The Dalai Lama at the Jangchub Lamrim teachings in December 2013

In recent months, after the International Shugden Community (ISC) organized a series of peaceful demonstrations against the Dorje Shugden ban across USA and Europe, the Shugden issue is once again in the limelight and has received extensive media coverage all over the world. While the ISC received much needed attention towards their efforts in lifting this unjust ban, the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) also received their fair share of media attention regarding the Dorje Shugden issue.

When questioned about the existence of such a ban and accusations of discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners, a typical reply from the the Dalai Lama or members of the CTA would be:

No there is no ban, no one is discriminating them (Shugdenpas).

Such blatant lies may be taken at face value by the Dalai Lama-loving faction. However, the discerning reader seeks out the truth behind the matter, and we at DorjeShugden.com bring you recent and current proof of discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners, some of which are instigated on a large scale by none other than the Dalai Lama and his administration.

Proof of Discrimination

While the CTA proudly declares that no ban is being imposed, Shugden practitioners living in exile communities beg to differ. Various establishments in the Tibetan refugee settlement of Bylakuppe openly deny entry to Shugden worshipers as a sign of their allegiance and support for the Dalai Lama and CTA.

“Dolgyal Practitioners Not Welcome”

Outside a statue shop in Bylakuppe, Tibetan Camp No. 1

Closeup of the anti-Shugden sign

As if prohibiting Shugden practitioners from patronizing non-Shugden shops wasn’t enough, the CTA found an ingenious way of discriminating against establishments owned by Dorje Shugden practitioners, right under the nose of human rights organisations and international media. During the Dalai Lama’s Jang Chub Lamrim teachings in Sera Monastery which took place in December 2013, participants were instructed only to patronize establishments that displayed the official Jang Chub Lamrim banners, and to avoid entering any premises without it.

No banner, no entry. The Jangchub Lamrim banner became synonymous with pro-Dalai Lama (anti-Shugden) establishments.

Yet, when questioned by international media, the Dalai Lama and CTA blatantly denied the existence of the ban and the discrimination that arose as a result. Instead, the CTA claimed that the very act of denying entry to Shugden practitioners (mind you, based purely on their religious beliefs) was in fact an act of freedom. Clearly, the Tibetan administration values the truth only when convenient, and freedom and human rights are misconstrued to serve their own ill motivation.

Kyabje Phabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day

The Great Gelug Master, Kyabje Phabongka Rinpoche

While the Jangchub Lamrim teachings were in full swing in Sera Monastery, Dorje Shugden practitioners who were banned from attending the Dalai Lama’s teachings celebrated Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day next door in Serpom Monastery.

The Parinirvana Day of a great master is an extremely significant day in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. For those unfamiliar with Vajrayana Buddhism, Parinirvana is not viewed as a day of death, but is considered to be the day of enlightenment. Great practitioners consider the moment of death to be the best opportunity to gain enlightenment. Thus, Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day is an auspicious and important celebration for the monks of Serpom Monastery.

We were chanting the mantra Migtsema loudly when a Sera monk came to our monastery to ask what we were doing. So we told him we are celebrating Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana today. Later that day, we found out that the Sera monks too went to get offerings and did a puja to celebrate Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana, it was Dalai Lama’s instruction as Pabongka Rinpoche is also the lineage master of Sera. - A monk from Serpom Monastery

Given that Pabongka Rinpoche is a staunch Dorje Shugden lama (and therefore an enemy of the Tibetan state) why would the Dalai Lama encourage the monks of Sera to celebrate his Parinirvana Day? Conversely, if Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day is to be celebrated (thus signifying that he has attained enlightenment), then how can his teachings on taking Dorje Shugden as the enlightened protector of the Gelug lineage be wrong?

Thus the Dalai Lama’s advice to Sera monks to celebrate Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day was met with confusion, especially given that the Dalai Lama had just endorsed the latest anti-Dorje Shugden book during one of the Jangchub Lamrim teachings – a book that completely opposes Pabongka Rinpoche’s teachings. The contradiction must have been too much for the Sera monks and after the teachings, hundreds of newly distributed anti-Shugden books were found piled up in the trash.

Doubts arising against the Dalai Lama’s stance on Dorje Shugden? Sera monks threw away hundreds of anti- Shugden books in the aftermath of the Jangchub Lamrim teachings

Truly, the ban on Dorje Shugden has done nothing but create confusion and harm, even in the monastic environment. Even the simple fact that Sera Monastery’s failed to celebrate Pabongka Rinpoche’s Parinirvana Day until prompted by the Dalai Lama is a clear sign that tradition has fallen by the wayside, and only the sycophantic wish for the Dalai Lama’s approval remains.

Shugden Strikes Back!

Welcome to Serpom Monastery!

There are some moments in history that the world looks back on with a sense of awe, and Serpom Monastery’s grand opening is set to become one of them.

This auspicious occasion was more than any other monastery opening. It was an inspirational reminder that despite the dark and difficult times for Shugden practitioners, there are still people with deep faith who will follow in Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen’s footsteps to open new monasteries and propagate Tsongkhapa’s tradition.

Based in South India, Serpom Monastery is the home and school for 600 devoted students of the unbroken Gaden lineage. With its strict academic and spiritual curriculum, this monastic community has produced hundreds of elite scholars over the years.

Thus clutching our precious invitations to the opening, it was with a great deal of excitement and anxiety that a group of us packed and left for India on 15 December 2011, just a few days away from the upcoming Lama Tsongkhapa Day celebration.

Landing in Bangalore on a cool winter’s morning, we were greeted with the smell of Indian spices and masala tea, and a convoy of cars to take us and other pilgrims to Bylakuppe.

It was a journey of spectacular countryside views and green fields of hardworking farmers toiling for their livelihoods. It was difficult to imagine that this starkly beautiful place is the epicenter of a ban that has caused millions to suffer and has torn apart the Buddhist community.

After six hours of coffee, bumpy roads and irrepressible picture-taking, our group finally caught a glimpse of one of the world’s most controversial (and influential!) monasteries.

Located on a hill, Serpom’s traditional monastic features made us gasp in awe, as prayer flags fluttered in the wind and the Dharma wheel perched atop the monastery caught the sun. A cool breeze blew through as the smell of sang offerings reached our noses. We cast our eyes over the hundreds of monks and lay practitioners that had gathered in two rows to welcome guests. It was a reassuring sight to see that we are not alone in our practice of Dorje Shugden…

The sound of long horns travelled into the clear blue sky, chased by the sound of clarinets and cymbals played by monks in the most respectful manner. A golden parasol had been prepared to welcome the abbot of Serpom Monastery, His Eminence Yongyal Rinpoche. A man radiating compassion and pure guru devotion, Yongyal Rinpoche was recognized by HH Trijang Dorjechang as the fourth of his line of incarnations.

In this incarnation, Yongyal Rinpoche has been an inspiration to Dorje Shugden practitioners everywhere, as a monk who persevered in his faith and practice, and has held on to his vows despite the ban.

It must have brought tears of joy to Yongyal Rinpoche’s eyes to lay eyes on Serpom and watch the years of hard work and struggle culminate in the establishment of a monastic institution. In fact, Serpom Monastery is more than just any other monastery – because it arose at a time when the sangha community have become segregated, Serpom Monastery is proof that unity and harmony are key to reviving the Buddhadharma in this Kaliyuga age.

His Eminence then graced and blessed the main prayer hall (gompa) for the very first time, alongside thousands of monks he led into the gompa. For those of us who were visiting a Tibetan monastery for the first time, the experience could not have been more authentic – no expense had been spared on the gompa, with a stunning altar as the focal point.

The altar was made all the grander with large statues of the founder of our lineage Lama Tsongkhapa in the middle, Buddha Shakyamuni on the left and Medicine Buddha on the right.

The monks lined up and made offerings to the images, as Yongyal Rinpoche entered a small room which we guessed to be a chapel for our precious protector Dorje Shugden. It was an exciting moment – who would have thought that in the midst of the ban, Dorje Shugden’s practice continues to grow.

It was only much later that the gompa was opened to the junior monks, guests and lay practitioners. Finally we had a good view of the gompa! We had only just arrived at Serpom and already we were in complete awe at how grand the event was. We could only imagine what the main opening ceremony in two days’ time would be like…

In fact the whole opening ceremony was planned over five days, from 18th December until 22nd December 2011 with commentaries and teachings, debate sessions, food, prayers and speeches from dignitaries to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

The most highly anticipated event however, was the planned trance-taking session when the King himself would enter the Oracle, and come to bless the monastery that would preserve and spread his practice. Never in our lives had we had the chance to meet the King himself, so it was definitely high on our to-do list in this spiritual journey!

The days flew by and before we knew it, it was 18th December 2011. At exactly 6am, with our eyes filled with sleep but our bodies trembling with anticipation, we joined thousands of other devotees to witness Buddhist history being made.

Thousands of monks young and old congregated for the main opening ceremony; squeezed in to the gompa were high lamas, tulkus, Geshes, abbots and lamas from different monasteries and countries. Joining them were guests and sponsors from Taiwan, China, Tibet, America, France, Switzerland, Australia and Italy, all gathered for one reason – to spread the dharma.

Of course His Eminence Khen Rinpoche was also there, to cut the ribbon and lead the monks into the prayer hall for a puja that would bless the gompa. As the puja started, you cannot imagine how excited we were to witness the very first spiritual activity being conducted in the monastery. But that was not to be the end of our day because in just two hours’ time, we were about to meeting the great King Dorje Shugden himself.

8am came swiftly and the gompa was still filled with monks. It was the crème de la crème of the Tibetan Buddhist world, with the presence of many high lamas in the audience. Present there were:

• Yongyal Rinpoche
• Zawa Rinpoche
• Shar Gaden’s Khen Rinpoche (the present abbot)
• Achok Rinpoche
• Khuten-la from Gaden
• Rabten Choeling
• Representatives from Dromo Geshe Ladrang
• Representatives from Gangchen Ladrang
• Representatives from Trijang Ladrang
• Representatives from Geshe Thubten Trinley Rinpoche
• Representatives from Chatri Rinpoche
• Representatives from Phegyeling

And then it was time for the world renowned Chojela to take trance! For the first time, we saw the beautiful setting of the Oracle throne and outfits, and the different hats for the deities; for the first time, we saw that in these modern times, the monastic institutions have not lost an inch of the traditional practices and authentic lineage that has been passed down for thousands of years.

Heralded by the sonorous chants of monks reciting auspicious prayers, Chojela entered the room in his golden brocade robes. Thousands of attendees rose to make three prostrations to pay their respects for they were about to meet the King, who would enter an Oracle personally trained by His Holiness Dromo Geshe Rinpoche and His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang. The room quickly filled with the smell of sang offerings as attendants moved forwards to assist Chojela in putting on the remainder of his outfit.

It did not take long – the outfit went on, the chanting continued, a jerk, and the King had arrived in the Oracle. Holding his sword to perform a Vajra dance, Dorje Shugden then took his seat on the throne as all the high lamas, monks and guests lined up to pay their respects and receive a blessing. Leading them was Yongal Rinpoche, who stepped forwards first to make body, speech and mind offerings to Dorje Shugden himself.

Being forever compassionate, the King stayed for quite some time to bless everyone who were there to meet him. It was such a huge honor to meet him – here in front of us was the statue come to life, in all of his Enlightened glory. Trembling with compassionate energy, we had no doubt that Dorje Shugden was here to fulfill his promise to protect the Dharma in an uncommon way.

As the main protector of the monastery, Serpom will be preserving the unbroken lineage that is being passed down to thousands every year. It was clear that the King was pleased to know this – throughout the trance, the King (via the Oracle) kept hitting his breastplate as if to say, “I am with you. I will fulfill your needs.”

Then 15 minutes later, it was all over. Dorje Shugden left, and the monk attendants surrounding the Oracle moved to change the Oracle’s hat, in anticipation of the arrival of the next wrathful Protector.

With a shrill cry, it was clear to all when Lord Setrap had arrived. With a stamp of his spear to announce his arrival, Setrap did a Vajra dance before settling to bless the monks…if you can call it settling!

Bursting with wrathful energy, Setrap jerked as he blessed the monks but five minutes later, the energy was too overwhelming for the Oracle’s body that compassionately, Setrap left.

Again, the monk attendants moved to change hats and before we knew it, Protector #3 had arrived. Wearing a red tasseled hat, Chingkar Jowo, Serpom’s female Protector, was gentle and peaceful, and able to stay to bless the crowd one by one. It was something our group had never seen before, a female Protector so we felt very blessed to connect with her for the first time.

When the monk attendants moved forwards for the final time, our group were almost bereft with excitement because we all knew who was coming next…Kache Marpo! He entered the Oracle, remaining in the Oracle’s body almost imperceptibly as he walked over to Yongyal Rinpoche to pay his respects, before sitting on the throne to bless the crowd and give a Dharma talk.

Even though it was in Tibetan, and none of us could understand a word, just to be in the presence of such holy beings was a true blessing. It was in itself unusual, to say the least, to receive a Dharma teaching from Kache Marpo – none of us had ever received a teaching from a Buddha himself, much less Hayagriva!

Finally Kache Marpo left, and the electrifying energy that ran through the hall was gone. The whole trance had only lasted approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, but it was the best hour and a half of our lives. Thousands of people had had the opportunity to meet four Protectors, including the King himself. It truly was a blessed session, every single minute of it.

Later in the afternoon, there was an official speech giving ceremony by Lharampa Jampa Khetsun, monastic spiritual advisor followed by His Eminence Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche. His Excellency S.A. Ramdas then spoke about integrating Dharma in our lives, regardless of whatever religion we are, to help us to have a more meaningful existence.

He also said that Buddhism has existed in India since Buddha’s time, and we must continue the legacy as Buddha’s wish was to benefit all sentient beings regardless of what religion or sect they came from. It was a comfort for Dorje Shugden devotees to hear this voice of support from an Indian government official, as we continue to suffer because of the practice and sect we come from.

Honorable Karnataka Minister, Shri K. Venkatesh (Member of Legislative Assembly for the Periyapatna Constituency) also gave an inspirational speech followed by the Venerable Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery. Their speeches were succeeded by an award presentation, where the Serpom Peace Awards were presented to Mr Venkatesh MLA.

As we left Serpom in the strong heat of the Indian afternoon, we could not help but wonder – why is such an Enlightened, elite Buddha banned? How can Setrap, who is accepted by the mainstream monasteries like Gaden, enter the same person as Dorje Shugden, if Dorje Shugden is a spirit?

More thoughts flew threw our minds. We had met so many compassionate, gentle lamas throughout our stay here…could it be possible that such high lamas and elite masters propitiated a spirit? Why would so many high lamas, many of whom were previously promoted by the Tibetan government, fly from all around the world to attend this monastic opening? Why would a spirit help so many people over the years, and not ask for anything in return?

We could not help but chuckle at these thoughts as we travelled down the bumpy Indian roads on our way home. May Dorje Shugden’s practice grow, we were so blessed to be there.

(Read another account of the Serpom Grand Opening here: dorjeshugden.com/?p=10965)

Watch the video of Serpom Monastery’s opening ceremony

Photos of the Event

Monks on the road to welcome their abbot, Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche

Young monks and Tibetans lining up on the road to Serpom’s entrance

Banner at the entrance

The entrance arch

Main building of Serpom Monastery

Leading Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche to the prayer hall

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche with Achok Rinpoche and entourage

Monks in the monastery compound with sang burning

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche addressing the monks

Winter debate on the eve of Serpom’s Inauguration Ceremony

A new generation of scholars at the inter-monastery debate

Monks waiting for Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche to do the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Arrival of Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche

Main entrance to the Prayer Hall with 5-colour khatas

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche and monks entering the Prayer Hall

Sangha of Serpom ready for puja

Tibetan guests entering the Prayer Hall

Making khata offerings during the opening

View of Serpom Monastery

Serpom Monastery main building (side view)

Image of Dorje Shugden in the Prayer Hall, next to the main entrance

The seat of the oracle

Headgear for the various protectors

Escorting the oracle into the Prayer Hall

Monks playing the long horn, ready to invoke the Dharmapala

Arrival of Indian officials and guests at the Prayer Hall

The abbot and the Indian VIPs

Inauguration speech by His Excellency Shri S. A. Ramdas, Honorable Karnataka Minister and Mysore District Minister

Presentation of Serpom Peace Awards to His Excellency Shri S.A. Ramdas and Shri K. Venkatesh, Member of the Legislature Assembly. The abbot and the Indian VIPs