As we all know, Tibet is well known throughout the world for its deep spiritual tradition, its beautiful religion of Buddhism and the many thousands of great lamas who have arisen from the Himalayas.

One such lama who is now famous throughout the world is H.H. Trijang Rinpoche. Almost every teacher in the Gelugpa lineage today consider Trijang Rinpoche to be one of their lineage Gurus; almost every major practice being preserved today is due to the kindness of Trijang Rinpoche, who carefully and courageously carried everything out to the world when he left Tibet in the 1950s. Most of the teachings that the Dalai Lama shares with millions of people in his talks today would have arisen from Trijang Rinpoche, who was his tutor.

However, despite the tremendous contribution that Lamas like Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche have made to the growth of Dharma in the world, the Dalai Lama now claims that they were “wrong” in their practice of the Buddhist Protector Dorje Shugden. This Protector is now banned and anyone who continues to do the practice is cut off from the Tibetan communities and not permitted to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings. How can this be? How is it possible that every single practice that Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche passed on is flawless and perfect… except for their Protector practice? This is most illogical.

DorjeShugden.com had the opportunity to visit some lamas and practitioners in Chatreng, the region of Tibet where Trijang Rinpoche had come from. Here, the practice of Dorje Shugden remains very strong and alive. The practitioners there maintain incredible faith and devotion to their lama – Trijang Rinpoche – and have very strong belief in the purity of their lineage. Whatever is being said about the Protector being a spirit and about the practice being impure does not weaken their belief in Trijang Rinpoche nor the Protector in any way. The political issues surrounding this Protector have not swayed their faith at all.

By their faith and devotion alone, they are now building very strong Dharma communities in Chatreng, where the practice of Dorje Shugden is central and upheld by everyone in the region, both lay and ordained.

These lamas also have very valuable, first-hand accounts of the central, important role that Dorje Shugden held to lead the Dalai Lama safely out of Tibet and into India during the Cultural Revolution. Further, they describe how much advice Trijang Rinpoche had given to the Dalai Lama for his escape, as instructed by Dorje Shugden directly. Even the very monks who escorted the Dalai Lama to safety were handpicked from Chatreng by Trijang Rinpoche himself. The fact that the Dalai Lama is still among us, safe and bringing Dharma to millions is due to the kindness of Dorje Shugden and his protection for the Dalai Lama.

Enclosed with this letter is a DVD we have specially prepared for you, with personal interviews and sharings from these devoted Dorje Shugden lamas and practitioners. We urge you to please take note of how strong the practice is in this region of Chatreng, where the people still hold a very deep devotion to Trijang Rinpoche, even if he does not live there. With this devotion and love for the lineage, they are continuing to make the teaching grow, build huge monasteries and nurture new generations of practitioners.

Included in the DVD is also a very powerful explanation of Dorje Shugden’s practice by the incomparable H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, as requested by his student and respected master Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen. Many of the Gelug lamas in the world today were disciples of Zong Rinpoche; and so many of the practices being upheld today come directly from this teacher. We take refuge in Zong Rinpoche who is, without any doubt, a fully awakened master with the highest attainments.

We should all have full faith in his teachings, without question. If you just listen to the teachings in this video, you will see how clearly Zong Rinpoche explains the power of the Protector Dorje Shugden and clarifies many doubts that people often have about the practice. His teaching is very logical, clear and flawless; it is impossible that such a high Lama would make any mistake about the true enlightened nature of Dorje Shugden.

In summary, from these videos we see clearly how many of these high Buddhist lamas in the world are still so deeply revered around the world. They brought the Dharma to the world. Now the Dharma is a legacy which continues to live on through their teachings. We can also see how strongly the practice of Dorje Shugden is preserved and continues to grow. It is a practice which has a very strong history through lamas like Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche. And now, it is a practice which will also have a strong and unshakeable future as it enters a new age of further growth and expansion.

We rejoice to see the positive benefit and influence that Dorje Shugden is bringing to thousands everywhere. We hope that by these many efforts around the world, the ban on Dorje Shugden will be lifted and practitioners will quickly enjoy the true freedom of religious practice. This enlightened Protector, emanation of the Buddha Manjushri, will never stop bringing benefit and protector to others. Despite any ban, he will never be silenced.

With hope and prayers,
DorjeShugden.com
DorjeShugden.net
XiongDeng.com

Summaries of the Four Videos

Video A: Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery

Interview with a very senior Scholar and meditation master of Chatreng Monastery Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery. He speaks passionately about following the instructions of one’s root lama, in this case Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and his views about Gyalchen Dorje Shugden. He also said it is important to have a genuine guru who can explain the Dharma and guide us on the spiritual path. He only believes in his root Guru and the Protector no matter what others say.

He also elaborated about how the Dalai Lama was escorted out of Tibet by Chatreng lamas and people through the instruction of Trijang Rinpoche who was advised by Dorje Shudgen during that critical period. Also how some the Chatreng monks gave their lives in a fight with the Chinese protecting the Dalai Lama. Trijang Rinpoche handpicked monks from Chatreng Monastery to escort Dalai Lama out of Tibet at the time.

Video B: Abbot Emeritus Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Tharlam of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery

Sampheling Monastery is a very important place for the people of Chatreng

An interview with Abbot Emeritus Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Tharlam of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery. A moving account of how he consulted Dorje Shugden about his Geshe Degree and listened to Dorje Shugden’s advice throughout his life.

Everything went well as he followed the Dorje Shugden’s advice all the way. He also related how the monks and lay practitioners were helped by Dorje Shugden constantly.

Video C: Ajeka of Sampheling Monastery

Ajeka

An interview with Ajeka of Sampheling Monastery. He spoke about making much efforts in the past 20 years building the Sampheling monastery and that the people of Chatreng are working hard to protect their Guru Trijang Dorje Chang and also preserve the Dorje Shugden tradition.

He also commented he saw that when High Gelug lamas give Dorje Shugden initiation, 80,000 people came for the Dorje Shugden initiation. Ajeka worked for 20 years heading the project of building Sampheling Monastery or aka Chatreng Monastery in Chatreng, Tibet. This is the home monastery of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

Video D: A teaching by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche

Part 1:
Part 2:

Dalai Lama and Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen

Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen of Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre in Los Angeles, California requesting Dorje Shugden initiation from His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Listen to the actual voices of these masters.

After the request His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives advice on Dorje Shugden with English translation. Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen ran a successful dharma centre in Los Angeles for over 25 years.

A beautiful old photo of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, the famous American singer John Denver and HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Zong Rinpoche had a tremendous influence on both Tibetans and also on many Buddhist practitioners in the West.

HH the Dalai Lama, alongside Radio Free Asia (RFA) President Libby Liu, addresses RFA staff on July 11, 2011.

This letter was sent to the editor of Radio Free Asia together with a parcel of educational brochures, booklets and DVDs produced by DorjeShugden.com

Dear Editor,

Greetings! First, we wish to congratulate you for your many years of providing a respected news service to many people.

We understand that Radio Free Asia was created in the late 1990s as a private, not-for-profit corporation to “provide information to people living under repressive regimes in Asia.” We have great respect for the media and for global efforts of radio services like yourselves to share information and knowledge with people everywhere.

However, we do not understand why, if RFA proclaim yourselves to be truthful, impartial and accurate sources of information, there are many issues within the Tibetan exiled community that are not covered by you. In fact, it would even seem that you avoid such subjects altogether. One clear example of this is the ban on the Buddhist Protector Deity Dorje Shugden. This is a prevalent and very pressing issue within the Tibetan community in exile, but this is hardly, if ever, covered by RFA.

This ban has caused monasteries to be divided, families to be split apart and a significant proportion of the Tibetan communities in India and Nepal to be completely ostracized and denied any welfare or basic civil rights. The practice of Dorje Shugden has been so significant for thousands of practitioners and for hundreds of years; but now, a purely spiritual practice has entered a political arena and led to the continued repression of many today.

As a media agency which wishes to be of service to “people living repressive regimes in Asia”, should this topic not be of grave concern to you? The Dorje Shugden practitioners are certainly still living under a very repressive regime today but have such little support or help. As the media, you have access to reach millions of people. Your fair and impartial coverage of this issue would be of such great support to Shugden practitioners, to raise awareness of their plight and the difficulties they suffer in a community which denies them the most basic religious freedoms.

We would also like to draw your attention to the very firm recent allegations that U.S. funding has been misspent, quite possibly on the suppression of Dorje Shugden practitioners and on other activities that directly contravene exiled Tibetans’ human rights and freedoms. We call on you, as a responsible and truthful news agency, to please include this in your investigations and reports.

We enclose here some educational information about Dorje Shugden which we hope will help you to gain a better understanding of this Protector and to see that the negative claims against this practice are grossly inaccurate and very harmful.

We urge you to widen the scope of your news coverage to be fairer and to take into consideration very pressing issues like these. Then will you emerge to be a truly democratic, free and respectable news source and hope for many.

Yours truly,

DorjeShugden.com | DorjeShugden.net | XiongDeng.com

The letter written by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, in protest of the dismissal of RFA’s Tibetan Service Director Jigme Ngapo

I hope you are in good health. I am writing to bring your attention to an important issue within the Tibetan Buddhist community today and hope you will join us to make a change for real religious freedom.

While Buddhism is a very open religion which encourages tolerance and harmony between all people, there is now a big division within the Tibetan Buddhist community. This is because of an instruction that the Dalai Lama issued to stop the practice of the Protector Deity Dorje Shuden. People are now not permitted to practice this Protector or associate with anyone who does. If they do, they are expelled from monasteries, excluded from all Tibetan communities, refused access to welfare and suffer verbal and physical attacks.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the governing body of the Tibetan exile community living mainly in India, have been very aggressive in maintaining this ban. They exert a tremendous amount of pressure on Dorje Shugden devotees, accusing them of being traitors to the Tibetan cause and being Chinese spies.

This is contradictory to the practices of Buddhism as a whole. Buddhists are encouraged to be kind to all beings, including animals and even spirits! Anyone of any religion and culture is permitted to attend Dharma teachings and the Dalai Lama’s talks – except for Shugden practitioners. For anyone to associate with Shugden practitioners is considered a very bad traitorous act and they risk being completely excluded from their community. Should this be the behavior of a culture and people who are most famous the world over for their spirituality?

It seems to us that it is because the CTA failed to obtain independence and freedom for Tibet that they have turned their attention to Dorje Shugden instead. Because of their failed policies and their inability to get their country back, they have lost much respect in the eyes of their own people. So they have placed the “blame” onto Shugden instead, declaring that this practice threatens the Tibetan independence cause. Naturally, while everyone got caught up in the “excitement” of the Shugden ban, everyone forgot about the Tibetan freedom cause for a while and the attention moved away from the CTA to Shugden. Was this just a convenient action for the CTA, to distract the public’s attention and blame away from them?

Meanwhile, in the rest of the world, there are many groups engaged in practices that are questionable or which appear to move away from the established lineages and practices. An example currently being discussed online is an organisation in Australia called Chinese Han Tantrayana Buddhism – Holy Tantra Jin-Gang-Dhyana Buddhism: www.jingangdhyanaincnet.org (Photos and extracts of the discussion are attached below). We are not in a position to judge all religious groups but this clearly does not seem to be in accordance with traditional Vajrayana practices. Even the shape of their hats have never been seen or recognised in any established Vajrayana or Tantric schools.

Our question is this: Why don’t the CTA examine groups like this further? They are using the sacred name of Tibetan tantra but not following the established practices – shouldn’t this be under investigation? The CTA speak openly and issue public statements about the need to preserve the purity of Buddhism; this is their reason for stopping Dorje Shugden’s practice because they claim it is not a pure practice. If this was really the case, then why do the CTA put so much effort, time and money into stopping the practice of Dorje Shugden, but allow all these other strange practices and groups to continue everywhere else? If they want to protect the purity of the Buddhadharma, then they should monitor all such strange groups that use the name of tantra so casually.

The CTA cannot claim to be a secular government but issue orders and instructions only for selected religious issues. On the other hand, IF they are going to start commenting on religion and establishing themselves as a religious authority or monitor, then they should also do this fully and investigate all questionable tantric groups. To focus only on Shugden practitioners is very selective and makes the CTA seem very biased against a minority group. Is this a fair way for a democratic government in the modern world to treat their own people?

We do not mean disrespect towards anyone, but we call for fairness and equality. If Shugden practitioners are being constantly questioned and examined, then other unconventional groups also should be. To act in any other way reflects on the CTA badly and shows them to be biased, undemocratic, intolerant and not progressive. We hope you will heed our advice and create a better religious future for all Buddhists.

Best wishes,
dorjeshugden.com
dorjeshugden.net
xiongdeng.com

Topic: Maybe CTA should look into this Chinese Tantra Buddhism Organisation?

Discussions on the dorjeshugden.com forum:
www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=1734
Topic started by “namdrol”

I don’t know how to begin, but I just found this in some Chinese forum, it is an organization in Australia called Chinese Han Tantrayana Buddhism – Holy Tantra Jin-Gang-Dhyana Buddhism…something like, even the name is confusing, but looks like it has something to do with Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhism.

I am not in a position to judge another guru/organization so I will not comment on their authenticity, but from the physical outlook, it is quite unorthodox if it is a Vajrayana group.

Since it could be Vajrayana, then perhaps the CTA should look into it? Didn’t CTA persecute Geshe Michael Roach for his long hair and other stuff a few years ago? And I think this Chinese Tantra Organization surpasses Geshe Michael Roach’s “weird look” by miles?

And what about the Tsongkhapa-hat-look-alike thingy? Can CTA please kindly write to them and ask them not use a hat similar to Gelugpa’s yellow hat because it may create confusion to the public? Please help us to protect the purity of Gelugpa’s image will you CTA since you are the Vajrayana’s highest authority.

Since CTA is so engrossed to be a religious police in Vajrayana, can CTA pls go check this organization out? Give the Shugden monks a break will you? At least Shugden monks still wear proper monks’ robes, hold their vows, do their pujas, serve their gurus…

I will keep looking out for organizations like this for CTA to keep them busy, so that they can leave Shugden monks alone for a while…

Other comments and responses:

“samayakeeper”

Why is the CTA so selective and target only the Dorje Shugden practitioners? Why the selective witch hunts targeted at only Dorje Shugden practitioners? Well, the CTA may say they have the right only over Tibetans who are Dorje Shugden practitioners, so should not CTA also ban Tibetans who are practitioners of Bon or other religions and deprive them of their basic human rights?

It is time already for CTA to focus and help Tibetans in their daily needs and lives and STOP playing being the highest governing spiritual body for Tibetan people!

“Dorjedakini”

in response to samayakeeper

It is what they should do and focus on since day one. They just hide behind Shugden issue and did not do their best to improve the living quality of their citizen, worse is that they create disharmony and doubt between their people.

“Triesa”

I am hopeful Dr Lobsang Sangay, the present Kolan Tripa of CTA, will slowly relax the pressure for DS practitioners, after all this is the 21st century, how he runs CTA is being watched and observed by heads of other countries. And the language spoken in the 21st century is freedom of religion, freedom of human rights. Why prosecute your own people because of a difference in belief in one dharma protector and accept all the other religions with even more differences in the whole context of the spiritual practices?

“dsiluvu”

I remember when I was holidaying in Singapore one time, there was this YELLOW BOOK that were placed in several strategic center around Singapore… they even got it translated in to Chinese! Well this is the kind of ways that the CTA poke their noses and centres that like to rub shoulder with His Holiness to get fame and sponsorships do, could do to make other people’s life difficult even though it is not in their jurisdiction to do so. Many accounts of such negative experiences, really you cannot even practice Dorje Shugden freely even though you are outside of Dharamsala. There are many centers who will judge, ban and condemned you, sometimes even smear your name to others saying you worship a “demon” hence you cannot even enter their center or events! Down right religious discrimination!

Basically a statement was put out in every forms of Amitabha Buddhist Center, Singapore (http://www.fpmtabc.org/), whether it is a trip to attend Dalai Lama’s teaching in South East Asia, Kalachakra, or a trip to Dharamsala. On top of name, passpost number, addresses etc. personal details, you need to declare that you do not practice Dorje Shugden first.

So yeah, not only our dear sanghas in Dharamsala are going through injustice, we outside of India and Nepal are also going through such ridiculousness which why it is high time we put a stop to such injustice. And we shall do so by working harder to educated anyone who crosses our path on Dorje Shugden.

Thank you Namdrol for saying it! CTA why don’t you look at those who are more weird then the Shugden practitioners?

“Aurore”

CTA may not have the authority over others outside of Tibetan community of India, however they have done a lot to destroy reputations of certain lamas which creates a rippling effect to other mindless Vajrayana/Buddhist councils around the world.

There are politics involved everywhere and not only within the Indian community. CTA … please focus on organizations that looks weird rather than lamas which are proven authentic already. If this will get them off their case, then I support Namdrol to continue scouting.

Chinese Han Tantrayana Buddhism group

Chinese Han Tantrayana Buddhism group

Chinese Han Tantrayana Buddhism group

We have been recently alerted of some very good news and we are writing to congratulate you for this big step in the way of progress for your administration and people.

We noticed your very honest and humble apology on the website antishugden.com withdrawing your previous negative claims and smear campaign against the Protector Dorje Shugden. We applaud your decision to take down all the negative material and to put up this encouraging notice in its place. It shows that you are progressive in your way of thinking and not afraid to admit your mistakes or to speak the truth. These are the ingredients for any government or leadership to gain respect and support.

We are very happy, most of all, that you are now actively encouraging people to embrace this practice instead of suppressing it. This will give so much hope to thousands everywhere as well as to your own Tibetan people.

However, we wish to also call your attention to the CTA’s official website (Tibet.net) where you still have very long and negative statements against Dorje Shugden (calling him Dholgyal). This is very contradictory to what you have posted up on the antishugden.com website!

It reflects very badly on your administration and people to have this kind of religious content on your official website. If you look at the most successful democratic countries around the world, none of them would ever publish writings on their websites about what religious practices their citizens are allowed to practice or not. They respect every individual’s freedom of religion and freedom of choice. This is what makes them progressive and developed.

Publishing religious matters like this on your official government website makes you look very backwards and petty. It makes you look like you restrict your own citizens and you are not equal or fair to your people. It reflects badly on your leader, the Kalon Tripa, because it shows that he is an intolerant leader who focuses so much energy on religious matters, instead of improving the welfare of his people.

More importantly, it reflects very badly upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who represents the Tibetan people globally. By publishing material like this, you lower down his status and make it seem that he is imposing religious dictates on a secular government. We all know how compassionate and giving the Dalai Lama really is, but when you put up material like this on your websites, it is very bad public relations for yourself and for the Dalai Lama. You make him look negative, intolerant, forceful and unkind towards his own people. You make the Dalai Lama look like he is not supporting human rights and contradicting his own teachings of compassion!

Actually, in recent times, the Dalai Lama has withdrawn from dealing in secular matters, leaving it all to the Kalon Tripa and your administration to handle. So now, there is really no reason for your secular administration to be discussing or publishing religious matters on your official websites and literature. Continuing to do so only makes the Dalai Lama look more and more intolerant and dictatorial. People will start to question why a Nobel Peace Laureate is promoting such restrictions on religious freedom, on his own Tibetans and fellow Buddhists.

In fact, as the secular government, you should be helping and reaching out to all your citizens, the Tibetan people. You should be interacting with them equally, whatever their religious beliefs. Wouldn’t this be most fair and democratic? Surely every citizen deserves equal rights and opportunities for welfare, education, job placement, medical facilities, participation in state affairs, travel and voting etc.? If you make it difficult for them to receive any of these things, then you are not being a democratic nor fair leader to them. If you are using their religious beliefs again them – like you have publicized on your websites – then your government is still not progressive. It is still engaging in methods that are very outdated and used only hundreds of years ago.

The rest of the world will look at your website and what the CTA are saying there about religious affairs and Dorje Shugden. They will see how backwards and undemocratic you are and it will not help you to gain any global support or respect.

We write to you not out of malice or with any intent to hurt you. We write with much concern for the betterment of your people and government. We write with care for the tens of thousands of Shugden practitioners that are facing discrimination just for their religion. We write for equality, democracy and the basic human freedom to choose and follow our religious beliefs.

We hope you will sincerely take heed of what we have to say and take action to remove such material about Dorje Shugden from all your public websites and literature. It will make a huge difference for thousands of people and most importantly, for yourselves as the leader of Tibetans everywhere.

With hope and concern,
DorjeShugden.com
DorjeShugden.net
XiongDeng.com

The Kopan Valley

Dear respected friends,

It is with great interest and happiness that we write to share this recent news with you.

Globally, the world knows that there is currently a ban on the Buddhist Protector Deity Dorje Shugden. Many people have publicly denounced the practice and have become very harmful, even unkind, towards Shugden practitioners.

Some Lamas have publicly chosen not to continue their practice – this is their prerogative and we do not question the decisions of such highly attained Lamas. However, we strongly disagree with the ways in which their students have launched very hostile, even damaging verbal or physical attacks on Shugden practitioners. This kind of behavior is not at all in accordance with Dharma practice and teaching.

Recently however, we have received very clear information from reliable, trusted sources about an organization returning to the practice of Shugden, even when they have long criticized and put down others for doing so. We are told that when Lama Zopa was very ill about eight months ago, a monk from Kopan Monastery secretly went to Phelgye Ling Monastery (in the Swayambunath area of Kathmandu, Nepal) to request them to do a Dorje Shugden puja for Lama Zopa’s health. Phelgye Ling Monastery is very well known for their preservation of the Shugden practice and lineage, and for this, they have suffered much discrimination and ostracism from the Tibetan Buddhist community in Nepal since the imposition of the ban.

Phelygye Ling Monastery’s senior administrator refused to do the prayers. They have asked: Since Lama Zopa and his group (commonly known as FPMT) are so ‘vehemently’ against Shugden, why do they now come running to request for a Shugden puja once Lama Zopa is sick?

The people from Kopan eventually had the Shugden puja done urgently at another Shugden monastery in Kathmandu (their name has still not yet been disclosed).

The point of this letter is not to disparage Lama Zopa or his organization. We have a lot of respect for Lama Zopa and his lifetime of work to bring Dharma to so many thousands of people. It is our wish to simply point out a few things:

1. The true enlightened, powerful, and beneficial nature of Dorje Shugden – even groups who have turned away from him and become known for putting down the practice, return to Dorje Shugden at their darkest times.
2. The importance of not criticizing any practice – every developed, successful country in the world supports freedom of religion. As Buddhists who support the way of kindness and harmony, we should too. Respect that every Lama will have his reasons for doing, or not doing, a certain practice. If we do not wish for others to criticize or attack our Lamas and practice, then we shouldn’t do it to others.
3. Not being hypocritical in our practice – either you commit to a practice or you don’t. It is not logical to disparage and discount a practice, but then choose to go back to it when times are bad. How can you expect to have results from a practice if you have been doing the opposite all this time before?
4. Keeping clean samaya – A Lama may choose not to continue the practice of Dorje Shugden and advise his students not to do the practice anymore. However, this does not give us any right to disturb or hurt other Lamas and practitioners who do. You may be “keeping your samaya” by following your Lama’s instruction not to practice Shugden. But you break all your other samaya by being unkind, by attacking others, by creating schism with negative talk. No true, qualified, compassionate Lama would endorse or encourage schism or hurting any being in any way. So you must think if your actions towards Shugden practitioners is really Guru devotion, or a justification for accomplishing your own personal agenda?

In hopes of a more tolerant and harmonious Buddhist community and world, we urge you to think carefully about the points we have mentioned. And in particular, to consider the deeper significance of Lama Zopa’s students “returning” to Shugden practice for their Lama’s health.

The fact is: could they have avoided creating the cases for Lama Zopa to fall ill in the first place? They have broken samaya not just with their lineage practice (Lama Yeshe, the founder of FPMT was a very ardent Shugden practitioner) but also with their teacher for acting in such unkindly ways. Why only panic now – and “return” to a lineage practice – when their Lama is ill?

Yours, in hopes of a better future,

DorjeShugden.com | DorjeShugden.net | xiongdeng.com

For further reading:

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

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

FPMT, Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/fpmt-dalai-lama-and-dorje-shugden/)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We hope this letter finds you in very good health and enjoying great success in your spiritual practice. We wish to share something very blessed with you, with the hope that it will add to global blessings for a better world.

When the Buddha appeared in the world, he taught that as time progressed, people would have different desires and their minds would be inclined towards different interests and needs. To meet these changing needs of beings everywhere, the different emanations of enlightened Beings thus emerge at different times to help and guide. It is not that one Buddha is more powerful than another. No – they are all equal in their power to bless and help us. However, they manifest in changing forms with different practices for us, so that we can connect to them more quickly and effectively.

One such enlightened being who has appeared in our world at this time is the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. At this time, distractions are plentiful and the world is experiencing many turbulent times. Dorje Shugden manifests specifically to help clear our path of mundane distractions and troubles so that we can achieve the best results in our practice.

There has been some discussion as to whether Dorje Shugden is a fully enlightened Buddha or not. As an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri, he definitely is a fully enlightened being. Attached is an article we have prepared for you, which proves clearly through 10 points that Dorje Shugden is, without a doubt, a Buddha who we can rely on completely.

The practice of Dorje Shugden does not conflict with any other spiritual practices and we hope that by making a connection with him, you will discover great peace, wisdom and joy, and that whatever you wish for will manifest swiftly. We also invite you to visit our websites below, where there is much more information about this Buddha, his history and the incredible benefits of his practice.

Best wishes,
DorjeShugden.com
DorjeShugden.net
xiongdeng.nett

1. Dorje Shugden is the last incarnation in a lineage of enlightened Masters

Dorje Shugden arose from an incarnation lineage of enlightened Teachers. As the highly realized Master, Tagphu Kelsang Khedrub Rinpoche, said:

“You have manifested in different aspects
As Indian and Tibetan Masters,
Such as Manjushri, Mahasiddha Biwawa, Sakya Pandita, Buton Rinchen Drub, Duldzin Dragpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Dragpa, and many others.”

Their life stories are explained on the websites, dorjeshugden.com and dorjeshugden.net; and the book Heart Jewel by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Since his lineage is enlightened, Dorje Shugden is also fully enlightened – i.e. a Buddha.

2. Dorje Shugden could not be subdued by the Fifth Dalai Lama or other Lamas

When Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen, the last human incarnation of this lineage, manifested as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden (as he had predicted he would do), the Fifth Dalai Lama initially developed the mistaken idea that he was a spirit and tried to subdue him through performing wrathful fire pujas. Although he and many high Lamas tried to destroy Dorje Shugden, they were not able to because he is a Buddha – only Buddhas, fully enlightened beings, are indestructible. This is explained by Tagphu Kelsang Khedrub Rinpoche in his praise of Dorje Shugden, Infinite Aeons:

“Then, although four undisputed powerful Tantrikas,
With concentration, began wrathful rituals to strike you down,
Through the power of having completed Guhyasamaja’s two stages,
You would not be silenced, and showed signs of heroism; praise to you!”

3. Dorje Shugden’s form teaches the paths of Sutra and Tantra

Dorje Shugden’s form teaches the complete stages of the path of Sutra and Tantra, and such qualities are not possessed by the forms of worldly beings. He appears as a fully ordained monk to show that the practice of pure moral discipline is essential for those who wish to attain Enlightenment. In his left hand he holds a heart, which symbolizes great compassion and spontaneous great bliss – the essence of all the stages of the vast path of Sutra and Tantra. His round yellow hat represents the view of Nagarjuna, and the wisdom sword in his right hand (like the one held by Manjushri and Je Tsongkhapa) teaches us to sever ignorance, the root of samsara, with the sharp blade of Nagarjuna’s view. This is the essence of all the stages of the profound path of Sutra and Tantra. He rides a snow lion, symbolizing the four fearlessnesses of a Buddha.

Explanation of his other features can be found on the websites dorjeshugden.com and dorjeshugden.net, as well as the specific enlightened function of each of the 32 Deities of his entourage and mandala, which are explained in a prayer written by Sachen Kunlo, one of the great Sakya Lamas.

Only enlightened beings display a meaningful aspect that teaches the entire path to Enlightenment. Therefore, Dorje Shugden is a Buddha.

4. Dorje Shugden is the incarnation of the five Buddha families

Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is the incarnation of the five Buddha families and appears in five forms that symbolize the five families. These forms are explained in dorjeshugden.com and dorjeshugden.net and are called ‘the five lineages of Dorje Shugden’.

The principal Deity, Duldzin Dorje Shugden rides a snow lion. Vairochana Shugden (peaceful emanation) is white and rides an elephant. Ratna Shugden (increase/wealth emanation) is yellow and rides a palomino horse. Pema Shugden (control emanation) is red and rides a turquoise dragon. Karma Shugden (wrathful emanation) is dark red and rides a wrathful Garuda bird. These forms also symbolize Dorje Shugden’s attainment of pacifying, increasing, controlling and wrathful actions and his main form as Duldzin symbolizes the supreme attainment – Enlightenment itself.

Since Dorje Shugden is the manifestation of the five Buddha families, there is no doubt that he is the same enlightened nature as Buddha Vajradhara.

5. Dorje Shugden is the same nature as Manjushri, Je Tsongkhapa, Mahakala and Kalarupa

Lama Tsongkhapa

Dorje Shugden is the same nature as Je Tsongkhapa – they are the same person performing different functions. Many Dorje Shugden sadhanas state that Dorje Shugden is the embodiment of the “Guru, Yidam and Protector”, where “Guru” refers specifically to Lama Tsongkhapa. When we practice the sadhana of Dorje Shugden, we are indirectly practicing the Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa. Gelugpa practitioners who have a sincere trust in Dorje Shugden will have no difficulty in generating unshakeable faith in Je Tsongkhapa and his teachings.

Both Je Tsongkhapa (‘peaceful Manjushri’) and Dorje Shugden (‘wrathful Manjushri’) are manifestations of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri, as are the Dharma Protectors four-faced Mahakala and Kalarupa. Therefore, they are all the same enlightened nature.

6. Dorje Shugden’s mandala deities are the same nature as the body mandala deities of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang

The Deities of Dorje Shugden’s mandala are the same nature as the Deities of the body mandala of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang, who is in essence Je Tsongkhapa. Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang is the principal object of refuge in the blessed Gelug practice of Offering to the Spiritual Guide (Tibetan: Lama Chopa), which comes from Manjushri’s Emanation Scripture. In this practice, we visualize within his body the 32 Deities of Guhyasamaja. These 32 Deities manifest as the 32 Deities of Dorje Shugden’s mandala, indicating that Dorje Shugden is the same nature as Je Tsongkhapa and Guhyasamaja, and thus a fully enlightened being.

Of the Deities of the five lineages of Dorje Shugden explained above, the principal Deity is Duldzin Dorje Shugden, who is the manifestation of the aggregate of consciousness of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang. The remaining four lineages are manifestations of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang’s remaining four aggregates. Je Tsongkhapa himself therefore manifests as an enlightened Protector and retinue to protect his Ganden tradition.

7. The practice of Dorje Shugden was taught by Je Tsongkhapa in Tushita Pure Land

Dorje Shugden arose as the principal Protector of Je Tsongkhapa’s doctrine over 300 years ago, at the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama, who composed the first verse of praise to him. However, the current system of empowerment and worship is more recent and comes from a great Lama called Tagphu Kelsang Khedrub Rinpoche. Lama Tagphu went to Tushita Pure Land where he met Je Tsongkhapa and requested a teaching. In response, Je Tsongkhapa lifted up the cloth covering the front of the golden throne on which he was sitting, and the five lineages of Dorje Shugden emerged. Dorje Shugden then transmitted the practice to Lama Tagphu, just as Maitreya had transmitted five major philosophical treatises to Asanga in Tushita Pure Land in earlier times.

Lama Tagphu later transmitted these instructions to Pabongkapa Dechen Nyingpo, who passed them on to Trijang Dorjechang Losang Yeshe – spiritual father and son. From Trijang Rinpoche, these teachings were passed to our present day Gelugpa Teachers, many of whom now have large, thriving Dharma centers throughout the world and, collectively among them, tens of thousands of Dharma students.

8. Dorje Shugden has been relied upon by the highest Lamas, who themselves have been recognized as enlightened

H.H. Trijang Rinpoche

Well-regarded Gelugpa practitioners of Dorje Shugden include:

• the Fifth Dalai Lama
• Kelsang Thubten Jigme Gyatso 1743-1811 (a tutor to the 9th Dalai Lama)
• Losang Thubten Wangchuk Jigme Gyatso 1775 – 1813 (head of the Gelugpa in Mongolia)
• Ngulchu Dharmabadra
• the Indian master Shakya Shri Bhadra
• the 11th Dalai Lama 1838 – 1856 (who installed Dorje Shugden as
the Protector of the Gelugpa tradition)
• Gyara Tulku Rinpoche, Tomo Geshe Rinpoche (regarded by the 13th Dalai Lama as an emanation of Je Tsongkhapa)
• Serkong Rinpoche (regarded by the 13th Dalai Lama as Vajradhara)
• Tagphu Kelsang Khedrub Rinpoche
• Pabongkha Rinpoche
• Trijang Rinpoche
• Ling Rinpoche
• Khangsar Rinpoche
• Tathag Rinpoche (in charge of the Tibetan Government after the death of the 13th Dalai Lama)
• Zong Rinpoche
• Lobsang Tamdin
• Ribur Rinpoche
• Khen Rinpoche Losang Tharchin
• Lati Rinpoche
• Geshe Rabten
• Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey
• Khensur Rinpoche
• Khechog Rinpoche
• Dagyab Rinpoche
• Gelek Rinpoche
• Lama Yeshe
• Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
• Yongyal Rinpoche
• the 14th Dalai Lama (until he was in his forties)
• Dagom Rinpoche
• Gonsar Rinpoche
• Gangchen Rinpoche and many others

(more extensive information about these and other Dorje Shugden Lamas are available on dorjeshugden.com and dorjeshugden.net)

These great Masters themselves have all been recognized as realized, holy beings, with many thousands of Tantric disciples who revere them as living Buddhas.

The later Lamas were all direct or indirect disciples of the great Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche. The 14th Dalai Lama says that Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche were “wrong” to worship Dorje Shugden. But they have been recognized as emanations of the Buddhas Heruka and Amitabha respectively, and were the principal upholders of Je Tsongkhapa’s Gelug doctrine in their time; so how can they be wrong?

9. Dorje Shugden performs the twenty-seven deeds of a Buddha

The highly realized Master, Tagphu Kelsang Khedrub Rinpoche, composed a verse of praise:

“With deep faith I prostrate to you, Vajradhara Dorje Shugden. Although you have already attained the Buddha ground and engage in the 27 deeds of a Buddha, You appear in various forms to help the Buddhadharma and sentient beings.”

Dorje Shugden

These 27 deeds, explained in the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, range from showing living beings the way to enter the spiritual path to liberation up to guiding them to the final attainment of Buddhahood. Since Dorje Shugden performs all these 27 deeds, it is clear that he is a Buddha.

Some people say that Dorje Shugden has harmed practitioners who have strayed from the Ganden tradition, but there are no examples of this forthcoming, whereas there are many examples of how Dorje Shugden has protected living beings. For example, Dorje Shugden was responsible for the Dalai Lama being able to safely travel from Tibet to India in 1959.

Even today, there are many Buddhist practitioners with their own stories to tell of how they have been protected by this Dharma Protector. Dorje Shugden’s name means ‘Vajra Possessing Strength’, indicating that he has great power and strength to spread Buddhadharma and to help people in these degenerate times.

10. Relying upon Dorje Shugden leads to supramundane results

The difference between a Dharma Protector and a worldly protector is that the former is an enlightened being whereas the latter is not. Worldly protectors have no ability to flourish the Buddhadharma nor to protect Dharma realizations in a practitioner’s mind. As a Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden’s principal function is to protect our Dharma practice, not just to help our mundane affairs.

Dorje Shugden always helps, guides, and protects faithful practitioners by granting blessings, increasing their wisdom, fulfilling their virtuous wishes, and bestowing success on all their virtuous activities. Dorje Shugden does not help only Gelugpas; because he is a Buddha, he helps all living beings.

Dorje Shugden has removed obstacles and created the conditions for the extraordinary growth of Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings, and most importantly realizations of those teachings, in this current age. Je Tsongkhapa’s doctrine is now spreading to countries throughout the world via some of the largest Buddhist organisations such as the New Kadampa Tradition and FPMT centers.

Those who rely upon Dorje Shugden know that their spiritual realizations come from his blessings. However, as in a relationship with any holy being, this is something that can only be experienced by someone who relies on him with strong faith over a long period of time, steadily building their connection with him.

Gyara Tulku Rinpoche from Drepung Loseling Monastery wrote a prayer of gratitude, whose sentiments are shared by Dorje Shugden practitioners worldwide:

“First you gave me a highly qualified Spiritual Guide
Under whom I studied and practised Dharma.
When through following misleading advice I came close to entering wrong paths,
You immediately hooked me back into the correct path.

O Duldzin, King of the Dharma, I thank you for your kindness.
Your body is the synthesis of all Sangha Jewels,
Your speech is the synthesis of all Dharma Jewels,
And your mind is the synthesis of all Buddha Jewels.”

We are most happy to share with you a most interesting story about two great beings: Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the female oracle, known respectfully as Khadro-la.

Oracles are special people who are trained to take trance of higher beings or enlightened Dharma Protectors. They hold an especially esteemed role within the Tibetan Buddhist lineage, providing a direct, physical link between us and these attained beings. Many of the highest Lamas, including the Dalai Lama, enjoy very close relationships with these oracles and often consult these attained beings through them.

The greatly respected Lama Zopa Rinpoche is particularly close to Khadro-la, the female oracle of the worldly Goddess Tenma and is often seen performing rituals and in Dharma activity together. (see the links below for further information about Lama Zopa and Khadro-la).

During Lama Zopa’s illness, it was known that this oracle Khadro-la was helping Lama Zopa to heal. There are mentions about her help and Lama Zopa’s health on FMPT’s official website, written by Lama Zopa’s main attendant, Ven. Roger:

Click on image to enlarge

Source: http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/rinpoches-health-updates-and-practices.html

There are also videos of Khadro-la helping Lama Zopa in his recovery:
[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

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

While this is wonderful and of course very kind of Khadro-la, this raised several questions within the Buddhist community, which have been discussed on online forums. This is why:

It was well known that Lama Zopa, and his Guru Lama Yeshe (the founder of FPMT) were greatly devoted to the enlightened Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden and propitiated his practice strongly among their students. Then, in the late 1990s, H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama declared that no one should practice this Protector Dorje Shugden any longer, suddenly claiming that he was a spirit (although he has been clearly recognized as an enlightened protector for hundreds of years). This sacred 350-year-old practice followed by thousands of the holiest lamas and practitioners was suddenly banned.

FPMT were one of the organizations who, under Lama Zopa’s guidance, followed the ban and gave up the practice. A highly attained incarnated Lama like Zopa Rinpoche will have his many good reasons for this but he has always remained respectful towards this issue and not created further problems for people who chose to continue the practice of Dorje Shugden. However, it has become known that students of his organization, FPMT, have acted in quite unkindly ways towards other Dorje Shugden devotees – ostracizing them, talking badly about them or the practice, spreading rumors to undermine these practitioners’ support and sponsorship.

We believe that whatever reasons Lama Zopa may have for not continuing the practice of Shugden, he would not advise his students to act in such schismatic and unkind ways. By acting like this, his students break samaya (spiritual bond and loyalty) not only to their teacher Lama Zopa, but also to Lama Yeshe, the lineage Gurus and the Protector Dorje Shugden himself.

Now, during Lama Zopa’s illness, we hear that it is an oracle of an unenlightened goddess who is being called to help him heal. Surely, an enlightened being like Lama Zopa does not need an unenlightened being to do healing for him? That is saying that unenlightened beings are more powerful than attained ones, which is not logical. Lama Zopa is a recognised Tulku (reincarnated high Lama), with full control of his deaths and rebirths. If he is able to control this, why would he not be able to control his own illness and healing? Why would he need such an oracle to help him heal?

By requesting dakini oracles to heal Lama Zopa, his students and organization FPMT are directly putting down Lama Zopa and his enlightened attainments. Why would such an accomplished Lama ask a worldly deity to heal him or seek advice from a worldly deity? Why would he entertain and spend so much time with this worldly deity’s female oracle? Why is Lama Zopa doing this when their organization used to rely on such a powerful enlightened protector before? Why not just rely on an enlightened Buddha, such as Shakyamuni or Tsongkhapa whose attainments are without question?

It seems that by entertaining this worldly deity oracle, Lama Zopa is sending a message that times have become so degenerate among his organization and students, that he now has to “rely” on a worldly being to cure him. Because of broken samaya among the students and in the FPMT organization, Lama Zopa is not able to manifest his full abilities and powers. He has had to “lower” himself to a level that seems fallible and unable to heal himself. He is being healed now, not even by an enlightened Protector, but by a worldly, unenlightened being.

Attached is an extract from the forum of DorjeShugden.com, where many Buddhists practitioners debate various subjects related to Dharma and especially to this Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. These particular posts here relate to this topic of Lama Zopa’s illness and his reliance on Khadro-la. Please read the comments and what fellow Buddhists around the world have to say about this – it provides a very interesting perspective to the situation, to Lama Zopa’s health condition and to this delicate aspect of samaya from his students.

We urge you all to think about the serious implications that this has and what large questions it raises about the importance of keeping pure samaya with our teachers, their instructions to us and the lineage practices. Lama Zopa is no ordinary being. The manifestation of his illness and this subsequent move to rely on an unenlightened deity is evidence that something is very wrong among his students. It is very important they repair their samaya quickly – that would be the best balm to cure their beloved teacher.

With great concern,
DorjeShugden.com | DorjeShugden.net | XiongDeng.com

Some Selected Posts on the Forum Topic “Dakini Healing Lama Zopa”

This topic was started by “thaimonk” (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=1164.0)

FPMT has contacted this Tibetan woman and oracle to help Lama Zopa heal. Suddenly FPMT have such tremendous faith in her. FPMT says that she is not taking trance of a dakini but SHE IS A LIVING DAKINI.

She originally came from Tibet and during a public teaching with Dalai Lama in Dharamsala starting to take trance. Dalai Lama accepted she takes trance of a Goddess (Tema).

Years ago, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa relied fully on Shugden and Shugden oracle to help them. Lama Yeshe relied on the Shugden oracle till the end of his days. Does it seem inappropriate they are relying on a Dakini now instead of Shugden? Either way, FPMT is really on a oracle. Shouldn’t Lama Zopa being a high lama be more ‘powerful’ than the dakini from Dharamsala?

I am not sure of this. I don’t have any negative thoughts or such. I was just wondering. What do you all think?

Responses and further comments

Posted by: “DharmaDefender”

I think Lama Zopa’s students would do well to remember their own guru’s teachings on how to extend the life of their lama. Like what dsiluvu said, how comes they can ask a spirit for help but cannot rely on Dorje Shugden? How can they entrust their lama’s long life to a spirit, but apparently practicing Dorje Shugden will shorten his life?

No offence and I’m sure they all mean well (and I sincerely mean that), but relying on an unenlightened being, after breaking their protector practice, kind of smacks of desperation and hypocrisy.

Posted by: “thor”

I think FPMT would be better off directing their efforts towards requesting Lama Zopa to extend his life and heal himself. Long life prayers, rituals and individual transformation and purification of wrong actions would be more effective than medical treatment or mystical help from the oracle.

If the lama can manifest sickness, then of course the lama will be able to make the sickness heal. And there is no reason for the lama to become ill, or to shorten his life, unless it is a method towards something much greater.

My own lama has often told me that no matter how many prayers the students do, how many requests they make, how much medicine and treatment they offer to their lama, none of that will have effect if the lama does not wish to heal. So FPMT should direct their attention towards analysing what it is they should do to please the mind of their lama that he will extend his life.

Posted by: “honeydakini”

I don’t think there is any harm in consulting enlightened beings, oracles, dharma protectors for help or advice, though we should really only consult them if they’re enlightened. I don’t really understand the point in consulting someone who is unenlightened since you open the doors for so many other potentially harmful beings to come in and disturb you.

As to this case of Lama Zopa’s illness, i don’t think anything would work better than for the students to check in on themselves – what commitments they have broken, or what actions they have done that would be against what their teachers have advised or taught them. Perhaps it is not something that they have directly disobeyed, it could even be something that isn’t as obvious like creating schism among Dharma practitioners, or creating doubt in other people’s minds about their practices and their teachers.

I personally think it’s quite silly to consult a dakini when your own enlightened teacher is right there. If you consult a dakini (whether she’s enlightened or not), that is to say that your teacher doesn’t have any control over his own body! I’m sure an enlightened teacher like Lama Zopa would have full control over his health and illnesses. (he has full control over his rebirths, as a tulku, but no control over illness? it doesn’t make sense).

So If our lama has control, that means that he has already taught us the means to heal him – which i’m sure would be, like all teachers advise us, to follow his instructions to us and practice and improve our minds. That would be so much more powerful than a dakini’s advice – because whatever the dakini could “prescribe” , I’m sure it isn’t something that Lama Zopa is beyond doing for himself.

Posted by: “Big Uncle”

Well, the very fact that FPMT is relying on a Dakini to heal their Lama shows that they are insecure about their samaya and the pujas that they can do to heal their own Lama. How much can this Dakini (enlightened or not) heal the Lama when the elders of the organisation know it is through clean samaya and sincere propitiation is the only way to purify lots of negative karma and move Lama Zopa to remain.

On top of that, they seemed to imply that the oracle lady is an enlightened dakini when she is not. Last time I checked, the goddess Tenma is a powerful but unenlightened mountain goddess of Tibet. Why rely on an unenlightened deity like Tenma? This all seemed very strange to me. I don’t think the politically correct elders would dare propitiated Dorje Shugden but in actuality, he is the only one who can help save the situation now. It is so sad.

Posted by: “Benny”

Yes, I could not agree more with Big Uncle, FPMT please mend your broken Samaya! As the saying goes “barking up the wrong tree !” Lama Zopa has full control over whether he stays or leave, there is nothing that the “mountain goddess” can do to move the lama to stay as he is here solely for the students.

What a sad sight to see such an attained Lama playing along with his students. In such crucial times, shouldn’t one propitiate to ones protector rather than a ” living dakini ” who channels an unenlightened deity (confusing ) ? They the FPMT are risking loosing their guru for the sake of looking good in the eyes of the Dalai Lama!

Further information about Lama Zopa and Khadro-la, the female oracle of Tenma.

There is a long-standing relationship between Lama Zopa and this female oracle, Khadro-la. Their closeness has even been documented in some of the most popular Buddhist magazines and resources.

Venerable Roger did an interview with Khadro-la in 2009, for Mandala Magazine (FPMT’s official magazine):

Click on image to enlarge

Source: http://www.mandalamagazine.org/archives/mandala-issues-for-2009/january/interview-with-a-dakini/

There are several videos of Lama Zopa and Khadro-la, engaged in pujas together:

Lama Zopa, Phari Rinpoche and Khadro-la doing puja at Trijang Rinpoche’s stupa:
[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

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

Lama Zopa and Kharo-la doing puja, May 2010:
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Lama Zopa, Khadro-la, Phari Rinpoche at the Maratika Caves, June 2010
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Official news on the FPMT websites often feature Lama Zopa together with Khadro-la:

Click on image to enlarge

Source: http://mandala.fpmt.org/2013/lama-zopa-rinpoche-and-khadro-la/

Click on image to enlarge

Source: http://www.mandalamagazine.org/2012/lama-zopa-rinpoche-and-khadro-la-offer-public-teachings-at-maitripa-college/

Click on image to enlarge

Source: www.mandalamagazine.org/2012/lama-zopa-rinpoche-and-khadro-la-visit-western-united-states/

Some photos of Lama Zopa and Khadro-la, who travel and attend religious ceremonies together very often.

For further reading:

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

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

FPMT, Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/fpmt-dalai-lama-and-dorje-shugden/)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal and holder of multiple honorary doctorates for law and international relations, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has worked tirelessly for decades to promote peace and harmony in the world. Thus he is rightly celebrated as a proponent of human rights, and has become renowned for his compassion for all who suffer.

Unlike most other world leaders, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is unique in the way that, for millions of people, he is not just a secular leader but their spiritual guide too. United by their belief in his wisdom, the Dalai Lama’s devotees work together to promote their teacher’s message. It is therefore only reasonable and logical to expect His Holiness’s followers to represent his teachings well.

As a spiritual guide to millions, the Dalai Lama should be patient, wise, and practice loving-kindness and indeed, he is all of that. These students therefore may find that it benefits them to listen to His Holiness’ advice again, from a different perspective. Disturbingly however, there have been reports that some students have failed to reflect their teacher’s true teachings and compassionate motivation.

A certain video has come to our attention, which shows some nuns from a monastery in Dharamsala, North India, acting in the most unsightly ways. They are reported to have dragged a Buddha statue out from a monastery and then desecrated it with the utmost disrespect – by stepping, smashing, burning and spitting on the statue. This kind of action is terrible for anyone who calls themselves a spiritual practitioner, least of all a nun who has taken vows.

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This video is in relations to the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, which the Dalai Lama has banned in recent years. So much suffering has arisen out of this ban. People who have continued this practice suffer this kind of terrible abuse – where their personal items of worship are forcibly removed and destroyed. Families are now separated; the sacred bond between Buddhist teachers and their students are severed. Shugden practitioners are even denied the most basic welfare of education and medical aid from the government. Is any of this reflective of the qualities of kindness and compassion that the Dalai Lama has promoted for so many decades? Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be so.

It is one thing to think Dorje Shugden is negative and to destroy his statue, but we must remember what was inside the statue. Tibetans normally fill their statues with mantras, relics, Mani pills, tsatsas, scriptures, hair or nails of high lamas, pieces of robes belonging to high lamas, and many other holy items. When the nuns destroyed and pounced on the Dorje Shugden statue, they also stepped on all the holy items contained within the statue. How can fully ordained Buddhist nuns be so violent and also step on scriptures, mantras, relics, robes and precious items contained within this statue, which were given by high lamas and the Sangha.

These acts are desecration and very negative deeds. So much negative karma would have been accumulated. In their fanaticism to please the then Tibetan Government-in-exile, they went too far. What kind of Government would encourage and thank their people for desecrating objects of people’s religious faith and symbols of their divine? This is wrong. Freedom of worship should protect from desecration and such brutal displays of disrespect of another person’s symbol of the holy and divine.

This letter is not intended to provoke nor antagonise, but to prompt contemplation from a different point of view – as followers of the Dalai Lama, are these students showing patience when attacking the monastery of another school of thought? Is it showing wisdom to accuse Lamas from other traditions of sectarianism? Is it a practice of kindness to destroy the statue of a deity others revere?

These actions do not match His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of acceptance and harmony, nor serves to unite the Tibetan people towards other collective causes such as their fight for independence. Instead, such behavior drives the wedge of disharmony in the population, weakening an already diluted community which is struggling to survive in a foreign land. That is precisely what we do not wish to happen, because losing the ancient Tibetan traditions of respect, religion and acceptance would be a loss for the world.

As global citizens, we each have the right to choose our spiritual beliefs. Whether one chooses to engage in the practice of Shugden is the individual’s choice and dependent upon the individual relationship that one has with his Buddhist community and teachers. However, what we most strongly wish for people to consider is how they are treating others when they make their choices. Just because you decide not to pray to this Dharma Protector, it does not mean you need to act in such cruel, unkindly ways to people who do. In doing so, you reflect badly upon your own practice, your teachers and the religion as a whole. Do we really want the world to look upon us and wonder why Buddhists behave in such unkindly, intolerant ways, so opposite to what the Dalai Lama teaches?

We invite you to watch this video and read the many discussions on this issue on our websites listed below. Then make a difference to the lives of thousands by carrying a positive and beneficial image of Buddhism within your own actions. The wave of change can start with you.

Thank you,
DorjeShugden.com
DorjeShugden.net
XiongDeng.net

The Dalai Lama has been extremely kind to bring Tibetan Buddhism and Dharma teachings out to the world. Because of the Dalai Lama, millions now know of the peaceful methods of Buddhism, which is what the Dalai Lama represents.

However, over the last 10 years or so, there have been drastic changes within Tibetan Buddhist communities which do not reflect these teachings of peace. Since the ban on Dorje Shugden, Tibetan people within the exiled communities in India and Nepal are divided and facing disharmony. This is all being blamed on the Protector Deity Dorje Shugden. But is he really such a bad guy?

Attached is a very clear and detailed forum post written by someone who calls himself TK, a passionate and very learned Buddhist on the DorjeShugden.com forum. This forum welcomes many discussions about this Dharma Protector, studying the many issues that have come out from the ban as well as providing more information and shared experiences about this practice.

We invite you to read this particular post, where TK proves very clearly why Dorje Shugden is not as bad as we think and that, in fact, he is working together with the Dalai Lama for the growth of Dharma. May this article bring you a much deeper understanding of the issues and the practice, and may it work to relieve many who have been suffering because of the ban.

Yours in Dharma,
DorjeShugden.com
DorjeShugden.net
XiongDeng.net

Part 1: An Article

Extracted from http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=599.0

May 14, 1995 – Tsangpa Oracle Prophesy I

Prophesy (kha.lung) through the Tsangpa Oracle requested by the Private Office of the Dalai Lama, Prophesies of the Tibetan Government Oracles, published by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Tibetan Administration of the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala, 1996, p. 13.

“It is important that Tibetans should observe their commitments (dam.tsig) which is their obligation. Particularly, the issue of Gyalchen [Dorje Shugden] is a bad omen. In this direction, we, the formless, are aware that it does not harbor good. This should definitely be stopped (mtshams.’jog) in the region of Tibet. With respect to the issue of the unity of religion and politics [of Tibet] and the Ganden Potang government in particular, Gyalchen [Dorje Shugden] cannot demonstrate even a grain of benefit. He can never bring happiness for Tibet [or Tibetan people?].

June 14, 1995- Tsangpa Oracle Prophesy II

Prophesy (kha.lung) through the Tsangpa Oracle requested by the Cabinet of the exile government: Prophesies of the Tibetan Government Oracles, pp. 14-17.

“An important current issue is that if you continue to go through the motions of government service as if it were punishment instead of serving the Ganden Potang government with total loyalty it is possible that this may pose a serious threat to the well being of Gyalwa Tenzin Gyatso [the Dalai Lama]. A grave issue has arisen concerning the administration of the Ganden Potang. One thing that I, the Tsangpa Dhungthoed Chan, have to say about this explicitly is that [Tibetan] worship of deities has now reached a critical stage. It is extremely sad that Gyalchen [Dorje Shugden] the Chinese spirit is being worshiped.

Even though [Gyalchen] angers Gyalwa Tenzin Gyatso [the Dalai Lama], there are those who worship him [Dorje Shugden] and who revere him in secret. Not only are there such worshipers in Tibet, there is deep reverence for him even among government employees. This is very harmful. That he is of great harm has already been said by Dorje Dragden [Nechung].

In this regard there is a popular perception that there is acrimony between Dorje Dragden [Nechung] and Gyalchen [Dorje Shugden]. That can never be true. For the success of Buddhism and the Ganden Potang government, Dorje Dragden continues to extend to me complete support and since I too am to pursue this path completely, that if the Cabinet and the People’s Deputies [Assembly] do not strictly decide this issue and adhere to it, even though Buddhism may spread and even though the causes for the speedy freedom for Tibet may have begun [to grow], Gyalchen [Dorje Shugden] is sowing dissension [among Tibetans] by employing Chinese spirits and [furthermore] taking advantage of being a formless entity to vocalize and spread misinformation and thereby supporting China. This is a grave matter. Interesting to note here is that the Buddhists who rely on Dorje Shugden strongly favor Tibetan independence. Thus, it is difficult to reconcile that they would be working for the Chinese who are so adamantly against Tibetan independence. It is almost as if someone were trying on purpose to divide the Tibetan people along these lines, zeroing in on the deepest karmic weakness of the Ganden Potang government brought forward into the twentieth century. One has only to ask, in whose interest would such a division be?

We recommend rituals toward the well being of Gyalwa Rinpoche [the Dalai Lama]. Nevertheless, it is our serious concern that there needs to be strict adherence to the wishes of His Holiness and internal unity. Whether it be the People’s Deputies or an ordinary Tibetan, it is unacceptable for anyone to engage in partisan politics.

Of the honest guidelines stipulated by [His Holiness] in this regard, the most important is that regarding the worship of deities. If the common Tibetans and the government employees in particular do not heed those guidelines, there will be great loss for all.”

When in 1995 someone claims that the seeds of freedom for Tibet are flourishing when the Chinese have vowed to wipe out even the name of the Dalai Lama from history seems a blatant contradiction. In fact, this sounds so absurd that one must conclude something else entirely must be going on here. I think it is that the demonization of the Dalai Lama by the Chinese which started in 1995 is passed right on to Dorje Shugden. Perhaps he is strong enough to carry such a heavy burden.

Who is to say which would be a greater loss to the tradition of Buddhism, a Dalai Lama shouldering the blame for the loss of Tibet, no doubt unjustly, or Dorje Shugden and the split banning him has caused within Buddhism? All we know for certain is that the demonization of Dorje Shugden split the Tibetan community. It drove underground many genuine Buddhist practitioners and their practices, leaving in the larger public view mostly those who know how to play their political card correctly.

Another interesting point about this “prophesy” is the claim that acrimony between Nechung and Dorje Shugden is impossible. This is a statement from an ultimate and exclusively religious point of view also held by Buddhists who rely on Dorje Shugden. Clearly there is a danger to the Ganden Potang government of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese have been working hard to destroy it for the last fifty years.

Blaming Dorje Shugden for the actions of the Chinese makes the issue a political one. Dorje Shugden is — even for the government protector through this oracle — a matter of politics. The issue the oracle points out, it is about the [deposed] Tibetan government, that is, the institution of the Dalai Lama. It is political, especially when it concerns the Chinese.

In one trance ceremony of Tsering Chenga, the female oracle tells that Dorje Shugden prevented her from raising the Tibetan flag on the Potala in Lhasa. Some of the prophesies of these oracles are published by the exile government’s Department of Religion and Culture, 1996: gzung.bsten bod.skyong lha.srung khag.gi rdo.rje bka’.lung bzhug.so // implying that Dorje Shugden works for the Chinese.

1995- Exorcism Rituals Against Dorje Shugden

Most government rituals are performed by Namgyal Monastery, special to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government. In the course of the ban, other monasteries were also asked by the government to perform anti-Dorje Shugden rituals, often without the participating monks knowing specifically who had ordered them. They performed massive exorcism rituals against Dorje Shugden. For some, the Dalai Lama is present. It is said that for thirteen days after the Tibetan new year celebrated in spring 1996, the government did rituals against Dorje Shugden.

Part 2: A response to the article from “TK” on the DorjeShugden.com forum

This forum post has been extracted from this forum thread: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=599.0

Dear everyone,

This extracted article above is very powerful. I will share my thoughts and comments on the article above. It is what I have believed also for the last decade and a half. It concurs with the prophesy from Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche in the late 70′s which is that, in the future, it may look like the Dalai Lama is at odds with Dorje Shugden, but in actuality they are helping each other to make the Buddha Dharma grow in the world.

1. Dorje Shugden acts in the Bodhisattva manner accepting criticism, hate campaigns and the ‘destruction’ of his practice. He does this because it serves a bigger purpose for the overall survival of Buddhism in the world for the future. Why? It is easier to resurrect or perform a “Lazarus” on Dorje Shugden in the future when the smoke clears, than it would be for the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is a man and controlled by media, opinions, people, circumstances and etc. But Dorje Shugden is a formless entity that can “rise” above all of that very quickly when the time is right.

2. Whenever Dorje Shugden takes trance in any of the oracles, he never criticizes the Dalai Lama. In fact, he is known for telling the audience to always withhold criticism towards Dalai Lama. He does not have to say this; he could say nothing about the Dalai Lama and just keep quiet. Dorje Shugden is well known for not answering questions that have little meaning, or that are insignificant or unacceptable to the listener. When questions are presented to him through the oracle, he often bypasses questions which should not be answered at that time or which have no meaning.

3. With all the destruction happening against him, he never comments, speaks against nor gives advice towards undharmic actions. This is because the situation can all be fully reversed in a short time when the time is right.

4. Temporarily, Dorje Shugden will accept the claim that he is the cause for the loss of Tibet, or the cause for why Tibetan cannot be regained… but in the end truth will arise. Dorje Shugden will reveal the true “plot” which Trijang Rinpoche had already hinted at in the late 1970′s. (I fold my hands to Trijang Rinpoche and prostrate my full body to Him. I offer my head as a stepping block for his feet. I truly have confidence in this great being.)

5. Dorje Shugden is strong enough to carry such a burden. Dorje Shugden practitioners are resilient enough to not abandon his practice during this crisis. Both Dorje Shugden and his true followers will not abandon each other no matter what is said and done temporarily at this time. Both can carry the burden. I personally do not dislike or hate the Dalai Lama but have confidence in him and my own sacred Protector Dorje Shugden. I choose to believe and take refuge in Trijang Rinpoche’s prophecy. The other two options of hating Dalai Lama and /or abandoning Dorje Shugden are not open to me, nor would I choose any of the two options.

6. Why would Dalai Lama act, talk and promote so many contradictory actions that makes himself look unstable? …. Unless it is all being done on purpose. I believe that truly. He is not stupid.

7. If Kache Marpo (Dorje Shugden’s main attendant) has ‘destroyed’ Lamas, people and practitioners in the past for breaking samaya or polluting the Yellow Hat teachings (Gelugpa), then why are Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kashag, Kalons, Ministers, Kunga Tara, and even the Dalai Lama himself spared? … Unless there is a much bigger soup brewing.

8. Nechung is the one who requested Duldzin Dragpa Gyeltsen to arise as a uncommon Protector to protect Nagarjuna’s view, as embodied within Lama Tsongkapa’s lineage, 350 years ago. Why would the same Nechung be speaking the opposite now when he talks and advises against Dorje Shugden?… Unless there was a larger plan between Dorje Shugden, Dalai Lama and Nechung. Seems like a hopeful fantasy? Well, to many more, the idea of a Dharma Protector or Dorje Shugden itself is a fantasy made up by the Tibetan Lamas. So which do we choose to believe?

9.If Dorje Shugden is so powerful (which he is), why doesn’t he do something to stop all this? Perhaps it is because it is not time to ‘stop’ all this yet. In fact, Dorje Shugden is putting his followers through ‘hell and back’ (excuse me) and we have to just take it. Yes we will ‘take’ it. There has to be a much bigger game plan. Dorje Shugden takes the blame and Dalai Lama works hard to make the Buddha Dharma grow while all of the next generation of elite Lamas and teachers are still young.

Those who take refuge in the Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden will not give up on both. They are strongholds for the growth of Buddhadharma and the ‘re-arisal’ of Dorje Shugden in the near future. If the Dalai Lama is so powerful (which he is), why doesn’t he just do a binding ritual or fire puja himself and rid the planet/samsara of this horrible demented being called Jamgon Gyelway Tensung Gyelpo Dorje Shugden? And then stop spending so much time, money, heartaches, energy, resources to keep going against Dorje Shugden?! Just get rid of him once and for all. The end. Why not?

The Dalai Lama hasn’t done this because he cannot destroy a being who has actualized the complete path of Guhyasamaja in both completion and generation stages – in other words a being who is a Buddha. The Dalai Lama cannot destroy Buddha Dorje Shugden who is one with Guhyasamaja and whose 32 deities in his mandala are the same as the 32 deities in Guhyasamaja’s entourage.

So for the bigger purpose, the Dalai Lama has to put the blame of all the ills of Tibet’s misfortune onto Dorje Shugden who is strong enough to shoulder this. Dorje Shugden plays the bad guy for now. If the blame was placed on the Dalai Lama, it would spoil his reputation. This would limit him from spreading the Dharma on a global scale, which is what he is doing now. He is planting seeds of Dharma on a global scale so that they will ripen for the young Lamas as well as Dorje Shugden to take over later.

The ills of Tibet are not the Dalai Lama’s nor Dorje Shugden’s fault, but the Tibetan people’s own fault. However, for most of the world, karma is not accepted, so the blame would go to the leader of the people – which is the Dalai Lama. We cannot afford this at a time when no one else can spread Buddhism the way the Dalai Lama can.

Think through this carefully to come to terms with the pain in your heart. I do not blame you for the pain. You are not at fault. You are part of a bigger plan. I’ve had many pains in my heart that I have come to terms with and am some still working on because of this issue. We are all part of a bigger plan. This sounds clichéd, but it is true. It is easier to get through the storm with this way of thinking.

10. If the Dalai Lama loses his reputation because he is the ’cause’ for the loss of Tibet, then it would stain his reputation greatly and that would hinder his promotion of the BuddhaDharma around the world, to say the least. No other Lama of any tradition can match the skills, persona, knowledge, title and charisma of the Dalai Lama to spread Buddhism so far and wide around the world.

11. Why can’t the Tibetan Government and various Monasteries destroy Dorje Shugden through binding rituals? Because they have tried to and not been successful – Dorje Shugden has not been destroyed. This shows the power of Dorje Shugden purposely. People will keep this power in mind, remember it when they re-adopt Dorje Shugden’s practice later. This leaves a mark in people’s minds that Dorje Shugden cannot be defeated nor destroyed.

12. The Dalai Lama has given the incarnation of his teacher, Trijang Rinpoche, the special exception to practice Dorje Shugden. Why is Trijang Rinpoche allowed to practice Dorje Shugden if it harms the cause of Tibet and brings danger to the Dalai Lama’s life? Because it leaves a mark for the future, to make the point that Dorje Shugden does not hinder the cause of Tibet nor the Dalai Lama. These are small traces of hints left by the Dalai Lama for the survival of Dorje Shugden. Someone has to take the blame. That is samsara.

13. Why does Dorje Shugden himself sit on the fence?’ He says on one hand to respect and follow what the Dalai Lama says, but on the other hand, he told the Shar Gaden monks (who are ardent Dorje Shugden practitioners) that if their motivation for opening Shar Gaden was for the growth and preservation of the lineage, then it would be auspicious in the future. Doesn’t that look contradictory? C’mon, which one is it, Dorje Shugden? Clear it for us. If we were to follow what the Dalai Lama says, why open Shar Gaden and Serpom Monastery? If we were to follow what Dorje Shugden says, then why even be on this forum as he tells us to always respect the Dalai Lama?

Should we open Shar Gaden which ‘opposes’ the Dalai Lama or should we listen to the Dalai Lama and abandon Dorje Shugden’s practice? Even the great Dorje Shugden sounds contradictory.

Why does Dorje Shugden continuously take trance and give advice even to those who do not give their allegiance to the Dalai Lama while practicing Dorje Shugden? Doesn’t that damage the samaya of the individual with Dorje Shugden or with the Lama who initiated him into Dorje Shugden’s practice? Whichever way you look at it, you damage the samaya with either your guru or Protector.

The previous Zong Rinpoche, Dagom Rinpoche, Yongyal Rinpoche, Geshe Tendar, the current incarnations of Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and Pabongka Rinpoche, Gonsar Rinpoche, the oracle monks, Gangchen Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, etc. all took teachings from the 14th Dalai Lama, at one time or another. Let’s not forget that. If we have taken teachings from any of these Lamas, then 14th Dalai Lama is also our lineage Lama who we must respect. Isn’t this logical?

Since we say that the Dalai Lama must respect our lineage Lamas such as Pabongka, then we must also reverse the situation and respect the Dalai Lama as our lineage Lama. Either way, the system is set up for you to ‘lose’. If that is the case, there must be a MUCH BIGGER PICTURE so that current infractions with our lineage Lamas can be repaired later FOR THIS BIGGER PICTURE.

After all, with or without the current issue of Dalai Lama / Dorje Shugden, we were doing a great job collecting negative karma, breaking commitments, and generally creating the causes for our personal samsaras to remain in tact and strong on our own. Neither the Dalai Lama nor Dorje Shugden are to blame. Nor are they adding to it. We were in samsara before the Dalai Lama’s name and Shugden even ‘existed’ as we know them today.

Yes the Dalai Lama does look like he always contradicts himself. But so does Dorje Shugden. Again, this leads me to believe that they are cooking up something much bigger… or it is something that’s nearly cooked.

Yes, it is nearly cooked.

It is best to have respect for the Dalai Lama and keep up our practices towards Dorje Shugden steadily. Whatever the case, whether we go to the Dalai Lama’s ‘camp’ or we go to Dorje Shugden’s ‘camp’, we go against our lineage Lamas. So it is best to maintain equilibrium by thinking things out logically, following the law of cause and effect, and engaging in our practices to develop attainments within our continuum. With the great attainment, we win freedom totally. Then (without meaning any disrespect), we won’t need the Dalai Lama, Buddha, Dorje Shugden or anyone else. Actually, that is their original intention.

I have stated my thoughts at this time and I sincerely hope this will bring peace/understanding to the many practitioners that visit this great website. I do not wish to offend anyone with my thoughts, or to be right. It is just my attempt to think and reason things out at this time when not many other options are available. Again, I will never give up my Dorje Shugden commitments nor my commitment to the Lamas who gave me the practices. Nor will I demean and hate His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I will not hate those against Dorje Shugden, but forgive them.

Much success to all,
TK

The original forum post can be viewed at: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=599.0

To our friends of the Tibetan communities around the world,

We are writing to you today with a great wish for the continued success and growth of the Central Tibetan Administration and communities around the world. As you step into a new age, we understand the many challenges that you have struggled with in the last five decades as you reestablish your communities and leadership in places around the world. Your efforts are to be applauded.

However, we also believe that for a nation and its people to become truly progressive and compete on a global level, one needs to have a strong awareness of world history and issues, as well as a respect for the needs and freedoms of individuals.

We have recently come across some very powerful videos about some of the most unforgettable events in world history and current affairs. We would like to share them with you here, as an exchange of knowledge. We hope that this will help you in the development of your own policy and decision-making for the Tibetan people. It is important that we learn from the past, so we do not to make the same mistakes again in the future.

Below are six videos we have chosen specially for your viewing. We have also included here links to transcripts of each video for your easy reference. Below this are brief summaries of the videos with a few remarkable points of interest for you to consider and contemplate.

1. The Most Evil Men in History: Torquemada (of the Spanish inquisition)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7oIcvq62Qs
Download transcript here

2. The Most Evil Women in History: Bloody Queen Mary of Scotland

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Download transcript here

3. The Last Days: a documentary by Steven Spielberg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UlBo3GFgWY
Download transcript here

4. Christian Persecution in Iran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gLYOogKJe8
Download transcript here

5. Christian Persecution in Egypt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ2KC9RCTGY
Download transcript here

6. North Korea has the deadliest level of Christian persecution in the world

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_trSJf7Zec
Download transcript here

As you will see from the first three videos, first-world developed nations – the UK, Spain, Germany and other major countries in Europe – had horrific histories and suffered many traumatic ordeals, pain and even thousands of cruel deaths. All this was done in the name of religion – to protect religion or to defend what they called religious purity.

The strength of these nations now lies in the fact that they have gone through horrific pasts and realized that such violent, unjust ways of suppression and conversion do not work and do not serve the people and country. These videos point to the evolutionary growth within these countries and the process that has led to them giving their citizens more freedom and personal power.

From the tragic events they suffered, these leading countries in the world now strongly promote and uphold personal freedoms – for example, the freedom of religion, speech and movement. When citizens of a free and truly democratic country have more freedoms, they are enabled, empowered and encouraged to do more for their country. They have the freedoms to learn and continuously explore new horizons. This is why these countries now produce such progressive and world-famous leaders, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, innovators etc. Imagine how different things would be if they had not gone through such histories – what dark ages they would still be in and what limitations their people would still suffer.

In contrast, consider the last three videos on the list above, which documents the strong, violent religious persecution that is still happening in countries today around the world. Iran, Egypt and North Korean have been featured in news reports globally for their terrible abuse of human rights and for their obvious oppression, discrimination and violence towards religious minorities in their country.

Then, consider the state of those nations – they are not progressive, nor are they counted among the most successful countries in the world today. They are still in much need of progress, are far behind on development and suffer continuously from internal conflicts. Comparatively, these nations are not wealthy and there are very few opportunities in life for their citizens. In the case of Egypt, the leaders oppressed their people so much that they eventually all stood up and revolted against the leader Mubarak to force him out of power.

So which situation will it be for the Tibetans? The success enjoyed by the progressive, democratic First World countries? Or the oppressed and limited state of these other more backward, undemocratic countries? Unfortunately, we know that the modern freedoms of the First World are not observed nor enjoyed within the Tibetan communities around the world. The restrictions placed on people who practice the Protector Deity Dorje Shugden reflects the same kind of religious persecution found in these videos. They may not be as violent, but they come from the same basis: Shugden practitioners are not allowed to have freedom of religion and they are denied equal rights and liberties that are enjoyed by all other citizens.

The people supporting the ban of Dorje Shugden say that they are doing so to protect the Buddhadharma and preserve the purity of Buddhist practice. This sounds just like what Torquemada said during the Spanish Inquisition against the Jews, and what Queen Mary Tudor said to defend Catholicism as she killed hundreds of Protestant Christians. It is also what some Muslims are saying today as they destroy Christians in their countries.

People who do not give up the practice of Shugden are not given the basic freedoms and rights of all citizens – education, jobs in the CTA, medical aid and general welfare. They are not allowed to openly communicate or befriend non-Shugden practitioners. Many are even physical attacked or exiled out of the community. Isn’t this very similar to what the Jews and Protestants went through in the past? Isn’t it the same as what is happening now to Christians in places like Iran and Egypt? Just see the videos to see what discrimination they suffered or are still suffering. There are many similarities to what is happening right now with Shugden practitioners.

As you watch the videos, consider for a moment what it means to establish policies and carry out actions against your fellow people in the name of religion. Is this what religion teaches us to do? It is illogical to say we want to preserve religious purity, but we are engaging in acts that are opposite to what our religions teach. There is no religion in the world that encourages us to harm another person in any way.

We are not sending these videos and letters to you as a criticism or to insult you. We are sending this out of a concern and with care to help your administration to be more progressive, to care better for your Tibetan people. It is to help you to evolve faster, the same way that all these powerful countries have developed throughout history. It is to help you to become a very powerful people and nation, with powerful individuals who can contribute actively and freely to the world.

We have only good hopes for your administration leadership and wish you the best for your future as a leading nature in the world. Please do take the time to watch these videos and take heed of our sincere request to you to open your views to these histories of world religion. May these videos and this letter contribute to the further growth, openness and freedoms of your government and community.

Our best wishes,
dorjeshugden.com
dorjeshugden.net
xiongdeng.com

Brief Summaries of the 6 Videos

The Most Evil Men In History: Torquemada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEErOUmX3JE

Torquemada was a Spanish Catholic monk who lived during the 15th century and became known for the “religious purity” he tried to create in Spain, by persecuting and expelling tens of thousands of Jews and Muslims. They were persecuted and suppressed only because of their religion. This is very similar to what is happening with the Dorje Shugden practitioners who are excluded from their community only because of they hold different religious views.

As Torquemada was very close with the King and Queen of the time, he even managed to convince them and the Pope – the Supreme head of the Catholics – to give him full power to do as he pleased, in the name of religion.

For years, Torquemada oversaw and instructed the cruel interrogation, torture and deaths of Jews and Muslims in Spain, just because they were of a different religion. Ironically, Torquemada himself came from a Jewish lineage.

Neighbors and families turned against each other, entire communities were humiliated and later forced to convert or be exiled. Anyone who showed any resistance would be mercilessly tortured and burnt alive.

(0.55mins)
“In the name of his religion, Torquemada forced almost every Jew out of Spain, destroying their lives forever.”

(18.38mins)
“Bolstered by Torquemada in March of that year, Ferdinand and Isabella issued and edict of expulsion that gave Spanish Jews until July to accept Baptism or leave the country. Its terrible words read: “We command all Jews and Jewesses of whatever age to depart from our said kingdoms and dominions with their sons, daughters, manservants and Jewish manservants, or they shall incur the penalty of death without further trial, declaration or sentence.”

(19.30mins)
“After we had been exiled from Spain, our ancestors have vowed never to go back to Spain because of the sufferings we suffered and for no reason either, just simply because you are a Jew.”

(22.10mins)
“Torquemada’s relentless pursuit of the conversos and the Jews would continue for another 6 years, as the Inquisitor General tortured, burned and expelled his way to a “pure” Christian Spain.”

The Most Evil Women in History: Bloody Queen Mary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mvchc1Jemk

Queen Mary lived at a time when the religious scene of England was changing dramatically. By her father’s decree, a new school of Christianity was emerging – Protestantism.

Queen Mary, a devout and devoted Catholic, developed an intense hatred for the Protestants, feeling that they were deviants of the real church. For most of her life, she and her mother, Queen Catherine of Aragon were grossly mistreated by her father, King Henry the 8th. It was this king who created this new Protestant Church which would allow him to divorce and remarry another 5 times. Queen Mary saw this as the highest kind of betrayal and would use the rest of her life planning revenge upon all Protestants.

When she finally rose to power as the ruling Queen, Bloody Mary did everything she could to restore the religious “purity” of Catholicism in England. Protestants everywhere were rounded up and burnt. In her 3 ½ year reign, she sent 300 people to be burned in the name of her religious fanaticism, believing that doing this was a way of preserving religious purity. In the name of religious purity, she had hundreds of people killed just because their religious views were different. This is just like what the Shugden people are suffering now when they are segregated and ostracized from their community because of their religious beliefs.

(12.22mins)
“Now she was queen, Mary would return her country to the Catholic fold by all means necessary. Protestant England was about to experience the revenge of Mary Tudor. After years of confusion, paranoia and turmoil, the Catholic Queen Mary Tudor was in the position to avenge her Protestant tormentors. In her eyes, the crimes against her have been committed in the name of the Church of England. She would purge the nation of its satanic presence.”

(13.44mins)
“The horrific ritual of burning at the stake prove a useful tool for Mary and her government. ‘They want other people to watch and think heresy is an illness within the body politic and it needs to be purged, it needs to be burnt out and destroyed.’”

(14.22mins)
“Mary’s plan to cleanse England of the Protestant curse, turned into a frenzy of killing. Hundreds were burnt to death. First the bishops, then Protestant preachers and even their families. Burnings took place in town squares all over the country. Those classed as heretics were killed without mercy.”

The Last Days: A Documentary by Steven Spielberg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UlBo3GFgWY

This very moving documentary traces the journey of a five Hungarians who lived through the Holocaust of World War Two and survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. This was a time when the Nazis of Germany – under the leadership of Hitler – were gathering all Jews and racial minorities, and trying to exterminate them completely. (The Nazis were a very extreme, fascist political party that had come to power just before World War Two).

Hitler and his political party were obsessed with preserving the purity of the Aryan race, which he saw as superior. Therefore, this meant that he had to get rid of all other races that were regarded as “inferior”.

Millions of Jews and other minorities were rounded up and placed into large camps around Germany where they lived in poor, terrible conditions, made to work like slaves and mercilessly killed. It is estimated that 6 million Jews alone were killed during this time. Millions of other minorities – including disabled people and political opponents were also killed.

The Jews suffered all this torture, starvation and death all because of their religion. Doesn’t this sound like what is happening within the Tibetan Buddhist community, where Shugden practitioners are excluded, not given freedoms and even physically attacked because of their religion?

This documentary interviews 5 Jews from Hungary about their experiences during the time of the Nazis. It reveals the terrible ordeals they had to go through in the camps, seeing their families and friends being tortured and killed, and the traumas that have followed them for the rest of their lives. What kind of “purity” can we hope to achieve by doing so many terrible, impure acts to our fellow human beings?

(0.49mins)
“It was important to the [the Nazis] to kill the Jews than even winning the war.”

(Irene Zisblatt, 9.50mins)
“Most of them were people that we thought were our friends all these years, but they turned overnight on us, and went with the other side…”

(Irene Zisblatt, 13.34mins)
“Our friends, so-called, and neighbours, they were standing, lined up against the side of the road and they were yelling, ‘It’s about time. You go on out of here. We don’t need any Jews in our town. We need to get rid of all you Jews.’ I stood and I could not believe my eyes. The people I went to school with… their children. I went to school with their children, we were friends, we were sharing things together… Why are they so hostile? Why do they hate us all of a sudden?”

(Renee Firesome, 25.21mins)
“My mother was selected at the railroad station; gone to the left, while my sister and I went to the right. My mother was taken straight from the railroad station to the gas chambers. By the time my sister and I were processed into the camp, my mother as no longer alive.”

(Tom Lantos, 35.10mins)
“The sadism, the cruelty, the irrationality of the German and Hungarian Nazis of killing the remaining Jewish population when the war was all over, when they could have gained “brownie points” by being more civilized vis-à-vis these people, really was not present because their hatred was so blind.”

(Irene Zisblatt, 40:10mins)
“They took away my parents, they took my identity, they took away my siblings, they took away my possessions. There is something that they want from me. And then I thought of my soul and I said, “They’re not going to take my soul” and I decided right then and there, “I’m going to get up from this mud and I’m going to fight because I’m not going to become ashes.”

(Renee Firestone, 1:18:03mins)
“I don’t think that God created the Holocaust. I think that God gave us a mind, and a heart and free will, and it is up to man what he’s going to do with his life. And I blame man, not God.”

(Tom Lantos, 1:18:25mins)
“I cannot rationally explain, emotionally explain, intellectually explain the Holocaust. I cannot find a place for a higher authority in this nightmare.”

(Alice Lok Cahana, 1:18.44mins)
“What kind of people are we? What are the books teaching us? What is the difference between me and another child? What is the Bible teaching me? What is this about?”

(1:20:16mins)
“The Holocaust has to be taught as a chapter in the long history of man’s inhumanity to man. One cannot ignore the discrimination inflicted on many people because of race, colour or creed. One cannot ignore slavery. One cannot ignore the burning of witches. One cannot ignore the killing of Christians in the Roman period. The Holocaust is perhaps the culmination of the kind of horror that can occur when Man loses his integrity, his belief and the sanctity of human life.”

Christian Persecution in Iran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gLYOogKJe8

Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is home to 75 million people, with 98% of the population adhering to Islam. At least 450,000 followers of Christ live in Iran but they are constantly harassed, attacked and suppressed for their religion.

Christianity is an officially recognised religion in Iran but in reality, many Christians face oppression from their neighbours. In Iran, converting from Islam to Christianity is an offence which can be punishable by death.

This is very similar to incidents within the Tibetan communities, where Dorje Shugden practitioners are harassed and mistreated by their fellow Tibetans. Just like Christians in Iran, Shugden practitioners live in fear that they will be attacked or kicked out of their communities just because of their religious beliefs.

(1.50 mins)
“Many people in the West are surprised to hear that in much of the Middle East, the majority of pressure against Christians comes from members of their own families. “The night that our family discovered that I’m a Christian and my wife is a Christian, they kicked us out of their house. For some time, we didn’t have any place and we were sleeping on the streets.”

(2.29 mins)
“Government and religion are the same in Iran so when you change religion, in one way you’re saying, ‘I’m rejecting your leadership in my life.’” The Iranian government won’t tolerate any form of opposition, or any form of grouping which is considered a threat to the Islamic Republic.”

(3.30 mins)
“The Iranian government imposes harsh punishments for anyone discovered to be a Christian, using violent tactics to pressure them to convert to Islam.”

Christian Persecution in Egypt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ2KC9RCTGY

The Christian population of Egypt makes up 12.8% of the country’s population. Most of the Christians are known as Coptic people. This is a significant percentage but Christians remain a minority in a society that is very strongly Muslim.

The last 10 years have seen high levels of violence and terrible discrimination against what are called the Coptic Christians. It is not uncommon for girls to be raped, for Christian celebrations to be attacked by drive-by shootings and for Christians to be indiscriminately killed just because of their religion.

Harassment, discrimination and financial incentives for Christians to adopt Islam are also used to break the strength of the Christians. Although the country’s constitution allows freedom of conversion, Muslims converting to Christianity are not able to change their religion or their name on their identification cards. Without this change, Christian women remain designated as Muslims and are unable to marry Christian men.

This discrimination is very similar to what the Dorje Shugden practitioners experience. Shugden practitioners cannot marry or be friends with non-Shugden people. The Egyptian government claims that there is freedom of conversion but this is not true, as you see in the video. Similarly, the CTA claim that the Tibetans have freedom to choose whether they practice Shugden or not, but in reality, this is not the case: people who choose Shugden are not permitted any of the usual rights and freedoms of other citizens. What kind of “choice” is this?

(1.00 min)
“Although Christians and Muslims have lived in relative peace in Egypt, in recent decades, religiously-motivated violence against the Christian minority has been escalating.”

(5.29 mins)
“So if I was a Coptic wanting to become a Muslim, they’re free to do that. But to go the other way, you can’t do that. You can’t leave Islam, and join the Coptic Church or the Baptist Church, or an Evangelical Church or Presbyterian Church. It’s not permitted in their society.”

(6.22 mins)
“Mohammed Hijazi’s case, it caused quite a stir in the media, where you had Islamic leaders coming out and saying this man must be insane, and his own father said he would kill him.”

(8.19 mins)
“We don’t have anything to defend ourselves except through prayer, fasting and good will. And that’s it.”

North Korea has the deadliest level of Christian persecution in the world

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_trSJf7Zec

North Korean today continues to be run as a total dictatorship under the rule of Kim Jong-Il and his father Kim Il-Sung. Christian groups around the world consider this country the worst place in the world for Christians to live with the worst and most deadly kind of persecution.

Because the North Koreans are encouraged to “worship” nobody except their country’s leaders, any religious belief or worship of any one else could mean someone is killed – not just the individual but three generations of his family will be killed. The North Koreans are taught to view their leader like a God, and that everything he says must be followed or they will suffer grave and terrible consequences. Even speaking about their religion or being caught with any religious items on them can mean an immediate death without trial.

All this is happening right now as we speak in North Korea.

Isn’t this very similar to what is happening with Dorje Shugden practitioners? They suffer just like the Koreans: if a man practices Shugden, his whole family is excluded from society and denied any rights. Everyone is forced to accept what the Dalai Lama has stated even if he is not their Guru. This is like the North Koreans forcing everyone to “worship” their dictator leader Kim Jong-Il and persecuting people who choose to follow a different belief.

(3.19 mins)
“Today, an estimated 40,000 Christians are being held in North Korean prison camps. One out of every 10 Christians in this country is suffering cruel imprisonment.”

(3.38 mins)
“There were two of us who escaped. We were looking for a way to provide food for our family. The vast majority of people are extremely hungry. But Christians are the last to receive any allowance for foods. Everyone uses the black market to survive. My younger brother was taken by immigration authorities. Since then, no one has heard about where they took him or even if he is still alive.”

(5.54 mins)
“In North Korea, Christians constantly fear being discovered. There is severe punishment if they are found guilty. That’s huge because it means death! The North Korean government can’t stand Christians worshipping God since they force people to worship Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il as their gods.”

(10.49 mins)
“Many in the West are not aware of the suffering endured by North Korean brothers and sisters. In North Korea, if people believe in God and are caught by the Kim Jong-Il government, they are killed along with three generations of their family.”