Author Topic: EXILES IN EXILE - Info pack of the Human Rights Situation of Tibetan Buddhists  (Read 61739 times)

Admin

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Please send this letter together with the attached info pack to relevant parties:

Dear Madam/Sir,

May we take up your precious time for a few moments to consider our request for your help by studying the following compilation of materials regarding the human rights situation of Tibetan Buddhists?

Our concern is threefold:

1)      The monks who have been expelled from their Monasteries by the Tibetan Government in Exile on the grounds of their practice of the protector deity Dorje Shugden – a deity regarded as one in nature with Manjushri, the Buddha of wisdom by the most exalted masters of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism including the Junior Tutor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (the Dalai Lama himself has propitiated this deity for a quarter century and written a beautiful praise to it) - having literally become 'exiles in exile', and facing very severe social and spiritual ostracism as we speak, which contradicts both the Indian law which grants religious freedom to all its citizens, the constitution of the Tibetan Government in Exile itself, and the universal human right of religious freedom.

2)      The reputation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who has become 'the face of Buddhism' and a dearly loved champion of humanistic values globally, will inevitably suffer gravely if the Tibetan Government in Exile continue their incomprehensible and bare-of logic policy (their refusal of even once discussing this issue openly and fairly with the adherents of this practice is in stark contrast to the well-known emphasis of logic and fair debate in Buddhism) of verbal and actual persecution. This in turn would have sad consequences for all Buddhists regardless of tradition, and generally add to the prevailing mistrust and cynicism in the world we share today. Already now question marks are appearing in the minds of many 'insiders', and as such strange and bewildering news begin to spread from India to the world at large, the overall motivation of His Holiness will be put to question by many. Sadly, His Holiness, along with Samdhong Rinpoche (the prime minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile) are being called to Delhi 's high court on grounds of human rights/religious freedom violations.

We hope very much that the destruction of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's reputation can be avoided, and believe that this can be achieved by making available and publically discussing the actual facts and complex factors of this controversy which, as we are sure you will agree upon study of a more complete and less one-sided presentation thereof, has very little to do with Dorje Shugden, the deity in question. 

3)   The many teachers of our tradition that are constantly being doubted and harassed with rumors simply because their teachers are or include Dorje Shugden practitioners (it is an easily verifiable truth that there is probably not a single living teacher/practitioner in our tradition that has not either directly or indirectly received teachings and spiritual transmissions from the two most influential Gelugpa teachers of recent times, His Holiness Pabongkha Rinpoche and His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche (junior tutor to HH the Dalai Lama for three decades and backbone of the Tibetan nation during the cultural revolution), or one of their thousands of disciples. The most notable example is His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. Our teachers being associated with devil-worship, being against HH the Dalai Lama, being sectarian etc makes their great and selfless work near impossible. Please note here that all of the famous great masters who are now being accused of such horrible things have been devoted to and have served HH the Dalai Lama with their very lives to their dying day, have regarded him as a living deity and could never have even conceived of having negative thoughts of him. Many years ago, HH Trijang Rinpoche prophetically said: "Don't lose faith in His Holiness (the Dalai Lama); don't lose faith in Dorje Shugden. In the same way, we ourselves wish only good for His Holiness who provides so much hope and inspiration in this world, and pray for his long life every day at the conclusion of our spiritual practice. By the way, it is most evident that Dorje Shugden also cares infinitely for HH the Dalai Lama in the historic fact that it was him who helped His Holiness to escape from Tibet, urging him via oracle ( His Holiness requested HH Trijang Rinpoche to seek Dorje Shugden's advice at that critical time) to leave Tibet, and even providing the exact escape route. Lifting this strange ban would allow the Gelugpa teachers of our time to resume their work unhindered and thereby benefit so many living beings.

Thanking you from the heart for your time and care, we request you humbly to go through the materials here offered, investigate on your own and share your conclusions with your friends, colleagues, the press, the religious leaders and the politicians of your country and thereby provide most valuable and critical help to all involved. In the words of HH the Dalai Lama – problems need to be solved through dialogue and mutual goodwill, and you can help to make this happen by gently nudging this so far completely one-sided debate into the light of unbiased critical public awareness. Thank you, and may you be blessed with happiness and liberty.

With our very best wishes to you, regretting very much and asking your forgiveness to have to remain anonymous at this time for evident reasons –

The creators of the website www.dorjeshugden.com   

Ps, as perhaps more identification than a name, may we offer for your kind perusal two open letters to Samdhong Rinpoche, prime minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile, at the end (part 4) of the attached materials, written by the moderator of our site.

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Pps
A Brief Overview of the current situation taken from the www.wisdombuddhadorjeshugden.org, the attached info pack contains extensive background information for your kind perusal
Why is the Dalai Lama suppressing religious freedom?

Do you know...


* that the Nobel Peace Prize winner and supposed champion of human rights is busy at work removing the religious rights and freedoms of one section of his own Tibetan people and persecuting all those who are trying to stand up for these rights;


* and that he is using all his political power to destroy a well-loved and centuries-old religious tradition, causing huge confusion and pain among thousands of Tibetans;


* and that this religious tradition he is trying to destroy is the one taught to him by his own Spiritual Guide, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (1901-1981), the Junior Tutor of the Dalai Lama;


* and that in a world where the Western and American ideal is the separation of politics and religion to prevent such abuses of power, the Dalai Lama is the very embodiment of the union of politics and religion;


* and that his actions are illegal and unlawful, directly contravening the Declaration of Human Rights, the Indian Constitution, and even the Tibetan government-in-exile's own constitution;


* and all this makes the Dalai Lama's actions contradictory and hypocrital - if you go around preaching non-violence and religious tolerance, it is hypocritical to then actively suppress religious freedom to advance your own political agenda of keeping control of the Tibetans:

...From the AP reports, Seattle , April 14, 2008 : Inside the ( University of Washington ) arena, the Dalai Lama received an honorary degree and spoke of the importance of employing dialogue and mutual respect to solve problems. "You will make this century of peace," the Dalai Lama told students. "Today's world (is) heavily interdependent. Destruction of your neighbor or enemy is destruction of yourself."

* and when you say "I now practice all Tibetan religious traditions and think you should too", maybe what you really mean is "I want to control all Tibetan religious traditions";


* and that the Dalai Lama's "spiritual" reasons for repressing the practice of Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden comes across as both superstitious and incompatible with basic Buddhist teachings:


For example, the Dalai Lama says that Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden is a spirit who causes harm to his own life and the cause of a free Tibet . However, every Buddhist knows that if you go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, you are protected from harm from spirits. So how can such a spirit harm a supposed Buddha? How can such a spirit affect the cause of a free Tibet ? It makes no sense, but of course these reasons are designed to produce a powerful emotional response in the intensely nationalistic, devout and loyal exiled Tibetans.


* and that, because of the Dalai Lama's calculated and uncompassionate political campaign of religious oppression, many Tibetans in India are now outcasts within the exiled;


* and that even Western followers of the Dalai Lama are blindly repeating his claims that those who are following this tradition are spirit-worshippers and a sectarian cult, despite all evidence to the contrary (in this way deliberately setting out to destroy the reputation of Western Dorje Shugden practitioners and prevent people attending their Centers);


* and that no matter how many peaceful representations, letters and petitions have been sent to him over the last ten years begging him to reconsider, he has ignored every single one and refused to engage in any dialogue;


* and that just because the Dalai Lama is a media darling of the West does not mean that he is infallible and above reproach, and that just because he is a supposed God King and Nobel Peace Prize winner does not make him above the law or immune to grave mistakes;


If you now read points 1-23 on the right, you will see actions and behaviour that are contradictory and hypocritical. If you say one thing to everyone in the West, but in your own backyard you engage in systematic calculated political religious repression, then what is the world to think?


The purpose of this website is not to slander the Dalai Lama, but to point out a grave mistake that he is making. We urge him, yet again, to lift his ban on the practice of the Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden and to ask his followers to stop persecuting Dorje Shugden practitioners right now.


We don't like hypocrisy. We hope you don't either.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2008, 07:53:57 AM by Admin »

Vajra

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Dear Admin, I was thinking that it would be useful that this letter may include the words of Kelsang's post "the 14th Dalai Lama is destroying the work of the 5th" in the forum:


Quote
The Dalai Lama claims he is following the 5th Dalai Lama in banning the practice of Dorje Shugden. In fact he is totally the opposite. The 5th Dalai Lama first thought that Dorje Shugden was an evil spirit and tried to stop the practice but later, in his old age, realized he was an emanation of Buddha and wrote praises to him, even making a statue of him with his own hands. The 14th Dalai Lama first relied upon Dorje Shugden as a wisdom Buddha Protector and later abandoned both him and his own teachers.

This statue was made by the 5th Dalai Lama himself and given to the Pelgeyling monastery wich is now in Swayambhunath, Kathmandu, Nepal. Right now the henchmen of the 14th Dalai Lama were sent there to put pressure on the monks and destroy their Shugden practise!
 

theloneranger

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hi guys

i can't seem to find email address's for human right organisations, also i don' have a printer available thats why it's easier for me to send emails. But then again maybe i should buy a printer!

If anyone knows any direct email address's for any human rights organisations, please can you email me. But then again i think it's better if we send by post as you can imagine how many email's they recieve everyday.  Thanks admin for the info pack and letter, you are a bodhisattva, i rejoice in your hard work! 

Thanks

The lone ranger

theloneranger

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hi

actually i found these on the important emails from admin I've emailed them all the letter and info.  Maybe i will print the letter out and info pack and send them all the info pack through the post as well, as i can use the company photo copier for free. if anyone can supply anymore names and address's i would be grateful.

NGOs in UK and International
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];   
[email protected];
[email protected] ;
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];

International Coalition for Religious Freedom
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 404-N
Falls Church, VA 22043, USA
Tel: 703-790-1500
Fax: 703-790-5562
Or you can E-mail us at [email protected]


Freedomhouse.org
[email protected]


The Rutherford Institute
Post Office Box 7482
Charlottesville, VA 22906-7482
Phone: (434) 978-3888*
Fax: (434) 978-1789
*(8:30 AM - 5:00 PM EST)
Legal help: [email protected]
General inquiries: [email protected]


Foundation for Religious Freedom
Tel: 800-556-3055
Address: 1680 N. Vine St., Suite 415, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://forf.org


Nobel Peace Center - http://nobelprize.org/nobelpeacecenter/index.html


UN Commission on Human Rights
OHCHR address:
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Postal address:
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 22 917 90 00
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/2/chr.htm


Scott Harrison <[email protected]>
Urgent Action Network Coordinator in the United States


The International Secretariat <[email protected]>
Amnesty's central administrative office
Amnesty International - http://www.amnesty.org/en


Human Rights First
333 Seventh Avenue,
13th Floor
New York, NY 10001-5108
Tel: (212) 845 5200
Fax: (212) 845 5299
For media inquiries please contact
Krista at (212) 845-5207
For comments, please write to:
[email protected]

Human Rights First
100 Maryland Avenue, NE;
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20002-5625
Tel: (202) 547 5692
Fax: (202) 543 5999


The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 605, Washington, D.C. 20036
phone: 202.955.0095 · fax: 202.955.0090
becketfund.org


Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor
New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
Tel: 1-(212) 290-4700, Fax: 1-(212) 736-1300
[email protected]


Human Rights Watch
Poststraße 4-5
10178 Berlin, Germany
Tel. +49-(0)30-259306-10
Fax. +49-(0)30-259306-29
[email protected]


Human Rights Watch
Avenue des Gaulois, 7
1040 Brussels
Tel: 32 (2) 732-2009
Fax: 32 (2) 732-0471
[email protected]



Human Rights Watch
325 W. Huron, Suite 304
Chicago, IL 60610
Tel.: 312-573-2450
Fax: 312-573-2454
E-mail: [email protected]
Website


Human Rights Watch
2nd Floor, 2-12 Pentonville Road
London N1 9HF, UK
Tel: 44 20 7713 1995, Fax: 44 20 7713 1800
E-mail: [email protected]
Website


Human Rights Watch
11500 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 441
Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
Tel:1-(310) 477-5540, Fax: (310) 477-4622
E-mail: [email protected]
Website


Human Rights Watch
6 rue des Graviers
92521 Neuilly Cedex
France
Tel: +33 (0)1 41 92 09 90
Fax: +33 (0)1 47 22 08 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Website


Human Rights Watch
P.O. Box 43
La Jolla, CA 92038
E-mail: [email protected]


Human Rights Watch
100 Bush Street, Suite 1812
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415.362.3250, Fax: 415.362.3255
E-mail: [email protected]
Website


Human Rights Watch
64-66, rue de Lausanne
1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 738 04 81
Fax: +41 22 738 17 91
E-mail: [email protected]
Website


Human Rights Watch
55 Eglinton Avenue East
Suite 403
Toronto, Ontario M4P 1G8
Tel: 416.322.8448
Fax: 416.322.3246
E-mail: [email protected]
Website


Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009 USA
Tel:1-(202) 612-4321, Fax:1-(202) 612-4333
[email protected]


« Last Edit: May 28, 2008, 09:08:39 PM by theloneranger »

Thom Canada

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The Chinese government published its first working plan on human rights protection Monday, pledging to further protect and improve the country's human rights conditions in an all-round way.

The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010) issued by the Information Office of the State Council, or Cabinet, highlighted various human rights that would be promoted and protected in less than two years, from people's right to work, to the rights of detainees and the disabled.

Death penalty will be "strictly controlled and prudently applied," "impartial and fair trials" of litigants will be guaranteed, and the people will enjoy more rights to be informed and to be heard, the government promised.

More job opportunities will be created, per capita income will be increased, social security network will be broadened, and health care and education will become more accessible and affordable in order to guarantee the people's economic, social and cultural rights.

The document also detailed how the government will do to "guarantee human rights in the reconstruction of areas hit by the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province" on May 12, 2008, in which about 87,000 people were confirmed dead or missing, more than 370,000 were injured, and at least 15 million people were displaced.

"The realization of human rights in the broadest sense has been a long-cherished ideal of mankind and also a long-pursued goal of the Chinese government and people," said the document.

But the government admitted that "China has a long road ahead in its efforts to improve its human rights situation," though unremitting efforts have been made to promote and safeguard human rights since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, which "fundamentally" changed the fate of the Chinese people.

The government said the plan was framed in response to the United Nations' proposal, on the basis of past experience, "in the light of practicality and China's reality," and by following the essentials of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

DSFriend

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I've just came across this article "From Google to “Free Tibet”: an image of big, bad, horrific China" --> http://globalcomment.com/2010/from-google-to-free-tibet-an-image-of-big-bad-horrific-china/

Scroll half way down and you'll read,the following:
"Western celebrities have been notably silent on the issue of the persecution of Tibetan Buddhists who worship the deity Dorje Shugden. Perhaps it’s because it happened in India – and was orchestrated by followers of the Dalai Lama rather than by “communist China.”

DSfriend

kurava

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Despite the efforts of H.H. and the presence of other Tibetan masters living and teaching in the West, most Westerners don't really understand Buddhism beyond the superficial side of it. This is due to the lack of mass consciousness. They are mostly attracted to the sitting meditation aspect of it  - something they can relate to minus all the other 'religious' and cultural aspect of Buddhism. Their ' practice' is hence very selective and in a way incomplete with too much compromises.

In the same way, they like the universal appeal of H.H.'s talks and tailored advice to them. With endorsements by celebrities, and politician, it is easy to win over Westerners as no other Buddhist leader enjoy such attention and global publicity.

H.H. is now seen as pro US. The US government sees this as opportunity to exploit the situation in their politics with China, the emerging competitor of the US. Like it or not, the battle lines –H.H. for the West and DS supporters for the East - have been drawn. Therefore it’s no surprise if Western politicians are keeping one eye closed on the heroics and cries of the DS supporters. This is not new when religion is mixed with politics. The support given to Fa Lung Gong movement by US government was one previous example of the same manipulations by the US to destabilize China.

jessicajameson

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I'm really not trying to put down the efforts by the Admin who have so kindly put up a ready-to-be sent letter, with all the relevant address. It makes sending the letter so easy for us.

However, after following the news which only seems to show HHDL repeatedly rejecting and avoiding petitions and letters of plea and reasoning by Dorje Shugden practitioners, I only have reason to believe that sending all these letters will fall on a pair of deaf ears and two-closed eyes.

I think that it might be more effective if we kept spreading Dorje Shugden's practice and get more people involved in forums, such as this one. A growing number of proactive and steady practitioners would get HHDL's attention, which then the letters and petitions would prove to be more effective.

Besides this forum, the Dorje Shugden's Facebook page is another good way to reach out to those not in our neighbourhood.



samayakeeper

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While Admin's team is working very hard to promote Dorje Shugden by sending letters globally, we should assist in whatever way we can in this aspect. Yes, most of the letters sent may be disposed off after reading but they were READ. Maybe some anti Dorje Shugden people may get irritated, their eyes may go red and their ears may get itchy from hearing more people talking for Dorje Shugden's practice BUT these people would have SEEN and HEARD.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

yontenjamyang

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Dear samayakeeper,

Thanks for your posting today. Otherwise I may not notice this topic today. It is certainly a very good way to tell the world about the "apartheid" that is still being propagated among the exiled Tibetans in India. It is one thing to be discriminated by foreigners but certainly that cannot compare to being discriminated by your own kin.

We cannot stand by and do nothing. We need to inform the world about this atrocious situation. I do not think much has changed since 2008. In fact it has become worse.

I will personally distribute the letter and info pack to the relevant authorities around the world. We need to restart this again. Lets do it ALL OF US!


brian

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Whether CTA actually heeds (I hope they do!) The advises wrote in the letters sent to them or not, it is very crucial that we make our voices heard and what we can do to support the admin would be continuing promoting our cause to the world wide web and I do hope they are reading the letters and our forum comments here so as to let them know how the whole Dorje Shugden communities are feeling. I feel for the people who are being harshly discriminated by pro Dalai Lama followers. They certainly don't deserve this manner of treatments! We have to keep fighting and hope the day of lifting the ban will come immediately!

lotus1

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Thank you for taking time to compile the materials regarding severe social and spiritual ostracism that happens to practitioners of Dorje Shugden due to the ban. How would Buddhism which promotes peace and harmony let CTA to have people to do such swearing ? “I swear on the name of His Holiness and glorious Maxor Gyalmo (Protectress Palden Lhamo) to never venerate and worship Dorje Shugden and to never have any relation on material and other levels with those who worship Dorje Shugden. ” This is simply ridiculous!
Let’s promote Dorje Shugden forum and let more understand Dorje Shugden is not an evil spirit and how ridiculous the ban is in order to create the cause for the ban to be lifted soonest!

christine V

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Dear Admin,

With this Info Pack, it is not only useful to get the authority of Human Rights to understand more about the Ban, more over the "outsider" could understand the actual facts that is happening.

Easy for me to share with my friend who concerned about Dorje Shugden issues.
May the ban lifts fast, because many people are in need for Dorje Shugden helps.


thanks for the information.

buddhalovely

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Prisons in Tibet are full of people detained for simply expressing their desire for freedom. People have been arrested and sentenced to prison for peaceful acts, such as:

waving the Tibetan flag
distributing leaflets
sending information about events in Tibet abroad
Human rights Child, pedro saraiva, credit.jpgThe Chinese deem these acts as ‘splittist’ or ‘subversive’.

Many Tibetans are imprisoned on unclear or unspecified charges, their families not informed of their whereabouts.

China attempts to control all information in and out of Tibet. TV, radio, printed media and the internet are subjected to strict monitoring and censorship.

Access is blocked to TV and radio broadcasters based outside China, which provide news services in Tibetan languages.

Foreign journalists are rarely allowed entry into Tibet, and when they are, they are closely chaperoned by Chinese officials.

xyz_generation

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Dear Admin,

Thank you very much for all those hard work. I will continue to send the Info Pack out to all my friends as a small effort to help in lifting the Ban. Keep up the good work. May the Ban be lift in a very near future.