FAQs about Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama (Part 1 of 3)
(Read Part 2 and Part 3) Someone wrote in with some searching questions and has already received some good replies in the comments section from Tibetans and Westerners (see article below, Dalai Lama Demonstration Down Under). I thought I would include some longer replies here, courtesy of Lineageholder, in the hope that these will clarify…
Double Standards Apply
The Dalai Lama is doing everything he is accusing everyone else of. For example: The Dalai Lama claims that Buddhism is degenerating into spirit worship by relying on Dorje Shugden, yet he propitiates (and has a whole temple for) a spirit claiming to be Nechung whom he relies on for advice. The Dalai Lama accuses…
Did the 13th Dalai Lama Ban the Practice of Dorje Shugden?
The Dalai Lama claims that he is also following the tradition of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama in banning the practice. However, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama never banned the practice. After condemning Dorje Shugden, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama is said to have changed his mind on the issue and taken up the practice himself (Exploring New…
Defamatory Accusations of Murder Repeated Over and Over Again for Ten Years
These horrible murders took place over ten years ago, and in all that time not a shred of evidence has ever been found linking Dorje Shugden practitioners to them. Nonetheless, the Dalai Lama and Office of Tibet continue to repeat this calumny on their website and literature. Repeating a lie over and over again does…
Dalai Lama’s Reasons for the Ban of Dorje Shugden
About the Dalai Lama’s Advice Concerning the Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden The Dalai Lama has given three main reasons for banning the practice of Dorje Shugden. Before we reply to those, we should point out that although he says he “strongly discourages” it, there is an increasing body of evidence to show he has banned…
Can This Holy Being and His Predecessors and Followers Really All be Spirit Worshippers? You Decide.
By saying that those practicing Dorje Shugden are spirit worshippers, the Dalai Lama is saying that his own root Guru, Trijang Rinpoche, was a spirit worshipper. But a quick look at Trijang Rinpoche’s biography shows that he was a holy and reliable Lama, that the Dharma of Je Tsongkhapa that he taught was beautiful and…
Can the Dalai Lama EVER Make a Mistake?
As you can see, the Dalai Lama’s political ban on a 350-year-old spiritual practice and attempt to discredit and outlaw the lineage of his teachers is a harsh and ongoing attempt to stamp out diversity and bring all Buddhist traditions (and hence all Tibetan Buddhists) under his authority. (It is not unlike the treatment of…
10 Questions for the Dalai Lama
Why do you deny that you are enforcing the ban on Dorje Shugden when there are videos of your speeches enforcing this ban? If you are truly an advocate for human rights, why do you issue identity cards which make it extremely difficult for Shugden practitioners to get food, water, shelter, medical attention and travel…
The Tibetans Twice Exiled
Thank you Meindert Gorter for your writing. I would like also to give this story as I understand it, from my personal experience, research and reflections. No doubt some data I owe to the Charitable Society, and I’ve given them my thoughts too. But mainly because I’ve been inside the Tibetan Buddhist world since the…
New Statesman: Why did the Dalai Lama ban Dorje Shugden?
by Meindert Gorter 28 August 2008 Meindert Gorter explores the history and reasons behind the Dalai Lama’s ban on the deity Dorje Shugden The Dalai Lama has given several reasons to explain the excommunication of the protector, Dorje Shugden, back in 1996. However what he has actually seemed to be doing is adapting the gravity…
Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden
Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this talk to students of the FPMT’s Masters Program at Istituto Lama Tsongkhapa, 22 October 2000. Edited by Nicholas Ribush. Recently I sent a letter (see note below) to the abbots of the large monasteries of Sera, Ganden and Drepung to inspire the older geshes and other lamas who had a…
Comment: An Insider’s Look into the Rise and Effects of the Ban
These are sad times: Hello Everyone, I have been appreciating this website for some time now and would like to share a few things. Whether it is beneficial or not I don’t know. First of all thank you so much for putting this website together. I know there are many out there who, like a…
Kundeling Rinpoche’s Answers
Kundeling Rinpoche’s Answers to Questions Posed Recently by Interested Agencies General Background to the Answers There is a need to comprehend a fundamental factor here in relation to the centuries-old practice and belief of the Protectors (or Dharmapalas) and the place that Dorje Shugden holds as one amongst the many such venerated. Every Lineage of…
Panchen Rinpoche meets Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche!
I have never heard or spoke with people who have heard of Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche speaking ill of Gelugs or Dorje Shugden. He is one of these great masters who also really practices the dharma and emanates love, care and compassion. I have spoken to many many many monks. This picture shows how humble Dilgo…
HH Penor Rinpoche Sympathetic to Dorje Shugden Monks
Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement is around 5 hours drive away from Bangalore in South India. From Bylakuppe to Sera is another 30 minutes through the villages. Bylakuppe has a large population of Tibetans of which there are many Monasteries such as Sera, Serpom, Penor Rinpoche’s Monastery, Zongkar Choede, and not far is Gyurme Tantric College. Many…
Comment: Is FPMT Breaking Samaya By Denouncing Dorje Shugden?
Extracted from the DorjeShugden.com forum In regards to Kesang’s post regarding Lama Osel: He has shown the aspect of being disrobed. FPMT organization built him an elaborate residence in Sera Jey. He had a traditional recognition ceremony in Sera. Also, besides having tutors of the Tibetan tradition for philosophy, etc, tutors were flown in from…
RIP Dorje Shugden?
If anyone actually reads or thinks about the materials from the Tibetan government, they should know that in one of their articles they pronounced that Dorje Shugden was already killed. So what is the fuss? If he was already sent to a pure land, he can’t be a hungry ghost. Can His Holiness please clarify…
A Letter to Ven. Geshe Tenzin Yeshe
Dear Most Venerable Geshe Tenzin Yeshe, Your words are simple, straight, without politics and from your heart. I can feel how much devotion you have toward H.H. the Dalai Lama, love towards Tibet and your people and great faith towards Dorje Shugden. These three combinations of Dalai Lama, love of Tibet and Dorje Shugden have…
Letter from Yeshe, FPMT
This website helps me to see things better but what I have always believed deep in my heart are the same beliefs as expressed in this website… I respect H.H. the Dalai Lama and I respect Dharmapala Dorje Shugden. Just like my teacher Lama Yeshe who had supreme faith in H.H. and trusted Dorje Shugden…
An Interesting Exchange
The Situation Within the Monasteries This exchange between “beggar” and “mahabodhi” has been extracted from the forum. It shares some interesting information about the situation experienced by monks within the monastic communities. Of course, since this exchange, Dokhang Khangtsen did separate from Gaden Shartse to form their own monastery, Shar Gaden. Venerable Mahabodhi, For the…
The Dalai Lama’s Controversial Stand
The following account is extracted from preliminary drafts of Schettini’s memoir, The Novice. The Dalai Lama remains the temporal leader of Tibetans in exile, but is no longer their undisputed spiritual guide. The exile community is split over his decree regarding the propitiation of the powerful god Dorje Shugden, commonly known as Dolgyal. Practices invoking…
Dalai Lama Depreciates Dorje Shugden Worship
Star of Mysore Gurupur, Oct 8, 1999 Tibetan leader and Nobel laureate Dalai Lama, coming down heavily on the followers of the Dorje Shugden deity, said that the Shugden spirit was very sectarian and more importantly, the spirit was assuming greater significance than the Buddha himself, which was regrettable. Reacting to a question from Star…
Resolution of the Tibetan Cholsum Convention
Resolution of the Tibetan Cholsum Convention August 27th – 31st , 1998 in Dharamsala Delegates from various Tibetan organisations agreed on a resolution against persons who rely on Dorje Shugden as a protector deity. “To make it impossible for those who are engaged in undermining the prestige of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our…
Shugden Delegates Leave
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Dharamsala, 28 Aug 1998 Even though the ongoing controversial convention of Cholsum Organisation revived the bitterness within the struggling Tibetan community on the Shugden issue, the flared up emotions at McLeod Ganj seem to have calmed down for now. This follows the return of 120 Shugden delegates to their society headquarters in…
Dalai Lama “Supporters” Violently Oppress Buddhist Monks in Mundgod, India
Stone-throwing in Mundgod – 3 cops, 30 others hurt DECCAN HERALD Monday, September 11, 2000 MUNDGOD (Karwar) Sept 10 (DHNS) Three police officers and more than 30 persons were injured in a stone pelting incident in Lama camp of Tibetan settlement, Mundgod on Sunday morning. More than 2000 Lamas, including 200 women, who are said…
Clashes and Curfews
Dorje Shugden Devotees’ Charitable and Religious Society Delhi, 17.9.2000 PRESS RELEASE On Sep. 10, there was an hour-long clash between Tibetan protesters and monks in the Tibetan settlement in Mundgod, Karnataka. The ‘protesters’ numbered about 3000, including nuns, lay people and inmates of the local old peoples’ home. They came at the behest of the…
What is Wrong with Tibetan society?
48-Hour Curfew at Tibetan Settlement. 24-Hour Curfew at Another Tibetan Settlement in South India. INDIA – Deccan Herald, Monday, September 11, 2000: Representatives of Dorje Shugden devotees from Ooty, Shillong, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikh, Nepal, Delhi and Bylakuppe gathered at the settlement (Pop. 13,000) in Mundgod in the southern Indian state of Karnataka to participate…
The Dalai Lama’s Words in the Mirror of Reality
Why the Dalai Lama’s Justifications for the ban of Dorje Shugden are not logical nor true The justifications the Dalai Lama gives for his ban of the worship of the deity Dorje Shugden vary considerably depending on his audience. The justification given to the Tibetan public, which destroyed the entire harmony of the Tibetan community,…
The Ban on Dorje Shugden: What is happening?
This page is a summary of the effects of the Dalai Lama’s ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden. In brief Segregation Does the Dalai Lama have the right to do this? Who is responsible for the ban, Yellow Card and resulting penalties for those who disobey? Does this affect Western Buddhists? Does this affect…
Dalai Lama’s Referendum Contradicts Vinaya
The purpose of this article is to examine whether or not the recent actions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with respect to the practice of Dorje Shugden, are in accordance with the Vinaya, Buddha’s Code of Conduct. My intention here is not to engage in hurtful speech or divisive speech but rather to investigate…
Heartfelt request from monks in Mundgod
At this very difficult period of our life, we have decided to face any difficulties, even to place our own life, if necessary, as a target, to safeguard the precious lineage of teaching and practice of the Dharma [Buddhism]. Declaration and Request by Dokhang Kamtsen/Hostel, 14th February 2008. To the attention of all the most…
Letter to Newsweek – False Accusations Against the Innocent
Letter to the editor of Newsweek from Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in response to the article ‘Cult Mystery’ that appeared in Newsweek International, the 28th of April 97, and in Newsweek USA, 5th of May 97 (Click here to read the content of the original Newsweek article) Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Geshe…
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s Open Letter
The following Open Letter was posted on Dec 9th 1997 to the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and to the Office of Tibet in London. This and many other private and public letters and petitions never received a reply. Your Holiness, For over eighteen years you have been continually speaking out against the practice of Dorje…
Shugden Ban is Illegal and Unconstitutional
Legal References to support why the ban is unconstitutional TIBETAN GOVERNMENT IN EXILE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 17. Every Tibetan shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The right includes freedom to openly believe, practise, worship and observe any religion either alone or in community with others. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CONSTITUTION Adopted on:…
Very Good Commentary by TK
Only Dorje Shugden CAN HANDLE SUCH A BURDEN! Why Shugden has to be the bad guy! • May 14, 1995 – Tsangpa Oracle Prophesy I Prophesy (kha.lung) through the Tsangpa Oracle requested by the Private Office of the Dalai Lama, Prophesies of the Tibetan Government Oracles, published by the Department of Religion and Culture of…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (INTRODUCTION: EXPLORING THE PE.BUM SOURCES)
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html EXPLORING THE PE.BUM SOURCES In this section I will present the documentation for the interviews of Part I. It is not a history, since that would require a different kind of research possible here, which would have to include Tibetan texts, both published and unpublished. A uniquely Tibetan…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (PART 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE EVENTS OF 1996 )
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE EVENTS OF 1996 Continuing the work of his predecessors? His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has said on many occasions Numerous times to Tibetans. For example, “I have come to be counted among the line of the Fifth Dalai Lama. I feel a definite…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (PART 2: Origins of Dorje Shugden: arisal as a protector during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama)
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html ORIGIN OF DORJE SHUGDEN: ARISAL AS A PROTECTOR DURING THE TIME OF THE 5TH DALAI LAMA How did Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen’s became a protector? It is believed that Dorje Shugden arose in the form of a Dharma protector after his immediate predecessor, believed to have been the most…
The Dorje Shugden – Dalai Lama Conflict (PART 3: Dorje Shugden after the time of the 5th Dalai Lama)
(extracted from research of Ursula Bernis) http://www.shugdensociety.info/Bernis2EN.html DORJE SHUGDEN AFTER THE TIME OF THE 5TH DALAI LAMA • Two hundred years later after the time of the 5th Dalai Lama During this time there seems to have been no record of much conflict surrounding Dorje Shugden. Its practice was not very public. It is difficult…
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