Shashi Kei द्वारा लिखित

बुद्धधर्मिहरुका लागि दर्शन गर्नै पर्ने यहाँ चार तिर्थस्थल हरु छन् । त्यो मध्धे एउटा बुद्धको जन्मस्थान लुम्बिनी पर्दछ रा लुम्बिनी अहिले नेपाल भित्र पर्छ।  सन् २४५ बि.सी. मा सम्राट अशोकाले त्यहाँ खम्बा उठाउँनका साथै शिलालेख गरि त्यो स्थललाई बुद्ध को जन्मस्थान पुष्ठी गरिको थियो। आज यो स्मारक योउनिस्को को विश्व बिरासत लाई अशोका को खम्बा भनि प्रसिद्ध रूपमा चिनिन्छ।

बुद्ध को जन्मस्थान लुम्बिनी हो भनि हरेक नेपाली ले गर्व गर्ने कुरा हो। नेपालीहरुले बुद्ध जयन्ति २१ मै मा मनायिने गर्दछ र यो एक पवित्र परम्परा हो जुन हिमालिय राष्टले मनाईन्छ। संसार भरका हजारौ मानिस हरु यो पवित्र उत्सव मनाउन लुम्बिनी आउने गर्दा छ।

तर 14 औं दलाई लामा को अनुसार यह सबै बकवास हो । राजधानी टीवी मा हालै जारी भको फुटेज, जसमा तिब्बती आध्यात्मिक नेता ले यस ऐतिहासिक तथ्य यसरि खारिज गरिदियो कि जसले नेपाललाई धेरै निराश र विचलित पारेको छ। यो झुठा विवरणले नेपाललाई साह्रै चिढाएको छ जहा नेपालले दयालु भई 60 बर्ष भन्दा बढि सम्म तिब्बती शरणार्थी समुदायलाई अाफ्नो देशमा स्थान दिएको छ।

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

यहा दलाई लामाले होस नपुर्याई बोलेको होकि अथवा केहि ध्यान नपुर्याई दिएको उनको बयान, धेरै कारणले अपमानजनक र हानिकारक छ।

1. नेपालले आफ्नै संघर्ष भएता पनि ३० हजार देखि ४० हजार सम्म तिब्बतीहरुलाई शरणार्थी को रुप मा उद्दार गरिएको छ। यो संङ्ख्या तिब्बतेनहरु को तेस्रो समूह हो र नेपाल भरि करिब १२ ओटा तिब्बतेन शरणार्थीको क्याम्प हरु छन् । सन् १९८९ अघि नेपाल छिरेका तिब्बतेनहरु लाई देशको आर्थिक तथा सामाजिक एकीकरण बाट धेरै लाभ प्राप्त भएको छ। धेरै तिब्बतेनहरुले कारोबार गरे र कसैले पसल तथा रेस्टुरेन्ट खोले र प्रत्येक वर्ष आउने पर्यटक हरुको त्यहा भिड देख्न पाईन्छ। नेपालमा उनीहरुले आफ्नो तिब्बतेन गुम्बा हरु पुन: स्थापना गर्न सक्षम थिए र त्यसैले तिब्बतेन को पहिचान र परम्परा को अस्तित्व रहनु मा नेपाल को ठुलो योगदान रहेको छ भन्दा गलत नहोला । तर अझै, तिब्बती नेतृत्वले नेपालको आमुल्य गौरवको श्रोत लाई बरखास्त गर्दै गुण तिरी रहेको छ।

सन् 1959 मा चीन-नेपाल सिमानाको माध्यमबाट पहिलो पटक निर्वासित प्रवेश गरेदेखि नेपालका तिब्बती शरणार्थीहरूले आफ्नैलागि धेरै राम्रो काम गरेका छन्। नेपालका गरिब स्थानहरूमा पनि उनिहरूका घर तथा गुम्बाहरू सुनका छानाले सजिएको र बाहिर जति राम्रा हुन्थे, भित्रपनि उत्तिकै सजिएको हुन्थो। नेपालमा  2015 मा गएको भूकम्प पछि, तिब्बती मन्दिरहरू प्राय: पहिले पुनर्निर्माण गरियो र  विश्वभरबाट प्राप्त भएका दानहरूको लागि धेरै धेरै धन्यवाद दिन चाहान्छै। यसबाहेक नेपाली जनताहरूले बढी स्थायी आश्रय प्राप्त गर्नुअघि केहि महिना सम्म त बाहिर सडकमा संघर्षका साथ जिवन जिउनु पर्यो। त्यो बेला दलाई लामाको केहि संमुहले भूकम्प पीडितहरुको नाममा दान रकम संकलनक गरे तर ति पैसा सबै उनिहरु अाफै राखे।

2. दलाई लामा का बयान नेपाली अर्थव्यवस्था को लागि धेरै हानिकारक हो। आध्यात्मिक पर्यटन नेपाल मा सबैभन्दा ठूलो उद्योगों हो। र यो विदेशी मुद्रा र राजस्वको एक महत्वपूर्ण स्रोत अनि लुम्बिनि जस्तै पवित्र स्थलहरु मा कुनै संदेह छैन। तिब्बती शरणार्थिहरु आफैले पनि नेपाली पर्यटक उद्योग मा निर्भर र भरोसा राख्नुको साथै ग्राहकहरुलाई विभिन्न व्यवसायमा आकर्षित गर्न सकिन्छ। त्यसकारण जब दलाई लामा ले यस प्रकारका आधारहीन बयान दिएपछी, यसले नेपालको आध्यात्मिक पर्यटनको विश्वसनीयतालाई कमजोर बनाउँछ। संसारमा धेरै व्यक्तिले दलाई लामा लाई बौद्ध धर्म र बौद्ध धर्मका सबै अधिकारहरूको प्रमुख मानिन्छ, त्यसैले उहाँ यस बारेमा सही हुनुपर्छ। अन्ततः यदि दलाई लामा ले भनेको अनुसार हो भने नेपालले बुद्ध नेपालमा जन्मेको हो भनि दाबी एक धोखाधडी बयान हुन्छ र नेपाल लाई ठुलो नोकसान पुग्नेछ।
3. वास्तवमा, दलाई लामा र उनको सरकार, केन्द्रीय तिब्बत प्रशासन (सीटीए जो धर्मशालामा आधारित छ) नेपाल को भलाइ मा कम रुचि देखाइएको छ। नेपालमा हालै गएको भूकम्पको क्रममा सीटीएले दुख व्यक्त गरेको एउटा सरल बयान जारी गर्नका साथ उद्धार र राहत का लागि नेपाललाई 20 लाख रुपैयाँ (कम्तीमा 32,000 अमेरिकी डलर बराबरको) प्रस्ताव गरे र नेपाललाई प्रार्थना गर्ने प्रतिज्ञा गरे। यो अनगिन्ती लाखौंको तुलनामा एक बिन्दु हो ।  सीटीएले वार्षिक रूपमा सरकारी अनुदान, सार्वजनिक सहायता र दान प्राप्त गर्दछ। वास्तवमा, सीटीए यो दान को प्रस्ताव गरिरहेको बेला, दलाई लामाका सहयोगीहरु को केही पीडितहरूले भूकम्पको लागि उठाउन नेपाल भूकम्पको प्रयोग गरे, तर  पैसा भुक्तानी गर्न असफल भए। तिनीहरूका बैंक खाता अस्थायी रूपमा रोकेको थियो। तिब्बत सरकारले आफ्नो साथीहरूबाट के प्राप्त गर्न चाहान्छ भनि यो स्पष्ट रूपमा देखाउँछ र अन्य राष्ट्रका मानिसहरूलाई कसरी योगदान गर्नु पर्छ भन्ने कुरामा अधिक चासो गर्दैन।

केही तिब्बती पसलहरू विश्व प्रसिद्ध बौद्धनाथ को वरपर छन्। हजारौं पर्यटकहरू हरेक दिन यो युनेस्को विश्व विरासत स्थल भ्रमणमा आउने गर्दछन र त्यहाँ धेरै धनी तिब्बती व्यवसायहरू बाट खरीदारी गर्दै उनिहरूलाई सहायता गर्छन। तिब्बती शरणार्थि हरुको विरुद्धमा हाल साल तनाव बढेको छ, जसले सबै भन्दा राम्रो व्यापारका स्थलहरु लिएर स्थानीय नेपालीहरूको गरिखाने ठाउ कब्जा गरिएको र अरू नेपालीले बेच्ने दाम भन्दा कम मुल्यमा बेचेको आरोप लागेको थियो।

4. दलाई लामाको बयानले बुद्धको जन्म देशको दावीमा भारत र नेपाल बीचको लामो समयसम्मको वादबिवाद लाई शासन गर्दछ। दलाई लामाको लागि यो मुद्दा उठाउन र पुरानो चोटहरू पुन: खोल्नको लागि यो पूर्णतया अनावश्यक थियो। विशेषगरि जब आध्यात्मिक नेता दुवै भारत र नेपाल दुवैको कृतज्ञताको उहालाई ऋण छ। यो विशेषगरी एउटा कूटनीतिकता को साह्रै कमजोर क्रिया हो भनि जनाऊछ । जब चीनले खुल्लमखुल्ला नेपाल संग व्यापार र महत्वपूर्ण बुनियादी ढांचे को निर्माण गरिरहेको छ। यस तरिकाले नेपाललाई रिस उठाएमा अझ नेपाल चीन सँग नजिकीन पुग्नेछ, जसबाट नेपालले व्यापार सम्बन्धी सम्बन्धहरू खोलेर धेरै लाभ उठाउन सक्नेछन्। अन्ततः नेपालका आधा शताब्दीको योगदान र सहयोग पछि पनि तिब्बतका मानिसहरू अविश्वसनीय र अपमानजनक छन् भने स्पष्ट रूपमा देखाउँछ।

निष्कर्ष

नेपाली राष्ट्र उदास हुनु एकदम जायज छ। दलाई लामा एक प्रमुख राजनेता र बुद्धि र दया संघको एक वरिष्ठ धार्मिक व्यक्ति भएको हुनाले आफ्नो शब्दहरु को शक्ति देखि सजग हुनु पर्ने हो । उहाँ संसारको सबैभन्दा आकर्षक व्यक्तिहरू मध्ये एक हुनुहुन्छ र, सहि वा गलत रूपमा, एक विश्वसनीय व्यक्ति हो। सबैले देखेका छन् कि दलाई लामाले सदीयो पुरानो परम्परा दोर्जे शुग्देनको अभ्यासलाई नष्ट गर्न कुनै प्रमाण वा व्याख्या प्रस्तुत नगरी राक्षस उपासनाको घोषणा गरियो । र अब, उस्तै उपेक्षा नेपालीहरूलाई पनि देखाउदै छन्।

किन तिब्बती नेतृत्वले नेपाल राष्ट्रलाई यो पीडा दिएको भनि केहि औचित्य छैन । दलाई लामाको बिरोधमा नेपाली जनताको क्रोध उचित छ। नेपालीहरू तिब्बती शरणार्थीहरूका लागि धेरै उदार र सहनशील भए। कम से कम कि तिब्बत नेतृत्वले नेपालको इतिहास र संस्कृति को सम्मान गर्नु पर्ने थियो।

हरेक वर्ष नेपालमा तिब्बती शरणार्थीहरूले चिनियाँ सरकारको विरुद्ध विरोध प्रदर्शन गर्छन र नेपाल प्रहरीको अाफ्नै काम छोडि उनिहरूलाई पहरा दिन बाध्य पार्छन। यी विरोधले चीनसँग नेपाल को सम्बन्धमा नकारात्मक असर पारेको छ। के अब तिब्बती शरणार्थि हरुले अाफ्नो नेपाली समुदाय माथी यसरी अाभार व्यक्त गर्ने ? छिमेकी देश को अर्थव्यवस्था र अन्य राष्ट्रहरूसँग को सम्बन्धलाई प्रभावित गरेर? या अाफ्नो स्थानीय जनताले प्राप्त गर्नु पर्ने सहायतालाई नष्ट गरी?

नेपालीहरू पहिले नै धेरै उदास भएका हुनाले तिब्बत नेतृत्वले भविष्यमा नेपाललाई अझ बढी संवेदनशीलता सँग व्यवहार गर्नु पर्दछ। तिब्बत नेतृत्वले अन्य अरू समूहहरूको विपरीत अपमानजनक गरेको छ भने नेपाल सरकारले यस विषयमा पुनर्वितरणमा गर्न सक्दछ। उदाहरणका लागि, सीटीए अथवा तिब्बत नेतृत्वले अब हिमालय क्षेत्रमा आफ्नो अर्को बलियो सहयोगी गुमाउन सक्छ। चीनले पहिले नै नेपाललाई मित्रताको हात लम्ब्याई रहेको छ र अब दलाई लामाको यो बयानको कारणले नेपाली र नेपाल सरकारलाई तिब्बती सँगको सम्बन्ध राख्नाले केहि फाइदा छैन भन्ने देखाउ छ। केवल नतिजा अधिक दु: ख, अपमान र हिंसा हुनेछ।

यसको विपरीत, चिनसँगको सम्बन्धले राष्ट्रको लागि वित्तीय र व्यापारिक फाइदाहरू, साथै पूर्वाधार सुधार र आर्थिक विकासको परिणाम पाउँछ। सीटीए पनि तिब्बती शरणार्थियों को उपस्थिति सम्झन मा विफल रहेको छ जहा तिब्बती शरणार्थि नेपाल सरकार को निरंतर संरक्षण मा पूरै निर्भर छ। उनीहरूको समर्थन छैनभने, तिब्बतीलाई कुनै पनि दिन देश छोड्न अनुरोध गर्न सकिन्छ। सिटिए कति लामो समय सम्म अरूको दयामा निर्भर रहन सक्छ, जबकि उनीहरूले अरूलाई रिस र अपमान गर्छ? CTA कति सम्म यस तरिकामा बाँच्न सक्छ? यस्तै हो भने ‘धेरै लामो सम्म सक्दैन।

नेपालीहरूको प्रतिक्रिया

बुद्ध भारतमा जन्मिएको हो, नेपाल मा होइन भन्ने दलाई लामाको बयानमा नेपालीहरूले यस प्रकारको प्रतिक्रिया दिदैछन। तपाईंले देख्न सक्नु हुन्छ, नेपालीहरू धेरै उदास भएका छन् र आधिकारिक समाचार च्यानलहरूमा र साथ-साथै सोशल मिडिया को अनलाईन प्लेटफार्म मार्फत नेपालीहरू दुखी भएका कुरा व्यक्त गरिरहेको छ। दलाई लामाको बयानका भिडियोहरू प्रचलित गरि व्यापक रूपमा शेयर गर्दैछन्। तल नेपालीहरूको प्रतिक्रियाको थुप्रै उदाहरणहरू देख्न सक्नु हुन्छ। यस देशका शान्तिपूर्ण नागरिकहरू, हाल तिब्बत को नेतृत्व र दलाई लामाको विरुद्धमा उत्रेका छन्।

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

सबै प्रतिक्रियाहरू

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

विस्तार गर्न क्लिक गर्नुहोस्

The opinion piece above was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to ds@dorjeshugden.com.

The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to ds@dorjeshugden.com.

By: Shashi Kei

There are four places of pilgrimage that are considered a must-visit for all Buddhist practitioners of all traditions. One of these places is the Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini in present-day Nepal. In 245 BC, Emperor Ashoka confirmed the location of Buddha’s birth by erecting a pillar with inscriptions attesting to this; today, this monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famously known as the Ashoka Pillar.

The Buddha’s birthplace being in Lumbini is something that the Nepali people are fiercely proud of. They celebrate Buddha Jayanti (the birth anniversary of the historic Buddha) on May 21st every year and it is a hallowed tradition regarded as sacred by this Himalayan nation. Thousands from all over the world fly to Lumbini to join in the festivities.

But all of this is mere nonsense according to the 14th Dalai Lama. In recently-released footage on Rajdhani TV, the Tibetan spiritual leader dismissed this historic fact in a manner that was very demeaning to Nepal. The dismissal was all the more galling considering Nepal has been very kind to the Tibetan people, having hosted a huge Tibetan refugee community for over 60 years.

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

This is a point the Dalai Lama appears to have missed or does not care too much about, and his statement is very disrespectful and harmful for a number of reasons:

1. Nepal, despite struggling with its own issues, has shown so much generosity to Tibetans by hosting some 30,000 to 40,000 refugees. This amounts to roughly a third of the Tibetan diaspora, and they are housed in 12 Tibetan refugee camps throughout Nepal. Tibetans who arrived in Nepal before 1989 benefited tremendously from the country’s economic and social integration. Many Tibetans opened businesses, shops and restaurants that are patronized by hordes of tourists who visit Nepal every year. In Nepal, they were also able to re-establish their Tibetan monasteries. Hence it would not be mistaken to say that Nepal contributed greatly to the survival of the Tibetan identity and tradition. And yet, this is how the Tibetan leadership repays them, by dismissing one of their beloved beliefs and sources of national pride.

Since they first entered exile through the China-Nepal border in 1959, Tibetan refugees in Nepal have done extremely well for themselves. Amidst aging Nepali homes rise large golden-roofed temples which are as richly decorated inside as they are outside. After the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, the Tibetan temples were often the first to be rebuilt, thanks to donations from all over the world. Meanwhile the Nepali people continued to languish outdoors in the elements for months, before receiving more permanent shelter. It was also during this time that some of the Dalai Lama’s associates were found to have been raising money on the pretext of donating to earthquake victims, but keeping the money for themselves instead.

2. The Dalai Lama’s statement is very harmful to the Nepali economy. Spiritual tourism is one of the largest industries in Nepal, and it is an important source of foreign exchange and revenue, drawn no doubt by sacred sites like Lumbini. The Tibetan refugees themselves also rely on the Nepali tourist industry to draw customers to their various businesses. Therefore when the Dalai Lama makes baseless statements like this, it undermines the credibility of Nepal’s spiritual tourism. Many people in the world assume that the Dalai Lama is the head of the Buddhist religion and the supreme authority of all matters Buddhist, and therefore he must be correct about this. In the end, it is Nepal that will lose out because the assumption is, if the Dalai Lama himself said so, then Nepal’s claim to be the Buddha’s birth country must be a fraudulent statement.
3. In fact, the Dalai Lama and his government, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA which is based in Dharamsala) has shown little interest in the well-being of the Nepalis. Even during the recent earthquakes which devastated Nepal, the CTA merely issued a simple statement expressing sorrow, offered 20 lakh rupees (equivalent to less than USD 32,000) towards Nepali rescue and relief efforts, and promised to pray for Nepal. This is a pittance compared to the countless millions that the CTA receives annually in government grants, public aid and donations. In fact, while the CTA was offering this pittance, some of the Dalai Lama’s associates used the Nepal earthquake to raise funds for the victims, but failed to disburse the money to anyone. Their bank accounts were later frozen on charges of money laundering. It shows clearly that the Tibetan government is only interested in what it can gain from its friends and does not bother much with how it can contribute to the people of other nations.

Some of the Tibetan shops surrounding the world-famous Boudhanath Stupa. Thousands of tourists visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site every day, and patronize the many wealthy Tibetan businesses there. Tensions have been rising in recent years against Tibetan refugees, who are accused of taking the best business spots and pricing out the local Nepalis.

4. The Dalai Lama’s statement reignites a long-standing spat between India and Nepal over the right to claim to be the Buddha’s birth country. It was completely unnecessary for the Dalai Lama to raise this issue and reopen old wounds, especially when the spiritual leader owes a debt of gratitude to both India and Nepal. It also shows very poor diplomacy skills especially at a time when China is openly wooing Nepal with trade and the construction of important infrastructure. Angering the Nepalis in this way will only push them further into the arms of China, from whom they can benefit greatly by opening trade relationships. Ultimately, it shows that the Tibetan people are ungrateful and disrespectful even after half a century of contributions and support from Nepal.

Conclusion

The Nepali nation has every right to be upset. The Dalai Lama being an elder statesman and a senior religious figure synonymous with wisdom and kindness must be fully aware of the power of his words. He is one of the most visible personalities in the world and, rightly or wrongly, a trusted public figure. Everyone has seen how the Dalai Lama has destroyed centuries-old spiritual traditions like the Dorje Shugden practice by simply declaring it to be demon worship, without furnishing any proof or explanations. Now, the same disregard is shown to the Nepali people.

There cannot be any justification why the Tibetan leadership would inflict this blow on the nation of Nepal. The anger of the Nepali people towards the Dalai Lama’s statement is justified. They have been very generous and tolerant towards the Tibetan refugees; the least that the Tibetan leadership could do is respect their history and culture.

Every year, Tibetan refugees in Nepal launch protests against the Chinese government, forcing the Nepali police to allocate already-strained resources into policing them. These protests have a negative impact on Nepal’s relationship with China. Is this how Tibetan refugees show gratitude to their Nepali hosts, by adversely affecting their host country’s economy and relationship with other nations, and their ability to provide for their own local people?

It would behoove the Tibetan leadership to practice greater sensitivity towards the Nepalis in the future as the people are already very upset. Unlike the many other groups that the Tibetan leadership has insulted and maligned, there is much that the Nepali government can do in retaliation. For example, the CTA may now lose another one of their strong allies in the Himalayan region. China is already extending a hand of friendship to Nepal and now, due to the Dalai Lama’s statement, the Nepali government has just been reminded that cultivating a relationship with the Tibetans will not benefit their country or people. The only result will be more grief, insults and violence.

In contrast, a relationship with the Chinese will result in financial and trade benefits for the nation, as well as infrastructure improvements and economic growth. The CTA also fails to recall that the presence of Tibetan refugees in the country is totally reliant on the Nepali government’s continued patronage; without their support, the Tibetans could be asked to leave any day. How much longer can the CTA rely on the kindness of others, while they simultaneously insult and anger them? How much longer can the CTA survive in this way? At the rate they are going, the obvious answer is ‘not much longer’.

The Nepali Reaction

This is how the Nepalis are responding to the Dalai Lama’s statement that Buddha was born in India, and not Nepal. The Nepalis, as you can see, are extremely upset and are making their unhappiness known in official news channels as well as online on social media platforms. Videos of the Dalai Lama’s statement are also circulating and being shared widely. You can see below the numerous examples of the Nepalis’ reaction, and the strength of feeling that the normally peaceful people of this nation currently have against the Tibetan leadership and the Dalai Lama himself.

Click to read the full report.

Click to read the full report

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

All Reactions

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

By Brunhild Hekate

Buddhism has three main schools of thought – Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana – and a superficial examination of these three schools (or vehicles) reveals what appears to be conflicting views on the practice of vegetarianism. However, before one jumps to any conclusion, remember that Lord Buddha, the omniscient and most skillful Teacher, taught in accordance to the capacity and mental dispositions of different individuals, thus creating the illusion of different and conflicting views – that is, if one has not conducted full investigations and research into the Buddhist view on vegetarianism.

The Buddha and his followers did consume meat that was offered to them by their hosts or alms-givers if they had no reason to suspect that the animal had been slaughtered specifically for their consumption. In fact, they accepted and ate anything that was offered, as they practiced non-attachment to food.

The Buddha did not institute vegetarianism in the Sangha for He knew that many who had a craving for meat would not be able to embrace Buddhism. However, once they entered the path, their minds could be transformed to accept becoming vegetarians. Certainly, many Shravakas who had taken Pratimoksha vows became Bodhisattvas, along the way developing compassion and generating Bodhicitta. They then abstained from meat eating. Hence it is not right to categorize Shravakas as non-vegetarians.

In the Mahayana context, meat-eating is strictly prohibited. The Lankavatara Sutra, written in the fourth or fifth century AD, strongly advocates this. In several other Mahayana scriptures, e.g. the Mahayana Jatakas, the Buddha is seen clearly to indicate that meat-eating is undesirable and karmically unwholesome.

The development of Bodhicitta is the very essence of Mahayana practice. Upon becoming Buddhist, one takes refuge in the Buddha and the very first precept is to abstain from killing. Aspiring Bodhisattvas train to develop the determination not to eat meat from the very conviction that the flesh of these animals were once our mothers who had loved us unconditionally, being as kind as our own mothers have been in this present life.

The Buddha himself has emphasized this point time and again. Animals, insects, and even shellfish are sentient beings and every single one of them, at one point of time, have been our mothers; all of them cherish life and have feelings; thus they deserve to be respected just as human beings do. Would we eat the flesh of our own mothers?

The consumption of meat, regarded as an ordinary food and eaten un-reflectively on a regular basis, implies an unawareness and an indifference to the suffering of beings that are incompatible with the mind training for an aspiring Bodhisattva.

Developing heartfelt compassion and a genuine sensitivity to the suffering of other beings is our aim and in such realization, the desire to exploit and feed on them will automatically melt away. Training in the way of the Bodhisattvas, one must expect to be transformed; and given the depth and extent of that transformation, adapting to a plant-based diet is just a minor adjustment for good morality to arise.

The animal realm, one of the six realms of existence into which we are all reborn

Moreover, eating meat encourages an industry that causes extreme cruelty towards and suffering of millions of animals and a truly compassionate person would wish to end all this suffering. In refusing to eat meat, one can do just that. The Kalachakra tantra and its supreme commentary explains that:

If there is no meat eater, there will be no animal slayer.

In Tibet, where the high altitude and climate does not permit cultivation of crops, Tibetan Buddhists who practise the Vajrayana path commonly partake of meat for sustenance. However, this does not necessarily mean that meat-eating is encouraged in Vajrayana.

Lama Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, has repeatedly mentioned in his collected writings and provided logical reasoning and quotations from the scriptures that, if one understands the line of demarcation between what is permitted and what is proscribed, one will understand that the Sutras and Tantras all speak with a single voice. Hence what is outlined in scriptures like the famous Lankavatara Sutra also applies to Tantric practitioners in the Vajrayana tradition. However, Lama Tsongkapa made an exception to what is proscribed for those who are feeble, elderly and when there is scarcity of food, so they could survive and in turn benefit others.

Dorje Shugden, the protector of Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings would certainly be very pleased if Dorje Shugden practitioners abide by the teachings of non-violence and non-killing such as abstaining from meat, becoming vegetarian and living in harmony with Mother Earth.

World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden’s function is to assist and create conducive situations for aspiring Bodhisattvas to be trained in pure ethics and develop the supreme mind of enlightenment, so that Lord Tsongkapa’s doctrine will flourish and be upheld. By practicing such virtuous actions such as the precept of non-killing, tremendous merit will be accumulated, thus enabling Dorje Shugden to keep you in his fold, under his care and protection, life after life until enlightenment.

(Portuguese with English Subtitles)
Note: at 2:58 in the video, there is a thangka of Dorje Shugden

Nothing comes from nothing and nothing comes to nothing.

To know and understand this better, the reality we live in, we need to know and understand the past and the present that surrounds us. Increasingly, we live without connecting with the relation of cause and effect, interdependence.

We look to see the fruits without the roots. This means that we have a superficial and not well-understood reality in which we live. Living almost everything as a fad, passing by and aimless.

By knowing the root, you will value the fruit and their seeds.

In Buddhism, the roots are important and manifest themselves through the lineage. The lineage is the uninterrupted transmission of knowledge, feelings, blessings and accomplishments. Moving on from master to disciple. From father to son.

Like a big family, which arises from a root with many distinct branches, Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha Shakyamuni, began this lineage. By His great compassion and wisdom He taught and showed the way for people in different ways, with different qualities.

So then began the different traditions, each following a path shown by Buddha. Each tradition, school, or philosophical views may seem in direct contradiction with another, but are in perfect harmony to the extent that they lead to the same result by different means.

The Ganden Gelug Nyengyu – the Whispered Lineage of Ganden, is a branch of this vast spiritual family. It was brought to Tibet from India by Atisha Dipankara, and then passed down to Lama Tsongkhapa, the 4th Panchen Lama Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen, passed to lineage masters like HH Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo, HH Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and from them to the present generation of teachers who maintain and transmit these teachings excellently in both the East and West.

To convey the preciousness of this lineage, this film aims to connect us with our roots and appreciate them. Thus creating value of the principles, values and knowledge we have and to be grateful for those handed down to us.

A comment about this part of the video – Our lineage has produced a massive number of great masters since the time of Lama Tsongkhapa. This lineage has also been engaging in the Dorje Shugden practice for the past 350 years.

The last 350 years saw the Gelugpa lineage in an uninterrupted fashion still producing great masters like His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche, His Holiness Pabongka Rinpoche and many others too many to be named here who relied on Dorje Shugden as their main protector. Hence the Dorje Shugden practice is proven to be beneficial and valid for our times.

The name of the documentary this trailer was made for is called ‘Lineage’. Read about what Lama Michel says about this documentary below.

‘Lineage’

LAMA MICHEL Rinpoche – “A spiritual tradition is kept alive not only by knowledge, but mainly for the inner transformation that comes as a result of spiritual practice based on transmission of knowledge and experience between master and disciple.

The documentary will tell the story of the lineage of Ganden Nyengyu, beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha, transmitted via many other great eminent masters before getting to His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche and contemporary masters like Lama Gangchen Rinpoche.

The value of this documentary is that it is important to all who are and still part of this spiritual family, all who are following this lineage. I ask everyone to believe in the value of the lineage and the importance of telling their story, to contribute and participate at making this project a success.

The first phase will be filming in Tibet, in August, and then there will be other phases of filming in India, Nepal, Europe, USA, Brazil, and the editing and completion.

I believe that with the help of the Sangha we will do it without any obstacle! I deeply appreciate the dedication, effort and affection of everybody!”

Cheers, in Dharma, Lama Michel

The Dalai Lama emphasises the importance of keeping the teacher-disciple relationship pure and having sincere reliance on a spiritual guide. But now, he goes against his own kind teachers by proclaiming that their practice of Dorje Shugden was “wrong”. Does this mean all the other teachings and practices he has received from them and is now sharing with the world are also “wrong”?

The Dalai Lama has publicly denounced Dorje Shugden’s practice and forbids any Shugden practitioners from attending his teachings. At the same time, he has given HH Trijang Rinpoche, the current incarnation of his spiritual guide, an exception to do this practice. Why would he allow his own teacher to practice something “wrong”?

The Dalai Lama has claimed that this deity is an evil spirit who will harm his life. Yet, according to the Abbot-Emeritus of Sera Monastery, who consulted Dorje Shugden via an Oracle, Dorje Shugden saved the Dalai Lama’s life by advising him to leave Tibet in 1959 and showing him the way to safety. Is that the action of an evil spirit?

Is the Dalai Lama deliberately being contradictory or is there a bigger picture to this ban?

The Dalai Lama and Guru Devotion

[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)

Dorje Shugden Saved The Dalai Lama’s Life

[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)

Dalai Lama Says Trijang Rinpoche Can Practice Dorje Shugden

[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)

His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche (1904-1984) was born in Kham, Tibet, studied at Ganden Monastery, gained renown as a learned Geshe and great debater and served as abbot for nine years. He left Tibet for India in 1959 and later served as principal of the Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath.

Like his dear friend Trijang Rinpoche, he was a great teacher and exponent of the benefits of Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden practice, and the end of his life held a week of pujas (chanted prayers) in which he stated very clearly and publicly that his whole life’s work was accomplished through his sincere reliance on Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden.

Read more about His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche here.

The China sanctioned Panchen Lama pictured with Dorje Shugden as his backdrop is the direct result of H.H. the Dalai Lama’s ban and therefore fulfilling the prophecies that Dorje Shugden will become the overlord of all dharma protectors during this kaliyuga period. He will replace Nechung as the king of the emanated worldly protectors. While Nechung will ‘retire’ to a Buddha field due to his services. The Dalai Lama is creating the causes for all of this to manifest.