama and Berzin, Alexander (1997). Ithaca, Snow Lion.
• Becoming the Compassion Buddha: Tantric Mahamudra for Everyday Life. Lama Thubten Yeshe. (2003). Wisdom Publications.
• Mahamudra Tantra – An Introduction to Meditation on Tantra, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (2005). Tharpa Publications.

IV. PRELIMINARY PRACTICES

The purpose of preliminary practices is to purify ourselves of the grossest level of obstacles and build up positive force so that our studies and meditations will be more efficacious in bringing us to enlightenment.

Positive force or “merit,” refers to the conducive internal state that results from constructive, or “virtuous” actions of body, speech, mind and heart.

The preliminary practices are sometimes enumerated as five or nine:

1. Refuge: One recites Namo Gurubhya, Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya, Namo Sanghaya while visualizing the field of positive potential.
2. Prostrations: One prostrates to the 35 Confessional Buddhas, while reciting their names and the confessional prayer.
3. Mandala Offerings: One recites the Refuge and Bodhicitta prayers and the mandala offering verses, while visualizing offering the entire universe and everything beautiful in it to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
4. Vajrasattva (Dorje Sempa) Mantra: One recites the Vajrasattva 100-syllable mantra along with Vajrasattva practice and the accompanying visualizations.
5. Samayavajra (Damtsig Dorje) mantra: One recites the mantra of this Buddha together with the appropriate visualizations.
6. Dorje Khadro (Vajra Daka): Imagining black sesame seeds as the negativities of ourselves and others, one offers them in a fire to the mouth of the fierce deity Dorje Khadro, who swallows them with pleasure as if they were nectar.
7. Water Offerings: This involves offering bowls of water to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, together with the accompanying visualizations.
8. Guru Yoga: One meditates on the inseparability of the Buddha’s mind, the Spiritual Guide’s mind and one’s own mind, together with visualization and mantra recitation.
9. Tsa-tsas: One creates clay or plaster images of the Buddhas.

It is important to know that even the Mahamudra teachings also emphasize the importance and need for extensive preliminary practices.

For more explanations on preliminary practices, you can refer to the reading materials below:

• Preliminary practice (Ngondro) overview, Thubten Chodron
  http://thubtenchodron.org/2009/09/clearing-and-enriching-mind/

V. GURU YOGA

In order for realizations to ripen within our mind, we need to receive the Spiritual Guide’s blessings through the practice of Guru Yoga. Therefore, we should begin each preliminary practice with the particular guru yoga that we are able to do, such as the Six-Session Guru Yoga, the Guru Puja ( Lama Chöpa), the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkapa (Ganden Lha Gyäma) or the Guru Yogas of various deities for which we have received permission to practice.

For more explanations on Guru Yoga, these are some suggested reading materials:

• The Union of Bliss and Emptiness: Teachings on the Practice of Guru Yoga, Dalai Lama. (2009). Snow Lion Publications.
• Hundreds of Deities of Tusita: Commentary on Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga, H.E. Chöden Rinpoche (2013). Awakening Vajra Publications.
• Heart Jewel: The Essential Practices of Kadampa Buddhism, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (1997). Tharpa Publications.

VI. RELYING ON THE DHARMA PROTECTOR DORJE SHUGDEN

The principal function of a Dharma Protector is to protect Dharma teachings, lineages and practitioners. If one studies the nature and function of Dorje Shugden, one will develop great faith and clearly understand the benefits of relying upon this Dharma Protector.

Dorje Shugden helps, guides, and protects pure and faithful practitioners by granting blessings, increasing wisdom, fulfilling wishes, and bestowing success on all virtuous activities. His powerful mandala and retinue are the synthesis of the Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Many sadhanas of Dorje Shugden state that Dorje Shugden is the embodiment of the ‘Guru, Yidam, and Protector’.

For more explanations about relying on Dorje Shugden, these are some suggested reading materials:

• Introduction to Dorje Shugden
  http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/introduction-to-dorje-shugden/
• The Way to Rely Upon Dorje Shugden
  http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/the-way-to-rely-upon-dorje-shugden/
• What Gyalchen Dorje Shugden Wants
  http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/what-gyalchen-dorje-shugden-wants/
• Nature and Function
  http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/the-nature-and-function-of-dorje-shugden/
• Dharma Demystified: The Mantra of Dorje Shugden
  http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/dharma-readings/dharma-demystified-the-mantra-of-dorje-shugden/
• Dharma Demystified: Melody of the Unceasing Vajra
  http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/dharma-readings/dharma-demystified-melody-of-the-unceasing-vajra/
• The Benefits of Dorje Shugden’s Puja
  http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/dharma-readings/the-benefits-of-dorje-shugdens-puja/

Recently, one of the most honored Gelugpa lineage masters, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, presented 500 copies of ‘The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra’ to the monks of Shar Ganden Monastery. Authored by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, this book, written in Tibetan, is based on the root text of Mahamudra called ‘The Main Path to Attainment of the Conqueror Buddha’.

In Sanskrit ‘Mudra’ means ‘absolute necessity’ and ‘Maha’ means ‘great understanding’. The root text, also known as ‘The Great Seal of Voidness’ was composed by the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662), who was the tutor of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama as well as Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen.

The world of Tibetan Buddhism must indeed pay the greatest tribute and honor to this great teacher and master. Why? Just like his incomparable root guru, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has reached out and touched the lives of millions of people worldwide. Thousands of monks, nuns and lay practitioners have gained success in the spiritual path through his teachings and guidance.

Born in 1931 in Yangcho, Eastern Tibet, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso escaped Tibet with only two scriptural texts in 1959. Today, his achievements are near unbelievable. Apart from founding the largest international Tibetan Buddhist organization in the world with over 700 ordained monks and nuns, he has authored over 20 Dharma books in the English language for Buddhists of all levels, from beginners to tantric practitioners.

His greatest works include Joyful Path of Good Fortune (a commentary on the Lamrim), The New Guide to Dakini Land (a commentary on Vajrayogini’s practice) and Heart Jewel (a commentary on Dorje Shugden’s practice), along with various other commentaries on Indian texts such as Shantideva’s ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’.

This great Lama’s incredible success can only be attributed to his unwavering faith and confidence in his lineage and protector, Dorje Shugden, which can be traced back to the teachings he received from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and Kyabje Pabongka Dorje Chang. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s greatest mission now is to preserve the precious tradition of Lama Tsongkapa and by extension, the practice of Dorje Shugden who is the special protector of Tsongkapa’s lineage.

The world rejoices in the achievements of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and his wisdom in writing and publishing such an important book which will escalate the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkapa to further unprecedented heights. We await his next book with great anticipation and offer prayers for his continued good health, long life and the growth of his works.

500 Mahamudra books offered to Shar Gaden

Shar Ganden administrator, Geshe Lobsang Gelek (left) offers the Mahamudra books to the monks on behalf of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Awesome programmes of Je Tsongkapa’s tradition are lined up for October 2014 around the world. Here are some of the outstanding ones:

[Editor's note: If you would like your Dharma centre's activities to be featured on DorjeShugden.com, please write in to our editors at ds@dorjeshugden.com]

USA & CANADA

Kadampa Meditation Center New York, USA

Buddha Manjushri Empowerment and Teachings

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 17 – 23 October

The Wisdom to Understand the Mind
Empowerment of Buddha Manjushri and teachings based on Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s remarkable new book How to Understand the Mind with Buddhist monk and international Meditation Teacher, Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab.

Part I – October 17 – 21 – Meditation, teachings and empowerment
Part II – October 22 – 23 – Meditation retreat

For more information, visit http://kadampafestivals.org/fall

EUROPE

Rabten Choeling, Switzerland

Praise of Interdependent Origination

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 3 – 5 October

Master Je Tsongkapa has composed these extraordinary verses of praise to Buddha Shakyamuni for his teachings on interdependant origination, which is the core of the middle path.

Languages: Tibetan, English, French, German

For more information, visit http://www.rabten.eu/eventsSwiss_en.htm

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Black Manjushri Residential Retreat

Requirement: Call for more information
Date: 10 – 12 October

Black Manjushri is the wrathful healing form of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom. This practice helps us to heal our deep inner negative emotions and the mental sufferings that arise due to problems or sickness; it is also a powerful antidote against the harm and disturbances caused by negative astrological influences.

There are numerous benefits to this meditative practice because above all, it supports both mentally and physically, those suffering from so-called “incurable” diseases such as aids and cancer. It helps us to confront and deal with the negative emotions such as anger, depression, fear and denial that arise when we are challenged by serious health problems or when we are confronted with problems in our daily life.

The practice of Black Manjushri can also be used to purify the negative consequences that can be created, for example, when we perform a marriage ceremony, hold a cremation or cut down trees on astrologically inauspicious days. This practice gives us the opportunity to stop our energy flowing into the wrong path, due to astrological influences.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/black-manjushri-residential-retreat/?lang=en

Rabten Jigme Ling

The 51 Mental Factors

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 11 – 12 October

If we want to improve our lives and become happier, it is important to thoroughly know our own mind. All experiences of pain and happiness originate from the mind. We can develop our mind and direct it in a more wholesome way. Therefore, in this series of courses we study the Functions of the Mind and the 51 Mental Factors.

The Buddhist teaching categorizes 51 Mental Factors: 11 wholesome, 26 unwholesome, 10 neutral and 4 changeable. These and still other functions of the mind are explained in this series of yearly weekend courses.

For more information, visit http://www.rabten.eu/eventsDenHaag_en.htm

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Sound Therapy with Tibetan Singing Bowls and Gong Yoga

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 18 – 19 October

Peter Gouw, musician, teacher and music (sound) therapist at his practice ‘Praktijk Positief’, guides and supports individuals and groups in finding their personal natural (sound) destination. The psychology of the chakras and aura are central in his treatments with tuning forks and singing bowls because of their own timbre and resonance.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/sound-therapy-with-the-tibetan-singing-bowls-and-gong-yoga/?lang=en

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Ngalso Lam Rim

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 18 – 19 October

This is Lama Gangchen’s text on the Graduated Path to Enlightenment. It is a synthesis of the many meditation practices required to develop renunciation, bodhichitta and the correct vision of reality. Lam Rim teachings are beneficial in this life and they help us at the time of death and in our future life; they are also fundamental teachings to impart us with the ability to fully help other beings as well as our external environment.

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/ngalso-lam-rim-4/?lang=en

Albagnano Healing Meditation Centre

Teachings of Buddhist Philosophy

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 25 – 26 October

For more information, visit http://ahmc.ngalso.net/events/teachings-of-buddhist-philosophy/?lang=en

ASIA

Kadampa Meditation Centre, Hong Kong

The Union of Sutra and Tantra Weekend

Requirement: Open to the public
Date: 10 – 12 October

In his Sutra teachings Buddha encourages us to abandon attachment, and in Tantra he encourages us to transform our attachment into the spiritual path. Some people may think this is a contradiction, but in reality, these practices support each other. In this course, Gen Tonglam will guide us how to experience without contradiction, the perfect practice of the union of Sutra and Tantra as taught in Kadampa Buddhism. By learning to use the power of creativity and integrating both the practices of Sutra and Tantra into our spiritual training, we can change all our experiences, whether suffering or pleasure, into the dynamic path of enlightenment.

For more information, visit http://www.meditation.hk/en/courses/The-Union-of-Sutra-and-Tantra-Weekend-Course

The heat is on. While the International Shugden Community’s ongoing protests for the Dalai Lama to lift the Dorje Shugden ban is getting the most attention from the media, public, the Tibetan administration and certainly the Dalai Lama himself, there are four other powerful, unstoppable rivers that are flowing into the walls of the ban, slowly but surely bringing it down.

#1: Trijang Rinpoche and Up-and-Coming Young Lamas

Firstly, there is Trijang Rinpoche and capable young lamas like him, for example Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Geshe Tendar and Denma Gonsar Rinpoche) who are growing up, maturing, teaching, and deservedly gaining full respect for their teachings and achievements, past and present.

Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche (left) and Rabgya Rinpoche. The future of Dorje Shugden’s lineage rests in the hands of these great masters.

Trijang Rinpoche, who is now thirty-one going on thirty-two, is one of the biggest names in Tibetan Buddhism, equal to the Karmapa, and was teacher to numerous illustrious lamas including the Dalai Lama in his previous life. His incarnation has reached maturity, and is a powerful force for the growth of Dharma.

Trijang Rinpoche is now teaching, travelling, doing dharma work and does not oblige the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in any way. They have tried to bribe him, tried to offer him prestigious positions, tried to lure him back into their fold. When that didn’t work they threatened him, tried to kill him, they beat up his assistants and his Ladrang people, but Trijang Rinpoche will not budge and he is very firm on his Dorje Shugden practice.

There is no doubt that that this is the genuine Trijang Rinpoche because of his achievements, and because this Trijang Rinpoche was recognized (finally) by none other than the Dalai Lama himself as well as Dorje Shugden. Indeed, Trijang Rinpoche’s increasing power and stature will be one of the main causes to bring the Dorje Shugden ban down.

Remember that it was the Dalai Lama who made an exception and allowed Trijang Rinpoche to practice Dorje Shugden. Yet, the irony is that Trijang Rinpoche, whose previous life was the Dalai Lama’s Guru, is not allowed to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings on account of his Shugden practice. If Dorje Shugden is so bad, why didn’t Trijang Rinpoche go to the three lower realms? Why is Trijang Rinpoche doing so well?

This year, Trijang Rinpoche is travelling to Australia, New Zealand and Mongolia, and will be going to Indiana soon to officiate the opening of the American oracle’s new center. Trijang Rinpoche’s activities aren’t getting smaller; they are getting bigger and bigger. And he will be a huge thorn in the CTA’s side.

#2: Established Dorje Shugden Lamas and Monasteries

The second cause to bring down the ban is the likes of established high lamas such as Lama Jampa Ngodup and Lama Thubten Phurpu in Tibet, Gangchen Rinpoche and Gonsar Rinpoche in Europe, and many other lamas who are teaching the Dharma and spreading the lineage of Dorje Shugden tirelessly.

Two great Dorje Shugden Lamas of today; Lama Jampa Ngodup (right) escorting Gangchen Rinpoche (middle)

Indeed, such is the popularity of Lama Jampa Ngodup and Lama Thubten Phurpu that both have been sponsored by the Chinese government to go abroad to teach. Each year the Chinese government sends a Dorje Shugden lama abroad – last year it was Lama Jampa Ngodup and this year it is Lama Thubten Phurpu.

Both these illustrious lamas command thousands of people at their teachings and are making Dorje Shugden’s practice grow tremendously. A look through photos and videos of Lama Jampa Ngodup and Lama Thubten Phurpu in Tibet will reveal how their teachings are attended by thousands of people, members of the sangha as well as lay students.

Both lamas are also very outspoken about Dorje Shugden. Not only does Lama Jampa Ngodup speak freely about Dorje Shugden, he criticises the CTA very openly too during his teachings and thousands listen and follow his lead.

One does not hear of lamas of other lineages who can command such massive crowds in Tibet, except for the great Gelugpa lamas. Furthermore, Tibet is full of Dorje Shugden monasteries, strongholds of Dorje Shugden’s lineage including Chatreng Sampheling Monastery, Denma Gonsar Rinpoche’s monastery in Kham, Lama Jampa Ngodup’s monastery and Lithang Monastery, just to name a few. Dorje Shugden’s practice is definitely growing in Tibet.

Thus, the many Dorje Shugden lamas in Tibet combined with the many Dorje Shugden monasteries which number tens of thousands of monks is another thorn in the CTA’s side. These are the teachers of today, the teachers of tomorrow, and they’re growing and getting bigger by the day.

#3: Shar Gaden and Serpom Monasteries

The third cause against the Dorje Shugden ban is the existence of Shar Gaden and Serpom monasteries, established for the sole purpose of preserving and upholding Dorje Shugden’s lineage and practices. Both monasteries are open and thriving, and their activities encompass the full range of monastic programs including Geshe degrees, initiations and oral transmissions, international tours, Buddhist festivals and celebrations.

Serpom Monastery

Shar Gaden Monastery

These two eminent monasteries are and will continue to be an educational base for high Lamas such as Domo Geshe Rinpoche and other future lamas to come. They are learning centers, hubs from which Dorje Shugden’s lineage is practiced and transmitted, and where Guru Devotion is strong and powerful.

With approximately 600 monks in Serpom Monastery, 800 monks in Shar Gaden Monastery and with these numbers increasing over the years, the very existence of these monasteries is a thorn in the side of Ganden, Sera and Drepung monasteries because they are right next door! More importantly, they are out of the CTA’s reach. The CTA cannot touch them, cannot close them down, cannot harass them, cannot do anything to them because they are legal entities licensed and protected by the Indian government.

And although their numbers are fewer than those in non-Dorje Shugden monasteries, each master, scholar and monk in Serpom, Shar Gaden and many other thriving Dorje Shugden monasteries is akin to a piece of solid gold – much better than having thousands of steel or silver pieces. They are definitely the third thorn in the CTA’s side, particular Serpom and Shar Gaden who produce many qualified Dorje Shugden geshes and scholars every year.

#4: The New Kadampa Tradition

The fourth cause to bring down the ban is the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), the largest Tibetan Buddhist-based organisation in the world. No other Tibetan dharma organization in the world can compare, not the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) nor any center from the other Tibetan Buddhist lineages.

Nor can any other lama compete with Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of NKT. He is 80 years old, hale and healthy, has authored many books and established hundreds of centres all over the world. Not forgetting the peaceful protests organized by the NKT and later the International Shugden Community (ISC). The protests are a huge thorn in the CTA’s side because wherever the Dalai Lama or CTA go, there is a protest.

These protests are embarrassing – they are making it into the international news and getting attention all over the world. While it may be “normal” to see Chinese nationals demonstrating against the Dalai Lama, it is shocking to see Westerners and Tibetans protesting against the supposed icon of world peace. People are noticing the protests, researching it, asking questions about it.

Even young Tibetans are beginning to question it, a clear sign of progress in the on-going efforts to bring down the ban. Prime Minister Sikyong Lobsang Sangay recently visited Upper TCV school in Dharamsala and during a Q&A session, teenage students asked the Sikyong earnest questions about the Dorje Shugden ban which he could not answer satisfactorily, nor could he hide his anger at being questioned (Read more).

In an attempt to mitigate the damage done by the students’ questions and the Sikyong failing to answer them directly and sufficiently, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, Penpa Tsering, stepped forward to speak and began criticising both the previous and current incarnations of Trijang Rinpoche. He also criticised Pabongka Rinpoche harshly and upset a great many Tibetans as a result, opening their eyes to see how the CTA is negative, critical and divisive in their actions (Read more).

Clearly, the CTA are beginning to crack at the seams and the protests, the 4th cause to bring down the ban, are having the desired effect.

#5: DorjeShugden.com

Last but not least is DorjeShugden.com and the Dorje Shugden Fanpage on Facebook. Without access to the protests, monasteries or Tibetans, the majority of people get their information from the Internet, and whenever someone searches for “Dorje Shugden”, DorjeShugden.com will appear on top.

The Dorje Shugden fanpage has also reached over 100,000 fans, meaning that every time an article is posted, more than 100,000 people are reading it. The numbers have grown on their own without advertising or campaigning, and it continues to increase daily.

Therefore, through their network of contributors and supporters, DorjeShugden.com and its associated online assets are the premier source of information about all things Dorje Shugden. The website in particular is a treasure trove, a Kangyur and Tengyur, and a massive encyclopaedia of knowledge, wisdom, history, practice, multimedia, events, and even a thriving community forum. Everybody quotes from it – the media, bloggers, other websites and even the CTA themselves. This is the final factor that will bring down the Dorje Shugden ban.

In summary, the five factors that will bring down the ban are:

1. The emergence of Trijang Rinpoche and other young Dorje Shugden lamas

2. Established high lamas in Tibet and elsewhere spreading Dorje Shugden far and wide

3. The unstoppable growth of Serpom and Shar Gaden monasteries

4. The protests and the New Kadampa Tradition

5. DorjeShugden.com and the Dorje Shugden Facebook fanpage

These factors are in no particular order. They are interconnected and inter-related. These five rivers are flowing and there is nothing that can stop them from bursting the dam holding of Dorje Shugden’s precious practice.

Kelsang Mila, the resident teacher of Vajrapani Kadampa Buddhist Centre

In June 2014, Vajrapani Kadampa Buddhist Centre (VKBC) in Johannesburg, South Africa held a Dorje Shugden teaching and empowerment ceremony. Kelsang Mila, the resident teacher of VKBC, which is part of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) founded by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, gave the empowerment of this great Protector to approximately 40 people in attendance.

Several months before the empowerment, the administrators of VKBC wrote to DorjeShugden.com requesting for sponsorship of Dorje Shugden pendants, which would be given to those participating in the empowerment. Always happy to hear news of Dorje Shugden’s practice growing, especially through the efforts of dedicated and devoted practitioners such as those from the NKT, supporters of DorjeShugden.com contributed not only the pendants that were requested, but also sent additional gifts in appreciation of and to encourage further growth of Dorje Shugden’s practice.

Our gifts have arrived at Vajrapani Kadampa Buddhist Centre: 50 Dorje Shugden posters, 50 Dorje Shugden prayer cards, and 50 Dorje Shugden pendants, all depicting Dorje Shugden in peaceful form.

In 2012, DorjeShugden.com also sent a care package of Dorje Shugden pendants and other educational materials to a Kadampa center in Zululand, South Africa. As narrated in this video:

…it really has transformed their lives because they’ve been very, very ill with HIV and they’ve realized that they can still be happy and realized the happiness from within.

It is heartwarming to witness how Dorje Shugden’s blessings can bring so much happiness to those experiencing tremendous suffering. We pray that the lineage of this great protector continues to be imparted into the lives of people around the world, flourishing and spreading in the ten directions.

Admin Note: If you would like to make a donation to the works of dorjeshugden.com or to the monasteries of Shar Gaden or Serpom, please click here. Proceeds from our online store shop.dorjeshugden.com also go towards supporting the sangha, and for the on-going running and maintenance of this website.

Photos of the Empowerment at VKBC

The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) is an international, non-profit organization founded in 1975 by Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935- 1984) and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism.

Recent Facebook postings regarding Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa have brought attention once again to FPMT and its relationship with the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden.

Lama Yeshe

It is public knowledge that Lama Yeshe’s main protector was Dorje Shugden, on whom Lama Yeshe fully relied. Keeping clean samaya with his teachers, Lama Yeshe remained a devoted Dorje Shugden practitioner till the very end, even requesting great lamas to confer Shugden sogtae (empowerment) onto his students and encouraging his students to also take Dorje Shugden as their dharma protector.

Kopan Monastery, which Lama Yeshe founded, has also been perpetuating Dorje Shugden since its beginnings. Lama Zopa said:

Lama (Yeshe) and I practiced Shugden for many years. That was always the main thing that Lama did whenever there were problems to overcome. At the beginning of every Kopan course, Lama always did Shugden puja to eliminate hindrances. ¹

Lama Yeshe (far right) performs puja in front of a Dorje Shugden thangka, with Lama Zopa (second from right)

The current incarnation of His Holiness Pabongka Rinpoche was often invited to Kopan Monastery to participate in pujas with Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa. Many Dorje Shugden pujas were done on the land before laying the foundation for Kopan’s new prayer hall and Pabongka Rinpoche was there to perform them. When anti-Shugden campaigns started however, Kopan severed their ties with Pabongka Rinpoche.

In their efforts to remain politically correct, the monks of Kopan even got rid of Lama Yeshe’s personal Dorje Shugden statue after he entered clear light. The precious statue was given to Gangchen Ladrang, where it remains to this day.

The personal statue of Lama Yeshe

Lama Zopa

After Lama Yeshe’s passing, his heart son Lama Zopa became the spiritual director of FPMT.

From a very young age, Lama Zopa claimed that he was the incarnation of the Lawudo Lama. Not many believed him at first but Lama Zopa’s claim was later confirmed upon consultation with Dorje Shugden through the famous oracle of Dungkar Monastery, a monastery under the spiritual guidance of the illustrious master, Domo Geshe Rinpoche in north Sikkim. Lama Zopa was ordained and educated in Dungkar Monastery before he became the disciple of Geshe Rabten and later, Lama Yeshe.

In the mid 1960′s, an unusual meeting led to a strong bond between 3 people who were instrumental in the founding of the Nepal Mahayana Gompa Centre in 1969. In her search for Domo Geshe Rinpoche in Darjeeling, American Zina Rachevsky mistakenly believed Lama Zopa to be the one she had in mind, because he had been known as Domo Rinpoche ever since his stay at Dungkar². She was the first Western disciple and patron of both Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa, and was credited as someone “who helped make Kopan happen” ³.

Lama Yeshe, Zina Rachevsky and Lama Zopa

FPMT chose the Dalai Lama over Lama Yeshe

According to its mission statement, FPMT is “based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and our spiritual director, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche” ⁴. However, FPMT’s recent activities in relations to the Dalai Lama’s policies have left many bewildered. Are FPMT trying to be politically correct in appearing to be ‘non-sectarian’? Or is FPMT/ Lama Zopa heading the Rimé direction?

For instance, the recent Jangchub Lamrim teachings in December 2013 saw a tremendous break with tradition when Sera Je monastery decided to display a huge applique thangka of Guru Rinpoche instead of the traditional Lama Tsongkapa or Gelug refuge tree thangka. Made by FPMT for the Lawudo Retreat Centre, the thangka was sent to the Dalai Lama for his blessings before unveiling it in Lawudo ⁶.

Many have wondered why Sera Je monastery chose to hang this thangka of Guru Rinpoche during the Jangchub Lamrim teachings and why FPMT allowed it to be displayed, yet disassociated themselves with it at that time. It was only recently in 1 July 2014 that Lama Zopa acknowledged the thangka was FPMT’s on his Facebook page. It is also known that when he was younger, Lama Zopa received the tantric initiations of the Nyingma tradition from the head lama of Thami Gompa and received the full investiture of the Nyingma tradition ⁵.

FPMT broke tradition with this thangka of Guru Rinpoche

The most obvious sign of FPMT deviating from Lama Yeshe’s teachings is in its stance towards Dorje Shugden practice. Below is the excerpt from the FPMT website ⁷:

• Those in service or teaching in FPMT centers and projects do not engage in the practice of Shugden.
• Students regularly attending FPMT centers should not practice Shugden.
• FPMT teachers and key staff should not attend teachings by teachers who are known Shugden practitioners.

As early as April 2001, Lama Zopa wrote to Lozang Jinpa, the private secretary of the Dalai Lama, to inform him that FPMT would not invite anyone who practices Dorje Shugden to be a resident or visiting teacher ⁸. FPMT’s website also provides advice about the Shugden issue, first given by Lama Zopa to the students of FPMT’s Masters Program at Istituto Lama Tsongkhapa 2000, entitled “Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden” in which Lama Zopa said:

The time has come for all of us together to offer His Holiness every possible service. Therefore, each of us should generate the most extensive thought of benefiting others and ourselves. In this way, please follow His Holiness’s advice and wishes as much as you possibly can.

The Dorje Shugden issue aside, Lama Zopa also falls in line with the Dalai Lama’s official position on other controversial matters. Earlier this month, a photo of Lama Zopa visiting the young Domo Geshe Rinpoche Geshe Rinpoche in Sera Je Monastery on January 2014 was posted on Lama Zopa’s Facebook page. This Domo Geshe Rinpoche Tenzin Jigmey Lhundup was officially recognized as the “true and lone reincarnation” of the previous Domo Geshe Rinpoche Rinpoche by the Dalai Lama at the request of a renegade group of monks from Tharpa Choling monastery. However, most students of the previous Domo Geshe Rinpoche follow another reincarnation – Domo Geshe Rinpoche Losang Jigme Ngak–Gi Wangchuk – who was recognised by H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche and enthroned at Shar Gaden Monastery in 2009.

Lama Zopa has received the Dorje Shugden life entrustment empowerment (sogtae) from Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche Dorje Chang, along with two other students of Lama Yeshe, Claudio Cipullo and Piero Cerri. Part of the sogtae ritual includes a promise to take Dorje Shugden as one’s protector until one achieves Bodhicitta. As far as we know, Lama Zopa still considers Trijang Rinpoche to be his root Guru ⁹ and was recently seen doing puja in front of Trijang Rinpoche’s stupa in Dharamsala, India back in 2012 ¹⁰. Yet, Lama Zopa has broken the commitments he made to Trijang Rinpoche pertaining to Dorje Shugden.

What about others in FPMT?

The Dalai Lama’s recent visit to Italy has highlighted the broken samaya and rifts caused by the Dorje Shugden issue.

In the spring of 1975, Claudio Cipullo, Piero Cerri and Massimo Corona each separately requested Lama Thubten Yeshe to come to teach in Italy during his second world tour; to each of them, Lama Yeshe agreed. Several months later, they began working together to organize the first meditation course with Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa in Italy.

In May 1977, a large castle-style villa set on a small hilltop overlooking the rolling countryside became the premises of the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK), which would later develop into one of the largest and most active Tibetan Buddhist Centers of the Gelug tradition in the Western world.

Geshe Rabten and Gonsar Rinpoche, after giving a course in Milan, had gone to Pomaia to bless the site during that time. In 1978, Zong Rinpoche conducted a large course as well as a Yamantaka initiation there. These premises have also hosted Ling Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Denma Locho Rinpoche, and many other elite lamas ¹¹. His Holiness the Dalai Lama also visited and stayed there during his first visit in 1982.

Today, the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa is famous for its “Masters Program” consisting of four years of Sutra studies, two years of tantric studies, and one year of solitary retreat. But behind the scenes, things are murkier. What has happened to the students who received teachings and empowerments from these Shugden Lamas, given that Lama Zopa has expressed the wish “not to have a guru-disciple relationship with anyone who is practicing Shugden”?

Fabrizio Pallotti, a translator at the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, has completed many translation projects for FPMT and has been recently seen translating for the Dalai Lama. Having previously received teachings from Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe, Mr. Pallotti now condemns the practice of Shugden, dismissing it as “Dolgyel” ¹² – defined as something along the lines of “the king spirit that dwells in the area of Dol” by the Dorje Shugden Research Society.

Fabrizio Pallotti and the Dalai Lama at the end of the teachings in Italy, June 20 2014

Fabrizio Pallotti translating for Lama Zopa, June 29 2014

Claudio Cipullo, one of the founding members of Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa has remained loyal to Lama Yeshe, continues his practice of Shugden and is now with Albagnano Healing Meditation Center in Italy instead ¹³. Mr. Cipullo received the Dorje Shugden life entrustment empowerment (sogtae) together with Lama Zopa from Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

Kopan Monastery in 1971. Front row (left to right): Zina Rachevsky, Lama Zopa, Geshe Thubten Tashi, Age Delbanco (Babaji), Lama Yeshe and Losang Nyima. Claudio Cipullo is circled in red

A more recent picture of Claudio Cipullo

Another important anchor in the ILTK was Geshe Jampa Gyatso. Geshe-la was originally invited by Lama Yeshe to teach in Kopan and upon completion of his duties there, he was asked by Lama Yeshe to travel to Italy.

Geshe-la arrived at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in 1980, became one of its resident teachers, and remained until his passing 27 years later in 2007. Geshe-la set up a seven-year teacher training program in Sutra and Tantra as well as a twelve-year Geshe Studies Program. He was directly and indirectly involved in the founding of many Dharma centers in Italy, a monastery and nunnery at the Institute, and the acquisition of twenty acres of land near the Institute for the future construction of a joint monastery and nunnery.

Interestingly, in his autobiography, Geshe Jampa Gyatso wrote that before he left India for Kopan, he “received the special permission of the protector of the Gelugpa school, Dorje Shugden, and the day after that, the protectress Palden Lhamo” ¹⁴. Geshe-la’s teachers include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ling Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche from whom Geshe-la received the initiation of Hayagriva.

Geshe Jampa Gyatso

Geshe Jampa Gyatso, Lama Zopa, Lama Yeshe

Tenzin Osel Hita

Perhaps the most relevant question pertaining to the future of FPMT is about Tenzin Osel Hita (Lama Osel). Lama Zopa maintains a close relationship with Lama Osel, the incarnation of Lama Yeshe, and recently both Lama Zopa and Lama Osel attended the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Livorno, Italy. Since the Dalai Lama has proclaimed that those who continue to propitiate “Dolgyal” may not attend his teachings, would this mean that both Lama Zopa and Lama Osel have given up their Dorje Shugden practice? Perhaps, answers can be found in Lama Zopa’s letter to Lozang Jinpa:

Of course sometimes it is difficult to say if someone is hiding the practice.

Regardless, perhaps what Dorje Shugden practitioners wish to see most is what Geshe Kelsang Gyatso wrote about FPMT recently:

I have great sympathy for them because they have had to stop their daily practice of Dorje Shugden, which is their commitment. They have no choice about this. Day and night I pray how wonderful it would be if these Lamas could have religious freedom. Because we all are disciples of HH Trijang Rinpoche, these Lamas are my vajra brothers, we have the same spiritual father.

The main reason why I have involved myself in this debate, and why I am telling the truth about the Dalai Lama, is in the hope that his mind will change and he will give these Lamas and other practitioners the freedom to worship in the way they wish. It is my choice to help in this way.¹⁵

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso of NKT and Lama Yeshe of FPMT

References

1. http://www.lamayeshe.com/index.php?sect=article&id=335&chid=1398
2. http://mandala.fpmt.org/archives/older/mandala-issues-for-1997/may/kopan-monastery-the-wellspring-of-fpmt/
3. http://www.wisdompubs.org/sites/default/files/preview/Wisdom%20Energy%20Book%20Preview.pdf
4. http://fpmt.org/fpmt/fpmt-mission-statement/
5. http://www.wisdompubs.org/sites/default/files/preview/Wisdom%20Energy%20Book%20Preview.pdf
6. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/politically-correct-at-the-expense-of-the-lineage/
7. http://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/shugden/#policy
8. http://fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/shugden/#lj
9. http://www.lamayeshe.com/index.php?sect=article&id=335&chid=1398
10. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/lama-zopa-worships-trijang-rinpoches-stupa/
11. http://mandala.fpmt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2004/04/how_it_all_began.pdf
12. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/fabrizio-pallotti/
13. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/a-true-inspiration-claudio-cipullo/
14. http://archive.org/stream/AnAutobiography-GesheJampaGyatso/AnAutobiography-GesheJampaGyatso_djvu.txt
15. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/talk.religion.buddhism/xxpKNrSuIEM[101-125-false]

For further reading:

Where is Lama Yeshe? (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/where-is-lama-yeshe/)

FPMT Lineage Masters are Dorje Shugden Believers (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/fpmt-lineage-masters-are-believers-of-dorje-shugden/)

A True Inspiration: Claudio Cipullo (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/a-true-inspiration-claudio-cipullo/)

Fabrizio Pallotti (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/fabrizio-pallotti/)

Politically Correct at the Expense of the Lineage (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/politically-correct-at-the-expense-of-the-lineage/)

Lama Yeshe and Geshe Rabten (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/mail-out/lama-yeshe-and-geshe-rabten/)

The Broken Samayas of FPMT (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/the-broken-samayas-of-fpmt/)

The Questionable Policies of the FPMT (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/the-questionable-policies-of-the-fpmt/)

Lama Zopa admitted to being recognized by Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/others-old/lama-zopa-admitted-to-being-recognized-by-dorje-shugden/)

Recognized by Dorje Shugden, but Speaks against Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/recognized-by-dorje-shugden-but-speaks-against-dorje-shugden/)

Kopan Monks Asking for Dorje Shugden Puja for Lama Zopa (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/kopan-monks-asking-for-dorje-shugden-puja-for-lama-zopa/)

Dakini Healed Lama Zopa? (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/dakini-healed-lama-zopa/)

Who made Lama Zopa a Rinpoche? (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/who-made-lama-zopa-a-rinpoche/)

A Tribute to Ven. Lama Yeshe Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/great-masters/a-tribute-to-ven-lama-yeshe-rinpoche/)