Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 2009

The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to ds@dorjeshugden.com.

By: Shashi Kei

On June 3, 2019, the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; based in Dharamsala, India), the Dalai Lama’s government-in-exile, published an article about the International Religious Freedom Forum held in Taiwan from May 30 to June 1, 2019. The article claimed, “His Holiness was invited to speak at the Religious Forum which was presided by President of Taiwan Dr Tsai Ing-wen and attended by over 187 participants from 10 countries including Representatives of Office of Tibet in Washington DC and Taiwan”.

That statement is not true.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen

The President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen reportedly promised to invite the Dalai Lama to the event but had thought better of it and the Forum went ahead without the Dalai Lama. This was confirmed by a number of religious groups although the Taiwanese government via its Mainland Affairs Council claimed that it did not receive a visa application from the Dalai Lama. To confuse the matter further, an official of Tsai’s government speaking on condition of anonymity claimed that Taiwan never had any real intention of inviting the Dalai Lama.

Taiwan’s about-turn on its relationship with the Dalai Lama may appear sudden, but it is not entirely unexpected. Taiwan is not the first ally of the CTA that is now keeping the Dalai Lama and the thorny Tibet issue at arm’s length. However, Taiwan’s avoidance of the Dalai Lama does perhaps signal how complete the isolation of the Dalai Lama and his government is today, in significant contrast to the global attention that the Tibetan spiritual leader commanded for over half a century.

Unfortunately, decades of global governmental and public support for the Tibetan cause have not amounted to much beyond general condemnations of China’s human rights record. That and a series of highly publicized fundraising campaigns for Tibetan refugees have dominated the Dalai Lama and CTA’s initiatives over the past 60 years. The funding initiatives have proven to be breeding grounds for corruption and it is debatable whether the campaigns actually benefited the Tibetan people in exile at all.

From the peak of its popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, the Tibetan cause began to gradually lose its lustre. With the hegemonic rise of China, friendship with the Tibetan leadership became an inconvenience.

H.H. Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989

By 2014, it was clear that having a close association with the Dalai Lama and the CTA was a liability. The Pope decided not to meet the Dalai Lama when the spiritual leader, who received the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, was in Rome for a gathering of Nobel Laureates. The gathering itself took place in Rome because the government of South Africa, the original venue, indicated that it was unwilling to issue an entry visa to the Tibetan leader.

One after another, nations of the world have fallen silent on the Tibet issue. They have signalled their affirmation of the One China Policy which effectively denies the legitimacy of the CTA.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, who became the 45^th US President in 2017 has yet to meet with the Dalai Lama and is the first US President not to have done so since George H.W. Bush. This signals a shift against the Dalai Lama in US policy on the Tibet issue.

When Narendra Modi was first elected Indian Prime Minister in 2014, CTA President Lobsang Sangay was a guest of honor at the swearing-in ceremony. Not a single Tibetan leader was invited when Modi was sworn in for a second term in May 2019, an indication of how much standing the Tibetan leadership has lost. India’s snub of the Dalai Lama and the CTA began the year before when Indian officials and leaders were instructed to avoid the CTA’s ‘Thank You India’ events.

While it is widely accepted that there are no permanent allies or enemies in politics, one would have thought that the bond between Beijing’s two main opponents, Taiwan and the Dalai Lama, would be much stronger.

Thank You Taiwan Billboards hosted by the International Association of Tibetan Buddhist Dharma, Taiwan, in collaboration with the Office of Tibet.

Only a year ago, the Dalai Lama’s face graced billboards along major Taiwanese streets with the messages ‘Thank you to the Taiwanese government and people for your concern and support for Tibetan freedom’, ‘Thank you to Taiwanese followers of Tibetan Buddhism for your contribution to promotion of Tibetan religion and culture’ and ‘Thank you to Taiwanese democracy’. They were a part of the CTA’s 2018 ‘Thank You’ initiatives designed to shore up support for the CTA and the Tibetan struggle. Unlike India, Tsai Ing-wen’s government embraced the CTA’s programme to its detriment; her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was soundly trounced in the mayoral elections later that year.

The Tibetan cause as embodied by the Dalai Lama and represented by the CTA has become a jinx, due in part to China’s rise and in part to revelations of gross misconduct and corruption amongst high-ranking Tibetan politicians and spiritual leaders.

Taiwan’s rejection of the Dalai Lama’s participation in the Forum is, in a way, poetic justice. The event is, after all, focused on religious freedom, an international human right which unbeknownst to many, the Dalai Lama and the CTA have worked to suppress.

Dharma protector Dorje Shugden (left) and H.H. Dalai Lama (right)

Since 1996, the Dalai Lama has banned the worship of an ancient dharma Protector known as Gyalchen Dorje Shugden. He initially claimed that the practice offends deities in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon and even shortens his own life. Then, the Dalai Lama insisted that worship of this deity had stricken the Tibetan struggle with bad luck. This was offered to the people as explanation for the failure of the Tibetan leadership to return them to their homeland despite numerous promises and prophetic proclamations over the years.

The Dalai Lama later changed his justification for imposing this religious ban. It was no longer bad luck to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan struggle for the Tibetan people to worship this deity. Instead, the Dalai Lama argued that all Dorje Shugden worshipers are paid agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), a claim neither the Dalai Lama or CTA have been able to validate. The fact that previous Dalai Lamas and the bulk of the Gelug spiritual elite since the 17^th century have worshiped this very deity did not deter him from accusing all Dorje Shugden believers to be traitors of the Tibetan people.

A witch hunt reminiscent of Torquemada’s inquisition was sanctioned by the Dalai Lama’s office and Dorje Shugden worshipers were declared by the CTA’s supposedly democratic parliament to be “criminals in history”. Even today, those who refuse to relinquish their faith in Dorje Shugden and abandon their spiritual teachers and friends who are believers of the deity are expelled from the Tibetan community.

H.H. the Dalai Lama’s two tutors, H.H. Ling Rinpoche and H.H. Trijang Rinpoche both practiced Dorje Shugden during their lifetime.

These individuals are marginalized and denied even the most basic services promised by the CTA to all its citizens-in-exile, even employment. Tibetan Dorje Shugden practitioners and anyone associated with them are barred from participating in any gathering where the Dalai Lama would be present. They are not permitted to join community events that would have strengthened Tibetan unity, nor are they allowed to have any say in matters relating to the Tibetan cause.

This banishment is what the Dalai Lama is facing today.

This religious persecution is now in its twenty-third year and has inflicted untold damage on what was an already fragile Tibetan community in exile. But the Dalai Lama was not satisfied with merely imposing this religious prohibition on the Tibetan exile community alone; his diktat was carried into the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China (TAR), dividing the people in a manner no Chinese plot could. Similarly, the Dalai Lama’s anti-Shugden campaign found footing in Taiwan, where the CTA sponsored agitations against Taiwanese Shugden Buddhists. Books were published by CTA-owned Snowland Publications to this end.

In effect, the Dalai Lama’s assault on Dorje Shugden was a cunning strategy to intimidate Tibetan Buddhist adherents worldwide into becoming supporters of the Tibetan leadership’s politics. Refusal to support any CTA scheme is portrayed as opposition to the Dalai Lama, which then infers that one is an enemy of Buddhism. In their fervor not to be seen as being anti-dharma, many Tibetan Buddhists backed the unlawful religious ban, forgetting that the freedom to practice any religion without fear of retribution is an inalienable right in any true democracy. In supporting the Dalai Lama’s anti-Shugden campaigns, they interfere with the religious freedom of Dorje Shugden Buddhists.

Under such circumstances, it would be an absolute mockery for the force behind the brutal oppression of Dorje Shugden practitioners to attend Taiwan’s International Religious Freedom Forum as a VIP. The Dalai Lama’s attendance at the Forum would have robbed it of its authenticity. Tsai Ing-wen’s critics have accused her of caving into Beijing’s demands but that appears not to be the case – on June 4, the thirtieth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, Tsai criticized China fiercely showing no signs of fearing Beijing. The Taiwanese President remains opposed to China’s reign but after all this time, many have learned that there is no upside to carrying the Tibetan baggage. With Taiwan shrugging off the Dalai Lama, the final instruction to all players in the Tibetan saga appears to be exeunt omnes.

[Taiwan News] Exclusive: Source says
Taiwanese President Tsai revoked Dalai Lama’s
invitation to Taiwan

Source: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3717574. Click to enlarge.

The Buddhist hate group the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia (VBCM) has been heavily criticized for remaining silent in the wake of the Dagri Rinpoche sex scandal

The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to ds@dorjeshugden.com.

Dear DS.com,

I am from Malaysia. I don’t practice Dorje Shugden but I have come to your site a few times and found that your articles are very educational and (surprisingly) unbiased. In Malaysia, there’s been an issue recently regarding a molesting monk named Dagri Rinpoche who was being invited by FPMT’s Losang Dragpa Center and co-marketed by the so-called Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia (VBCM).

In case you don’t know, this Vajrayana Buddhist Council or VBCM is a tiny splinter group in Malaysia who basically like to take pictures with the Dalai Lama. They offer small donations and take pictures with him, and then come back to Malaysia to try and be the authority of all Tibetan Buddhists here. Their work never takes off and their facilities are very small. They basically have nothing to show for their work. If you go to their Facebook page, there’s very little interaction. I myself don’t post there or get involved but I was looking for information in Malaysia on the sex scandal monk Dagri Rinpoche and VBCM’s Facebook page came up.

So I went in there and started reading, and that’s when I found the exchange between VBCM’s Nicole Sia and another commentator. It’s very interesting so I thought I’d submit this to you, because it seems that your portal is carrying news on Dagri Rinpoche.

By the way, I find the news about him absolutely disgusting and shocking. The full extent of the law should come down on him. I hope you will post all of these items here for the benefit of sharing information on this Dagri Rinpoche. If you decide not to post it, no hard feelings.

James Lim

By: James Lim

EDITOR’S NOTE: The comment exchange below originally took place on the Facebook Fanpage of the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia (VBCM). As the article submitter James Lim explains, the VBCM are a small group of lay people based in Malaysia who persistently attempt to position themselves as their country’s Buddhist police, although their self-appointment has never been recognized, funded nor supported by any Malaysian government department. Few centers in Malaysia support the VBCM, both online and offline, as evidenced by the lack of activity on their Facebook page.

In the wake of the Dagri Rinpoche scandal, VBCM shared letters issued by their co-conspirator, FPMT Malaysia’s Losang Dragpa Centre and Dagri Rinpoche himself. In response, Alison Ong commented to express disappointment in their reactions. She described especially the shortcomings of Lama Zopa’s statement and questioned his whitewashing of the abuses committed by Dagri Rinpoche, using Dharma to cover up Dagri Rinpoche’s despicable actions. Alison’s comment led to a heated response from Nicole Sia, a member of the VBCM.

What is unusual is that no official response has been issued by the VBCM regarding Dagri Rinpoche’s abuses. VBCM have traditionally been extremely discriminatory towards others, using every opportunity to impose their self-righteous judgement on other lamas and centers, but in this Dagri incident where he has been found to sexually assault women, VBCM have been silent. Although Dagri Rinpoche was even arrested by the Indian police, the VBCM have not spoken up against Dagri Rinpoche nor the FPMT who covered it up for 10 years.

The original comment exchange below may be found on VBCM’s Facebook Fanpage but please be aware that the VBCM has a long history of deleting or hiding posts because they do not believe in speaking the truth: https://www.facebook.com/ONEvbcm/posts/10156597455989335 For this reason, we have reproduced the entirety of the comment exchanges below, inclusive of a screenshot.

ALISON ONG’S COMMENT

If Lama Zopa Rinpoche did not believe that Dagri Rinpoche was guilty of sexually abusing his students, why did he then issue a statement of advice to all his students on how to view the offender?

Dagri Rinpoche (right) is frequently pictured with Lama Zopa, thereby giving Dagri Rinpoche some credibility within FPMT and therefore access to more victims he can sexually abuse.

In response to a swell of complaints about Dagri Rinpoche’s molestation charges and the FPMT’s cover up, Lama Zopa dictated an eloquent Dharma talk.

But if you listen to it very carefully, after a few lines, Lama Zopa is already distracting you away from the real issue, which is the fact that Dagri Rinpoche has been exposed for molesting and abusing women for a long time.

Lama Zopa wants us to view Dagri Rinpoche as an extraordinary being and close our mind to what really happened. However, if we viewed all sexual predators as extraordinary beings and keep up that faith, then we don’t need the law at all. Everyone who commits a crime is henceforth to be regarded as being ‘extraordinary’ and we are just simply to hold them with a good view. Then people like Dagri Rinpoche can continue to commit more crimes without any limits or restrictions.

But the truth of the matter is, whether Dagri Rinpoche is an extraordinary being or an ordinary being, is not the issue. The issue is that he inflicted criminal acts upon ordinary beings who only have ordinary views and, as a result, suffer very much like all ordinary people do when they are harmed. How can you tell ordinary people to have extraordinary views about a sex crime that has hurt them and shames their family?

So Lama Zopa should address the actual problem and “call a spade a spade”. And he must address the issue at hand directly, that is, Dagri Rinpoche is dangerous and he has harmed many people. Lama Zopa should advise his students and all victims to speak up and report what has been done to them. Lama Zopa should create a compassionate environment for the victims to speak up and receive support at a difficult time. Victims should not be told to view Dagri Rinpoche’s actions as extraordinary and just forget the whole thing because this will allow Dagri Rinpoche to continue doing what he has been doing and harm more women. I shudder at that thought of Dagri Rinpoche having complete immunity for all the things he could do to female students and nuns.

Shall we now apply the logic in Lama Zopa’s speech to all future victims of Dagri Rinpoche’s exploits that he will commit eventually and say, “Hey, when he molests you, you just think about it this way, okay?” “You just view him as an extraordinary and allow him to abuse you because he had two dreams about himself going to Gaden heaven and being some deity.” “Because of these dreams, he is an extraordinary being and whatever sexual molestation that he inflicts on you should be taken happily.” Shall we say this to all future victims of Dagri Rinpoche to pre-empt them?

If so why not send this letter to all future victims of Dagri Rinpoche, because there is going to be a lot more of them?

Why not send this letter to every female Buddhist aspirant who will become Dagri Rinpoche’s student though FPMT, and tell them that when they get molested next time, to just think about his sexual assault in this way and not get angry. Don’t report him. Just keep offering yourself up to Dagri Rinpoche because whatever he’s doing to your body is beneficial to you! Shall we say this to all future female students of Dagri Rinpoche? No we should not. Lama Zopa’s advice to students is not appropriate towards the victims and their families. The onus of responsibility should be on lamas to behave properly, not to harm their students physically and spiritually. It should not be on new and aspiring Buddhists to accept being abused and then told to maintain a pure view of their abuser. http://tiny.cc/werr6y

In response to Alison Ong’s comment above, Nicole Sia Mei Yee, one of VBCM’s members and supporters posted this comment below.

NICOLE’S RESPONSE

If you think you are so smart, reveal yourself. Don’t create phantom profiles ( 1 person create multiple profiles on social media ) with the intention to insult. This is the attitude of a coward. Characteristics of coward people,

1. Create phantom profile with a Lama picture or some bombastic Tibetan name.
2. Used an innocent person’s picture as profile picture
3. Raised concern over certain issue. Pretending to be civic minded but with bad intention in their cow brain
4. Attention seeker. Always strive to be in the limelight
5. Dare not show themselves in public or be brave to comment fearing they will be hit or cannot bear the humiliation

its obvious you have low self esteem.

You this kind of people, you forget the root teachings of Buddhism but try to claim like you are very concerned over social moral crimes. Internally you know nuts. In your heart, when you see innocent lives being claim by ISIS, you think

• oh my! i wonder where they will be reborn next life
• why don’t they have dharma inside them
• i wish i can help the innocent victims

but you fail to understand, you yourself is planting the seed of hatred. You yourself is planting negative imprint in people. You think you are doing a great job alerting the public but have you analyse yourself what you see and read on social media, it it verified? Have you think from all directions? Is the news real or just false claim?

Nicole Sia Mei Yee, a VBCM member who uses language like “you know nuts” when chastizing other people online for not being Buddhist enough according to her estimation.

Buddhist organisations and women leaders all over the world like Tzu Chi, Fo Guang, Haitao Life, Tenzin Palmo, Plum Village, Srawasti Abbey and many more are striving to inspire and educate young adults to ease their mind. Alleviating the burden in their heads. Help them from depression, suicide, family issue via their programs and social work. And here you are waking up every morning checking out whats the best way to inflict hurtful comments and finds it amusing. Think about your actions and look at yourself in the mirror. Compare your face with people from the positive side.People like you, when you can’t achieve what you want, when your actions goes out hand and you land yourself in deep trouble, you think “aisk…i think Buddhism is not the suitable religion for me, the centre is not suitable for me to practice, Nobody help me when i am in trouble. So corrupted and unfair. Not only that, my boss and colleague in office also abuse me. Why am i suffering all this? I think i better switch to another religion and start all over again.”

Trust me, people like you will never find happiness in any religion you embrace as long as you have a negative intention inside you. Besides that, you wont even find happiness in your love relationship or smooth undertaking in your career or business. Think about it.

VBCM is a small group of laypeople in Malaysia who persistently attempt to position themselves as their country’s Buddhist police, although their self-appointment has never been recognized, funded nor sponsored by any Malaysian government department.

Lastly, to be fair. VBCM is a non profit organisation run by volunteers. They don’t receive any form of salary and also like any lay person have a family and career to look after. VBCM don’t receive any strong support from government like Fo Guang Shan or Maha Vihara. Don’t expect them to take lead in whatsoever moral issues and act like an activist. If they run into sticky situations, are you there to help? You ask yourself personally, are you a good leader yourself in your personal life, as a partner, as a parent and career before you insult organisations for their poor leadership. VBCM is just a representative of a small Buddhist minority group within Malaysia with His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama and many more leaders from the 4 traditions as their guide.

Alison subsequently penned the comments below in response to Nicole Sia Mei Yee’s attempt to protect the VBCM’s refusal to speak up against Dagri Rinpoche although the Indian police arrested him for sexual assault. VBCM and their co-conspirator Losang Dragpa Center have traditionally been extremely discriminatory towards others but in this Dagri incident where he has been found to sexually assault women, they have been silent. They have not spoken up against Dagri Rinpoche or the FPMT who covered it up for 10 years.

To Nicole,

I am a real person. Whether you know me or not doesn’t matter. What matters is what I have to say, which is of value, to protect our sisters and daughters from bad people regardless of what their titles are.

Things have happened to me before in Dharma centers but when we speak up, they silence you. You tell me to reveal myself but I am not the one hiding. Why don’t you reveal more about yourself on your Facebook account? Why not? Why can’t everyone see your profile or any details about you?

But most importantly, and let’s not distract from the issue at hand, but this is not about me. The issue is about the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia (VBCM) and why it failed to do the right thing, and why the VBCM promoted a sex offender and could not tell a proper monk from a sex offender. THAT’S the issue.

You are right, VBCM is only a very small group. The VBCM is a group of lay people who have very little real knowledge of the Dharma. They have no spiritual qualifications and no training and background whatsoever to be deserving of being a “Buddhist council”. And yet, the VBCM does not behave humbly or beneficially but instead has a history of having a big mouth, poking into the business of other centers and hurting many people in the past. Why is the VBCM even trying to control Tibetan Buddhism in Malaysia when it has no right and no qualifications to do so? No one is asking VBCM to regulate, watch over, mediate, police, comment, update and govern on Tibetan Buddhism in Malaysia. No one asked them to do it and they are just doing it on their own. Anyways, they are not even doing a good job because they are not qualified. There is no need for VBCM in Malaysia whatsoever. People do not even have enough time to run their own centers, find donations to pay bills, upkeep and so forth, so why should they donate manpower to VBCM? They already have enough to do in their own centers.

Instead of spending the last 30-40 years in a monastery studying the Dharma, VBCM Committee member Pek Chee Hen has spent it on worldly pursuits. Yet he presumes to tell ordained monks and nuns what they can and cannot do. VBCM recently tried to cover their endorsement of the Malaysian sex monk Shi Zhao Liang who has been arrested. They have a habit of endorsing monks and teachers who they never thoroughly check out. Most recently Pek Chee Hen and his VBCM group endorsed as a special guest to Wesak Day 2019, the Tibetan sex monk Dagri Rinpoche. Dagri Rinpoche has been molesting women for decades and was reported to FPMT and the Dalai Lama’s Office. Both places did nothing. In fact FPMT continue to send Dagri Rinpoche to their various centers to teach, endangering more women. Now Dagri Rinpoche has been finally suspended from FPMT’s teacher’s list. They have finally caved into public pressure and shaming.

The VBCM committee is always the same, with the same people voting each other into the committee all the time and this has been witnessed firsthand, that is why VBCM never grows. VBCM’s current committee wants to hold on to their damaging policies and the way they are now, and never allow change or growth. Hence they keep the committee members rotating just among themselves. This is how they conspire with one another to hang on to what little “power” they wish to exercise. Don’t forget Losang Dragpa Center’s (LDC) Pek Chee Hen is also involved with VBCM and LDC. Of course you only promote each other.

You are also wrong to say they are volunteers. People like Ms. Tee have been paid a high salary by the Kuan Yin Contemplative Order (KYCO)/Tony Wong for many decades now, including travel expenses. So in fact, none of them are working for free unless they have some way of making money fall out of the sky for them. And what do they do to earn this money? What do they do to deserve being a “Buddhist council”? Absolutely nothing except to cover up for sex monks, discriminate against teachers, centers and practices.

Shi Zhao Liang, the Malaysian ‘monk’ who was arrested for the sexual assault of young boys for the last decade

VBCM covered up the sex monk Shi Zhao Liang who was proven to be guilty of his sexual assaults on young boys. The VBCM did nothing and said nothing. First, they said Shi Zhao Liang is not a Vajrayana monk so it’s not their business. But protecting young and innocent children should be EVERYONE’S business so that was just a lame excuse. Now they also do not say anything about the Dagri ‘Rinpoche’ sex scandal. Isn’t Dagri ‘Rinpoche’ a Vajrayana monk? So how come the VBCM is still quiet? How come the VBCM did not hesitate to promote a sex offender on their Facebook page and when the person they promoted was exposed for his sexual offences, VBCM just remained quiet and hid? Why didn’t the VBCM take responsibility for promoting the wrong person? Why do they not apologize? Look how little ‘likes’ and comments they get on their Facebook page and their name is the VAJRAYANA BUDDHIST COUNCIL of ALL Malaysia? Why is that? Because they have not been doing a good job and people see through that and do not support. We see that and we do not support, and we save everything they do and watch them carefully.You say so much and yet clearly the intention is to deflect attention from the fact that Dagri ‘Rinpoche’ is a confirmed molester of women. Three female victims have come out. They and their witnesses have all spoken publicly and are confident enough to show their faces to back up their testimonies. If what they said were untrue, would they have shown their faces and opened themselves up to be sued? FPMT is rich and a big organization and can sue easily so this is not something made up or imagined. Lama Zopa and the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) knew about all the many reports regarding Dagri and kept it quiet for many years. Lama Zopa even told people not to talk about it. Dagri has given initiations, teachings, commentaries and transmissions and so many people are now lost and don’t know what do. They have lost faith in Dagri because they trusted him, took refuge with him, donated to him, donated to his monastery and his khamtsen (Tsawa Khamtsen) and now they are lost. Think of them. There are many more victims in the spiritual sense besides the three women who have come out. All these invitations, empowerments and teachings carry no blessings because Dagri broke his vows and so everything he has given is void and invalid. Dagri is simply not trustworthy. So the issue here is Dagri and why FPMT, LDC and VBCM covered for him. Just to let you know, there are other monk teachers in FPMT organization that have had inappropriate relationships with female students and touched female members, that have been hushed up. FPMT Amitabha Buddhist Center (ABC) in Singapore has had many students leave due to this happening with their resident teacher and it was hushed up. Many of them are very angry and now looking for ways to make this public.

So you should not be asking me why I am speaking up. You should be asking VBCM and LDC why they wanted to bring this type of monster into our country to molest our sisters and daughters. Are you agreeable to sex predators coming to our country and assaulting our sisters and daughters? Is that what you want? Of course we dare to speak up. And it does not matter if how we speak up is agreeable to you or not. In this Internet age, everything we say can be easily verified if you do some light research. Lama Zopa even came up with a statement of how to ‘view’ Dagri’s offences in the last few days. Why? Because Dagri is guilty and Lama Zopa knows that. But to avoid liability in spiritual, legal and reputational terms, Lama Zopa has to advise victims and concerned people how to conveniently ‘view’ the situations or it will become a massive PR disaster for FPMT and LDC. He has to advise people in a way to placate their anger, hurt and loss of faith. It is not working though. Many are speaking up against Lama Zopa unfortunately. Just go to his Facebook page and read the comments, if they have not been deleted by now.

On the Dagri scandal and on promoting a sex predator, VBCM is as quiet as mouse. But in the past, they tried to act like ‘authorities’ of Tibetan Buddhism. What gives the VBCM the right to say who is good and who is not good, and which center and teacher is genuine or not genuine? Which practice is blessed or not? What is the VBCM’s so-called authority or expertise based on? Just because they have attended a few teachings and taken a few pictures with the Dalai Lama does not give them the right to do anything in Malaysia. Many people take pictures with the Dalai Lama but that does not mean they immediately become qualified authorities in Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama has taken pictures with mass murderers like Shoko Asahara who is also a cult leader. The Dalai Lama has also taken pictures with Keith Raniere, another cult leader. Both are now in jail. As I said, just because you take photos with Dalai Lama does not authorize you to govern the Tibetan Buddhist followers in Malaysia. It also does not give you instant wisdom. You make mistakes too. VBCM likes to splash their pictures taken with the Dalai Lama all over their unsteady website (sometimes it exists and sometimes it’s gone) and Facebook pages. They do this all the time to fool the Malaysian public into thinking that they are so holy, so learned and have the Dalai Lama’s backing. Well they are not holy, not learned and the Dalai Lama will take pictures with everyone, even his security guards. Splashing their pictures all over the place on social media does not convince the public that VBCM has any authority to judge and sanction any teacher, tradition, center, temple, practice and tradition. VBCM committee are just ordinary lay persons who are not Dharma teachers and not knowledgable. It will do them well to remain silent and just practice the Dharma they claim to protect. Even the great monks of Brickfields who are learned masters from Sri Lanka meet all monks of all traditions, peoples, centers, traditions and do not discriminate nor do they criticize, and they are real sangha and learned. If they do not discriminate, who are VBCM to do so? Ms. Tee Siew Seet, Mr. Pek Chee Hen and so forth are the core of VBCM and Ms. Tee likes to hide behind other committee members of VBCM to do the dirty works for her so she does not get into trouble and make her Sifu Tony Wong look bad.

Ms. Tee Siew Seet, a long-time committee member of the VBCM who hides behind other VBCM members, relying on them to do her dirty work of criticizing and discriminating against other lamas and centers. She has been on the committee of VBCM since the first day of their inception. She insists on being their committee and does not allow new people into the ‘top’ posts in their small ‘council’. She enjoys taking pictures with the Dalai Lama and then posting these on social media to gain the ‘authority’ to tell other centres in Malaysia what to do. She likes to infer she is in the Dalai Lama’s good books and therefore has the right to dictate what other Tibetan Buddhism-based centres in Malayisa can and cannot do. She has very little knowledge of Buddhism but it is said by the Buddhist circuit that she enjoys the power.

VBCM has no knowledge, learning and authority to be the VAJRAYANA BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF MALAYSIA. You are right, they are not backed by any of our Government Departments because they are not qualified to be backed up. The VBCM is not backed up by anything and even you can see that it is nothing but a shell. Many of us will not keep silent about VBCM because they have no authority to judge other teachers, centers and lineages in Malaysia. They have no right to say who is bad and who is good. I have as much right as the VBCM but I don’t interfere in matters that do not concern me. The VBCM has in the past opposed centers inside and outside Malaysia and have tried to sabotage teachers trying to come into Malaysia or within Malaysia. What gives them that right? If they have the right because they are a member of the public, then so do I. I don’t need a ‘big’ name and big banner to say what is right and wrong. I only need to speak the truth and without fear. Anyway, on what basis does the VBCM decide which lama is good or bad? On what grounds and guidelines? And with what qualifications do they judge by? Just a few committee members ‘certifying’ and ‘authorizing’ which lama and center is good or bad in Malaysia? That’s absurd and fake. And we are supposed to follow what these unqualified fellows dictate and ignore our rights as citizens of our free nation? But when a lama is found out to be sexually molesting women and VBCM has promoted these lamas past and present, they remain quiet. Cowards that they are.

The people behind VBCM only dare to say things anonymously on Facebook. They only post as VBCM and do not reveal who is doing the postings. This is why none of the committee post the same things on their own Facebook pages. And why is there no transparency? Which of the committee have been deleting critical comments, which one of them have been hiding comments they don’t like? Which one of them deleted comments that shared facts that the VBCM doesn’t want the public to know? Which one of the committee is promoting this lama or that center? No one knows which person from within VBCM is doing this on their Facebook page, so they are anonymous and act while hiding behind anonymity. They should identify themselves at the end of each post and state who they are and take responsibility and be ready to be held accountable. So they are the ones that are anonymous and they have a banner of being a council? How can council members hide?

The Dalai Lama takes photos with thousands of people every year. Just because someone has had their photograph taken with the Dalai Lama, does not make them an authority on Buddhism. VBCM flashing their photograph with the Dalai Lama is exploitative, and it abuses the Malaysian public’s good will and unfamiliarity with Tibetan Buddhist customs in order to make themselves (VBCM) appear as a Buddhist authority. In reality, the VBCM are not qualified to be such an authority nor are they recognized, funded or sponsored by any Malaysian government department.

VBCM acts like a commercial marketing company and all they do is promote lamas on their Facebook pages without any care or screening. On the one hand, they presume to tell others who is a proper lama and yet evidently some have turned out to be sex offenders but VBCM keeps quiet. VBCM is not qualified to manage Vajrayana Buddhism in any way. No one is qualified in Malaysia to do so and no center should do so, lest people start looking deeper into them. Even if VBCM is claiming to carry out the Dalai Lama’s wishes, they are not qualified to do so. The Dalai Lama’s advices, wishes and concerns do not need to be enforced by anyone. It is up to the individual to follow them or not. Buddhism is an open religion and not militaristic or controlling so don’t make it that way. Buddhism is not like the Vatican where the Pope controls everything. The Dalai Lama is not the Pope and he has no Vatican. We Malaysians have full religious freedom and the Vajrayana teachings we follow are up to us. Although I respect the Dalai Lama very much, I do not have to follow everything he says. I have my own discerning wisdom, intelligence and free will. By not following everything that the Dalai Lama says does not make me his enemy. So don’t make me his enemy. It just simply makes me a proud citizen of Malaysia who exercises my free choice.

The question everyone should ask over and over again is who authorized the VBCM to judge who is good and not good. Just because they claim they follow the Dalai Lama’s teachings does not give them the right or qualification to be a moral compass. If VBCM are such good followers of the Dalai Lama and REALLY PRACTICED WHAT HE TAUGHT, the committee of the VBCM would be highly attained already. They should be healing people, they should be advanced in their meditations and they should be teaching the Dharma to many people by now. None of that is happening. That means the people in the VBCM don’t practice well and they are just like the rest of us. NOT PERFECT. In that case, they should not pretend that they are better than the rest of us and tell us what gurus we should follow or not follow.

If the VBCM had any qualifications or if had any decency or sense of civic responsibility, it would not have promoted a dangerous sex offender like Dagri. What the VBCM did was just wrong. It was dangerous for the VBCM to do that. How can anyone trust the VBCM and what they say now? VBCM making that mistake shows they are not qualified to screen teachers coming into Malaysia. They are not qualified to be a council of any sort. They should keep quiet and practice Dharma deeply instead of trying to be a council and assume to tell the rest of us what to do. Dangerous. They told us to get teachings from Dagri and look how that worked out. It worked out badly. More and more witnesses are speaking out. Dagri is a molester and preys on innocent women while hiding behind maroon robes. Dangerous. Because the VBCM makes dangerous mistakes, I as a member of the public will speak up and report. In fact, everyone should be asking the VBCM why it promoted a sex predator and then when exposed, just turned away instead of acting responsibly? Why did FPMT’s Malaysian branch LDC promote this molester? They should apologize and be honest and not just change their advert regarding Dagri’s coming quietly and not say anything. Shame.

FPMT’s Malaysian branch Losang Dragpa Center (LDC) invited Dagri Rinpoche to officiate their 2019 Wesak Day program, encouraging members of the public to be exposed to this sexual offender and therefore endangering their safety. Many on social media protested his visit, writing comments on LDC’s Facebook page which they hid. LDC has recently accepted Dagri Rinpoche cancelling his trip to conduct Wesak Day 2019 in Malaysia. Public opinion and exposing him to be a Tibetan sex monk has sent him into hiding. Three victims have come out to speak against Dagri Rinpoche who was arrested and released on bail. LDC has lost much of their reputation due to their negligent handling of this sex monk who is a danger and menace to society. LDC tried their best to cover this situation and when people called them, they did not pick up the phone or hung up on people.

Instead of doing the proper thing, the VBCM deleted and hid posts by the public that warned others of Dagri. On the one hand the VBCM claims to be a council and to be a source of accurate information, but on the other hand they hide and delete important posts and comments. The VBCM should never delete posts unless they are vulgar. I have personally screenshot many posts they have deleted and hidden so there is a record of the VBCM’s cover-ups. They even block accounts so where is the transparency and honesty? Why not let the public exercise the right to say what they like especially when it is on important issues like this dangerous Dagri? VBCM’s Facebook page has so little interaction already so why block people, hide and delete comments? How come they can tell the public what they want but the public cannot respond and tell them what the public wants and feels? We can be telling the truth too even if we don’t ADVERTISE our photos taken with the Dalai Lama, you know?

You asked why I speak up and monitor the situation? It’s because the VBCM failed to perform its job and duty to inform the public. In fact VBCM is not qualified for any duties in regards to Vajrayana Buddhism. So we the public have to stand up and make a stand. I repeat, the VBCM failed. Remember, FPMT has suspended Dagri. Why suspend him if the allegations are not real? After all the public outcry, the FPMT became afraid. They have always known the allegations are real. Dagri was arrested in North India by the Indian police and that is real. It is real. He did molest the Spanish lady and that is real. He did grab the breast of the Korean lady and that is real. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo said to speak up as she is aware of Dagri and what he did. The Dalai Lama said, “People who commit sexual abuse don’t care about the Buddha’s teaching. Make it public through media, though they may not pay heed to Buddhist teachings on ethical behaviour, they will likely take notice if their face appears in the media.” That is why we are speaking up. But why isn’t the VBCM speaking up? Why use the Dalai Lama as their claim to ‘authority’ but ignore the Dalai Lama when it is their own loss of face at stake? And how come you and VBCM do not even think about the damage done to Dagri’s victims? Where is your moral compass? What about the poor ladies who came to Dagri in full faith and trust and were horribly molested and it destroyed them? What about them? Do you have any sympathy for them? They have sworn statutory declarations and witnesses to this. They have gone to the police. They are open about it. They are not asking for compensation or money but just an admission, an apology so they can heal, so that potential victims will not become victims. FPMT, LDC and VBCM must think of the victims.

VBCM is covering for Dagri because the LDC is a part of VBCM. VBCM should disclose openly that the LDC invited a ‘teacher’ of doubtful character, exposing the public to danger. Why does VBCM protect the LDC instead of the Malaysian public? Very biased. Is it because you have members of LDC in the VBCM? Doesn’t this show that the VBCM only acts in its own self-interest? Why scold me when you should scold VBCM and LDC?

It is strange you and VBCM attack those who do the right thing and defend those at fault. Dagri has touched many women without their permission. That is wrong. For sure, we are not speaking up because we are disgruntled with our centers and teachers and giving up on the Dharma. We are very happy with our lives and our spiritual practice. We don’t have to be in any center to become spiritually evolved. We are speaking up because we haven’t given up on the Dharma. We are stopping monsters hiding behind religion to victimize women. Why don’t you think about the women, the victims? Why must the victims suffer more to protect VBCM and LDC’s face? Why? Think of the victims.

Lama Zopa’s statement regarding the sexual offences of Dagri Rinpoche were widely derided online, and denounced as tone deaf, out of touch and lacking compassion and understanding for the victims’ experiences. It is clear that Lama Zopa knew of Dagri Rinpoche’s sexual offences against women but kept sending him to various centers of their organization. Many have spoken out against Lama Zopa and his insensitive message to the students of Dagri Rinpoche who are very disillusioned, and for him failing to reaching out to the victims.

When you stop to think about it, the VBCM’s ONLY claim to fame is that some of them have taken photos with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. So have I and I have also donated many times to his causes and teachings and will continue to donate. But that does not mean the Dalai Lama is perfect. He is a good person, good monk and knowledgeable but he makes mistakes too. Just look at the people he has endorsed such as Shoko Asahara and Keith Raniere. If you have no idea who they are, just Google those names and the Dalai Lama and you will see that the Dalai Lama has also made mistakes. And the Dalai Lama himself said that if he has made a mistake, I do not need to follow along the mistake but take his other teachings and apply it. The Dalai Lama has said, “If the spiritual master is following a wrong path, which is contrary to mainline teachings, the student should be able to take a stand and not blindly follow that path.” It is not improper to tell your guru he is wrong when he is wrong. It does not affect guru devotion. So Lama Zopa has made mistakes but that doesn’t mean I no longer regard him as a good person. I don’t need to follow men in robes blindly. But I must be discerning and open my eyes and be alert always. High lamas can make mistakes and they will continue to. That is fine, but they must own up to it.

The bottom line is, LDC has promoted a sex offender and is still promoting him. I, as a good member of society who values the truth and who understands the importance of the situation, am simply bringing this to their attention and to the public’s attention. Why does it have to be this way? Because if you bring it to their attention in an open and direct way, they will brush you off to save their own skin and face and because they do not want to lose revenue and income from events such as the one they wanted to bring Dagri in for. Of course having Dagri at LDC will bring money, new members and more resources, or so they hoped. Too bad.

Bottom line is VBCM has no right to tell us what lamas and practices are good or bad because they have no basis and no qualifications and they should keep quiet. Even when a lama like Dagri is bad, they have the chance to exercise their councilship but they do not. Shame. Their motivation is not genuine, that is why they don’t speak up when necessary. No one respects the VBCM and it is reflected in the lack of support in person and online.

We will keep speaking up and we will keep sharing our opinions with the public after we do thorough research always. We are simply the concerned public who do not want more women being abused in the name of religion. We know how that feels.

Also, do you want to take a chance and leave your daughters and sisters with Dagri in a room? I wouldn’t!

CC
H.H. the Dalai Lama
FPMT/Lama Zopa
All Malaysian Buddhist centers
Religous department of Tibetans in Dharamsala
Buddhist Scholars
Malaysian government
Media
Buddhist forums
Monasteries in India and Nepal
Dharma centers around the world

The news on Dagri Rinpoche’s sexual molestation is big, and growing bigger still, all around the world.

Dagri Rinpoche’s teachings around the world are being cancelled: https://www.facebook.com/carol.mcquire/posts/10161953935340145?comment_id=10161954361765145

 

Links to news talking about this issue:

1. https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2019/05/08/tibetan-lama-dagri-rinpoche-faces-me-too-allegations
2. http://www.tibetanjournal.com/senior-tibetan-lama-faces-allegations-of-sexual-assault/
3. https://medium.com/@alexandernazzarro/dalai-lama-offices-dagri-rinpoche-molests-women-cb3c5f8f1b1a
4. https://hindi.news18.com/news/himachal-pradesh/dharamsala-women-molested-in-delhi-to-kangra-filght-old-men-arrested-hpvk-1953835.html
5. https://www.jagran.com/himachal-pradesh/kangra-tibbati-man-tease-with-women-in-delhi-kangra-plane-19191754.html
6. https://news.raftaar.in/kangra-crime-news-state-tibbati-tease-with-women-teasing-plane-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E2%80%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%86-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%9B%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC/detail/ec9e4e49c2ba67cd2459f42005974c12
7. https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/crime/molestation-with-female-passenger-in-delhi-kangra-flight
8. https://www.bhaskar.com/himachal-chandigarh/shimla/news/30-year-old-woman-accused-65-year-old-man-for-molesting-her-in-air-india-flight-01537189.html
9. https://www.facebook.com/palden.gyalpo.5/posts/680924665671499
10. http://bangchen.net/42968/22/58/
11. http://tibetexpress.net/10307/second-woman-alleges-molestation-by-dagri-rinpoche/
12. https://tricycle.org/trikedaily/myanmar-journalists-freed/
13. http://timesasian.com/archives/6801
14. http://timesasian.com/archives/6838
15. http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=41433&t=1
16. https://www.lionsroar.com/prominent-tibetan-lama-accused-of-molestation-by-two-women/
17. https://himachalabhiabhi.com/latest-news/dagri-rinpoche-denies-sexual-assaults-allegations.html
18. https://thetibetstar.com/2019/05/13/breaking-news-is-dagri-rinpoche-guilty/
19. https://www.tibetwebsite.com/prominent-tibetan-lama-accused-of-molestation-by-three-women/
20. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/tibetan-lama-dagri-rinpoche-suspended-from-teaching-after-molestation-allegations
21. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/tibetan-monk-in-eye-of-metoo-storm/770574.html

ORIGINAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN
ALISON ONG AND NICOLE SIA

Click to enlarge (Source: https://www.facebook.com/ONEvbcm/posts/10156597455989335)

The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to ds@dorjeshugden.com.

By: Ringzin Tsomo

DHARAMSALA – It has recently emerged that Tibetans in exile have been spying for China. In an article on Phayul.com titled “China recruiting “disgruntled” Tibetan refugees to spy on India: Intelligence Bureau” (published January 5, 2018), it was noted that Tibetan youths are now spying on India and sending “strategic information about the area” to the Chinese leadership.

This report was borne out of alerts issued by the Intelligence Bureau (India’s internal intelligence agency) which is among the best in the world so it is unlikely that this information is incorrect. It would therefore seem that the patriotic lessons of the past generation have not filtered down to those born in exile.

The author would bid you to suspend your disappointment for the moment and consider these salient points:

1. First and foremost, it should be noted that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala) are very fond of accusing people of being a Chinese spy when those people do not toe the line with the CTA’s official policies. Anyone whom the CTA perceives to be an enemy, or who dares speak up against the CTA is immediately branded a Chinese spy. As soon as someone is labelled a Chinese spy, they become identified with the enemy of the so-called Tibetan cause and therefore justified targets of Tibetan hatred against them. This is one of the methods that the CTA used 20 years ago to direct violence and hatred against Dorje Shugden practitioners. To this day, one of the most targeted people to have received this accusation are Dorje Shugden practitioners who refused to give up their practice when an illegal ban on it was first imposed in 1996. The irony now is that it is the CTA’s own people who are actually confirmed to be Chinese spies. What will the CTA do now that there is proof from one of the world’s top intelligence agencies (i.e. India) that Tibetan youths have been caught spying for China?
2. The fact Tibetan youths will now spy on India for China is a clear indication that they have lost hope. Thanks to greater awareness of the CTA’s lies and corruption, these Tibetans youths who are now disgusted by their leadership’s ineptitude and six decades of no political or social accomplishments, have no reason to be loyal to the CTA. In a time when His Holiness the Dalai Lama is aging and dialogue with China has stalled with no signs of revival any time soon, the Tibetan youths have given up on hope for progress in the so-called Tibetan cause. And having witnessed their government’s self-serving nature, what reason do the youths have to be loyal to the Tibetan cause when their own leaders do not set a good example? In fact, these youths are merely taking a cue from their own government, thinking about money and how to provide for their families, and securing their own future.
3. When Tibetan youths can be coerced into spying for China, it is because of the severe lack of opportunities in the Tibetan settlements. After 60 years, the CTA have failed to provide any kind of sustainable economy for their people. Tibetans all throughout India continue to languish either as sweater sellers, or go on to start their own small home-based businesses. It is sad that the CTA would be so engrossed with in-fighting that they would neglect the economic and social development of their people, and the talent of their youth.
4. What the youth demonstrate is that Tibetan loyalty is fickle and can be bought by the highest bidder, even if that bidder is the enemy. Is it any wonder then that the Dalai Lama’s representatives in Beijing signed away Tibet’s sovereignty in 1951? They claim that they were under duress when signing the 17-Point Agreement, but more patriotic individuals would have given up their lives in lieu of signing the document.
5. There is little wonder also that human rights’ groups in North India like Students’ United Movement of All Arunachal (SUMAA) would be unhappy with the Tibetans, if the news is that Tibetans are spying on India for China. These Tibetan youths, who would probably be in their peer group, were recruited from the same North Indian regions where local Indians have recently been protesting against Tibetans. At a time when the China-India relationship is so tense, groups like SUMAA have every reason to be upset with the Tibetans for aiding the so-called enemy against their host country.

In 2017, India saw the first anti-Tibetan protests carried out by local Indians and members of the Students’ United Movement of All Arunachal (SUMAA). Now that it has emerged that Tibetan youths are spying on India for China, why should foreign observers be surprised at scenes like this when Indians have always known that many Tibetans have taken advantage of the Indian government’s kindness and generosity towards them?

4. The question on everyone’s lips is, would it be fair to call mere children “traitors” and will they receive the same treatment as other so-called traitors have? After all, they have been selling information about India to the Chinese authorities. Within the Tibetan community, people have been called worse things and treated in worse ways for doing much, much less. For 20 years, Dorje Shugden practitioners have been accused of being Chinese spies, without any proof being produced. They were kicked out from the settlements, expelled from their monasteries, refused service in shops and restaurants, bullied in school, refused medical treatment. Will these youths undergo the same difficulties? Note that the author is not asking for these children to be sanctioned. They are vulnerable youth who do not know any better, thanks to the poor leadership from the Tibetan administration. Rather, this is to point out just how hypocritical and full of double standards the Tibetan leadership’s own ‘traitor’ label is.
5. One has to wonder what the Tibetan people have to be disgruntled with. Unlike millions of Indians who continue to live below the poverty line, Tibetans and their leadership were given safe refuge and free land in the form of the 27 major settlements across India. In the years since they came to India, they have received millions of dollars in grants, scholarships, funding and donations. That Tibetan youth could betray India, who has been so kind to them, in such a disloyal manner, is a clear failure of the CTA to teach their people to have gratitude for India.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the proud American who became the Tibetan Prime Minister. Why does he carry an American passport and not, say, an Indian one? Was India not good enough for him? And will it really be effective when an American citizen teaches Tibetan refugees to have gratitude for India?

6. The CTA also jeopardizes India’s own internal security by their failure to provide for the Tibetan people. Because Tibetan youth are desperate for employment and a better lifestyle, the CTA have created a group of people whose loyalties, efforts and attentions can be traded. If the CTA has any sense of gratitude towards India for all the generosity they have received from the Indian government and people, they would immediately seek to provide employment opportunities for their own youth, to make other temptations less attractive.

Ultimately, the Tibetan youth of today are attracted more by wealth and the promise of a better future than by the spiritual values which were once the essence of Tibetan culture. It is this very essence which is being lost, thanks to the Tibetan administration’s poor leadership and the example that leaders like Lobsang Sangay have set for style over substance.

And when leaders like Sangay show that it is okay to abandon one’s so-called Tibetan identity by carrying foreign passports, why should vulnerable Tibetan youth behave any differently or any more loyally to the concept of a Tibetan identity? 60 years ago, it would have been unthinkable for any Tibetan to consider spying FOR China. As time passes, things do not improve for the Tibetans in exile and this latest incident is the strongest proof yet of this.

China recruiting “disgruntled” Tibetan
refugees to spy on India: Intelligence Bureau

Published 5th January 2018. Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=40007)

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay has been accused of Machiavellian tactics to dispatch his political rival Penpa Tsering. The Kashag (Tibetan Cabinet-in-Exile) issued a statement to clarify Penpa Tsering’s sudden dismissal but it has only raised more questions.

The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to ds@dorjeshugden.com.

By: Shashi Kei

The saga following the sudden sacking of Penpa Tsering as the Dalai Lama’s North American representative is far from over. Tibetan supporters of Penpa Tsering have been demanding valid explanations for his unceremonious dismissal by the Kashag (Cabinet), which is controlled by Sikyong Lobsang Sangay. Lobsang Sangay, who heads the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership) is well known to view Penpa Tsering as his most dangerous political rival.

In an attempt to allay rising discontentment over the heavy-handed treatment of Penpa Tsering, on 18th November 2017, the Kashag offered additional information to support his dismissal. It is a move they claim to be motivated by “transparency and accountability purposes”.

However, it has taken serious threats by the people to protest against the CTA, and to boycott events related to the Sikyong, before the Kashag decided to be transparent. The fact is, left on its own, neither the CTA nor the Kashag, and certainly not Lobsang Sangay, has ever operated with transparency. But pressure from the Tibetan people is something they fear and will respond to.

The Kashag’s explanation reveals a number of disturbing facts:

• That power-grabbing and political rivalry overrides everything else in Lobsang Sangay’s government. It is a growing culture that has impacted negatively on the Tibetan people’s collective objectives. The Kashag’s statement in fact confirms that there is still considerable animosity between Lobsang Sangay and Penpa Tsering even after the 2016 Sikyong elections. Neither is willing to put aside personal feelings for the collective good of the nation and people of Tibet.
• Penpa Tsering does not view Lobsang Sangay to be a competent and trustworthy leader. It is the reason why Penpa Tsering asked so many questions of Lobsang Sangay’s intentions and his actions, and cast so much doubt. As their own statement says, there is a “trust deficit”.
• If the Kashag’s justification is to be believed at all, Lobsang Sangay is willing to gamble with the Tibetan people’s future. According to the Kashag’s statement, Penpa Tsering was incapable in his post. However, it was the Kashag who appointed him to the post so in essence, they sent an incapable representative to a crucial post. North America is the CTA’s biggest supporter and closest ally (or rather, they used to be), and yet Lobsang Sangay was willing to compromise that relationship because it got Penpa Tsering out of his way in Dharamsala, so that his hold of power in the CTA would remain unchallenged.

As the Tibetan people’s attention is increasingly trained on Lobsang Sangay, many are now beginning to doubt his integrity.

• Questions are raised about his sincerity and commitment to the Tibetan cause, which the ordinary Tibetans have staked their lives and future too. Why for instance does Sangay have an American passport and does not hold only the same Yellow Passport as all other ordinary Tibetans?
• Why does he not subject himself to the same limitations as his own people, and gives himself special exemption to hold another citizenship? This is a pertinent question especially when Sangay’s government is asking ordinary Tibetans to reject Indian passports, which many are lawfully entitled to.
• Having an Indian passport would no doubt improve the Tibetan refugee’s life. Yet, they are asked to forgo this and their efforts to get such a passport are even sabotaged by the Tibetan leadership. Meanwhile, the Sikyong and his cronies are already in possession of various foreign passports and citizenships. Why do Sangay and his cronies practice such double standards instead of leading by example?

Another one of the Kashag’s reasons for firing Penpa Tsering was his failure to take steps to protect the Dalai Lama from Dorje Shugden (Dolgyal) ‘threats’ during the Dalai Lama’s planned visit to the USA in June 2017. This is unsurprising for the CTA to cast blame away from itself; anyone can see how irrelevant the Shugden issue is in the Sangay-Penpa quarrel. In addition:

• The Kashag is implying that the USA with its very competent intelligence force such as the CIA, the FBI and Secret Service cannot capably protect the Dalai Lama whereas the CTA can. It is a rather ridiculous proposition especially given the USA’s heightened security awareness after the 9/11 incident.
• The only explanation for the Kashag to bring up the ‘Dogyal’ issue is to imply that Penpa Tsering is sympathetic to a group that Sangay has repeatedly framed as the enemy of the Tibetan people and the source of all their problems. To put it plainly, it is to make him an easier target for Tibetans to attack.
• In any case, the Kashag’s statement admits that it has a standing order for all CTA officials and related bodies to constantly victimise a segment of the Tibetan people because of their religious belief. Why is the CTA monitoring the activities of private citizens? And why is the CTA expending resources to monitor Dorje Shugden practitioners when there is no ban on the practice, as they claim?

The Kashag further accused Penpa Tsering for failing to secure meetings and appointments for Lobsang Sangay during his May 2017 visit to the USA. But we have to ask:

• What does Lobsang Sangay hope to achieve by meeting with American politicians and government officials? The USA has long subscribed to the One China policy, which essentially places Tibet under China’s sovereignty. No amount of talks with any American President, Congressman, Senator or bureaucrat can change this simple fact and the Kashag knows that.
• Therefore such meetings have only one objective – for the Sikyong to ask for more money, aid and financial assistance, which make up almost 100% of the CTA’s revenue. It is all about money, money and more money.
• The Kashag’s statement readily admits to money being the sole motivating factor, since all of their justifications for Penpa Tsering’s dismissal center on the fact he failed to secure meetings which will help them to secure money, and he asked questions about the funding too. And in this, the Kashag’s statement betrays its own incompetency to the point that it admits that even after 60 years of countless assistance, it is still relying purely on handouts.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay (center) with Lodi Gyari (left). Lobsang Sangay dismissed Penpa Tsering from his role after too many questions were asked about financial irregularities that Sangay is involved with. Interesting, Lodi Gyari himself was recently embroiled in a money laundering scandal that saw his son-in-law’s bank accounts being frozen by Nepali authorities. They were alleged to have raised funds for Nepal earthquake victims, but these funds never actually reached the intended recipients.

Inadvertently, the Kashag’s explanation reveals that more scandals are brewing for the CTA’s Office of Tibet in the USA.

• Over the years, we have seen news about misappropriation of funds. These were committed by different Tibetan NGOs that operate under the CTA, helmed by cronies of various Tibetan leaders. Now we are hearing that the five bank accounts of the Office of Tibet, which essentially represents the Dalai Lama, were at risk of being frozen and closed by the bank. Everyone knows that this only happens when there is malpractice and financial irregularities.
• Questions must now be raised about the Office of Tibet’s financial conduct. And perhaps that was precisely what Penpa Tsering was attempting to do but in so doing, he raised issues that Sikyong Lobsang Sangay prefers to remain buried because the financial trail leads too closely to him.
• For example, Penpa Tsering raised a question about a US$1.5 million loan which has been given by the Tibet Fund to quarters associated with Lobsang Sangay. In essence, the Sikyong was caught to be using funds meant for the welfare of Tibetan refugees as his own political war chest, to boost his election campaign and performance. Penpa Tsering also refused to back down when Lobsang Sangay attempted to reassign the loan as a gift or contribution within the audited accounts of the Tibet Fund. Penpa Tsering’s poking into this irregularity meant he had to go.

There is nothing in the Kashag’s explanation that has real substance. Instead we see very embarrassing and petty bickering about ‘who said what to whom’ about a female kalon. This is not professional conduct for a government that is asking the world to support its bid to have six million Tibetan lives in its hands when it is proven to be incapable of handling a single CTA outpost. The Penpa Tsering debacle exposes the CTA to be a crude, unprofessional, narrow-minded and a nickel-and-dime outfit of self-serving politicians.

Nothing in all these proceedings benefit the Tibetan people one bit. In any progressive government, the dismissal of a civil servant, such as that of Penpa Tsering, is a common thing. But when it comes to the CTA, such a simple procedure can threaten to dismantle the CTA and fracture the community even further. This is the system of government that has developed under Lobsang Sangay’s leadership and this is his legacy. It is a legacy of excuses and alibis instead of results; it is a legacy of disunity instead of harmony, of corruption instead of integrity, and of scapegoating instead of taking responsibility for lives that depend on the role of the Sikyong.

And this debacle only goes to show one thing – that when you ask the wrong questions of the CTA, when you try to hold them accountable, you will face swift and total retribution. In the CTA, when you threaten someone’s access to money, and their position and power, well, democracy be damned. No matter who you are, no matter how high you have risen, and no matter who you are friends with, you will be gone because only one thing matters – money. It is a lesson Penpa Tsering has learned the hard way, and it is a lesson that will resonate throughout the Tibetan community for a long, long time to come.

TIBET SUN: Kashag’s clarification on decision to replace North America Representative

Click to enlarge (Source: https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/11/18/kashags-clarification-on-decision-to-replace-north-america-representative)

TIBET SUN: Sikyong Lobsang Sangay! Where are Office of Tibet loan records?

Click to enlarge (Source: https://www.tibetsun.com/opinions/2017/11/16/sikyong-lobsang-sangay-where-are-office-of-tibet-loan-records)

TIBET.NET: Kashag’s clarification on decision to replace North America Representative

Click to enlarge (Source: http://tibet.net/2017/11/kashags-clarification-on-decision-to-replace-the-north-america-representative/)

This video, produced by the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), was published on Apr 10, 2012 with the following description:

“Dorje Shugden is the Wisdom Buddha, appearing as the Dharma Protector of modern Kadampa Buddhism. He is our ultimate friend and protector; by relying on him with faith, all our spiritual needs and wishes will be fulfilled and all obstacles dispelled. Receiving the empowerment of Dorje Shugden makes an unbreakable connection between us and this holy being, so that we will always come under his loving care, never apart from a wise and powerful ally.”

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHHkvtNHdT0

The swift growth of Dorje Shugden’s lineage in the West has been largely due to the efforts of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), which was founded by Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. When NKT first split from the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), many saw it as a betrayal of the Gelug tradition by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. However, 1100 NKT centers later, one begins to see the wisdom of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, who has instilled amongst his students a loyalty and devotion so essential for Vajrayana practice.

FPMT, on the other hand, appears to have forgotten its roots in its efforts to toe the line. It seems that they have conveniently ignored their own history; the massive Dorje Shugden rituals performed at Kopan, how fervently its founder, Lama Yeshe, relied on Dorje Shugden, and how Dorje Shugden was the protector who brought FPMT to a global level.

A very close and senior student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is Gen-La Dekyong, whose humility and clarity of speech is apparent when she is giving teachings or empowerments. Gen-La Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition and she bestows many empowerments including that of Dorje Shugden every year at the Buddhist Festivals. These festivals are hugely popular, with 2000-6000 people attending them. We rejoice in the efforts of Gen-la Dekyong and NKT to touch people’s hearts and minds with the Wisdom Buddha’s energy and empowerments.

The video in this post is of Gen-La Dekyong giving a Dharma sharing during a Dorje Shugden empowerment at the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre, the mother center of NKT. As Gen-La Dekyong points out succinctly

…we have no power on our own to overcome delusions. We need help, we need Dorje Shugden’s help, Wisdom Buddha’s help, our Guru’s help. We need help, support and power. We need power.

We’re asking Dorje Shugden – please help me with my Dharma practice. There is no more qualified protector for the Ganden Oral Lineage at this time than Dorje Shugden, now is the time to rely upon Dorje Shugden.

An empowerment is usually associated with permission to practice a particular deity or protector. Naturally, if we receive an empowerment from someone who has received it from an authentic unbroken lineage and is attained in that particular practice, we also receive the powerful lineage blessings all the way from its first practitioner.

It is a prerequisite of the Dorje Shugden life entrustment¹ (initiation-empowerment) or srog gtad (pronounced as ‘Sogtae’) that we have first received the Anuttara Yoga Tantric practices like Yamantaka or Heruka Chakrasamvara. The Dorje Shugden empowerment is an opportunity to establish or strengthen our connection with Dorje Shugden as he is a powerful loving friend, ally and protector and his practice is beneficial for anyone.

Once you receive empowerment you promise to hold Dorje Shugden as your main protector until you gain Bodhicitta. Dorje Shugden promises to protect you on the dharma path until you gain Bodhicitta in life after life.²

The exact origin of life entrustment seems to be unknown, and it is also possible that the term came to be popular at a certain time and was used in place of initiation (rje gnang). It would appear that “life entrustment” (srog gtad) and “life empowerment” (srog dbang) are used interchangeably. Although life entrustment is similar to a subsequent permission initiation (rje gnang), it would appear the term life entrustment is never used in relation to yidams.³

Initiations in general may entail the initiate abiding by certain commitments (dam tshig) after receiving the initiation. This is a common feature of Vajrayana Buddhism. In some cases, this means daily recitation of a sadhana. With protectors it may entail that monthly fulfillment or torma rituals be observed, which is less time consuming in comparison to a daily sadhana.³

In Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s namtar⁴, it is very apparent that Dorje Shugden was ever present watching over the young Trijang Rinpoche, supporting and ensuring the next generation of Gelug teachers are ready for the future and the preservation of Je Tsongkapa’s tradition. Dorje Shugden is not a protector just for the moment, he is a protector for innumerable lifetimes.

A Biography of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Watch this short documentary on Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

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Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)

References

1. 10,000 conferred Shugden Sogtae
2. A question on sogtae
3. Dorje Shugden and Vajrayana
4. Download Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang’s Autobiography

His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama

The 11th Panchen Lama Gyancain Norbu was recognized and enthroned in China and was also approved by the Chinese government. This led many to believe he is a Chinese puppet put in place by the Chinese government to manipulate the Tibetan populace. However, not many people know that very stringent procedures and protocols were put into place during the search for this Panchen Lama and this by far is the most accurate in pinpointing the unmistaken incarnation.

Jowo Rinpoche is considered by Tibetans to be the most sacred image of Buddha Shakyamuni brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng in AD 641.

In fact, the Golden Urn was the last deciding factor to confirm the incarnation. The Golden Urn was a tradition established by the Chinese Qianlong Emperor in the wake of the Nepali invasion of Tibet during the 18th century to determine the incarnation of the Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas and Khutugtus. This new method was based on an ancient Chinese divination technique. A search party that was tasked with looking for the incarnation would identify several candidates according to traditional methods of observing dreams, visions, consulting with oracles and other High Lamas. The names of these candidates would be written on ivory slips in Tibetan, Chinese and Manchu, and then placed into the Golden Urn. In front of the Jowo Shakyamuni statue in Lhasa, widely considered by Tibetans to be the holiest image in Tibet, special prayers would be recited and then the urn would be shaken. The candidate whose name was on the slip that first falls out of the urn would be proclaimed the unmistaken incarnation. Many prayers, pujas and rituals would be performed for days by qualified senior monks and then requesting the blessings of Jowo Rinpoche, the correct name will fall out from the Golden Urn. It is believed the blessings of Jowo Rinpoche will bless the name that falls.

Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk played a pivotal role in the discovery of the current 11th Panchen Lama

However, several of the incarnations of the Dalai Lamas were not confirmed using this method, which for certain parties, casts doubts over the authenticity of the current incarnation of the Dalai Lama. Furthermore, the whole process of looking for the current Panchen Lama has been recorded and disseminated all over the world thus adding more weight to the selection of the Panchen Lama. In addition to that, the famous Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk played a very important role in the search and he risked his life travelling across the border. He stayed back and laid low in China for many years to facilitate the search.

However just before the rightful candidate of the Panchen Lama was announced, HH the Dalai Lama decided to announce his selection of the Panchen Lama. This created many obstacles as it created a lot of doubts in the authenticity of the current Panchen Lama and made it more difficult for him to accomplish what he needed to do in this life. On the other hand, the current 11th Panchen Lama is practicing Dorje Shugden as his teacher, Yongzin Gen Tsultrim has initiated him into the practice. In fact, the Panchen Lama has received life entrustment initiation (sogtae) from this lama.

The golden urn used for hundreds of years to determine the correct incarnation of the highest lamas of Tibet. The power to divine is not the golden urn as it’s just a receptacle, but from Jowo Rinpoche Himself, the most sacred image of Lord Buddha in Tibet.

Samdhong Rinpoche

A picture of the Dalai Lama being assisted by Samdhong Rinpoche.

Samdhong Rinpoche was the former prime minister of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and a former Dorje Shugden practitioner. However, during his tenure as prime minister, he was instrumental in the implementation of the Shugden ban.

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche had originally intended for Samdhong Rinpoche to be a High Lama who bestows initiations, oral transmissions and teachings. Since young, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche had lovingly taught and nurtured Samdhong Rinpoche down to the level of how he should wear his robes and how to eat with proper manners as befitting his rank so that he would come to be revered as a High Lama that upholds the teachings.

However, upon hearing the news that Samdhong Rinpoche was elected to be an official of the Tibetan Government in Exile (the predecessor of the current Central Tibetan Administration), Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche became disappointed. Then, he revealed to Samdhong Rinpoche of his original intention and said that since he had chosen another path, he should follow the advice of HH the Dalai Lama instead.

On the first occasion of a public talk, Samdhong Rinpoche proclaimed to everyone that he does not care about the Tibetan cause, he does not care about the Tibetan people or the government, all he cares about is carrying out his Guru’s instructions. At this point, it was not clear who his Guru was because he seems to be very close and devoted to HH the Dalai Lama. On the second occasion in another public talk, Samdhong Rinpoche repeated the same statements but this time, he proclaimed that his Guru is Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche who told him to carry out the Dalai Lama’s instructions.

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Samdhong Rinpoche gave this surprising statement in a speech as he was coming to the end of his term as Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile)

Emergency trance for Khejok Rinpoche

His Eminence Khejok Rinpoche

When Khejok Rinpoche was terminally ill, Khejok Ladrang requested the Panglung oracle to take emergency trance to seek advice from Dorje Shugden. The Panglung oracle belongs to an illustrious line of oracles that takes trance of Dorje Shugden.

In the earlier days, Khejok Rinpoche used to come and stay with the Panglung oracle in his Taiwan center for a week at a time. But when Khejok Rinpoche decided to go underground with his Shugden practice, he did not maintain contact with the oracle. Khejok Rinpoche and Sermey Khensur Rinpoche were well known to be very good friends.

This is the famous Panglung oracle taking full trance of Dorje Shugden in Tibet 2014

On day, Khejok Rinpoche suddenly decided to send a letter to the Panglung oracle through another party accompanied by a kuyong (monetary offering) and khata. In the letter, Khejok Rinpoche wrote cryptically, “In difficult times like these, I have never stopped praying to the protector.” The oracle knew immediately that Khejok Rinpoche was referring to the fact that he had never forsaken his Shugden practice.

Nechung makes a blunder

His Holiness Kyabje Ling Rinpoche is the senior tutor of the current Dalai Lama.

When Kyabje Ling Rinpoche was seriously ill, Ling Ladrang (household) Changtzos (assistants) and the Sera Mey Abbot at that time requested for an emergency trance with the Nechung oracle in order to consult the Dharma Protector of a way to heal Ling Rinpoche’s illness.

The monks reciting invocation for the oracle to take trance of Nechung.

The paper containing the questions was presented to Nechung in trance, who took it and crumpled it into a ball and put it under his buttocks. Nechung then proclaimed that if Ling Rinpoche gets better after 3 days, there would be no harm to Ling Rinpoche’s life. Nechung further commented that this is “Obstacles from the big (interpreted to be the Dalai Lama) is put on the head of the small. (Interpreted to be Ling Rinpoche)”

This got the old Changtso worked up in confusion and anger. “How can the Guru be considered small and the student considered big?” the Changtso said.

Choyang Dulzin Kuten oracle who takes trance of Dorje Shugden from Gaden monastery

Then Ling Ladrang Changtso grabbed Nechung in trance by his clothes and scolded Nechung in the face, “Every day we offer you liquor, tea and pray to you and in difficult times like this you say such things and never help!!!” Nechung left the body of the oracle and never took trance in the presence of the Changtso again.

On the other hand, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche had been consulting Dorje Shugden via the oracle for many years. Whenever Dorje Shugden’s divination answers from the Choyang Kuten (another famous oracle that took trance of Dorje Shugden) returned, the changtso would present the letter containing the answers to Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. The lama would first place the letter on top of his head as mark of deep respect and then pass it back to the Changtso in order to read the answers out loud to Rinpoche. When the Changtso was done reading, he would wrap the letter with a khata and present it back to Kyabje Ling Rinpoche who would again put it on top of his head in reverence before keeping it away. The Shimla Kuten who is a student of Ling Ladrang and who served in the Ladrang for 15 years witnessed this.

How Pelden Lhamo came to Gaden Jangtse Monastery

A thangka painting of the Dharma Protector Pelden Lhamo

Born from cells of the father, King of Obstructers,
And the supreme mother, Queen of Existence,

These lines are from Dagpo Dorje Chang’s Praise of Dorje Shugden called Infinite Aeon. The two lines refer to Dorje Shugden as having arisen from Ganapati, which is referred to as the King of Obstructers and Machig or the Queen of Existence refers to Pelden Lhamo. Pelden Lhamo was the main protectress of Gyume Tantric College. Gyu Sherab Senggey, a student of Lama Tsongkhapa established Gyume Tantric College in order to spread the Tantric teachings as he had promised to his Guru.

One day, Gyume monks had to go to a faraway district for a debate session and it was snowing heavily when they returned. On the journey back, they had to cross a torrential river. In following with tradition, the ordinary monks decided to cross over first, leaving the Abbot, Lead Chanter (Umze) and Disciplinarian to be last ones to cross over. As the monks were crossing the river, the boat capsized leaving some monks drowned and the strong currents carried a few monks away. Monks with psychic powers were able to use their monk seat covers or dingwas to ferry themselves over while those who were able bodied swam to the shore.

When the Abbot crossed the river and learnt of what had happened, he became very angry and asked the monks which protector did they propitiate that morning. The monks replied that they offered Serkyem or golden drink offering to Pelden Lhamo in the morning before setting off on a journey back to the monastery. The Abbot in rage took a Pelden Lhamo thangka, rolled it up and threw it into the river while declaring that they would no longer practice her again. Along with Pelden Lhamo, the monks who used psychic powers to save themselves were also expelled from the monastery. The Abbot was serious about upholding the purity of Tantra undefiled by practitioners who used powers attained through their practice only to save themselves.

Further downstream was a Gaden Jangtse monk who discovered the Pelden Lhamo thangka floating in the river. He thought that it was an auspicious omen so he sought audience with the Gaden Jangtse Abbot and presented the thangka to him. This was the advent of how Jangtse started practicing Pelden Lhamo as their main protector.

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who manifested as a tailor

A portrait of the erudite master and scholar, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche

Many years ago, the famous Panglung oracle was visiting Trijang Ladrang (household) of Gaden Monastery. He was there to take trance and answer some questions pertaining to the passing of the late Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. This line of Panglung oracles was made famous for taking very clear trances of Dorje Shugden. In fact, the previous Panglung oracle took trance of Dorje Shugden and led the Dalai Lama out of Tibet safely during the tumultuous years of the Chinese takeover of Tibet.

During the visit to Gaden, the oracle decided to pay a visit to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche as well. During the audience, Zong Rinpoche asked if he had brought along the complete oracle clothes that he would wear during trance and he replied that he did. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche then borrowed the ritual clothes for the next few days.

The official oracle monk of Sera Monastery, Panglung Kuten. He was put into full training by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche until completion. He is able to take full trance of over seven powerful dharma protectors such as Dorje Shugden, Dorje Setrapa, Jowo Kinkara, Shidak Gyenye, Kache Marpo, etc. He has been taking official trance for thousands of supplicants in the last 30 years. He is highly regarded and respected among the millions of Shugden practitioners.

When the oracle came to visit Zong Ladrang the next day, the entire hall was filled with bolts of fabric and brocades. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was cutting cloth and was in the midst of sewing up an exact copy of the oracle’s clothes. At that time, there were very few that had the means and skills to make such elaborate ceremonial clothes. Therefore, tailors with the traditional skills needed to make such an elaborate clothes was hard to come by.

Therefore, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche took matters into his own hands and made one set for the Dorje Shugden oracle Choijin Lama known as the ‘Ari Kuten’, which means the American oracle. It was Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who discovered and trained this oracle. Recently, Ari Kuten opened a big center in Bloomington, Indiana and the center named Gaden Kachoe Shing by Dorje Shugden in trance.

It seems that Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was not only an erudite scholar but he was also very skilled with his hands. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche had innumerable artistic abilities besides being an undefeated and unparalleled debater, scholar and master of the Buddha’s teachings. He was able to sew intricate ceremonial robes, paint statues, thangkas, mandalas and other ritual artwork.

A close up of the hat worn by Simla oracle who is taking trance of Dorje Shugden in Switzerland with the young Trijang Rinpoche sitting on throne (behind right)

In fact, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche fashioned the elaborate oracle hat that the Ari Kuten would later wear during his trances. The hat is fashioned out of copper or silver with carvings of the 5 ritual skulls and festooned with the emblem of Manjushri’s wisdom sword and book that is adorned with peacock feathers and the 5 brocaded victory banners. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche clearly has put in a lot of effort into the creation of a Dorje Shugden oracle because the oracle would be beneficial for those seeking advice and blessings from Dorje Shugden who is none other than Manjushri himself.

The current Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (left) and the Ari Kuten (right) at the opening of his center Gaden Kachoe Shing in Indiana. Ari Kuten is a student of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. When Ari Kuten was in his early teens, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche predicted he would be a Dorje Shugden oracle when he reached maturity. As Kyabje Zong Rinpoche predicted, it came to be. He was officially recognized as the Dorje Shugden oracle of Gaden Monastery just before the ban against Shugden took full effect.

These true short stories were told by the famous Panglung Kuten and we thank him for sharing with DorjeShugden.com.

Admin

May this mural be the cause for many more and much larger images of Dorje Shugden to appear in the world. Click to enlarge.

DorjeShugden.com is proud to announce that our third mural has been completed, and this time it is in Oakland-Berkeley, California! This mural was conceptualized to reach a younger generation who would see it as a photo opportunity and spread it around on social media, and therefore multiply the number of people blessed by Dorje Shugden just by looking at him. When anyone views an image of any Buddha and their manifestations, karmic imprints are implanted in their mindstreams so that they will, in the future, meet with Dharma. We wish everyone who sees Dorje Shugden in these busy areas will be imprinted with the holy imprints of Manjushri and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s infallible lineage. Then perhaps in this or future lives, something will trigger the imprint which will act as the catalyst for them to enter Dharma, generate the bodhi mind, perceive mahamudra and gain full awakening.

It was also our intention that the mural will generate intrigue for passersby, and interest them in exploring the background and practice of Dorje Shugden. We hope by visiting the website on the murals that it will indirectly create the causes to connect passersby to a Dharma centre, teacher or space that is disseminating our holy lineage. For people to see the mural and look up DorjeShugden.com, they can easily come upon the perfect teachings of a teacher in Shar Ganden or Serpom Monastery, through Yongyal Rinpoche, Gonsar Rinpoche, Lama Phurbu, Achok Rinpoche, Kuten Lama in Indiana, Zava Damdin Rinpoche, Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Danak Rinpoche, Gaden Trisur Rinpche, Rabten Rinpoche, Lama Jampa Ngodrup, Trijang Rinpoche, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, Zasep Rinpoche, H.H. Gaden Trisur Rinpoche, Gangchen Rinpoche, Kundeling Rinpoche, Chatreng Monastery, Pabongka Rinpoche, Denma Gonsa Monastery, etc. We do not have any preferences for which teacher they connect with through our mural, but what is most important is that they do connect.

The artist took great pains to ensure the painted image was as accurate as possible

We hope that these murals will spread the name and practice of Dorje Shugden which itself is a blessing. If people connected with nothing else and just Dorje Shugden, it will still benefit them. We also hope that in spreading Dorje Shugden’s name and image, we create awareness of the ban on his practice and how the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is adversely affecting our lineage. With this greater awareness, we hope to garner more support to remove the ban.

Finally, every aspect or part of Dorje Shugden’s body shows some aspect of enlightenment as well as the path to its achievement. Dorje Shugden’s form is resplendent; we wish everyone to enjoy and have a visual feast of such beautiful forms of art (rupakaya). Art is accepted across all cultures and barriers. We describe here the benefits of making Dorje Shugden’s image available to all, so that our readers and Dorje Shugden practitioners everywhere can rejoice in the planting of Dharma seeds in countless beings’ mindstreams. May this create the cause for many more and much larger Dorje Shugden murals to spring up around the world, so that people everywhere can be blessed by this sacred image of our Protector.
 

Check out our other murals:

• New York City, New York
• Los Angeles, California

LOCATION

The location of the mural in Oakland, California. Click the map to enlarge the image.

The mural is located on the corner of 48th Street and Telegraph Avenue, close to the Oakland-Berkeley border. It can be found across the road from the Tip Top Bike Shop and Tara’s Organic Ice Cream. The area is full of students, being close to UC Berkeley, and the wall of the mural is itself the side of an art gallery. If you are in the Oakland-Berkeley area and wish to visit the mural for yourself, click HERE for a map.

The mural is located just off busy Telegraph Avenue (to the right of the pic)

THE BENEFITS

Unlike regular paint work or decoration, murals can give artists a better opportunity to express their creative and artistic interpretations of an image. Some of the benefits of a nicely-done mural include:

1. Brightening the local environment. Murals are often colourful and make use of dead space that is otherwise plain and underutilised
2. Education and a provider of inspiration. Murals can be used to promote positive messages or, in our case, positive images
3. Promoting creativity. Murals can help to generate further exciting artistic expressions of a person’s thoughts, beliefs and opinions
4. Create lasting impressions on visitors. Because of their size and contemporary style, a mural with a catchy message can be effective advertising that sticks with the viewer
5. Effective message boards. Murals can be painted with text large enough for people to read from a distance. Their size captures your attention, whether or not you are interested in the subject
6. Murals like ours with a large Buddha image on the ground level can attract and bless people when they walk by. Due to their size, passersby cannot help but look at murals and when it is an image of the Buddha, it plants seeds of enlightenment in their minds

WHY A DORJE SHUGDEN MURAL?

Buddhists do not worship statues and religious artefacts. In the Buddhist tradition, a sacred image of the Buddha is used as an inspiration for creating and spreading positive human qualities, for example compassion and peace. Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri so for those who recognise his form, our mural is a visual aid that helps them to recall the great qualities of the enlightened mind, so that we might emulate them ourselves. For those who do not know who Dorje Shugden is, it creates imprints in their minds to receive the wisdom of Dharma and the Lam rim in the future, since most people find images easier to remember as compared to text. The addition of the website URL also provides interested individuals with a way of finding more information.

May this mural be the cause for many more and much larger images of Dorje Shugden to appear in the world. Click to enlarge.

In creating as much images of our Protector as possible, we also bring the benefits of Dorje Shugden to many. Who knows, perhaps someone who is in need of spiritual guidance one day happens to walk by our mural and sees Dorje Shugden’s gentle face, and begins the Protector practice from there. Our ultimate motivation is that Dorje Shugden’s practice reaches all sentient beings, to give them the clarity of mind and ability to discern the wisdom which will help them to alleviate their own suffering. This is because Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri, and any practice of Manjushri is very effective for helping us to clear our delusions and ignorance, and to develop penetrative insight and wisdom. Buddha images such as Dorje Shugden ultimately implants the seeds of Buddha awakening within the perceiver. Even if a person sees a Buddha image in anger without faith, by the power of the enlightened qualities of a Buddha, imprints are planted karmically that they will see a Buddha or meet the teachings in the future. We plan on more murals throughout large cities. Anyone interested in this project in their cities, do let us know. We are looking for more artists! Or you can do the same in your communities. Arrange a Dorje Shugden painted so all may be blessed. A blessing can go a long way!

More wonderful images below:

More pictures of the process of making this wonderful mural which, at eye level, will bless everyone who walks and drives by!

Like most high incarnations, this 8^th Rongchen Rinpoche met with a very early start in Dharma. Kunkyen Jamyang Shepa first recognized him as the reincarnation of Rongpo Choje and named him Lobsang Trinley Tenpa. He was bestowed his initial ordination vows by Je Kongchog Monlam at the age of seven after which he was given the Getsul ordination a year later when he was eight.

While the monastic education is a vigorous one, Kirti Rinpoche was already studying the classes at the feet of many great masters from the mere age of 11 and excelled in them. He was fully ordained as a monk at the age of 24 and a year later, at only 25, he founded a new monastery in Ngapa and established himself there.

A debate and tantric college owed its existence to this eminent lama. Many monasteries in Amdo and Mongolia were graced by visits throughout his life and he became known too for creating a remarkable number of monasteries – both tantric and debate colleges – including for example, Ngaba Monastery, Tagtsang Lhamo Loseling Collect and Tagtsang Geden Tashi Kyil.

Many rituals for many protectors were written by Eighth Kirti Rinpoche and among his many notable literary accomplishments were the life entrustment rituals he composed for the Dharma Protectors Setrabchen and Nechung, as well as rituals for Tsangpa, Karma Vajra. The ritual of most interest is an initiation manual he composed for Dorje Shugden, called Dorje Shugden Gyi Jenang Chetsul, which details the method of initiation for Shugden.

It is also said that the previous incarnation of Kirti Rinpoche had such strong connections to Dorje Shugden that people in the area would specifically consult and ask Kirti Rinpoche for advice and protection. People would travel specifically to seek him for initiation of Dorje Shugden.

An account written by a Lobsang Tayang tries to trace the origins of this particular Jenang composed by Kirti Rinpoche. It is said that an earlier incarnation of Kirti Rinpoche had also had close connections with Dorje Shugden would who give him clear instructions and promised to protect colleges associated with him.

Later, as he was dying, Kirti Rinpoche passed this initiation an Alag Chojor and instructed to keep the lineage going. By certain requests, this initiation continued to be passed on – records trace that it was passed an Amdo lama known as Vajracharya Chogtrul who then bestowed the initiation to his own students in his own monastery.

Some more contemporary scholars have suggested that the Dorje Shugden practice was proliferated greatly in the late 19th century. It has been further surmised that the diffusion of the Dorje Shugden practice was on the basis of a minor deity but this summary is clearly mistaken.

There is evidence to suggest from this initiation composed by Kirti Rinpoche and the accolades used, the status of Dorje Shugden was definitely being promoted beyond that of a minor worldly protector. Case in point, the title of the initiation manual uses the term “special emanated Protector of the Doctrine of the Second Conqueror Manjunatha”, a very clear indication of the prominent status that this protector held within Tsongkhapa’s lineage.

Another notable aspect of this initiation and other significant works of Kirti Rinpoche are praises he included in his writings to Panchen Sonam Drakpa. Closer study of his writings indicate that Kirti Rinpoche recognized the connection between Dorje Shugden and Panchen Sonam Drakpa – this is especially significant because the core of many major monasteries’ curriculum are based the works of Panchen Sonam Drakpa.

These works continue to be studied today in Drepung Loseling and Gaden Shartse and form the basis of every Geshe’s studies and degrees. This tradition of following these texts can thus be traced back to this time – or even further – which clearly disproves certain scholars claims that Dorje Shugden is propitiated only as a worldly deity and not as an enlightened teacher in his own right.

Further, according to the text Some Historical Accounts of the Secret Activities of Lamas, Gods and Protectors, the proliferation of Gelugpa monasteries and colleges in Mongolia arose as a result of direct advice from the oracles of Setrapchen and Dorje Shugden. According to such accounts, the adherence to specific curriculum, especially that of Panchen Sonam Dragpa, was another important reason in starting up the new colleges. Again this proves the central part that Dorje Shugden – as a later incarnation of Panchen Sonam Dragpa – played in the creation of these monasteries.

What is more interesting is that this remarkable initiation text composed by Kirti Rinpoche is actually a divergence from the lineage derived from Dakpo Dorje Chang and Pabongka Rinpoche. It seems that while the initiation still finds its roots from what was being practiced in Central Tibet, a a new approach was created outside of Tibet and would later spread to Mongolia.

Unfortunately, the works of Dorje Shugden from Central Tibet overshadowed this rare text and lineage and it was not been paid much attention in recent times. It does however, provide us sound evidence that the practice of Dorje Shugden had taken off in various directions, being spread and proliferated by Lamas outside of the central, more famous lineages of Tibet.

The 5th On Gyalse Rinpoche was enthroned at the age of four. The following year, he was given the name Thubten Jigme Gyatso by the 7th Dalai Lama who also performed the first hair cutting ritual on him.

At the age of 10 years old, he was ordained as a novice monk. At 20, he received full ordination from the famous Gelugpa master Phurcho Ngawang Jampa. He went on to obtain his Geshe Lharampa degree in 1766 and met the Panchen Rinpoche at Tashi Lhungpo the following year.

On Gyalse Rinpoche received sutric and tantric teachings from some of the most illustrious teachers of the time, including Phurchog Ngawang Jampa, Panchen Rinpoche Palden Yeshe and Changkya Rolpa Dorje. At a later time, he also sought teachings and initiations – notably the Vajrayogini and Kurukulle initiations – from the famous Sakya Throne-holder Kunga Lodro.

Having excelled in his studies, he reached the highest level of study, Geshe Lharam – usually requiring over 30 years of study – when he was only 23. By the time he was only 26, he was already engaging in single-pointed meditation in a cave for three years.

Under his tutelage, On Gyalse Rinpoche produced some of the most erudite masters of his time including Longdol Lama Ngawang Lobsang, the 3rd Tagphu Lobsang Chokyi Wangchug and the 1st Dragri reincarnation, Dragri Gyatso Thaye, all of whom have gone on to give unexcelled teachings and write highly respected texts and rituals in their own right.

On Gyalse Rinpoche is also famed for having written a ritual on torma offering to Dorje Shugden performed through Yamantaka and is an adept of Tibetan poetry, which can be seen clearly in his written works and the rituals he authored.

Another notable work is a short incense offering called Sang Choe Dogyur Chibey Ga-tsoen She-Ja-Wa Shugsol, very powerful for clearing obstacles and for purification. This in particular is the practice of offering fragrance to Vajradhara, Buddha Shakyamuni, the Seven Patriarchs, the Six Ornaments, the 84 Mahasiddhas, Heruka, Hevajra, Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja and a vast number of protectors such as Dorje Shugden.

This showed very much that he had a strong reliance on and great reveance for this Protector Shugden. Lamas of such calibre would not compose texts to deities if it would be damaging to their students or practitioners in any way

During the later part of his life, On Gyaltse was bestowed the title Nomenhan and became a Yongdzin, or academic tutor, to the 9th Dalai Lama. This is no ordinary accolade as the term Yongdzin refers to the attainment of an enlightened state. Yongdzins are the most respected Lamas because the lineages they hold are passed on directly to the line of Dalai Lama reincarnates.

After Yeshe Sangye’s stunning article on the fact Lama Zopa was recognized by Dorje Shugden as a Rinpoche, the news spread like wildfire. Lama Zopa tried to issue a clarification but it only served to confirm by Lama Zopa himself that he was indeed recognized by Dorje Shugden.

Lama Zopa’s “clarification” is included below. Notice that he ends it by saying, “So the Lopon for his own benefit asked the oracle of the monastery if this was true.” We ask – who is the oracle of the monastery? The famous Dorje Shugden Oracle of Dungkar Monastery, of course! See here: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=307

Lama Zopa’s 2008 “clarification”
about being recognized by Dorje Shugden:

HOW I WAS RECOGNIZED
(Source: http://www.lamayeshe.com/index.php?sect=article&id=292)

To my very dear friends and students, I heard there is some misunderstanding about how I was recognized, so I just want to give you the details here.

The main disciple of the Lawudo Lama Kunsang Yeshe (who it is said is my previous life) was Ngawang Chopel. He did many retreats during his life and he also followed the Buddha’s example of offering his own body (charity) to the insects and animals for seven days; this was quite amazing as he completely offered and they ate parts of it and he had to be taken to the hospital. Later Ngawang Chopel also built a monastery at Maritika near a cave of Guru Rinpoche (considered one of the most holy places of Guru Rinpoche – where it is said He achieved immortality). Ngawang Chopel was with the Lawudo Lama at the time of his death. The Lawudo Lama explained the signs happening in the death process to him as he was dying.

Since I was born in a very poor family, there was doubt by some if I was the incarnation, mainly on the part of the son of Lama Kunsang Yeshe. When Ngawang Chopel heard this he went immediately to Tibet to consult high lamas and all six lamas he consulted confirmed without doubt that I was the incarnation of the Lawudo Lama Kunsang Yeshe. Two of the six high Lamas were His Holiness Tulshig Rinpoche (one of the teachers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama) and his root guru, the great Lama Rongpu Sangye. So at an early age, long before going to Tibet and the monastery at Pagri (small branch of Domo Geshe’s main monastery), I was recognized. Before I left for Tibet the son of Lama Kunsang Yeshe accepted me as the incarnation and promised to return to me the cave and texts etc. belonging to his father after I returned from Tibet.

I was brought into Tibet by two uncles; both were my alphabet teachers. Why did I have two alphabet teachers? The first one was from Thami, near Lawudo; he took care of me. When I was very small (maybe four years old) I was always escaping and running home, so my mother sent me far away to the monastery in Rolwaling, a very isolated place high in the mountains near Tibet. There I was in the care of another uncle, Ngawang Gendun, who also taught me the alphabet (Tibetan). I stayed with him in Rolwaling for seven years, memorizing and reading texts and doing pujas called “shi-trol.”

These two uncles took me to Tibet. In Tibet I stayed with another uncle. He was in the Indian army; then he met a Tibetan lady from Tsang and they married and lived in Pagri, Tibet. Pagri was a very busy place for traders from Bhutan, Kalimpong, Lhasa, etc. The three uncles with some other Sherpas left me in the care of my aunt while they went on pilgrimage to Lhasa. They didn’t take me as they thought the journey would be too difficult and I could die, as I was still very young. After living some time in Pagri (hanging around), outside my house I met a very tall monk (externally appearing not to know me) and immediately he asked me if I would be his disciple (there must have been very strong karma with him). I answered him immediately “yes.”

Next day in the morning my aunt made a very nice thermos of tea and bread in a bamboo container inside a basket and took me to the small branch monastery of Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s main monastery about fifteen to twenty minutes’ walk away, where I met the tall monk again – he was the Lopon of this small monastery. The Lopon heard stories of me from people in the village, that I was a tulku from Lawudo near Thami. So the Lopon for his own benefit asked the oracle of the monastery if this was true.

With much love and prayer,
Lama Zopa Rinpoche”

If you look carefully, the explanation from Lama Zopa Rinpoche does not deny the fact that he was also recognized by Dorje Shugden.

There are other descriptions such as about hospitals, insects, tall uncles, small monastery, etc. etc. etc. that attempt to distract the reader but Lama Zopa himself writes on the last line that the lopon of this monastery asked the oracle to confirm if he is a tulku or not. But he doesn’t explain what the oracle said and which deity entered the oracle. Of course the possessing being was Dorje Shugden, as stated in the book Lawudo Lama by Jamyang Wangmo. The book was written by one of FPMT’s own nuns and even more surprising, a foreword was provided by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The private office of His Holiness definitely did not read this book carefully before issuing this foreword. Maybe they had no time to scan and read page by page so it most likely slipped past them. One thing is for sure – Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who is a special being, was recognized by the protector of his root guru, Dorje Shugden, another special being.

If Lama Zopa Rinpoche was not recognized by Dorje Shugden, then just say so. Just say that he was not recognized by Dorje Shugden. Simple and straight. But the fact is, he was.

Someone called Ronald Johnson further tried to deny all of this but his attempt was futile, and he was easily and immediately refuted:

You totally miss the point. Also, it would appear that English is not your first language so you would not be aware of the difference between recognized and confirmed. The implications of Yeshe Sangye’s first missive were that Rinpoche was FIRST identified by DS; Rinpoche’s letter clearly indicates that this is not so.

Look, anybody can ask DS anything…I could ask him if Tenzin Gyatso was indeed the Dalai Lama and he would confirm it. So what?

Also, to take a couple of sentences out of Jamyang Wangmo’s 500-page book and make a federal case out of it is simply obfuscation. Anyway, this happened in the mid-50s. The world was a very different place back then…especially Tibet. “

In response, a user on the Dorje Shugden forum known as Mountains says:

Dear Ronald,

My English being 1st or 2nd language has no point in this issue. I understand you are angry. I beg your forgiveness and wish you no ill. I am not attacking Lama Zopa nor FPMT, but the whole shugden issue has divided all of us. Imagine our Tibetan Buddhist world and how it would be if the whole Dorje Shugden issue was never brought up? Who did it harm? The majority of the Gelugpa High lamas and Geshes practiced/practice Dorje Shugden including Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa. Do you see any difference in Lama Zopa before when he was practicing and now when he says he is not?? He is exactly the same. Which leads you to believe with your own eyes, there is nothing wrong with Dorje Shugden. Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa are both sublime beings who practiced a sublime Dharma protector.

(1) Do you deny that Lama Yeshe practiced Dorje Shugden his whole life until his death? Was lama Yeshe wrong in this? Was Lama Yeshe’s refuge commitments degenerated due to this? If not, why is it so bad, that lama zopa was confirmed by Dorje Shugden?? The point is not if he was confirmed or recognized, the point is that DORJE SHUGDEN’S PRACTICE, ORACLES, TRADITION, LINEAGE WAS WIDESPREAD/PREDOMINATE AND VALID IN THE TIBET OF THE 50′S. And you are right, Tibet WAS VERY DIFFERENT BACK THEN. The gelugpas were one and coexisted with the other sects beautifully.

(2) Do you want to hinge on one word of Yeshe Sangye’s letter that is identified? Whether Rinpoche indicates it is or not is not the point, the point is DORJE SHUGDEN was used to confirm his reincarnation status.

In the other Lama Zopa’s book “The Door to Satisfaction” by Wisdom Publications page X of Editor’s Preface, again Lama Zopa mentions clearly in the 3rd paragraph that the Dharma Protector of Domo Geshe’s Monastery CONFIRMED THAT RINPOCHE WAS A REINCARNATE LAMA AND OFFERED ADVICE CONCERNING HIS CARE. That we can conclude since Rinpoche mentions no other names of who else recognized him, whoever else did not hold much weight in the eyes of the ppl to caretake and train Rinpoche at that time. So they had to consult something to CONFIRM AND MAKE SURE Lama Zopa is who the others say he is. Who did they trust to confirm, Dorje Shugden.

If the great emanation of Tsongkapa, Domo Geshe Rinpoche would have a oracle recieving Dorje Shugden’s presence in his temple, definitely Dorje Shugden is a beneficial and beneficient being. Unless Domo Geshe Rinpoche was also unattained? I dont think so. Domo Geshe’s famous oracle in which HH the 14th Dalai Lama himself consulted in the 50′s at Dungkar Choede, can take full possession of 6 different dharma protectors!

They are:

1. Dorje Shugden
2. Namka Barzin (Dorje Shugden’s entourage)
3. Kache Marpo (Dorje Shugden’s entourage)
4. Tashi Obar
5. Genyen Jingkarwa
6. Pawo Trobar

Three of them are Dorje Shugden and his acolytes. Surely Domo Geshe Rinpoche whose people and temple nurtured and took care of Lama Zopa in the early years are not all evil, wrong and degenerate for propitiating Dorje Shugden? Domo Geshe is famed for his devotion to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (root guru of Lama Yeshe and HH Dalai Lama), His great meditative concentration on the Vajra Yogini Tantras and his powerful propitiation of Dorje Shugden. Is Domo Geshe wrong to have a famous Dorje Shugden oracle in his monastery that ppl came from all parts of Tibet to consult. On all states of affairs, governmental, secular, etc. Many high incarnations are found by the oracular pronouncements of Dorje Shugden’s oracles past and present, so why not Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Even the current Trijang and Zong Rinpoche incarnations were found and confirmed by the Dorje Shugden oracle or Choyang Dulzin Kuten of Gaden. Then only it was presented to the Dalai Lama for formal recognition. What Dorje Shugden found and recognized was further confirmed by HH. Is that so bad that Lama Zopa was also confirmed by the great protector of Lama Yeshe, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche, Pabongkha Rinpoche, Regent Daktra Rinpoche, Domo Geshe Rinpoche that he is authentic? Of course not.

The incarnations of HH the Dalai Lamas are all confirmed by Nechung Oracle, but recognized and enthroned by the regents of Tibet. So are the confirmations by Nechung Oracle for the Dalai Lama not important? You dont say that Nechung recognized the Dalai Lama, but he plays an important part to confirm that LEADS TO EVENTUAL RECOGNITION. Just the same in the case of Lama Zopa, where Dorje Shugden confirmed he is a real tulku and even gave advice on the care. And in the Tibet of the 50′s Dorje Shugden’s oracular pronouncements carry great weight as his famous oracle in Lhasa called PANGLUNG KUTEN OR ORACLE where many high lamas, nobilities,and government officials consulted for private and governmental affairs. HH kyabje Trijang Rinpoche very much relied on the accuracy of this oracle of Dorje Shugden/Kache Marpo. You can read in his personal autobiography of HH Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

(3) If Dorje Shugden was an evil spirit, he would of said that Lama Zopa is not a tulku, dont take care of him. Why would he say that? Because he can forsee Lama Zopa would benefit many and he would try to stop it not being happy about that. Devadatta did whatever he can to stop Buddha, but could not of course. Similarily, Dorje Shugden was so bad, he would try to stop Lama Zopa’s works to flower in the future.

(4) I see that Sangye has taken a couple of sentences out of Jamyang Wangmo’s book, to support the fact that even great lamas alive today are direct, or indirect products of the Dorje Shugden lineage of lamas, oracles and practices. It is not making a federal case. And If it was attempted to be turned into a federal case in any country outside of the Tibetan Exile footholds, it would never be a federal case. Religious freedom is tolerated anywhere in the democratic world. What is happening in the Tibetan settlements can only happen because of the pressures of ostracization. Muslims, satanists,Hindus, Sikhs, atheists, voodoo-followers, Protestants, Baptists, Mormons, Amish, Orthodox, Jews are ALL ALLOWED TO ATTEND ANY BUDDHIST SERMON IN ANY FPMT CENTRE IN THE WORLD. CAN ATTEND ANY TEACHINGS/GATHERINGS/INITIATIONS BY HH DALAI LAMA IN THE WORLD. ONLY DORJE SHUGDEN PRACTITIONERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO. Doesnt that sound funny. Surely Dorje Shugden practitioners are ‘better’ than satanists?? Christians, Muslims would find the image of the Buddha blasphemous, yet their devotees are never barred from HH Dalai Lama’s talks, why is that? Because it cannot never be gotten away with?

(5) My point is simple. FPMT as well as many other centres, lamas, organizations in the world has practiced Dorje Shugden peacefully and without incidence for a long time. In some cases, centuries. What is the big furor now. Suddenly HH Dalai Lama is right and all other lamas are wrong?? Cannot be. If so, then HH the Dalai Lama can be wrong also. In the unfortunate time in the future, when HH passes away, what will stop ppl from saying his ban on Dorje Shugden was wrong?? In fact what is to stop people from saying it now. Since our gurus can be wrong, the whole basis of Guru devotional practices is severely disrupted. This is not a Gelugpa issue, but a issue of freedom to practice whatever lineage we wish free of any lamas condemnations. If one lama can condemn, then all can be condemned. Then who is right and who is wrong?? I dont want to go that direction.

(6) Dont hinge the whole thing on words such as recognition and confirmation. Lama Yeshe and his root gurus/lineage practiced Dorje Shugden. Lama Yeshe consulted Dorje Shugden on many issues throughout his whole life. That is what makes FPMT so great now. Lama himself mentions in his books that it is the protector’s divine help in all his works that made it grow. FPMT’s main sadhanas are composed by lamas that held Dorje Shugden as their principal protectors. So if you wish to throw out Dorje Shugden, you better abandon the practices of for example Cittamanitara, Vajra Yogini and Yamantaka composed by Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche. Since he practiced Dorje Shugden and that is a mistake, then the sadhanas he composed that Gelugpas do everyday could be a mistake also. After all he seems to be able to make mistakes. We have to be very careful. That is not the case definitely.

THE POINT IS THIS: FPMT’S ROOTS ARE DEEP-SEEDED IN CONNECTIONS TO DORJE SHUGDEN. YOU MAY DENY CURRENT CONNECTIONS BUT YOU CANNOT DENY PAST CONNECTIONS. PAST CREATES THE FUTURE. SO IF YOU DYE A SCARF RED, IT CANNOT COME OUT BLUE. YOU CANNOT DENY THE SAMAYA CONNECTIONS TO DORJE SHUGDEN THAT ARE DEEPLY INTERRELATED TO ALL OF FPMT’S LINEAGE LAMAS OF THE PAST THAT CREATES/RESULTED IN ITS GREATNESS NOW. IF DORJE SHUGDEN PRACTICE AND PRACTITIONERS WERE ARE EVIL, THEN THE FRUIT MUST BE EVIL, IN THIS CASE FPMT MUST BE EVIL AND IT IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE.

Again Ronald, I write this to you in earnest to help you and many people see that Dorje Shugden has never harmed and will never harm. If he does harm, just have the great lamas do a fire puja or binding puja and be done with it. Do you mean all the dharma protectors of Tibet cannot overcome one ‘evil’ spirit Dorje Shugden?? It is not as simple as that. There is a bigger picture as predicted by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Dorje Shugden will go global. China will adopt the practice and on a governmental level promote the practice of Dorje Shugden first in China then from China into the world. The practice will go global and strong in the future generations. HH the Dalai Lama knows that. He cannot openly push it. So in his own way he is pushing it. China is already using Dorje Shugden as one of the bargaining ‘chips’ in the 6th negotiations with the exile govt of Tibet as stated by kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche. China is taking great interest and HH is pushing it in that directions. That is a level much more powerful than our likes and dislikes within the Tibetan Buddhist Community. China will adopt Dorje Shugden’s practice and will make it grow as HH is pushing it into that direction. As predicted in the early 70′s by HH Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang.”