STATEMENT CONCERNING THE CULT OF DOGYAL/SHUGDEN

[DharmaSpace]

June 9, 2014 12:39 pm
We the undersigned Buddhist centers wish to express our full confidence in and respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our complete agreement with regard to the dangerous nature of the practice of the Dogyal/Shugden cult.

Since 1978 His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in his capacity as spiritual leader, has repeatedly stated publicly the extent to which the practice of the spirit called Dogyal/Shugden has degenerated, to the point of becoming a real cult, with strong sectarian features. In the past, this spirit was often invoked both as a Dharma protector as well as for more mundane purposes, but there have always been contradictory points of view about its nature and function. Thus, even though the Dalai Lama himself engaged in this spiritual practice until the age of forty, in 1975, after extensive research, he decided not only to cease this practice, but also to speak out publicly about the historical, social and cultural issues associated with this practice.

In short, the harmfulness of Dogyal/Shugden can be summed up as follows:

In spite of what his followers affirm, Dogyal/Shugden is not an enlightened protector, but a being arisen as an effect of distorted prayers and invocations.
His nature is that of a devilish harmful spirit.
His effect is that of destroying the Buddhadharma and harmony among practitioners.
The problems deriving from this practice can be summed up in three essential points:

There is the danger that Tibetan Buddhism could degenerate into a kind of spirit cult, as the practice of Dogyal/Shugden brings its followers to consider this spirit as more important than Buddha himself.
There is the actual possibility that this practice could be an obstacle toward the creation of a true non-sectarian culture, in total contrast with one of the objectives that His Holiness is mostly concerned with, namely, the fostering of true harmony amongst all religions.
Finally, there are problems connected to the preservation of Tibetan culture, which have existed since the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama (seventeenth century).
For these reasons, the Dharma practitioners belonging to the undersigned centers are constantly engaged in informing the public about the truth regarding this ancient issue, supported – as mentioned – by broad and carefully examined research. Out of great compassion, feeling strongly his responsibility as a religious leader – namely, as one who should indicate the correct spiritual path to be followed – His Holiness advises against the practice of this cult. He does this not for personal profit, but because the danger has been clearly shown.

Therefore, we the undersigned centers dissociate ourselves from and firmly condemn any protests against His Holiness the Dalai Lama carried out by organizations devoted to the Dogyal/Shugden cult, which organizations are carrying out an exploitative and denigrating campaign against Him, spreading accusations totally lacking any foundation:

1) His Holiness is accused of banning this practice. This is untrue, as the Dalai Lama himself has repeatedly stated that this is a decision that lies with each individual, and must be taken after a thorough analysis of what He says and not by a mere acceptance of His words. As for the request of His Holiness not to attend his teachings or empowerments, transmissions, and instructions as well as not to receive religious vows from Him by those who follow Dogyal/Shugden, the reason is that this will endanger both teacher and students because of a tainted relationship. As a spiritual master, His Holiness has every right to allow or not to allow anyone to access His teachings.

2) His Holiness is accused of suppressing freedom of religion. This is untrue, as nobody has ever been banned from invoking this spirit privately, in temples and monasteries where this practice is followed. There have been instances wherein Dogyal/Shugden followers left their monasteries of origin. This happened as a result of a referendum carried out in accordance with the rules of the monastic tradition of Vinaya. These monks were free to keep their own shares of money and land, and have been completely free to practice Dogyal/Shugden on their own without any threat to their activities. In addition, if they don’t have religious freedom, then how is it that the practitioners of Dogyal/Shugden can travel freely to all parts of the world, raising this issue and trying to find new supporters from amongst those who are in the dark about the facts?

3) They maintain that the Dalai Lama is lying. Such criticism has no solid base, since holding a different point of view from that of the Dogyal/Shugden practitioners is not lying, but only exercising one’s right of opinion.

4) They accuse the Dalai Lama of being the only one to hold this point of view. This is absolutely untrue, as the first controversies about this matter date back to the seventeenth century.

It is worth noting that the protests of some Shugden practitioners have degenerated to the point of criminal acts, such as the one perpetrated near Dharamsala in 1997, when two Shugden followers, currently wanted by Interpol, killed the Headmaster of the School of Dialectics at the time, together with two of his disciples. Moreover, it appears that these organizations have sided many times with the decisions by several Western governments not to meet with the Dalai Lama, because of the strong political and economic pressures exerted by the Chinese government (as recently happened in Norway), thus demonstrating that there are other interests at play beyond those aspects related to the religious tradition.

We invite all those who are unaware of this issue to pay careful attention when choosing their spiritual path, on the basis of thorough analysis and research, and we strongly reaffirm our full support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the international activities he has carried out for more than fifty years all over the world, where his figure is recognized as one of the greatest advocates for world peace and harmony in our time.

 S.No          Tibetan Buddhist Centres in Italy

1.                  Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia (Pi)

2.                 Ghe Pel Ling Istituto Studi Di Buddhismo Tibetano, Milano

3.                 Centro Milarepa Torino

4.                 Comunita’ Dzog-Chen, Arcidosso (Gr)

5.                 Fpmt Fondazione Per La Preservazione Della Tradizione Mahayana, Pomaia (Pi)

6.                 Centro Studi Kalachakra,  Bordighera (Im)

7.                 Centro Dharma Visuddha, Verona

8.                 Centro Cenresig, Bologna

9.                 Centro Buddhista Muni Gyana, Palermo

10.              Centro Tara Cittamani, Padova

11.               Istituto Samantabhadra, Roma

12.              Mandala Centro Studi Tibetani, Milano

13.              Centro Studi Tibetani Sangye Cieling Sondrio

14.              Monastero Mandala Samten Ling Biella

15.              Centro Studi Tibetani Mandala Deua Ling, Merano (Bz)

16.             Centro Terra Di Unificazione Ewam, Firenze

17.              Centro Vajrapani, Bosentino (Tn)

18.             Centro Dharna Karuna, Modena

19.             Centro Lama Tzong Khapa, Zero Branco (Tv)

20.            Centro Studi Tibetani Tenzin Cio Ling, Sondrio

21.             Centro Gajang Giang Chub, Paladina (Bg)

22.            Centro Buddhista Cenresig, Domodossola (Vb)

23.           Centro Sakyamuni, Messina

24.            Centro Di Meditazione Kushi Ling, Livorno

This is a new statement from CTA on Dorje Shudgen

[lotus1]

Oh My Buddha! CTA has grown from bad to worse!

Do they know what they are doing will cause a lot of negative karma as it is one of the five heinous sins, i.e. creating a schism in the sangha (the community of Buddhist monks and nuns). It will cause them to be born in hell! Oh dear!

By creating the schism on Dorje Shugden practice, practitioners and centres, CTA are causing not just the Tibetan Buddhism but the whole Buddhism to degenerate!

CTA’s claims Dorje Shugden are baseless and CTA are not able to show any proves on their claims. 
 
If anyone who has done research on Dorje Shugden issue, they will know:
1.   Dorje Shugden is not a harmful spirits. It has been practiced for more than 350 years and a lot of high lama such as HH Pabongka Rinpoche, HH Trijang Rinpoche, the previous Dalai Lama, HH Domo Geshe Rinpoche, HH Song Rinpoche, etc. HH Pabongka Rinpoche, HH Trijang Rinpoche, HH Domo Geshe Rinpoche are all re-incarnated now. If Dorje Shugden is a spirits, all the high lamas will not be reincarnated as worship of Spirits will cause the karma to be rebirth in hell. 

2.   Dorje Shugden practitioners are just doing their practice and do not causing any harm to others. While they protest to have religious freedom, the protest has been conducted in peaceful manners. On the other hand, we always see that anti-Dorje Shugden has been causing or attempting to causing harm to the Dorje Shugden practitioners. For examples, attack to the long-time assistant of His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche Gen Chonze  (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/cta-creates-violence-again,/) , forced in to Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s Monastery in Phedong (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/breaking-news-domo-geshe-rinpoches-monastery-in-phedong-attacked/) , Dalai Lama supporters turn violent in one of the protest in Frankfurt while the Dorje Shugden practitioners are doing their protest peacefully (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/frankfurt-peaceful-demonstrations-coverage/).

3. If Dorje Shugden is a spirit and is harming the life of HH Dalai Lama, why would HH Dalai Lama made the exception and allowed the current incarnation of HH Trijang Rinpoche (HH Dalai Lama previous tutor) to practice despite the ban? What’s the logic?

Dalai Lama says Trijang Rinpoche can practise Dorje Shugden	Small | Large

CTA, please stop lying! Please stop create schism to the Tibetan and  Buddhism. Lift the ban NOW!

[Manisha Kudo]

The statement issued by CTA is written with such ignorance and pomposity. How dare they say that they have researched on the matter to inform the public and the Buddhist centers who signed the letter are said to have abstained from protesting against the DL?

1. Isn't this causing a split amongst the sangha members, which goes against their so-called cause of non-sectarian religious harmony?

2. Assuming that it is the DL's right to have his own opinion, he can quietly NOT worship Dorje Shugden in private. But he has imposed this rule and made it mandatory to all Tibetans, both monks and lay persons that they should not practice and if they do, please do not attend his teachings, receiving initiations etc from him. Is this just an opinion or an iron-clawed imposition of a dictator knowing very well many Tibetans look upon him as a spiritual leader. If this is not a ban, tell me, what does this entail? If it is not a lie, then, is it the truth? If it is the truth, then, the DL is actually a dictator wearing the mask of democracy.

3. http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/breaking-news-domo-geshe-rinpoches-monastery-in-phedong-attacked/
Enough said. The is overwhelming evidence that anti-Shugden communities masterminded by the CTA are resorting to violence when the protests and practice have been peaceful.

LIFT THE BAN. STOP THE OPPRESSION.

[Big Uncle]

June 9, 2014 12:39 pm
We the undersigned Buddhist centers wish to express our full confidence in and respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our complete agreement with regard to the dangerous nature of the practice of the Dogyal/Shugden cult.

Since 1978 His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in his capacity as spiritual leader, has repeatedly stated publicly the extent to which the practice of the spirit called Dogyal/Shugden has degenerated, to the point of becoming a real cult, with strong sectarian features. In the past, this spirit was often invoked both as a Dharma protector as well as for more mundane purposes, but there have always been contradictory points of view about its nature and function. Thus, even though the Dalai Lama himself engaged in this spiritual practice until the age of forty, in 1975, after extensive research, he decided not only to cease this practice, but also to speak out publicly about the historical, social and cultural issues associated with this practice.

In short, the harmfulness of Dogyal/Shugden can be summed up as follows:

In spite of what his followers affirm, Dogyal/Shugden is not an enlightened protector, but a being arisen as an effect of distorted prayers and invocations.
His nature is that of a devilish harmful spirit.
His effect is that of destroying the Buddhadharma and harmony among practitioners.
The problems deriving from this practice can be summed up in three essential points:

There is the danger that Tibetan Buddhism could degenerate into a kind of spirit cult, as the practice of Dogyal/Shugden brings its followers to consider this spirit as more important than Buddha himself.
There is the actual possibility that this practice could be an obstacle toward the creation of a true non-sectarian culture, in total contrast with one of the objectives that His Holiness is mostly concerned with, namely, the fostering of true harmony amongst all religions.
Finally, there are problems connected to the preservation of Tibetan culture, which have existed since the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama (seventeenth century).
For these reasons, the Dharma practitioners belonging to the undersigned centers are constantly engaged in informing the public about the truth regarding this ancient issue, supported – as mentioned – by broad and carefully examined research. Out of great compassion, feeling strongly his responsibility as a religious leader – namely, as one who should indicate the correct spiritual path to be followed – His Holiness advises against the practice of this cult. He does this not for personal profit, but because the danger has been clearly shown.

Therefore, we the undersigned centers dissociate ourselves from and firmly condemn any protests against His Holiness the Dalai Lama carried out by organizations devoted to the Dogyal/Shugden cult, which organizations are carrying out an exploitative and denigrating campaign against Him, spreading accusations totally lacking any foundation:

1) His Holiness is accused of banning this practice. This is untrue, as the Dalai Lama himself has repeatedly stated that this is a decision that lies with each individual, and must be taken after a thorough analysis of what He says and not by a mere acceptance of His words. As for the request of His Holiness not to attend his teachings or empowerments, transmissions, and instructions as well as not to receive religious vows from Him by those who follow Dogyal/Shugden, the reason is that this will endanger both teacher and students because of a tainted relationship. As a spiritual master, His Holiness has every right to allow or not to allow anyone to access His teachings.

2) His Holiness is accused of suppressing freedom of religion. This is untrue, as nobody has ever been banned from invoking this spirit privately, in temples and monasteries where this practice is followed. There have been instances wherein Dogyal/Shugden followers left their monasteries of origin. This happened as a result of a referendum carried out in accordance with the rules of the monastic tradition of Vinaya. These monks were free to keep their own shares of money and land, and have been completely free to practice Dogyal/Shugden on their own without any threat to their activities. In addition, if they don’t have religious freedom, then how is it that the practitioners of Dogyal/Shugden can travel freely to all parts of the world, raising this issue and trying to find new supporters from amongst those who are in the dark about the facts?

3) They maintain that the Dalai Lama is lying. Such criticism has no solid base, since holding a different point of view from that of the Dogyal/Shugden practitioners is not lying, but only exercising one’s right of opinion.

4) They accuse the Dalai Lama of being the only one to hold this point of view. This is absolutely untrue, as the first controversies about this matter date back to the seventeenth century.

It is worth noting that the protests of some Shugden practitioners have degenerated to the point of criminal acts, such as the one perpetrated near Dharamsala in 1997, when two Shugden followers, currently wanted by Interpol, killed the Headmaster of the School of Dialectics at the time, together with two of his disciples. Moreover, it appears that these organizations have sided many times with the decisions by several Western governments not to meet with the Dalai Lama, because of the strong political and economic pressures exerted by the Chinese government (as recently happened in Norway), thus demonstrating that there are other interests at play beyond those aspects related to the religious tradition.

We invite all those who are unaware of this issue to pay careful attention when choosing their spiritual path, on the basis of thorough analysis and research, and we strongly reaffirm our full support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the international activities he has carried out for more than fifty years all over the world, where his figure is recognized as one of the greatest advocates for world peace and harmony in our time.

 S.No          Tibetan Buddhist Centres in Italy

1.                  Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia (Pi)

2.                 Ghe Pel Ling Istituto Studi Di Buddhismo Tibetano, Milano

3.                 Centro Milarepa Torino

4.                 Comunita’ Dzog-Chen, Arcidosso (Gr)

5.                 Fpmt Fondazione Per La Preservazione Della Tradizione Mahayana, Pomaia (Pi)

6.                 Centro Studi Kalachakra,  Bordighera (Im)

7.                 Centro Dharma Visuddha, Verona

8.                 Centro Cenresig, Bologna

9.                 Centro Buddhista Muni Gyana, Palermo

10.              Centro Tara Cittamani, Padova

11.               Istituto Samantabhadra, Roma

12.              Mandala Centro Studi Tibetani, Milano

13.              Centro Studi Tibetani Sangye Cieling Sondrio

14.              Monastero Mandala Samten Ling Biella

15.              Centro Studi Tibetani Mandala Deua Ling, Merano (Bz)

16.             Centro Terra Di Unificazione Ewam, Firenze

17.              Centro Vajrapani, Bosentino (Tn)

18.             Centro Dharna Karuna, Modena

19.             Centro Lama Tzong Khapa, Zero Branco (Tv)

20.            Centro Studi Tibetani Tenzin Cio Ling, Sondrio

21.             Centro Gajang Giang Chub, Paladina (Bg)

22.            Centro Buddhista Cenresig, Domodossola (Vb)

23.           Centro Sakyamuni, Messina

24.            Centro Di Meditazione Kushi Ling, Livorno

This is a new statement from CTA on Dorje Shudgen

This is just too bad. These centers are stupid and should have just maintained neutral on this matter. Where did you get this letter from? I can't find it on CTA's website. It is really sad because none of what they wrote explained how they justified or come to the conclusion that Dorje Shugden is really a spirit and that his practice harms practitioners.

Whatever reasoning the Dalai Lama has does not hold water under the scrutiny of investigation and debate. Hence, the Dalai Lama has never invited any Shugden practitioner for a dialogue or discussion on this matter. He just made an uncharacteristic outright ban on the practice. That's just too bad and many serious scholars would allow their devotions become a stumbling block for them seeing the reality of the ban for what it really is. It's just too bad.

[Tenzin K]

Reading the Statement Concerning The Cult of Dogyal/Sugden it’s so contradicting and baseless. On the sum up of harmfulness of the practice, if it’s a spirit, the prayers is distorted and it destroy the Buddhadharma how can be the high Lama who practices Shugden can take their rebirth and being recognize again and even some of them by the Dalai Lama himself. The effect of the 3 points summed up will definitely bring one to hell. It doesn’t make sense at all.

For the problem deriving from the practice that they summed up also contradicting. The disharmony amongst all religions was started from the ban. The lineage Lama has been practicing lord Shudgen  for so long and the devotion and consistency of the practice has brought so many benefits to many which including saving the Dalai Lama escaping from Tibet during the Chinese invasion. The spilt of the monastery and the discrimination is from the Dalai Lama and the CTA. Who is creating disharmony here? With the split created by the government will never bring Tibet united and the encouragement from CTA to keep discriminate their own people will not bring the Tibetan strong, with this how CTA want to claim their country when they keep weaken the strength to stand up and fight for their right towards the Chinese. The CTA is the one creating their own obstacle and disharmony!

Until today no bases or proof of the practice is bad and just keep harping with the words to ban the practice that have been practice by their lineage Guru will not justify the Dalai Lama is right.
The issue of the ban and the suffering from the practitioner is so obvious and it even being question by the youth during the Q&A with the Prime Minister Sikyiong. The youth observed and witness the suffering of the ban. Watch the video on what the youth ask and how Sikyiong answers contradict and baseless: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/tibetan-youths-question-dorje-shugden-ban/

The CTA is keep creating schism from publishing material that created disharmony and harmful material to the people. How can one government create a separation within their country instead of uniting them for a bigger vision for their country freedom. What is the biggest harm that Shugden practitioners have ever done to the country/government? Still CTA can never provide any proof and until today there is still no peace and proper dialog with the Dalai Lama to resolve this issue. Is this how the government manage problem arise within their own people? It’s funny that the CTA is creating the war within their own people where there is no threat at all towards the danger or the government. Unlike that terrorist that attacking the government that create high danger in term of life threatening to the people. 

[gohdi]

The link : http://tibet.net/2014/06/09/statement-concerning-the-cult-of-dogyalshugden/

[Blueupali]

This is the problem with the Buddhists from the Dalai Lama cult---- they believe all these lies from this guy----
  They don't think for themselves, or learn logic, or anything else.  They are so gullible.  I hope we will all learn from this and not fall into this trap of believing what we hear in any regard....
  Like the government of the U.S, according to the CTA is like, afraid of "dogyal" worshippers?
  Trust me, most of the government of the U.S wouldn't know what Shugden is and they certainly don't know the CTA's bigoted term for people who do prayers to a particular form of Buddha---
 

[dsiluvu]

Oh my... this is so pathetic!!! I cannot believe what I am reading. Do the silly CTA even realise that they are just confirming to the world that there is a BAN!!! There is religious discrimination at this is another evidence that just proves it all!!!

They've really completely lost their mind. Their PR department sure is getting desperate. And creating more harm to cover their lies by increasing discrimination is definitely going to be a disaster. How is this considered politically and spiritually correct in the Human Rights Law? Where on earth, on this planet, have we seen governments put such discriminating statements out in the open while contradicting themselves telling the world about World Peace and Harmony? Do they think we are all uneducated fools and suckers? Even PRC are do not post such discriminating statements that totally is against the human rights !

CTA is doing, behaving and operating exactly like what communist and terrorist do. How can they then dare ask for Human Rights for Tibetans when they do this? Where then may I ask is the "World Peace" and "Harmony"

Dalai Lama please GIVE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

[Solomon Lang]

Dear members of the Buddhist centers and dharma practitioners which have supported the statement as quoted by the CTA,

This is from the statement that you purportedly supported: "Since 1978 His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in his capacity as spiritual leader, ...".

Do you realize that the Dalai Lama is neither the spiritual leader nor the head of the Tibetan government in exile? The Dalai Lama rather abruptly resigned as head of the CTA in 2011 and he has never been appointed as spiritual leader of anything.

An icon of Tibetan Buddhism he may be but appointed spiritual leader he is not.

How did you all decide that he is your spiritual leader I wonder?

For more on spiritual leaders, please read the following article:

wisdombuddhadorjeshugden.org/dorjeshugden10.php

[grandmapele]

"Wag the Dog"

All this drama on the Shugden ban is really making me think that there is more to the whole issue. Is this politics' smoke screen?

The 5th Dalai Lama wrote a praise, H.H. 14th Dalai Lama wrote a praise. All the fire puja's were unable to rid this world of the 'spirit'. Does that smack of 'spirit' or 'ghost'? If this 'spirit' is so powerful, the world is a goner. The high lamas who practice it  would be in the hell realm by now. How is it that H.H. 14th Dalai Lama recognized the reincarnation of those high lamas?

[DharmaSpace]

It is interesting to see how the CTA positions itself, now that they see they are not able to use the Dalai Lama and their logic falls short, and their book on how evil Dorje Shugden is thrown into rubbish bins now they want to bring other Gelug centers to back up their stance. And not they have harmed a monk at Trijang Ladrang and trying to take over Domo Geshe ladrang.

By bringing other centers into it a very clear line is drawn , in fact battle lines were first drawn when the Dalai Lama and CTA issued out a yellow stick referendum and also asking the lay tibetans to attack the monasteries. But now the CTA has made it very clear evidence for all to see there is a ban, there is discrimination. We are watching you CTA, thank you for bringing forth evidence of this ban. 

[christine V]

Very good statement CTA! In this statement, you have just tell the world
1) there is a ban
2) there is harmful actions to support this ban

How many more lies you want to tell CTA? How many people you wanted to harm?
Where does your financial come from when you do all this harmful actions?
The donors support CTA to have discrimination on human rights?

Don't always accused Dorje Shugden practitioner e support from China. When they are bullied by you. When they struggle to live in peace with you CTA!

[bonfire]

I would simply extract this from the above statement:

We invite all those who are unaware of this issue to pay careful attention when choosing their spiritual path, on the basis of thorough analysis and research [...]

[Rihanna]

It is strange that suddenly letters of such nature supporting the Dalai Lama and condemning Dorje Shugden practitioners and even blaming them (DS practitioners) of actions they did not do are surfacing. There is another one that I have copied and pasted the url link here. Maybe CTA is getting desperate and writting these letters themselves to show the world that they have support? Or inciting Tibetans to do so. Whatever it is, it sounds stupid and they are shooting themselves in their feet as they are calling for violence against Dorje Shugden practitioners. Isn't CTA Buddhists??? I mean violence is totally against the principle of any religion, isn't it?
 


Letter from United Front of the Tibetan People:
Please read the letter that I received today from The United Front of the Tibetan People - this is quite shocking. It says things like "I think we need to take action against the 34 Tibetans and teach them lesson. We need to silence them and not let them protesting." This is really unbelieveable and clear evidence of bullying and discrimation.

http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/shocking-letter/