Thank you for the article. Many years ago, I became attracted to Buddhism after reading Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Book’s – Introduction to Buddhism. His explanation was so clear and I was very much addicted to the book.

I am amazed that how one person can inspire so many lives and devoted students who happily carry his lineage and build hundreds of centre around the world.

The other thing that makes me admire him more is he was courageous in defending his faith although it means to be at odds with the Dalai Lama and his followers. Although he had suffered backlash because of that, but he sent a powerful example to the world that nothing is more precious than his guru’s instructions and lineage.

I folded my hand to the Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Michaela

The Dalai Lama is unscrupulous and nefarious in using his powers as a God-King to manipulate and intimidate people into following his so-called “advice”. He is trampling on people’s religious rights, their access to employment and their acceptance within their own society.

Furthermore his religious activities are not just some dry debate within the Gelugpa. He has interfered deeply in the traditional relationship between teacher and student, interrupted many lineages, defamed teachers who were previously recognised as of good conduct and great intelligence, corrupted Tibetan religious and secular society by rewarding toadies, recognises no religious authority higher than his own brutal ego, and perhaps worst of all goes around the world teaching a platitudinous pudding which has no method, no power and no chance of causing real change in people’s lives and works, since he does not regard Tibetan meditation as suitable for mere Westerners and would rather stroke their vague liberal consciences.

Politically, the Dalai Lama is a medieval anachronism, doing absolutely nothing for the millions of people still trying to live an ordinary life in Chinese Tibet other than inciting fiercely punished rebellion and suicide. He has also achieved nothing for the Tibetans in India, keeping them within his fiefdom by encouraging the fear of losing of their cultural heritage rather than encouraging them to grow beyond the ghetto and become full members of Indian society. Within the Tibetan enclave he denies them any chance of democracy, a system in which there is such a thing as legal and respected opposition, unthinkable under his rule even after his much-trumpeted “retirement” from politics which has produced zero dissent and debate.

THIS is the heap of malice and stupidity which makes the cause of protecting purely religious lineages and teachings from political vandalism something worth participating in. THIS is the cause for which Geshe-la risks his life and reputation. THIS is the brave and idealistic protest which makes cynics and defeatists sadly shake their heads and close their doors rather than dare admit the evil that is being done.

I and my friends miss Geshe-la very much. We pray for his wellbeing, health and continued guidance and find absolutely no ground in the allegations raised against him by people such as Bob Thurman or the NKT survivors. But sadly, we can see that the activities of the NKT institution are fueling the negative view the world has on them. Also, the institution is becoming ever more business-like, with the costs of classes and festivals increasing tremendously and a never-ending stream of new editions to books, CDs, sadhanas and thangkas being produced.

It feels as if something unimaginably beautiful has been destroyed by the ignorance of the masses

At that time, funny really, no mention of Shugden. Geshe la would teach lamrim and mind training. We will gather for sunday pot luck and you see smiles from everyone’s faces, shire joy, delight and amazement to Geshe la’s knowledge and dedication.

Now look at what happened. Geshe la told me recently that he has never dared to sleep in one room for years for fear of taking his life away by either anti-Shugden factions or the zealous disciples who will loose everything if the struggle is ended. Geshe la is scared of the anti-shugden as much as the zealous fanatics at NKT most of whom he does not know.

What shall we do now? Is there any solution to this problem?

I cannot add much to what has been said as regards Geshe-la’s incomprehensible spiritual activities, his unceasing effort, kindness and wisdom and the positive impact he and his tradition have had in my life. I pray that his teachings remain for a long time and that he continues to teach us until we achieve enlightenment.

I do not agree with liu Han – assimilation to a political agenda is not an appropriate solution. But, for what it’s worth, I would like to take this opportunity to point out that the NKT – a tradition Geshe-la has worked very hard at – is in an incredibly bad and unstable condition due to the unfounded, uneducated and ignorant actions of many of its members. It fills me with great sadness to see more and more people turning away from this tradition as they are sick and tired of dealing with political quarrelling and loud demonstrations that aim to defame another lama and ruin his teachings for his disciples. Please, all you Kadampas, make no mistake about it: You are single handedly destroying this tradition.

Has the unrest over the Shugden ban been reduced in the last eighteen years? No. Has the NKT annexed and isolated itself from Tibetan Buddhism en large? Yes. We have no more common ground or friendship with our brothers and sisters from other Buddhist traditions, all due to the completely wrong, childish and contradictory way in which the so-called International Shugden Society has handled this political issue. An issue, by the way, that was caused by a bunch of Tibetan lamas quite some time ago and has nothing to do with us. I highly doubt a single Kadampa has ever been told they can’t practice Dorje Shugden.

I am convinced that Geshe Kelsang has never promoted his followers to a) go out on a Dalai Lama witchhut – without knowing a thing about the whole issue, background and history (which none of them do), nor to b) use his establishment of Kadampa Dharma as a platform for a schismic, political issue.

I am therefore convinced, that Geshe Kelsang has some terrible advisors, that there are some incredibly zealous and ambitious people at the top of the NKT with bad motivations and that these people are running the tradition in to the ground. It is very, very sad.

Unfortunately, I am right here. You will see in five years.

In conclusion, this takes nothing away from my Guru, who I view as an emanation of Buddha. All Buddhas appear in this world according to our karma, needs and wishes, but also according to our delusions, of course. Dear Geshe-la, may you continue to teach us, guide us and help us see the hypocricy in and damage caused by our actions.

Some of the comments above had the same touch. We need to move away from Shugden protest to practice. Do some real community work to give people the real benefit of our teacher’s teaching.

The protesters I found are not deep in their practice. They don’t represent Geshe la neither Kadampa tradition.

It is not too late that we change our course or we will loose a lots of friends and members. I talked about this with other members. They all hide their teacher in public. Most of them never talk about Shugden issue because it is not important to them. When we talk about Geshe la’s teaching people light up but as soon as the Shugden issue raised, people shy away and change their topic. This is members at the Center, imagine. Not mention outside.