Monday, March 23, 2009

Helmut Gassner on the Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden

If you have not yet had the chance to read Helmut Gassner's speech at the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation Hamburg, on March 26th 1999, it is well worth doing so.

Helmut Gassner is a long-term Western Buddhist monk, scholars and practitioner, and he was the interpreter (and chauffeur) for the Dalai Lama for 17 years. He has a unique inside understanding of the Dalai Lama's motives and so on, and personally knew all the original players in this drama.

According to a contemporary:

"Of those of us who had gathered around and subsequently left Geshé Rabten, the outstanding exception was Helmut Gassner. He stood loyally by Geshé and retains his robes to this day. He spends his time between the center in Switzerland and Trijang Labrang in Feldkirch, Austria. Helmut is notable for wading into the shocking Dorje Shugden scandal with his courageous speech to the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation in 1999."

18 comments:

Thom said...

Geshe Helmut Gassner is a True And Pure Vajra Elder with Pure Intentions as a Warrior Of Shambala to Liberate the Sentient Beings From Suffering. Geshe Helmut Shines the Essence of the Protector in Daily Life with Compassion and Wisdom. He is a friend.

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures here, of our Vajra brothers and cousins in india...

http://dorjeshugden.com/shargaden.htm

Anonymous said...

any news from Delhi?

Thom said...

Not yet! I feel positive about the outcome of the Battle over Darkness

Anonymous said...

This was news to me and may be of interest to you. Another instance of persecution of Shugden practitioners and apparent heavy-handed uninvited involvement by DL.

(source:www.beacononline.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/row-over-monastery-head-who-is-the-chosen-one/ )

Row Over Monastery Head - Misuse of Hospitality by some Tibetan Refugees

This row in a nutshell represents the misuse of our hospitality by some of the Tibetan refugees owing allegiance to the Dalai Lama. These people have scant regard for the fundamental right to religion enshrined in our constitution and even in Indian soil behave as if they are still in a Theocratic state of Tibet. It was the Indian Gorkha Bhutias who bear similiar religion and culture to the Tibetans who sympathised with them and welcomed them in Darjeeling when they fled Tibet. Later on some of the Tibetans even misrepresented facts and enrolled as Bhutia Tribe and falsely acquired Indian citizens. They were used to mixing religion with politics in Tibet and tried to practice the same in Secular India even to the extent of ordering Indian monasteries to remove Dorjey Shugden diety while the administration watched haplessly.It was largely due to these people and their activities that the local Darjeelingeys became wary of them and the AAGSU had to openly criticize them. The Indian Gorkha Bhutias also started distancing themselves from the Tibetans.

The second Domo Geshe Rimpoche, a Sikkimese had gone to Tibet for studieswhere he was imprisoned in Tibet by the Chinese and later on released largely due to the efforts of the Govt of India on the request and mass signature campaign by the Indian Bhutias of Darjeeling and Bhutias of the then Sikkim ( Protectorate )The Domo Geshe Rimpoch had also been offered monasteries in Darjeeling District by the local Bhutia community. However since the Geshe Rimpoches were also worshipping Dorjey Shugden deity which the Dalai Lama had directed the Tibetan Buddhist community not to worship, relations between Geshe Rimpoche and Dalai Lama soured till the passing away of second Geshe rimpoche at Dungpar Gompa Society, New York. In the maenwhile a Tibetan group owing allegiance to Dalai Lama won over some Lamas at Kalimpong Tharpa Choling monastery, removed the Shugden deity and hurriedly brought a fake Geshe Rimpoche whereas the real third Geshe rimpoche had already been born at Sikkim, India to Sikkimese parents. The extract from the website of the Dungpar Gompa Society regarding Domo Geshe as given below will serve to enlighten readers:

” Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche was born in January 22, 1937, near Gangtok, Sikkim. At age three he was recognized as the reincarnation of Geshe Ngawang Kelsang, Domo Geshe Rinpoche, and was taken to the Dungkar Gonpa (White Conch Monastery) in Chumbi (also called Tomo or Tromo) Valley in southern Tibet. In 1942 he began his studies at Sera Monastery in Lhasa, where he completed his Geshe degree in 1958. In March of 1959, during the Tibetan uprising, Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche was taken prisoner by the Chinese Communists. He remained in prison until 1961, when he was finally released after repeated petitions from the government of India on his behalf. Being exiled from Tibet, Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche moved to Tharpa Choling Monastery, one of the monasteries which the previous Domo Geshe Rinpoche had established in northern India.

In 1962 His Holiness the Dalai Lama requested Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche to start a Tibetan cultural center in New Delhi. After three years of collecting Tibetan art, texts, and religious objects, Domo Geshe Rinpoche founded Tibet House in 1965, and he remained as its director for the next several years.

In 1976 he established the Dungkar Gonpa Society in New York State. Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche remained as the Society’s president and spiritual head until his passing away there on September 10, 2001.

August 2006

It is with great joy that we announce that the Reincarnation of Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche has been found.

Ever since the passing of Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche in 2001 it has been the heartfelt wish as well as the duty of his disciples to find his true reincarnation.

Early in 2002 the Ghoom Dun Samten Choling Association, the umbrella association of Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s monasteries in India, established a Reincarnation Search Committee. In an official meeting convened at Samten Choling Monastery by this Committee in November of 2002, representatives Geshe Rinpoche’s monasteries, representatives of the Dungkar Gonpa Society and other lay devotees, unanimously resolved to request Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche to coordinate the search for the Tulku and to identify him according to the tradition. This decision came naturally as an acknowledgment of the exceptional relationship that existed between those two great masters in their previous lives. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche kindly agreed to our petition and for the next four years the process of the search progressed as intended.

In the early summer of 2006 from the list of names gathered by the Search Committee, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche selected one child, a boy born into a Sikkimese family. The Tulku is now three years old. Representatives from Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s monasteries have already been to visit the young family and to meet the precious Rinpoche and his parents ”

Thus as can be seen abive the dirty monastery politics of Tibet have reached Darjeeling and is even influencing the monasteries of the Indian Gorkha Bhutias. While Bhaichung is espousing the cause of the Tibetans by boycotting the Olympic Torch Relay in India a section of Tibetans owing allegiance to Dalai Lama have stabbed a Sikkimese Bhuta Rimpoche in the back by introducing Tibetan politics in our backyard.

Thom said...

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Dalai Lama's "Tibetan government-in-exile" recently made public a video purportedly showing Chinese policemen "overusing violence" against a Tibetan demonstrator during the March 14 riot last year.

Some Western media broadcasted the video as if they had found a treasure. Unfortunately, these media have been cheated again as the video is another lie the Dalai Lama clique has fabricated to fool the world.

Technology experts have found the video was intentionally edited to piece together difference places, times and people.

The Dalai Lama clique fabricated the video with the aim to continue deceiving the international community and covering up the truth of the March 14 riot. It was simply another repetition of the same old tricks by the Dalai Lama clique which has been accustomed to telling lies.

It is known to all that many innocent people and policemen were seriously wounded and people's property suffered huge losses in the riot incited by the Dalai Lama clique.

In order to hide the truth, the Dalai Lama clique now resorted to fabricating a fake video, which demonstrates that the clique has exhausted all its tricks.

As former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln put it, "You may deceive all the people part of the time, and part of the people all the time, but not all the people all the time."

Can the Dalai Lama's lie deceive the world for long? After all, the fake is fake, and the truth will become known to all. A fabricated video can never distort the facts. We sincerely hope that the Western media that have been fooled by the Dalai Lama clique would not make the same mistakes again.

Thom said...

This sounds quite positive and follows the way the courts operate.


The hearing was on March 26, 2009. Indian goverment submitted the replies in the seven pages; its reply was sort of neutral.

The court was not in hurry to pass a decision. So the court fixed next hearing in September, although our lawyers asked the date in May. However, we hope the court would decide in September, so that Shugden devotees enjoy religious freedom and human rights.

Thom said...

China, France to Restore High-Level Contacts
By VOA News
01 April 2009

The foreign ministries of China and France say the two countries have agreed to resume high-level contracts and renew a strategic dialogue after a lengthy spat over Tibet.

A statement posted on the Web site of the French and Chinese foreign ministries gave few details, but did include a pledge from France to not support Tibetan independence in any form.

South Africa/France/????

Thom said...

FRANCE-CHINA
JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY
THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN
AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
AND THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(Paris, 1 April 2009)
After several consultation meetings, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the French Republic and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China reached the following agreed conclusions.
The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to the paramount importance of Franco-Chinese relations and their determination to seize the opportunity of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China to strengthen their global strategic partnership based on a strategic long-term approach, mutual respect and consideration of both countries' fundamental interests. France and China reiterate their commitment to the principle of non-interference as recognized in the United Nations Charter, and agree in a spirit of mutual trust to strengthen their dialogue on matters on which the two countries' fundamental interests are at stake.
France fully appreciates the importance and sensitivity of the Tibet issue and reaffirms her adherence to the One China Policy and her position that Tibet is an integral part of Chinese territory, in conformity with the decision taken by General de Gaulle which has not changed and will not change. With this in mind and with due regard for the principle of non-interference, France objects to all support for Tibet's independence in any form whatsoever.
The two parties take the view that in the present political and international economic situation marked by far-reaching changes, France and China, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, shoulder heavy responsibilities when it comes to maintaining global peace and promoting development. The two parties stressed their readiness to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation in order together to address such global challenges as the international financial crisis.
With this in mind, the two parties have decided to hold, at the opportune moment, high-level contacts and new sessions of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, to promote bilateral cooperation in the different spheres and ensure a harmonious stable development of the relationship between France and China.

Thom said...

SAMDHONG RINPOCHE (PRIME MINISTER OF TIBETAN GOVT IN EXILE) HAS BEEN ONE OF THE PPL CHOSEN TO REPRESENT THE DALAI LAMA IN COURT RE HIS HEARING ON THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON THE RELGIOUS WORSHIP OF DORJE SHUGDEN.

IT IS UNHEARD OF ON INDIAN SOIL THAT ANYONE CAN BAN ANY TYPE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. IT OUTRAGES THE INDIAN PSYCHE AS THEY DO THEIR BEST TO KEEP HARMONY WITHIN THE MULTITUDES OF RELIGIONS AND THEIR SUBSECTS AT COMMUNAL PEACE.

INDIAN LAWYERS OF THE DELHI HIGH COURT DEMAND DALAI LAMA HIMSELF TO ATTEND THE HEARING.

ANOTHER DATE HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE PRELIMINARY HEARINGS ARE COMPLETE.

THE DELAY IS DALAI LAMA DOESNT WANT TO GO TO COURT, BUT THE LAWYERS INSIST. HENCE A RE-SCHEDULED HEARING.

WHATEVER THE OUTCOME, IT WILL NOT BE IN DALAI LAMA’S BEST INTEREST TO BE TRIED IN COURT. THE FIRST DALAI LAMA EVER TO BE TRIED IN COURT. THAT WILL EMBARASS THE TIBETANS TO NO END AND HIS SUPPORTERS.

TO ADD SALT TO THE INJURY, DALAI LAMA IS GOING TO COURT IN HIS HOST COUNTRY THAT HAS TAKEN CARE OF HIM AND TIBETANS FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

INDIAN AUTHORITIES DID NOT WANT THIS BAN TO REACH SUCH A EXTREME SITUATION, BUT BECAUSE THE DALAI LAMA WOULD NOT BACK DOWN ON HIS ILLEGAL BAN, COURT IT MUST BE.

THE TRIAL WILL BE IN DELHI HIGH COURT THIS YEAR.

Anonymous said...

hey Thom, is your latest post from a website somewhere or just a summary based on your info from Delhi?

Thom said...

Cults like the Dalia Lama Cult! You are either in his grasp or you are not!
These Medievalists think they are dealing with peasants. When in actuality, We are People from the Future.
The TGIE/Samdung & Dalia Lama do not have a leg to stand in in the New Delhi High Courts for violating their core values that are instilled within the Indian, American, English, China,Tibetan Constitutions. That All People may choose whatever beliefs they wish.Period!
We are neither mean spirited nor angry with these people who live their lives in ignorance due to their circumstances, it is small wonder that children and grandchildren of Serfs and Slaves cling to their former Master.Afterall, he’s had over 350 years to brainwash you into complete and total submission to one man’s will certainly surpassses any other Dictator or Ruler to maintain control of his subjects silenting suffering in Servitude with no hope in this life of a better life.
This neither China, India nor your Tibetan Colonies. This is the United States of America and here we will defend our Rights to Religious Freedom against any pretenders. We will fight anywhere and anytime to Defend the Rights of All People, Who suffer at the hands of a Tyrant.
Dalia betrayal of the Precepts and the Principles of the Bill Of Rights have placed him in a postion from which is impossible for him to extricate and that is, He and Samdung have Broken the Law.
Those who break the law and cause others to suffer, will Suffer the Consequences of the law, and Be Punished.
Say what you will.
We will be in New York to demonstrate against this common Tyrant that scoops up money from the unwary as Madoff has done to those who trusted in him.
Aside from the fact that he interfers in our attmepts to heal and encourage healthy realtionships with former advesaries as he lies about Tibet. It is the Chinese who will loan the US, Trillons of USD to restore our economy. The President will see for himself the atrosities the Tibetan Peasants endured under his reign for over 350 years. I am certain President Obama will be surprised and shocked to see the exhibit in Beijing this next month.
I am certain the Chinese will make a point of sharing this Museum dedicated to the Peasants of Tibets and their Emmancipation Proclamation called, “SERF’S EMMANCIPATION DAY”.
Maybe Dalia will recant before this over, just like he did last time his regret forced him to mold a figure of Dragpa Gyalstshen into Dorje Shugden. What is with this guy, first he doesn’, then he does?? What gives Dalia?

Bob Thurman!……………………Where are you?
I thought you had something to say in your defense, that you are not a traitorous liar to your Country and Buddhism?
Anytime and anywhere, anyone of us will Debate you on UTUBE. Come on Bobbie, Come out and play with us, you have nothing to fear, but your mind. Bobbie!We'll give Helmut the Honor of scorching your pants with your lies and accusations. You, Bob! You are the Taliaban of Buddhism as you scheme to send the TYC disguished as Saffron Robed Monks to terrorize the Chinese Countryside. Shame on you Bob and your Master!
Shame...............

Anonymous said...

I thank and praise those Geshes and practitioners keeping their commitments at the cost of their lives.

To me, it is really scary to become aware that somebody is lying you. This is perhaps why I neglect to improve my understanding on this matter.

I have read now a few issues on "sectarianism" by the Dalai Lama and his followers and never thought much about such that topic.

Since it seems a “big” issue and it is used to cry out loud against Dorje Shugden I decided to understand what “sectarian” means... and started like many of us... by simply doing a search on Internet... like a “smell test”.

Below is the definition of “sectarianism” found… and I added the text in brackets. So far I honestly cannot say similar things about Dorje Shugden practitioners (... and I even tried to say something)

“Sectarianism is bigotry, discrimination, prejudice or hatred arising from attaching importance to perceived differences between subdivisions within a group, such as between different denominations of a religion or the factions of a political movement.” [The Dalai Lama has caused people to perceived differences between those following his advise and those practicing Dorje Shugden. This situation has triggered bigotry denominations such as “Shugdenitees”, “Dholgyals” and the like; discrimination to Dorje Shugden practitioners for their beliefs within Tibetan communities and even Western Buddhist organizations; prejudice against Dorje Shugden practitioners; and hatred and dislike about Dorje Shugden practice]

“The ideological underpinnings of attitudes and behaviors labeled as sectarian are extraordinarily varied. Members of a religious or political group may feel that their own salvation [i.e. of Tibetan politics and religion], or success of their particular objectives, requires aggressively seeking converts from other groups [i.e. forced signature campaigns and other expressions of loyalty to the Dalai Lama to assure conversion of any Dorje Shugden practitioners into non-Dorje Shugden practitioners]; adherents of a given faction may believe that for the achievement of their own political or religious project their internal opponents must be purged. [i.e. expel those not adhering to the Dalai Lama’s view of not practicing Dorje Shugden]”
“Sometimes a group feeling itself to be under economic or political pressure will attack members of another group thought to be responsible for its own decline.” [i.e. Dalai Lama’s followers have enforced many actions against Dorje Shugden practitioners as some have even blame Dorje Shugden and practitioners for their faults and failures, and nearly extinction of Tibetan culture]

“It may also more rigidly define the definition of "orthodox" belief within its particular group or organisation [i.e. if you do not follow the Dalai Lama you are not Buddhist anymore] and expel or excommunicate those who do not agree with this newfound clarified definition of political or religious 'orthodoxy.' [i.e. if you practice Dorje Shugden you should be expelled from Buddhist communities and you are not Buddhist anymore]”

“In other cases, dissenters from this orthodoxy will secede from the orthodox organisation and proclaim themselves as practitioners of a reformed belief system, or holders of a perceived former orthodoxy. [i.e. followers of the former lineage of Gelug Gurus not following the Dalai Lama]”

“At other times, sectarianism may be the expression of a group's nationalistic or cultural ambitions, or exploited by demagogues. [i.e. See Dalai Lama’s speeches in this regard]”

[I was really surprised of actually becoming aware that someone is lying about the “sectarian” issue against Dorje Shugden practitioners... and is not Dorje Shugden. Definitively each of us has to improve our own understanding... and some of us have a lot to purify]

"sectarianism" definition taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectarianism

Thom said...

INTERVIEW

Of the Dalai Lama and a witch-hunt

Interview with the 13th Kundeling Tagtsha Jetung Rimpoche.

For Lobsang Yeshi Jampel Gyatso, or the 13th Kundeling Tagtsha Jetung Rimpoche (as a large group of Tibetans believe is his incarnate identity), the abrupt decree from Dharmasala on March 7, 1996 banning the worship of the popular Tibetan deity D orje Shugden, came as a bolt from the blue. He was of course a Dorje Shugden devotee but was also, like many other Tibetans, an ardent and unquestioning follower of the Dalai Lama's spiritual and political leadership. "I felt the ground slipping under my feet," said Kundeling Rimpoche who received the news while he was in Europe. "What followed was even more shocking - the persecution of and propaganda against respected masters of the Dorji Shugden spiritual practice."

Dorji Shugden is a Mahayana Buddhist deity, a "Dharma Protector" and an ancient object of veneration in Tibet and amongst Tibetans. He is said to have been a historical figure who lived in the 15th century during the period of the fifth Dalai Lama. The D orje Shugden tradition is part of the Gelugpa religious lineage, to which the Dalai Lama also belongs. Not only was Shugden worship forbidden by the Dalai Lama, Shugden followers were subjected to a witch-hunt that has been well documented in the interna tional media. The German television programme 'Panorama' and the Swiss '10 Vor 10' have documented the human rights abuses by the Dalai Lama's administration - the violence and even death threats against the practitioners of this particular Buddhist trad ition and their ostracism.

M.A. SRIRAM


Although the Kundeling Rimpoche has become the spokesperson of the movement of dissent from within the Tibetan population in exile, he makes it clear that he does so as an Indian national who is of ethnic Tibetan origin. For taking on the Dalai Lama and his entire support base in India and abroad, the Kundeling Rimpoche has had to face extreme personal hardship - from petty harassment by the local administration and the police in Mysore where he lives, to veiled death threats from the Dalai Lama's follo wers.

In this interview with Parvathi Menon in Mysore, the Kundeling Rimpoche links the ban on Dorje Shugden worship to the movement for Tibetan independence that the Dalai Lama spearheads and the contradictions within that movement. Excerpts:

Is yours the first open and organised movement of dissent against the authority and policies of the 14th Dalai Lama who is in exile? What led you and others to raise the banner of protest?

Yes, this is the first open expression of dissent and also the first organised expression of protest against the Dalai Lama. What is not known, however, is that opposition to the religious and political policies of the Dalai Lamas is not something new in Tibetan history. Indeed, opposition to the present Dalai Lama, the 14th one, has taken place for a long time within the exile community in India. However, the voices of opposition were throttled. Because of this, people feel this is probably the first d issent movement in Tibetan Buddhist circles.

Personal vendetta has nothing to do with my opposition to the Dalai Lama's policies. His organisation has falsely alleged that it was because the Dalai did not give me recognition as the incarnate of the 13th Kundeling Lama that I have turned against him . I was, in fact, one of the first persons to congratulate the Dalai Lama's recognised candidate - a bright young boy who is unfortunately a puppet in the Dalai Lama's political manoeuvres. There is good reason for his recognition. He is from the Lhasa r egion, where the fanatic zeal for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan 'freedom movement' is concentrated.

As an individual I was a supporter of and believer in the Dalai Lama. It was only when he put a ban on the worship of the deity Dorje Shugden in March 1996 and presented a barrage of unfounded and false reasoning for the ban that our perception of the Da lai Lama underwent a drastic transformation, in the space of a fortnight. I was to discover that this man was an autocrat, willing to do anything and go to any extent to destroy a pure spiritual heritage on which many like myself rely, and of which he hi mself is part and parcel. That was the first time that I actually came to believe that this man uses religion to consolidate his political powers and politics to consolidate his religious powers. Thus he encourages all those believing and supporting him to adopt his political ideology too. In a nutshell, all those who become his followers and supporters would have to adopt an anti-China stand, and campaign for his 'Free Tibet' programmes, collect funds, and so on. In reality, this 'Free Tibet' political ideology of the Dalai Lama has no substance.

Could you explain why you characterise the 'Free Tibet' movement and the anti-China programme of the Dalai Lama as having no substance? After all, the institution of the Dalai Lama has been built around the demand for Tibetan independence on the one h and, and a high-profile anti-China political campaign on the other. This campaign eventually led to his winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Everybody has the right to political and religious freedom and the Tibetans are no exception. But who defines Tibetan political and religious ideology? Only one man - the Dalai Lama! The whole idea of the Dalai Lama and the large group of Tibetans going into exile was to campaign for a 'free Tibet'. Tibetans are a placid kind of people as far as movements are concerned - religious or political. They solely relied on the Dalai Lama - from a religious point of view, to guide them to enlightenment, and fro m a political point of view, to guide them to a 'free Tibet'. In this agenda, the Dalai Lama's voice has been the last word. A large section of people still desire freedom but are disillusioned. Even the Indian government, to some extent, in particular t he Bharatiya Janata Party, has been cashing in on the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan freedom movement in some ways - playing the Dalai Lama card in the hope that some concessions can be realised in dialogues with China. It is believed that the previous Dalai Lama, that is, the 13th, initiated a 'Free Tibet' movement and hence the concept of Tibet as an independent country or nation came into being.

ANGUS McDONALD/AP
The Dalai Lama at Dharmasala.

Tibetan history is complex and confusing. The misuse of Buddhism in the political spheres of Tibetan society, the Lhasa government's conflict with and over-dependence on Mongolia initially and China eventually, were historically responsible for Tibet's p olitical complexity and unclear identity.

The 14th Dalai Lama initiated the Tibetan 'freedom movement' given the necessity he felt to achieve a position of undisputed infallibility of spiritual and temporal leadership. But he himself with a stroke of his pen went ahead in 1988 in the European Pa rliament in Strasbourg to sign off Tibet's independence. It is here that he changed his stand - from the demand for Tibetan independence to the demand for Tibetan autonomy. This fact was not publicly known until after the ban on the Dorji Shugden spiritu al practice was announced in early 1996.

In exile the Tibetans could not achieve democracy and unity. What would Tibet look like if the Dalai Lama and his fanatic band of watchdog organisations and followers were in power? It would be a fascist regime, slaughtering opposition and dissidence, mu tilating the limbs and gouging out the eyes of political opponents of the Dalai Lama! The history of Tibet shows that what I have just stated is not an exaggeration. Finally, is there a White Paper on Tibet's proposed development which the Dalai Lama or his government in exile has brought out? All claims by his exile administration are mere propaganda. This is what I mean when I say that the movement has no substance!

When I heard about the witch-hunt being launched by the Dalai Lama's government in exile, and the public attacks, slander, and abuse of the leaders and followers of Dorje Shugden (who were initially supporters of the Dalai Lama, including myself), I was horrified. This person whom we believed to be the embodiment of purity, peace and compassion was nothing but an ordinary man bent on consolidating his powers by destroying opponents by all means.

Why did the Dalai Lama perceive the followers of Dorje Shugden and their spiritual practice as a threat to him? Was there a background of opposition from amongst them towards him in the past?

There was no need for anyone to feel threatened by the Dorje Shugden followers. They were a non-political group. In fact, it is a well-publicised fact that Dalai Lama himself was a follower of this deity. His very own Mulaguru (principal perceptor) and a succession of well-established prominent masters in Tibet's history have all been followers of Dorje Shugden. Initially, to justify his ban, the Dalai Lama solely cited the objections of his oracle Nechung who said that the ongoing worship of Dorje Shug den was a hindrance to achieving the aspirations of the Tibetans. He called the deity a "Chinese demon helping the Chinese government". He also said that the worship of the deity was a threat to the Dalai Lama's life. Later, when the world media began to go deeper into the reasons behind the ban, the Dalai Lama began to give a more sophisticated reasoning. He said that the worship of Dorje Shugden creates sectarianism and fundamentalism in Tibetan society because the practice opposes his so-called ecume nical approach. He also said that Dorje Shugden worshippers are obstacles to the so-called Tibetan cause. Now the term 'cause' has multifaceted meanings. It earlier meant independence for Tibet, and later autonomy. But the ban came because the Dalai Lama had to cover up the failures of his own policies. He had to consolidate political hegemony within the Gelugpa tradition and the followers of Dorje Shugden were not falling in line.

What is your reaction to these arguments?

It is rubbish and a distortion of facts and history. But looking at it from the Dalai Lama's strategy, it is a superb initiative and a master plan to solve his problems and create scapegoats. Since he wants to become not only the supreme religious leader of all Tibetan traditions but also the universal leader of all Buddhists worldwide, he has been trying to initiate a new Buddhist tradition which incorporates all the lineages in the name of ending sectarianism and fundamentalism. Dorje Shugden follower s on the other hand reserve their right to follow their own spiritual practice as they always have. In order to justify the ban, he opened old wounds and bygone hostilities amongst the various Buddhist traditions, making it look as if conflict was still there. He cast aspersions on some of the most revered personalities in the history of the Gelugpa tradition, purely saintly spiritual practitioners such as the 19th century Phabongkhapa Rimpoche, and Thijang Rimpoche (who in fact was his Mulaguru).

What has been the impact of the ban?

Severe. I call it the Tibetan Inquisition initiated worldwide, but particularly in India. For example, the house of every Tibetan was searched, pictures and images of Dorje Shugden were trampled upon, desecrated, burnt or destroyed publicly. The houses o f prominent people - followers of Dorje Shugden - were attacked during the nights, and death threats issued to all those who did not follow the dictates of the Dalai Lama. A number of monks were expelled from the monastery at the Mundkod settlement for h aving participated in a peaceful protest march organised by me on May 15, 1996 in the Mundkod settlement. When the Dorje Shugden Society was established in April 15, 1996 in Delhi, the Dalai Lama and his so-called ministry used threats, money, and the In dian bureaucracy to close it down forcibly. Besides, when a prominent Buddhist teacher, a pro-Dalai activist, and his two students were murdered, the blame for it was put on the Dorje Shugden society's prominent members. Charges were filed and the Kangra police more than enthusiastically supported the Dalai administration. The Supreme Court cleared the names of the accused in 1997. Regardless of this, the Indian police - at Kangra and in New Delhi - suppressed the free movement of Geshe Cheme Tsering an d Geshe Konchog Gyaltsen, two erudite scholars.

What kind of persecution have you had to suffer personally?

The worst forms. The Dalai Lama's representatives in the camps, the heads of the fanatic women's and youth organisations, and fanatic members of various monasteries have called me his 'Enemy No. 1' ! They accuse me of having dubious parentage, of loose m orals, of having a criminal record, and of being a Chinese spy on the Chinese payroll!

They have proffered false information about me to the police, intelligence and the State government in Karnataka. The police and State intelligence personnel have been after me since 1996 because the Dalai government has told them that my organisation is being funded by the Chinese. They have stated that the purpose of my stay in Mysore, which lies at the junction of three Tibetan settlements, is to attack the Dalai Lama physically if and when he visits (the settlements), and to create disharmony betwee n Indians and Tibetans. The fact is that I am the only ethnic Tibetan Lama of Indian nationality who is trying to build a bridge between Indians and Tibetans by engaging in social work projects with hard-earned money.

What do you see as your role in relation to the Tibetan 'cause'?

I want to clarify my role by stating that I am an Indian and not a Tibetan national. This issue of confrontation with the Dalai Lama with regard to his persecution of me and others is important, but is not my primary agenda. My life's agenda has been to revive the Buddhist heritage in India as an academic or cultural heritage, if not as a religious practice, and to inspire Buddhist monks and Mahayana Vajrayana practitioners to come out of the conservatism of their outlook and contribute towards the soci al projects within the Indian mainstream. Since Buddhism is merely a living relic of past history in India and the holy places related to Buddhist development are now but mere open museums, my intention has been to revive the essential message of altruis m and compassion for all beings by putting it in a language of practical interaction that can be related to the masses in India.

Under what conditions do you think can Tibetans living in exile return to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China?

I think it is most important for the Dalai Lama to engage in a serious and positive dialogue with the Chinese rather than beating around the bush. His insincerity, his strategy of buying time, and not discussing or addressing the two issues that are rele vant to the society of Tibet is evident. If there ought to be a Tibetan nation, as the Dalai Lama desires, then there is the issue of its economic development along with the development of education, science and technology. The second issue is that of th e democratic rights of the society, which can only develop if there is literacy and intellectuals and thinkers are encouraged and developed into true policy-makers. The first set of development markers have been achieved to a great extent by China. This is not only my personal opinion but also that of others and the Dalai Lama himself who in his recent speeches on the question of autonomy for Tibet has been praising the current development of Tibet. He should be joining hands with the Chinese to bring f urther development within Tibet and seriously working towards a solution himself. He should ask his followers to cease all their anti-China activities within Indian soil and that of other countries.

What is the Indian government's stand on the allegations made by the followers of Dorje Shugden about human rights abuses by the Dalai Lama?

The acts of discrimination and ongoing persecution of the devotees of Shugden by the Dalai Lama and his coterie are well known to the Central government and the Karnataka government. There is, however, a duplicity in the Indian government's stand towards the Tibetan followers of Shugden. While the authorities in Delhi have understood the Dalai Lama's antecedents and moves, there is little willingness on their part to ask him to refrain from abuse of human rights. During the Dalai Lama's visits to the se ttlements, the Karnataka police keep a strict surveillance on Shugden followers and their shrines merely because the Dalai Lama and his supporters say they apprehend a threat from the worshippers of Shugden. The Dalai Lama, knowing the weight of his word , points to imagined threats from Shugden followers. The remaining job of citing individual names of dissidents is followed up by his henchmen. Since the ban, the Dalai Lama has increased the number of his visits to the settlements in India and abroad. H e is scheduled to visit the Kollegal settlement in Mysore district and is supposedly planning to spend two days in Mysore city. As usual whenever he visits I am forced to leave my home temporarily for the simple reason that the Dalai Lama has other enemi es, and if they harm him, I will be falsely implicated. This has forced me to take recourse to police security and limit my movements. The government of Karnataka, local authorities in Mysore, and the State intelligence department are bombarded with peti tions and complaints against me.

I understand that at a recent high-level meeting of the Home Ministry with the representatives of the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile, they were told to tone down their campaign against the followers of Dorje Shugden. Perhaps in response to that, the Da lai Lama issued a public statement in the Tibet Times, published from Dharmasala, that appears to reflect a softening of his stand on Shugden worship. He now says that he never banned the practice, he only discussed its pros and cons! This is abso lutely false! It is perhaps in response also to the pressure from human rights groups in India and abroad that he was forced to say this! All undertakings or projects of the Dalai Lama begin with a lot of heat but end up in a fiasco - like the Free Tibet campaign! If the Dalai Lama is truly a man of peace who believes in dialogue, let us have a public discussion which would also include prominent Indians, from the press and the public. This will once and for all settle all disputes beyond doubt and put both parties under the scrutiny of the public.
"The Hindu"/2000

Thom said...

It is as I said, a question of one man has no right to tell others what to believe. He has no authority to tell anyone what to do. His history is proof in itself that he conquered Tibet with the Mongolian Cavarly and implemeted a policy of manipulation which Hitler greatly admired.His idea about serfs and slaves is now exhibited in the People's museum that is dedicated to revealing that Serfs were actually treated as chattlel and controlled by ruthless methods that we now see today used by the Taliaban and the Sharia Laws.
Mutilations, death by tossing off high walls or thrown as bags in rivers were how the Lamas got around taking human life.
We no longer require a tool of the CIA to preach morality to us. He was the servant that took the money.
The Chinese do not exhibit picutres of the Dalia Lama any more than we Americans allowed photos of Hitler to hang on walls during the reconstruction of Germany.
Why did the Dalia Lama not receive news of the American 'Emmancipation Procalmation' at the same time he was driving cars and listening to radios. He knew what was going on the the free world long before the Chinese libertated 95% of the Tibetans from suffering for hundreds of years under the terror tactics of the Dalia Lama Lineage.
I've known the Dalia Lama and his brothers since 1967-68. I know well the stories of their duplicitious ploys to enlist support from the Western Allies were all lies and deceit.
Look past the colors and giggles to the truth of the Charlatan.He runs a Rubber Stamp Tibetan Government In-Exile that directs the Tibetan Youth Congress to break the laws of India,TGIE and China. Just like he took the $180,000.00 per year to break his vows and condone killing for his nationalistic hallucination of a Tibet that has never been free since he seized his office and made his own history to suit his fancy. Bill Of Rights is his Big Fright back on the farm in Dharmasala. My advice is to apply for visas to Alaska while you still have people fooled about your true intentions. At least the people who folow you will have a chance of not getting kicked out of India,once you pass from this life. As someone said before, Buddha renounced riches and kingdoms for his path. Why does this man pretend to be a Buddha? Help your people out as the USA needs trillions of USD to secure our own future from the Chinese. They at least are making unprecedented efforts to bring the peopl! e up from poverty and sickness. What does the Dalia Lama do, but divide actual Nations and the need to focus on Global survival that concerns all of us, including all the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Englishmen, Tibetans, everyone. He does have two faces, one for the Occidentals and one for the Orientals. In India, he believes he is a God! Try that on for a daily routine, while you eat mo-mos.
I am tired of his act or charade. He needs to confess and recant his transgressions against the sentient beings.

Anonymous said...

The latest news I have recieved is not very long but quite impactual on many levels from very reliable sources.

The Abbots of Sera Je, Sera Mey, Gaden Jangtse, Gaden Shartse, Drepung Gomang and Drepung Loseling
were summoned to Dharamsala by Prime Minister of Exile Tibetan Govt Professor Samdong Rinpoche very recently.

Samdong Rinpoche scolded the Abbots for PUSHING THE SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN OF ALL MONKS TO RENOUNCE SHUGDEN IN THREE GREAT SEATS OF SERA, GADEN AND DREPUNG!!!
He said that their insistence on the signature campaigns has made personal difficulties for H.H. the Dalai Lama.

(I would presume the court case and also the bad media regarding it religious rights)

The ironic fact is that HH himself pushed for it through the Abbots. We can see the videos of HH praising the monasteries who has expelled the monks who wish to continue the practice and encourages more of it.

So perhaps this is a sign that the ban by HH is starting to have a negative effect on his reputation?

extracted from dorjeshugden.com forum
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=456.0

Thom said...

"Fareed Zakaria GPS interview with the Dalia Lama"
CNN_April 19th,2009



"But there are other things going on in the world and we thought we'd start this week by turning to another fascinating global problem. Today I have a very special guest, the 14th and current Dalai Lama.

To understand Tibet, you have to understand its history. Now bear with me while I play history professor for just a moment. It all goes back to Genghis Khan who captured Tibet in 1207. He brought Tibet together with China under the Mongol empire. The Chinese have claimed an unbroken line of control and sovereignty over Tibet ever since. The Tibetans reject that claim, saying they have been an independent kingdom for many period during that time, sometimes centuries at a time.

Fast forward to the 20th century. In 1912, Tibet declared itself an independent republic but neither did China exercise any control over Tibet, until 1950. That's when chairman Mao Zedong sent the Red Army in to liberate, as the Chinese saw it, the Tibetan people from the futile serfdom they were living under. But the Tibetans saw the act as an invasion.

In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama fled from China to India, where he now lives. The Dalai Lama says all he really wants today is autonomy for his people who are living under Chinese rule which he accepts. The Chinese say what he really wants is to split China and begin a process that will dismember the whole country.

So you see this is no small family squabble. The conflict has important implications for the most populous country on earth.

Let's get started.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ZAKARIA: Thank you for joining us, sir. What do you think could be Tibet's contribution to the world? You have sometimes spoken about how Tibetan culture could be an example for the world of how to be less violent, less conflictual. Do you really believe that there's a way to reduce the levels of violence and suffering through the world through a kind of an inner search?

TENZIN GYATSO, DALAI LAMA: I don't think anybody would say, I want violence. I don't think these people really say that. And then these people who like Bin Laden, I don't think when he was a child in his daily lifestyle he want now today I wish more violence. I don't think.

Out of desperate, out of hatred, out of anger, out of frustration, violence took place. So therefore, violence does not come from sky. Violence not come from guns alone. Ultimately is with motivation, emotion. So unless we tackle emotion, we're stuck to the emotion, we cannot stop violence.

ZAKARIA: How do you tackle that?

DALAI LAMA: Not here. The sense of concern of other human beings, other beings also part of humanity. So the reality, we are all just one. So very constant, we and they. So I think I feel the concept of they is no longer relevant. We must consider all human beings part of we and then whenever a conflict different interests come.

First, we must realize and they're also part of humanity, they also have every right to overcome suffering. So we must respect their right. And then with that, I think if we -- right from the beginning, if we sit together with Bin Laden and listen to his grievance, I think that things may be different.

As a matter of fact, September 11th even happened. I wrote letter to President Bush because I know Bush is a nice person. As a person, regardless of what is policy. As a person, very nice.

So I wrote a letter and expressed my condolence and sadness and meanwhile I also expressed now this problem. I wish handle this problem more nonviolently.

ZAKARIA: You said last November that you thought your model of leadership had failed, that you felt that you had failed as a leader of the Tibetan people. You've spoken of China having thrown Tibet into a hell on earth. Why do you think you've failed? What leads to see that you have failed?

DALAI LAMA: Well, I think I should say all my responsibility, spiritual -- I hope not failed, complete failed. But as far as dialogue with China's government is concerned, there is some aspect -- one aspect to make clear to Chinese people we are not seeking separation. We are very much willing and committed to remain with the people of China. That's our only interest, economy -- the economy is concerned and it's our sort of interest to remain a more powerful nation, economically. But why did we also have some unique cultural heritage, including our language, so every Tibetan (INAUDIBLE) on these things. And also I think from a wider perspective, I think a Tibetan cultural heritage is a compassionate cultural heritage, peaceful cultural heritage. It's something useful on this planet, the rather subtle violence and too much competitions or too much hatred -- these things.

They say different cultural heritage. And I think of course our country heritage mainly comes from India. And so that I really feel not only myself but also many of our friends also appreciate Tibetan peaceful cultural heritage. So that we must preserve that.

And long run, to the Chinese government -- I mean Chinese people also I think Tibetan culture heritage can serve them, bring some meaning of life. Now, one aspect of my approach is bring better situation out of closer understanding with Chinese government inside Tibet. Now, that aspect completely failed. So I admit it. It is my moral responsibility to admit failure.

ZAKARIA: You call it what is going on inside Tibet today a cultural genocide?

DALAI LAMA: Yes, some kind of cultural genocide. Whether intentionally or unintentionally -- the problem is, some of those Chinese communist hard liners eye the unique Tibetan cultural heritage and Tibetan spirit, they see that's the source of threat of separation from men in China.

ZAKARIA: You have been in negotiations off and on with the Chinese government. Are those negotiations still going on?

DALAI LAMA: No.

ZAKARIA: Why have they ended?

DALAI LAMA: Now only thing is, the Chinese government insists there's no problem -- in fact the Tibetan people are very, very happy. Now, if that is the case, then also our view is wrong. I admit clear, when the time comes, our return with certain degree of freedom, that means autonomy and then we return and all Dalai Lama's legitimate authority [INAUDIBLE] through a local government.

ZAKARIA: Through a Democratic process?

DALAI LAMA: That government, I imagine I don't know. That's up to the Chinese government. The totalitarian vision -- one part of the Democratic practice, I think Democratic but hopefully even China as a whole. I always believe the future of China, future of over a billion human beings well-being I think very much an open society, rule of law (INAUDIBLE). That's everybody's interest. The Chinese people also want that.

So we have sort of an emphasis or slogan, harmonious society is very good. Harmony very much into it with trust, trust and fear cannot go together. So Tibetan people, according to our information more than 90 percent Tibetan very unhappy and actually they are facing, usually sometimes I describe almost like a Tibetan nation -- an ancient nation with a unique cultural heritage now passing through something like a death sentence.

So Tibetan people I think generally, I think are quite proud people. So the Chinese say, oh, they can help us. Then sometimes we feel we don't need to help. For a thousand years, we managed ourselves.

ZAKARIA: Let me read to you something that Wen Jiabao said to me in a conversation we had.

DALAI LAMA: Yes.

ZAKARIA: I asked him about -- I said, the Dalai Lama said that he would accept China's rule in Tibet, he accepts the socialist system. What he asks for is cultural autonomy and a certain degree of political autonomy.

He said, many people in the United States have no idea how big is the so-called greater Tibetan region that the Dalai Lama wants. The greater Tibetan region covers Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Guangzhou. Altogether five provinces and the area by the so-called Greater Tibetan Region is a quarter of China's territory. Is that your definition of Tibet?

DALAI LAMA: My definition of Tibet are those people who speak Tibetan, who practice Tibetan culture. So in order to carry the meaningful preservation of Tibetan culture, all these Tibetans, including my own birthplace area, we must work together.

ZAKARIA: Does it comprise these five areas?

DALAI LAMA: Part of Qingha, part of Guangzhou, part of Yunnan, Sichuan, part they are Tibetan there. So some there, I think some among the Chinese also I think some confusion.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DALAI LAMA: The purpose of being a nation is to carry the tasks which started by previous life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZAKARIA: You've spoken in a tone of almost despair about the state of Tibet and its people. Do you have much hope that there will be progress towards resolving this issue?

DALAI LAMA: Now, when we look Tibet issue, locally, then hopeless. If we look at Tibetan issue from wider perspective, I feel much hope because China is changing. And more and more Chinese intellectuals now comes to support our struggle. And also free world particularly in Europe and North America. I think many people really showing genuine concern and as a reflection of the public, media is very supportive and various countries of parliament, a strong voice for Tibet and then government level also particularly like the United States. They are showing genuine concern. And India also.

And then on the other hand, the Tibetan spirit inside Tibet is wonderful, very strong. Unless we see Tibetan become an insignificant minority in our world, then very difficult. I think some hard liner Chinese want to do that. That's almost like (INAUDIBLE).

ZAKARIA: To flood Tibet with Chinese so that the Tibetans become a minority?

DALAI LAMA: That's right. Like in Mongolia. Same autonomous regions, same status of autonomous region.

ZAKARIA: So this doesn't sound very hopeful.

DALAI LAMA: But I don't think world let that happen. And also the Chinese now unlike '50s and '60s and '70s, now today world with (INAUDIBLE) there is a facility, the information, I don't think that easily can happen.

ZAKARIA: It sounds as though you find it difficult to exist under a socialist system. You're quite critical of what -- you've called it a totalitarian state.

DALAI LAMA: A social system.

ZAKARIA: Yes. You've called it a totalitarian state. You've called it...

DALAI LAMA: A social system. I myself, no question I'm socialist. Even more, I often tell people (INAUDIBLA) as a social economy theory is concerned I am Marxist. Still I'm Marxist.

ZAKARIA: But you don't believe in a one-party state?

DALAI LAMA: Not a totalitarian. One party -- I think a party with full democratic principles, then even a one-party system is ok. But one party always hypocritically telling something, doing something, these have been months now -- over one year, how much information come from Chinese media? So many people laughing.

ZAKARIA: Do you worry that after you, there will be a greater demand for independence and violence? In other words, that you have been the moderating force and that the Tibetan community may go in a different direction?

DALAI LAMA: I have no worry. This is Tibetan issue. Tibetan people issue. Tibetan nation issue. So after death, I'm as deserving of (INAUDIBLE). Should Chinese policy inside Tibet continue, then eventually I have to ask people what to do. The Tibetan people are my boss. ZAKARIA: How will your successor be chosen? Because the Chinese government, as you know, claims that they have the right. There have been some reports that you may try to preempt the situation by actually initiating the process yourself.

DALAI LAMA: I made very clear that because of reincarnation -- the purpose of reincarnation is to carry the task which started by previous life. So logically in case I die outside (INAUDIBLE) some work not yet accomplished so that my resignation logically appear outside in free world, that's clear.

ZAKARIA: But do you think the next Dalai Lama must appear in the free world?

DALAI LAMA: Yes, I think. Why not? Look very purpose of reincarnation, not just for previous life's work -- must follow previous life's work, logically.

ZAKARIA: Sir, thank you very much. You've been very kind with your time.

DALAI LAMA: Thank you."

Thom said...

This article speaks honestly of the Human Rights . Ask the Dalia Lama what kind of plans he has for his own People and see if he acknowledges his infringment towards the Dorje Shugden Practioners Human and Religious Rights and see what if any answer one obtains from his side of things.


Improving human rights is for self advancement
+ - 14:43, April 17, 2009



China promises more care for the elderly
China to have more women, grassroot lawmakers
National Human Rights Action Plan of China(2009-2010)
Chinese official hails nation's first human rights action plan
China publishes national human rights action plan

The issue of human rights always touches on the most sensitive nerve of communications between China and the Western countries. On April 13,2009, China published its first "National Human Rights Action Plan," which has caused much debate in the West. Some have thumbed it up, while others are skeptical. Within a short period of time, discussion of the topic has become heated again and attracted the attention of many.

The West has always been ready to throw its weight around and faulted China's human rights, which is one of the most important ways it exerts influence on the world stage. However, Westerners will gradually find out that Chinese people are no longer angered by their biased statements about China's human rights. This is because Chinese people have become more self- confident, and are increasingly clear that improving human rights is not a show for the Western world. Instead, the improvement of human rights is for the sake of the well-being of the Chinese people. Continuously improving human rights in keeping to the specific requirements of the people as well as the country's societal development trends has been accepted among the 1.3 billion Chinese people.

No doubt that the Western view of human rights, which was so far considered as an authoritative textbook, has influenced the development of Chinese society. Criticism from the West was once a motivating force to drive Chinese society forward, which led some Chinese people to envy and pursue the western way of human rights. Some people even went too far to accept and adapt China to all of these views overnight. In the process of development, however, more and more Chinese people have realized that China has its own specific conditions and that the Chinese people have issues involving their own interests that are of most concern to them, issues such as income, medical care, housing and employment. Only when these problems are solved can China's human rights issues make substantial progress.


After 30 years of reform and opening-up, most Chinese are aware that China's human rights have been remarkably improved during the process of development and that with further development, human rights will continue to improve. Lionel Vairon, a senior French diplomat, said in his newly-published book "Threat of China?" that among the Western criticisms toward China, regarding its human rights are full of word choice and game. Regardless of those lengthy speeches and articles, Western human rights organizations and their allies claim that the Chinese political system violates human rights, but their claims are results of their biased theoretical thinking, because they have been refusing to face up to the substantial progress that China has made.

Human rights in China have advanced by great strides in the past years. The conditions and situations for the development of human rights in China are completely different from that when Western countries made their progress in human rights. French women did not have their rights to vote until one and a half centuries after the announcement of the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" in France. And, 187 years after the announcement of the "Declaration of Independence" in the US, Martin Luther King still had to make his voice heard that "all men are created equal."

History has given Western countries plentiful time and a tolerant environment to develop their human rights step by step. Nevertheless, China has to not only develop its human rights according to its reality, but should also keep the pace with its social development conditions and background. So, in a sense,, China needs more understanding and tolerance from the world regarding its HR development. The world should especially try to understand China's human rights progress from the perspective of its historical and social development.

Human rights with which the Chinese people are satisfied are the most worthy of the country's pursuit. While pursuing their own objectives of human rights, Chinese people are also making significant contributions to the progress of the world's human rights in general. China's determination to promote its human rights and the well-being through its own means should not be changed due to influence that comes out of the country.

By People's Daily Online