Dorje Shugden Buddha and Dharma Protector
cf...@dircon.co.uk
Ven. Geshe-la
How do you reconcile HE Trijang Rinpoche's statement to a gathering of
monks at Drepung (quoted by Tseten Samdup): "We should follow His
Holiness' advice on the propitiation of protector deities. " with
your own view which seems do be that HH the Dalai Lama's advice
in this regard can be disregarded?
Sincerly
Christopher J. Fynn.
Ole
cf...@dircon.co.uk wrote
>
> How do you reconcile HE Trijang Rinpoche's statement to a gathering of
> monks at Drepung (quoted by Tseten Samdup): "We should follow His
> Holiness' advice on the propitiation of protector deities. " with
> your own view which seems do be that HH the Dalai Lama's advice
> in this regard can be disregarded?
>
On May 21th 1996 the Kashag wrote:
> His Holiness the Dalai Lama has raised concern about the question of
> propitiating Dolgyal only because it has a great bearing on the cause of
Tibet.
> It is precisely because of this that he has conducted extensive research
and
> investigation on the matter for more than two decades. He explained his
> findings to his tutor, Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Rinpoche. The tutor
graciously
> acceded to it, acknowledging that the findings were entirely faultless.
> This should be firmly borne in mind by all concerned.
And this is an interesting commentary from http://www.tibet-internal.com
"This is the most difficult point for the Dalai Lama: Trijang Rinpoche is
one of the foremost masters of the Gelug tradition and was the personal
tutor of the Dalai Lama. Trijang Rinpoche greatly revered Dorje Shugden
himself and has composed many texts on extraordinary practices for an
effective development of compassion and wisdom in connection with Dorje
Shugden. With his ban against Dorje Shugden, the Dalai Lama directly
opposes his own master, which cannot be justified in Buddhism in any way.
The Dalai Lama therefore needs to find some kind of justification in
connection with Trijang Rinpoche. Here the Dalai Lama refers to an
encounter with his master Trijang Rinpoche in the mid seventies.
First, the Dalai Lama had requested the life empowerment of Dorje Shugden
from Trijang Rinpoche. Then the state oracle began to slander Dorje
Shugden, fearing for his position and influence. Under the impression of
these attacks against Dorje Shugden by the state oracle the Dalai Lama
withdrew from him request for the initiation. Trijang Rinpoche accepted the
Dalai Lama's withdrawal, and it is this acceptance that he refers to with
the words 'the tutor graciously acceded to it'.
The above statement though implies, that the Dalai Lama's present ban and
'results of investigation' were acceded to by Trijang Rinpoche, which is
not the case at all. The reality is, that the Dalai Lama would have never
even dared to mention his present attitude towards Dorje Shugden while
Trijang Rinpoche was still alive. The actual contents of the mentioned
encounter between the Dalai Lama and Trijang Rinpoche can still be verified
today on the bases of letters by Trijang Rinpoche to his closest disciples
on this account. In this context the timing of the ban against Dorje
Shugden is also worth noting: After Trijang Rinpoche passed away in 1981
there lived many great masters who knew Trijang Rinpoche's actual words and
attitudes very well. If the Dalai Lama had issued a similar ban at that
time, the word of these widely respected masters would have turned such a
ban ineffective immediately. The last eye witness who would have been able
to counteract such a ban by the Dalai Lama was Trijang Rinpoche's
caretaker, Kungo Palden. Kungo Palden died in the autumn of 1995, the Dalai
Lama presented the above statements to the public in spring 1996."
---------
Ole
Did you know that this Dalai Lama, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet has
composed an extensive praise of Dorje Shugden?
It is a prayer that many people used to recite: "You who are powerful,
powerful protector of the teaching of the Manjushri-Naga", that means Je
Tsongkhapa, " have arisen as the powerful protector of the teaching of the
Manjushri-Naga, as the Lord of all the protectors, all the wrathful
protectors, with the glory of the wisdom, compassion and power of infinite
Buddhas. I invite you from Tushita-heaven as well as from the land of
dakinis. And I prostrate to you with my three bodies, body, speech and
mind; and out of my delusions, whatever I have contradicted with your mind,
I respectfully confess them, and be patient, and show your smiling face..."
etc.
It's a very long prayer and it was written by the present Dalai Lama in
Tomo.
Now which Dalai Lama was right? Was he making jokes then or is he making
jokes now?
It sounds similarly confusing when he is giving statements on Tibet: 'Free
Tibet' or 'Autonomy under Chinas rules'? Does he actually know what he
wants?
Ole
http://www.tibet.com/Buddhism/dholgyal2.html
On this Web Site maintained and updated by The Office of Tibet, the
official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London, you can find the
following statement of HH the Dalai Lama:
"If any among you here are determined to continue propitiating Dolgyal, it
would be better for you to stay away from this empowerment, get up and
leave this place. It is improper for you to continue to sit here. It will
not benefit you. On the contrary it will have the effect of reducing the
life span of Gyalwa Rinpoche (The Dalai Lama), which is not good. However,
if there are any among you who hope that Gyalwa Rinpoche will soon die,
then you can stay."
These words of the Dalai Lama are pure violence. They are the reason for
all the trouble in the Tibetan settlements in India and in the villages of
Tibet itself. They are the reason why Tibetan families are split and even
the Sangha in the West is separating into parts. These words are weapons.
How can he pray peace and use such words?
Simply imagine that these words are spoken by some other, not so well known
Lama. Would'nt you think of him as a warhead? Are these the words of a
Buddha?
The statement itself can not stand any serious investigation and goes
against any logic.
It is unbelievable and it really makes me cry.
Avyorth Rolinson
Ole wrote in message <01bcf2d8$4e732d00$548aa19d@pcoliver>...
>> His Holiness the Dalai Lama has raised concern about the question of
>> propitiating Dolgyal
Dear Ole,
with relation to your points about the battle between Dalai Lama and Shugden
worshippers, may I quote part of an official letter of the NKT signed by the
secretary Jim Belither and dated Sun 15th Dec 1996.
(As we know, Kuten Lama is a Dorje Shugden oracle, and had criticised the
Dalai Lama's attacks on Shugden.)
"I have been asked to inform you that Kuten Lama recently had a meeting with
the Dalai Lama in which he openly rejected Geshe Kelsang and the NKT. The
Dalai Lama was said to be very happy with Kuten Lama and gave him
presents........Kuten Lama has also written publicly supporting the Dalai
Lama.....
It seems that in India Tibetans are now forbidden from engaging in the
practice of Lama Chopa. Also, Kyabje Pabongkha and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche
have been removed from the list of Lamrim lineage Gurus.....The intention
seems to be the destruction of Je Tsongkapa's Uncommon Tradition. A 'new'
Lama Chopa is being prepared which can be practised by all the traditions,
and copies of Panchen Losang Chogyan's Lama Chopa are being destroyed."
Ole, you seem familiar with the issues, so perhaps you'd explain what is
going on?
The official oracle of Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama seem to be friends,
so how can it be said that the Dalai Lama is attacking Shugden? Surely the
oracle of a Deity would never befriend the attacker of that Deity?
Yet again the letter says that Pabongka and Trijang are being removed from
the Lamrim lineage gurus, and that a new Lama Chopa is being prepared. Has
this in fact happened? And what about the claim that Panchen Losang
Chogyan's Lama Chopa is being destroyed? I remember reading the Dalai Lama's
very beautiful commentary to this very puja ("Union of Bliss and
Emptiness").
It is extremely strange, wouldn't you say? Perhaps you'd clarify some of
these points for myself and others.
Thank you.
Yours in the Dh (ark)
Avyorth
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Reply to Chris Fynn from Geshe Kelsang
======================================
Hello Chris,
Thank you for pointing out Tseten Samdup’s quote:
>How do you reconcile HE Trijang Rinpoche's statement to a gathering of
>monks at Drepung (quoted by Tseten Samdup): "We should follow His
>Holiness' advice on the propitiation of protector deities. " with
>your own view which seems do be that HH the Dalai Lama's advice
>in this regard can be disregarded?
>
>
I am not sure about the truth of this statement; whether HH Trijang Rinpoche
actually said this or not. I spoke at length with him directly, and I know
for certain that was never his intention. In Tibetan society, both the Lamas
and the people, even today, have no freedom to speak out. If they ever
oppose the wishes of the Dalai Lama their very lives are in danger. So,
therefore, it was, and still is, frequently necessary for them to verbally
follow the wishes of the Dalai Lamas even though it is not their real
intention.
In Tibetan politics lies are one of the weapons that are used. I will give
you two examples. During the 1996 demonstration in London people were
requesting the Dalai Lama to give religious freedom to worshippers of Dorje
Shugden. At the same time the London Office of Tibet was adamant that there
was no repression, completely denying any problem, and so, many people,
including the newspaper reporters, thought that the demonstrators themselves
were lying. Now everybody knows that the ban is very real and has created
many problems.
A statement from the Kashag, the Tibetan parliament in Dharamsala from May
1996 states:
‘There is not religious suppression concerning the Shugden Deity issue.
There is no coercion on personal freedom of worship. As every organization,
institution, administration and government has certain rules and
regulations. An individual or a group of people who do not subscribe to the
established policies of an organization or administration cannot remain in
it. However, at no stage, the Tibetan government in exile imposed any
restrictions on an individual’s right to worship’
Everybody now understands that this is not true.
I would also like to clarify some details. Perhaps you know that the Tibetan
Lamas who are sincerely working to spread the holy Dharma by giving
extensive teachings are very precious. But continually over the centuries,
they have experienced many obstacles and problems in their spiritual
activities because some high Lamas have used the Dharma to further their
political aims. For instance, using his political power, the fifth Dalai
Lama caused many difficulties and problems for the Lamas and monasteries of
the Kagyupa tradition. Many Kagyu monasteries and Sakya monasteries
degenerated and some even disappeared.
The thirteenth Dalai Lama also used political power to further his ends and
caused many problems for the Panchen Lama, Chökyi Nyima. This Panchen Lama
had to flee from Tibet because his life was in danger. He had no freedom to
return to Tibet, but was exiled by the Dalai Lama’s government. Je
Phabongkhapa also received similar treatment from the thirteenth Dalai Lama;
likewise HH Trijang Rinpoche, (the root guru of the present Dalai Lama) and
many other Lamas have done so at the hands of the fourteenth Dalai Lama.
So therefore from the time of the fifth Dalai Lama until the present day,
many Tibetan Lamas who have been working very hard with pure motivation to
benefit people, have continually experienced political pressure from the
Dalai Lamas and their ministers.
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Avyorth Rolinson
Axel Joachim wrote in message
<1997111701...@ppp195.stud.tu-darmstadt.de>...
>shaking his head about all this,
>Axel
Thanks for the info, Axel, wondered what the rattling noise was - thought it
might br the guy next-door's damaru. Now I know!
Yours not so in the Dh (ark)
Avyorth
Fred Little
A Reply by Fred Little to Kelsang Gyatso
Let me preface my remarks by assuring you that, whatever your impression of my
actions, I am not a representative of the Dalai Lama or of the Tibetan
Government. I have neither taken initiation from, nor entered into samaya bonds
with any representative of any Tibetan buddhist lineage, either lay or
monastic. Thus, any remarks I make regarding the merits or demerits of any
position in this debate should be judged accordingly. I do take very seriously
the injunction of Shakyamuni that his listeners "assay my words as a jeweler
assays gold" and approach all aspects of his successors' practices keeping this
injunction in mind. I am sure that others will take a similarly critical view
of my own statements and assertions.
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso wrote:
> In article <346C9AA9...@columbia.edu>, fa...@columbia.edu says...
>
> A Response by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso to Fred Little
>
> You say 'Concerning Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's view that there are questions
> which should be answered regarding H.H. Dalai Lama's opposition to the
> propitiation of Gyalpo Shugden, it has been reported in a number of sources,
> and is widely believed within the Tibetan exile community in India, that
> Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's organization has received extensive funding from the
> People's Republic of China.'
>
> I already heard that many Tibetan people believe that the NKT receives
> funding from the PRC. We have until now ignored this allegation because we
> thought that it was just a misunderstanding, and that people are free to say
> anything they wish. Now I understand that Fred Little seems to represent the
> Dalai Lama and is replying to my letter in Tricycle. This is wonderful.
> You say that the Tibetans in India and many reporters believe that the NKT
> is financially assisted by the PR of China. They are free to believe this, I
> have no objections. But I have two questions for you:
> 1. Did you first check that these people have evidence to back up their
> accusations?
> 2. Because you also believe this and are saying this in public, do you have
> actual evidence? If you have no evidence, then why are you saying this
> publicly without careful checking? What is your intention here?
> Could you please reply to my questions as soon as possible?
My statement is self-explanatory. The fact I have noted is that this belief is
widely held. You concede that the belief is widely held, and assert that I
because I have reported this widely held belief, I "also believe this." You
are incorrect. I do not at present take a position as to the truth or falsity
of the belief. Though the question of my intention is certainly much less
relevant than the substantive truth or falsity of the widely held belief, I will
answer your question.
As a child, I was taught that: "If you want to get some peaches, you have to
shake the tree." I am honored that you, or a designee writing in your name, has
chosen to respond to me directly and will now take the opportunity to ask the
question directly: has the NKT ever received funding from the People's Republic
of China or from any entity which receives a substantive portion of its funding
from the PRC or an agent of the PRC?
> You say '...Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's organization ... backs the PRC designated
> Panchen Lama incarnation.'
>
> What is your proof for saying this? We have never said one single word that
> would imply our support for the Panchen Lama chosen by the Chinese. The NKT
> has no connection whatsoever with this Panchen Lama, we know nothing about
> him, not even where he is living.
You have edited my words in a way which ascribes to me a statement which I did
not make. As with the previous question, I said that "it is widely believed."
I note that you say that you "have never said one single word that would imply
our support for the Panchen Lama chosen by the Chinese." I also note that you
have, at least thus far in our correspondence, foregone the opportunity to make
*any* affirmative statement about either candidate for the Panchen Lama.
Perhaps this reticence on your part has led many reasonable individuals to draw
inferences which are not entirely to your liking. If that is the case, it is a
simple matter to correct.
> You say 'I would therefore like to ask Geshe Kelsang Gyatso whose interests
> are served by his words and actions?'
>
> My main reason for doing this is for the many thousands of H.H. Trijang
> Rinpoche's disciples and their disciples who are suffering from losing their
> religious freedom.
As a Tibetan who has received extensive monastic education, you have some
expertise in matters relating to dharma teaching, particularly as it relates to
the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa. As one raised and educated in Virginia, I was
fortunate enough to receive an extensive secular education, particularly as it
relates to the tradition of religious freedom founded by Thomas Jefferson, to
which you appeal. Please consider the following remarks in that spirit.
> In the same way, when the Dalai Lama says that Dorje
> Shugden is an evil spirit, thousands of western Dorje Shugden practitioners
> are experiencing mental pain and confusion leading to a loss of faith.
For my neighbor to say there is no god, or that there are many gods, neither
picks my pocket nor harms my reputation. Under the doctrine of religious
freedom, the Dalai Lama is free to regard Shugden in any light he cares to and
to make any remarks he wishes. Individuals within his tradition who disagree
with his position are free to form their own associations and worship in the way
they wish to worship if they disagree with his teaching. This is religious
freedom.
> Also
> for myself, because I am sincerely practising Dorje Shugden and have given
> teachings on this practice, I have received threats from Tibetan people,
> some wanting to kill me.
I am sorry that you have received such threats. I do not threaten your life in
any way, nor do I advocate such threats. Conversely, I do advocate the
separation of Church and State in any reconstituted Tibet, as does the Dalai
Lama.
Do you support the separation of Church and State in any reconstituted Tibet?
Is it possible that these death threats have to do with a perception that you
and other Shugden-pa seek to re-establish a theocracy in Tibet, and if allowed
to do so, would severely resrict the religious freedom of other lineages of
Indo-Tibetan Buddhism? I am sure that, if this is not your view or intention,
it would reassure many to hear you say so.
> These letters are in reality connected with the Dalai Lama's private office
> and his relatives. Because of these dangers I am no longer able to travel
> freely and teach. So therefore my freedom is also
> lost.
You are making a very serious allegation for which you offer no documentation.
Perhaps you are holding me to a higher standard than you hold yourself.
> If Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit, then this clearly implies that Je
> Pabongkhapa made a big mistake and was misleading his disciples. If this is
> so then the entire Gelugpa tradition is incorrect because Je Phabongkhapa is
> the root guru of both HH Ling Rinpoche and HH Trijang Rinpoche. All Gelugpa
> practitioners are directly or indirectly disciples of these three Lamas.
>
Are you suggesting that individuals can not be highly realized in one respect
and seriously mistaken in others? A misshapen vessel does not alway contaminate
its contents. The formula "mistaken in one part, mistaken in every respect" is
rather simplistic and inapplicable to complex phenomena such as sentient beings,
is it not?
> I have also received many teachings from Ling Rinpoche. I know that whenever
> he wanted to speak about Je Phabongkhapa, he never said the name 'Je
> Phabongkhapa' directly, but instead would always call him 'Lama Dorjechang'
> or Guru Vajradhara, with his hands in the prayer mudra. Therefore I have no
> doubt that Je Phabongkhapa is the same nature as Buddha Vajradhara. For this
> and other reasons I can never accept the Dalai Lama's view.
In other words, you have personal relationships and vows which stand between you
and any reasoned analysis of this matter. I would not take such a position. As
a matter of religious freedom, you may take such a position. As a matter of
religious freedom, those who disagree may do so as loudly, forcefully, and
disrespectfully as they wish. Yet when those who disagree with you exercise
their religious freedom to do so, you complain regarding infringment of your
religious freedom!
> You say 'Further, why does Geshe Kelsang Gyatso continue to ignore Je
> Tsongkhapa's insistence that Gelug ordinates and their followers not accept
> or propitiate any protector deities other than those which Je Tsongkhapa
> enumerated in his own writings?'
>
> Dharma Centres in the NKT rely on Je Tsongkhapa's Dharma Protectors, such as
> Kalarupa, Kalindewi, Mahakala and so on. They do this puja every month. They
> also engage in the practice of Dorje Shugden, believing that Dorje Shugden
> is the same mental continuum as Je Tsongkhapa. This is their freedom.
> Now my questions are:
> 1. Are you saying that Je Tsongkhapa indicated that his followers should not
> rely on Dorje Shugden? If you are saying this then it does not make any
> sense, since during Je Tsongkhapa's time there was no deity called Dorje
> Shugden?
>
I am saying that Je Tsongkhapa indicated that his followers should not rely on
any Dharma Protectors other than those he specifically named. This would seem
to exclude deities which did not exist during his time.
> 2. So what is Je Tsongkhapa's rule that I am ignoring?
> Please reply to my questions as soon as possible
See above.
> Since you are acting like the Dalai Lama's representative, we should
> continually debate these religious issues in an attempt to clarify them so
> that people can understand the real situation. Thank you.
>
As noted above, a western barbarian like myself can hardly claim to be the Dalai
Lama's representative. But I must thank you for giving me a great occasion for
laughter, which is, I am sure you will agree, quite restorative.
Thank you for having taken the time to reply to my past note, and please accept
my best regards and wishes for your happiness.
Fred Little
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
A Reply to Fred Little by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Fred Little writes:
>>>1. As a child, I was taught that: "If you want to get some peaches, you
>have to shake the tree." I am honored that you, or a designee writing in
>your name, has chosen to respond to me directly and will now take the
>opportunity to ask the question directly: has the NKT ever received
>funding from the People's Republic of China or from any entity which
>receives a substantive portion of its funding from the PRC or an agent of
>the PRC?
I thought that I already replied to this when I said in my letter: 'I heard
that many Tibetan people believe that the NKT receives funding from the PRC.
We have until now ignored this allegation because we thought that it was
just a misunderstanding.' This clearly indicates that the NKT does not and
never has received any money or support of any kind from the PRC or any
related association. The NKT has no connection with any Chinese political
organization. I can say this with 100% certainty.
>>>2. I also note that you have, at least thus far in our correspondence,
>foregone the opportunity to make *any* affirmative statement about either
>candidate for the Panchen Lama. Perhaps this reticence on your part has led
>many reasonable individuals to draw inferences which are not entirely to
>your liking. If that is the case, it is a simple matter to correct.
I do not support either of the designated Panchen Lamas, whether the one
chosen by the Chinese or the one chosen by the Dalai Lama. I remain
neutral. This is an example of the problems caused by the mixing of politics
and religion.
>3. Under the doctrine of religious freedom, the Dalai Lama is free to
>regard Shugden in any light he cares to and to make any remarks he wishes.
>Individuals within his tradition who disagree with his position are free to
>form their own associations and worship in the way they wish to worship if
>they disagree with his teaching. This is religious freedom.
I agree, this is also my view. Of course the Dalai Lama is free to believe
whatever he wants, and his supporters are entitled to their beliefs. But
they have no right to interfere with others' freedom to worship in the way
they choose. The Dalai Lama and his government in exile are implementing a
ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden. He is using his political power to
force Tibetan people to stop this centuries old religious practice. There
have been many incidents, such as removing and destroying statues, signature
campaigns, and so forth, while those who worship Dorje Shugden have been
told they can no longer hold official positions. This has caused a great
deal of dissent and suffering in the exiled Tibetan community which is now
divided. This is not religious freedom and is against basic human rights.
Although the Dalai Lama is free to say whatever he likes about Dorje
Shugden, that he is an evil spirit, for example; because he has so much
power and people believe him, this speech is causing thousands of people
suffering, confusion, loss of faith, doubts and so on.
>>>4. Conversely, I do advocate the separation of Church and State in any
>reconstituted Tibet, as does the Dalai Lama. Do you support the separation
>of Church and State in any reconstituted Tibet?
Yes, I believe that the separation of Dharma and politics in a reconstituted
Tibet is of the utmost importance. I appreciate that you also agree with
this. This mixing of religion and politics causes so many problems, I
understand this very clearly. The problem surrounding the worship of Dorje
Shugden is due to mixing of religion and politics. The Dorje Shugden issue
is a religious issue, but the Dalai Lama is using his political power to try
to destroy this practice. This is the source of the problem. I clearly
understand that although the Dalai Lama may say he supports a separation of
Church and State, the reality is far different. Otherwise why is he still
holding on to both these positions, that of religious leader and political
leader of the Tibetan community in exile?
The issue of the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama is in reality a religious
issue, likewise the reincarnation of the Karmapa. Why is the Tibetan
political leader involved in these things? Why does he not leave these
matters to the disciples of these two religious leaders? I don't believe
that the Dalai Lama is interested in a separation of Dharma and politics. If
he were really interested in changing to a more democratic society, he would
have already begun the transition from a feudal autocracy to a free society
within the Tibetan communities in India. This has manifestly not happened.
>>>6. Is it possible that these death threats have to do with a perception
>that you and other Shugden-pa seek to re-establish a theocracy in Tibet,
>and if allowed to do so, would severely resrict the religious freedom of
>other lineages of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism? I am sure that, if this is not
>your view or intention, it would reassure many to hear you say so.
I have never even thought these things, not even in my dreams. My view has
always been that Dharma and politics should be kept separate. It is
incorrect to say that I received threats to my life for this reason, I have
received threats to my life because I do not follow the Dalai Lama. This may
sound strange to you, but in Tibetan society, if someone disagrees with the
views or wishes of the Dalai Lama, he or she may be beaten, lose their
position and even killed.
cf...@dircon.co.uk
On 16 Nov 1997 21:41:06 GMT, "Ole" <o...@deos.com> wrote:
...
>.The reality is, that the Dalai Lama would have never
>even dared to mention his present attitude towards Dorje Shugden while
>Trijang Rinpoche was still alive.
You are clearly misinformed. HHDL gave several talks on this matter
while HE Trijang Rinpoche was still alive. Transcripts of these talks
were widely circulated in India at the time and a number of these
transcripts were even published as a booklet in Delhi a copy which
can be found in the PL480 collection of the US Library of Congress.
cf...@dircon.co.uk
On 16 Nov 1997 22:31:31 GMT, "Ole" <o...@deos.com> wrote:
>http://www.tibet.com/Buddhism/dholgyal2.html
>On this Web Site maintained and updated by The Office of Tibet, the
>official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London, you can find the
>following statement of HH the Dalai Lama:
>"If any among you here are determined to continue propitiating Dolgyal, it
>would be better for you to stay away from this empowerment, get up and
>leave this place. It is improper for you to continue to sit here. It will
>not benefit you. On the contrary it will have the effect of reducing the
>life span of Gyalwa Rinpoche (The Dalai Lama), which is not good. However,
>if there are any among you who hope that Gyalwa Rinpoche will soon die,
>then you can stay."
This statement was made when HHDL was about to give the empowerment of
a form of Hayagriva which stems from a Nyingma tantra and terma and
which is well known as the special yidam of Sera Je Monastic College.
It also is well known that Gyalpo Shugden was the protector invoked
by many lamas who did not accept the validity of such teachings - so
these two practices could be seen as entirely incompatible.
Since at least 1976 HH the Dalai Lama has publicly
asked people to refrain from practicing the worship of Dholgyal
Shugden and it is a common teaching in the Buddhist tantras that if
disciples receiving such empowerments directly disobey the
commands of their vajra teacher that this will cause the shortening of
the lifespan of that teacher.
In view of these things, what is so surprising about this statement by
His Holiness? In this context there is really nothing new being said
here. If you feel the speech you quoted is encitement to violence then
you must feel that just about any lama who explains the pledges
connected with the higher tantras before an initiation is guilty of
the same thing.
- Chris
Bodhisattva Centre
cf...@dircon.co.uk wrote in message <347a6daf...@news.dircon.co.uk>...
>On 16 Nov 1997 22:31:31 GMT, "Ole" <o...@deos.com> wrote:
>
>>http://www.tibet.com/Buddhism/dholgyal2.html
>
>>On this Web Site maintained and updated by The Office of Tibet, the
>>official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London, you can find the
>>following statement of HH the Dalai Lama:
>
>>"If any among you here are determined to continue propitiating Dolgyal, it
>>would be better for you to stay away from this empowerment, get up and
>>leave this place. It is improper for you to continue to sit here. It will
>>not benefit you. On the contrary it will have the effect of reducing the
>>life span of Gyalwa Rinpoche (The Dalai Lama), which is not good. However,
>>if there are any among you who hope that Gyalwa Rinpoche will soon die,
>>then you can stay."
>
>This statement was made when HHDL was about to give the empowerment of
[...]>
>In view of these things, what is so surprising about this statement by
>His Holiness? In this context there is really nothing new being said
>here. If you feel the speech you quoted is encitement to violence then
>you must feel that just about any lama who explains the pledges
>connected with the higher tantras before an initiation is guilty of
>the same thing.
>
>- Chris
Of course the point you are making is correct. If someone receives tantric
initiation and then ignores the advice of the spiritual master karmically
there is no point in the lama living. It is not that the Dalai Lama said
this at the Tamdrin empowerment that is being objected to.
There are two things concerning this statement that are being objected to:
The first is the Dalai Lama adding "who hope that Gyalwa Rinpoche will soon
die". No one is hoping that the Dalai Lama will soon die, but this statement
places in the minds of those who hear it the idea that Dorje Shugdan
practitioners are active enemies of the Dalai Lama. Thus from the point of
view of Tibetan society and even the wider Buddhist community the
practitioners of Dorje Shugdan become pariahs. All the practitioners of
Dorje Shugdan want is to be able to practice in peace and pass on their
lineage in peace, at the moment the Dalai Lama is actively obstructing this.
As you know Lati Rinpoche was present at these preliminaries. Since he will
of course never give up his heart commitment of Dorje Shugdan and also
cherishes the Dalai Lama from the depths of his heart, he chose not to
attend the empowerment. Later he was called to the Dalai Lama's room and
ordered to publically teach against Dorje Shugdan practice. Is it not
perverse
to force such a holy man to teach something he does not believe?
The second point is that it is not only at the empowerment that the Dalai
Lama said this. When he visited England during the Summer of 96 he said this
at the teachings he gave. These were open teachings, where there is no such
lama-disciple commitment. So what is his purpose of saying such things? What
is the effect these words have? In their correct context (without the added
emotional blackmail) of course the teaching is fine. But the Dalai Lama took
this teaching out of context himself and used it as a weapon. Dharma
teachings should not be used like this.
Chris, do you really believe it when you say that there is no persecution
going on? Dorje Shugdan practitioners are not allowed to serve in the
government, they are not allowed to be judges, they are not allowed to
practice in their monasteries. When in Switzerland last year the Dalai Lama
encouraged the Tibetans there to ensure that future generations of Tibetans
would never even hear the word 'Shugden'. All the signature campaigns and
the 'Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit' propaganda. It's much more than a
pleasant doctrinal dispute. How else can we see these things other than as
an attempt to eradicate this practice?
Even in England the effects of the Dalai Lama's actions are being felt. I
teach a small group of sincere Buddhists. Generally we go through the Lamrim
and Lojong meditations. Mainly I teach straight-forward meditations that
definitely help their lives. All I want to do is help them.
But over the last year they have been subject to repeated verbal abuse by
students of other teachers. I myself have been accosted twice. Posters and
leaflets for our classes have been removed. The teacher of a different local
Buddhist group has now on three occassions tried to persuade the clerk of
the Friends Meeting House where we hold the classes not to let us rent the
room. On one occassion she rented the hall for a talk by a visiting Tibetan
lama and very publically did some sort of exorcism ritual to drive away the
'evil forces' we had brought to the place. I could carry on moaning and
complaining about these things for ages. The point is I am not free to
practice and teach in peace. My students are not free to practice in peace.
They have strong faith but all faith is fragile, how many times do they have
to hear people telling them their teacher is a devil worshipper and so forth
before they begin to crack a bit. Faith is the life of dharma practice, and
people are deliberately trying to destroy theirs.
All I want to do is bring benefit to others. I don't regard the NKT as
superior to other traditions but I do believe I can follow this tradition
and achieve enlightenment. I believe Dorje Shugden is a Wisdom Buddha. When
I do my Dorje Shugden sadhana I try to do so with bodhichitta, there is
nothing in my sadhana that is directed at harming anyone.
So tell me, Chris, why do Dorje Shugden practitioners deserve to be
persecuted?
Bodhisattva Centre
Bodhisattva Centre wrote in message ...
[snip]
>
>So tell me, Chris, why do Dorje Shugden practitioners deserve to be
>persecuted?
>
>
>
>
sorry forgot to sign this.
Rabten
cf...@dircon.co.uk
====================================================
"The various doctrinal views found in the
provinces of U, Tsang and Ngari
Are all the very teaching of the Victorious One
How fine if, not allowing the demon of sectarianism
to ignite animosity,
The radiance of the jewel of pure perception
would encompass all."
- Panchen Lobsang Yeshe
=====================================================
Geshe-la
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my message.
> Reply to Chris Fynn from Geshe Kelsang
> ======================================
> Hello Chris,
> Thank you for pointing out Tseten Samdup’s quote:
> >How do you reconcile H.E. Trijang Rinpoche's statement to a gathering of
> >monks at Drepung (quoted by Tseten Samdup): "We should follow His
> >Holiness' advice on the propitiation of protector deities. " with
> >your own view which seems do be that H.H. the Dalai Lama's advice
> >in this regard can be disregarded?
>I am not sure about the truth of this statement; whether H.H. Trijang Rinpoche
> actually said this or not. I spoke at length with him directly, and I know
> for certain that was never his intention.
H.E. Trijang Rinpoche of course had a special connection with Gyalpo Shugden
- not only because of his own teacher, Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo's
connection with this protector, but also because Shugden was a special protector
of his own monastery, Chagtreng Sampheling. It is really not at all surprising
that Trijang Rinpoche continued to propitiate the protector of his own monastery
throughout his lifetime just as he has supposed to have done in his previous life.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said: "Trijang Rinpoche's reliance on Gyalchen
is not something he had begun in this life, for he has relied on him since his
previous incarnation and there is no need for him to stop now."
And:
"Some great learned and spiritually evolved persons have
proclaimed (Gyalchen) as a valid protector and even in their
personal lives they have achieved amazing success; there
are such persons to this day who we can see for ourselves".
... "Khyabje Trijang Rinpoche
Geshe-la, when you say that you are not sure of the truth of the statement made
by Trijang Rinpoche and quoted by Tseten Samdup - what do you mean? - are
you saying that Trijang Rinpoche may not have been speaking frankly - or are
you suggesting that you feel Trijang Rinpoche never made such a statement and
therefore Tseten is either lying or misinformed?
As Tseten and the Information Dept. of the Tibetan Administration have said
that H.E. Trijang Rinpoche's statement was made "to a gathering of monks at
Drepung" there should be many witnesses who were there at the time - I'm sure
at least some of them known to you.
It seems that, - at least in public or in front of H.H. the Dalai Lama - H.E.
Trijang Rinpoche was unwilling to dispute the Nechung oracle and the
divinations carried out by H.H. the Dalai Lama in front of the "speaking
thanka" of Palden Lhamo.
Since H.H. the Dalai Lama has stated that H.E. Trijang Rinpoche told him that
he could absolutely depend on the oracle of Nechung and on the divination of
Palden Lhamo in this matter, do you think that His Holiness the Dalai Lama
was lying when he said this? If not, why do your students disparage H.H. for
relying on the divination of Palden Lhamo and the Nechung oracle? Surely by
doing this H.H. was depending on the advice of your own teacher?
It seems to me that, in India, the controversy over Gyalpo Shugden became a
public matter only after the learned Zemey Tulku Lobsang Palden, published
his book "The Oral Instruction of the Intelligent Father" (pha-rgod bla-ma'i
zhal-lung) which states that Shugden will destroy any Gelugpa practitioner who
supplements their Gelugpa practice with the practice of other Tibetan Buddhist
spiritual traditions - particularly those of the Nyingmapa. Similar claims were
made by other lamas and proponents of Shugden such as Geshe Yonten Gyatso
and the Mongolian Lama Gurudeva. Apparently, some of these Lamas even
claimed that these views reflected those of H.E. Trijang Rinpoche. Now, since
you say that you spoke at length with H.E. Trijang Rinpoche directly
concerning these matters, can you tell us frankly whether H.E. Trijang Rinpoche
ever held such views?
This kind of view seems entirely contradictory to the example set by Je
Tsongkhapa - generally acknowledged to be amongst he most eclectic lamas in
the history of Tibetan Buddhism. If this is not so, could you kindly tell us why?
I am asking you these things as it's plain you're prepared to speak your mind
frankly. While there may be some other lamas who disagree with H.H. the
Dalai Lama over this issue to the extent that you do, so far you seem to be the
only one willing to express this publicly to a western audience.
===
You write:
> In Tibetan society, both the Lamas
> and the people, even today, have no freedom to speak out. If they ever
> oppose the wishes of the Dalai Lama their very lives are in danger. So,
> therefore, it was, and still is, frequently necessary for them to verbally
> follow the wishes of the Dalai Lamas even though it is not their real
> intention.
Perhaps your experience is different from mine, but I spent years living in India
amongst Tibetans and, during that time, I have known many Tibetans who have
disagreed with and spoken out against certain policies of the Tibetan
Government in Exile or have disagreed with some of the views expressed by
H.H. the Dalai Lama. While I've met some Tibetans who automatically seem to
think that those who question any policy of the Dharamsala administration, or
who disagree with anything that H.H. the Dalai Lama's Office or H.H. the Dalai
Lama personally says are against H.H. and against the cause of the Tibetan
people in general - but, as far as I have experienced it, this is not the majority
opinion. Surely you know just as well as I do that there have always been quite a
number of Tibetans who have openly disagreed with the Tibetan Government in
Exile on many issues - and those who have questioned some views and
decisions of H.H. the Dalai Lama himself. These people are not living in fear of
their lives or livelihoods. So, in general, I don't think that it is fair to claim
that
Tibetan people living in India and Nepal have no freedom to speak out or
oppose the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In fact, it seems to me that, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has often encouraged
people to abandon their traditional deference and to speak their minds openly
and frankly.
Concerning this particular issue and controversy: Geshe-la, you tell us that
people such as yourself, who have spoken out in against H.H. the Dalai Lama's
decision to prohibit the worship of Gyalchen Shugden in monasteries and
temples, have been threatened and feel that their lives are in danger. In your own
case you say that you have had to altered your travel plans after receiving such
threats. As you are a learned and venerable Buddhist monk and teacher I think
that you must be upholding the vinaya vows of monastic discipline and the
three higher trainings in ethical self discipline, concentration and discriminating
awareness, so I must take your word for this. But I have also heard, from
equally reliable sources, that threats have been issued from the side of those
who uphold the worship of Gyalpo Shugden against the lives of learned lamas
who are outspoken opponents of this practice like the Sakya scholar and
historian Dhongtog Tulku Tenpai Gyaltsen and the Nyingmapa Yogi Chattral
Sangay Dorje and that they too have decided to alter their own travel plans as
a result of such threats.
People of course take such threats seriously, especially since the murder of the
Ven. Lobsang Gyatso, Director of the Buddhist Dialectics School in
Dharamsala, and two of his students - allegedly because he had publicly
expressed and published his own views on the matter of worshipping Gyalpo
Shugden which concurred with the views expressed by His Holiness the Dalai
Lama.
The Dept. of Information of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala
has also said that:
<< On the night of 27 May 1996, an unsuccessful attempt was made
in Mundgod, South India, to kill the Venerable Thupten Wangyal, a
former abbot of the Jangtse College of Ganden Monastery,
by setting fire to his house while he was inside it. In January 1997,
Geste Thinly of Jangtse College, Ganden Monastery, was brutally
beaten in the Tibetan camp in Deli. On 9 January 1997, Jangtse
College's barn and granary in Mundgod were set afire. It is apparent that
these violent incidents were aimed at harming and intimidating critics of
the propitiation of Shugden.
On 4 February 1997, the Director of the Institute of Buddhist
Dialectics, a fearless and outspoken critic of Shugden practice, and two
close students were found brutally murdered in the Director's room in
Dharamsala. Prolonged and painstaking investigations by the Kangra
District Police led them to identify two of the six assailants, both of
whom are believed to have escaped to Tibet. Quoting police sources,
Jansatta, a Hindi-language daily, reported that during their journey to
Dharamsala, the assailants had made a phone call, later traced to Chime
Tsering, Secretary of the Shugden Supporters Society in Delhi. >>
Now, I do not think for one minute that a person such as yourself who is
renowned as a venerable bhikshu and learned kalyanamitra would have anything
to do with threats against the lives of lamas like the learned scholar Trehor
Dhontog Rinpoche, the pure yogi Chattralpa Sangay Dorje and followers of Je
Tsongkhapa's own tradition such as the Ven. Lobsang Gyatso and the Ven.
Thupten Wangyal -no matter how much they disagree with your own position
on this practice. Similarly I do not think for one minute that His Holiness (or
these lamas) would have anything to do with threats against the lives of sincere
worshipers of Gyalpo Shugden such as yourself - no matter how much he
disagrees with your view on this matter.
If such threats have been issued then it seems to me that they are probably being
made by people of limited intelligence, possessed of a violent nature who see
this issue as a chance to settle old scores. It is sad to say but, as you must know
,there are some monks in even the largest and most prestigious Tibetan
monasteries who hold grudges and jealousies against other monks or groups of
monks . Often these grudges seem to be based on age old regional differences
and/or inter-collegiate rivalries. Don't the cults of various Tibetan protectors
play a part in these things as each region, monastery, college and khangtsen has
it's own particular protectors to which they are fiercely loyal?
=======
You wrote:
> In Tibetan politics lies are one of the weapons that are used. I will give
> you two examples. During the 1996 demonstration in London people were
> requesting the Dalai Lama to give religious freedom to worshippers of Dorje
> Shugden. At the same time the London Office of Tibet was adamant that there
> was no repression, completely denying any problem, and so, many people,
> including the newspaper reporters, thought that the demonstrators themselves
> were lying. Now everybody knows that the ban is very real and has created
> many problems.
>A statement from the Kashag, the Tibetan parliament in Dharamsala from May
> 1996 states:
>‘There is not religious suppression concerning the Shugden Deity issue.
> There is no coercion on personal freedom of worship. As every organization,
> institution, administration and government has certain rules and
> regulations. An individual or a group of people who do not subscribe to the
> established policies of an organization or administration cannot remain in
> it. However, at no stage, the Tibetan government in exile imposed any
> restrictions on an individual’s right to worship’
>Everybody now understands that this is not true.
I think that lies, half-truths and omissions are weapons used in all arenas of
human politics. In this respect Tibetan politics and the politics surrounding this
issue are generally no different from any other kind. Occasionally there may be
a few politicians like Mahatma Gandhi who are dedicated to Truth - but,
overall, it seems to me that politics is a pretty dirty business.
So instead of lies, half-truths and omissions perhaps you can tell us the details of
exactly why you think this situation has arisen - leaving nothing aside.
As far as "religious rights" - it seems that people have very different
interpretations of just what Phrase means and it so it might useful to explain
precisely what you mean when you use it.
From reading various messages here I gather that you and your disciples think
that when the leaders of a religious body proscribe the worship of a particular
entity within the monasteries, temples and other institutions belonging to that
religious body this proscription constitutes "religious repression" or "repression
of religious rights". Can you tell me though just who should determine what is
worshiped within a particular religious body or institution if it is not the leaders
of that body or institution? Or do you feel that anyone -or any group of people-
belonging to a religious body should be free to worship whatever they like,
whenever they like in the temples and monasteries of that religious body?
At your own Manjusri center, while it was being led by Ven. Lama Thubten
Yeshe and Ven. Lama Zopa Rinpoche and their students, I'm sure that an image
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama occupied a preeminent place in the shrine room,
that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was considered an object of refuge and that he
was prayed to for blessings and realization. After all, the great devotion and
faith both Lamas Thupten Yeshe and Zopa Rinpoche had for H.H. the Dalai
Lama is very well known. However, from all reports we hear now, images of
H.H. the Dalai Lama are no longer displayed openly in your centers and it is
quite apparent from what you have written that you do not hold H.H. in high
esteem as a teacher and guru holding the pure tradition of Je Tsongkhapa -
From what you say we can also gather that H.H. is not an object of refuge you
(and neither are his predecessors the 5th and 13th Dalai Lamas).
So, presumably you felt that it was within your rights as the senior spiritual and
temporal leader of the Manjusri center to see to it any image of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama was removed from the shrine room at the Manjusri center and
that any worship of H.H. the Dalai Lama was discontinued. Whether this was
done by issuing an order or simply by making your feelings known is no matter
as the result is the same. H.H. the Dalai Lama has not accused you of religious
repression for doing this - although I am sure there were some old Members of
the Manjusri center who were unhappy about the situation.
Now isn't it equally within the rights of H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.E. the Ganden
Tri Rinpoche and H.E. the Jangtse Choje as the spiritual and temporal leaders of
Gelugpa sect to put an end to particular practices and forms of worship within
the institutions belonging to the Gelugpa sect if they feel these practices are
useless or doing more harm than good?
After all, it seems that H.H. has not actually banned individuals worshiping
Shugden outside of these institutions (nor does he have the power to do so) in
fact he has said "If an individual personally has a special Karmic relationship
with Gyalchen
Can you tell me, are these three lamas stopping Tibetan devotees of Gyalchen
Shugden in India purchasing their own property and building their own temples
or monasteries where they can install images of Gyalpo Shugden and carry on
worshiping him as they please? Even if Tibetan devotees of Gyalchen Shugden
are prevented from purchasing property as they don't have Indian nationality
surely there are some devotees of Shugden from places like Ladakh, Spiti,
Kunnu, Arunachel Pradesh, Sikkim and so on (as well as Gyakar Khangpas)
who have Indian nationality in whose name this could be done.
If H.H., Tri Rinpoche, the Jangtse Choje or the Tibetan Administration were
forcefully or legally preventing worshippers of Gyalpo Shugden from
establishing their own monasteries, IMO they might be guilty of "religious
repression" or "repression of religious rights". However this has never been
shown by you or other Shugden worshippers to be the case.
It is of course open to the Dalai Lama through his speeches etc to try to bring
people to his sincerely held view that Gyalchen Shugden is a harmful spirit -
just as you are free in your talks and writings to try to convince people of your
own view that this entity is the embodiment of Noble Manjusri.
Some people on this newsgroup, apparently students of yours have accused H.H.
the Dalai Lama of breaking the sacred samaya he had with Trijang Rinpoche
through abandoning the practice of Gyalpo Shugden. This is a very serious
charge. Elsewhere on this forum Ani Losang Trinlae, quoting Geshe Ngawang
Thargey, has pointed out that it is possible to disagree with our lamas without
creating a fault:
<< As the late Geshe Ngawang Dhargye said in his commentary on the
Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion, "Examine yourself honestly to see if you
can follow his wishes. If there is no way in which you can comply, do
not be rude or arrogant. Explain politely and with extreme humility what
the difficulty is. Your teacher will not be unreasonable; as a Buddha he is
filled with great compassion." And also, "If your spiritual teacher gives
you advice or asks you to do something, examine yourself to see if you
can comply. If you cannot, then excuse yourself and explain why". >>
From his published speeches on the subject, it is very clear why H.H. the Dalai
Lama had difficulty with the practice of worshipping Shugden as a wisdom
protector and why he sincerely felt that it was generally a harmful practice.
Furthermore these speeches show that he carefully examined himself and the
issues involved and took great care to discuss his feelings and intentions with
his teachers H.E. Ling Rinpoche and H.E. Trijang Rinpoche and that they like
compassionate Buddhas at the very least acquiesced to H.H.'s decision.
Of course, if this does not satisfy us, then we can always look at how other
lamas have acted in similar situations. We know from his own writings that H.H.
the Dalai Lama once propitiated Gyalpo Shugden - a practice he had received
from Trijang Rinpoche and that he later abandoned this after receiving negative
indications from the traditional protectors of the Dalai Lamas - Palden Lhamo
and Dorje Dragden. As an indication of whether this is acceptable practice
perhaps we can look at the behavior of Phabongkha, revered by you and your
students, to see what he did in a similar situation:
Zeme Rinpoche (quoting Trijang Rinpoche) writes:
<< Our very kind and exalted master Phaphongkha Dechen Nyingpo, the
holder of the vajra, too, received transmission on the secret Hayagriva
and the Great Exposition on Pure Vision by the 5th Dalai Lama from
Dagri Rinpoche Thinley Pema Kunsang Chogyal, great mahasidhi Osel
Thekchog Dorje, Gungtul Rinpoche Khenrap Palden Tanpai Nyima,
Minyak Rekhu Rinpoche Lobsang Chodak Gyatso and others during his
early life. Moreover he received initiation on Dupthap Dojoi Bhum-sang
from Gungtul Rinpoche. Later Je Phaphongkha received many other
transmissions and teaching from the Nyingma tradition. In those days he
used to have strange dreams. Sometimes he saw in his dreams bearded
monks and at other times grandly robed monks showing unhappy moods.
[Tibetans usually believe that dreams of unknown monks are indicative
of Gyalpo] One night he slept on the bed which was on the east of the
room, but when he woke up he found himself on the bed which was on
the west side of the room. One night when he was not able to sleep he
heard some strange and ominous voices of a woman and another person
shouting alternately around mid-night. The noise seemed to be coming
from a distant place coming closer to his home, finally he saw a red hand
sticking through the curtain. He thought it was due to the miraculous
power of Dorje Shugden. He confessed and asked to be forgiven and the
noise returned the way it came. In the water-mouse year, when the
Chinese troops had already entered Tibet, the Tibetan Government
decided to do some religious service for the peace and safety of the
nation. With the instruction from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Je
Phaphongkha gave the transmission Kagyur in the Gaden Hall. Soon
after that teaching, he was so seriously ill that he almost passed away.
The sickness was due to certain poison. When he recovered, his whole
body had become bluish. Dorje Shugden also used other means to
persuade Je Phaphongkha to practice and propagate pure Gelug tradition
free of defilements. Finally he stopped taking and practicing Nyingma
teachings and did not propagate what he had learned..>>
From this account, apparently told by Trijang Rinpoche to Zeme Rinpoche, it
seems that, towards the end of his life, Phabongkhapa Dechen Nyingpo
abandoned various teachings he had received from his gurus after experiencing
negative indications from his protector Dorje Shugden. If this is the case, how
can followers of Phabongkhapa and Trijang Rinpoche fault H.H. the Dalai
Lama for acting in the same manner and abandoning certain practices after
receiving negative indications from his own traditional protectors, Palden
Lhamo and Nechung Dorje Dragden?
Furthermore, there is much evidence that, after receiving these indications,
Phabonkhapa also encouraged others to abandon the practices which displeased
his protector. If Phabongkha encouraged people to abandon such practices how
can you blame H.H. the Dalai Lama for acting in a similar way?
This account by Trijang Rinpoche related by Zeme Rinpoche also indicates that
Gyalpo Shugden was displeased with the practice of Secret Hayagriva. If this is
so, then wasn't it wise and prudent for H.H. the Dalai Lama to ask those who
were worshipers of Gyalpo Shugden to leave when he was about to give the
empowerment of Secret Hayagriva at Sera on March 21, 1996? Instead of
recognizing the wisdom of this statement made by H.H. in their own best
interests, Shugden worshippers have endlessly criticized H.H. for saying this.
=====
You write:
>I would also like to clarify some details. Perhaps you know that the Tibetan
> Lamas who are sincerely working to spread the holy Dharma by giving
> extensive teachings are very precious. But continually over the centuries,
> they have experienced many obstacles and problems in their spiritual
> activities because some high Lamas have used the Dharma to further their
> political aims. For instance, using his political power, the fifth Dalai
> Lama caused many difficulties and problems for the Lamas and monasteries of
> the Kagyupa tradition. Many Kagyu monasteries and Sakya monasteries
> degenerated and some even disappeared.
> The thirteenth Dalai Lama also used political power to further his ends and
> caused many problems for the Panchen Lama, Chökyi Nyima. This
> Panchen Lama had to flee from Tibet because his life was in danger. He had
> no freedom to return to Tibet, but was exiled by the Dalai Lama’s
> government. Je Phabongkhapa also received similar treatment from the
> thirteenth Dalai Lama; likewise H.H. Trijang Rinpoche, (the root guru of the
> present Dalai Lama) and > many other Lamas have done so at the hands of the
> fourteenth Dalai Lama.
>So therefore from the time of the fifth Dalai Lama until the present day,
> many Tibetan Lamas who have been working very hard with pure motivation
> to benefit people, have continually experienced political pressure from the
> Dalai Lamas and their ministers.
The events which took place at the time of the 5th Dalai Lama are very well
known. As I'm sure you realize though, it would take a great deal of time and
space to go into all those events and their causes in detail. Generally I think we
can say that this conflict arose due to rivalries between on one hand the
Mongols (led by Gushri Khan) and Phagmodrupa family, who were patrons of
the Dalai Lama and on the other hand the King of Tsang and another group of
Mongols, who were patrons of the Karmapas (and the Jonangpas). Exactly how
much the 5th Dalai Lama and the Karmapa were personally involved on each
side of this dispute I don't know - though with the defeat of Chabgchub Gyaltsen
the 5th Dalai Lama managed to get Gushri Khan to appoint him ruler of Tibet.
the Karma Kagyu and Jonangpas suffered greatly - though ultimately the
Karmapas and the 5th Dalai Lama were reconciled.
However, is it appropriate for a Gelugpa lama whose tradition benefited
materially from these events to be complaining about them and holding the
present Dalai Lama responsible when the leaders of the Kagyu and Sakaya
traditions themselves do not hold the present Dalai Lama to blame for these
things? If these events had not happened or their outcome had been different we
might have had a King in Tibet with the Karma Kamtsang as the most
influential school.
Does this questioning of the spiritual authenticity of the 5th Dalai lama also
mean that you reject the positions that the succesive Dalai Lamas, Panchen
Lamas and their regents have held since the 17th Century? Wouldn't have a
remarkable effect on the authenticity of many Gelugpa lineages. Don't you
visualize these lamas in the field of merit when you do the Lama Choepa?
Putting the question of the fifth and thirteenth Dalai Lamas aside for now
did not your own lama H.E. Trijang Rinpoche accept Tenzin Gyatso as the
14th Dalai Lama? In other words did he not accept him as an emanation of the
Maha Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and as an incarnation of Je Gendun Drub? If
H.H. is an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara then he is a tenth stage Bodhisattva -
for all intents and purposes a Buddha as it is taught in the Abhisamaya-
ala.mkaara that:
" Whoever has wisdom beyond the ninth stage,
Abides on the stage of Buddhahood;
Understand that Bodhisattva stage
Is the tenth stage."
Elsewhere Ani Losang Trinlae has kindly provided us with a praise of H.H.
written by H.E. Trijang Rinpoche:
<<"Long Live the noble Gelug line! O lotus lake of perfect yellow
flowers. Tenzin Gyatso [the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet] is lord of a Mount
Meru Towering over the worldly peaks And pinnacles of selfish peace.
The omniscience, love and power of all the Victors Make up the atoms of
your mountain. May you be with us for hundreds of aeons! May your
good works shine Like the ear-rings of the gods of sun and moon. O
glorious Lhasa, city of eternal happiness, A Buddha-field in the midst Of
this, our happy land; May your sky be an auspicious canopy Of merit-
laden monsoon clouds, Contenting all with the showers of benign
nectars." >>
I'm sure there must be several other similar praises of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama written by Trijang Rinpoche. [Perhaps you yourself or other readers of
this post would like to contribute some of these here.]
If H.E. Trijang Rinpoche was mistaken about the nature of H.H. then surely he
could equally be mistaken about Gyalpo Shugden. If however he was
unmistaken about H.H. the Dalai Lama then how could His Holiness Gyalwa
Rinpoche be mistaken about Shugden? This puzzles me.
You may of course reasonably reply that H.E. Trijang Rinpoche's glowing
words don't carry much weight as they are "mere poetics" and point out that
Sakya Pandita -unsurpassed in his knowledge of this subject - writes in his
famous treatise on the "Three Vows":
"Moreover, if a being is praised, He is like the sun, the moon, His teeth
are like a rosary of snow mountains, etc.; The example of space is given
for vastness; for the subtle, apply the example of an atom; mountains, for
the example of the coarse; an elephant for a mouse, Vaisravana for the
wealthy, Indra for petty kings. Also praising common geshes as being
like Buddhas Is not rejected by poets. But if the reality of things is
explained, or the characteristics are established, if an explanation does
not accord with reality, how will it be pleasing to scholars?"
If this is the case, then isn't it fair to argue that all the praises of Dorje
Shugden which you quote in your book "Heart Jewel" in order to establish that
Shugden is a wisdom protector may also be dismissed as "mere poetics"? After all,
one of the purposes of praises to worldly protectors - who are often said to be
filled with pride - is to flatter and cajole them into carrying out one's wishes. So
it would not be surprising if, in such praises, they are equated with Manjushri etc.
If these may be merely poetic words there is no real contradiction between DS
being considered a worldly entity and the eulogies which you quoted in your
book.
Now unless you have contrary evidence, I think it is reasonable for people
to assume that H.E. Trijang Rinpoche did believe that Tenzin Gyatso was
indeed the fourteenth Dalai Lama an incarnation of Gendun Drub and
an emanation of Avalokiteshvara. If he beleived otherwise wouldn't
Trijang Rinpoche have been a bit of a hypocrite to accept the official
post of HH's Jr. Tutor?
Since at least the time of Gendun Chokyi Nyima The Dalai Lamas have always
had Nyingma teachers and have always performed Nyingma practices. If we are
among those who subscribe to the belief that the Dalai Lamas are incarnations of
the Tibetan Dharma Kings then we can say that the connection goes back much
further.
For some reason (perhaps you can explain why) this connection of the Dalai
Lamas with the Nyingmapa seems to bother those who believe in the so-called
"Ganden Emanated Volume", (which is I understand claimed to be the root text
of a "Ganden Oral Lineage", supposedly revealed by Shugden to Pabhongkapa
during the latter part of his life). It seems to me that the worshipping of
Shugden as a wisdom protector only began at the same time as the alleged
appearance of this volume and that these two things are somehow inextricably
linked. (Am I right in assuming this?) Now it seems to me that those of you who
believe in this 'Ganden Emanated Volume' (and the mysticism that surrounds
it), that anyone who criticizes Shugden is consequently also attacking the very
basis of the "Ganden Oral Lineage".
As H.H. has also openly questioned the authenticity of such a text [in "The
Union of Bliss and Emptiness", pp. 68-69] , pointing out that in the entire
eighteen volumes of Je Tsongkhapa's collected works there is not a single word
mentioning the "Ganden Emanated Volume" and said that that the Ganden Oral
tradition is nothing more nor less than the combined practice of the Yidams
Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara and Vajra Bhairava with their attendant oral
instructions, etc.
Some followers of this "Ganden Oral Tradition" which passed through
Phabongkha appear to genuinely feel that His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, is a
Nyingma-influenced renegade out to destroy their tradition, (as insane as that
may sound to those of us who know better about the Nyingmapa). Isn't it true,
for instance, that Zemey Rinpoche and others sent a letter to
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, advising him not to pursue Nyingmapa
teachings because, according to them, The Fifth Dalai Lama came to a
bad end, the Great Thirteenth; and additionally, pointed to Reting's
example, as he had, in their words, studied with the "Beggar Sangyas
Dorje"-- we all know that Reting died under very suspicious
circumstance during the Sera uprising in the late Forties; all as "a
result of becoming involved in Nyingma practices". More concerning
the circumstances of this letter may be found by reading His
Holiness's published papers on this controversy.
Now, this assertion can only be construed as very insulting to His
Holiness, as well as Chatral Rinpoche-- it is well known that His
Holiness had advised Father Thomas Merton to go and study Dzogchen with
Chatral Rinpoche shortly before Merton's unfortunate death.
Now that this tactic of stopping the Dalai Lamas traditional sympathy for
Nyinma teachings has clearly failed it almost seems as if anything is being
dragged out to discredit not only the present Dalai Lama but also his most
illustrious predecessors. Perhaps this is an attempt to establish what you see as
the "pure" emanated transmission of Je Tsongkhapa's teachings (i.e. the
tradition the so called "Emanated Volume") coming via Phabongkha over what you
regard as the "corrupted" Nyingmapa influenced teachings associated with these
Dalai Lamas and others?
You say above that H.E. Trijang Rinpoche received bad treatment at the hands
of the fourteenth Dalai Lama. I feel that this is a serious charge to make without
citing specific examples and providing some real evidence.
As for this present issue of Gyalchen, Geshe-la, you must be aware that there are
many points of view. As has been pointed out before some would say that due to
the alleged sectarian or chauvinist nature of the Shugden sect or faction within
the Gelugpa school as epitomized by the material in the book published by
Zemey Tulku Lobsang Palden, that His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, has issued
this ban for the good all and sundry.
If you say that Zemey Rinpoche did not hold sectarian views can you tell us
why he wrote things in that book such as ""Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma are the
root of corruption"? Perhaps these are not his own views - after all Zemey
Rinpoche claimed that the manuscript of the "Oral Instruction of the Intelligent
Father" was written by Phabongkha himself.
Since Zemey Rinpoche's book was published only 20 years ago in India and he
had many students you cannot say that there are not many Shugden worshippers
who hold such views. In fact, isn't it the type of Shugden worshipper who holds
such views who is most likely to resist H.H. the Dalai Lamas prohibition on this
practice?
The practice of Gyalpo Shugden is approximately three hundred years old. By
any standards this is not an "age-old" practice, as some have claimed. In fact
this practice has only achieved the present degree of popularity in this present
century largely as a result of the efforts of Phabonkhapa and Trijang Rinpoche.
now there were many practices prevalent in Tibet before the Chinese takeover,
many of them as I'm sure you will agree unjust, harmful and misguided even
though they were more often than not endorsed by some illustrious lama or
other. So, the fact that a given practice was current in pre-1950 Tibet and
endorsed by some high lama does not, in itself, constitute a valid justification for
the continuation of a given custom or practice.
When we hear the various stories about the origins of Gyalpo Shugden it is clear
that this entity arose out of some conflict or misunderstanding with the great
Fifth Dalai Lama, not out of some warm and friendly relationship between the
Dalai Lama and the one named as Tulku Dagpa Gyaltsen You have also stated that the
thirteenth Dalai Lama also banned Gyalpo Shugden practice - as have . It seems
then that His Holiness is but following his illustrious predecessors in this matter.
H.H. the Dalai Lama has even stated "By holding the position of the Fifth Dalai
Lama I am supposed to follow what he did, this is the reason I have to interfere."
and "I have therefore a duty to carry out the legacy of the Great Fifth and the
13th Dalai Lama. This is my responsibility, although some people may not like
it. But then, this is not a matter of what is in the Dalai Lama's interest, but what
is in the interest of the Tibetan nation and its religion."
-- (His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, 3/21/96 )
Now it seems there are some people who believe Dorje Shugden to be a
protector who is enlightened although he manifests in a worldly disguise - while
there are others who take this worldly disguise literally and say he is not a
Dharma protector, but a worldly spirit.
Now if Shugden is simply wisdom protector or, Buddha / form of Manjusri as
you claim, it might be unfortunate if this practice was stopped but would it be
disastrous? Generally speaking it is said that Gelugpas require no other refuge
than Je Tsongkhapa and his sons and there is another wrathful form of
Manjushri, Damchan Chogyal or Shinje -who was assigned as the special
protector of the Gelugpa tradition by Tsongkhapa himself- which is
uncontroversial.
Isn't the real reason that you feel that Shugden is so vitally important that you
wish to establish the authenticity of the tradition associated
with the "Ganden Emanated Volume" within your school? I'm only guessing
here but isn't it this tradition that you and your disciples are actually referring
to when you talk about a "pure" Gelugpa lineage?
If however Shugden is seen as a worldly protector who people misguidedly
think of as a Buddha then it seems to me that the whole basis of this particular
tradition within the Gelugpa might be called into doubt.
But on the other hand if H.H. the Dalai Lama sincerely believes that wouldn't it be
very wrong for H.H. to allow this to continue as he would then be allowing people to
abandon their fundamental vows of refuge?
Je Gampopa said:
" When we have taken refuge in the Buddha we do not go to other gods."
and Dza Paltrul Rinpoche said:
" Having taken refuge in the Buddha, do not pay homage to
deities within samsara. Do not take the gods of the
tirthikas [non-Buddhists] like Ishvara or Vishnu, as your
refuge for future lives. Nor should you make offerings to
them or prostrate to them, for they themselves are not
not liberated from the suffering of samsara. Also, do not
pay homage to local gods, owners of the ground or any
other powerful worldly gods and spirits."
I suggest to you that in order to for this dispute to be settled as you wish it is
probably necessary for you to establish to the satisfaction of a clear majority of
Tibetan Buddhists that Gyalpo Shugden is a Wisdom Protector.. Neither your book
"Heart Jewel" or anything I have read here convinces me of that.
For instance as you have pointed uut it is usually held that the practice of
propitiating Shugden was inaugurated in the Sakya school.
Now the Sakyas generally believe that because Shugden was so terrifying people and
caused so many problems Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen (or Jamyang Sonam
Wangchuk) made an offer to him that Sakyapa monks would ritually feed him
once a day by offering torma in the daily 'Protector Puja' and in exchange
Shugden would not harm or kill sentient beings. This offer was excepted by
Shugden. The main monastery of Sakya, Lhakang Chenmo, and its branch
monasteries offer torma to Shugden daily and have done so for the past few
hundred years. The text used is approximately one folio in length, back and
front. No branch of the Sakyapas (Ngorpa, Tsharpa, etc.) other than the original
tradition practice the torma offering to Shugden.
But the present day practice of some Gelugpas worshipping Shugden as an
object of refuge and so on is markedly different than this. Some people find this
odd and, although others have asked about this, still no reasonable account of
why this may be so has been put forward. Geshe-la as you are more learned and
experienced in these matters perhaps you can enlighten us on this issue.
Moreover, Geshe-la last year it was pointed out here by the Ashoka Society
there are serious flaws in proposed 'reincarnation' lineage of Gyalpo Shugden, as
put forward by yourself in the book "Heart Jewel" - so far these points have not
been addressed:
<< a) It has never been a position of the Sakyapa school that Jamgon
Sakya Pandita was the same continuum as the Mahaasiddha Virupa,
know generally to the Tibetan as Birwapa who in any case attained
complete enlightenment, thirteenth stage Vajradhaarahood, during his
own lifetime
. b) According Jamgon Sakya Pandita's rnam.thar, his Guru, Jetsun
Dragpa Gyaltsen predicted that he was to take only three more births
subsequent to his death; as a Vidyadhaara in a distant world realm to the
east; after that, as the son of an Bengali King called Mumuni, named
Suryagarbha; and finally in his last life traversing the stages and paths, he
was to have become the Buddha Vimala`srii.
c) It is traditionally held by the Gelugpa school that Khedrup Je, etc.,
to the First Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen, are incarnations of
Jamgon Sakya Pandita. The notion that Duldzin Dragpa Gyaltsen, etc.,
up to Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen [a disciple of the First Panchen Lama] is
quite new, I believe. The conflict arises because Duldzin Dragpa
Gyaltsen and Khedrup Je are contemporaries.
> >
Therefore you can see, Geshe-la that there seems to be no clear agreement
amongst any party on these issues; there is a disagreement between the Sakya
school and the Gelugpa school regarding the question of Sakya Pandita's
incarnations; and among the Gelug school there is no common agreement about
the disposition of this matter either. As such these issues must be confined to
matters of *opinion* and *belief* and cannot be held as facts, in the sense that
we in the West commonly take the term 'factual' to mean - yet in your book
these things are stated as if they were commonly accepted truths.
In fact isn't it true that the notion that any Sakyapas, knowledgeable in their
own tradition, believe that Mahasiddha Virupa, the founder of the Lam Dre, and
Sakya Pandita, one of the five founding Lamas of the Sakya Tradition are
previous incarnations of Gyalpo Shugden would be utterly absurd to any learned
Sakyapa?
As far as the Sakya Tradition is concerned the Sakya master Trichen Jamyang
Sonam Wangchuk (1638-1685) tamed the spirit Gyalpo Shugden in the
seventeenth century and bound him as a protector. In the Sakya tradition, he is
classified below Pehar which definitely makes Gyalpo Shugden an
unenlightened protector. I have never seen any text or heard of any oral
commentary coming from a Sakyapa Lama, living or dead, past or present, that
states anything other than the worldly nature of Shugden. In particular, it seems
that he is not regarded by Sakyapas as an emanation of Manjushri or of
Yamantaka.
In the biography of Ngagchang Kunga Tashi, Sonam Wangchuck's son, he
was given the transmission for the sadhanas of Shugden which
his father wrote, along with the sahanas of Pehar and Ponlop
Satrap sadhana. The order in which they are mentioned in his
biography is Pehar, Ponlop Satrap and then Shugden. Also in this
practice, in the offering section to the worldly deities, the
text reads as follows; "Pehar, Ponlop Setrap, Shugden Tsal",
and then goes it goes on to mention Naga Queens and so on.
This is should be sufficient proof that Sonam Wangchuck (whom
Shugden supporters have mentioned) considered Shugden to be to
be a worldly deity and not an object of refuge.
You also write that Sakya Lama Morchen Kunga Lhundrup said that
Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being and encouraged his followers to rely
upon him. Could you please provide an exact reference to support this
conflicting claim of yours? A friend of mine carefully read the autobiography of
Morchen Kunga Lhundrup (Lamdre Collection, Volume #5, folio 451-625) and
found only one reference to Shugden (which occurs on folio 577) where
Morchen Kunga Lhundrup makes reference to making an offering to Dorje
Shugden Tsal 'so that oaths are maintained.'
There are also very long detailed lists of teachings that Morchen received and
detailed lists of the teachings etc he gave at various places and to specific
students. Nowhere in these lists it seems is Shugden mentioned as a teaching or
a scriptural reading (lung) received or transmitted.
Sometime ago Dorje Gyurme <redg...@aol.com> posted the views of Prof.
Namkha'i Norbu Rinpoche who was educated in the Sakya tradition at Dzongsar
Gonpa where, in one section of the monastery, regular offerings were made to
Dorje Shugden (this fact has been confirmed to me by another source):
<< " Like all masters educated in the Sakya tradition,
Norbu Rinpoche says that Shugden is a worldly deity.
He further states that Gyalpos in general are very
difficult protectors to control, and advises it is
perhaps best to avoid them. Norbu Rinpoche also levels
this criticism at Pehar, etc. This is not to say that
Norbu is critical of all worldly protectors, like the
Tenma, Tsiu Marpo, etc., but mainly those of the
Gyalpo class. They have bad track record, so to speak.
This is what I have heard from the mouth of Rinpoche
himself. So you see it is Gyalpos in general that
Norbu is critical of, and not Gyalpo Shugden in
particular.
" Norbu Rinpoche personally practiced the Sakya
version of Shugden quite briefly until he became very
ill from doing this practice, and ceased doing this
practice under advisement from his uncle, a Sakyapa
Abbot by the name of Khyentse Choskyi Wangchuck, who
was also one of his main Root Gurus. This may be read
in his available published writings, if one will only
look."
So, all the evidence I have seen appears to contradict the claim that the Sakyapa
regarded Shugden as an enlightened protector, or as a Buddha.
Furthermore, some people have tried to claim that Shugden is a Buddha based
on his iconography. How can this be so? After all there are many worldly
Gyalpo spirits who wear the three robes of a fully ordained bhikshu and the
same golden hat - even the worldly Bonpo protector Dakpa Senge (the story
of whoose origin is very similar to that of Shugden)
There are also many worldly protectors (including Nechung) who ride snow lions
or have five forms corresponding to the five Buddhas - again Gyalpo Pehar is an
example of this.
Even if G.S. is an embodiment of Manjushri what is the reason that
you *need* this form of protector? Je Tsongkhapa recommended Gelugpas should rely
for protection on the wrathful form of Manjushri known as Damchan Chogyal or
Shinje. Why is it that you seem to give more importance to this "new protector"
Gyalpo Shugden than you do to the protectors recommended by
Je Rinpoche himself? Wouldn't it be better to rely principally on the
protectors assigned by Tsongkhapa himself rather than fighting with HH the Dalai
Lama?
Perhaps I am wrong but you appear to believe that H.H. the Dalai Lama is not
adhering to the pure lineage of Tsongkhapa. Is this in fact the case? If so then
surely you must disagree with His Holiness's teachings on other things beside the
question of Gyalchen Shugden. After all, this practice is not an indispensable
part of the Gelugpa teachings since Je Tsongkhapa, his two spiritual sons and
their immediate followers did not worship Gyalchen Shugden - either as a
worldly protector or as a wisdom protector. Neither did the Buddha,
Naagarjuna, Aryadeva, Chandrakirti, or Atisha rely on Gyalchen Shugden.
So I'm very interested to know on what points of Je Tsongkhapa's own teachings
you disagree with H.H. the Dalai Lama? For instance to me it seems that there
are many points of difference in your published explanation of the Gelugpa
Mahamudra tradition and that tradition as explained in the recent book by H.H.
the Dalai Lama. In your view are these differences unimportant a different way
of teaching the same thing or are they irreconcilable? Which represents the
actual view of Je Tsongkhapa Since both you and H.H. have published
books on Mahamudra which are freely available to the general public I
presume it is alright to discuss these teachings in public - at least to the extent
that they are discussed in those books.
As far as I can see, H.H. the Dalai Lama has worked tirelessly to promote the
teachings of Je Tsongkhapa. H.H.'s books on Buddhism in English are mostly
based on the teachings of Tsongkhapa - as are the majority of the talks on
Buddhism by H.H. that I have read or heard.
Thank you once again for your attention to my post here. I think that once they
have been raised it is best to get all these issues out in the open where they can
be subject to the sunlight of reason and understanding. At present I'll admit that
many people including myself may have heard only a fraction of the story
concerning Gyalchen Shugden and related issues I look forward to having
this issue clarified by yourself and do hope this is settled to the ultimate benefit
of all those concerned.
Regards
- Chris
---
"the'u rang lha ru mthong ba'i dus bod sdug pa'i dus la babs pa yin"
("When goblins are taken for deities, a time of suffering will fall upon Tibet").
- Padmasambhava
Sat Tara S. Khalsa
> ====================================================
> "The various doctrinal views found in the
> provinces of U, Tsang and Ngari
> Are all the very teaching of the Victorious One
> How fine if, not allowing the demon of sectarianism
> to ignite animosity,
> The radiance of the jewel of pure perception
> would encompass all."
> - Panchen Lobsang Yeshe
> =====================================================
>
Chris,
A truly wonderful riposte to a disengenuous (at best) load of nonsense from
someone who should know better. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Best,
Kunzang Dorje
Avyorth Rolinson
cf...@dircon.co.uk wrote in message <3494be2...@news.dircon.co.uk>...
>====================================================
> "The various doctrinal views found in the
> provinces of U, Tsang and Ngari
> Are all the very teaching of the Victorious One
> How fine if, not allowing the demon of sectarianism
> to ignite animosity,
> The radiance of the jewel of pure perception
> would encompass all."
> - Panchen Lobsang Yeshe
>=====================================================
Hi Chris,
What a superb posting! So many shadows brought into the light of day - of
course, now the questions follow in their wake. There must surely be a book
in this whole DSh - DL - GKG saga, one that would not only explain the D Sh
history, but the intricacies of Tibetan Buddhist politics and their
overspill into the West. (Are you listenning Mary Finnegan!! <g>)
When I became involved in the NKT I simply tried to take the teachings of my
teacher, GKG, as truthful. There were many apparent inconsistencies around D
Sh - his lineage in 'Heart Jewel' didn't make sense to me, and nobody in
'authority' could explain it satisfactorily to me. But the sudden and total
expulsion of Richard D from the NKT for talking about these issues sent a
very clear signal to us all. (I recently met Katarina, who was the
'director' of Bristol NKT Centre for a time, and she told me that the
obviously unfair treatment dumped on poor Richard had been a major factor in
her decision to leave the NKT.)
I simply tried (but eventually 'failed') to accept that the problem lay in
my mind and understanding - after all wasn't I continually being reminded
that I was very deluded and ignorant! Sounds a bit like Roman Catholicism
(probably most religious groups) with it's undermining of one's own wisdom,
by stressing one's fallen and sinfull state. Actually from what I've heard
of political indoctrination (eg Communism) this technique is also standard -
is this how memes 'plough the soil' of our minds for better propagation?
I remember phoning up Wisdom Books in London to order some of GKG's books.
When I asked about 'Heart Jewel', an obviously very embarrassed chap told me
they didn't stock that one. I couldn't make sense of his attempt to
'explain' why. The answer that he couldn't give me has now been explained by
your posting, Chris.
Many of the things said (some in private discussion) by Gen Thubten Gyatso,
who was GKG's Heart Disciple at the time, about the unique purity of the
short lineage of the Ganden Emanation Scripture that GKG had, now make
sense.
Your questions about Mahamudra also raise some very interesting points,
Chris. Let me quote from a teaching, called 'Introduction to Mahamudra',
that Gen Thubten Gyatso gave at Vajravarahi NKT Centre (Preston),
"When Geshe-la said he'd formed the NKT to preserve, to protect the Dharma
transmitted from the Wisdom Buddha, Manjushri, to Je Tsongkhapa he was
referring to this practice [he's talking here about Mahamudra] - this is the
inner practice of the NKT. Only the NKT holds the pure lineage of the
Mahamudra today."
As I've said before, there is a belief that runs deep within the NKT that
only they hold the pure Dharma today, and that D Shugden is the protector of
that pure teaching and lineage.
Please keep these gems coming, Chris.
Yours in the Dh (ark)
Avyorth
Jangsem
Dear Chris,
I would like to address some of the points you raise in your reply to
Venerable Geshe-la.
cf...@dircon.co.uk wrote:
> I think that lies, half-truths and omissions are weapons used in all arenas of
> human politics. In this respect Tibetan politics and the politics surrounding this
> issue are generally no different from any other kind. Occasionally there may be
> a few politicians like Mahatma Gandhi who are dedicated to Truth - but,
> overall, it seems to me that politics is a pretty dirty business.
I found this statement quite incongruous in your posting since
previously you seemed to be in favour of mixing both religion and
politics, as embodied by the Dalai Lama. Do you think that the present
Dalai Lama as the political head of the Tibetan people does not have
knowledge of the "dirty business" of his politicians?
> From reading various messages here I gather that you and your disciples think
> that when the leaders of a religious body proscribe the worship of a particular
> entity within the monasteries, temples and other institutions belonging to that
> religious body this proscription constitutes "religious repression" or "repression
> of religious rights". Can you tell me though just who should determine what is
> worshiped within a particular religious body or institution if it is not the leaders
> of that body or institution? Or do you feel that anyone -or any group of people-
> belonging to a religious body should be free to worship whatever they like,
> whenever they like in the temples and monasteries of that religious body?
> SNIP<
> Now isn't it equally within the rights of H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.E. the Ganden
> Tri Rinpoche and H.E. the Jangtse Choje as the spiritual and temporal leaders of
> Gelugpa sect to put an end to particular practices and forms of worship within
> the institutions belonging to the Gelugpa sect if they feel these practices are
> useless or doing more harm than good?
It is one thing for a religious leader to disagree with a particular
practice and to prohibit it in the monasteries etc under their
jurisdiction. It is quite another for that ban to be unilaterally
imposed by a government on all their people, against their wishes with
forced signature campaigns, threats to their livelihood and gross
intimidation. For example, according to the constitution of the Tibetan
exile government it is now illegal for judges to be Dorje Shugden
practitioners. Are you going to argue that judges also fall within the
domain of the present day Gelugpa hierarchy?
> Some people on this newsgroup, apparently students of yours have accused H.H.
> the Dalai Lama of breaking the sacred samaya he had with Trijang Rinpoche
> through abandoning the practice of Gyalpo Shugden. This is a very serious
> charge. Elsewhere on this forum Ani Losang Trinlae, quoting Geshe Ngawang
> Thargey, has pointed out that it is possible to disagree with our lamas without
> creating a fault:
>
> << As the late Geshe Ngawang Dhargye said in his commentary on the
> Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion, "Examine yourself honestly to see if you
> can follow his wishes. If there is no way in which you can comply, do
> not be rude or arrogant. Explain politely and with extreme humility what
> the difficulty is. Your teacher will not be unreasonable; as a Buddha he is
> filled with great compassion." And also, "If your spiritual teacher gives
> you advice or asks you to do something, examine yourself to see if you
> can comply. If you cannot, then excuse yourself and explain why". >>
>
> From his published speeches on the subject, it is very clear why H.H. the Dalai
> Lama had difficulty with the practice of worshipping Shugden as a wisdom
> protector and why he sincerely felt that it was generally a harmful practice.
> Furthermore these speeches show that he carefully examined himself and the
> issues involved and took great care to discuss his feelings and intentions with
> his teachers H.E. Ling Rinpoche and H.E. Trijang Rinpoche and that they like
> compassionate Buddhas at the very least acquiesced to H.H.'s decision.
Venerable Geshe-la has already informed us that Trijang Rinpoche was
very disappointed with the Dalai Lama's decision to abandon his practice
of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden, but being a compassionate Buddha he could not
force his disciple to change his mind.
It is one thing not to be able to follow the advice of our Spiritual
Guide and politely inform him that we cannot do so. IMO it is quite
another to reject one of the heart practices of our Spiritual Guide as
evil spirit worship. According to the Mahayana teachings disciples are
encouraged to view their Spiritual Guide as a Buddha and rely upon him
accordingly. If one is regarding someone as a Buddha how could they
believe at the same time that that person is so mistaken that they are
relying on an evil spirit as their supreme Dharma Protector? If Trijang
Rinpoche made such a huge mistake how could we possibly view him or Je
Pabongkhapa as enlightened beings? Since all Gelugpas are directly or
indirectly disciples of these two great Masters it would follow that the
whole Gelugpa tradition is utterly mistaken. That since the time of Je
Pabongkhapa we have been going for refuge in an evil spirit! This is why
NKT students are saying that the Gelugpa tradition is being denigrated
and destroyed. This issue is not just about Dorje Shugden, it is about
the authenticity of the modern Gelugpa school.
Also, although the Dalai Lama has the personal freedom to stop a certain
practice, does he have the right to use his enormous influence and
authority to try to stop other Lamas from engaging in this practice? To
encourage others to break their heart connection with Trijang Rinpoche?
He has said that people have the freedom to continue this practice if
they wish him not to have a long life or wish to harm the Tibetan cause.
But has given no reasons to establish this. This is very heavy emotional
pressure.
> For some reason (perhaps you can explain why) this connection of the Dalai
> Lamas with the Nyingmapa seems to bother those who believe in the so-called
> "Ganden Emanated Volume", (which is I understand claimed to be the root text
> of a "Ganden Oral Lineage", supposedly revealed by Shugden to Pabhongkapa
> during the latter part of his life). It seems to me that the worshipping of
> Shugden as a wisdom protector only began at the same time as the alleged
> appearance of this volume and that these two things are somehow inextricably
> linked. (Am I right in assuming this?) Now it seems to me that those of you who
> believe in this 'Ganden Emanated Volume' (and the mysticism that surrounds
> it), that anyone who criticizes Shugden is consequently also attacking the very
> basis of the "Ganden Oral Lineage".
>
> As H.H. has also openly questioned the authenticity of such a text [in "The
> Union of Bliss and Emptiness", pp. 68-69] , pointing out that in the entire
> eighteen volumes of Je Tsongkhapa's collected works there is not a single word
> mentioning the "Ganden Emanated Volume" and said that that the Ganden Oral
> tradition is nothing more nor less than the combined practice of the Yidams
> Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara and Vajra Bhairava with their attendant oral
> instructions, etc.
>
Chris I reccommend that your read Janice Willis' book Enlightened
Beings to gain a clearer picture of the Kadam Emantion Scripture which
she translates as the Great Miraculous Volume. Her book "focuses on the
lives of the first six Gelugpa practitioners of the Ganden oral
Tradition, the earliest siddhas to immediately succeed Tsongkhapa in
this lineage." The six are:
1. Tokden Jampel Gyatso (1356-1428)
2. Baso Je Chokyi Gyeltsen (1402-1473)
3. Drubchen Chokyi Dorje (no dates)
4. Gyelwa Ensapa (1505-1566)
5. Kedrub Sanggye Yeshe (1525-1591)
6. Jetsun Losang Chokyi Gyeltsen - the first Panchen Lama (1570-1662)
She writes " As sources for the complete written accounts of the lives
of these six Ganden Oral Tradition siddhas, I had access to two Tibetan
editions of the great compendium of Kadam and Gelukpa biographies
compiled in the late eighteenth century (circa 1787) by the great
Yongdzin Yeshe Gyeltsen (1713-1792) called Byan chub lam gyi rim pa'i
bla ma brgyud pa'i rnam par thar pa rgyal bstan mdzes pa'i rgyan mchog
phul byung nor bu'i phren ba (Biographies of the Eminent Gurus in the
Transmission Linegaes of the Graded path Teachings, called The Jeweled
Rosary)."
In her introduction she writes "one specific and unique feature of these
six namtar should be mentioned: the so called Miraculous Volume of the
Gelugpa. It is said that the text is of "mystical origins" and that it
is "accessible only to the most holy of the lineage gurus." (This
characterization of the Miraculous Volume is given by Geshe Lobsang
Tarchin in his translation of Pabongka Rinpoche's Liberation in our
Hands p.172). As will be seen, the Miraculous Volume figures prominently
in these namtar, where it is said to be entrusted to each succeeding
disciple once that one has accomplished the highest goal of practice. It
thus functions in these stories as a type of seal of accomplishment. It
should be noted that many Gelukpa lamas claim that, from the time of the
First Panchen, the Volume has been entrusted to the deity Kalarupa for
safekeeping." (Willis says in a later foot note that some Gelugpa Lamas
believe the Emanation scripture was entrusted to Dorje Shugden.)
In the namtar of Tokden Jampel Gyatso as translated by Willis it is
stated,
"Now, the Great Miraculous Volume, containing the complete detailed
practice instructions of the Oral Tradition that quintessentially
abridges the pith teachings of the path of both the sutras and the
tantras, was given directly by the Venerable Lord Manjusri only to Je
Rinpoche, to this lama, and to a few of the gods of Ganden. It was at
this time that this very wondrous Miraculous Volume was delivered into
the hands of Jampel Gyatso"
From this passage we can clearly see that Je Tsongkhapa received the
Emanation Scripture directly from Noble Manjushri. It was then passed on
to realized disciples in the Gelugpa lineage. Therefore to claim that
the Emanation Scripture first appeared at the time of Je Pabongkha is
completely incorrect. To cast doubts as to the authenticity of this
volume is also to cast doubts on the authenticity of Gelugpa Mahamudra
as practised since the time of Je Tsongkhapa himself. Since Mahamudra is
the method to actually accomplish enlightenment we are then questioning
whether there is an entire path to enlightenment within the Gelugpa. Now
this is quite a commonly held view (as alluded to by Willis on p.xvi),
and it is one reason why Venerable Geshe Kelsang published Tantric
Grounds and Paths to show that the Gelugpas have an uncommon Mahamudra
that comes from the Emanantion Scripture.
If the Emamanation Scripture was entrusted to Dorje Shugden then it
would not be surprising if he had a close connection with Je Pabonkhapa
who on p.244 in Liberation in the Palm of Your Hands appears to be
directly quoting from the Volume "The following verses are taken from
The Miraculous Book of the Gelugpas, so they are especially blessed..."
Both Je Pabonkhapa and Dorje Shugden would have to be enlightened beings
to be able to see the Volume, never mind protect it and read from it!
Sincerely,
Jangsem
John La Grou
...much edited..
>It should be noted that many Gelukpa lamas claim that, from the time of the
>First Panchen, the Volume has been entrusted to the deity Kalarupa for
>safekeeping."
>tantras, was given directly by the Venerable Lord Manjusri only to Je
>Rinpoche, to this lama, and to a few of the gods of Ganden. It was at
>this time that this very wondrous Miraculous Volume was delivered into
>the hands of Jampel Gyatso"
The Bdsm normally seen on TRB generally downplays the notion of "gods"
and "diety" yet this post seems to indicate that such "very wondrous
and miraculous" entities play a significant guiding role in Bdst
practice. Can someone explain?
And what is a Dharma Protector?
JL
The Puddies
John La Grou wrote in message <34971f66....@news.jps.net>...
>
>
>
>...much edited..
>
>>It should be noted that many Gelukpa lamas claim that, from the time of
the
>>First Panchen, the Volume has been entrusted to the deity Kalarupa for
>>safekeeping."
>
>>tantras, was given directly by the Venerable Lord Manjusri only to Je
>>Rinpoche, to this lama, and to a few of the gods of Ganden. It was at
>>this time that this very wondrous Miraculous Volume was delivered into
>>the hands of Jampel Gyatso"
>
>
>The Bdsm normally seen on TRB generally downplays the notion of "gods"
>
>and "diety" yet this post seems to indicate that such "very wondrous
>and miraculous" entities play a significant guiding role in Bdst
>practice. Can someone explain?
>
>And what is a Dharma Protector?
>
>JL
John, read the post of Tyree Hilkert entitled, "what is the purpose of
visualization in tantras" which was posted 12/17. I think it may help you
to understand.
Evelyn
Randy J
John La Grou <j...@jps.net> wrote in article
<34971f66....@news.jps.net>...
>
> The Bdsm normally seen on TRB generally downplays the notion of "gods"
>
> and "diety" yet this post seems to indicate that such "very wondrous
> and miraculous" entities play a significant guiding role in Bdst
> practice. Can someone explain?
>
> And what is a Dharma Protector?
Hi JL, long time no see; welcome back!
there are many varieties of Bdsm and many
different practices, even beliefs, associated
with it in the different cultures where it is
practiced. Many of these cultures have mixed
in practices and notions from other belief or
philosophical systems. Do some reading, like
_Entering the Stream_ or many other books
that cover the varieties of Bdst experience.
May all beings have happiness and the causes
of happiness.
May all beings be free from suffering and the causes
of suffering.
May all beings never be separated from the happiness
which knows no suffering.
May all beings abide in equanimity, free from the
attachment and anger, which holds some close
and others distant.
rj
Robin Faichney
The Puddies wrote:
>
>
> John, read the post of Tyree Hilkert entitled, "what is the purpose of
> visualization in tantras" which was posted 12/17. I think it may help you
> to understand.
Hi Evelyn
That thread was in alt.religion.buddhism.tibetan, not in
talk.religion.buddhism. Otherwise, a good pointer!
Robin
Jangsem
Dear Chris,
It seems that you believe that the Dalai Lama is banning the practice of
Gyalchen Dorje Shugden in order to overcome a sectarian faction within
the Gelugpas. Following his lead you seem completely intent on
“prooving” that Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit.
As I pointed out in a previous posting, if Dorje Shugden is an evil
spirit then this means that both Pabongkhapa Rinpoche and Trijang
Rinpoche were completely mistaken with respect to their supreme Dharma
Protector. To mistake an evil spirit for a Dharma Protector is not a
small mistake, especially as within the Gelugpa you are taught to see
your Guru, Yidam and Protector as one (like a jewel with many facets).
So if these two Lamas made such a huge mistake how could anyone possibly
regard them as enlightened beings? Since all modern day Gelugpas are
directly or indirectly disciples of these two (including the present
Dalai Lama) then it would follow that the entire modern Gelugpa school
is mistaken. Why? Because they are relying on mistaken lineage Lamas. If
the lineage Lamas are not enlightened then the blessings of the lineage
are lost. It is then not possible to attain enlightenment following that
lineage.
Therefore it follows that an entire living Buddhist tradition that can
be traced back two and a half thousand years to the Buddha himself has
been completely invalidated. This to me is sectarianism in the true
meaning of the word.
If that isn’t enough, you are now beginning to question the authenticity
of the Kadam Emanation Scripture (using the Dalai Lama as your
reference), one of the holiest texts within the Gaden tradition. It is
this scripture that is both the source of the Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa
known as Ganden Lhagyama (Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land) and
the famous Migtsema prayer. As Venerable Geshe Kelsang says in Heart
Jewel,
“The Guru yoga of Je Tsongkhapa according to the Segyu lineage was
originally taught by Buddha Manjushri as part of a special scripture
known as the Kadam Emanation Scripture. It was extracted from this
scripture by Je Tsongkhapa himself....Je Tsongkhapa passed this
instruction to Je Sherab Senge who was one of his main disciples. Je
Sherab Senge was born in the upper part of Tibet called Tsang. He was a
very holy meditation master and scholar who had thousands of disciples,
including Je Gendundrub, the first Dalai Lama. He was the holder of the
lineage of the Tantric teachings of je Tsongkhapa and, as predicted by
Je Tsongkhapa, he established Gyuma Tantric College in central Tibet and
Segyu Tantric College in the upper part of Tibet.”
These are two of the heart practices within the Gelugpa tradition. Are
these now also going to be proclaimed as mistaken?
Venerable Geshe Kelsang says in Great Treasury of Merit,
“ Until the time of the first Panchen Lama, the lineage of the Emanation
Scripture had been passed directly from Teacher to disciple without
being written down, and only those with great good fortune even knew of
its existence, let alone had the opportunity to practise the
instructions. For this reson it became known as the ‘Ensa Whispered
Lineage’. However, because times were becoming more and more impure, and
because sentient beings had less and less merit, the Panchen Lama
worried that his precious lineage might soon be lost altogether, and so
to preserve it for future generations he decided to write it down.
Accordingly, he wrote a text entitled The Main Path of the Conquerors,
The Root Text of the Mahamudra. This contains all the essential
instructions on Mahamudra from the Emanation Scripture...So that
faithful disciples could practise the fourth great guide as a
preliminary to the actual Mahamudra, the first Panchen Lama also
compiled offering to the Spiritual Guide based on the instructions from
the Emanation Scripture. Since then the practice has flourished in
Tibet, Mongolia, China, and India; and now it is beginning to spread in
the west.”
So are these precious practices also under question? I have heard that
the Dalai Lama has tried to stop people engaging in the practice of Lama
Chopa as explained by the first Panchen Lama. Lama Chopa is used within
our tradition as the supreme method to make requests to one’s Spiritual
Guide and to prepare for gaining the supreme realizations of Mahamudra.
Is this also sectarian, bad for the Dalai Lama’s health and the cause of
Tibet?
Venerable Geshe Kelsang continues in Great Treasury of Merit,
“Since the first Panchen Lama compiled this precious sadhana it has been
transmitted, together with the uncommon Vajrayana Mahamudra of the
Virtuous Tradition and all the other esential practices of the Emanation
Scripture, through an unbroken lineage to our present Teachers. From
Panchen Chokyi Gyaltsan the lineage passed through Drubchen Gendun
Gyaltsan and Drungpa Tsondru Gyaltsan to Konchog Gyaltsan, who
transmitted it to the second Panchen Lama, Losang Yeshe. From him it
passed through various Lamas such as Losang Namgyal and Kachen Yeshe
Gyaltsan down to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, who passed it on to our
present Teachers. The entire close lineage of these instructions is
given in the Prayers of Request to the Mahamudra Lineage Gurus...If we
read this prayer we will see that there is a completely pure and
unbroken lineage from Conqueror Vajradhara to our present Root Guru.”
Who would possibly want to destroy a such a precious living lineage of
Dharma that reveals the entire stages of the path of Sutra and Tantra?
Within the Ganden tradition one of the principal yidam practices is that
of Venerable Vajrayogini. Je Pabonkhapa Dechen Nyingpo wrote the most
beautiful lines of praise to Vajrayogini in his introduction to the long
sadhanas Quick Path to Great Bliss and Feast of Great Bliss, which
include with the verses,
“Through the dance of the beautiful Mother of joy,
The illusory dance of the sphere of EH which is of one taste with
compassion,
You lead pitiful migrators to the sphere of great bliss with your
skilful means;
O Vajra Queen, Mother of the Conquerors, care for me always.”
“As times become more degenerate, this supreme quick path
Becomes especially surpassing in its profundity and swiftness.
It is the essence of the Dakinis’ hearts, the spring ocean of tantric
meaning;
O fortunate ones, take up this immaculate treasure as your ornament.”
He then explains the following, “Here I shall set down an easy way to
practise the uncommon method for accomplishing Venerable Vajrayogini,
known as the instruction of the Naropa Dakini. This instruction is
clearly revealed in the explanatory root tantras of Glorious
Chakrasamvara. In the land of the Aryas, Master Naropa, the crown jewel
of all the pandits, received this instruction while seeing the face of
the Venerable Lady directly. he then provided a clear explanantion of
the practice. In Tibet it was included in the thirteen golden Dharmas of
the whispered lineage of the glorious Sakyapa Father and Son. It was
also the uncommon, secret Dharma hidden in the heart of the great Tsong
Khapa, King of the Dharma in the three realms.”
Come now Chris, do these honestly sound like the words of a sectarian
who is following an evil spirit? Why do you in particular wish to
discredit such a holy Lama? As explained by Geshe Lobsang Tharchin
“Pabongka Rinpoche’s full name by the way was Kyabje Pabonkapa Jetsun
Jampa Tenzin Trinley Gyatso Pel Sangpo which translates as the ‘lord
protector, the one from Pabongka, the venerable and glorious master
whose name is the Loving One, Keeper of the Buddha’s Teachings, Ocean of
the Mighty Deeds of the Buddha.’ He is also popularly known as ‘Dechen
Nyingpo’, which means ‘Essence of Great Bliss’ and refers to his mastery
of the secret teachings of Buddhism.”
With respect to Vajrayogini practice, I have heard that the Dalai Lama
has now begun to question the validity of this practice. Do you know if
this is true, and if so what are his reasons?
Also within the Ganden Tradition our heart practice is Lamrim, or The
Stages of the Path to Enlightenment as first compiled by Jowo Atisha and
further elucidated by Je Tsongkhapa. This was Trijang Rinpoche’s heart
practice which he lovingly gave to his disciples. Within the Lamrim,
following Buddha’s teachings, it is taught that relying on our Spiritual
Guide is the very root of the spiritual path. Trijang Rinpoche was the
Dalai Lama’s Root Guru teaching him every thing he knew. Yet now we hear
that the Dalai Lama has removed his name from the Lamrim lineage Gurus.
Can you explain this?
From the above you can see that there is far more to this controversy
than the worship of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden. What we are witnessing is
the gradual destruction of the Ganden Oral Tradition. Considering that
Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche propagated this Oral Tradition,
and bearing in mind that they are the root or lineage Gurus of all
modern day Gelugpas we cannot say that this is some small sectarian
faction within the Gelugpas as you imply. It is the entire tradition as
given to this generation. This is sectarianism in its most ugly and
destructive form. This is precisely why NKT students are so concerned.
How would you feel if your own precious Nyingma tradition was under such
a concerted attack?
To wipe out an entire living tradition of Buddha Dharma for the
political purpose of trying to unite the Tibetan people, to possibly
regain limited self-rule for Tibet is beyond my understanding.
Particularly as it has been such an abysmal failure - it is this
sectarianism that has led to what Professor Donald Lopez has called the
most important schism in the Tibetan community. This schism is now
poisoning the minds of the Buddhist community throughout the world.
For example, these are some of the rumours I have heard recently about
the NKT. We have been involved in assasination attempts on the Dalai
Lama, we pay people to do Dorje Shugden practice, we are funded by the
PRC, and we worship an unenlightened deity for wealth. Perhaps worst of
all a student of mine was told by an American Lama in the Kagyu
tradition that if she took refuge from an NKT teacher that teachers in
other traditions might refuse to teach her. Please tell me Chris, if
this is not sectarianism what is?
I firmly believe that wishing to follow your own tradition according to
your own Lama’s instructions while at the same time respecting other
people’s traditions is not sectarian. Quite the opposite, it is the
basis for harmony and tolerance. It is when we become critical of
others’ traditions and try to prevent them from practising that
sectarianism rears its ugly head. This is the situation we see today
with the denigration of the Gelugpa tradition and the attempt to
marginalise and ridicule the one group of people who have the courage
and the religious and political freedom to stand up and defend it.
With kind regards,
Jangsem