Steve Tobias can think beyond the box and yes he is right. I am only doing what my guru has instructed me to do over 26 years ago. No politics, leaders or other masters will change my practice or change what I have promised my guru to do. Guru devotion is everything to me and it always will be. Tsem Rinpoche

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dorje-shugden-people.html

Steve Tobias can think beyond the box and yes he is right. I am only doing what my guru has instructed me to do over 26 years ago. No politics, leaders or other masters will change my practice or change what I have promised my guru to do. Guru devotion is everything to me and it always will be. Tsem Rinpoche

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dorje-shugden-people.html

A comment left on the post: DORJE SHUGDEN PEOPLE http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dorje-shugden-people.html

Submitted on 2015/01/27 at 8:04 am
I know that Rinpoche’s actions are making me think more deeply about my practice. I haven’t had a reason to really think about Dorje Shugden before, or what I would do if Rinpoche or Kechara practiced it. It is very taboo, and so it requires contemplation. If it wasn’t taboo, we wouldn’t be thinking deeply about it. If we appreciate Rinpoche’s kindness and think about all he has done, it is impossible run away at the simple mentioning of a dharma protector. Therefore we are forced to confront the topic of Dorje Shugden and come to a conclusion.

In other words, is it really truthful to ignore every single one of Rinpoche’s blogs, videos, teachings, how he has helped the homeless and animals, how he has spread dharma, because of one thing? That one thing may be big depending on one’s commitments, but if you look Rinpoche has written in detail about the subject to help guide our minds. If it was just a random negative action with no instructions, it would be different.

I personally may initially feel shock at the announcement, or have opinions, and those opinions change, and I may feel uncomfortable, but comfort is an obstacle to dharma practice. Rinpoche is keeping his commitments with his gurus, and we are supposed to do the same. I don’t need to practice Dorje Shugden, and I’m sure not all Kecharians will either. And during the times that Rinpoche gave me advice, he mentioned many Buddhas and even graciously sent me Buddhas, but not once told me to do this or that dharma protector practice, ever. He genuinely cares about his students. I feel that his real life students feel the same way, which is why many of them do not need to second-guess the choice of the new dharma protector. I thank Rinpoche for allowing me to get out of my routine for a few days to give serious thought about the issue. Whether I have moments of agreeing, disagreeing, re-agreeing, it doesn’t change that when I sit down to do my sadhana I’m not going to change the guru who I visualize as Buddha.

Between Rinpoche’s two posts on this subject there is a repost from a few years ago when Rinpoche gave offerings to Theravada monks with his students. We would like to think that Dorje Shugden discriminates against Nyingma teachings, and so we are clean if we don’t practice it. If we look right in the tantra vows it says not to spend more than 7 nights in the house of a Hinayana. Does that mean we all discriminate? Or maybe we should investigate the truth further? Here Rinpoche is giving Hinayana monks offerings with his students with nothing but words of admiration. Are we going to pretend that it never happened?

From Steve Tobias

May those who practice Dorje Shugden in India be no longer segregate.
May they be able to live in peace and practice their deity freely.
May there be peace among all buddhist brothers and sisters, specially in India.

Thank you so much, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche for speaking out your truth!
Much love here for you and may there be peace and harmony for all.

I have been practicing Dorje Shugden for years in the USA. And although I live in a free country and do not feel the limitations and humiliations caused by the Dalai Lama ban upon this practice I have always felt a certain discomfort (almost like shame) to say in public that I am a Shugden practitioner (so, I have to recognize the ban had a psychological impact on my me). Tsem Tulku Rinpoche decision to clarify his position openly on this matter helped me to feel perfectly fine for being a Shugden follower. No I am no longer a shame to speak out: YES, I am s Shugden practicioner!

I have been practicing DS for a while and I’ve got nothing but the increase of my compassion and wisdom from practicing the teachings. The New Kadampa Tradition transformed my self and helped me to purify my mind. I apply the teachings and now I’m much a more peaceful, patient and loving person. However, because of all this controversy and propaganda against the New Kadampa Tradition there were times, specially in the beginning of my association with them, in which I felt doubt and discouragement (because I was used to believe the DL was such an authority…) … I was even almost giving up the dharma because of all this polemic, but then I decided to check for my self and follow my own inner guidance. I am so happy I did so. These teachings (The New Kadampa Tradition) are based on the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa,the King of the Dharma.
Much love,
Paloma

Dear Rinpoche,

Thank you so much for taking the stand.
Much love,
Paloma, a DS practitioner.

Let say the person that helped you practiced Shugden. Just because of that would you cut all communications with that person and all friendship? Why or why not? If you cut friendship and ties with someone just because of a religious belief, who is perhaps at fault? The person who does their religious belief freely or the person who cuts off? Why?

If someone has benefitted you very much, would it matter what practice they do? I mean wouldn’t you be appreciative of the help they have given you and be forever their friends or be loyal to them or you would just jump ship?

Protectors are not our main point of worship. Protectors function is not as important as the Buddhas. If we wish to have a altar, in the centre should be our Guru, Buddha or Tsongkapa. Then on the left and right are any Buddhas. Then besides that is the Protectors. We must focus on Lord Tsongkapa for our practice daily or Manjushri, and last practice we do is protector. More important than that is the practice of Lam Rim and Lojong teachings.

Tsem Rinpoche

: Some people say if they are practicing Shugden we should cut all ties with them, not eat with them, not talk with them and not associate with them even if they are family. Since they practice Shugden they are defiled and dirty so we must remain clean and pure by not associating with them? Does associating with so and so because of their religious beliefs defile us or we can be friends with everyone and see them for who they are and not their religion? Does that sound right to you all? Because in Buddhism we are to be kind to everyone and all beings. Why would you look at that one aspect of that person and nothing else. Why is it that just because they practice Shugden, we cannot be kind or nice to them or be friendly. Why do we have to cut all ties? Is that religious tolerance, acceptance and compassion or segregation of some sorts? What kind of compassion and love do we practice? I am just wondering what is the opinion out there. Tsem Rinpoche

Abinav Thakuri: Dear Rinpoche, I wanted to post here to thank you for all of your teachings! They have helped me tremendously! I have been learning from the blog and video teachings for some time now and the lessons have changed my life. Especially, death meditation. I have been following your teaching on death meditation and have been doing it for more than 8 months now. I didn’t feel anything at first, but now I feel like i can accept negative things that happen in life in a totally positive way! I also want to do any good I can now! Instead of just waiting. I used to be lazy and had negative thoughts about life all the time before. But now it’s gone! I also feel that death meditation can be a good counter to depression. Thank you so much Rinpoche!

From Comments I Like here http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/comments-i-like.

Next week’s blog chat will be on “Amongst White Clouds” http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/amongst-white-clouds-amazing.html.

Date:
USA Friday 30th Jan @7pmPST
M’sia Saturday 31st Jan @11amGMT+8

Looking forward to seeing you there!