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: Steve Lee

Lama Tseta is a self-proclaimed former member of the Dorje Shugden movement. He gained notoriety for the interviews he gave against Dorje Shugden practitioners, claiming they had links to the Chinese government. One of these interviews was with Reuters, a reputable news agency with a strong global network. In his interview, Lama Tseta claimed that China paid him and other prominent Shugden lamas and practitioners to engage in protests and other activities to split the Tibetan community apart. Lama Tseta’s claims have since been debunked and discredited by many parties, including in the video below featuring outspoken Tibetan commentator Dhamchoe Nyima.

Lama Tseta claimed he had evidence to prove that Dorje Shugden practitioners were connected to the Chinese. His claim was later debunked and he became the subject of criticism from both Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden practitioners.

In his video, Dhamchoe Nyima exposes Lama Tseta as an outright liar. Dhamchoe, who personally knows Lama Tseta, says that there is no truth in Lama Tseta’s claims and in reality, Lama Tseta has no hard evidence for the allegations he made against Dorje Shugden practitioners regarding their connection with the Chinese government. Dhamchoe came to this conclusion after he repeatedly asked for concrete evidence which, apart from some photographs, Lama Tseta failed to produce.

After a while, it became obvious to Dhamchoe that Lama Tseta had fabricated his claims. His lies to Reuters resulted in an interview that widened the chasm in Tibetan society between Dorje Shugden practitioners and non-practitioners. Hence, Dhamchoe was quick to label Lama Tseta a schismatic ‘society destroyer’. Although not a Shugden practitioner or sympathizer, Dhamchoe was deeply disturbed by Lama Tseta and his divisive lies, leading him to produce this tell-all video to expose the truth about Lama Tseta and his false claims against Shugden practitioners.

Dhamchoe Nyima was an employee of the Tibetan government until he became disillusioned by the political infighting and self-serving behavior he observed there. He is now speaking up against the Tibetan leadership and their lackeys like Lama Tseta, who falsely claimed to have proof that Dorje Shugden practitioners are connected with the Chinese government. In a shocking tell-all video, Damchoe Nyima reveals that Lama Tseta is an outright liar and a schismatic ‘society destroyer’ who never had any proof of his allegations against Shugden believers.

What is compelling about this video is the fact that the speaker, Dhamchoe Nyima is neither a practitioner of Dorje Shugden nor a sympathizer, himself having given up the practice in 2015. Dhamchoe also reveals that until 2014, he used to work for Gaden Phodrang, another name for the Tibetan government.

During his employ, he was led to believe in the negative views about Dorje Shugden practice. In fact, thanks to the dissenting views he observed in the Tibetan government regarding the practice, Dhamchoe felt compelled to begin his own investigation into rumors that Shugden practitioners were linked to China. His investigation led him to connect with Lama Tseta. Intrigued by Lama Tseta’s claims of possessing proof that Shugden practice had direct links with and support from the government of China, and wanting to validate his own beliefs, Dhamchoe invited Lama Tseta to stay with him for a week.

As a result of the Dalai Lama’s ban against the deity Dorje Shugden, a divide was created in Tibetan society between Dorje Shugden practitioners and non-practitioners

Based on Dhamchoe’s video, it is clear that Reuters originally reported in favor of Lama Tseta’s divisive claims because they had not anticipated that Lama Tseta would manipulate the truth to this extent for self-gain and prestige. In truth, Lama Tseta was only able to tell such boldfaced lies thanks to the backing and support of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala, North India). If such a powerful media agency like Reuters can be innocently duped into believing the sensationalist claims of the CTA, Lama Tseta and his ilk, how many more people have been tricked into thinking the best of the CTA for the last few decades? Fortunately, the millions of Tibetan Shugden practitioners are faithful, resilient and forgiving as embodied in the spirit of the teachings that the great lineage masters have proliferated in the past.

Lama Tseta was only able to tell such boldfaced lies to Reuters and other media agencies thanks to the backing and support of the Central Tibetan Administration

We at dorjeshugden.com hope that the powerful journalists, editors and chief editors at Reuters will consider delving deeper into the Dorje Shugden issue and realize the true political nature of the Shugden ban. And that they will seriously consider publishing more articles that will clarify the current divisive situation and uncover the truth about the Shugden issue, thereby separating fact from sensationalist, political fiction.

Video: Brave Tibetan debunks Lama Tseta, speaks up against the Tibetan leadership

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A Summary of Dhamchoe Nyima’s talk on Lama Tseta

• Dhamchoe Nyima worked for the Tibetan exile government (Gaden Phodrang) until the end of 2014 and he was involved in many departments. During his time there, he witnessed and experienced many internal political and religious disagreements, for example the Dorje Shugden issue.
• Since he has already resigned, he has no personal reasons for clarifying the topics he speaks about. But he decided to make this video because he is uncomfortable with what is going on and he wants to help the Tibetan people [learn the truth]. He has seen for himself that most of the people in the Tibetan government work for their own benefit. Because they are self-serving, they create more problems and conflicts for the Tibetan community.
• He was still part of the Tibetan government when he heard ordinary Tibetans claiming that Dorje Shugden practice was harmful to the Dalai Lama’s life. Since it supposedly affects the Dalai Lama’s life, that made it a religious matter. At the same time, the Tibetan government felt that Dorje Shugden was not a religious matter but a political one because Dorje Shugden people were accused of receiving money from China. Dhamchoe Nyima implies there was no consensus in how to deal with the Dorje Shugden issue.
• Dhamchoe Nyima thought that if it was a political matter, then he should do something about it. Around that time, a friend suggested that he get involved with a WeChat group called Global Tibetan Volunteers for the Truth because everyone on the group was loyal to the Dalai Lama and wanted to protect his life. The group was very active and had representatives of many different Buddhist sects, monasteries and teachers. However, this group did not last long because of disagreements and differences in opinion between the participants. Eventually, it was shut down.
• Later, Dhamchoe Nyima became involved with the YouTube channel Boston Real Tibetan Public Talk (Mangthrod Khada). They heard a rumor that Dorje Shugden people were protesting against the Dalai Lama because they were paid by China to do so. Dorje Shugden people responded by asking for proof to back up these accusations. This got him interested in finding the proof. It was around this time that he heard about Lama Tseta.
• Believing that Dorje Shugden practitioners were using the ban as an excuse to protest and had their own political agenda i.e. they wanted money from China, Dhamchoe Nyima wanted to protect the so-called Tibetan cause from such people. Therefore, when he heard Lama Tseta saying he had proof that Dorje Shugden people were connected with China, he was interested and wanted to know more. That’s how his involvement with Lama Tseta began.
• Lama Tseta stayed with Dhamchoe Nyima for a week. In the video, Dhamchoe Nyima shows photos of Lama Tseta at his house, to prove that Lama Tseta was indeed there. It even appears that Lama Tseta filmed videos at Dhamchoe Nyima’s house [in one of the photos, there is some sort of film production going on].
• When Dhamchoe Nyima asked Lama Tseta for proof that Dorje Shugden people were indeed connected with China, Lama Tseta replied that all the proof was in Tibet. Dhamchoe Nyima asked him if he could get it and Lama Tseta said that he could but it would take some time. After a while, it became clear that Lama Tseta did not actually have any proof that Dorje Shugden people were connected with China. He had a couple of pictures but it was not anywhere near good enough to be conclusive evidence.
• After Lama Tseta’s video was released, the European Shugden society spoke against Lama Tseta and debunked his claims. Thereafter anti-Shugden people began speaking negatively about Lama Tseta. That is when Dhamchoe Nyima began having doubts about Lama Tseta’s credibility because it was not just Dorje Shugden people speaking up against Lama Tseta, but anti-Dorje Shugden people too.
• Today, Dhamchoe Nyima says that Lama Tseta is a liar and a ‘society destroyer’, and has cut all ties with him.

The above summary is based on a translation provided by our Tibetan friends. If there are inaccuracies that you wish to dispute, you are welcome to share your own translation with us.

Addendum

Dhamchoe Nyima used to work for the Tibetan administration until the end of 2014. He was a Dorje Shugden practitioner but stopped his practice in 2015 due to nationalistic fervor. It is clear that he had become a victim of the Tibetan leadership’s political machine.

Having become disillusioned by what he observed while working for the Tibetan administration, Damchoe Nyima started his YouTube channel last year (2017), regularly posting videos to expose the truth. His most popular video to date is that of his bold protest against the excesses and abuses of the Tibetan leadership — Damchoe Nyima tore up and burned his Green Book, an act which sent shockwaves throughout the Tibetan community.

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Also known as the ‘rangzen la deb’, the Green Book records the annual token sum that its bearer pays to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), as a form of financial support for their activities. Over time, the Green Book mutated into a marker of what it means to be a real Tibetan; if someone does not hold a Green Book, at best they are abused, mocked and criticized for their failure to support their government and its work towards the so-called Tibetan cause. At worst, they are labelled anti-Tibetan pro-Chinese traitors.

In tearing up and burning his Green Book, Dhamchoe Nyima is destroying a powerful symbol of what it means to be Tibetan. In essence, he is saying he does not financially support the Tibetan leadership, and he does not wish to be associated with them. There are few statements more powerful against the Tibetan government’s excesses and abuses than a former government officer turning against them and denouncing them in public. Clearly, those in the upper echelons of power must reconsider their actions or risk their reputations being destroyed in the court of public opinion.
 

More than 550 members of the International Shugden Community (ISC) participated in peaceful demonstrations against the Dorje Shugden ban during His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s recent visit to England. Two very powerful demonstrations were held at Kings Cross St. Pancras station in Central London on 27th June 2015, and in Aldershot on 29th June 2015. The protests brought much needed media attention to the issues surrounding Dorje Shugden practice and his practitioners.

DorjeShugden.com has been closely following the protests organised by our fellow Shugdenpas to bring our readers this compilation of news, pictures and videos. Please do visit this post over the next few days as we continue to update this article with new photos and videos. If you have more pictures or information to share, please email us at ds@dorjeshugden.com.

News Coverage

THE DAILY MIRROR

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Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/glastonbury-2015-dalai-lamas-planned-5954979

IOL NEWS

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Source: http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/dalai-lama-faces-human-rights-row-1.1877030#.VbDJwvkiq00

THE INDEPENDENT UK

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Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dalai-lama-buddhists-set-to-protest-against-spiritual-leader-over-alleged-human-rights-abuses-10346247.html

NEW STATESMAN

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Source: http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2015/06/strange-case-anti-dalai-lama-protesters-trolling-glastonbury

LITTLE HAMPTON GAZETTE

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Source: http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/regional/protest-fears-over-dalai-lama-visit-1-6819501

THE GUARDIAN

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Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/26/dalai-lama-glastonbury-appearance-security-fears-china

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES

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Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/dalai-lama-hundreds-protest-buddhist-leader-addresses-faithful-aldershot-1508440

INDEPENDENT.IE

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Source: http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/hundreds-target-dalai-lama-in-protest-at-uks-first-buddhist-community-centre-31337730.html

BBC

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Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-33312123

THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/glastonbury-china-hits-out-at-dalai-lamas-appearance

SENTINEL REPUBLIC

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Source: http://sentinelrepublic.com/dalai-lama-to-speak-at-glastonbury-music-festival/9606/

THE BELL JAR

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Source: http://belljarnews.com/china-warns-glastonbury-organisers-after-dalai-lama-s-invite-world/859442/

THE INDEPENDENT UK

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Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/festivals/glastonbury-2015-dalai-lama-uses-first-festival-appearance-to-brand-isis-violence-unthinkable-10350848.html

DAILY ECHO UK

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Source: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/13357703.Hundreds_to_turn_out_as_Dalai_Lama_visits_Hampshire/

THE GUARDIAN

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Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/29/dalai-lama-buddhist-centre-aldershot-protests

YAHOO NEWS

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-protest-against-dalai-lama-160044357.html

TIMES OF INDIA – ECONOMIC TIMES

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Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-06-29/news/63937254_1_dalai-lama-spiritual-leader-tibetan

THE SUN DAILY

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Source: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1474185

BT.COM

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Source: http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/protest-group-targets-dalai-lama-11363989575625

ITV

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Source: http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2015-06-29/hundreds-protest-dalai-lama-visit/

ITV

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Source: http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2015-06-29/false-dalai-lama-stop-lying-protestors-chant-to-tibetan-spiritual-leader/

GET HAMPSHIRE

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Source: http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/dalai-lama-returns-aldershot-cheers-9551501

EAGLE RADIO

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Source: http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/local-news/1656015/dalai-lama-met-by-protestors-during-visit-to-aldershot/

LID TIME

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Source: http://www.lidtime.com/dalai-lama-joins-patti-smith-on-glastonbury-festival-stage/

CHANNEL NEWS ASIA

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Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/hundreds-protest-against/1949132.html

BELFAST TELEGRAPH

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Source: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/video-news/video-dalai-lama-opens-buddhist-community-centre-amid-protests-31338394.html

ECHO OF INDIA

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Source: http://echoofindia.com/london-buddhist-sect-holds-protest-against-dalai-lama-uk-88474

SALON

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Source: http://www.salon.com/2015/06/29/dalai_lama_faces_protest_as_he_opens_uk_buddhist_center/

DISPATCH TIMES

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Source: http://www.dispatchtimes.com/dalai-lama-faces-protest-as-he-opens-uk-buddhist-center-san-francisco/5198/

Video Coverage of the England Demonstrations

UK: London: Dalai Lama’s Combined Spiritual and Political Visit

From AP Archive

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Dalai Lama Opens Buddhist Community Centre Amid Protests

From ODN (On Demand News)

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Protesting for Religious Freedom for Shugden Buddhists

From DorjeShugden.com

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Demonstrating for Religious Freedom for Shugden Buddhists, London 2015

From DorjeShugden.com

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Extremist Sectarian Gathering Demonstrates at Dalai Lama ‘Teaching’

From International Shugden Community

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Photos of the England Demonstrations

In December 2014, DorjeShugden.com had the opportunity to chat with the International Shugden Community’s (ISC) spokesperson, Kelsang Rabten. In this exclusive 3-part interview, Kelsang Rabten shares his thoughts on the progress the ISC has made in their efforts to bring down the ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice, and some of the challenges they have faced.

Kelsang Rabten and ISC obviously prefer to be doing something else other than the protests, but their compassion for the many Tibetans and non-Tibetans who suffer discrimination due to this Shugden ban has inspired them to speak up. The protests are huge logistical challenges, expensive and takes up much time, not to mention bearing much varied and uncomfortable weather conditions, travelling and basically having to speak up for something that no one else wishes to speak up for or even perhaps dared. ISC has a tremendous challenge of protesting against someone like the Dalai Lama, that many in the world think cannot be creating this religious discrimination. Protesting against a popular public figure that has the aura of holiness and sanctity is indeed not going to curry friends or put ISC in a favorable light. Yet Kelsang Rabten and the hundreds of ISC people continue to overcome enormous challenges to protest. They get nothing in return. No one is paying them. No perks or benefits of any kind but in fact ignored and even spat upon at times and insulted. So why do they continue? Because there is a ban. There is religious discrimination against Shugden practitioners within the Tibetan communities and practitioners around the world. They can see this and now more are seeing the truth. The ISC gets nothing for this but are peaceful and selfless activists for the ban against Shugden to stop. ISC wishes to see the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkapa and Trijang Rinpoche not trampled upon. Their reward is to release millions of Shugden practitioners who did not have a voice or choice from discrimination. No one should be discriminated against due to their religious orientation.

ISC’s approach may be direct and perhaps even offend some people but please realize, they have asked for dialogue for years with the Dalai Lama with no success. They have repeatedly asked for peaceful and positive dialogue to resolve this issue. But neither His Holiness the Dalai Lama nor his people have consented to dialogue. Even if they don’t consent to dialogue with ISC, dialogue with Tibetan Shugden leaders would be a good start, but nothing of the sort has happened. Exasperated, ISC has decided to invest enormous time and personal resources to protest peacefully to ask the Dalai Lama for dialogue and stop the discrimination. The Dalai Lama ironically and ISC are not deriving any benefits from the protests, but it must be done because the Dalai Lama must understand his talks against Shugden have hurt millions of people. The protests are not helping the Dalai Lama he must understand, but bringing his attention to something he perhaps does not wish to address. Dalai Lama may not think there is a ban and that he is only giving ‘advice’ against Shugden, but his words against Shugden are even more powerful than a ban. His ‘simple’ advice against Shugden carries heavy negative ramifications. Why should he ‘advise’ against Shugden which has been practised by millions for four hundred years? All lamas who practised Shugden have been wrong and only the Dalai Lama is right on this issue? Very illogical to say the least.

We were able to catch up with Kelsang Rabten who was extremely busy with the protests and we are grateful for his time to answer some of our questions. We at www.dorjeshugden.com appreciate anyone with courage enough to stand up and speak up for those without a voice. Whether we agree with the protests against the Dalai Lama or not is another issue. If we don’t agree with the protests, then suggest another way that will be effective to get the Dalai Lama’s attention to stop this ban? The protests are a result of exasperation as mentioned earlier. Kelsang Rabten and ISC as with any other genuine Dharma practitioners would rather use their time to study, meditate, teach, engage in retreats or do Dharma work that benefit the society. They have to take invaluable time away to protest due to their compassion. They are spat upon, hated and criticized heavily for speaking up against a ban. They are not against the Dalai Lama nor wish him ill, but simply to let him know this ban must stop. For this courage we all give them our deepest respects. If the Dalai Lama is going to create a ban that even affects citizens in democratic countries, then he has to expect that many will not go along with it and will speak up. People in these countries have grown up in the atmosphere of freedom and democracy and religious discrimination will not go down well with them. The Dalai Lama needs the support of the West, but he must understand that there is a price to pay for this support which is democracy and a democratic way of doing things. Autocracy is out. Religious discrimination is also a big no.

We thank Kelsang Rabten and all the compassionate people in ISC who speak up and protest peacefully. For our pure lineage to survive, your sincere deeds have made you heroes. We will overcome and we will end the ban. Thank you.

Admin

An Exclusive Interview with Kelsang Rabten – Part 2

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An Exclusive Interview with Kelsang Rabten – Part 3

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DorjeShugden.com brings you the latest news, photos and videos of the Vancouver demonstrations, compiled for your convenience. If you have more pictures or information to share, please email us at ds@dorjeshugden.com.

Admin

News Coverage

THE UBESSEY

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Source: http://ubyssey.ca/news/the-dalai-lamas-arrival-at-ubc-sparks-protesters-supporters-629/

BURNABY NEWSLEADER

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Source: http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/lifestyles/280219822.html

WND

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Source: http://www.wnd.com/2014/10/dalai-lama-accused-of-religious-persecution/

24 HOURS VANCOUVER

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Source: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2014/10/21/groups-wage-dalai-duel

EXAMINER

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Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/dalai-lama-speaks-about-educating-the-heart-canada

HUFFINGTON POST

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/10/22/dalai-lama-vancouver_n_6030924.html

METRO NEWS VANCOUVER

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Source: http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/1190199/dalai-lama-inspires-hearts-and-minds-in-vancouver/

Photos of the Vancouver Demonstrations

Video Coverage of the Vancouver Demonstrations

Protest Against the Dalai lama By Dorje Shugden Followers, Vancouver, Canada. Oct 21st -2014

From Tibetan Public Talk

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Protest against the Dalai lama (Day 2 – 22nd October 2014) Vancouver, Canada

From Tibetan Public Talk

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By Johannes Nugroho

Some followers in the west march to a different drummer

When the Dalai Lama visited Oslo in May for the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his Nobel Peace Prize reception, he found protesters accusing him of discrimination against devotees of the Tibetan deity Dorje Shugden.

The Buddhist prelate’s subsequent tour of Europe was marred by further Shugden protests. He may come to look back on with fond memories the bygone days of not having his foreign visits tainted by such public remonstrances.

The Shugden protests are in many ways, however, inevitable. This is mainly due to what Tibetan Buddhism has undergone for the past few decades. As a result of the Dalai Lama’s peaceful struggle for Tibetan autonomy since his exile in 1959, Tibetan Buddhism alongside the Tibetan cause have become internationalized.

Additionally, the Dalai Lama is today perhaps the most famous Buddhist alive. Technically speaking, however, he is a high-ranking monk of the Gelupga lineage within Tibetan Buddhism, also known as Vajrayana, which has several more schools, and, ultimately Vajrayana is only one of the few varieties of Buddhism worldwide.

Yet his international high profile has made him the unofficial ambassador of Buddhism, revered by interfaith activists everywhere. From the 1990s onwards, however, his hitherto unsullied reputation as a champion of religious freedom has changed, at least for Shugden devotees.

The Shugden practitioners are to be found wherever the Gelugpas are, in Tibet, within Tibetan community in India where the Dalai Lama resides, and in the Tibetan Diaspora worldwide.

As the Tibetan cause gained international recognition, a number of lamas have chosen to migrate to Western countries and there establish their own respective Tibetan Buddhist communities. A clear example of this is Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, founder of the UK-based New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), a Buddhist organization indentified by Dalai Lama’s supporters as the main culprits behind the Shugden protests in Europe.

Kelsang Gyatso is a devotee of Dorje Shugden, whom he regards as the patron deity of the Gelugpa school, and it follows that his students within the NKT would also propitiate the same deity. Thus, the Western Shugden communities were born, made up of Tibetans and Western converts who study under Gelugpa Tibetan teachers who honor Shugden.

More significantly, it is the Western Shugden devotees who spearheaded the campaign to pressure the Dalai Lama to stop discouraging Tibetan Buddhists from worshipping Shugden. The official discouragement against worship of the deity took place in the 1970s. In 1996, the Tibetan Parliament in exile also passed a resolution against employment of Shugden practitioners in government departments.

Western Shugden activists claim that within the Tibetan community in India, Shugden devotees are discriminated against, prevented by ordinary people from entering shops and denied hospital services.

However, the Central Tibetan Administration counters that the ill treatment of Shugden practitioners is a spontaneous act by the people, not an official government policy. Tibetologist Thierry Dodin, while agreeing that Tibetan Shugden followers are “shunned by the community,” said in an interview in May that the shunning takes place “for no other reason than the fact that they themselves choose to live in groups largely cut off from the rest of the community.”

Judging from various interviews with the media, the ostracized Tibetan Shugden followers living under the jurisdiction of the CTA, while bemoaning their fate, have so far failed to organize themselves into a militant group.

The opposite is the case with their Western counterparts. There is undeniably a great difference in cultural values between Tibetan Buddhists who grew up within their community in India and the Western converts who were raised with liberal western values.

The Tibetan Shugden followers in India say they are confused by the Dalai Lama’s intransigence against a deity they have worshipped for centuries. However, as most Tibetans see the Dalai Lama as a living Buddha, they are culturally inhibited against speaking out to condemn someone who is seen as semi-divine.

By contrast, the Western converts of Tibetan Buddhism do not see him as infallible. While the Tibetans see ostracism as just punishment of Shugden followers, Western converts, responding to liberal impulses, reject it as discrimination and an attack against religious freedom.

The two opposing views cling to and defend their own logic with equal panache. However, the issue no longer concerns religious dogma. The lesson for the Dalai Lama here is that he can no longer pretend that, in today’s internationalized world of Tibetan Buddhism, there are still two separate audiences.

In a lecture given in Tibetan before a Tibetan crowd, the Dalai Lama claimed that those who continue to worship Shugden were endangering his life intentionally. This may sound reasonable to a Tibetan audience culturally conditioned to accept his word as law but it would seem like emotional blackmail to a Western audience, even illogical.

Many supporters of the Dalai Lama have also voiced their opinion that the NKT does not qualify as Tibetan Buddhist practice, implying that it is heretical. However, the concept of heresy itself goes against the core of Buddhist teaching which is far from being doctrinal in nature.

There is no doubt that the conflict over Dorje Shugden will continue to haunt the Dalai Lama well into the future, unless he somehow reconciles himself with the Shugden followers.

Twenty-five years on after his Nobel Prize, he must also realize the world has changed, and so has Tibetan Buddhism. From a faith being practiced by a remote land-locked nation, it has become a fast growing religion in the West, as well as a model of tolerance.

Further, with the advances in technology and the internet, it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate the Tibetan and the global audiences, especially when the two are approached differently.

Johannes Nugroho is a writer and businessman based in Surabaya, Indonesia.

[Source: http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/cracks-show-tibetan-buddhism/]

A. BASIC INFORMATION KIT

Purpose: For general distribution to create awareness

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)

1: Introduction to Dorje Shugden

2: The Dalai Lama’s Ban on Dorje Shugden

2.1 Overview of the ban

2.1 Refuting the ban

3: The Shugden Ban Affects Hundreds of Thousands of Lives around the World

3.1 Prominent Dorje Shugden lamas

3.2 Dorje Shugden monasteries

4: International News Coverage of the Ban

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)
 

B. INTERMEDIATE INFORMATION KIT

Purpose: For newspaper journalists and bloggers, Human Rights bodies, Government officials, practitioners of Dorje Shugden wanting to know more, and existing Buddhists who are undecided about the Dorje Shugden controversy.

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)

1. Introduction to Dorje Shugden

2: History of Dorje Shugden

3: The Dalai Lama’s Ban on Dorje Shugden

4: The Shugden Ban Has No Real Basis

4.1 That the Shugden practice harms the Dalai Lama’s life

4.2 That the Shugden practice jeopardizes the Tibetan effort to regain their country

4.3 That the Shugden practice is spirit worship that degenerates the Dharma

5: Casus Belli – The Shugden Ban

6: The China Factor

7: A Campaign of Lies

8: Effects of the Ban

8.1 Social apartheid

8.2 Testimonials

9: Central Tibetan Administration Says “There Is No Ban”

10: The Shugden Ban is a Breach of Constitutional Rights and Basic Human Rights

11: The Shugden Ban Has Had A Significant Impact On Tibetan Society Due To The Large Number Of People Affected

12: International News Covering The Ban

13: Additional Reading

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)

C. ADVANCED INFORMATION KIT

Purpose: For senior journalists, elaborations on exciting news pieces, university students writing theses, researchers, academics, and training material for teachers.

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)

1: Introduction to Dorje Shugden

2: History of Dorje Shugden

3: The Dalai Lama’s Ban on Dorje Shugden

4: The Prominence of the Dorje Shugden Practice Within the Gelugpa Lineage

4.1 Prominent Dorje Shugden lamas

4.2 Dorje Shugden monasteries

5: Casus Belli – The Shugden Ban

6: The China Factor

7: Central Tibetan Administration Says “There Is No Ban”

7.1 Institutionalized Discrimination Against Dorje Shugden Practitioners

7.2 Videos

8: Effects of the Ban

8.1 Social apartheid

8.2 Abuses against Dorje Shugden practitioners

8.3 The ban exports hatred and division worldwide

9: Testimonials – Personal Accounts by Tibetans Who Have Experienced the Effects of the Ban

10: No Choice But To Protest: The International Shugden Community (ISC)

11: The Ban Does Not Have Any Logical or Legitimate Basis

12: Dorje Shugden is a Major Practice in Tibetan Buddhism

13: Seeing the Ban in the Proper Light

14: International News Covering the Ban

15: Additional Reading

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)

D. SPIRITUAL INFORMATION KIT

Purpose: For spiritual aspirants, existing Buddhists, and general distribution.

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)

1: What is a Dharma Protector

2: The Origins of Dorje Shugden

2.1 Why Dorje Shugden arose as a dharma protector

2.2 What caused Dorje Shugden to arise

2.3 The manifestation of Dorje Shugden

2.4 The phenomena of Dorje Shugden arising

2.5 The enthronement of Dorje Shugden

2.6 The incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden

2.7 The mandala of Dorje Shugden

2.8 The iconography of Dorje Shugden

2.9 Prominent Dorje Shugden lamas

2.10 Dorje Shugden places of worship

2.11 Why is Dorje Shugden a Buddha?

2.12 Oracles of Dorje Shugden

3. The Benefits Of Dorje Shugden’s Practice

4: Dorje Shugden Practice Starter Kit

5: Liturgies & Praises

6: A Beginner’s Guide To Setting Up An Altar

6.1 Downloads for your altar

6.2 Order prayer items from DorjeShugden.com shop

(View the information kit here or click here to download in PDF format.)

(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)
 

1: Introduction to Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is the Wisdom Buddha, Manjushri, manifesting in the form of a wrathful and worldly Dharma Protector and has been propitiated as such by the highest Gelugpa and Sakya masters for some 360 years. While Dorje Shugden’s function is to protect the Dharma practitioner’s spiritual path by helping them overcome obstacles that hinder their dharma practice (such as health, livelihood, emotional and mental problems), his specific purpose is to protect Je Tsongkapa’s key teachings on Emptiness. Without non-conceptual understanding of Emptiness, it is impossible to attain the state of enlightenment. Therefore Dorje Shugden plays a very crucial role in the serious dharma practitioner’s life.

Dorje Shugden arose from the reincarnation line of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, a contemporary of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen in turn is recognized as the reincarnated mind-stream that traces all the way back to Manjushri and had taken embodiment in some of the most well-recognized Gelugpa masters such as Lama Tsongkapa’s main student, Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen and Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose works are still being used as textbooks for Gelugpa monastic education. These personages famed for their recognized enlightened mind attest to the enlightened nature of Dorje Shugden.

The worship of Dorje Shugden in the modern era was popularized by the example of the highest Gelugpa lamas such as Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche, the 10th Panchen Lama and many more, all taking Dorje Shugden as their Dharma protector. Even the 14th Dalai Lama was an ardent believer and wrote a famous praise to the deity, called Melody of the Unceasing Vajra.

Further Reading:

1. Introduction to Dorje Shugden

2: History of Dorje Shugden

The story of the origins of Dorje Shugden is testimony to his noble purpose, which is to guard an all-important aspect of a practitioner’s quest for enlightenment – the wisdom of Emptiness. The timing of the deity’s rise also indicates present threats to the pure practices of the lineage. This section explores the rise of Dorje Shugden, the deity’s incarnation lineage, his sacred oath and his place in the Sakya Buddhist tradition.

1. History of Dorje Shugden
   • The Lineage
   • The Previous Incarnations (multimedia)
2. The Nature and Function of Dorje Shugden
3. History & Lineage of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden by Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
4. Lineage (The Emergence of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden)
5. The Story of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen
6. VIDEO: Dorje Shugden – An Illustrated Story
7. A Sakya Tale
8. Dorje Shugden on a Black Horse
9. The Aspiration for Dorje Shugden to Arise is Generated
10. The Moment for the Promise to Arise as the Uncommon Protector Has Come
11. The Orchestrated Murder of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen
12. The Manifestation of Dorje Shugden
13. Recognition of Dorje Shugden by the Sakya Lineage
14. The Enthronement of Dorje Shugden
15. Download The First Ever Dorje Shugden Graphic Novel in the World! (English)
16. Download Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors

3: The Dalai Lama’s Ban on Dorje Shugden

Given the fact that Dorje Shugden’s practice is a significant Gelugpa tradition, practiced and taught by the most attained masters, and given the great importance of the Protector’s role that he arose to fulfill, it is a mystery why the Dalai Lama, who himself was a practitioner of Dorje Shugden, suddenly decided to ban its practice. The Dalai Lama has not given any logical reason for the ban until this day. The Dalai Lama’s action is one of the most blatant breaches of human rights in modern history and has had considerable impact on Tibetan communities around the world, harmony within the Gelugpa tradition and the credibility of Tibetan Buddhism.

1. The Illegal Ban On An Authentic Buddhist Practice: This article narrates the Dalai Lama’s ban and provides a good overview of the controversy.
2. The Shugden Ban – Chronology of Events: The 1950s to 1986
3. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1996
4. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1997
5. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1998
6. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1999 to 2007
7. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 2008: The Dalai Lama pushes for Shugden monks to be expelled from monasteries.
8. The Shugden Ban – Recent Events

4: The Prominence of the Dorje Shugden Practice Within the Gelugpa Lineage

The Dalai Lama now claims that Dorje Shugden is a minor spirit. Although it is common for Tibetan Buddhist monasteries to perform rituals to specific local spirits, the ‘status’ of Dorje Shugden as an important deity is reflected in the fact that the highest Gelugpa Lamas of this century regard Dorje Shugden as an important enlightened Dharma Protector and propitiate him as such.

4.1 Prominent Dorje Shugden Lamas

1. The Great Fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682): The 5th Dalai Lama enthroned Dorje Shugden as a Dharma Protector. The Great 5th Dalai Lama was also known to be a Dorje Shugden practitioner as proven through his written praises and even fashioned a Dorje Shugden statue with his own hands.
2. His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama: The Panchen Lama incarnations are one of the most well-loved by the Tibetans, second only to the Dalai Lamas. It is well known that the Panchen Lama incarnations have continued to practice Dorje Shugden, and his traditional seat in Tashi Lhunpo still has a grand Dorje Shugden chapel. The present incarnation, the 11th Panchen Lama is also a dedicated Dorje Shugden practitioner.
3. His Holiness Tagphu Pemavajra: An undoubted Mahasiddha whose attainments are even acknowledged by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama himself.
4. His Holiness the 101st Ganden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal: One of the most erudite scholars in the Gelug school in this century, H.H. Ganden Trisur ascended the Ganden Tripa’s throne, representing Lama Tsongkapa on earth between the years 2003 – 2009. Upon retiring from his term as Ganden Tripa, His Holiness Ganden Trisur left his spiritual home in Ganden Shartse Monastery to join Shar Ganden Monastery, where he was able to practice Dorje Shugden openly. H.H. Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is one of the most recent examples of how the ban on Dorje Shugden has placed many Lamas and lay practitioners in the difficult position of having to hide their practice.
5. His Holiness Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche: The author of the modern-day Lamrim who was hailed as one of the most attained and recognized lamas of this era.
6. His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche: Virtually all modern Gelugpa lamas are direct or indirect students of Trijang Rinpoche. He was also the junior tutor to H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.
7. His Eminence Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche: Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche was so highly respected that the 13th Dalai Lama, upon meeting Domo Geshe Rinpoche, declared that he had met Lama Tsongkapa himself. Domo Geshe Rinpoche has always been closely associated with Dorje Shugden as a master of the practice. Presently, the young incarnation of Domo Geshe Rinpoche is completing his studies in Shar Ganden Monastery, India.
8. His Eminence Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche: Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche is world renowned for his incredible work on peace and healing. Known as the incarnation of Darikapa, one of the famed 84 Mahasiddhas, Gangchen Rinpoche is able to command thousands of loyal followers worldwide.
9. His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche: One of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s close disciples and a great scholar, Zong Rinpoche has held various important positions including a 10-year term as the abbot of Ganden Shartse.
10. His Holiness Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche: Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche is the first and current abbot of Serpom Monastery in India, one of the most important monasteries in the Gelug lineage. When Dorje Shugden monks were forced to choose either to abandon the practice of Dorje Shugden or leave the monastery in 2008, Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche compassionately took upon himself to guide the Dorje Shugden monks of Pomra Khamtsen and established what is known today as Serpom Monastery.
11. His Eminence Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: The spiritual guide to one of the largest Buddhist institutes in the west known as the New Kadampa Tradition, Geshe-la is well known for his great Guru devotion to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.
12. His Eminence Geshe Rabten Rinpoche: His Eminence Geshe Rabten Rinpoche was one of the pioneer Lamas in Europe and the teacher to many great Western scholars. Geshe Rabten’s dedication in spreading the Buddhadharma enabled him to grow a large supporting base which served as the 14th Dalai Lama’s initial platform of being introduced to the West.
13. His Eminence Zemey Rinpoche: His Eminence Zemey Rinpoche was one of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s heart sons. This close disciple of one of the most respected Lamas in the Gelug lineage was famed as one of its most erudite scholars. Zemey Rinpoche was also one of the few who were handpicked to escort the 14th Dalai Lama out of Tibet in the 1950s. Although Zemey Rinpoche was later ostracized due to the publication of his private notes into what is now known as the Yellow Book, Zemey Rinpoche remained loyal to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama until he entered clear light.
14. His Eminence Denma Gonsa Rinpoche: His Eminence Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was a prominent Lama in Tibet who commanded hundreds of thousands of devotees in the Denma region. The latest incarnation, the 20th Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, was recognized by both the Panchen Lama and Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche. He was enthroned in 2014 in the presence of over 200,000 followers who gathered to catch a glimpse of this holy lama.
15. His Eminence Kundeling Rinpoche: His Eminence Kundeling Rinpoche was one of the first Dorje Shugden Lamas to protest against the ban on Dorje Shugden in 1996, when it was introduced to the monasteries. Despite suffering various threats and difficulties for being outspoken, Kundeling Rinpoche continues to fight for the rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners until today.

4.2 Dorje Shugden Monasteries

The Dalai Lama began speaking against Dorje Shugden in the 1980’s, and in the year 2008 he escalated his ban and aggressive actions were taken to eliminate Dorje Shugden practitioners within the monastic community. During this time, various new monasteries were formed to accommodate monks who had been expelled, while some smaller monasteries were cut off from the Tibetan leadership for continuing the practice. Below are a few examples of monasteries and Buddhist centers around the world that continue practicing Dorje Shugden despite the difficulties they have faced.

1. Shar Ganden Monastery (Mundgod, India): Formed by the monks of Dokhang Khamtsen, the largest Khamtsen in Ganden Shartse Monastery after the majority of the monks refused to give up their practice of Dorje Shugden.
2. Serpom Thoesam Norling Monastery (Bylakuppe, India): Formed after the monks of Sera Mey Monastery’s Pomra Khamtsen refused to give up their practice of Dorje Shugden.
3. Nyanang Phelgyeling Monastery (Nepal): A small monastery with less than 100 monks, the monastery is home to some of the most precious and holy statues which were carefully smuggled out of Tibet during the 1950s. Amongst its most precious possessions is a statue of Dorje Shugden handmade by the 5th Dalai Lama.
4. Ganden Dokhang Buddhist Centre (Taiwan): A branch of Shar Ganden Monastery in Taiwan.
5. XiaFeng Temple (YuZhu District, YouYang County, ChongQing City, China)
6. Longrong Monastery (T.A.R., China): Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s monastery in Derong Country, where monks and lay practitioners continue to practice Dorje Shugden.
7. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Shigatse, Tibet): The main monastery of the Panchen Lamas continues their Dorje Shugden practice until today.
8. Sampheling Monastery (Chatreng, Tibet): The personal monastery of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.
9. Ganden Chang Chub Choling (Canada): Established with the encouragement of the Canadian government to fulfill the needs of Tibetan refugees in the 1970s, the centre is under the care of His Eminence Zawa Rinpoche, who actively participates in many of the International Shugden Community’s protests against the ban on Dorje Shugden.
10. Delgeruun Choira (Mongolia): The traditional seat of Zava Damdin Rinpoche, a prominent Mongolian Dorje Shugden practitioner.

5: Casus Belli – The Shugden Ban

In reality, there is no valid reason for the Dalai Lama to impose the religious ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice but he could not do so without providing any reasons. The triple murder of Geshe Lobsang Gyatso and two of his students in 1997 provided the Dalai Lama with an opportunity to portray all Shugden practitioners as violent and dangerous. In addition, the publication of Zemey Rinpoche’s private study notes was pounced upon to establish that both Shugden the deity and his practitioners were violent and therefore had to be stopped. The articles in this section factually rebut both claims and show the ban to be void of any legitimate causes.

1. How the Dalai Lama’s Actions are Affecting Religion: The 1997 Triple Murder was wrongly blamed on Dorje Shugden as justification to criminalize his practice. The first part of this article addresses the oft-quoted accusation that Dorje Shugden practitioners were behind the 1997 triple murder. This event is falsely used to portray Shugden as a dangerous and violent cult.
   • Rebuttal to Triple Murder Accusation
   • Rebuttal to Robert Thurman (Huffington Post)
2. The Yellow Book
   • Zemey Rinpoche’s Yellow Book Incident: This is often used by anti-Dorje Shugden people to accuse Dorje Shugden of being a jealous and sectarian spirit that harms practitioners and therefore his practice should be banned. This article gives a commentary on the Yellow Book to dismiss the allegation that its contents warrant the Shugden ban.
   • The Yellow Book Controversy: This article refutes that the contents of the Yellow Book justify the Dalai Lama’s ban.

6: The China Factor

China is seen as the arch enemy of the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism due to the way the Tibetans lost their homes and country in the 1950s. Taking this to their advantage, the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration created propaganda to incite hatred against Shugden practitioners by labeling them Chinese spies. This is part of the campaign to marginalize Shugden worshippers and force them into abandoning their religion.

1. The Dalai Lama’s Secrets: A Precarious Relationship with China: Dorje Shugden is used as an easy scapegoat to justify the failure of the Tibetan leadership to re-establish autonomy in Tibet.
2. Are Dalai Lama’s Critics Backed by China?: Various statements from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) presenting baseless links between China and Dorje Shugden practitioners, in an attempt to incite hate and potential violence. This article shows how Dorje Shugden is used by the CTA as a political tool.
3. Video: People & Power: Dorje Shugden Controversy: Al-Jazeera explores the Dorje Shugden controversy in India.

7: Central Tibetan Administration Says “There Is No Ban”

To avoid accountability for multiple violations of human rights provisions, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) insists that there is no ban on the Shugden practice. Yet the following articles show clearly HOW THE CTA ENFORCES THE PROHIBITION by inciting the Tibetan public against those who do not toe the line. Would anyone go to such lengths if the “ban” on Dorje Shugden’s practice was merely advice?

1. [Must Read!] Tibetan Leadership Publishes Hit List: In the absence of having a law enforcement unit, the method the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) uses is to incite the Tibetan people into a mob and direct them towards those whom the CTA want punished or coerced into obeying the ban. 20 Tibetans were criminalized solely on the basis of protesting against His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
2. [Must Read!] CTA Creates Violence Again: Similarly, the Dalai Lama provokes the Tibetan people’s ire against Dorje Shugden practitioners by taking advantage of their blind allegiance to him. By falsely claiming that Dorje Shugden practitioners are enemies of the Tibetan people who wish harm on the Dalai Lama, he sets an angry mob upon those who oppose the ban, even those who are merely refusing to obey an illegal diktat. An 84-year-old Shugden monk was attacked just hours after the Dalai Lama spoke negatively about Dorje Shugden during a religious discourse in December 2013.
3. Shocking Letter: Threatening letters were sent to various western Shugden practitioners in an attempt to scare them into submitting to the Dalai Lama’s views on Dorje Shugden.
4. Another Threatening Letter: A pro-Dalai Lama group issues yet another subtle threatening and denigrating letter concerning Dorje Shugden practitioners.
5. DorjeShugden.com Receives A Threat Letter: DorjeShugden.com is regarded as the authoritative website on the deity and frequently exposes anti-Dorje Shugden lies. Therefore it also becomes a target for abuse and threats.
6. Breaking News: Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s Monastery in Phedong Attacked: Domo Geshe Rinpoche is a well-known Dorje Shugden practitioner and therefore becomes a target of the Central Tibetan Administration. In this video, we see ordinary Tibetans incited to forcibly take over one of Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s monasteries.
7. Attack on Dorje Shugden Followers: A Dorje Shugden practitioner is stoned and stabbed due to his religious beliefs.
8. An Appeal Against Violence: An overview of the violence and aggression that has plagued Dorje Shugden practitioners for the past 18 years.
9. Dalai Lama Supporters Violently Oppress Dorje Shugden Followers in Mundgod: A news report covering the incident where 30 Dorje Shugden monks were stoned on the streets on Mundgod.
10. Who’s the Hypocrite: The hypocrisy behind the ban on Dorje Shugden.

7.1 Institutionalized Discrimination Against Dorje Shugden Practitioners

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) does not admit to a religious ban presumably because to do so would unmask it as an undemocratic administration that preaches freedom and democracy whilst still maintaining its feudal theocratic ways. And yet the officially passed Resolutions leave no doubt that the Tibetan people were called to take action against Dorje Shugden worshippers. This section provides proof and evidence that such a ban exists and is being enforced by the Tibetan government.

1. The Proof of Suppression of Dorje Shugden Practitioners (at a Glance): Some of the most important documents on the suppression enforced on Dorje Shugden practitioners.
2. Proof of Discrimination: Browse through the collection of official documents from the Tibetan government, Tibetan organizations, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and even Tibetan settlement leaders that forced Dorje Shugden practitioners to give up their religious beliefs.
3. In the Media: Browse through the collection of news articles from the start of the controversy in 1996.

7.2 Videos

1. Interview with an oppressed Tibetan monk
2. Dalai Lama encourages expulsion of monks

8: Effects of the Ban

Seeing that the Gelugpas represent a large percentage of the Tibetan community, and that most of the Gelugpas were worshippers of the deity, a ban directed at them would inevitably divide the Tibetan people. Strangely, the Dalai Lama accuses Dorje Shugden of being a divisive element and yet it should be pointed out that for 360 years since the practice was introduced into the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, the people lived in relative peace until the ban forced a wedge between them.

8.1 Social Apartheid

1. Evidence of the Ban
2. The Segregation Wall at Ganden Monastery: One of the five heinous crimes that the Buddha warned against was creating schism within the monastic community. However, this is precisely what the Dalai Lama’s ban spawned.
3. VIDEO: Forced to Abandon the Practice
4. VIDEO: Speech on the Ban
5. VIDEO: Further Evidence of the Ban
6. Untouchables: Shocking Posters in Monasteries
7. Dorje Shugden Practitioners Are Still Discriminated Against
8. Are You Friends with a Shugden Practitioner
9. The Shugden Dispute
10. The Dalai Lama’s Secrets: The Baffling Stance of the Dalai Lama
11. Tibetan Youth Questions Dorje Shugden Ban
12. VIDEO: Ganden Monks Forced To Swear (Part 1)
13. VIDEO: Ganden Monks Forced To Swear (Part 2)

8.2 Abuses Against Dorje Shugden Practitioners

The Dorje Shugden conflict has created such anger and hatred in the Tibetan people. In the past 18 years, the rift between Shugden and non-Shugden people became wider and is now heading to the point of intractability. It is disturbing to see that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) would persist in its persecution of Shugden Buddhists even as they witness the Tibetan society being torn apart precisely when it has to be united for the Tibetan Cause to have potency.

1. Why So Vulgar?

8.3 The Ban Exports Hatred and Division Worldwide

Over the years, non-action against the oppressive Shugden ban allowed it to take root and today the conflict can no longer be contained within the Tibetan Community. Division based on religion is seen worldwide where there are Shugden and non-Shugden Buddhists. As fault lines become more entrenched, it divides Tibetan Buddhists in other countries. While being hailed as a peacemaker, the Dalai Lama, by his ban, is today an agent of disunity.

1. The World Can No Longer Ignore the Dorje Shugden Ban

9: Testimonials – Personal Accounts by Tibetans Who Have Experienced the Effects of the Ban

1. Evidence of the Ban – Tibetans speaking up against the CTA
2. VIDEO: Tibetan Public Talk – The True Facts Part 1
3. VIDEO: Tibetan Public Talk – The True Facts Part 2
4. VIDEO: Tibetan Public Talk – Banned by Dalai Lama
5. VIDEO: Advice on Dharmapala Dorje Shugden By H.E. Kyabje Kundeling Rinpoche

10: No Choice But To Protest: The International Shugden Community (ISC)

The Dalai Lama has never provided any logical or scriptural reason for the ban. Members of the Shugden community have not been accorded the opportunity to have any dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Therefore, the only way for any hope of resolving this conflict is to protest against the Dalai Lama publicly and create awareness of the ban.

1. VIDEO: Reuter – NYC Dalai Lama Protest
2. VIDEO: Calling for Religious Freedom at Princeton University
3. VIDEO: Hundreds Protest Dalai Lama’s Visit to Washington
4. VIDEO: Dalai Lama in Rome
5. VIDEO: Over 400 Protest in Livorno, Italy
6. VIDEO: Buddhist Group Demands Dalai Lama Nobel Peace Prize be Revoked
7. VIDEO: SBS News – Dalai Lama Faces Protests in Sydney
8. Western Shugden Society
9. Dalai Lama the Peacemaker

11: The Ban Does Not Have Any Logical or Legitimate Basis

In the process of enrolling supporters into a religious ban that is illegal and unholy, many lies have been told to justify the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration’s actions. One obvious case is when the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament rounded up Tibetan school children with the purpose of poisoning their young minds against a religious practice. It was patently wrong for an elected politician, who is supposed to serve all Tibetans regardless of their religion, to do so.

1. The Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Caught Lying About the Ban: Attempts to poison the mind of young school children.
2. Basis for the Dorje Shugden Ban Proven False
3. Abolish the Dorje Shugden Ban to Further the Tibetan Cause
4. Refuting the Dalai Lama’s Statements Concerning Dorje Shugden
5. The CTA Violates Its Own Constitution
6. Tibetan Youth Questions Dorje Shugden Ban
7. Uncovered Truth: How Dorje Shugden was actually behind the Dalai Lama’s escape out of Tibet to India in 1959.
8. Samdhong Rinpoche and the CTA Scam
9. CTA Defends Shugden Hit List
10. Definitive Proof of the Ban and Discrimination against Dorje Shugden
11. The Dark Side of the Dalai Lama
12. Why does the Dalai Lama Prosecute Shugden but not the Bon Religion?
13. Court Case Against the Dalai Lama Concludes No Victory, No Defeat Either
14. Shugden Ban is Illegal and Unconstitutional
15. Chushi Gangdrug Made To Swear Against Dorje Shugden: Proof that Dorje Shugden saved the Dalai Lama and is thus not a Chinese spirit.
16. Have the Lamas Made A Terrible Mistake?

12: Dorje Shugden is a Major Practice in Tibetan Buddhism

In order to downplay the severe impact the Dalai Lama’s religious ban has had on the Tibetan community, the Central Tibetan Administration claims that Dorje Shugden is practiced only by a small minority that represents the fringe of the Tibetan Buddhist community. To the contrary, Dorje Shugden was a core practice of the Gelugpas, who constitute the majority of the Tibetan population.

The reality is that the Dalai Lama’s actions have split the Tibetan Buddhist community and affected an estimated four million lives. Yet, this atrocity has escaped prominent attention by the world media and human rights watchdog organizations. By contrast, the oppression of Timor East, which has since won its independence, attracted the attention and support of the world. This can only be explained by the global popularity of the Dalai Lama, who has successfully branded himself as ‘a simple Buddhist monk’ to deflect attention from the fact that he is a political gamesman of the highest caliber.

1. Over 400,000 Tibetans Made A Pilgrimage to Shugden Monastery in Chatreng: During the Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations in 2014, more than 400,000 Dorje Shugden devotees from Chatreng and neighboring villages in Tibet made a pilgrimage to Sampheling Monastery, the traditional seat of Trijang Rinpoche. This is just one segment of the population of Shugden practitioners whose lives have been affected by having their religious practice declared a criminal act.
2. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s Enthronement: Approximately 200,000 Shugden practitioners attended the enthronement ceremony of the present incarnation of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, a number higher than the total population of Tibetans in exile. This event itself indicates that (i) Shugden practitioners are not some small cultish fringe of Tibetan Buddhism and (ii) contrary to the Dalai Lama’s claim, it is not true that worshipping Dorje Shugden will cause the practitioner to take rebirth in hell.
3. 20,000 in Chamdo and Kongpo: 20,000 Dorje Shugden practitioners gathered in Chamdo and Kongpo.
4. So Who is Telling the TRUTH? Glenn H. Mullin wrote in his book that Dorje Shugden is one of the most popular Protector Deity practices within the Gelugpa School. This is proof that Shugden Buddhists are not a minority.
5. The Dalai Lama Imposes A Ban On Shugden
6. True Harmony Or A Change Of Tune
7. Is the Dalai Lama Preying on Tibetans’ Spiritual Fears and Superstitions?

13: Seeing the Ban in the Proper Light

Shugden Buddhists do not oppose the Dalai Lama. In fact, many Shugden Buddhists’ devotion to the Dalai Lama remains intact. However, the matter of the religious ban is an issue far more serious than human rights being violated. The Dalai Lama’s ban calls for Shugden Buddhists to commit serious downfalls that would harm not only themselves but also their teachers.

1. Theological Implications of the Dalai Lama’s Religious Ban

14: International News Covering the Ban

1. Al-Jazeera Reports: The Dalai Lama, The Devil Within: One of the earliest reports on the Shugden controversy. Al-Jazeera, a news media famed for circumventing censorship, tells the story as it is.
2. France 24 Reports: The Dalai Lama’s Demon: The Dorje Shugden Controversy as reported by France 24 clearly illustrates how Dorje Shugden practitioners are deprived of fundamental human rights e.g. medical attention. We see how a once-peaceful little town is torn by separation due to the ban imposed by the Dalai Lama.
3. Al-Jazeera Reports: Samdhong Rinpoche was caught lying about Dorje Shugden practitioners: This is a collection of video clips on the recent documentary by Al-Jazeera titled ‘The Dalai Lama, The Devil Within’ that highlights Professor Samdhong Rinpoche’s blatant lies.
4. Oslo, Norway Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: Compilation of news reports, videos and pictures from the Dalai Lama’s visit to Oslo, Norway in May 2014. The peaceful demonstrations conducted by the International Shugden Community received much media attention and the truth behind the Dorje Shugden ban was transparently communicated in various Norwegian media.
5. Rome, Italy Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: Compilation of news reports, videos and pictures from the Dalai Lama’s visit to Rome, Italy in December 2014. The International Shugden Community gathered for a peaceful demonstration as the Dalai Lama arrived to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Prize Laureates. Every media channel that covered the summit inevitably wrote about the demonstrations and the suppression as well as oppression resulting from the Dalai Lama’s decision to impose a ban on Dorje Shugden.
6. Birmingham Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: As the Noble Peace Laureate gave talks about harmony and compassion, peaceful demonstrators consisting of sangha members, Tibetans and international Buddhists ask His Holiness to lift the ban that has caused suffering to millions of people, especially within his own community of Tibetans in exile.
7. Vancouver Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: The Dalai Lama travels to Canada to meet with students and celebrities to teach about “educating the heart” while his own people are ostracized and deprived of fundamental basic needs like education and medical attention.
8. Hamburg Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: The coverage of the peaceful demonstration in Hamburg reflects the character of Shugden Buddhists and their practice.
9. 700 protesters in Washington DC demand religious freedom: Many of the Tibetan protestors suffered tremendously as a result of the ban, yet patiently stood in the cold to request the Dalai Lama to lift the ban and allow them to return to their families.
10. Mixing Religion and Politics: The Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden Prayer: A compilation of news coverage by Al-Jazeera and New York Times
11. VIDEO: Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden controversy: The issue of Shugden was covered by Australian News Channel in June 2008. The international community was surprised at how an icon of peace is causing division in the Tibetan society in exile and the monastic community.
12. Video: Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden (Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3): This important and comprehensive Swiss documentary highlights the issues revolving around Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama. Listen to the painful and tearful encounters of steadfast Dharma practitioners as they face the Dorje Shugden ban. They suffer alone and with little hope as the threat is coming from within, imposed by their trusted leader to whom they pledged alliance.
13. VIDEO: Contradictions in Dalai Lama’s speeches on Dorje Shugden: The Dalai Lama forcefully says he is happy that Shugden monks have been expelled from the monasteries. He also encourages further expulsion of monks who refuse to abandon their faith in Shugden. His tone with his own Tibetan people is starkly different from the speeches he gives in Western countries of openness, dialogue and tolerance.

15: Additional Reading

1. The Dalai Lama Denies the Truth About His Teachers
2. Dalai Lama Will Stop Condemning Dorje Shugden
3. The Dalai Lama’s Secrets: The Other Side of the Dalai Lama
4. Dalai Lama: Whatever “fierce spirit” you choose is up to you
5. Tibetan Buddhism Erosion From Within Or Without? The fight for Tibet is not for a country but for a greater cause of humanity, preservation of culture and tradition, and the precious Buddhadharma. However, if the fighters of this cause are inflicting oppression, suppression and threat to the very thing they claim to protect, is there credibility behind the quest for Tibetan freedom? Is the destruction of Tibet’s hope caused by the visible enemy, China, or parties closer to home?

(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)

(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)
 

1: Introduction to Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is the Wisdom Buddha, Manjushri, manifesting in the form of a wrathful and worldly Dharma Protector and has been propitiated as such by the highest Gelugpa and Sakya masters for some 360 years. While Dorje Shugden’s function is to protect the Dharma practitioner’s spiritual path by helping them overcome obstacles that hinder their dharma practice (such as health, livelihood, emotional and mental problems), his specific purpose is to protect Je Tsongkapa’s key teachings on Emptiness. Without non-conceptual understanding of Emptiness, it is impossible to attain the state of enlightenment. Therefore Dorje Shugden plays a very crucial role in the serious dharma practitioner’s life.

Dorje Shugden arose from the reincarnation line of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, a contemporary of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen in turn is recognized as the reincarnated mind-stream that traces all the way back to Manjushri and had taken embodiment in some of the most well-recognized Gelugpa masters such as Lama Tsongkapa’s main student, Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen and Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose works are still being used as textbooks for Gelugpa monastic education. These personages famed for their recognized enlightened mind attest to the enlightened nature of Dorje Shugden.

The worship of Dorje Shugden in the modern era was popularized by the example of the highest Gelugpa lamas such as Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche, the 10th Panchen Lama and many more, all taking Dorje Shugden as their Dharma protector. Even the 14th Dalai Lama was an ardent believer and wrote a famous praise to the deity, called Melody of the Unceasing Vajra.

Further Reading:

1. Introduction to Dorje Shugden

2: History of Dorje Shugden

The story of the origins of Dorje Shugden is testimony to his noble purpose, which is to guard an all-important aspect of a practitioner’s quest for enlightenment – the wisdom of Emptiness. The timing of the deity’s rise also indicates present threats to the pure practices of the lineage. This section explores the rise of Dorje Shugden, the deity’s incarnation lineage, his sacred oath and his place in the Sakya Buddhist tradition.

1. History of Dorje Shugden
   • The Lineage
   • The Previous Incarnations (multimedia)
2. The Nature and Function of Dorje Shugden
3. History & Lineage of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden by Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
4. Lineage (The Emergence of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden)
5. The Story of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen
6. VIDEO: Dorje Shugden – An Illustrated Story
7. A Sakya Tale
8. Dorje Shugden on a Black Horse
9. Download The First Ever Dorje Shugden Graphic Novel in the World! (English)

Further Reading:

1. Dorje Shugden History: Among Shugden Texts
2. Dorje Shugden History: Dorje Shugden and Vajrayana

3: The Dalai Lama’s Ban on Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is the holy Dharma Protector of the Gelug lineage and has been practiced for 360 years. The Dalai Lama himself worshipped Dorje Shugden and yet in 1996, the Dalai Lama imposed a prohibition on the practice of this deity without providing any logical or scriptural reasons. The Dalai Lama’s act constitutes a breach of Shugden worshippers’ rights and in addition, forcing practitioners to abandon a sacred practice given to them by their teachers is forcing them to violate their religious vows and commitments.

1. The Illegal Ban On An Authentic Buddhist Practice: This article narrates the Dalai Lama’s ban and provides a good overview of the controversy.
2. Parliamentary Resolution That Calls For Discrimination Based On Religion
3. Tibetan Government Cabinet That Promotes Religious Bigotry
4. The Shugden Ban – Chronology of Events: The 1950s to 1986
5. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1996
6. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1997
7. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1998
8. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 1999 to 2007
9. The Shugden Ban – Key Events 2008: The Dalai Lama pushes for Shugden monks to be expelled from monasteries.
10. The Shugden Ban – Recent Events

4: The Shugden Ban Has No Real Basis

The reasons the Dalai Lama gave for the Dorje Shugden ban were not consistent and changed from one set of reasons to another based on the audience. To Tibetan audiences, the Dalai Lama claims that the practice of Dorje Shugden harms his life and jeopardizes the Tibetan effort to regain their country. To Western audiences, the Dalai Lama advises that the Shugden practice is nothing more than ‘spirit worship’ that degenerates the Dharma. None of these reasons have any logic and in fact, at various points and at different locations, the Dalai Lama himself refutes these justifications by his words and actions.

4.1 That the Shugden practice harms the Dalai Lama’s life

1. VIDEO: Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden, Part 2 [See from 4:57 to 5:53]
2. The Dalai Lama’s Two Points for Imposing the Ban

4.2 That the Shugden practice jeopardizes the Tibetan effort to regain their country

1. Refuting the Claim
2. Basis of the Shugden Ban Proven False

4.3 That the Shugden practice is spirit worship that degenerates the Dharma

1. Why does the Dalai Lama Prosecute Shugden but not the Bon Religion
2. Dalai Lama Angrily Replies to Peaceful Nun
3. Is It Alright Not To Obey The Dalai Lama Now?
4. Dalai Lama Recognizes the Bön
5. VIDEO: Dalai Lama and Oracle

5: Casus Belli – The Shugden Ban

In reality, there is no valid reason for the Dalai Lama to impose the religious ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice but he could not do so without providing any reasons. The triple murder of Geshe Lobsang Gyatso and two of his students in 1997 provided the Dalai Lama with an opportunity to portray all Shugden practitioners as violent and dangerous. In addition, the publication of Zemey Rinpoche’s private study notes was pounced upon to establish that both Shugden the deity and his practitioners were violent and therefore had to be stopped. The articles in this section factually rebut both claims and show the ban to be void of any legitimate causes.

1. How the Dalai Lama’s Actions are Affecting Religion:The 1997 Triple Murder was wrongly blamed on Dorje Shugden as justification to criminalize his practice. The first part of this article addresses the oft-quoted accusation that Dorje Shugden practitioners were behind the 1997 triple murder. This event is falsely used to portray Shugden as a dangerous and violent cult.
   • Rebuttal to Triple Murder Accusation
   • Rebuttal to Robert Thurman (Huffington Post)
2. The Yellow Book
   • Zemey Rinpoche’s Yellow Book Incident: This is often used by anti-Dorje Shugden people to accuse Dorje Shugden of being a jealous and sectarian spirit that harms practitioners and therefore his practice should be banned. This article gives a commentary on the Yellow Book to dismiss the allegation that its contents warrant the Shugden ban.
   • The Yellow Book Controversy: This article refutes that the contents of the Yellow Book justify the Dalai Lama’s ban.

6: The China Factor

China is seen as the arch enemy of the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism due to the way the Tibetans lost their homes and country in the 1950s. Taking this to their advantage, the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration created propaganda to incite hatred against Shugden practitioners by labeling them Chinese spies. This is part of the campaign to marginalize Shugden worshippers and force them into abandoning their religion.

1. The Dalai Lama’s Secrets: A Precarious Relationship with China: Dorje Shugden is used as an easy scapegoat to justify the failure of the Tibetan leadership to re-establish autonomy in Tibet.
2. Are Dalai Lama’s Critics Backed by China?: Various statements from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) presenting baseless links between China and Dorje Shugden practitioners, in an attempt to incite hate and potential violence. This article shows how Dorje Shugden is used by the CTA as a political tool.
3. Video: People & Power: Dorje Shugden Controversy: Al-Jazeera explores the Dorje Shugden controversy in India.

7: A Campaign of Lies

1. How the Dalai Lama’s Actions are Affecting Religion
2. Refuting the Dalai Lama’s Statements Concerning Dorje Shugden
3. Samdhong Rinpoche and the CTA Scam

8: Effects of the Ban

Seeing that the Gelugpas represent a large percentage of the Tibetan community, and that most of the Gelugpas were worshippers of the deity, a ban directed at them would inevitably divide the Tibetan people. Strangely, the Dalai Lama accuses Dorje Shugden of being a divisive element and yet it should be pointed out that for 360 years since the practice was introduced into the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, the people lived in relative peace until the ban forced a wedge between them.

8.1 Social Apartheid

1. Evidence of the Ban
2. The Segregation Wall at Ganden Monastery: One of the five heinous crimes that the Buddha warned against was creating schism within the monastic community. However, this is precisely what the Dalai Lama’s ban spawned.
3. VIDEO: Forced to Abandon the Practice
4. Untouchables: Shocking Posters in Monasteries
5. Dorje Shugden Practitioners Are Still Discriminated Against
6. Tibetan Youth Questions Dorje Shugden Ban
7. VIDEO: Ganden Monks Forced To Swear (Part 1)
8. VIDEO: Ganden Monks Forced To Swear (Part 2)

8.2 Testimonials

1. Evidence of the Ban – Tibetans speaking up against the CTA
2. VIDEO: Tibetan Public Talk – The True Facts Part 1
3. VIDEO: Tibetan Public Talk – The True Facts Part 2
4. VIDEO: Tibetan Public Talk – Banned by Dalai Lama
5. VIDEO: Advice on Dharmapala Dorje Shugden By H.E. Kyabje Kundeling Rinpoche

9: Central Tibetan Administration Says “There Is No Ban”

To avoid accountability for multiple violations of human rights provisions, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) insists that there is no ban on the Shugden practice. Yet the following articles show clearly HOW THE CTA ENFORCES THE PROHIBITION by inciting the Tibetan public against those who do not toe the line. Would anyone go to such lengths if the “ban” on Dorje Shugden’s practice was merely advice?

1. [Must Read!] Tibetan Leadership Publishes Hit List: In the absence of having a law enforcement unit, the method the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) uses is to incite the Tibetan people into a mob and direct them towards those whom the CTA want punished or coerced into obeying the ban. 20 Tibetans were criminalized solely on the basis of protesting against His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
2. [Must Read!] CTA Creates Violence Again: Similarly, the Dalai Lama provokes the Tibetan people’s ire against Dorje Shugden practitioners by taking advantage of their blind allegiance to him. By falsely claiming that Dorje Shugden practitioners are enemies of the Tibetan people who wish harm on the Dalai Lama, he sets an angry mob upon those who oppose the ban, even those who are merely refusing to obey an illegal diktat. An 84-year-old Shugden monk was attacked just hours after the Dalai Lama spoke negatively about Dorje Shugden during a religious discourse in December 2013.
3. Shocking Letter: Threatening letters were sent to various western Shugden practitioners in an attempt to scare them into submitting to the Dalai Lama’s views on Dorje Shugden.
4. Another Threatening Letter: A pro-Dalai Lama group issues yet another subtle threatening and denigrating letter concerning Dorje Shugden practitioners.
5. Attack on Dorje Shugden Followers: A Dorje Shugden practitioner is stoned and stabbed due to his religious beliefs.

10: The Shugden Ban is a Breach of Constitutional Rights and Basic Human Rights

1. The CTA Violates Its Own Constitution
2. Shugden Ban is Illegal and Unconstitutional

11: The Shugden Ban Has Had A Significant Impact On Tibetan Society Due To The Large Number Of People Affected

In order to downplay the severe impact the Dalai Lama’s religious ban has had on the Tibetan community, the Central Tibetan Administration claims that Dorje Shugden is practiced only by a small minority that represents the fringe of the Tibetan Buddhist community. To the contrary, Dorje Shugden was a core practice of the Gelugpas, who constitute the majority of the Tibetan population.

The reality is that the Dalai Lama’s actions have split the Tibetan Buddhist community and affected an estimated four million lives. Yet, this atrocity has escaped prominent attention by the world media and human rights watchdog organizations. By contrast, the oppression of Timor East, which has since won its independence, attracted the attention and support of the world. This can only be explained by the global popularity of the Dalai Lama, who has successfully branded himself as ‘a simple Buddhist monk’ to deflect attention from the fact that he is a political gamesman of the highest caliber.

1. Over 400,000 Tibetans Made A Pilgrimage to Shugden Monastery in Chatreng: During the Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations in 2014, more than 400,000 Dorje Shugden devotees from Chatreng and neighboring villages in Tibet made a pilgrimage to Sampheling Monastery, the traditional seat of Trijang Rinpoche. This is just one segment of the population of Shugden practitioners whose lives have been affected by having their religious practice declared a criminal act.
2. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s Enthronement: Approximately 200,000 Shugden practitioners attended the enthronement ceremony of the present incarnation of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, a number higher than the total population of Tibetans in exile. This event itself indicates that (i) Shugden practitioners are not some small cultish fringe of Tibetan Buddhism and (ii) contrary to the Dalai Lama’s claim, it is not true that worshipping Dorje Shugden will cause the practitioner to take rebirth in hell.
3. 20,000 in Chamdo and Kongpo: 20,000 Dorje Shugden practitioners gathered in Chamdo and Kongpo.
4. So Who is Telling the TRUTH? Glenn H. Mullin wrote in his book that Dorje Shugden is one of the most popular Protector Deity practices within the Gelugpa School. This is proof that Shugden Buddhists are not a minority.
5. The Dalai Lama Imposes A Ban On Shugden
6. True Harmony Or A Change Of Tune
7. Is the Dalai Lama Preying on Tibetans’ Spiritual Fears and Superstitions?

12: International News Covering The Ban

1. Al-Jazeera Reports: The Dalai Lama, The Devil Within: One of the earliest reports on the Shugden controversy. Al-Jazeera, a news media famed for circumventing censorship, tells the story as it is.
2. France 24 Reports: The Dalai Lama’s Demon: The Dorje Shugden Controversy as reported by France 24 clearly illustrates how Dorje Shugden practitioners are deprived of fundamental human rights e.g. medical attention. We see how a once-peaceful little town is torn by separation due to the ban imposed by the Dalai Lama.
3. Al-Jazeera Reports: Samdhong Rinpoche was caught lying about Dorje Shugden practitioners: This is a collection of video clips on the recent documentary by Al-Jazeera titled ‘The Dalai Lama, The Devil Within’ that highlights Professor Samdhong Rinpoche’s blatant lies.
4. Oslo, Norway Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: Compilation of news reports, videos and pictures from the Dalai Lama’s visit to Oslo, Norway in May 2014. The peaceful demonstrations conducted by the International Shugden Community received much media attention and the truth behind the Dorje Shugden ban was transparently communicated in various Norwegian media.
5. Rome, Italy Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: Compilation of news reports, videos and pictures from the Dalai Lama’s visit to Rome, Italy in December 2014. The International Shugden Community gathered for a peaceful demonstration as the Dalai Lama arrived to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Prize Laureates. Every media channel that covered the summit inevitably wrote about the demonstrations and the suppression as well as oppression resulting from the Dalai Lama’s decision to impose a ban on Dorje Shugden.
6. Birmingham Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: As the Noble Peace Laureate gave talks about harmony and compassion, peaceful demonstrators consisting of sangha members, Tibetans and international Buddhists ask His Holiness to lift the ban that has caused suffering to millions of people, especially within his own community of Tibetans in exile.
7. Vancouver Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: The Dalai Lama travels to Canada to meet with students and celebrities to teach about “educating the heart” while his own people are ostracized and deprived of fundamental basic needs like education and medical attention.
8. Hamburg Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: The coverage of the peaceful demonstration in Hamburg reflects the character of Shugden Buddhists and their practice.
9. 700 protesters in Washington DC demand religious freedom: Many of the Tibetan protestors suffered tremendously as a result of the ban, yet patiently stood in the cold to request the Dalai Lama to lift the ban and allow them to return to their families.
10. Mixing Religion and Politics: The Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden Prayer: A compilation of news coverage by Al-Jazeera and New York Times
11. VIDEO: Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden controversy: The issue of Shugden was covered by Australian News Channel in June 2008. The international community was surprised at how an icon of peace is causing division in the Tibetan society in exile and the monastic community.
12. Video: Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden (Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3): This important and comprehensive Swiss documentary highlights the issues revolving around Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama. Listen to the painful and tearful encounters of steadfast Dharma practitioners as they face the Dorje Shugden ban. They suffer alone and with little hope as the threat is coming from within, imposed by their trusted leader to whom they pledged alliance.
13. VIDEO: Contradictions in Dalai Lama’s speeches on Dorje Shugden: The Dalai Lama forcefully says he is happy that Shugden monks have been expelled from the monasteries. He also encourages further expulsion of monks who refuse to abandon their faith in Shugden. His tone with his own Tibetan people is starkly different from the speeches he gives in Western countries of openness, dialogue and tolerance.

13: Additional Reading

1. The Dalai Lama Denies the Truth About His Teachers
2. Dalai Lama Will Stop Condemning Dorje Shugden
3. The Dalai Lama’s Secrets: The Other Side of the Dalai Lama
4. Dalai Lama: Whatever “fierce spirit” you choose is up to you
5. Tibetan Buddhism Erosion From Within Or Without? The fight for Tibet is not for a country but for a greater cause of humanity, preservation of culture and tradition, and the precious Buddhadharma. However, if the fighters of this cause are inflicting oppression, suppression and threat to the very thing they claim to protect, is there credibility behind the quest for Tibetan freedom? Is the destruction of Tibet’s hope caused by the visible enemy, China, or parties closer to home?

(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)

(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)
 

1: Introduction to Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is the Wisdom Buddha, Manjushri, manifesting in the form of a wrathful and worldly Dharma Protector and has been propitiated as such by the highest Gelugpa and Sakya masters for some 360 years. While Dorje Shugden’s function is to protect the Dharma practitioner’s spiritual path by helping them overcome obstacles that hinder their dharma practice (such as health, livelihood, emotional and mental problems), his specific purpose is to protect Je Tsongkapa’s key teachings on Emptiness. Without non-conceptual understanding of Emptiness, it is impossible to attain the state of enlightenment. Therefore Dorje Shugden plays a very crucial role in the serious dharma practitioner’s life.

Dorje Shugden arose from the reincarnation line of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, a contemporary of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen in turn is recognized as the reincarnated mind-stream that traces all the way back to Manjushri and had taken embodiment in some of the most well-recognized Gelugpa masters such as Lama Tsongkapa’s main student, Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen and Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose works are still being used as textbooks for Gelugpa monastic education. These personages famed for their recognized enlightened mind attest to the enlightened nature of Dorje Shugden.

The worship of Dorje Shugden in the modern era was popularized by the example of the highest Gelugpa lamas such as Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche, the 10th Panchen Lama and many more, all taking Dorje Shugden as their Dharma protector. Even the 14th Dalai Lama was an ardent believer and wrote a famous praise to the deity, called Melody of the Unceasing Vajra.

1. Introduction to Dorje Shugden
2. History of Dorje Shugden
   • The Lineage
   • The Previous Incarnations (multimedia)
3. The Nature and Function of Dorje Shugden
4. The First Ever Dorje Shugden Graphic Novel in the World! (English)

2: The Dalai Lama’s Ban on Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is the holy Dharma Protector of the Gelug lineage and has been practiced for 360 years. The Dalai Lama himself worshipped Dorje Shugden and yet in 1996, the Dalai Lama imposed a prohibition on the practice of this deity without providing any logical or scriptural reasons. The Dalai Lama’s act constitutes a breach of Shugden worshippers’ rights and in addition, forcing practitioners to abandon a sacred practice given to them by their teachers is forcing them to violate their religious vows and commitments.

2.1 Overview of the Ban

1. Video: Al Jazeera Report on the Dorje Shugden Ban: This report reveals the evident breach of human rights as Dorje Shugden practitioners are denied access to fundamental services such as education and medical attention. Such harsh execution is the direct result of a speech given by the Dalai Lama, where he actually encouraged monasteries to expel monks who exercise their freedom of religion by practicing Dorje Shugden
2. Video: France 24 Report on the Dorje Shugden Ban: Witness how the Dalai Lama divides a once-peaceful community because of a mandate. Watch the aggression and separation that replaces harmony and unity. This is Apartheid on Buddhist land.
3. Video: Evidence of the Ban – Nunnery Case: The monastic community is a symbol of virtue but the ban imposed by the Dalai Lama has caused the members of a nunnery to not only break their vows but also destroy the icon of hope and humanity this community is supposed to represent.
4. Video: Forced to Abandon the Practice: Listen to stories of victims of the ban such as the Thubten family, who were attacked by around 100 aggressors and forced to flee their own home. The violence and suffering that arose from the ban broke the trust and faith that many Tibetans had in His Holiness as they witnessed their lives and community fall apart as a result of the ban on Dorje Shugden.
5. Proof of Discrimination: A series of letters, notices and photographs that prove the existence of a ban against Dorje Shugden, and that Dorje Shugden practitioners are marginalized and persecuted.
6. Violence:

• The hatred against Shugden practitioners spawned by the ban: Religious Freedom? The Central Tibetan Administration of Dharamsala sent men to harm Gen Chonzey in retaliation to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s refusal to attend the Sera Monastery Lamrim talks by the Dalai Lama.
• Shugden practitioners receive death threats: How can the ban be beneficial for anyone when every single day, it puts millions of people in harm’s way, if not through physical violence then through a great deal of mental distress?
• An Appeal Against Violence: Violence is intensifying within the Tibetan community-in-exile as the CTA calls for “action, very strong action against all Dolgyal monasteries, monks, teachers, geshes, lamas, supporters”. Not even the 84-year-old Gen Chonzey escapes a violent attack at Trijang Rinpoche’s Ladrang.

2.2 Refuting the Ban

The Dalai Lama’s Shugden ban is in fact baseless. The following section refutes the reasons the Dalai Lama gave for the ban.

1. The Dalai Lama’s 2 points for imposing the ban
2. Refuting the claim that Shugden practice jeopardizes Tibetan efforts to regain their country

Further reading:

• Refuting the Dalai Lama’s Statements Concerning Dorje Shugden
• Basis for the Dorje Shugden ban proven false
• Samdhong Rinpoche and the CTA Scam

3: The Shugden Ban Affects Hundreds of Thousands of Lives around the World

It is said that Dorje Shugden is practiced by a minority of Tibetan Buddhists, and was even labeled as a cult by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). However, when examined in detail, many practitioners of this deity are prominent Gelug scholars and Lamas. The fact that at one point of time, the majority of Lamas were practitioners of Dorje Shugden indicates that the practice is integral to the Gelug lineage. The pervasiveness of Shugden monasteries, often established after the monks refused to give up the practice; and the number of worshippers indicates that the Dalai Lama’s ban affected a large percentage of the Tibetan community, and to a certain extent, the international community of Buddhists within this tradition.

3.1 Prominent Dorje Shugden Lamas

1. His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama: The 14th Dalai Lama said that the 5th Dalai Lama was opposed to Dorje Shugden. To the contrary, the 5th Dalai Lama acknowledged Dorje Shugden as a Dharmapala with a praise he personally wrote and had Trode Khangsar built for Him. The Dalai Lama also made an image of Dorje Shugden that is venerated till today at Phelgyeling Monastery in Nepal.
   • The Time of the Great Fifth
   • The Great Fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682)
2. His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama: The current Dalai Lama was heard to say and echo the 10th Panchen Lama’s words that the Dalai Lama will safeguard Tibet from the outside while Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama in spiritual authority within the dominant Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, would safeguard Tibet from the inside as he never left Tibet for exile.
3. His Holiness Tagphu Pemavajra: An undoubted Mahasiddha whose attainments are even acknowledged by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama himself.
4. His Holiness the 101st Ganden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal: One of the most erudite scholars in the Gelug school in this century, H.H. Ganden Trisur ascended the Ganden Tripa’s throne, representing Lama Tsongkapa on earth between the years 2003 – 2009. Upon retiring from his term as Ganden Tripa, His Holiness Ganden Trisur left his spiritual home in Ganden Shartse Monastery to join Shar Ganden Monastery, where he was able to practice Dorje Shugden openly. H.H. Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is one of the most recent examples of how the ban on Dorje Shugden has placed many Lamas and lay practitioners in the difficult position of having to hide their practice.
5. His Holiness Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche: The author of the modern-day Lamrim who was hailed as one of the most attained and recognized lamas of this era.
6. His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche: Virtually all modern Gelugpa lamas are direct or indirect students of Trijang Rinpoche. He was also the junior tutor to H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.
7. His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche: One of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s close disciples and a great scholar, Zong Rinpoche has held various important positions including a 10-year term as the abbot of Ganden Shartse.
8. His Eminence Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: The spiritual guide to one of the largest Buddhist institutes in the west known as the New Kadampa Tradition, Geshe-la is well known for his great Guru devotion to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

3.2 Dorje Shugden Monasteries

In the year 2008, actions were taken to eliminate Shugden practitioners within the monastic community. During this time, various new monasteries were formed to accommodate monks who had been expelled, while some smaller monasteries were cut off from the Tibetan leadership for continuing the practice. Below are a few examples of monasteries and Buddhist centers around the world that continue practicing Dorje Shugden despite the difficulties they have faced.

1. Shar Ganden Monastery (Mundgod, India): Formed by the monks of Dokhang Khamtsen, the largest Khamtsen in Ganden Shartse Monastery after the majority of the monks refused to give up their practice of Dorje Shugden.
2. Serpom Thoesam Norling Monastery (Bylakuppe, India): Formed after the monks of Sera Mey Monastery’s Pomra Khamtsen refused to give up their practice of Dorje Shugden.
3. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Shigatse, Tibet): The main monastery of the Panchen Lamas continues their Dorje Shugden practice until today.
4. Sampheling Monastery (Chatreng, Tibet): The personal monastery of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

4: International News Coverage of the Ban

1. Al-Jazeera Reports: The Dalai Lama, The Devil Within: One of the earliest reports on the Shugden controversy. Al-Jazeera, a news media famed for circumventing censorship, tells the story as it is.
2. France 24 Reports: The Dalai Lama’s Demon: The Dorje Shugden Controversy as reported by France 24 clearly illustrates how Dorje Shugden practitioners are deprived of fundamental human rights e.g. medical attention. We see how a once-peaceful little town is torn by separation due to the ban imposed by the Dalai Lama.
3. Al-Jazeera Reports: Samdhong Rinpoche was caught lying about Dorje Shugden practitioners: This is a collection of video clips on the recent documentary by Al-Jazeera titled ‘The Dalai Lama, The Devil Within’ that highlights Professor Samdhong Rinpoche’s blatant lies.
4. Oslo, Norway Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: Compilation of news reports, videos and pictures from the Dalai Lama’s visit to Oslo, Norway in May 2014. The peaceful demonstrations conducted by the International Shugden Community received much media attention and the truth behind the Dorje Shugden ban was transparently communicated in various Norwegian media.
5. Rome, Italy Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: Compilation of news reports, videos and pictures from the Dalai Lama’s visit to Rome, Italy in December 2014. The International Shugden Community gathered for a peaceful demonstration as the Dalai Lama arrived to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Prize Laureates. Every media channel that covered the summit inevitably wrote about the demonstrations and the suppression as well as oppression resulting from the Dalai Lama’s decision to impose a ban on Dorje Shugden.
6. Birmingham Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: As the Noble Peace Laureate gave talks about harmony and compassion, peaceful demonstrators consisting of sangha members, Tibetans and international Buddhists ask His Holiness to lift the ban that has caused suffering to millions of people, especially within his own community of Tibetans in exile.
7. Vancouver Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: The Dalai Lama travels to Canada to meet with students and celebrities to teach about “educating the heart” while his own people are ostracized and deprived of fundamental basic needs like education and medical attention.
8. Hamburg Peaceful Demonstration Coverage: The coverage of the peaceful demonstration in Hamburg reflects the character of Shugden Buddhists and their practice.
9. 700 protesters in Washington DC demand religious freedom: Many of the Tibetan protestors suffered tremendously as a result of the ban, yet patiently stood in the cold to request the Dalai Lama to lift the ban and allow them to return to their families.
10. Mixing Religion and Politics: The Dalai Lama’s ban on Dorje Shugden Prayer: A compilation of news coverage by Al-Jazeera and New York Times
11. Video: Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden controversy: The issue of Shugden was covered by Australian News Channel in June 2008. The international community was surprised at how an icon of peace is causing division in the Tibetan society in exile and the monastic community.
12. Video: Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden (Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3): This important and comprehensive Swiss documentary highlights the issues revolving around Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama. Listen to the painful and tearful encounters of steadfast Dharma practitioners as they face the Dorje Shugden ban. They suffer alone and with little hope as the threat is coming from within, imposed by their trusted leader to whom they pledged alliance.
13. Video: Contradictions in the Dalai Lama’s speeches on Dorje Shugden: The Dalai Lama forcefully says he is happy that Shugden monks have been expelled from the monasteries. He also encourages further expulsion of monks who refuse to abandon their faith in Shugden. His tone with his own Tibetan people is starkly different from the speeches he gives in Western countries of openness, dialogue and tolerance.

 
(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)

(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)
 

1: What is a Dharma Protector

A Dharma Protector is usually an emanation of a Buddha or a Bodhisattva whose main functions are to avert the inner and outer obstacles that prevent practitioners from achieving spiritual realizations, and to arrange all the necessary conditions for their practice.

In Tibet, every monastery had its own Dharma Protector, but the tradition did not begin in Tibet; the Mahayanists of ancient India also relied upon Dharma Protectors to eliminate hindrances and to fulfill their spiritual wishes.

Though there are some worldly deities who are friendly towards Buddhism and who try to help practitioners, they are not real Dharma Protectors. Such worldly deities are able to increase the external wealth of practitioners and help them to succeed in their worldly activities, but they do not have the wisdom or the power to protect the development of Dharma within a practitioner’s mind.

As Dharma practitioners, it is important for us to understand the function and spiritual benefits of having a Dharma Protector in our lives. Read more about Dharma Protectors:

1. Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden: A brief introduction to the enlightened Buddhist Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden.
2. Understanding Dharma Protectors and Dorje Shugden: For a simple understanding of Dharma Protectors and Dorje Shugden, watch the video about the Illustrated story of Dorje Shugden in English.
3. Frequently Asked Questions About Dharma Protectors and Dorje Shugden

2: The Origins of Dorje Shugden

Introduction to Dorje Shugden: For the serious spiritual aspirant, knowing the history of a certain practice that we are about to engage in is absolutely essential. Just as it was stated in the *Lamrim, knowing the greatness of the Lamas allows us to learn how to appreciate the practices we engage in. On top of that, it is an important tradition in all schools of Buddhism for practitioners to be aware of the lineage of a practice.

*Lamrim (Tibetan: “Stages of the Path”) is a Tibetan Buddhist textual form for presenting the stages of the complete path to enlightenment as taught by Buddha. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamrim)

2.1 Why Dorje Shugden Arose as a Dharma Protector

A Sublime Aspiration is Generated: One of the core attitudes of a Dharma practitioner is one’s ability to fulfill promises made for the growth of the Dharma. Even in the secular world, having integrity is a highly valued attitude within an organization. Similarly, the value of integrity is highly cherished and important especially when the Buddhist doctrine is passed down from generation to generation. Without integrity, the Buddha’s teachings would be lost. It is for this reason that we honor the previous masters before our time, not only for their great spiritual attainments, but also in appreciation for upholding the Dharma regardless of circumstances.

It is not unusual for great spiritual practitioners to keep their promises, even those made several lifetimes ago. One such example is the promise of Dorje Shugden arising as a Dharma Protector to protect *Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings.

*Lama Tsongkapa: Je Tsongkapa (1357-1419) is one of the most significant Tibetan Buddhist masters, whose studies and meditations in all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism resulted in the founding of the Gelugpa lineage. (Source: http://fpmt.org/mandala/archives/mandala-issues-for-2002/december/a-light-filled-birthday-for-lama-tsongkhapa/)

2.2 What Caused Dorje Shugden to Arise

1. The fulfillment of a great promise
2. The demise of the great Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen

2.3 The Manifestation of Dorje Shugden

1. An almighty Dharma Protector arises

2.4 The Phenomena of Dorje Shugden Arising

1. Recognized by the Sakyas

2.5 The Enthronement of Dorje Shugden

1. Enthronement of Dorje Shugden

2.6 The Incarnation Lineage of Dorje Shugden

1. Dorje Shugden’s lineage (multimedia)
2. Manjushri
3. Mahasiddha Biwawa
4. Sakya Pandita
5. Buton Rinchen Drub
6. Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen
7. Panchen Sonam Drakpa
8. Sonam Yeshe Wangpo
9. Ngawang Sonam Geleg Pelzang
10. Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen
11. The Return of the King

2.7 The Mandala of Dorje Shugden

A mandala is a symbolic representation of what might be called the spiritual “cosmos.” (Source: http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhismglossarym/g/Mandala-Definition.htm)

1. General Introduction
2. Dorje Shugden’s Five Families: Dorje Shugden manifests in five different forms for different purposes. Aside from his principal form on a snow lion and wearing a golden domed hat, he has four other recognized forms, each with a specific function. These five forms are also known as the five families of Dorje Shugden. Altogether, the five families are manifestations of his five aggregates, which also correspond to the Five Dhyani Buddhas.
3. Members of the Retinue
4. The Ministers in the Mandala

2.8 The Iconography of Dorje Shugden

Like all Buddhist deities, every part of Dorje Shugden’s holy form carries a profound meaning and is a teaching to guide us to Enlightenment. In this case, each part of Dorje Shugden’s body represents an aspect of the Lamrim and meditating upon his form alone can bring us many realizations and attainments.

1. Appearance
2. The Symbolism of Dorje Shugden
3. Duldzin Dorje Shugden’s Iconography
4. Ratna Shugden’s (Gyenze) Iconography
5. Vairochana Shugden’s (Shize) Iconography

2.9 Prominent Dorje Shugden Lamas

1. The Great Fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682): The 5th Dalai Lama enthroned Dorje Shugden as a Dharma Protector. The Great 5th Dalai Lama was also known to be a Dorje Shugden practitioner as proven through his written praises and even fashioned a Dorje Shugden statue with his own hands.
2. His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama: The current Dalai Lama was heard to say and echo the 10th Panchen Lama’s words that the Dalai Lama will safeguard Tibet from the outside while Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama in spiritual authority within the dominant Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, would safeguard Tibet from the inside as he never left Tibet for exile.
3. His Holiness Tagphu Pemavajra: An undoubted Mahasiddha whose attainments are even acknowledged by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama himself.
4. His Holiness the 101st Ganden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal: One of the most erudite scholars in the Gelug school in this century, H.H. Ganden Trisur ascended the Ganden Tripa’s throne, representing Lama Tsongkapa on earth between the years 2003 – 2009. Upon retiring from his term as Ganden Tripa, His Holiness Ganden Trisur left his spiritual home in Ganden Shartse Monastery to join Shar Ganden Monastery, where he was able to practice Dorje Shugden openly. H.H. Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is one of the most recent examples of how the ban on Dorje Shugden has placed many Lamas and lay practitioners in the difficult position of having to hide their practice.
5. His Holiness Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche: The author of the modern-day Lamrim who was hailed as one of the most attained and recognized lamas of this era.
6. His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche: Virtually all modern Gelugpa lamas are direct or indirect students of Trijang Rinpoche. He was also the junior tutor to H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.
7. His Eminence Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche: Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche was so highly respected that the 13th Dalai Lama, upon meeting Domo Geshe Rinpoche, declared that he had met Lama Tsongkapa himself. Domo Geshe Rinpoche has always been closely associated with Dorje Shugden as a master of the practice. Presently, the young incarnation of Domo Geshe Rinpoche is completing his studies in Shar Ganden Monastery, India.
8. His Eminence Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche: Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche is world renowned for his incredible work on peace and healing. Known as the incarnation of Darikapa, one of the famed 84 Mahasiddhas, Gangchen Rinpoche is able to command thousands of loyal followers worldwide.
9. His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche: One of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s close disciples and a great scholar, Zong Rinpoche has held various important positions including a 10-year term as the abbot of Ganden Shartse.
10. His Holiness Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche: Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche is the first and current abbot of Serpom Monastery in India, one of the most important monasteries in the Gelug lineage. When Dorje Shugden monks were forced to choose either to abandon the practice of Dorje Shugden or leave the monastery in 2008, Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche compassionately took upon himself to guide the Dorje Shugden monks of Pomra Khamtsen and established what is known today as Serpom Monastery.
11. His Eminence Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: The spiritual guide to one of the largest Buddhist institutes in the west known as the New Kadampa Tradition, Geshe-la is well known for his great Guru devotion to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.
12. His Eminence Geshe Rabten Rinpoche: His Eminence Geshe Rabten Rinpoche was one of the pioneer Lamas in Europe and the teacher to many great Western scholars. Geshe Rabten’s dedication in spreading the Buddhadharma enabled him to grow a large supporting base which served as the 14th Dalai Lama’s initial platform of being introduced to the West.
13. His Eminence Zemey Rinpoche: His Eminence Zemey Rinpoche was one of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s heart sons. This close disciple of one of the most respected Lamas in the Gelug lineage was famed as one of its most erudite scholars. Zemey Rinpoche was also one of the few who were handpicked to escort the 14th Dalai Lama out of Tibet in the 1950s. Although Zemey Rinpoche was later ostracized due to the publication of his private notes into what is now known as the Yellow Book, Zemey Rinpoche remained loyal to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama until he entered clear light.
14. His Eminence Denma Gonsa Rinpoche: His Eminence Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was a prominent Lama in Tibet who commanded hundreds of thousands of devotees in the Denma region. The latest incarnation, the 20th Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, was recognized by both the Panchen Lama and Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche. He was enthroned in 2014 in the presence of over 200,000 followers who gathered to catch a glimpse of this holy lama.
15. His Eminence Kundeling Rinpoche: His Eminence Kundeling Rinpoche was one of the first Dorje Shugden Lamas to protest against the ban on Dorje Shugden in 1996, when it was introduced to the monasteries. Despite suffering various threats and difficulties for being outspoken, Kundeling Rinpoche continues to fight for the rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners until today.

2.10 Dorje Shugden Places of Worship

1. Shar Ganden Monastery (Mundgod, India): Formed by the monks of Dokhang Khamtsen, the largest Khamtsen in Ganden Shartse Monastery after the majority of the monks refused to give up their practice of Dorje Shugden.
2. Serpom Thoesam Norling Monastery (Bylakuppe, India): Formed after the monks of Sera Mey Monastery’s Pomra Khamtsen refused to give up their practice of Dorje Shugden.
3. Nyanang Phelgyeling Monastery (Nepal): A small monastery with less than 100 monks, the monastery is home to some of the most precious and holy statues which were carefully smuggled out of Tibet during the 1950s. Amongst its most precious possessions is a statue of Dorje Shugden handmade by the 5th Dalai Lama.
4. Ganden Dokhang Buddhist Centre (Taiwan): A branch of Shar Ganden Monastery in Taiwan.
5. XiaFeng Temple (YuZhu District, YouYang County, ChongQing City, China)
6. Longrong Monastery (T.A.R., China): Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s monastery in Derong Country, where monks and lay practitioners continue to practice Dorje Shugden.
7. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Shigatse, Tibet): The main monastery of the Panchen Lamas continues their Dorje Shugden practice until today.
8. Sampheling Monastery (Chatreng, Tibet): The personal monastery of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.
9. Ganden Chang Chub Choling (Canada): Established with the encouragement of the Canadian government to fulfill the needs of Tibetan refugees in the 1970s, the centre is under the care of His Eminence Zawa Rinpoche, who actively participates in many of the International Shugden Community’s protests against the ban on Dorje Shugden.
10. Delgeruun Choira Monastery (Mongolia): The traditional seat of Zava Damdin Rinpoche, a prominent Mongolian Dorje Shugden practitioner.

2.11 Why is Dorje Shugden a Buddha?

1. Dorje Shugden is the last incarnation in a line of enlightened Masters.
2. Dorje Shugden could not be subdued by the Fifth Dalai Lama or other Lamas.
3. Dorje Shugden’s form teaches the paths of Sutra and Tantra.
4. Dorje Shugden is the incarnation of the five Buddha families.
5. Dorje Shugden is of the same nature as Manjushri, Je Tsongkapa, Mahakala and Kalarupa.
6. Dorje Shugden’s mandala deities are of the same nature as the body mandala deities of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang, a special manifestation of Je Tsongkapa revealed directly to the great Yogi Dharmavajra. (Source: http://kadampa.org/reference/buddhas/lama-losang-tubwang-dorjechang/)
7. The practice of Dorje Shugden was taught by Je Tsongkapa in Tushita Pure Land.
8. Dorje Shugden has been relied upon by the highest Lamas, who themselves have been recognized as enlightened.
9. Dorje Shugden performs the twenty-seven deeds of a Buddha.
10. Relying upon Dorje Shugden leads to supramundane results.

For a detailed explanation of the 10 points above, read 10 Reasons Why Dorje Shugden is a Buddha.

2.12 Oracles of Dorje Shugden

The enlightened nature of a Dharma Protector can also be seen through the oracle that takes trance of him. Watch the following video for a clear explanation and view on the differences between enlightened Dharma Protectors and non-enlightened Protectors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7McmMXfB0pk

3. The Benefits of Dorje Shugden’s Practice

More and more people acknowledge the importance and benefits of spiritual learning. However, many are new to the Dharma, and spiritual practice, mind transformation and enlightenment are not our primary concerns as we are still overwhelmed by problems related to relationship conflicts, monetary concerns, career dilemmas, bills to pay, mouths to feed and jobs to fulfill. These are endless problems and in order to gain the opportunity to embark upon a spiritual journey, we need assistance that is fast, efficacious and that we can place full trust in.

Dorje Shugden, with his enlightened nature which is the same as Wisdom Buddha Manjushri’s, is able to skillfully alleviate our problems so we can focus on spiritual practice. Dorje Shugden is able to extend his assistance to us more swiftly due to our karmic links to him, making him the perfect protector of our time.

1. The Benefits of Dorje Shugden’s Practice: Learn how Dorje Shugden and each of the deities in his mandala bestow a type of blessing on practitioners and assist the principal deity to perform different beneficial actions.
2. Dharma Demystified: Dorje Shugden as a Yidam: In the fast-paced living of the 21st century, Dorje Shugden is not only propitiated as a Dharma Protector but also a Yidam. This article explores the meaning, function and benefits of a Yidam, as well as how Dorje Shugden, the emanation of Manjushri, “qualifies” as a Yidam.
3. Dorje Shugden has got your back: Dorje Shugden manifests in a tangible form that brings protection to sincere practitioners. His protective amulets are specially prepared with precious materials through traditional rituals to invoke the energies of the Protector and his mandala.
4. Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden’s Dual Functions: Dorje Shugden creates conducive outer and inner conditions to enable sincere practitioners to gain secular and spiritual advancements. Understanding the nature of this enlightened Protector will enable us to practice efficiently and effectively.
5. FAQS: How can Dorje Shugden help me?

4: Dorje Shugden Practice Starter Kit

1. Complete Daily Practice: For those wanting to start the practice of Dorje Shugden, one can invite this specially designed gift set complete with an image of Dorje Shugden and an introductory book.
2. Short Daily Prayer: A short Dorje Shugden prayer to be performed daily for the welfare of all mother sentient beings after Guru Yoga or Yidam practice.
3. Dorje Shugden puja for Download (audio): Chanted by the monks of Shar Ganden Monastery, this audio recording includes recitations of the Yamantaka sadhana and offerings followed by the full Dorje Shugden puja. It can be used to bless your chakras, energize your home and workspace with positive energies, and dispel negative elements and beings.
4. Mantras: Mantras are a very powerful, effective and simple way to connect to the Buddhas and receive their blessings. By reciting mantras with a strong and positive motivation, one is directly creating positive karma and merit to strengthen your affinity to the Three Jewels.
5. Incense Offering Prayer: To overcome obstacles and to invoke the Protector and entourage for protection.
6. Food Offering Prayer: To create the causes towards receiving spiritual and material sustenance in the future.
7. FAQS: Where did Dorje Shugden’s practice come from?

5: Liturgies & Praises

1. Nyirtoe by Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang: A daily prayer to Dorje Shugden for protection and blessings.
2. Melody Of The Unceasing Vajra by the 14th Dalai Lama: A short prayer that can be done before the serkyem offering to Dorje Shugden.
3. Prayer to Dorje Shugden by Kyabje Dagpo Dorje Chang
4. Offerings, Praises, Fulfillment and Requests to Dorje Shugden by Kyabje Dagri Dorje Chang

6. A Beginner’s Guide To Setting Up An Altar

Dharma Demystified: The Significance of a Buddhist Shrine: The setting up of a altar for the purpose of worship is perhaps one of the most common Buddhist practices and yet, one of the least understood, and its significance is not fully appreciated. Contrary to popular belief, being Buddhist is not just about worshiping the Buddha and hoping to be granted a boon or a wish. The practice of setting up an altar and worshipping the Buddha is ultimately to purify negative karma and to build up merits for our spiritual attainments in reliance on the Buddha.
 

6.1 Downloads for Your Altar

1. Buddha images for your altar

6.2 Order Prayer Items from DorjeShugden.com Shop

1. DorjeShugden.com Online Shop

 
The information on Dorje Shugden that has been made available to you are in accordance to teachings preserved and passed down by the highest Gelugpa masters such as Pabongkha Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche. It is the sincere wish of DorjeShugden.com that you may come to learn and practice the Dorje Shugden prayers and benefit richly from it. May the King Protector, Dorje Shugden, protect you always and grant you all the endowments for your secular and spiritual life to flourish.

Sarva Mangalam.

(Click to download this information kit in PDF format)