The Dalai Lama says no need to discriminate against Dorje Shugden!
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama during his teaching session on Wesak 2021
For Buddhists of all traditions, Wesak Day is the most significant day of the year. It is the day that Buddha Shakyamuni chose to manifest three holy deeds – the day he took rebirth, the day he became enlightened and the day he passed into clear light. On this day known by Tibetans as Saga Dawa, Buddhists often look to occupy their time with virtuous deeds. Whether it’s by making offerings, reciting prayers, engaging in retreats or receiving Dharma teachings, for this reason monasteries and temples all over the world will organise activities to facilitate these merit-making practices. It is also common for teachers to give discourses on this holy day.
There was therefore never any doubt that on such an auspicious occasion, His Holiness the Dalai Lama would be requested to and would accept requests to turn the wheel of Dharma. But who knew that Wesak Day 2021 would mark the beginning of religious freedom and liberation for millions of Dorje Shugden practitioners all over the world for on May 26, 2021, as His Holiness faced an expectant audience hanging on to his every word, His Holiness chose to use the teaching to address a topic which has caused much division, strife, and segregation throughout the Tibetan Buddhist community worldwide.
The largest Dorje Shugden statue in the world is in Kechara Forest Retreat. Click on image to enlarge.
In 1996, His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued an outright ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden. In the succeeding years, His Holiness provided an ever-changing series of reasons to justify the ban and as a result, this led to widespread, institutionalised persecution of Shugden practitioners which was not only sanctioned but encouraged by the Tibetan leadership.
His Holiness occupies a unique position in history. Not only is he the enlightened spiritual leader of millions, but His Holiness is also a masterful politician, his statecraft having been refined over decades of political campaigning and stewardship. Thus, for an accomplished statesperson of his experience, His Holiness is not known to be careless with his speech; it is universally assumed, in fact, that everything he utters and does is with intention.
It has therefore not gone unnoticed that on Wesak Day, His Holiness chose not only to acknowledge that he banned the practice of Dorje Shugden, something which he has denied doing in the past, but also signalled that he is softening his previous hardline approach towards the practice.
VIDEO: The Dalai Lama softens his approach towards Dorje Shugden (Wesak Day 2021)
His Holiness’ choice of words on the day are significant. Most notably, His Holiness referred to Dorje Shugden by name, instead of the derogatory term “Dolgyal” which has previously been used as a slur to falsely assert that Dorje Shugden is a spirit. His Holiness also used Wesak Day to talk about practising compassion and patience towards those who practise Dorje Shugden, a new and markedly softer approach than his previous demands for Shugden practitioners to be expelled from the monasteries.
Then, as though to dispel any doubts that he might have possibly misspoken, a mere one week after the Wesak Day teaching, while giving a discourse on Lama Tsongkhapa’s Destiny Fulfilled to Tibetan youth on June 2, 2021, His Holiness once again strongly and clearly reiterated that he had previously banned the practice, but was now changing his mind about it. His Holiness even unequivocally mentioned that there is no reason or need to discriminate against the practice of Dorje Shugden, or to reject it. He even went so far as to say that the reasons previously given were ‘little’ and insufficient to justify discriminating against Dorje Shugden.
This unexpected statement by His Holiness was left out by the English translator, but can be clearly heard in the original Tibetan version and in the Chinese translation. The message was, nevertheless, clearly received by the Tibetan youth for whom the second teaching was addressed to. If the Tibetan establishment are perhaps unwilling or unable to change their ways, then it may be His Holiness’ hope that future generations of Tibetans will uphold His Holiness’ wishes for religious freedom and acceptance amongst all Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists.
VIDEO: The Dalai Lama says no need to discriminate against Dorje Shugden (June 2, 2021)
This is not the first time that His Holiness has changed his mind on significant issues. In recent times, His Holiness has also changed his mind about the Panchen Lama issue, clearly stating that it is possible for two Panchen Lamas to simultaneously exist. His Holiness even provided the logical basis for his assertion, giving examples of other incarnation lineages where two incarnations of the same lama have existed at the same time. In doing this, His Holiness offered legitimacy to the Chinese-recognised Panchen Lama, an act which would have been unthinkable in years past.
In 2011, H.H. Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, the 101st throneholder of the Gelugpa lineage, met with the Chinese-backed Panchen Lama in Tibet. He already knew back then that this Panchen Lama is someone worthy of homage and respect. After all, the Gaden Tripa is the supreme head of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism.
It is not a straightforward matter for His Holiness to change his mind. The reality is that His Holiness’ word is law – everything he says, does and opines upon is immediately picked up and broadcast all over the world. The expression “because the Dalai Lama said so” forms the fundamental basis of countless people’s decisions and so to change his mind too suddenly or too frequently would send millions of Buddhists and Tibetans into turmoil, as evidenced when he first banned Dorje Shugden in 1996.
It was H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s deepest wish to heal the divide that centred on the practice of Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge.
For this reason, His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche had always maintained that any change in the Dorje Shugden situation would be a gradual one, because it is not easy for His Holiness to do an abrupt about-face on his decisions. Hence this latest development only serves to reinforce what Tsem Rinpoche had always believed, that the change will come gradually and slowly, arising from His Holiness’ compassion and best efforts to ensure that people’s spirituality remains intact.
For the millions of Shugden worshippers worldwide, to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama offer a more conciliatory approach towards the practice of Dorje Shugden twice within the span of a week, is a stunning development. It cannot be emphasised enough how deeply appreciated it is that His Holiness is now encouraging people to stop discriminating against the practice of Dorje Shugden; for Shugdenpas everywhere, it is a moment that they have been yearning for for the past 25 years after having suffered attack upon attack for their religious beliefs.
We thank His Holiness for upholding the universal values of religious freedom, and invite everyone to join His Holiness in this movement towards peace, harmony and acceptance of others’ differences.
VIDEO: H.H. the Dalai Lama’s Wesak 2021 teaching
(full version with English translation)
VIDEO: H.H. the Dalai Lama’s teaching on
Je Tsongkhapa’s Destiny Fulfilled – June 2, 2021
(full version with English translation)
For more interesting information:
- Dorje Shugden – The Protector of Our Time
- Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche
- The Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Tubten Gyatso
- Dorje Shugden: My side of the story | 多杰雄登：我这方面的说法
- Dalai Lama’s sudden change of mind about China-backed Panchen Lama
- Dalai Lama, China & Dorje Shugden | 达赖尊者、中国和多杰雄登
- The Buddhist Divide – An Unholy Campaign against Religious Freedom
- Dorje Shugden people
- The Truth About Who Saved the 14th Dalai Lama
- Badge of Shame
- Who is Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen?
- Dorje Shugden Retreat: A powerful practice to fulfill wishes
- Largest Dorje Shugden in the world
- Panglung Ritroe – The Rising House of Power
- Beginner’s Introduction to Dorje Shugden
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Wow, great news indeed, and so auspiciously done on Vesak Day.
HH Dalai Lama is clear on the practice of compassion and welcoming of all Protectors.
May this great news reverberate across the communities and no more discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
This is truly living up to harmony, patience and compassion to ALL.
Most rightly said by HH The Dalai Lama. Many enlightened beings endorse the practice of DS so to allow the truth to be seen is only correct and honourable. Now to heal these disparities that circumstances have created is of utmost importance. We welcome this decision and rejoice in the holy works of great lamas like HE Tsem Rinpoche who contributed tirelessly and selflessly for the cause of dharma. 🙏
Thank you very much His Holiness Dalai Lama for saying there is no discrimination against Dorje Shugden and there is no ban on Dorje Shugden anymore! This is such an auspicious news for all Dorje Shugden practitioners. Rejoice!🌈🔥🙏😆. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this wonderful news!👍😍😘🙏🔥💖
Thank you HE Dalai Lama.
May it be peace and harmony.
Great news indeed, we have been waiting for this day to when HH Dalai Lama would made a statement regarding the Dorje Shugden. Finally on this auspicious day Wesak day where all Buddhist celebrates it, HH Dalai Lama on such an auspicious day made a unexpected statement using the teaching to address a topic which has caught many by surprised . On this Wesak Day 2021 would mark the beginning of religious freedom and liberation for millions of Dorje Shugden practitioners all over the world. The Dalai Lama has softens his approach towards Dorje Shugden, by saying there is no reason or need to discriminate against the practice of Dorje Shugden, or to reject it. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and considered a living Buddha of compassion, a reincarnation of the bodhisattva Chenrezig. Well this is the moment all of us and the rest of Dorje Shugden ‘s practitioners have been waiting for . For the last 26 years many had suffered due the ban on the practice, disharmony, discrimination, segregation throughout the Tibetan Buddhist community worldwide.
Thank you with folded hands HH the Dalai Lama for upholding the universal values of religious freedom.
Our Guru Tsem Rinpoche always believed, that the change will come gradually and slowly, for Dalai Lama to lift the ban.
Thank you, its definitely a great news.
Best Wesak gift ever! Thank you His Holiness… our Guru never once lose hope in your holiness and this very special day 🙏🏼🌷🙏🏼💜🙏🏼🌈
His Holiness Kaybje Trijang Rinpoche cannot be wrong, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and our beloved Guru who always told us to respect His Holiness and be patient for this kind of compassionate good news to come, cannot be wrong. Thank you for the world the truth and the Dharma we should all be practising. No one should be discriminated and hated, not even our enemies. May Dorje Shugden practitioners be able to reunite with their beloved gurus, families, brother and sister in Dharma like how it used to be and how it should. 🙏🏼🙇🏻♀️🙏🏼🙇🏻♀️🙏🏼🙇🏻♀️
Thank you HH the Dalai Lama for lifting the ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden. I am very grateful for your decision as the ostracization has created immense sufferings especially to Tibetans who practice Dorje Shugden. I hope that we can all co-exist in peace and harmony regardless of religion, gender, race and creed.
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA