dorjeshugden.com
About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: Manjushri on December 30, 2013, 09:22:39 AM
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We are all very familiar with a situation like this.
It's like when we go through a bad breakup or any breakup at all for the matter of fact, we want to disassociate completely with the other party. So we return everything that we have of theirs, or discard it, with hopes to make sure that the line is drawn. So when I read this article, it reminded me of that situation where the same theory would apply. If you don't want to associate with someone or something anymore, you would do everything you can to completely rid yourself from any sort of association with it.
Seems like the pro-ban monks and supporters don't really want to completely cut themselves off from DS practitioners, supporters and monks afterall.
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Unclean Offerings Should Be Returned
There were many sincere Dorje Shugden practitioners that lived within the walls of Ganden Shartse monastery in the past. Many of these practitioners were great Tulkus, Geshes and ordinary hard-working members of the monastic community. Needless to say, many of these practitioners have contributed everything they had towards the sustenance and expansion of Ganden monastery as a whole.
With the Dorje Shugden ban being ruthlessly enforced in the last decade, many of these monks had to flee to safety with literally nothing on their backs while the elders of Ganden Shartse stood idly by and did nothing to help. In fact, the elders of Ganden Shartse sat tight on the assets and coffers of the monastery, which include offerings and sponsorships made by Dorje Shugden practitioners.
For instance, all Geshes make offerings to the monastery as part of their geshe offering ceremony. And when the monastery is in need, the senior monks, tulkus, rinpoches and geshes will raise the necessary funds for building expansion, books, food and so forth. So why doesn’t the monastery return the offerings of Dorje Shugden practitioners after expelling the same Dorje Shugden monks from their walls?
On the one hand, the monastery accepts and retain donations from Dorje Shugden practitioners (the monastery doesn’t even question sponsors about their stance on the Dorje Shugden affair) but on the other hand, Dorje Shugden practitioners are shamed and expelled from the monastic community. There seems to be a contradiction here with the way the Dorje Shugden ban has been and continues to be enforced.
The Dorje Shugden ban requires total segregation between Dorje Shugden practitioners and the followers of the Dalai Lama. This segregation is heavily (even violently) enforced and no interaction is allowed between both parties as Dorje Shugden practitioners are seen as ‘contaminated’ and ‘unclean’. Shops in Tibetan communities display clear signs stating that Dorje Shugden practitioners will not be served. Schools and public service providers such as libraries deny entry to Dorje Shugden practitioners.
So complete and pervasive is the discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners that it is therefore surprising that the offerings and sponsorships from Dorje Shugden practitioners are still accepted, retained and used by the anti-Shugden monastic community. Given the illogical and discriminatory implementation of the ban, one would think that the offerings and sponsorships of Dorje Shugden practitioners would likewise be deemed unclean and unfit to be used by members of Monastery!
Take for instance the Mongolian Lama Guru Deva Rinpoche, widely regarded as the emanation of Gyenze and a great Dorje Shugden Lama. He had made the most generous offerings and donations to the Dalai Lama and the great monasteries of Ganden, Sera and Drepung in the earlier days when Tibetans coming into exile experienced hardship and scarcity.
During the height of the Dorje Shugden ban however, a Tibetan mob had tried to destroy Guru Deva Rinpoche’s ladrang in Drepung Gomang. Consequently, Guru Deva Rinpoche was forced to return to Mongolia – his homeland. The offerings and donations remain the property of Ganden, Sera and Drepung, who continued to speak against Guru Deva Rinpoche until his passing in 2009.
Another clear example occurred in recent years when Serkong Tritul Rinpoche invited Drepung Loseling’s Denma Locho Rinpoche to Taiwan to teach and transmit some important lineages. Tritul Rinpoche, along with Jamseng Rinpoche, are well known Dorje Shugden lamas while Denma Locho Rinpoche does not practice Dorje Shugden but neither does he discriminate against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
During this visit, a series of pictures were taken of Denma Locho Rinpoche and Jamseng Rinpoche (also known as Dromtug Rinpoche). These pictures were proliferated and became the basis for trouble between Denma Locho Rinpoche and the monastery and office of the Dalai Lama.
After the trip to Taiwan, Ganden Jangtse Gaser Tulku Rinpoche had requested Denma Locho Rinpoche to give a series of teachings at Drepung Loseling’s prayer hall. On the third day of the teaching, Drepung Gomang monks put up posters stating that monks shouldn’t attend the teachings as the great lama was ‘unclean’ due to his association with Tritul Rinpoche and Jamseng Rinpoche.
So concerned were the Ganden Jangtse monastic officials with being politically correct that they had the audacity to decree that any monks attending Denma Locho Rinpoche’s teachings would be expelled. Even the Dalai Lama, whom Denma Locho Rinpoche was personally very close to prior to the Taiwan incident, sidelined and basically ignored Denma Locho Rinpoche whenever he visited Ganden or Drepung monasteries. This is not just a great insult but has severe impact on the lama’s reputation in the monastery.
However, there is more to this series of incidents than meets the eye. During the Taiwan trip, Tritul Rinpoche and Jamseng Rinpoche had offered a large sum of money to Denma Locho Rinpoche, who then donated a large portion of this sum to Drepung Loseling. The money that was donated to Loseling (which clearly came from Dorje Shugden practitioners) was accepted and used for the expansion of the monastery, even while they ostracized and criticized this great master for his association with the same Shugden practitioners.
H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche is another great Dorje Shugden Lama who sponsored many buildings for Sera Mey monastery’s Tsangpa Khamtsen, including a prayer hall and monk quarters. Due to the ban, he was unceremoniously cut off while the monks continue to inhabit the buildings that he sponsored. In yet another example, Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel, the ex-abbot of Ganden Jangtse is a great Dorje Shugden practitioner who sponsored millions for the massive Jangtse prayer hall that is still in use today. These are just a few notable examples of Dorje Shugden lamas who have made tremendous contributions to their various monasteries.
Therefore, if the monastic community and indeed the Tibetan laity insist on upholding this ridiculous ban that in fact infringes on the human rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners, wouldn’t it only be fair that the monastery return these offerings? They would if they had any sense of integrity.
Integrity and keeping one’s vows and commitments are ideals that are supposed to be held more dear than our eyes, as Lama Tsongkhapa had said and upheld. With the deepest respect, the monastery should then also practice this and return whatever Dorje Shugden practitioners have offered in the past – be they monks or laypeople. At least, they would then be keeping to the letter of the (unfair and illogical) ban on Dorje Shugden instead of only choosing to do so when it is to their advantage. Why strive to appear politically correct yet live, eat, sleep, and practice in entire buildings built by the most devoted of Dorje Shugden practitioners? It boggles the mind.
Extracted from: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/unclean-offerings-should-be-returned/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/unclean-offerings-should-be-returned/)
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In the face of this adversity, the spotlight is on the Shugden sanghas. I see the great positive qualities in Shugden sanghas who have to endure all hardship and difficulties to build their institutions and facilities from scratch and did not pursue in battling their rights to their share after the "divorce". It clearly demonstrates their character, true practice, generosity and commitment to the lineage. They have big warm hearts for what they have garnered and offered to the 3 Jewels certainly collect immeasurable merits for their enlightenment. Nothing is lost nor wasted. The demerit is on the non-Shugden sanghas when they do not deserve what they have kept the "unclean" offerings for themselves from Shugden practitioners.
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I find this fact totally disgusting because up till today these monasteries that ostracised and condemned Dorje Shugden Lamas and practitioners, thanks to HHDL and the CTA of course, are still begging and looking for funds from Shugden Lamas to help and sponsor them! I have heard when Gaden Shartse monastery wanted to refurbished the stupa of His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche and H.H. Zong Rinpoche, the monks requested Shar Gaden to help them fund it... the cheek! So if Shugden Lamas are considered impure then their offerings would be impure as well, so why not return them back to these high Lamas? Has the Dharma degenerated to where there is no more integrity even in the sangha?
So it's not okay to mix and be friends with Shugden practitioners and Lamas but it seems it sure is okay to take their money and offerings. So I ask what makes YOU so different from the sneaky Chinese Govt? Both same, and a huge pot calling the kettle black!
All I can see is that the CTA is killing the Dharma and sangha within, to a point where by I am losing respect, trust and faith in Tibetan Buddhism as a whole that is under His Holiness and CTA.
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This is really sick and it reflects humanity's state of mind since thousands of years ago. Landlords and warlords would take everything and squeeze their servants dry of every penny while at the same time condemning, ostracizing and discriminating against them. This is what is happening now in Tibet whereby the so-called authority (HHDL and CTA) is bashing but also taking from those that they deemed wrong. While the author of this article questioned the logic behind the receiving of unclean offerings, I am of the opinion that the CTA and monasteries have no qualms in using sponsorships by Shugden Lamas and lay practitioners because if they were upholding the rule of clean offerings, they would not have inflict such unfairness and violence on Shugden practitioners in the first place. What is the point of offering seemingly clean outer offerings when both their inner and secret offerings are tainted with hatred and ignorance? ???
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Well. this is clearly selective choice on their part. Only "enforcing" what is beneficial to them and their so called "righteous" force of hand. Truly a crystal clear example of how sectarian and unpolitical these parties are. Shameful, greedy and cowardice actions, to hide behind spirituality!
It really is like one part of a couple asking for divorce but insisting they keep all the assets and monetary gains... how in this day an age something like this is allowed to happen? Time to pull those blinkers off and act together to get rid of this ridiculous BAN which is causing so much pain, hurt, anguish and divide!
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What hypocrisy! That is truly ridiculous. Keeping the funds from gathered from the people they now shun. That just goes to show the way people have used this issue of, as I have once heard it, so-called religious "impurity" for their own ends, regardless of what they tell and portray to other people.
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It is blatant display of ingratitude! It shows how very shameful and lack of integrity these administrators of monasteries had become. How could you treat your sponsors who had been so kind to you in times of need? Without their kind sponsorships, you won't be at where you are now!
If future potential sponsors were to find out about your insincerity and true colours, you can bid good bye to the very source of income to sustain the operation of your monasteries? Without these generous and compassionate sponsors you may have already become wandering monks because you won't be able to have a shelter to protect yourself from the elements.
Please be kind to Shugdenpas who had been your dearest mothers in your countless past lives!
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There is no gratitude whatsoever. One cannot develop compassion and peace from such acts. It is sending the message it is okay to WE CAN USE THE THINGS SPONSORED BY SHUGDEN PRACTITIONERS BUT THEY MUST BE BANISHED FROM THE MONASTERY. Good and loving people must not tolerate such act. Of course we do not use violence. Therefore we must inform that this is not good and it must stop just like how parents teach their kids. Sponsorship must go to those who practices the Dharma not to those who encourage violence acts and corrupt people's mind with lies.
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It is blatant display of ingratitude! It shows how very shameful and lack of integrity these administrators of monasteries had become. How could you treat your sponsors who had been so kind to you in times of need? Without their kind sponsorships, you won't be at where you are now!
If future potential sponsors were to find out about your insincerity and true colours, you can bid good bye to the very source of income to sustain the operation of your monasteries? Without these generous and compassionate sponsors you may have already become wandering monks because you won't be able to have a shelter to protect yourself from the elements.
Please be kind to Shugdenpas who had been your dearest mothers in your countless past lives!
Ingratitude is an understatement. CTA spells hypocrisy and greed. If you have so much principals and virtuous, return all the offerings to the Shugdenpas. That is what a clean break is: you keep what is yours and return what is not yours. I wonder how CTA prays to the Buddhas everyday thinking that they can fool the Buddhas.
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Its really unfair and some of these lamas that have given so much is not around with us anymore. I hope the incarnation comes back. It's incredible how the monasteries, monks and especially lay people treat High incarnate lamas when they know that they practice Dorje Shugden. Lately, an old monk of Trijang Ladrang was hurt because Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche did not renounce Dorje Shugden and attend the Dalai Lama's teachings. Come on! This is just too much. Violence will not get you anywhere. I read someone had commented that the DS monasteries of Shar Gaden and Serpom are gearing for more attacks because CTA is under pressure to do more. They even have a budget for this! Can you believe it? I can't and I hope the ban comes down very soon and I have a feeling the more they do, the faster the ban will come down.
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What hypocrisy! That is truly ridiculous. Keeping the funds from gathered from the people they now shun. That just goes to show the way people have used this issue of, as I have once heard it, so-called religious "impurity" for their own ends, regardless of what they tell and portray to other people.
Agree that it is a practice of hypocrisy to the highest point!!! Where the 3 great monasteries Gaden, Sera and Drepung got to today, a great part of it, comes from the contribution of Dorje Shugden practitioners like GangChen Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and many many more. Now that they have banned these practitioners, they should not take on the properties and funds that was brought in by those Rinpoches. So, it is ok for them to ban and be violent and still use the contributions??? If they act like what they have said, all should be returned!!!
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This is indeed very sad to see this hypocrisy happened in Buddhist community. While Buddha taught us to be generous and be kind to others, this kind of unkind, selfish act happen in Buddhist community, more so in monastery, worse still, this happens in the HH Dalai Lama's monastery. :(
A quote from HH Dalai Lama comes to my mind.. "If you cannot help the person, at least don't harm them". I think this statement has an exception, which applies to Dorje Shugden practitioners.
I just hope that CTA can be more fair when it comes to Dorje Shugden practitioners.
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It is so sad to hear about this ungrateful and non-virtuous action happening among the sangha communities. Sangha should be the examples for others to learn about the virtues such as compassion, generosity, kindness, gratefulness, etc. However, the acts that these anti-Shugden monasteries and CTA towards the Shugden practitioners are the opposite of what have been taught by Buddha and HH Dalai Lama. Not just being ungrateful on the offerings by the Shugden practitioners, they have even harm the Shugden pratitioners to the extend to a harmless old monk - http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/cta-creates-violence-again. (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/cta-creates-violence-again.) :'(
“When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others.” ~ HH Dalai Lama.
Please, lift the ban and be kind to the Shugden practitioners!
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It is one good example to let the world know that who is the real 'bad' guy is. In this midst of hardships and discrimination, all the pasts masters and dharma communities who chose to stick with the practise of Dorje Shugden have the right should they make noise and demanded the return of favour, offerings and properties which there have donated during the good times. Instead, with a compassion they have been quiet and endure the suffering and moved. And these bunch of people who afraid of the unknown and chose to be in the comfort zone which provided by Dorje Shugden practitioners. Fantastic!!!
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Dorje Shugden practitioners are so compassionate, generous and kind, why must you (CTA) imposed a BAN on this??? You guys from CTA must have all these facts and figures in hand before us !!! I just don't see anything wrong with Dorje Shugden practice !!!
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I agree wholeheartedly with this statement: Unclean offerings should definitely be returned!
When I think of those devoted Shugden Lamas, Geshes and monks who had to leave the monasteries because of the strict enforcement of the ban, leaving behind everything except the clothes on their backs; and when I think of the administrators of those monasteries that shamelessly kept all the offerings and donations of the monastics , I am filled with a sense of disgust that they would keep the so-called 'tainted' items of these monks, geshes and Lamas. Don't they have any integrity. If they are monks themselves haven' t they broken their vows and won' t they face the dire consequences?
On the other hand, if they had felt that these items were not tainted, then, by sheer logic, these Lamas, Geshes and monks were not ' tainted' by their practice of Shugden in the first place! Hence why the ban against the practice of Shugden, the supramundane Protector?
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This is indeed selective! What they deem as unclean and that does not benefit them directly they discard and what benefits them directly via their greed they deem acceptable... hypocritical and downright disgusting... but the question is why then is this ban still holding up? Surely the sheer illogical nature of its existence calls for its immediate removal...
Well, to be frank, this whole issue of the ban is still very much insular in its exposure, hence we as practitioners have to spread the word and let the world know of the existence of such injustice within the walls of a so called spiritual and peaceful establishment that is Buddhism. Education and Exposure is key!
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No way would these monasteries return anything sponsored because it would had been done so by now. I would not expect the present abbot of Gaden Shartse to do that because then he would have no monastery left!
I heard from a friend who is in contact with monks in Shar Garden telling him that some monks who are anti Shugden have the audacity to ask donation from some jindaks of lamas who have left their monasteries. What???
Yes, 'unclean' offerings should be discarded or returned with compassion to the 'unclean' benefactors. But no, I don't think so. No way, Jose.
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From Kopan Monastery to the Gaden Monastery and Sera Monastery in India, many of the existing assets , buildings and relationships were built by Dorje Shugden Lamas. Some of these Lamas single handedly brought the funds to build places like Sera, Kensur Lobsang Tharchin for example, Mongolian Guru Deva an emanation of Gyenze who supported Trijang Rinpoche. Lama Yeshe who helped build Kopan up and many lamas and monasteries and etc etc.
So many things were sponsored by Dorje Shugden lamas, why don't the current monasteries and CTA return all these to the current Dorje Shugden monasteries and the living Dorje Shugden lamas?
If material things can be blessed like robes of a pure monk can protect against spirits and have power to bless and protect, if material items came from for Dorje Shugden lamas is surely negative and the people who study in buildings built by Dorje Shugden lama is contaminated with Dorje Shugden energy?
If Dorje Shugden is such a demon and is only thinking about deceiving beings, what kind of realisations do the monks have of those who are now still using the buildings built by Dorje Shugden lama to study and meditate?
Also if the people who carry on doing Dorje Shugden practices have broken samaya with Dalai Lama then wherever they were and are now, those places are not fit for spiritual practice. We never go on pilgrimage at places whereby people have committed schism, we only head to where people have done virtuous and beneficial deeds. It is inauspicious to practice in a place where schism has been committed.
So would some mere incense offering and prayers remove the effects of the schism from the walls of the building? Schism is one of those 5 heinous crime that got Devadatta in a hot soup.
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Yup... This is the real issue here. The monasteries are so ungrateful and therefore unBuddhist in this way. How can they kick the sponsors and lamas out and keep the sponsorship and claim to be a Buddhist monastery. The hypocrisy created by the ban is incredible and monasteries should return the offerings or refuse to uphold the ban because it forces unBuddhist treatment of its monks and lamas. The damage caused by the ban is incredible and there must be a good reason the ban to be put in place other than political and egomania on the part of the Dalai Lama.
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If they returned all the offerings, wonder where would they sleep and sit for their pujas???
This is really SHAMEFUL and as members of sangha this kind of attitude is unacceptable and really drags the Buddha Dharma down!
Firstly you create disharmony, discrimination and hate amongst Dharma brothers and sisters.
Secondly you take from those you abuse.
What on earth? Even normal lay people do not do that what more monks and nuns? How can they sleep at night, knowing they slander and abuse the very people who gave them a roof and a bed? How can they pray and sit in their prayer hall and pretend to be holy and chant prayers for the benefit of all sentient beings yet they spit and throw rock and chase the very Lamas who sponsored the floor they sat on. What kind of holy crap is this?
This is truly a degeneration of Buddhism like what the Buddha himself has predicted where Buddhism will be destroyed not by the Talibans but by their own people. So disgusting this is... and do they think all their prayers and Boddhisattvas will bare fruits while they cause harm to the very Lamas who taught them, sponsored them and even fed them? Not even in the norm of society is this acceptable!
If you want to throw rocks on those that gave you help, then please return all the gifts and help you receive then you can point your dirty finger! Otherwise just SHUT UP and stop collecting NEGATIVE KARMA like you don't have enough of it already!