As part of his recent 20-day visit to various European countries, H.H. the 14^th Dalai Lama spent two days in Germany. From 13 to 14 September 2017, the Dalai Lama gave public talks and engaged in dialogues with various groups in Frankfurt. A significant number of Dorje Shugden practitioners and supporters, comprising of mostly Tibetans, demonstrated peacefully on the first day, calling for the Dalai Lama to bring an end to the illogical ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice.

Interestingly, the Dalai Lama kick-started his public talk titled “Global Ethics-Shared Values”, organised by the Frankfurt Tibet House at Jahrhunderthalle, by emphasizing that “too much emphasis on secondary level of differences including religious faith” was the cause for a lot of problems in the world today and ultimately, “on fundamental level, we are all same human being”.

The Dalai Lama giving his talk on “Global Ethics-Shared Values” at the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt, Germany

Keeping this in mind, one can say that to peacefully seek the end of an undemocratic religious ban would give effect to what the Dalai Lama has preached. What better way to apply the setting aside of secondary differences than to do away with the unwarranted Dorje Shugden ban which has clearly segregated Tibetans and caused a lot of hardship, pain as well as suffering to many Dorje Shugden practitioners, Tibetans and non-Tibetans alike?

Despite the rain, there was a significant turnout at the peaceful demonstrations in Frankfurt, calling for the end of the undemocratic Dorje Shugden ban.

DorjeShugden.com has been closely following the protests organised by our fellow Shugdenpas to bring our readers this compilation of news, pictures and videos. Please do visit this post over the next few days as we continue to update this article with new photos and videos. If you have more pictures or information to share, please email us at ds@dorjeshugden.com.
 

Photos of the Frankfurt Demonstrations

Video Coverage of the Frankfurt Demonstrations

Tibetans Against Dalai Lama Lying

Part 1

Tibetans Against Dalai Lama Lying

Part 2

Tibetans Against Dalai Lama Lying

Part 3

From the Europe Shugden Association

Part 1

From the Europe Shugden Association

Part 2

From the Europe Shugden Association

Part 3

From Dorje Shugden Tibetan Music World

Part 1

From Dorje Shugden Tibetan Music World

Part 2

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay launches new anti-Shugden book

On 14 November 2016, the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) released its latest installment of anti-Dorje Shugden material, a video titled, ‘Shugden Protesters: Allegation versus Facts’.

The content of this 13-minute video attests to the singularity of its purpose i.e. to bolster the CTA’s justification for its now 20-year campaign to destroy the ancient Tibetan Buddhist practice of Dorje Shugden. Revered for over three centuries as an enlightened Dharma Protector, the CTA suddenly banned the practice in 1996 without any sound explanations or reasons.

What ensued was a miscellany of off-hand commentaries by the CTA spanning two decades and covering a multitude of mediums, each attempting to persuade the audience to think unfavorably of this Buddhist deity and his believers. Interestingly, the CTA never did produce any scholarly works to validate its attack on this old Buddhist practice that can stand up to cross-examination and debate, an established trait of the Gelugpa school, as a process to uncover the truth.

Whilst the CTA’s narrative of Dorje Shugden never made much effort to be inclined towards historic truth and logic, the unsuspecting public nevertheless easily accepted it. The CTA’s affiliation with the Dalai Lama, and being the supposed instrument of a holy man’s governance gives it vicarious credibility.

But as Buddhism teaches, nothing exists alone and in complete independence and this is precisely what makes the CTA’s chronicle of Dorje Shugden dangerous. Dorje Shugden is ultimately a religious subject that has been force-fitted into a political frame and that could not happen without considerable distortion. To accept the CTA’s version of the story is to accept a warped account of foundational Buddhist beliefs that challenges every teaching built on them.

Therefore, this post and the accompanying videos below, compiled from various online sources, aim to set straight the facts about Dorje Shugden and his practitioners who have been maligned through decades of CTA effort.

The Need for Honest Government

If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists – to protect them and to promote their common welfare – all else is lost. ~ President Barrack Obama in ‘An Honest Government, A Hopeful Future’, 2006

It has been 57 years since the Dalai Lama made a dramatic escape from Tibet in 1959. Over a hundred thousand Tibetans followed suit and today, they form a community who are the most famous refugees in the world. The Tibetan fight to regain their homeland has become cause célebrè for the western world’s political elite and celebrity philanthropists. And yet for all the financial and political support the Tibetan refugees have received for over half a century, there is little progress for the Tibetans to speak of.

In examining all factors contributing to the prolonged stagnation of the Tibetan Cause, an important element to consider is the leadership, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The November 14 video provides valuable insights into the psyche of the CTA.

To begin with, a true Democracy, which the CTA professes to be, recognizes that the minority has as much right as the majority. Democracy is not about the power of the government to rule as it likes but about preserving the authority vested by a democratic Constitution for all citizens to express their freedom, including the freedom to be different, without fear of persecution. In other words, Democracy is about diversity and embracing diversity, the root of a genuine democratic system.

The CTA leader Sikyong Lobsang Sangay clearly understands this. During the 56^th annual Democracy Day (that is how long the CTA has declared itself to be a Democracy) on 2 September 2016, he said,

Democracy confers you with the right to speech and freedom of expression and in a democracy, diversity of opinion should be respected.

However, it is disturbing that the November 14 CTA video shows none of the respect for diversity that the Sikyong mentions. Not even a pale shade of any tolerance for diversity.

An Attack on Freedom

Under Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the CTA’s Department of Information and International Relations became the vehicle for the most vindictive, un-tolerating attacks on the practitioners of Dorje Shugden, a religious tradition that the Tibetan Constitution is supposed to protect and uphold. This is the same Constitution by which the CTA declares itself to be a democratic nation unlike its oppressor, China. It is also the Constitution that the CTA trampled on en route to assaulting its own citizens because of their religion.

It’s clear that the video is meant to be an instrument for the protraction of an unlawful, illegal and unholy religious ban. Unlawful because it flies in the face of the CTA’s highest law, namely Articles 9 and 10; illegal because it is a willful assault with the intention to inflict injury on persons of a certain religion, and unholy because it conflicts every aspect of truth, honesty, and kindness enshrined in just about every religion known to man.

So that there is no mistake of its intentions, the following words were carefully selected and used in the video, in association with Dorje Shugden – “cult”, “controversial”, “divisive”, “monetary gains”, “malevolent”, “disharmony”, “fringe group”, “extremist”, “fundamentalist”, “harmful”, and “attack”.

How can a democratic government attack its own people? And what’s more, the elected Prime Minister of the CTA himself spearheads the attack in the November 14 video as he has done on countless occasions before. If a leader of a liberal nation should decide to intervene in religious matters, then surely it must be to repair a rift that threatens the unity of an already fractured and disenfranchised community, not to add to their woes.

Religion is an extremely sensitive topic and bears heightened significance when it comes to the Tibetan people whose lives are inseparable from religious habitude. And to rob a class of Tibetan people of their faith, for which they gave up their homeland, is simply unscrupulous. It is more the character of a tyrannical leader of an oppressive regime, than that of a leader of a free and liberal nation that the CTA tells the world it is.

The Sikyong’s actions confuse attributes ascribed to the Tibetan people as peaceful Buddhists and disturbs the coherence of the Dalai Lama’s message of peace and tolerance, which he preaches worldwide. In that way, he undermines the Dalai Lama himself.

The 14th Dalai Lama, a strong advocate of Human Rights who constantly preaches about Compassion and Harmony, is misrepresented by the CTA’s persecution of Shugden practitioners.

The people the Sikyong targets with religious persecution are the children, grandchildren and the citizens of Tibet themselves, who for the love of the Dalai Lama and for the sake of their religion, readily left their homes, families and country to walk with the Dalai Lama into statelessness, banishment and an uncertain future. Today, the CTA accuses them of colluding with the Tibetan people’s nemesis and brands them as traitors. But they are the same people who went into voluntary exile with the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Up until the CTA’s unilateral and baseless decision to ban Dorje Shugden in 1996, Dorje Shugden practitioners were patriots and loyal spiritual subjects of the Tibetan people’s God-King, a people who like the rest of the exile community trusted the CTA to take proper measures to reinstate their dignity and identity. They didn’t change. How can these simple Tibetan people, together with 4 million Shugden believers around the world with different backgrounds, nationalities and experience, most of whom began the worship of Dorje Shugden before the Sino-Tibetan conflict, suddenly pull off a coordinated and well calibrated change overnight? Logically, the CTA changed and rendered their own Tibetan people to be nothing more than acceptable political attrition.

But the CTA did not imagine that the fire they started would become a global inferno that today threatens to engulf the CTA’s integrity and credibility in its flames. As more and more people around the world become aware of the CTA’s Machiavellian plots, the CTA’s narrative has had to evolve and so the reasons for the ban have had to keep changing. It is also the reason why the CTA’s propaganda machinery has had to work overtime.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay could have decided to heal the conflict or settle the controversy once and for all by producing concrete evidence to support the Administration’s very damaging religious ban if indeed it had valid reasons to believe that such a move was necessary. Failing which he could have ordered the retraction of past official Resolutions that unfairly and wrongly punished a group of Tibetans for their benign spiritual practice. Lobsang Sangay could have initiated dialogue between Shugden and non-Shugden groups – divisions the ban created, and take the view that unity of the Tibetan nation was far more important than differences in religious beliefs. He could have proclaimed that the human rights enshrined in the Tibetan Constitution and the Indian Constitution (that the Tibetans, as guests of the country, are obliged to observe) are to be upheld.

But instead, the Sikyong decided to commission this very harmful video and persist in the Shugden religious persecutions. This confuses supporters of the Tibetan plight and obscures the core objectives of the Tibetan struggle.

The Long Arm of Oppression

The International Shugden Community whose members comprise of Shugden practitioners from all over the world who have suffered discrimination.

But it is not only the Tibetans that the CTA’s November 14 video sought to scandalize. Even a religious group operating legally in another country, outside the CTA’s dominion, has not been spared.

It is unheard of for the leader of a country to comment unfavorably on a religious group of another country, especially seeing that [in this case] the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) operates as a legitimate and highly successful organization under the laws of countries where they are represented. To do so would be to interfere with the religious freedom of citizens of another country and to display incompetence in addressing matters relating to international relations.

Governments today face competition in virtually all aspects of statesmanship from military to trade to their standing in the global arena. And when we see the proliferation of multinational and regional organizations – the EU, APEC, ASEAN, NAFTA just to name a few, it is not difficult to see that cross-border relationships and co-operation between governments and between the government of a country and the private sector of another, are crucial in a highly globalized world. It is a matter of survival. Diplomacy is a sign of a good government and the nations of the world are sparing no effort to create favorable environments to advance trade and build goodwill.

But all this seems to be lost on the Sikyong, an unfortunate fact that the Tibetan situation can ill afford. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and the Minister equivalent of the CTA’s Department of Information and International Relations putting on a show to criticize and slander a religious group that happens to be a citizen of another country shows in no uncertain terms that the CTA has no interest in conforming to the platitudes of liberty, freedom and human rights espoused in their own literature and the Tibetan Constitution.

The CTA video slurs the NKT as a fringe and fundamentalist group. This is not only an insult to the NKT but to the country that approves of its establishment. This is the CTA’s reaction to people outside its jurisdictional reach who are merely exercising their constitutional right to participate in protests against the Dalai Lama, appealing for the cessation of a campaign that derides a deity they worship. It raises questions as to how much more the CTA might do to people who are within their striking range. Imagine that and one may then understand what Shugden-worshipping Tibetans have had to survive.

No government that is genuinely committed to the pursuit and preservation of democracy will decry the expression of freedom vested in the people by an egalitarian society. This is even more so if the said people are outside the government’s administration. That the CTA does puts it at risk of suspicion that it doesn’t have any intentions of being a true democracy.

Disobeying the Dalai Lama

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Finally, the November 14 video shows that the CTA couches its behavior as a noble defense of the Dalai Lama’s reputation. But the footage shows the incongruity of the CTA’s actions with its own purported motivation. The Dalai Lama has, in the video, stated clearly that all people have the freedom to choose what to practice and that no prohibition had been intended and similarly no infringement of anyone’s rights meant. If the Dalai Lama intended for all Shugden believers to choose freely, then why does the CTA commission propaganda videos to attack people for having chosen to keep their religion? It doesn’t make sense and again provides an insight into what the CTA is.

Conclusion

If one is not careful, it is easy to be drawn into the CTA’s fiction and be mistaken that all this aggression towards Dorje Shugden practitioners worldwide is in retaliation to a centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist deity and all its followers being conscripted by China to oppose the CTA. That itself is a desperate use of superstition hoping that this will explain away why the CTA has failed miserably after half a century of promises to the Tibetan people.

In that time, the Tibetan people, Shugden and non-Shugden worshippers alike have had to endure a lot. Time is running out for the Tibetan people as world nations grapple with new and complicated problems and the Tibetan Cause begins to slip into obscurity. Left with little choice, many Tibetans have left the settlements to carve a life elsewhere and from the start. Some others chose to return to Tibet under Chinese rule, and whatever they found there, they have remained and began new lives. Fifty-seven years in exile with no sign of change is enough.

If you believe that everyone should have Religious Freedom, help us make a difference. Here’s how: Make A Difference Today

International Tibetan Shugden Community’s Response to the CTA’s press conference on Shugden (English)

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International Tibetan Shugden Community’s Response to the CTA’s press conference on Shugden (Tibetan)

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Response to the Central Tibetan Administration’s Latest Video on Dorje Shugden

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The CTA’s Role in the Shugden Conflict

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Allegations of Chinese Links – Is There Any Truth?

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A Body of Evidence

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Misdirection

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An Appeal to the Dalai Lama

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This short video sums up 20 years worth of information about the unethical Shugden ban and the discrimination, fear and coercion faced by Shugden Buddhists on a daily basis, especially those who are brave enough to stand up, speak and fight for their Religious Freedom.

Through sharing this video, you are helping millions of Shugden Buddhists worldwide by creating awareness of their sufferings and helping them regain their rights to freedom of religion and freedom of choice. On their behalf, we at DorjeShugden.com thank you.

For more evidence of the ban and the suffering it has caused: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/press/proof-of-discrimination/

By: Steve Lee

  The article discusses the role of the Wechat platform in the recent Tibetan elections held within the exiled community in India. The apparent popularity of the Tibetan Wechat platform is due to its voice messaging function, which allows Tibetans from around the world to discuss political issues. But even on Weechat there is discrimination based on one’s religion as perpetuated by Tibetan leadership. In the article, it clearly states that some Tibetan political chat groups have barred Dorje Shugden practitioners from becoming members of these groups. This shows that Dorje Shugden has become a politicized issue when there was no issue to begin with. There is no connection between the practice of Dorje Shugden and the political issues being discussed within these chat rooms. This is clear evidence of religious discrimination of the highest order as perpetuated by the Dorje Shugden ban. If there was no ban, there would be no need to discriminate against Dorje Shugden practitioners in this manner. What democratic country or persons would block people from any discussion regarding voting of a new leader on the basis of their religion? No one in the democratic countries except the Tibetans under the Exiled Government of Tibet would discriminate in this manner. Yet the Tibetan leaders like to proclaim there is no ban against Shugden people.  It is due to the fact that Tibetans embrace the ban on Dorje Shugden with an almost mindless zeal that there is such discrimination, which is rampant within their community. Why would you ban a group of your own people only based on their religious beliefs? On the other hand, the Tibetan elections is an attempt to implement democracy within the exiled community. So, how does banning Dorje Shugden practitioners from political discussions for the betterment of their countrymen on Tibetan chat groups adhere with the spirit of democracy? Hence, in the best interest of the Tibetan community at large, it would be best to be inclusive regardless if a person is Dorje Shugden practitioners or not, in order to be truly united and democratic. But there is no democracy from the Tibetan leaders for their own people.  

The WeChat Effect on 2016 Tibetan General Elections

By Tenzin Dalha, Tibetpolicy.net

The Rise of New Media

Free media has long been recognized as a cornerstone of democracy and plays a vital role in influencing political discourse during elections. Free and balanced traditional media (print and broadcast) foster transparency and the dissemination of important electoral information. The rise of new media such as WeChat provides further avenues and possibilities for constructive public participation, information and knowledge sharing and inclusion and empowerment. Both traditional and new media can play the vital role of a watchdog while serving as a campaign platform and a forum for public debate, ultimately strengthening democracy. In the recent Tibetan general elections, both Sikyong candidates and their supporters maintained active Facebook pages and WeChat groups. New media, especially WeChat, is widely credited in playing a major role in promoting awareness ahead of the vote. For instance, WeChat changed the way the candidates and their campaigners interacted with citizens, providing unprecedented opportunities for a two-way dialogue and interaction. Tibetan netizens are increasingly turning to social media platforms for election news and related developments. Additionally, more and more people are also using smart phones to follow news and information. The increasing access to internet around the globe has further encouraged many candidates and citizens to employ various new media tools to directly engage in lively debate. At its best, new media embodies the spirit of democracy, enabling citizens to hold candidates and representatives accountable, monitor electoral process, and engage in political debate. However, this vehicle of participatory electorate is not without challenges, among which are issues of ethics and integrity and despite the dramatic expansion of technology, there are still many groups, such as the elderly, the illiterate and the poor, who have limited or no access to these resources.  

Elections, Voting and Effect of WeChat

While WeChat offers many benefits of connecting, bonding and bridging the communication gap between Tibetans, it also creates significant obstacles. The growing popularity of applications like WeChat shows the continued wish of the Tibetan people throughout the world to remain interconnected breaking down geographical and political boundaries. Although WeChat has become legitimate medium for social interaction incorporating private and public lives, the safety of the application and the security over shared contents is everyone’s concern. When Tencent first launched WeChat in 2011, nobody could have guessed the role it would play in the Tibetan general elections. Even as the 2016 Tibetan elections drew near, a large number of Tibetan were already using the app. Following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s devolution of political responsiblities, the election in exile, particularly that of Sikyong (formerly known as Kalon Tripa), has generated greater interest and debate among the Tibetan diaspora around the world. Since WeChat is prominently a voice message based function it empowers a large number of people including those who cannot read or write to view their thoughts directly and engage with the community at large. Beginning from the date of declaration of the electoral process by the exile based Tibetan Election Commission under the Central Tibetan Administration, WeChat groups began to form into small forums and soon developed into a force to reckon with as a platform for campaigning and discussion. Frequent users of WeChat created chat groups ranging from specific support groups of their respective choice of candidates for Sikyong to groups for general discussions on the elections. Most of the chat groups have at least 100 members with some group having as many as 500 members. Considering the fact that the Tibetan electorate is scattered in 13 countries and that these chat groups include members from India and abroad, WeChat groups gained considerable traction in the election campaigns. Some of the more prominent chat groups are: Gangchenling, Sikyong 2016 (2016 Sikyong Debate) U-Che-Ling (Forum for U-Tsang Parliamentarian Debate), Voe-due Lengtak (Forum for Election Debate), Penpa Tsering for Sikyong, Khata Tsokpa (Messenger Community) and Voe-Mi-Durup (Voters’ Forum). These groups are well organised and have a president and vice-president who conduct discussions in an orderly manner. In most cases, the conveners, just like the members live in different corners of world and follow rules and regulation to ensure smooth discussion without unwanted disruptions or unhealthy interruptions. Any member can invite any Tibetan into the group. Some groups made a rule that an invitee must provide brief self-introduction and vow that they were not followers of Dorji Shugden. Unconstructive members or members who indulge in obscene or unrelated conversations and break rules were warned with a yellow card and if required were expelled from the group. Debates and discussions were held on various topics of public importance and speakers were also invited to share their thoughts and interact with the members. Most of the speakers were candidates running for Tibetan Parliamentary elections. Parliamentary candidate including Dhardon Sharling,Tenzin Phuntsok, Lhakpa Tsering, Dawa Rinchen, Sonam Dorjee, Tenzin Jampyang, Doctor Nyamgyal Qusar, Jampa Choephel and Mingyur Dorjee participated in such debates and explained their reasons for standing for the elections. Sikyong candidate Penpa Tsering also took part in these WeChat debates. These intensive debates and discussions, from almost every household to social gatherings to both online and offline platforms, imply the growth and progress of the nascent Tibetan democracy. Tenzin Phuntsok, an independent candidate for the Tibetan Parliament in Exile from U-Tsang Province who participated in nearly five such WeChat groups said, “WeChat has been useful medium of communication in reaching out to people to explain why I was running in the elections. It provided me a wide opportunity to seek support from the members in WeChat. The fact that I secured 33rd position with 804 votes in the primary elections without field campaign and support from any political party or association is clear evidence of the effect my participation in the WeChat discussions had on my performance. Had I also done field campaigns, I would have secured in the top 20 list at least.” For many, mobile apps like WeChat these days have become an indispensable in their social life. News and information spreads like wildfire on social media even as the mainstream media struggles to catch up with the pace. While the general elections in mind social media apps can be instrumental in mobilizing Tibetans, especially the youth to vote and participate in political proceedings. Such involvement will not only help in making the elections successful but also create a sense of belonging and trust among the people; further connecting the diaspora to the Central Tibetan Administration and the policy making process which are all fundamental requirements for any democracy. However WeChat can also serve as a platform for the dissemination of false or misleading information as it lacks gatekeeping and verification processes of traditional media. The convergence of traditional and new media as means of information dissemination has raised questions regarding where to draw the line between regulation and censorship and how to balance freedom of expression with inflammatory and provocative speech. Nonetheless, WeChat has become an integral component of the new media landscape and an important outlet for candidates, election campaigners and citizens. Despite some of the drawbacks detailed above, increased worldwide internet access will only further the importance of new media in democracy and elections. Citizens have more avenues than ever to reach out to their candidates and share information thus presenting new opportunities and challenges for the promotion of democracy and possibilities for democratic consolidation around world. Tsangdor a young voter who is currently studying in Chennai said, “It was great to see so many youngster in the queue to cast their votes. The Social media aspects have been great, it feels like everyone is discussing it on WeChat and Facebook. Even this morning, people were sharing their voting status and updating photos on their way to the polling stations. It wasn’t like this five years ago”. The scale of participation, in both numbers and intensity, in the preliminary and final elections indicates an impressive growth as compared to the previous general election of 2011. It is a known fact that Tibetans both as individuals and as a community are being targeted with some of the most sophisticated malware attacks and cyber surveillance by the Chinese government. As long as we equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to defend against such attacks and understand the threats involved, technology can be one of most powerful tools in our struggle for freedom. *Tenzin Dalha is a Visiting Fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Tibet Policy Institute

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Source: http://tibet.net/2016/04/the-wechat-effect-on-2016-tibetan-general-elections/   Interesting to see the Dalai Lama’s personal oracle (Protector goddess Tema) taking trance in Nechung Monastery, Dharamsala recently (2016) and angrily throwing rice at Sikyong Lobsang Sangye and Penpa Tsering and other members of the Exiled Tibetan government standing behind them. The goddess is very angry and this is her way of chastising Penpa Tsering and Sikyong by the wrathful and violent throwing of rice at them. Towards the end she tugs at them violently. You can see Penpa Tsering (Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile) comically blocking himself in fear as the rice is thrown at him. She is openly showing her displeasure at them with the public as witness. Looks like all the corruption, selfish games, lying and deception of these two and their cohorts has angered the goddess. Things do not bode well for the exiled Tibetan government of Dharamsala. Even their own protectors are displeased now. This video was taken by people who are not happy with how the recent Tibetan elections were conducted in such a corrupt and dishonest manner. The Dalai Lama’s own protector goddess takes trance of the oracle and shows this much displeasure. It is a clear indication that she is not pleased and it must be very embarrassing for Penpa Tsering and Sikyong Losang Sangye. A further testament of their corrupt government methods.  

Dalai Lama’s oracle Goddess chastises Penpa Tsering and Sikyong Lobsang Sangye 2016

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News Coverage

PHAYUL

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Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=36491&article=Dalai+Lama+begins+9+day+UK+tour 

YAHOO NEWS UK

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Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dalai-lama-face-protesters-during-175158271.html#zcri71l 

CAMBRIDGE NEWS

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Source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Loud-disruptive-protest-planned-Dalai-Lama-comes/story-27794716-detail/story.html 

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Source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Hundreds-protest-Dalai-Lama-visit-Cambridge/story-27809326-detail/story.html 

OXFORD MAIL

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Source: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13719501.Dalai_Lama_speaks_about_refugee_crisis_at_Magdalen_College/ 

RT UK

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Source: http://www.rt.com/uk/315561-dalai-lama-protest-cambridge/ 

ITV

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Source: http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/update/2015-09-16/dalai-lama-greeted-with-jeers-as-well-as-cheers/ 

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Source: http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/update/2015-09-16/dalai-lama-greeted-by-rival-protests-in-cambridge/ 

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Source: http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/update/2015-09-16/protest-expected-during-dalai-lamas-visit/ 

RINF

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Source: http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/dalai-lamas-uk-visit-met-buddhist-sect-protests/  

Video Coverage of the England Demonstrations

Protests against the Dalai Lama’s religious prosecution

From BBC

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Radio coverage on the protest against the Dalai Lama

From BBC

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News coverage on Shugden practitioner’s protest against the Dalai Lama’s religious ban

From Heart News East

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News coverage on the recent demonstration by Shugden practitioners in Cambridge

From ITV

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Shugden practitioners asks for religious freedom in recent demonstration in England

From ISC

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Internations Shugden Community protests against the Dalai Lama’s religious ban in England

From ISC

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Photos of the England Demonstrations

Cambridge

An Exclusive Interview with Geshe Sopa Part 2

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Venerable Geshe Lobsang Sopa is an incredible monk with a reputation of being sincere, fiercely devoted to his Gurus and extremely principled. All who come into contact with him describe Geshe-la as being direct, even brutally honest, but tremendously kind. And it is this kindness and loyalty to the Gelugpa lineage that drives Geshe Sopa to get involved in the efforts to end the Dorje Shugden conflict.

Geshe Sopa is no stranger to the persecution that so many Shugden practitioners have suffered. He has not been able to see his family for over 18 years since the onset of the Shugden ban, one that caused many other families to separate due to the split loyalties that were forced onto the entire Tibetan community; and has suffered discrimination and threats of violence for his efforts to create awareness of the suffering that Shugden practitioners have to endure. Recently, Geshe Sopa’s name and likeness were even listed in a hit list of Dorje Shugden practitioners published by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

Today, Geshe Sopa is a Resident Teacher of Trijang Buddhist Institute (TBI) where he has been based since 2004, the advisor to the North America Gelug Buddhist Association (NAGBA) and an outspoken advocate of Tibetan Public Talk (TPT), a NAGBA initative. Geshe Sopa was also one of the monks who tirelessly rebuilt Ganden Shartse Monastery in South India after the Tibetan exodus of 1959.

It is when you hear Geshe Sopa speak about Ganden Shartse Monastery that you again see the ugliness and damage the Dorje Shugden ban has caused. Till this day, Geshe-la expresses his wish to return to Ganden Shartse – the home which he built, grew up in and where he received his education – and to be reunited with his Dharma brothers and friends. He hopes to see the reunification of Ganden Shartse and Shar Ganden monasteries before the end of his life.

Very rarely can one find a monk who is so humble and yet has quietly accomplished such virtuous works from building monasteries to serving the highest of lamas. Thus, it was a great privilege for DorjeShugden.com to speak with Geshe-la to get his views about the Dorje Shugden conflict.

When it comes to the Dorje Shugden conflict, few names have become more synonymous with the struggle for the Tibetan people to regain their rights to practice their beliefs than Adar Tsering. A familiar Tibetan face at the protests organized by the International Shugden Community, he has done much to bring world attention to the woes of Shugden worshippers and the fight against an unjust religious ban.

Adar Tsering is the General Secretary of the North America Gelug Buddhist Association (NAGBA), which consists of Tibetan monks and laypersons who are concerned about the erosion of the purity of Je Tsongkapa’s lineage which the Dorje Shugden practice became a casualty of. It is a position that Adar Tsering has had considerable experience in, having held similar positions in Dorje Shugden Societies in North India and Nepal, where persecution of Shugden followers is rife.

In his post as General Secretary of NAGBA, Adar Tsering has labored for the cause, not only through participation in the peaceful demonstrations against the Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden, but also via NAGBA initiatives such as Tibetan Public Talk (TPT) which aims to educate Americans, Tibetans as well as the world public about the gross breach of human rights that the Central Tibetan Administration has hidden from the world.

The Dorje Shugden ban has created much suffering and perhaps Adar Tsering’s tireless drive is borne out of a desire to relieve others of adversities that the CTA-sponsored conflict has inflicted upon him personally. Previously a monk of Sera Mey’s Pomra Khangtsen, which was forced to become what is now Serpom Monastery, Adar Tsering is familiar with what Dorje Shugden monks have to endure.

Despite having left the sangha community, he could not escape the long shadows of the CTA’s persecution and propaganda campaigns against Shugden practitioners, and became the victim of a broken family torn apart by split loyalties. Adar Tsering is also a constant target for death threats and abuse by anti-Dorje Shugden groups, even appearing on the CTA’s hit list, but remains unfazed in his mission to end the unholy conflict.

DorjeShugden.com recently had the pleasure of speaking with Adar Tsering to get his views.

The Dalai Lama is the winner of many global awards, in recognition of his works to promote peace and harmony in the world.

However, how real is the image of the peace-loving spiritual leader of Tibet? Have we all been fooled by the Dalai Lama’s public persona, overlooking his dark secrets hidden behind closed doors?

Watch the video to learn more.

On the 16th of April 2015, Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk on Mind Training and Compassion Applied to Everyday Life and that was followed by a discussion with Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Samdhong Rinpoche was the first ‘elected’ Kalon Tripa or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile (TGiE that’s now known as the Central Tibetan Administration or CTA). He was in office from the year 2001 to 2011 and was widely held to be responsible for carrying out the instructions of the Dalai Lama / Tibetan leadership especially those on the persecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners.

Despite having held office for 10 years and having been the representative of the high profile Dalai Lama, Samdhong Rinpoche was not well received and the turnout was abysmal with half the hall being empty. This incident shows clearly that in the absence of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan official, even senior ones like Samdhong Rinppche, are unable to command the attention and respect of the world public. How then would the Tibetans fare after the Dalai Lama passes and they are represented by a government that no one likes or respects? This is the uncertain future created for Tibetans by over 50 years of irresponsible government that did not learn to start on its own feet.

During the Qustions & Answers part of the event itself, a polite and well-dressed man stood up to ask a valid question about the persecution of Shugden practitioners. As can be seen from the video above, the man was neither rude or menacing but instead asked a fair question which had perplexed many around the world. Instead of getting an answer, the man was threatened with arrest and was then forcibly removed from the hall. This is characteristic of how the CTA does things and no one is allowed to have opinions that defer from theirs. Anything different is regarded as dissension is quickly shut down.

This is highly unusual considering the fact that this took place in the democratic country of American and also the fact that the man did not exhibit any hostility towards the speaker. However, even the Americans had to comply with the conditions of their guest. What this does show is how unwilling the CTA has been in providing sound reasons for their religious ban and has infringed on the rights of many Shugden Buddhists. It also shows that the CTA, contrary to much of their claims, are not open to dialogue even on such serious issues as this. It is not symbolic of a democratic government that treasures the opinions and rights of its citizens. It was a huge embarrassment for Samdhong Rinpoche because it is apparent that he had no intention to answer the question posed and the questioner was threatened with arrest. If Samdhong Rinpoche had any respect for democracy, he would have spoken up at this point to say that he wished to address the man’s question. However, it was painfully obvious that he chose to remain silent and allowed the man to be escorted out.

In any democratic country like America, people are allowed to pose any question to a leader or ex-leader of that country for the sake of public knowledge on relevant issues. However, this is clearly not the case for this event as the man was escorted out before he was even allowed to finish what he had to say. This is clearly the policy of the CTA especially in the exiled Tibetan communities in India where opposition towards the Dorje Shugden ban is never tolerated and the voice of freedom is gagged.

Perhaps, the man was over-passionate with his point at the end of the video but he didn’t get a chance to fully express himself before he was whisked away. It does also show that those who protest the Dalai Lama are forced to do so as that seems to be the only way to air their grievances with the Tibetan leadership. As all can see, the man was harmless and kept a safe and respectable distance from Samdhong Rinpoche and so clearly he posed no threats. Therefore, the video leaves a lingering message that the ban on Dorje Shugden is still very much enforced and that it leaves no room for discussion or dialogue. In the end, the incident reflects very badly on the speaker, Samdhong Rinpoche and the CTA because he does not exemplify what he was there to talk about, which is compassion.

Press Release

Click on the image below to read the full press release regarding the protests at the talk.

Click image to enlarge. Retrieved from http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/260734008/new-york-protest-for-religious-freedom-staged-during-visit-of-former-tibetan-exile-prime-minister-samdhong

In December 2014, DorjeShugden.com had the opportunity to chat with the International Shugden Community’s (ISC) spokesperson, Kelsang Rabten. In this exclusive 3-part interview, Kelsang Rabten shares his thoughts on the progress the ISC has made in their efforts to bring down the ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice, and some of the challenges they have faced.

Kelsang Rabten and ISC obviously prefer to be doing something else other than the protests, but their compassion for the many Tibetans and non-Tibetans who suffer discrimination due to this Shugden ban has inspired them to speak up. The protests are huge logistical challenges, expensive and takes up much time, not to mention bearing much varied and uncomfortable weather conditions, travelling and basically having to speak up for something that no one else wishes to speak up for or even perhaps dared. ISC has a tremendous challenge of protesting against someone like the Dalai Lama, that many in the world think cannot be creating this religious discrimination. Protesting against a popular public figure that has the aura of holiness and sanctity is indeed not going to curry friends or put ISC in a favorable light. Yet Kelsang Rabten and the hundreds of ISC people continue to overcome enormous challenges to protest. They get nothing in return. No one is paying them. No perks or benefits of any kind but in fact ignored and even spat upon at times and insulted. So why do they continue? Because there is a ban. There is religious discrimination against Shugden practitioners within the Tibetan communities and practitioners around the world. They can see this and now more are seeing the truth. The ISC gets nothing for this but are peaceful and selfless activists for the ban against Shugden to stop. ISC wishes to see the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkapa and Trijang Rinpoche not trampled upon. Their reward is to release millions of Shugden practitioners who did not have a voice or choice from discrimination. No one should be discriminated against due to their religious orientation.

ISC’s approach may be direct and perhaps even offend some people but please realize, they have asked for dialogue for years with the Dalai Lama with no success. They have repeatedly asked for peaceful and positive dialogue to resolve this issue. But neither His Holiness the Dalai Lama nor his people have consented to dialogue. Even if they don’t consent to dialogue with ISC, dialogue with Tibetan Shugden leaders would be a good start, but nothing of the sort has happened. Exasperated, ISC has decided to invest enormous time and personal resources to protest peacefully to ask the Dalai Lama for dialogue and stop the discrimination. The Dalai Lama ironically and ISC are not deriving any benefits from the protests, but it must be done because the Dalai Lama must understand his talks against Shugden have hurt millions of people. The protests are not helping the Dalai Lama he must understand, but bringing his attention to something he perhaps does not wish to address. Dalai Lama may not think there is a ban and that he is only giving ‘advice’ against Shugden, but his words against Shugden are even more powerful than a ban. His ‘simple’ advice against Shugden carries heavy negative ramifications. Why should he ‘advise’ against Shugden which has been practised by millions for four hundred years? All lamas who practised Shugden have been wrong and only the Dalai Lama is right on this issue? Very illogical to say the least.

We were able to catch up with Kelsang Rabten who was extremely busy with the protests and we are grateful for his time to answer some of our questions. We at www.dorjeshugden.com appreciate anyone with courage enough to stand up and speak up for those without a voice. Whether we agree with the protests against the Dalai Lama or not is another issue. If we don’t agree with the protests, then suggest another way that will be effective to get the Dalai Lama’s attention to stop this ban? The protests are a result of exasperation as mentioned earlier. Kelsang Rabten and ISC as with any other genuine Dharma practitioners would rather use their time to study, meditate, teach, engage in retreats or do Dharma work that benefit the society. They have to take invaluable time away to protest due to their compassion. They are spat upon, hated and criticized heavily for speaking up against a ban. They are not against the Dalai Lama nor wish him ill, but simply to let him know this ban must stop. For this courage we all give them our deepest respects. If the Dalai Lama is going to create a ban that even affects citizens in democratic countries, then he has to expect that many will not go along with it and will speak up. People in these countries have grown up in the atmosphere of freedom and democracy and religious discrimination will not go down well with them. The Dalai Lama needs the support of the West, but he must understand that there is a price to pay for this support which is democracy and a democratic way of doing things. Autocracy is out. Religious discrimination is also a big no.

We thank Kelsang Rabten and all the compassionate people in ISC who speak up and protest peacefully. For our pure lineage to survive, your sincere deeds have made you heroes. We will overcome and we will end the ban. Thank you.

Admin

An Exclusive Interview with Kelsang Rabten – Part 2

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An Exclusive Interview with Kelsang Rabten – Part 3

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