Sera Je monastery is situated at the Tibetan settlement at Bylakupee, five hours by bus from Bangalore City, Karnataka State, India. Until this year, it was a monastery that was used by Shugden and non-Shugden practitioners alike. Since the introduction of the ban on Shugden practice made by the Dalai Lama, such harmony has been destroyed and great division and discrimination now exists in the monastery. The picture of the above notice were taken from “Sidharta Guest House” that is run by Sera Je School; the picture titled “Printing Section” is part of the Visual Section run by Sera-Je monastery; and the third picture “Yiga Choeling” is a Guest House of Sera Je monastery. In these three posters, they announce: “Shugden followers are not allowed.”
The posters have been in these places for the past few months. Taking photographic evidence was not possible until now because of the vigilance in these places.
These three posters show clearly the open discrimination and abuses perpetrated against Shugden Practitioners. It is time for the world to know the religious apartheid that is happening within the monastic community. We have the spiritual and social responsibility to raise awareness in order to help these suffering monks from a religious apartheid and becoming outcast within their own community. We do not always need to tell the whole story as this would be confusing to a casual reader but these three posters clearly reveal the abuses and discrimination. We are witnessing the creation of a new class of ‘untouchables’ in India; something the Indian constitution is suppose to protect.
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA – PREAMBLE
“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
- JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
- LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
- EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all
- FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
ARTICLE 17 of The Constitution of India
“ABOLITION OF UNTOUCHABILITY – “Untouchability” is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising of “Untouchability” shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.”
Editor’s note – On our website in the NEWS & BAN section, there are many more articles about the Dorje Shugden ban. We should raise the awareness of the effects of this ban on the practitioners especially those that are in India.
(Source : http://www.westernshugdensociety.org/guest-blogs/untouchables)
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Arisa
January 20, 2011
If I am not mistaken on one hand the Indian Constitution states that Refuges are protected by the Tibetan Government. On the other hand some Tibetan citizens are victimised by their own Tibetan Government due to spiritual/political ban regarding Dorje Shugden. The Monastery is supposed to take care of Sentient Beings and see that they don’t suffer. But in Sera Je in Bylakuppe it is not so. Before the Ban of the practice of Dorje Shugden. Everyone is allowed to use and stay in premises owned by Sera Je. Then when the Ban was imposed. Notices were put up all over that Dorje Shugden Practitioners are not allowed. Is this political or Spiritual practice.?
Barbora
January 26, 2011
Hello,
I am very new to the Buddhism. And just doing some readings and since 14th Dalai Lama was most well known Buddhist persona to me, I started to read his book and watch his lectures. I really like his point of view and how easily he mixes science and Buddhism without contraindications. Well, now I came across this Dorje Shugden issue and from web I am reading the accusations of Dalai Lama that he is propagating the religious discrimination. I haven’t heard any statement from him about the ban and situation. Could you help me to find more information about this? Thank you.