Khen Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, the current abbot of Ganden Shartse, is well known for bowing easily to pressures from the CTA and maintaining their unfair policies against Shugden practitioners. This has led to compromising the practice of Dorje Shugden throughout the monastery

Very few have discussed the plight of Shugden practitioners in Western Shugden Society. I will delve into some of the issues faced by some of our eastern brothers in Tibet.

The Tibetan exile government put the Dalai Lama’s wishes into practice directly in India, and in the same way the Dalai Lama’s official representative in each country throughout the world has directly and practically followed the orders of the exile government.

These representatives have organized vigilante groups in their respective regions and directly prevailed upon such groups to defame, threaten, and sometimes physically harm Shugden practitioners.

In this way many Shugden temples have been closed and shrines destroyed, individual Shugden practitioners’ houses have been burned down, practitioners have been brutally beaten, and children have been banned from their schools. Tibetan Shugden practitioners are repeatedly accused unjustly of being ‘the Tibetan national enemy’ and ostracized from their communities.

This inhumane treatment directly violates basic human rights and principles of democratic law, but nevertheless pervades almost every Tibetan community today, whether in the East or West. For example, in Tibet itself where the Chinese now give basic equal rights to everyone, all Shugden practitioners still suffer from a lack of religious freedom caused by other Tibetans who continue to work within Tibet to fulfill the Dalai Lama’s wishes there.

And in Switzerland, a democratic country which hosts a large Tibetan exile community, Shugden practitioners suffer from a lack of religious freedom caused by the unjust and discriminatory actions of groups organised by the Office of the Dalai Lama’s Representative, which acts directly against democratic law in continually working to fulfill the Dalai Lama’s wishes. It is the same in all other countries.

The Dalai Lama himself, the Tibetan exile government, the present and former abbots of the main monasteries of the Gelug Tradition, and the Dalai Lama’s official representatives in each country throughout the world, have all broken international law and are abusing basic human rights. They are criminals wearing spiritual masks.

Stop Religious Persecutions

The source of all these problems is just one single person – the Dalai Lama himself. It is very clear that the Dalai Lama’s people are acting against Shugden practitioners simply out of blind faith, and only to fulfil his wishes.

Since the Dalai Lama first created this international problem in 1996, the world’s media, including the BBC in the UK, have continually received information about it. In many countries in 1996 and in 2008 they directly witnessed thousands of Shugden practitioners engaging in international public demonstrations against the Dalai Lama, protesting ‘Dalai Lama, give religious freedom!’ and ‘Dalai Lama, stop lying!’

There is no doubt that, for example, the BBC understands this international problem, including the inhumanity of the situation; the violation of basic human rights; the fact that it is entirely caused by the Dalai Lama, who acts like a 21st century dictator; and the fact that the suffering is experienced by millions of innocent people throughout the world. However, the BBC does not broadcast any true information about this international problem, but instead always supports the 21st century dictator, the Dalai Lama. Why is this?

From the very beginning until now, the Dalai Lama and his exile Government have striven to hide this international problem that the Dalai Lama himself has created. Whenever a journalist asks the Dalai Lama ‘Why have you banned Shugden worship and caused so many problems?’ he replies saying that it is not true that there is a ban, it is merely rumor; there is no problem.

Following this lie, when journalists ask the same question of the Dalai Lama’s representatives in each country, they again receive the same bland reply ‘This is not true, it is just a rumor; there is no problem’. If you were to telephone the Dalai Lama right now and ask him ‘Why have you banned Shugden worship and caused so many problems?’ He would still reply saying ‘This is not true, it is rumor; there is no problem.’

There is no greater liar or a person more powerfully deceptive than this in the world today. So far the international community has had no opportunity to receive clear and true information about Tibetan ruling lamas in general, nor about this present Dalai Lama in particular, who keeps the name of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, whilst harming people’s spiritual life and causing suffering to millions of innocent people.

The Western Shugden Society demonstrations have met with objections from Tibetans who believe that criticism of the Dalai Lama has an adverse effect on the cause of Tibetan independence and unity. They complain that it tarnishes the reputation of Tibetans worldwide as the Dalai Lama is their leader in the eyes of the world and their most recognizable symbol.

At the same time, some Western Buddhists and supporters of Tibetan independence have objected to the demonstrations on the grounds that these damage the reputation of Tibet or of Buddhism. It seems that we are spoiling their fantasy of Shangri-la.

These people say that we are wrong to protest publicly, to challenge the Dalai Lama’s perceived authority, to “rock the boat”, as it were. Some say we are wrong even to question the Dalai Lama and to oppose his edicts. Some say simply that, even if we disagree, we should do so privately, without bringing such shame down upon our house. They say that it is horrible to see monks and nuns on the streets shouting — that this is un-Buddhist, that we appear angry, and that we should stop.

The critics are correct insofar as, without doubt, the current schism is having an adverse effect on the reputation of Buddhism worldwide, but they are wrong to say that we should be silent for the sake of temporary harmony and to save face. To do so would be like the family of an abusive father staying silent about the abuse for the sake of the family name. Effectively, we would enable and allow the Dalai Lama to continue to commit whatever abuses and atrocities he chose, unchecked.

Our house is not in order. All is not well. We cannot pretend that it is.

When the scandal of abusive priests within the Catholic church broke recently, the greatest shame and pain came from the cover-up that had occurred. What outraged people the most was that no-one within the church had spoken out to expose the abuse and stop it. It was this that was perceived to be the greatest deception and the most horrible betrayal of trust.

If we make ourselves accomplices to the Dalai Lama’s present abuse of human rights by staying silent, then how will the world react when, as will definitely happen, the abuse finally comes to light? How will it affect the reputation of Buddhism and Buddhists throughout the world if no-one among us had dared stand up and blown the whistle: “Our house is not in order. This is not right.”?

As sincere Buddhists, all Dorje Shugden practitioners must stand up and be counted. We have the responsibility to expose this decay in the highest levels of our community and to oppose it. If we do not do this, where is our honesty and our integrity – our decency? Who will trust us when the Dalai Lama’s mask falls? If we say nothing, then we will be morally bankrupt, accomplices, and the Dharma will truly have been destroyed from within, as the Buddha predicted.

It is completely wrong to say that the Dalai Lama is beyond reproach because he is the Dalai Lama. Buddha Shakyamuni himself taught us that we must question and clarify the meaning of the Dharma that we hear and never blindly accept what any teacher says, however famous or charismatic they may be. Blind acceptance is not Buddhism: it is creating the conditions for dictatorship and fanaticism.

It is completely wrong to hide the faults within our house from the world, pretending that all is well while thousands, even millions, suffer as a result of one man’s delusion. That is not loyalty; it is cowardice and deception.

We must fight this, however painful and embarrassing it may be for us: that is our responsibility as Bodhisattvas. No Buddhist wants to protest, or would choose to be seen waving their fists and shouting; but we have, literally, no choice. We did not create this situation; that responsibility lies solely with the Dalai Lama and his government in exile. He and he alone is responsible for this unprecedented schism in the Sangha. As Buddhists, the responsibility we do have is to bring this shame to light and to do what we can to control the damage. If we don’t do this now then we make of ourselves cowards and accomplices.

Of course we feel deeply sorry for the Tibetan people and for all the Dalai Lama’s faithful disciples: he is betraying them all. As sincere practitioners of Dorje Shugden we must not also betray them by staying silent. Keeping a patient mind within, we must fight this with truth and wisdom, with compassion and love. If we do so, we will definitely prevail and Je Tsongkhapa’s tradition will remain for the benefit of future generations.

Now is not the time for Buddhists to sit there — now is the time for them to stand up for what is right. Now is the time to dispel false accusations against the innocent. Now is the time to protect the pitiful and the protectorless.

If we do not take this challenging and brave step at this point in history, then an immensely profound and compassionate lineage of Buddhadharma is lost in our very lifetimes. This must not happen.

Published courtesy of Atisha’s Cook

(Source: http://wisdombuddhadorjeshugden.blogspot.com/2008/06/now-is-time.html)

(Read Part 1 and Part 2)

Q: What prevents anyone from practising it anyway in his/her privacy?

A: In theory there is nothing to stop people practising ‘in secret’, but as part of his campaign to remove the practice from Tibetan society, each person either has been forced to swear an oath to Palden Lhamo (another powerful Dharma protector) or be ostracised from Tibetan society and be denied travel, food, family relationships and basic human conditions. In effect the Dalai Lama is forcing Tibetans to make a vow to break their previous commitment to their Spiritual Guides to practise Dorje Shugden, or to suffer ostracism if they refuse. The oath is as follows:

I swear on the name of the Dalai Lama 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.

The Dalai Lama is seeking to publicly denounce the practice of Dorje Shugden with a view to removing the practice and its adherents from Buddhism; and to oppose this requires public action such as demonstrations. He has already banned the practice in the Tibetan Community in India and moves are afoot to try to force Tibetans living in the West to sign a similar oath to abandon the practice. For example, The Dalai Lama’s sister Pema was recently in Paris starting the forced signature campaign of Tibetans in France, Tibetans in Australia told the demonstrators that they had already signed the oath, and the forced signature campaign is being arranged for Madison, US, next month (July 2008).
The discrimination against Dorje Shugden is already affecting Buddhist traditions in the West. For example, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, which was founded by Lama Yeshe (a very devout Dorje Shugden practitioner, now perhaps turning in his grave), no longer allows any officer, Teacher or Administrator of the organization to be a Shugden practitioner. Also, one of the pre-requisites for requesting ordination in the FPMT is not to be a Shugden practitioner. The irrational ban is spreading like poison through the bloodstream of all Tibetan Buddhist institutions loyal to the Dalai Lama, even Western ones. The aim is the complete eradication of Dorje Shugden practice and the authentic Gelugpa lineage.
The Dalai Lama travels throughout the world talking about tolerance, religious harmony and the need for dialogue with one’s enemies. He speaks sweet words taken from his Teachers, but at the same time he is seeking to humiliate and destroy the reputation of Dorje Shugden practitioners throughout the world such that they will no longer be regarded as Buddhists but as sectarian spirit worshippers. He is destroying the very lineage he is teaching from!
A lot of people think that religion and religious figures are hypocritical. Sadly, the Dalai Lama is busy proving them right. If the Dalai Lama cared anything for Buddhism and its reputation he would not act in such a hypocritical way because in the long term it will destroy the reputation of a religion that many people are increasingly turning to for solving their problems. For the sake of power and influence he is showing a callous disregard for the spiritual lives of others.

Q: What do protesters hope to achieve by going public, and by all accounts, sow, what appears gratuitous discord, amongst the Tibetan community? And apparently undermine the moral and representative authority of the Dalai Lama at a very, very crucial time for him and Tibetans. To the public at large it has all the appearance of a rather self-centred opportunity for these practitioners to embarrass the Dalai Lama, and to gain maximum leverage for their cause, whatever the merits of it may be.

A: What the Western Shugden Society hopes to achieve is dialogue with the Dalai Lama so that the destruction of a pure lineage of Buddhism can be averted. Our wish is for the pure spiritual practice of Je Tsongkhapa’s tradition to remain for many aeons for the benefit of all living beings. We want to persuade the Dalai Lama to reconsider, give religious freedom to Dorje Shugden practitioners in his own community and to stop slandering the practice and practitioners throughout the world.
In short, we want him to stop causing disharmony and gratuitous discord in the Buddhist community by lying about the practice, and for him to give religious freedom. When something as precious as the Buddhist teachings is threatened, something has to be done, which is why the Western Shugden Society is organizing demonstrations against the Dalai Lama. As soon as he agrees to listen, the demonstrations will stop.
Some people have said “why are Westerners protesting when it’s only a problem for Tibetans in India? You’re free to practice, the Dalai Lama isn’t stopping you” Firstly, it’s not just Westerners who are protesting. If you look at the videos and pictures of the protest at Colgate University in New York State, for example, you will see many Tibetans, and many more will be at future demonstrations. Secondly, this is a problem for ALL Shugden practitioners worldwide and is increasingly coming to affect Western practitioners in terms of unchecked slander against Dorje Shugden practitioners. Just as a forest fire may begin in one part of the forest but will eventually spread and destroy everything if it is unchecked, the Dalai Lama is trying to stop all of us from practising Dorje Shugden by using his charisma and good reputation, first in his own community but later worldwide. We must oppose this.
Those of us who are in the New Kadampa Tradition have already suffered from ten years of the Dalai Lama labelling us as a ‘cult’, even mainstream news magazines like Newsweek in April 1997 repeated the misinformation spread by the Dalai Lama: “Nobody would pray to Buddha for better business, but they go to Shugden for such favours – and this is where it has become like spirit worship,” the Dalai Lama told NEWSWEEK. “This is a great pity-a tragedy.”
There are now hundreds of stories throughout the world of people strongly deterred by Tibetan Buddhist groups from coming to or returning to NKT Centers because they are cultists and evil spirit worshippers, and all other sorts of hurtful nonsense. NKT publicity is torn down or defaced, teachers are heckled during their teachings, NKT people have been shouted and spat at in the street, some other Tibetan practitioners wear protective ribbons and make mudras (hand gestures) upon encountering any Kadampas, there is a lot of negative talk about us on the internet, and faith is destroyed.
Yet what has the NKT done wrong except for trying to keep the Gelugpa tradition intact and give Dharma teachings unmixed with politics? What have they done wrong except to stand up to the Dalai Lama for their own and others’ spiritual lives? And it is clear that the source of this bias, disinformation and hostility is none other than the Dalai Lama himself. Tibetan Buddhists who are following the Dalai Lama’s view are practising sectarian discrimination against the NKT in particular and against Dorje Shugden practitioners in general, just as their teacher is.
For example, on the popular E-sangha Buddhist discussion forum it is not permissible to post about Shugden practice or the NKT except to criticise. We are all ‘banned’ from this supposedly Buddhist forum, just as the Dalai Lama would like to ostracise all Shugden practitioners from Buddhism. The Dalai Lama has created all these problems through his sectarianism. This kind of discrimination is not Buddhist and is against the Bodhisattva vows. Therefore, it’s incorrect to say that Western Shugden practitioners are unaffected by the Dalai Lama’s slander of our tradition.
It is not our wish to sow discord amongst the Tibetan community but to heal it by allowing everyone to practice freely. The Dalai Lama is the one sowing discord with his campaign against Dorje Shugden. He is driving a wedge between practitioners and their families and denying basic human conditions unless you renounce the practice. The Dalai Lama is abusing human rights and breaking Indian Law by engaging in Deity discrimination. His actions are clearly uncompassionate and unlawful.
In February 2008, 900 monks were expelled from their monasteries for bravely refusing to give up their practice.
As Geshe Sopa said recently when he travelled from America to join the demonstration in Oxford, what the Dalai Lama is doing is worse than what the Chinese did – the Chinese destroyed the monasteries but they could not divide the monks. The Dalai Lama has succeeded in creating a schism in the monastic community by enforcing a ban that has stirred up disharmony and bitterness.
The protest against the Dalai Lama is not self-centered but is an attempt to draw media attention to this problem. The Western Shugden Society has no choice because the Dalai Lama refuses to discuss this issue even though many attempts have been made to have a meaningful dialogue with him. The WSS is trying to prevent the destruction of Je Tsongkhapa’s tradition and to re-establish the rights of Tibetan practitioners of this Deity who are being oppressed, to allow them to carry out their practice without political interference. Is that really so much to ask?
Posted courtesy of Lineageholder.
(Read Part 1 and Part 2)
(Source: http://wisdombuddhadorjeshugden.blogspot.com/2008/06/frequently-asked-questions-about-dorje_9205.html)

• The Dalai Lama claims that Buddhism is degenerating into spirit worship by relying on Dorje Shugden, yet he propitiates (and has a whole temple for) a spirit claiming to be Nechung whom he relies on for advice.
• The Dalai Lama accuses the Chinese of abusing the human rights of Tibetans, yet he is abusing the human rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners worldwide.
• The Dalai Lama is accusing Dorje Shugden practice of being ‘sectarian’, even though he is being sectarian by banning the practice that was done by his holy Teachers whom he says are ‘wrong’.
• He says that Dorje Shugden practice is causing problems in Tibetan society, but all such problems exist only because of the Dalai Lama’s actions of demonizing practitioners of this Deity, stiring up disharmony and causing divisions where no such divisions existed before by exploiting the issues of his health and the cause of Tibetan independence, which he has no intention of achieving anyway.
• He says that Dorje Shugden practice is divisive, but he has divided the Sangha, something that has never happened before in the history of Buddhism on this scale. Geshe Sopa said recently when he attended the demonstration in Oxford that what the Dalai Lama has done is worse than what the Chinese did, because the Chinese could not divide the monks, but the Dalai Lama has managed to do so.
• He is trying to enforce his ban of Dorje Shugden in Tibetan society, and in Buddhist society in general, saying that people are not listening to him; when he has refused for over ten years to listen to the petitions of Western Shugden practitioners who simply want religious freedom for all.

There can surely be no greater example of the ugly results of mixing religion and politics than the Dalai Lama’s present actions of destroying a pure spiritual tradition.

Posted courtesy of Lineageholder

(Source: http://wisdombuddhadorjeshugden.blogspot.com/2008/06/double-standards-apply.html)

1. In brief
2. Segregation
3. Does the Dalai Lama have the right to do this?
4. Who is responsible for the ban, Yellow Card and resulting penalties for those who disobey?
5. Does this affect Western Buddhists?
6. Does this affect Tibetans in the West?
7. How many people are affected by this ban and persecution?

(1) In brief

• Monks and nuns are forbidden to do the practice and are unconstitutionally expelled from their monasteries and nunneries if they do not comply
• Thousands of Shugden practitioners among the Tibetan lay people are being forced to abandon the practice or lose the support of their government and face orchestrated public humiliation and intimidation
• People who refuse to renounce the practice are losing their jobs, their children are being expelled from schools, and their travel papers, which require prior authorization from the Tibetan Government in Exile, are not being issued
• Statues have been smashed, temples destroyed, books burned, practitioners’ houses attacked, and even death threats issued in a persecution that resembles a medieval witch hunt

(2) Segregation

Today the entire Tibetan population is being forced to hold an Identity Card, the YELLOW CARD, proving that they took the oath swearing (1) not to worship Dorje Shugden, and (2) not to have any material or spiritual relationship with Dorje Shugden practitioners.

This segregates and denies the human rights of both monastics and lay families.

Segregation in the monasteries

Buddhist monks and nuns who do not swear and are not given the Yellow Card are:

• Not allowed to eat with others
• Deprived of food. They are not allowed in any of the monastery’s kitchens. Even if they receive some external help for their survival, they cannot buy food from the monastery’s shop or anywhere in the nearby Tibetan settlements
• Not allowed to set foot in their main temple
• Not allowed to attend the daily monastic gatherings of prayers, rituals and debates
• Having to be protected by Indian police to attend the sacred yearly Monlam Chenmo Festival, created by their religious founder Je Tsongkhapa
• Receiving violent threats in the neighbouring Tibetan settlements, cowardly posted during the night

It is forbidden to talk to them. It is forbidden to walk close to them. If you see one of them, you have to deviate your steps to not cross his or her path.

Segregation in the lay community

Lay Tibetans have been made to swear the double oath of not worshipping the Protector Dorje Shugden themselves, as well as forsaking all contact with the monastic practitioners.

Those who do not swear and are not given the Yellow Card:

• Are not allowed to travel in the same taxicab or rickshaw with other Tibetans
• Cannot purchase even the most essential groceries (their children cannot even buy candy)
• Cannot eat in any restaurant
• Lose their jobs
• Have their children expelled from school

Definition of Segregation from Cornell: 3 -Segregation -1. enforced separation of groups: the practice of keeping ethnic, racial, religious, or gender groups separate, especially by enforcing the use of separate schools, transportation, housing, and other facilities, and usually discriminating against a minority group.

4 -A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege, which if interfered with by another gives rise to an action for injury. Examples of civil rights are freedom of speech, press, and assembly [.] and the right to equality in public places.

Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of their membership in a particular group or class. (Cornell University Law School).]

(3) Does the Dalai Lama have the right to do this?

Although the world has been served an image of the Dalai Lama as the religious leader – a Pope of sorts – of all Buddhists, he is not. He does not have any religious authority to do what he is doing. In a general way this is because Buddhism accepts all internal religious beliefs and doesn’t harbor the notion of persecuting heresy, and in particular because there is no level of authority in the Buddhist religion to order or implement a religious persecution.

(4) Who is responsible for the ban, Yellow Card and resulting penalties for those who disobey?

Everything going on now is the direct responsibility of the Dalai Lama. He has been campaigning personally to push the abbots and monks to do the referendum and make others take the double oath.

He is responsible for the persecution because he chose the necessary words to push Tibetans to become the tormentors of their fellow exiles by repeating four calumnies over and over again.

1. The worshipping of Dorje Shugden endangers his life
2. It harms the cause of Tibet
3. Practitioners assassinated three monks in Dharamsala in the 1990s
4. Practitioners are working for the Chinese to harm the cause of Tibet

To measure how deep the crisis goes, consider the following statement by Ngawang Tenpa, Officer of the Cholsum organisation, the largest regional group in Tibetan politics:

It is possible to think of a time when we will make friends with the Chinese, but with these (Dorje Shugden) people – never.

(5) Does this affect Western Buddhists?

Western Buddhist Centers with a connection to the Dalai Lama have also been signing declarations promising not to engage in the Shugden practice or to allow into their Center anyone who does.

In the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) Handbook, Lama Zopa says:

All those who offer service or teach in FPMT centers are committed to follow the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As an example, His Holiness has prohibited the practice of the so-called protector, Do Gyel (Shugden), so teachers or others affiliated with the FPMT should not engage in this practice.

This also extends to ordination. From the IMI/FPMT website:

Students considering ordination should also:

• have had Buddhist refuge for at least five years,
• have lived with lay vows for at least three years,
• NOT be a Shugden practitioner,
• be at least 20 years of age, etc etc

This is even though Lama Zopa says about himself and his teacher, the Founder of the FPMT:

Of course, Lama and I practiced Dorje Shugden for many years. That was always the main thing that Lama did whenever there were problems to overcome. At the beginning of every Kopan course, Lama always did Shugden puja to eliminate hindrances.“

This suppression of religious freedom and private belief amongst Western practitioners is even more ironic and tragic given that about 70% of their lineage Gurus were renowned Dorje Shugden practitioners! Where is their lineage now? It seems to start and end with the Dalai Lama (who is, interestingly enough, placed alone and above all the other great Lamas on the lineage Guru page, including his own teachers). The Dalai Lama is clearly destroying the established and ancient spiritual lineage not only of Tibetan Dorje Shugden practitioners but of Westerners too.

This February, the Dalai Lama sent the FPMT Centers the same referendum as in India with the two questions about (1) whether they reject the Protector Dorje Shugden and (2) whether they support Dorje Shugden practitioners.

This so-called “poll” does not lead to actual physical persecution as the Dalai Lama has no political power in the West to back it up (though, he does control the disbursement of considerable financial resources to these centers). But causing Westerners to swear that they are going to discriminate against others based on their religious faith is not only non-Buddhist, but creates disharmony and mistrust between the many European and American FPMT Buddhist Centers and the many Western Buddhist Centers who do rely upon Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden.

Many Dorje Shugden practitioners in the West, both Westerners and Tibetans, have been forced to remain anonymous for fear of becoming a target of the Dalai Lama’s criticism and developing a bad reputation. They are falsely accused of being demon-worshippers, Chinese agents, sectarian cult members, and so on. Because of the Dalai Lama’s unquestioned reputation in the West, the media have often believed him over the explanations of Dorje Shugden practitioners, and so have portrayed Dorje Shugden practitioners with a negative bias.

(6) Does this affect Tibetans in the West?

Many Tibetan Dorje Shugden practitioners in the West fear the Dalai Lama’s followers, both in Asia and the rest of the world, with good reasons.

The Tibetan communities in the West have already implemented some type of segregation, even before the taking of the oath. For example, in April there was a demonstration at Colgate University against the Dalai Lama’s actions. One of the monks who attended was recognised by members of the American Tibetan community as the brother of a restaurant owner. People stopped attending that restaurant, which will soon be forced out of business.

On April 26, 2008, at Ganden Lachi monastery, Mundgod, South India, Thupten Lungrik, the minister of the Department of Education (of the Tibetan government in exile) gave a public speech to the monks and lay people:

Every Tibetan must know that the Shugden society has filed the case against His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In New York, during the demonstration by western Shugden devotees, some Tibetans took part. All Tibetans must identify them.

On May 4, 2008, an urgent meeting against Shugden devotees was held in Dharamsala. Samdhong Rinpoche [the Dalai Lama's principal aide] said that Shugden devotees are staging demonstrations against His Holiness the Dalai Lama in many places; and that it is not the right time to demonstrate. The discussion on the writ petition filed by the society in Delhi High Court was taking place. Some Tibetans volunteered to attack the Shugden society and its members.

(7) How many people are affected by this ban and persecution?

This is a widespread religious tradition. There are an estimated one million Tibetans in the Tibetan areas of China that rely upon Dorje Shugden as the Protector of Je Tsongkhapa’s wisdom tradition. There are many other Dorje Shugden practitioners in Mongolia, India, Taiwan, Nepal, Switzerland, the US, the UK, and so on. All of them are affected directly or indirectly by this ban and, if nothing is done to stop it, a well-loved, peaceful and ancient tradition of Buddhism will be destroyed.

Source: www.wisdombuddhadorjeshugden.org/dorjeshugden01.php

Day 1 Interview by 69 WFMZ in Philadelphia. Are people not investigating the qualifications of the Dalai Lama? Actions speaks louder than words. Watch this video.

Protests in Bethlehem, Philadelphia – Day 2

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Protests in Nurnberg, Germany

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Protests in Nottingham, UK

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Protests at Kimmel Centre, Philadelphia

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On Friday May 30, the dreaming spires of Oxford awoke to cries of ‘Dalai Lama, Stop Lying’ as over 500 members of the Western Shugden Society gathered to protest against the Dalai Lama’s religious discrimination while he gave a public talk at the Sheldonian Theatre.

CCTV blames Dalai Lama, saying he is behind the Tibet protests. Professor Robert Thurman responded that Dalai Lama was surprised and was not involved in the demonstration by young activists. Monks from Drepung monastery were caught innocently while on their way to the monastery for a celebration.

ABC Radio National’s interview with Kelsang Pema, the international spokesperson for the Western Shugden Society. This interview by Stephen Crittenden was aired on 11 June 2008 on The Religion Report.

Evacuated by NYC Police – The Western Shugden Society were peacefully protesting against the Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden when they were surrounded by a mob of angry Tibetans.

Dalai Lama Protest at Radio City

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Midtown Clash Over Dalai

July 18th, 2008 By Pilar Conci and Jamie Schram from the New York Post
Followers of the Dalai Lama’s nonviolent teachings lost their cool yesterday – tossing coins and water bottles at Midtown protesters.

After the Dalai Lama finished a two-hour speech on human suffering at Radio City Music Hall, his audience of several hundred people stepped onto Sixth Avenue to chants of “Dalai Lama, stop lying!” from the protesters – who claim the Tibetan spiritual leader persecutes Buddhist Shugden practitioners.

Supporters waved money and threw coins at the protesters suggesting they were paid by the Chinese government.
There were no arrests at the protests.

Footage of Protest at Radio City

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Footage taken at Radio City as angry Dalai Lama supporters decend on peaceful protestors.

Riot after Dalai Lama’s Teaching

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A huge riot erupted in New York City after the Dalai Lama’s teachings July 17, 2008 in which an organized mob of the attendees of the Dalai Lama’s teaching surrounded the peaceful protesters demonstrating against the Dalai Lama’s ban on the mainstream Buddhist practice of the Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden.