On May 18, 2014 at around 3.30 pm, Gaden Choaling, a Dorje Shugden monastery traditionally belonging to H.H. Domo Geshe Rinpoche, was forcefully occupied by a group of monks and laypeople from Tharpa Choaling.

Over three months later, this grave injustice has yet to be resolved, no thanks to the gross inaction from the Central Tibetan Administration, thus prompting the Ghum Dun Gon Samten Choaling Association to call for a meeting with Dorje Shugden devotees from all around the world, including the President of the Dorjee Shugden Society of Delhi, in their efforts to garner support to reclaim what rightfully belongs to their Guru, H.H. Domo Geshe Rinpoche.

The official press release can be read below.

Ghum Dun Gon Samten Choaling Association

Central Committee
Regd No. S/55139/87-88
P.O. Ghoom, Dist. Darjeeling – 734102
Tel Nos: 0354-22-74297; 0354-22-74533
Fax No: 0354-22-74397

Branches
Samten Choaling Monastery, Darjealing
Tharpa Choaling Monastery, Kalimpong
Tashi Choaling Monastery, Kurseong
Gaden Choaling Monastery, Pedong
Enchey House, Gangtok

PRESS RELEASE

21st August 2014, Darjeeling

A meeting of all worshipers of Dorje Shugden was held at Ghum Dung Gon Samten Choaling Monastery on the 21st of August 2014.

The administrator of Samten Choaling Monastery, Ghe Tshering La welcomed the guests who had arrived from all over the country. He also requested the President of the Dorjee Shugden Society, Delhi to chair the meeting.

The General Secretary of Ghoom Dun Gon Samten Choaling Association spoke at length on the forceful entry into Gaden Choaling Gompa at Pedong. He informed the guests about the action taken by the Association and the cooperation it had received from members from around the world. He also informed the gathering that future plan of action would be decided once the Sub Divisional Officer gives her judgement.

The secretary also spoke about the plan for the future and highlighted the need for closer cooperation among members and the need to expedite the flow of information and news so that all members and followers are on the same wavelength.

The representative from Europe expressed his solidarity with the Association and his desire to be actively involved with the education and the welfare schemes planned by the Association. He also gave a brief History of H.H. Domo Geshe Rinpoche which was a revelation to all His followers.

The representative from the United States expressed his sympathy with the Association with regard to the demise of Ghe Passang Dorjee La and the debacle that was being enacted at Kalimpong and the forceful attempt to wrest control of Gaden Choaling Gompa at Pedong. He promised to work closely with the Association till justice is granted to the Association.

Other delegates from Nepal, Shillong, Shar Ganden and Ser Pom from the South also voiced their opinion and promised full cooperation to the Association in its fight for justice. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks given by Sri Nima Tshering.

The original press release (low resolution)

Due to the on-going persecution of Buddhist adherents of the four centuries-old practice of the protective Buddha Dorje Shugden by Tenzin Gyatso, aka the 14th Dalai Lama, and his “Central Tibetan Administration” (CTA), following a ban of that religious practice, the Dorje Shugden Devotees’ Charitable and Religious Society took the brave step of filing a Petition to the Delhi High Court, New Delhi, India in 2008.

On 5 April 2010, after more than two years of struggle, the Petition was finally dismissed by Justice S. Muralidhar on technical grounds.

The major reason cited for denying jurisdiction was location. The government of India pointed out that this court has no territorial jurisdiction over a dispute. As the defendants are located in Dharamsala, the state government is to investigate the allegations against the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile. The Indian government does not recognize the so-called Tibetan government in exile.

Justice Muralidhar pointed out:

It is however clarified that the dismissal of this petition will not preclude any individual member or members of the [Dorje Shugden Society] to seek appropriate remedies as may be available to them in law” before the police in Karnataka and its state government.

It was further stated that worshippers of Dorje Shugden have a right to freedom of religion as enshrined under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Predictably, the website of the Central Tibetan Administration on April 20 claimed this as a victory for them, falsely stating on their website that “Justice Muralidhar’s decision had the effect of closing the doors on the possibility of similar complaints in the future.”

In fact, Justice Muralidhar clearly stated that by dismissing the case in its present form he would not express any opinion on the merits or demerits of the case, and he clearly pointed out in paragraph 12 of the Order (as mentioned above):

It is however clarified that the dismissal of this petition will not preclude any individual member or member of the Petitioner No. 1 Society to seek appropriate remedies as may be available to them in law before the appropriate forum”.

The court noted that the Shugden Society’s harassment and maltreatment accusations had not yet been lodged in a formal complaint to the local police authorities. This has led the CTA to take the Justice’s comments out of context, stating that the Petition had been dismissed due to ‘vague averments’ regarding cases of harassment and persecution against Shugden devotees.

The actual order in fact reads that they were vague statements because “the criminal law remedies available to the Petitioners has not been availed of by them” (para 8), i.e. the victims. This of course is likely due to intimidation and fear of further persecution.

Despite the CTA propaganda, it is clear from studying the judgment that there was no victory, but nor was there a defeat. The dismissal was mainly for two reasons.

1. The Justice did not see a territorial jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court pointing towards the law and order institutions of the States of Himachal Pradesh (the seat of the Tibetan leader) and Karnataka (the site of the large Tibetan settlements Mundgod and Bylakuppe).
2. He mentioned the lack of records in the local police files due to the absence of complaints by victims of the Dalai Lama’s actions.

This ruling in fact lights the way for future court cases in the coming years to be tried in the appropriate state forums, especially as and when individual victims garner the courage to make official complaints to the local police and the records of those complaints pile up. As the persecution continues and monks are still expelled en masse from their monasteries, there is sadly no shortage of evidence to bring against the Dalai Lama and his CTA.

As the Dorje Shugden Society said on April 22:

There is no question of win – lose here. The dismissal of the case is disappointing. On the other hand, this experience has given us a second chance to approach it in a better and more efficient way. Moreover, it also implies that collaboration and fraternity are priorities.

Also, our lawyer said that the Society can file a Suit and individuals who are affected can file individual Petitions. The society tried its best according to its ability. Of course the society is poorly funded. But this is not end of our struggle for religious freedom, human dignity and equality, since our cause is just.

And it goes without saying that those who walk on the path of truth often face challenges. Despite hindrances we ought to make an effort that no one should live through the deprivation of their basic rights, and pledge to promote love, compassion and tolerance in lieu of merely preaching them.

We are grateful to the Dorje Shugden Society for translating this news item, which appeared on Norway Tibet Radio (Voice of Tibet) on 9th November 2011:

Broadcaster: Since the Dalai Lama is giving Avalokiteshvara initiation tomorrow, he has announced that Dholgyal devotees (Shugden) should not attend the initiation. He also said the propitiation of Dholgyal has been detrimental to the harmony among Buddhists.

Dalai Lama: Today it is like I am giving a lecture. It is not necessary that you listen by recognizing me as Guru. It is alright if you come to listen, saying what Dalai Bashi is saying. Tomorrow you will take a teaching. I am giving an initiation. I am giving vows. Therefore there will be a Guru and disciple relationship. Pure commitment is necessary. During the course of initiation, the pure commitment is necessary.

In time, I worshipped the so-called King Shugden. I didn’t know and I make a mistake. Then, having paid attention, it was wrong. Also, during the course of thorough analysis, King Shugden emerged during the time of the fifth Dalai Lama. If I say about the way the fifth Dalai Lama recognized King Shugden, according to his text, the nature of King Shugden is evil spirit; its cause was the wrong prayer; and its function is to harm Buddhism and living beings.

So if you say this is a protector of Buddhism, or a protector of Gelug Tradition, it is a disgrace and shame. Je Rinpoche has empowered and entrusted Six-armed Mahakala and Dharmaraj. Je Rinpoche has seen capability in them. Simply speaking, he didn’t empower them on guesses. (laugh). If you worship King Shugden, you have broken commitment with the fifth Dalai Lama, and so to the thirteenth Dalai Lama.

If you receive an initiation from me, you will break commitment with me. If there is anyone who worships King Shugden – actually it is your choice whether or not you worship – please don’t come to receive teaching from me. If you are a monk or a layperson, please don’t come tomorrow. If you are deceived by saying that business and luck would flourish, you should stop from now. You don’t need to be afraid at all. In case a case is necessary to be filed, I would file the case. You don’t need to be afraid. It is a freedom if you contempt although you know it is wrong. It doesn’t matter if you walk upside down.

The only detriment to harmony is the Dalai Lama’s sectarian and exclusive attitude towards Dorje Shugden practitioners. He alone is destroying harmony in the international Buddhist community by making an issue where is none.

Editor’s Note:
Thank you Dalai Lama for playing your role so well for the spread of Dorje Shugden. Avalokiteshvara has no conflicts with Manjushri.

Source : http://wisdombuddhadorjeshugden.blogspot.com/2011/11/dalai-lama-shugden-practitioners-youre.html