Arjia Rinpoche says don’t discriminate against Dorje Shugden people
Venerable Arjia Rinpoche with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. On January 26, 2019 Arjia Rinpoche advised the Tibetan community to stop discriminating against Dorje Shugden practitioners for the sake of harmony and unity of the Tibetans so there will be cohesion in preserving the unique culture and religion of Tibet.
Dear friends,
In the Tibetan language, the word ‘Rinpoche’ means ‘precious one’ and so in Buddhism, this title may be given to someone who is highly respected or is a tulku (the reincarnation of a holy person). For example, practitioners and students may refer to a seemingly ordinary monk as ‘Rinpoche’ because they highly respect his Dharma knowledge and attainments, and the benefit he has brought to sentient beings. So this is just a very basic introduction but in general, there are many Rinpoches of different ranks, levels, backgrounds and attainments throughout Tibet. One such Rinpoche is Venerable Arjia Rinpoche who is a tulku, and he was just two years old when he was recognised as the reincarnation of Lama Tsongkhapa’s father.
Venerable Arjia Rinpoche, who was recognised by His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama as the reincarnation of Lama Tsongkhapa’s father
As you know, Lama Tsongkhapa was a great sage, scholar and reformer who spearheaded a Buddhist renaissance in 13th Century Tibet. According to one tradition, after Tsongkhapa was born in Tsongkha in 1357, his father took the afterbirth and buried it. Soon, a sandalwood tree grew on the spot where it was buried. According to another tradition, the sandalwood tree grew where drops of blood from Tsongkhapa’s umbilical cord had fallen on the ground. Either way, the holy tree became known as the “Tree of Great Merit” and later, Kumbum Monastery was established at that very location in eastern Tibet.
As Arjia Rinpoche was recognised as the reincarnation of Lama Tsongkhapa’s father, he was later enthroned as the abbot of Kumbum Monastery when he was older. Until then, much of Arjia Rinpoche’s childhood was actually spent under the Cultural Revolution which affected the whole of China. Thanks to his teacher’s influence and his own past life imprints however, Arjia Rinpoche never lost his Buddhist identity and maintained his training. Between 12 to 14 years old, Arjia Rinpoche studied in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, which is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. After that, until he was 27, Arjia Rinpoche did hard labour in the fields along with other lamas and monks, all of whom were once again affected by the Cultural Revolution.
Venerable Arjia Rinpoche with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. You can really see here how close the Dalai Lama and Arjia Rinpoche are – His Holiness is sitting cross-legged in the chair and barefooted, which is very casual and different compared to His Holiness in other more formal environments. It is a meeting between two friends.
After Arjia Rinpoche was reinstated as the abbot of Kumbum Monastery in 1979, he remained in the position until 1998 when he left Tibet and went to Guatemala. From Guatemala, Arjia Rinpoche was able to receive asylum in the United States, thanks to assistance from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Arjia Rinpoche today resides in the United States where he serves as the director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Centre (TMBCC) in Bloomington, Indiana, a position he has held since February 2006.
So Arjia Rinpoche has had a close relationship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama which began in 1998 when His Holiness helped Arjia Rinpoche to get to the United States. It was around this time when His Holiness advised Arjia Rinpoche to rebuild his connection with the Chinese government, and to maintain good relations with them. His Holiness is also the one who asked Arjia Rinpoche to become the director of the TMBCC, and the organisation later hosted His Holiness’s visit to Bloomington in October 2007. TMBCC was actually established by His Holiness’s oldest brother, Professor Thubten Jigme Norbu in 1979 to support Tibetans both in Tibet and in exile, and to preserve Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist culture.
But before Arjia Rinpoche went into exile, the other extremely high lama with whom he had a very close relationship with was His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen. It was almost like a father and son, because this relationship started at the age of two when Arjia Rinpoche was recognised as a tulku by none other than His Holiness the Panchen Lama. Can you imagine receiving your recognition from the second highest lama of Tibet, who is the only other person qualified by rank and attainments to lead Tibet in the Dalai Lama’s absence? This relationship was further strengthened by a family connection – the Panchen Lama’s guru was Gyayak Rinpoche, who was Arjia Rinpoche’s uncle – as well as a regional connection – the Panchen Lama, Gyayak Rinpoche and Arjia Rinpoche all come from the same area in Amdo.
Arjia Rinpoche (right) with His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama in front of Lama Tsongkhapa’s stupa at Gaden Monastery (Lhasa, Tibet) in 1981.
So as you can see, everything about Arjia Rinpoche is connected with His Holiness the Panchen Lama. Arjia Rinpoche has been closely aligned with the Panchen Lama for many decades already, especially since the lineage of the Panchen Lamas have always been closely associated with Kumbum Monastery. And you must remember, Arjia Rinpoche was also educated in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery which is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Later, when he was older, Arjia Rinpoche served as the Panchen Lama’s assistant for many years. He was even with His Holiness the Panchen Lama the day before he died in 1989.
That is how much His Holiness the Panchen Lama trusted Arjia Rinpoche. This trust came from the time Arjia Rinpoche acted as a go-between for his uncle, Gyayak Rinpoche, and the 10th Panchen Lama. At the time, Gyayak Rinpoche had to remain in Kumbum and was unable to leave. Because he needed a way of privately communicating with his student the Panchen Lama, his nephew Arjia Rinpoche became responsible for this. Arjia Rinpoche would travel back and forth from Kumbum to Beijing to relay messages between Gyayak Rinpoche and the Panchen Lama. That was when Arjia Rinpoche really gained the Panchen Lama’s trust, although he was 14 years younger than His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama.
The journey from Kumbum Monastery to Beijing. Arjia Rinpoche would undertake this journey over and over again, in order to relay messages between Gyayak Rinpoche and His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama. It was because of this the Panchen Lama really grew to trust Arjia Rinpoche.
So it is no surprise that when the Tibetans were going to commemorate the 30th anniversary of His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama’s passing, Arjia Rinpoche was requested to speak at the event. What was surprising however, is what Venerable Arjia Rinpoche said in his speech.
In general, Venerable Arjia Rinpoche was very respectful of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but he was even more respectful of His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama, almost reverential even, which is understandable given their close relationship. But in his speech, which was streamed live and watched by many people, Arjia Rinpoche very clearly said that people should not discriminate against Dorje Shugden practitioners. More specifically, Arjia Rinpoche said that when you look at a monk, you should not think whether they do Dorje Shugden or not (and based on that, decide whether or not to greet them).
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama, whom Arjia Rinpoche served for many years, was a practitioner of Dorje Shugden and even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden. Click for high-resolution image
If they are a monk, regardless of whether they rely on Dorje Shugden or not, Arjia Rinpoche is implying that we should greet them because they are a monk. It is just plain respect for the monkhood. On top of that, Arjia Rinpoche invoked upon His Holiness the Panchen Lama’s name when saying this; Arjia Rinpoche says that if we greet everyone, regardless of whether they rely on Dorje Shugden or not, it is fulfilling the Panchen Lama’s wishes. What is more, Arjia Rinpoche even refers to Dorje Shugden quite respectfully as “Shugden”, and not by the derogatory and offensive term ‘Dolgyal‘ which the Tibetan leadership instructs their supporters to use because it means “king demon from Dol”.
I was so pleasantly surprised to hear this because it is a complete departure from what other lamas have been telling Tibetans for 23 years now. For over two decades, other lamas have been telling Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists NOT to associate with Dorje Shugden practitioners, regardless of whether they are monks or lay people. Yes, that is right – we may be in 2019, but still there are people upholding the illegal and undemocratic ban on Dorje Shugden, and still discriminating against people on the basis of their religious and spiritual faiths.
Personally, I find that kind of thinking really strange and backwards. In the 21st Century where cultures and populations are coming into more contact with one another, and the world becomes increasingly mixed, there is no room for discriminatory attitudes based on superficialities like race and religion. Malaysia, where I live now, I think is a very good example and model for this. In Malaysia, people are exposed from a young age to different cultures and races. Chinese people see Malays going to the mosque, Indians see the Chinese offering joss sticks, Malays see Indians going to the temple or celebrating Thaipusam.
From young, children in Malaysia are exposed to different races and cultures. As a result, they grow up thinking that how other people eat, dress and worship is just different, but not unusual or strange. This is the key to peace and harmony, which is mutual respect for one another’s way of life.
As a result, Malaysians grow up thinking the way that other people eat, dress, celebrate and worship is not strange. It may be different and unique but it is not strange. For me, this type of mutual respect and acceptance of differences is the key to harmony and peaceful living. It’s a very millennial view that no one should call another person’s faith evil if we want world peace. That’s the pervasive world view and the direction we should go in if we want world peace. So because of this, Malaysia is very peaceful despite being a very multi-cultural and pluralistic society, and it is a wonderful example that can be emulated by the whole world. That is the result of having leaders who are broad-minded and encourage the right things.
Arjia Rinpoche with Chinese President Jiang Zemin in 1993
Therefore education and exposure are the antidote to ignorance and close-mindedness, and it is very important that leaders encourage their communities to think in this way too. There is already enough conflict in the world, without secular or spiritual leaders adding to it. The duty of a spiritual leader is to help people to ascend to higher states of mind and thinking, not encourage people to focus on petty and small-minded differences. When leaders focus on differences, it creates schism and as a result, no one can live in peace, which is all anybody wants. So it is good that leaders like Arjia Rinpoche are speaking for unity and harmony, and for people to accept one another. It helps us to live more peaceably, free from strife and conflict.
We need to act in a humanitarian, kind way to one another and more leaders should follow Arjia Rinpoche’s example, to encourage people to be kind to one another, regardless of what they choose to worship. It does not matter what a person chooses to worship, that is their private business and while you can have your own opinions, you should not impose your opinions on someone else. Don’t segregate others as an extension of your opinion. It’s not up to anyone to examine another person’s religion, and its depths, truths or falsities. In history, condemning another person’s religion or faith has not brought any good to anyone. For example, Hitler’s bigoted view that the Jewish faith was responsible for Germany’s World War I loss, resulted in the attempted genocide of an entire community.
Because the colonialists thought their race and faith were superior, they forcibly converted people in a very brutal and violent manner. Many of them were forced to abandon their traditional and native religions, all in the name of becoming so-called ‘civilised’.
Then, part of the reason why slavery arose is because one group of people believed that their race and faith made them superior to another group, so it justified their enslavement of an entire race. The Europeans thought that Africans were inferior to them and called them names like ‘barbaric’. They looked down on native religions like voodoo as witchcraft or inferior, and forcibly converted many voodoo practitioners to make them conform to the Western view of what it means to be ‘civilised’. People who refused to give up their faiths were punished, beaten or killed. This meant many voodoo devotees had to go underground with their practice. Things did not change until people spoke up, but why did they have to become so bad to begin with? Because those in power encouraged the community to think they were superior over another group. So just being respectful of another person plants the seeds for greater harmony in society, while thinking another person’s faith is ‘evil’ sows the seeds for division, conflict and hatred.
Hence Arjia Rinpoche’s message of peaceful co-existence and harmony is very important and matches people’s feelings today. It is consistent with the spirit of Buddhism and even spirituality in general. Proliferating such thought actually promotes Buddhism and encourages peace, especially within the shattered Tibetan exiled communities. Actually, Arjia Rinpoche’s direction of fostering peace and harmony, if implemented within the policies of the Tibetan exiled leadership, will strengthen their bargaining power and it will make them look impressive and perhaps convincing even. They have already lost their country, so why further fragment the community with spiritual disunity? Arjia Rinpoche is thinking higher than that – it’s important for a small community like the Tibetans in exile to be harmonious and focus on what unites them, not what divides them if they want to preserve the Tibetan way of life and religion.
The bottom line is, there is no loss when we encourage harmony in society. From all levels and angles, it will only have positive results and it will be good if even more Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhist leaders follow in his stead and encourage Tibetans to think this way. No one’s faith should be labelled ‘evil’ and all condemnation should stop for world peace. The aforementioned ban against Dorje Shugden was imposed in 1996 and since that time, it has brought nothing but disharmony to Tibetans worldwide. As a result of the ban, the community has become splintered and been plagued with disunity since. Therefore encouraging respect for everyone, regardless of their religion, is just a practical, logical and fair approach since we are all interacting very closely with one another. 23 years of conflict and division is really 23 years too much.
I thank Venerable Arjia Rinpoche for his much-needed speech. No one should be discriminated against due to their religion or spiritual path. Perhaps Dorje Shugden people do not need to attend the Dalai Lama’s spiritual gatherings, but they should certainly be welcomed in secular speeches and gatherings by the Dalai Lama as he is a leader for all Tibetans. Tibetans should be welcomed as Tibetans regardless of their religion, which is not the case at this time. If you are a follower of Dorje Shugden‘s spiritual path, the Dalai Lama does not allow you to attend any of his secular gatherings. This is a pressure for Dorje Shugden people to give up their faith and follow the mainstream, and that is not religious freedom.
As Dorje Shugden people, we have the ‘freedom’ to practise our religion but we are segregated from the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan mainstream. This is not real freedom. We should be allowed our choice of religion and still be involved in the preservation of the Tibetan culture and mainstream, as well as join in the secular speeches of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama cannot be a leader to only Tibetans who follow his brand of religion but to all Tibetans including Bön followers, Muslim Tibetans, Shugden Tibetans, Buddhist Tibetans, atheist Tibetans and so forth. This discrimination against Shugden Tibetans has been going on since 1996 and has created serious disunity, segregation, pain, disillusionment, bias and discriminatory laws (in the Tibetan constitution) against Shugden people within the Tibetan communities in India and spreading around the world. I sincerely thank the voices of people like Arjia Rinpoche who speak out for unity regardless of religion and regional origins, to unite the Tibetan people. He is speaking from wisdom. We need more to speak out on this for the sake of unity and reason.
Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche
30th Anniversary Commemoration of His Holiness
the 10th Panchen Lama’s Maha-Parinirvana
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/ArjiaRinpocheSpeech.mp4
A summary and translation of Arjia Rinpoche’s speech
I would like to talk about H.H. Panchen Rinpoche’s advice. Panchen Rinpoche has given many different advice and one of his main advice that I have personally heard that I have never forgotten is what I would like to talk about.
First, all Tibetans should be united. If we are not united, then we will be on the losing end. Second, Tibetans need to have good education. If we are not well-educated, then we will always be lagging behind the rest of the world. The world is watching us and our lack of education does not create a good impression and is a turn-off. These days within Tibetan society, when something happens, many disagreements arise and this causes disunity.
We can look at education from different points of view. Physical (blue collar) workers do not have sufficient knowledge; this is one scenario. Office (white collar) workers do not have sufficient skills to execute their duties. Monks do not have sufficient understanding of Dharma to truly practise. If the situation continues like this, then we cannot progress.
This is Panchen Rinpoche’s advice that I will never forget.
So today I would like to stress to everyone here that unity is very important. We must be united. This is also what His Holiness the Dalai Lama says all the time as well as lamas, geshes and other learned ones. Anyone who thinks about this topic will agree. Even in Tibet, they make songs about unity. They sing about this. So everyone wants this – to be united.
By right, we should not need to talk about unity or lack of unity because we are not children. There should be no need for someone to tell us about the importance of unity. We cannot say that if no one tells us to be united, then we are unaware of its importance because the truth is, we all know about unity. All of us here should know how important unity is. So we must contemplate on this and we must take responsibility for the unity of Tibet. This is what I think.
What is very saddening these days is when we meet a monk, the first thing that comes to our mind is whether it is alright to greet him or not. We are uncertain because we wonder if he is a Dorje Shugden practitioner or a non-Shugden practitioner.
Then if we see a layperson, we also wonder if it is alright to greet him or not because we are uncertain what region in Tibet he comes from.
We should not have this type of problem in the future. This should never happen again in the future. This is my request to everyone. If we can do this, we will fulfil Panchen Rinpoche’s advice.
If we fulfil Panchen Rinpoche’s advice, then we don’t need to do anything else. His Holiness the Dalai Lama also gives similar advice all the time. The Dalai Lama is still alive today and so if we listen to the Dalai Lama’s main advice, then we must create unity so that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will live long and his activities will increase.
The new year (Losar) is coming soon and I wish everyone great success. Many tashi deleks to all of you.
Thank you
Full video of the event
If you wish to watch the full video, it has been provided for your convenience here. Arjia Rinpoche starts to speak at 1:46:00 and his speech ends at approximately 1:59:30. At approximately 1:58:34, he mentions that Tibetans should stop discriminating against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PanchenLamaParinirvanaCommemoration.mp4
For more interesting information:
- The Dorje Shugden category on my blog
- The Illustrious 10th Panchen Lama
- Tidbit About His Holiness Panchen Lama
- The Dalai Lama & Panchen Lama in India in 1956
- Panchen Lama sungbum
- Panchen Lama’s Dorje Shugden Puja text
- Dalai Lama’s sudden change of mind about China-backed Panchen Lama
- Historic First Kalachakra Initiation by the 11th Panchen Lama
- Our Lama vs the Dalai Lama – The Underlying Reasons For the Ban
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s special prayer to Dorje Shugden
- The Great 5th Dalai Lama’s special prayer to Dorje Shugden
- To Sum It Up
- Will the Dalai Lama agree with this?
- Why is she putting the Dalai Lama down?
- They want to kill me
- Tibetan Leadership’s New Anti-Shugden Video
- Videos Redressing the Misinformation About Dorje Shugden and the Tibetan Situation
- Voodoo and the Tibetan Leadership
- I pray to what I want to
- How Authentic is the Tibetan Leadership’s Claim of Democracy?
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Arjia Rinpoche is one of the most prominent Buddhist teachers and lamas to have left Tibet. He was recognized by 10th Panchen Lama as the 20th Arjia Danpei Gyaltsen, the reincarnation of Je Tsongkhapa’s father. He has trained with lineage teachers, such as the 14th Dalai Lama, the 10th Panchen Lama, and Gyayak Rinpoche. He had received many sacred teachings and ritual instructions from these great lamas. He was forced to leave his monastery and attend a Chinese school, yet secretly continued to practice and study with his tutors during the Cultural Revolution . Arjia Rinpoche went into exile and escaped to the United established a Buddhist Center for Compassion and Wisdom. Throughout his life, Arjia Rinpoche was tutored by specialized teachers in the area of Buddhist philosophy, sutra and tantra teachings, as well as in Buddhist art and architectural design.Since then Rinpoche has been giving teachings throughout the United States, Canada, Taiwan, India and Guatemala.
For the sake of harmony and unity of the Tibetans , Rinpoche has advised the Tibetans to stop discriminating against Dorje Shugden practitioners. Arjia Rinpoche’s message of peaceful is consistent with the spirit of Buddhism and even spirituality in general. The ban against Dorje Shugden was imposed in 1996 and since that time, the has cause sufferings among the Tibetans in exile. No one should be discriminated against due to their religion or spiritual path. Dorje Shugden people, should be allowed choice of religion and be involved in the preservation of the Tibetan culture.It was during the 10th Panchen Lama’s Maha-Parinirvana 30th Anniversary, Arjia Rinpoche spoke bravely on fulfilling the Panchen Lama’s wishes.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Arjia Rinpoche, one of the most important religious leaders to escape Tibet since the Dalai Lama fled into exile. A close friend of HH Dalai Lama and 10th Panchen Lama . At the age of two, he was recognized by the 10th Panchen Lama as the reincarnation of the father of Tsongkhapa who is the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche has spoken openly about unity and harmony in the community during the 30th Anniversary Commemoration of HH the 10th Panchen Lama’s Maha-Parinirvana. He has advised the Tibetans to stop discriminating against Dorje Shugden practitioners. No one should be discriminated just because of differences basis of their religious and spiritual faiths. Dorje Shugden as made a scapegoat by the Tibetan leadership for too long . Its time someone like Arjia Rinpoche or more people to speck up for the sake of world peace and harmony. Wonderful and simple speech yet clearly he spoke bravely on fulfilling the Panchen Lama’s wishes.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing of Arjia Rinpoche.
Unity is so important, for Tibetans and spiritual practitioners also, if they wish to progress and better themselves. May the Tibetans have harmony amongst them, so they can progress.
Beautiful billboard just came up in our hometown of Bentong where Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR) in Malaysia is located. All of us in Bentong are warm, simple and very friendly people. Our beautiful billboard depicts Dorje Shugden statue in KFR and Dorje Shugden is a hero (pahlawan) and a powerful being from Tibet. He is highly respected for giving great inspirations and blessings from his life story.~Tsem Rinpoche- See more beautiful pictures- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
这个美丽的布告板刚在我们的家乡——文冬安装好。文冬是克切拉禅修林的所在地。我们文冬人热情、朴实和友善。我们美丽的布告板描绘着禅修林里的多杰雄登像，而多杰雄登是位英雄，也是一位来自西藏强大的守护者。从他的生平我们得知他因赐人加持和灵感而备受尊崇。詹仁波切- 点击链接查看更多图片： https://bit.ly/2ThOvVa
Venerable Arjia Rinpoche was a student of His Holiness the Panchen Lama that had carried out the instruction from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to imposed Shugden ban.
Earlier this year (2019), on the 30th death anniversary of the 10th Panchen Lama, Rinpoche made a sudden reversal on his stance on Dorje Shugden. This was in January and Rinpoche was giving a speech at the commemoration event when he said that all Tibetans must be united. What Arjia Rinpoche emphasizing here is that we should NOT discriminate against Dorje Shugden people. I believe that after Arjia Rinpoche had imposed the ban, throughout a period of time he noticed that it doesn’t bring any benefit to anyone but only suffering. There is no concrete reason for the ban but just a cover-up from the Tibetan leadership on their failure to fulfill their promises to bring the Tibetan back to their homeland.
Shugden ban doesn’t just affect Shugden practitioners but as a whole for Tibetan unity.
This could another reason for Arjia Rinpoche to changes his mind.
??????????
Indeed great and than you Venerable Arjia Rinpoche to speak up.
There shouldn’t be discrimination just because we are Dorje Shudgen practitioner.
We are all leaving on earth and it would be great that everywhere is peace and harmony.
We are all human and our blood are all red.
There are no indicator which partitioner blood type cannot be donated to others religious people.
May Buddha be compassion and may the ban be lifted.?????
Arjia Rinpoche highlighted a few important points for all Tibetans during his speech – unity and education are vital for the community and do not discriminate against Dorje Shugden practitioners. It is a shame that a high lama have to remind the people that we should not discriminate on others. Buddhism practise compassion, love and fairness. No one is more superior than the other due to their religion, race or skin colour. Therefore, why will there be different treatment for Dorje Shugden practitioners? Everyone should respect each other and create peaceful environment. Discrimination and segregation will only disunite the community. May all Tibetan listen and follow Arjia Rinpoche and Panchen Lama’s advise for the betterment of the community.
It is very brave of Arjia Rinpoche who is closed to H.H. Dalai Lama to say don’t discriminate against Dorje Shugden people. Very spiritual and Dharma too as Buddha taught us to be compassion to all sentient beings.
Thank you Arjia Rinpoche and may many more will follow Arjia Rinpoche to speak up for Dorje Shugden practitioners!
Tibetan government’s member of parliament Tenpa Yarphel also says it’s time to stop discriminating against Dorje Shugden people. Please click here for more details: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=191497
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1553623764.mp4
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1553623813.mp4
Thank you for sharing with us all Rinpoche. It is hopeful this message from Venerable Arjia Rinpoche is received, appreciated and embraced by all concerned. It speaks of truth, common sense, and most importantly unity. A plea for reconciliation of the Dorje Shugden issue may actually be heard, and an example may be set by a good friend, who hopefully can influence a positive result in showing the world that His Holiness The Dalai Lama is capable of great compassion, and admitting we need to move on from difference in order to encourage peace. Having seen how others with a similar message have been received, it must be said that Venerable Arjia Rinpoche is most brave and deserves credit for putting the needs of the many over the few who refuse to realize Dorje Shugden is not going anywhere soon. If any result has come out of the ban, other than to promote unnecessary suffering of those who have relied upon the protector most if not all of their lives, it too has served to bring others to the Buddhadharma, who are learning to see what happiness results from the merit accumulated helping others, not harming or creating disharmony or schism. May we honor them, Venerable Arjia Rinpoche and all beings who bring the causes for what will improve the world around us. Long Life, wellness of mind and happiness to all who should never be excluded. Bar none.
Enjoyed reading everyone’s comments on this one! May the input add to the great thoughts, and may the contemplations result in a consciousness palpable to the hearts of the many seeking true compassion.
This is a refreshing speech. Promoting unity and not catering to ignorance. I’m heart-warmed to know about venerable Arjia Rinpoche spoke about the unity of the Tibetan people and the current discrimination on Dorje Shugden practitioners. We should never focus on what divides us, but what unites us. This leads to peace for all. No one deserves to be discriminated against based on their religious affiliation, or what practices they do.
It is such a nice breeze to see someone from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s side to talk for the favor of Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden people are being persecuted for so long and not many people are willing to stand up for us because many are afraid of the backlash from the community.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama being the god-king of Tibet has alot of followers and the Tibetan community revered him very much. It is not acceptable for anyone to disagree with His Holiness and they will not accept that kind of nonsense. Hence, whoever is being perceived as against His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be ill-treated or shunned.
That is why those people who are speaking for the favor of Dorje Shugden is so little and only a handful. Those who dared to talk in the favor of Dorje Shugden practice are courageous and rare in these days because they are guaranteed to be discriminated and put down by their own community. Hence, Arjia Rinpoche is a gem in this time. May Dorje Shugden’s name be cleared and may his practice spread far and wide.
Great speech by Venerable Arjia Rinpoche , who spoke without fear openly. He advised the Tibetan community to stop discriminating against Dorje Shugden practitioners for the sake of peace ,unity of the Tibetans and to safe guard Tibet’s unique culture . A good start from a great lama closed to HH 14 th Dalai Lama. Peace cannot be achieve through violence, it can only be achieved through understanding. More than 60 years of the Tibetan leadership exploiting their people , they are beginning to realised the truth and they want peace and harmony to carry their lives. What is important is the mutual respect and acceptance of differences. Hoping more great lamas will speak out about the Dorje Shugden issue and more will be aware of it. There should not discriminating against people on the basis of their religious and spiritual faiths. World peace begins with inner peace. Most good relationships are built on mutual trust and respect. When we have respect for others, the world would be a better place .
Thank you Rinpoche for this great news.
This is very refreshing rinpoche!
See t the same time though some of these apparently negative activities are held to be for a higher purpose.
I was even told one time by a close student of my land that Mao is considered a Buddha for having brought the dharma to the west…
To go chen chen, a Chinese buddhist, did not share this opinion, however. And was even believed to be a demon homself.
So I think it could be either way…Buddha disguising himself as a demon. Or a demon disguising himself as a Buddha.
I think it is neither.
Neither is inherently existent.
So it is your karma.
Hope this helps.
Shenphen Tulku
I’m very glad to know about venerable Arjia Rinpoche spoke about the unity of the Tibetan and the discrimination on Dorje Shugden practitioners. I admire Rinpoche’s courage and appreciate very much that someone like Arjia Rinpoche has spoken about this. Ever since Dorje Shugden ban started 23 years ago, millions Dorje Shugden practitioners all over the world, were being forced to give up their practice. They were being discriminated as considered associated with evil practice but in the truth it’s all about politics and control people by CTA. May H.H. the Dalai Lama lift the ban he started 23 years ago. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this update ???
I’m very happy to know about venerable Arjia Rinpoche spoke about the unity of the Tibetan and the discrimination on Dorje Shugden practitioners. Ven. Arjia Rinpoche is full of wisdom and compassion. He loves his people and he wanted them to be good.
Ever since Dorje Shugden ban started 23 years ago, millions Dorje Shugden practitioners all over the world, were being forced to give up their practice. They were being discriminated as considered associated with evil practice but in the truth it’s all about politics and control people by CTA. The ban started by H.H. the Dalai Lama who promotes compassion everyday every where he goes.
Monks were being dispelled from their monastery. Teachers and students can’t see each other. Families do not talk to each other. Even their hildren being segregated and bullied in the school. You are not even allowed to be treated in the hospital. Your life will be threatened if people know you are DS practioners. What a life they have??! Where stand human right? Where is compassion?
We are now in the year of 2019, we claimed that we are civilised, we are educated, we have freedom of speech, We fight for human right, we even fight for animals right, we become vegan, protect the forest, cleaning the ocean, practice mindfulness, meditation, yoga, all kind of wellness activities to become a better human beings etc. If we truly believe in human right and religion freedom, if we truly believe what Buddha has taught, if we are educated, if we are unite, we should not allow anyone to over right our faith. There should be no ban on Dorje Shugden practice not any religion practice. No one should be discriminated by practicing their own faith.
Dorje Shugden is Manjushri confirmed by many high lamas and being practiced by all schools of Tibetan Buddhism for the last 400 years. Dorje Shugden has benefitted countless people especially spiritual path. Not logic to tell the world everyone for the last 400 years were wrong? Only H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama is right?
If practicing Dorje Shugden is wrong, then the whole Gelug lineage already wiped off. Hence is not logic.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this great news about Ven. Arjia Rinpoche’s speech. I rejoice.
Arjia Rinpoche’s close friendship with HH Dalai Lama would no doubt make it difficult to speak the truth about Shugden. I admire Rinpoche’s courage and appreciate very much that someone like Arjia Rinpoche has spoken about this. Rinpoche’s call for unity is very timely for Tibetans as I have read about the dwindling numbers of Tibetans crossing the borders to India.[https://www.voanews.com/a/tibet-immigration/4463008.html]
If the Tibetan leadership wants to succeed in regaining their home country, unity would be the key. Discrimination of Shugden practitioners splits Tibetans and this is not helping the Tibet Cause at all. Plus, the Tibetan leadership’s discrimination on Shugden people is an outright violation of the basic human right to freedom of worship. What democratic government does that?
Two eminent Buddhist lamas, two different messages.
Which is Buddhist?
Dorje Shugden ban was imposed 20 years ago and it has created so many problems not only in the Tibetan community but also the Buddhist community worldwide. Many families and friends, teachers and students were separated because of the faith they choose. Monks were expelled from the monasteries, Dorje Shugden followers all around the world are not allowed to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings and anti-Shugden people refuse to talk to Dorje Shugden followers. These are just some examples.
The ban creates disharmony and tension among people. However, It is heartwarming to know a lama who is very close to the Dalai Lama has made a very sensible statement to appeal to people not to discriminate against Dorje Shugden followers. This should be the way. Everyone has the freedom to choose what they want to believe, they should not be discriminated against.
As a Buddhist, we should practice respect and tolerance for people who have different beliefs or backgrounds from us, this is what Buddha has taught. Bodhicitta means to have compassion for everyone so how can we not respect others? I hope Dorje Shugden ban can be lifted soon so everyone can be friends again like in the old days.
I extensively agree with the idea that everyone should be able to choose to practice whatever religion they want. Societies that are more civilised have implemented this idea and its results are quite apparent when compared to those that have implemented religious or racial intolerance. Accepting others’ differences on a societal level ought to be first carried out on an individual level. However, there should also be vigilance when it comes to actions that cause harm to others, whether it be physical or verbal. These harmful actions can arise due to a number of reasons (such as misinterpretation of religious teachings). Personally, this is something I would agree to bar from society.
It can be quite frustrating to see people quote the greatness of the Buddha and his teachings, yet to turn a blind eye or even instigate harm when Shugden Buddhists are being discriminated against. It could be argued that Shugden practitioners do not need to go to the Dalai Lama’s talks and that is not causing them harm. However, there is extensive documentation showing that the discrimination against Shugden practitioners goes much further than simply barring them from public speeches, so I won’t talk about the evident harm in that.
Instead, consider that information is very powerful when it is properly applied. It can cease wars, famine, diseases and other forms of suffering. There is both spiritual and secular information. In the absence of either of them, problems and suffering can arise very swiftly and there will be a lack of a counter solution. Now, if we think about the barring of Shugden practitioners (to the spiritual and secular talks of the Dalai Lama) it becomes evident that there is a form of harm that comes from such religious intolerance.
Some of these practitioners do not have the luxury of freely accessing teachings from high lamas (as we do online). They may feel anguish because they understand that there is value in the Dalai Lama’s teachings, yet they are denied access to that information. In that sense, the inability to access that information is causing Shugden practitioners harm as they will be missing out on certain methods to ease their current suffering.
If we had limited access to classes and facilities in school, due to our religious practice, we would be greatly hindered in our education compared to our classmates. This harm would snowball into our future and the disruption to our progress through school would likely impact our adulthood severely. In a similar way, the harm that Shugden practitioners face will likely affect their future negatively. However, in the case of spiritual harm, the repercussions may follow them into their future lives.
Therefore, it is encouraging to see a highly respected lama (who has observed the Dorje Shugden ban from both sides) speak up against the harm it has caused and is continuing to cause to many Buddhist practitioners.
I am a old student of Lama Yeshe and I wish to remain anonymous. I am older now. Lama Yeshe would do Dorje Shugden puja often. If he was alive, he would not have been browbeaten into giving up Dorje Shugden’s practice. After Lama Zopa and FPMT was forced to ‘give’ up this precious practice, I stopped going to FPMT. I never received any teachings from H.H. the Dalai Lama and he is not my guru. Lama Yeshe was my guru. We received this Dorje Shugden practice from Trijang Rinpoche at the urging of Lama Yeshe. FPMT should not have abandoned Dorje Shugden’s practice. How can they abandon the practice of Lama Yeshe who founded FPMT. Lama Yeshe relied on Dorje Shugden fully. It is rumored that Lama Yeshe’s incarnation (Lama Osel) cannot manifest being a successful teacher in this life as FPMT broke their commitment practice to Dorje Shugden as promised to Trijang Rinpoche. This heavy karma of breaking commitment becomes FPMT’s obstacle that Lama Yeshe’s incarnation cannot manifest as a teacher. Too bad. Dorje Shugden cannot punish anyone, but students promised Trijang Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe to do this practice, and the karma of breaking a promise of the guru is what counts and returns as obstacles. In all teachings we consider Trijang Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe as living Buddhas. When getting tantric practice/initiation from them, they are the living Buddhas of the mandala we are being initiated into so they cannot be seen as mistaken in giving Dorje Shugden’s practice. How can we view them as mistaken. If they can be mistaken in giving Dorje Shugden practice to students, then Dalai Lama can be mistaken in banning the practice. If one guru can make mistakes then all gurus including Dalai Lama can make mistakes. Just because Dalai Lama is high ranking does not mean he cannot make mistakes. Dalai Lama listens to Nechung via the oracle to ban the practice. Nechung told Dalai Lama to stop the practice. Nechung is a spirit. Dalai Lama should listen to his guru Trijang Rinpoche to practice Dorje Dorje Shugden and not to a spirit to give up the practice. How can a spirit override the instructions of one’s guru? Nechung never teaches dharma and Trijang Rinpoche taught dharma his whole life to Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama should listen to his teacher and not the spirit Nechung.
I have been following Tsem Rinpoche’s blog for a few years now. I have not read or heard (videos) anything Tsem Rinpoche says that criticizes the Dalai Lama or says anything negative against the Dalai Lama. This is amazing practice. He does his guru proud. Tsem Rinpoche is steadfast in his practice of Shugden because he is keeping his commitment to his guru just as we are taught. Just for this he is criticized and ostracized. That is too bad. Tsem Rinpoche is simply following the rules of Tantric Buddhist practice which is to keep his commitment to his guru and that is why I understand he is doing the Dorje Shugden practice. I commend Tsem Rinpoche for keeping his guru devotion so strong. Tsem Rinpoche is brave in the face of segregation, hatred and ostracizing against him to keep his commitment to his guru so steadfast. I admire this and respect Tsem Rinpoche very much for this. It’s rare to find a Buddhist practitioner who practices not for political correctness but for gaining enlightenment.
Tsem Rinpoche was very close to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. But he was not allowed to see Lama Zopa anymore simply because he did not give up his commitment to his guru Zong Rinpoche to practice Shugden. Tsem Rinpoche has been very respectful of Lama Zopa always and yet he is not allowed to see Lama Zopa only for this reason I was told by other ex-FPMT members. That is wrong. Lama Zopa would in the past call by telephone when he was in the Asia region to Tsem Rinpoche or email Tsem Rinpoche to contact him to meet up whenever Lama Zopa was in Singapore or Malaysia. Now Lama Zopa stopped seeing Tsem Rinpoche only because Tsem Rinpoche chooses to follow his guru’s instruction to practice Dorje Shugden. What is the world coming to? Lama Zopa should embrace Tsem Rinpoche and respect him very much. Tsem Rinpoche did nothing wrong.
The good thing is Tsem Rinpoche is peaceful, calm and patient. He never criticizes Dalai Lama or anyone else that attacks him for his practice. He continues his practice and he is brave to continue and openly. Very honest and admirable.
It is good to see Arjia Rinpoche speaking out against discrimination against Dorje Shugden people. This type of discrimination is wrong. This article inspired me to speak up about FPMT and their unfair discrimination against Dorje Shugden. Many Dorje Shugden lamas and people made pujas, donations (molney/materials/time) and teachings in FPMT to get it to where it is today. All these things should be returned. Don’t reject Dorje Shugden people but keep their gifts and donations.
I hope Tsem Rinpoche lives very long,
Ex-member of FPMT
(Photos Lama Yeshe and Zong Rinpoche. Tsem Rinpoche with Lama Zopa in happier times prior to the ban against Dorje Shugden. I found these photos on the internet.)