Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Head of the Gelugpa Tradition Breaks Rank with the Dalai Lama


It's oldish news now, but an astounding recent development has been the 'defection' of the 101st Ganden Tripa (Head of the Gelugpa Tradition, the holder of Je Tsongkhapa's throne) Lungri Namgyal Rinpoche to Dorje Shugden worshipping Shar Gaden Monastery following his retirement.


Rinpoche, who is now referred to as the Ganden Trisur, which indicates that he a retired Ganden Tripa, has officially left Ganden Shartse, a monastery under the control of the Tibetan Government in Exile, for Shar Gaden Monastery. Shar Gaden is a new monastery that has recently been formed by those monks and lamas that have been expelled or otherwise made unwelcome at Ganden Shartse. It proudly and openly upholds the tradition of practising Dorje Shugden as a wisdom protector of Manjushri Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings.

In 1999, the Dalai Lama changed the system of selection of Ganden Tripa from one of democratic election within the monastic system to one where the Ganden Tripa is appointed by him, the political leader of Tibet. Perhaps it was so that he could make sure that that future Ganden Tripas wouldn't be Dorje Shugden practitioners. In any event, this move gave the Dalai Lama unprecedented control over who would be the throne holder of Je Tsongkhapa's tradition.

Ganden Trisur Lungri Namgyal Rinpoche waited until his retirement to make this move. It shows that while he held the office, it simply would have been too controversial. The Ganden Tri would likely have been removed from his office by the Government. The fact that he had to wait until he was no longer subject to the Dalai Lama’s control to express his views is indicative of the air of intimidation created by the Tibetan Government in Exile.

It was reported in the forum of www.dorjeshugden.com that news had been received from Ganden Trisur's personal assistant:

HH Trisur Rinpoche had to wait this long until the term of office as Gaden Tripa completed to MAKE THIS MOVE BECAUSE IF HE HAD MADE THIS MOVE EARLIER, THE DALAI LAMA WOULD HAVE REMOVED HIM FROM OFFICE. And that would not be good for the Gelug on the whole. NOW THAT HE HAS FINISHED HIS TERM, HE CAN DO WHAT HE LIKES. NO ONE CAN TOUCH HIM, DISTURB HIM OR DISGRACE HIS POSITION. INCREDIBLE PLANNING. THIS WAS RELAYED BY HIS PERSONAL ASSISTANT!
This shows what control the Dalai Lama has over the Ganden tradition and that he is ruling by fear. There are doubtless many Lamas like Ganden Trisur who must simply keep quiet and do their Dorje Shugden practice in secret for fear of provoking the wrath and censure of the Dalai Lama.

Now that he is retired, with great courage both the 101st Ganden Trisur and his labrang (office) have all moved to Shar Gaden. In this way, they have followed Trijang Tritrul and Domo Geshe Rinpoche who have, with all their disciples, also joined Shar Gaden.

This is a beacon of hope for Dorje Shugden practitioners who have refused to give in to the Dalai Lama's ban as it shows that, no matter how draconian the measures the Dalai Lama may introduce to destroy the practice of Dorje Shugden, the faith and devotion of true Gelugpas cannot be extinguished by politically motivated intimidation.

3 comments:

Coquila said...

This really is an extraordinary development. Remember that one of the 14th Dalai Lama's principal justifications for trying to wipe out a Gelugpa practice was that he had the blessing of the head of the Gelug himself, the Ganden Tripa.

After all, despite common misconception, the Dalai Lama is not, and never has been, the leader of the Gelugpa, or indeed any of the other four Tibetan schools.

How can he continue to justify this policy now?

Thom said...

Dharmapala speaks in India:

“Tsplit of it into an East and West.

If this seperation has been motivated by the Will to Accomplish that Ultimate Goal of the Sacred Dharma towards that aim of the Vast Sangha Assembly.

As Divinities of a Mandala, or milk and water blending as one.

Accomplish this and focus on hearing and comtemplation, to strive towards this in matters spiritual and temporal.

Seniors should guide and juniors should comply as in the precepts.

If these are done, this and future will be meaningful.

The required resources will increase as the Summer Sea.

Depair, I have none of this.”

Anonymous said...

Ref. "Dharmapala speaks in India".
The Tibetan word in the last line is "Zhum pa (despair/lack of confidence) med (no) ". Hence, the last line of the oracular pronouncement should read, "Despair I have none", instead of "Despair, I have none".