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Letter from Shugden Society USA
September 2nd 2009
Press release
Today we would like to bring to the attention of all those who believe in peaceful coexistence of all faiths and beliefs in this world, and particularly the attention of the people who believe in freedom of religion and human rights.
Today, September 2nd is The Tibetan Democracy Day, but the irony is that we the Tibetan people do not have true democracy due to the policies of the Tibetan government in exile, under the powerful guidance of the Dalai Lama , that undermines our Rights to Religious Freedom as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and other international conclaves. We, The Dorjee Shugden practitioners, must commemorate the date of September 2nd to create a global awareness of our plight.
On the 9th of January 2008, His Holiness the Dalai Lama declared that "Dorjee Shugden devotees are supported by the Chinese and therefore there is no need for them to be in exile, they can go back to Tibet (under Chinese rule)”. On the same day, he also called for “holding an open referendum, to decide if the majority of the Tibetans want to coexist with the devotees of the deity”. This is an invitation for open segregation in the Tibetan society, under the disguise of practicing democracy. To hear such statements from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whom we regard as our most compassionate leader and who is known and respected around the world, as a champion of peace, is deeply heartbreaking for all of our people. Furthermore, because of His Holiness’s position and influence, his statements become government policies, and therefore have great consequences. These statements from His Holiness’s position, undermine our fundamental rights: our right to exercise freedom of religion, right to peaceful living, and right to equal opportunity; they denote an obvious contempt of the devotees of the deity; they implicate accusations for which there are no ground at all. These statements have great potential to cause communal violence in the society and as a result, we, the followers of this deity, and our family members have been victims of ostracism and violence.
In reference to the letter to the prime minister of the Tibetan Government in exile, Samdong Rinpoche and The Dalai Lama, dated April 25, 2008, we had appealed to the Tibetan government to enforce our demands within the deadline of September 2nd, 2008,
Our Demands were:
·To entitle us to the fundamental rights of freedom to speech, beliefs, and the rights to live peacefully as guaranteed in the Constitution of Tibetan Government-in-Exile and Democratic countries.
· To lift the ban on Shugden practice and the religious persecution of its practitioners.
·To stop the systematic process of segregation in the Tibetan communities in exile, that has led to the social, psychological and physical torture of Shugden practitioners.
As our demands were time and again blatantly ignored, and in addition to the plight:
· The Tibetan government in exile continue to ostracise and segregate the Shugden practitioners from the rest of the Tibetan society.
· All the Tibetan media including the Voice of America (Tibetan Section) and the Radio free Asia, instead of standing up for the democratic principles, promote further segregation and ostracism of the Shugden devotees.
· Hundreds of monks, who worshipped Dorjee Shugden, were ostracised and expelled from the monasteries. As a result, a new wall at Ganden monastery in Southern India was built in March 2008 to segregate the Shugden worshippers.
·Monks who worshipped Shugden were denied medical services from the health clinics in the Tibetan communities in exile.
·Students, whose parents worshipped Dorjee Shugden, were ostracised in schools system.
· The idols of the Dorjee Shugden deity, destroyed in places like Lhasa, Central Tibet, South India and Kathmandu.
Due to such violation of our fundamental human rights, we are left with no clear options but to stand up for our rights. From this date onwards, we will implement the following campaign measures until our democratic rights to practice our religious rights are established:
· Being proactive by using various media to create the awareness of our plight.
· Organise and gather petition and submit to various concerned authorities and organisations.
· Organise systematic demonstrations.
Following are few of the recent incidents of violence towards Shugden devotees:
1) In July 2008, wanted posters of several monks involved in the Western Shugden Society protests appeared in Queens, New York. Al Jazeera reported about the wanted posters saying, "No Shugden worshipper has ever been charged or investigated for terrorism and yet the monks that continue to worship Shugden remain victims of name and shame."
2) An attack on Gaden Shartse monastery in South India by thousands of monks and laymen resulted in 40 people wounded and properties damaged.
3) In 1997, a nun in Tibet, was beaten up and left naked in the street to die, who fortunately survived.
4) In Clement town, there was also an attempt of arson on a Shugden devotees family’s house.
5) In July 29th 2009, the Tibetan section of Radio Free Asia, with intention to turn the general Tibetan people against the Shugden devotees, demonised the Shugden devotees of being responsible for the abductions of Tenzing thakpa, Woeser rinpoche's father and a 13 year old boy along with few goats and sheep in Markham. In reality, Woeser rinpoche's father and a 13 year old boy were victims of flood and Tenzing thakpa was seen alive and well, travelling in Lhasa and India.
These are just a few cases from countless incidents of atrocities involving violence and discrimination towards Shugden followers.
With best regards,
Shugden Society USA
15 comments:
Thanks for posting this. For all his recent talk of democracy, it's clear that the Dalai Lama is acting like a religious dictator. How sad that someone like him who is respected throughout the world and has won a Nobel Peace Prize should be causing so much suffering to his follow countrymen and women through his intolerance. He's doing the opposite of what he preaches.
I hope the Tibetan Shugden practitioners get the freedom they are entitled to as a basic human right.
Anyone know who they are, or what if any their affiliation is with WSS or the Society in Delhi?
Wishing freedom for Shugden practitioners and all pure Dharma practitioners everywhere
Im trying to contact the shugden societies or any of the campaigners wih a question but not getting reply. What I want to know is what is the situation of Dalai lama being proscuted for religious discrimination? SAt what stage is the case at?
The case is supposed to be heard this month, I think, but it is quite possible that it will be bogged down in the court or fail. The publicity campaign has the potential to achieve more, I think. But if a Human Rights case were brought in a Western country there might be more chance for it.
Typhoon "Morakot" is sinister, how about the Dalai Lama?
It is understood that it took five days for Typhoon Morakot to reach Taiwan and engulf Taiwan Island, causing enormous economic losses. According to the latest casualty statistics released by the Taiwan's Emergency Operation Center, so far 291 Taiwanese have died, 387 are missing and 45 are injured. Of those, 129 villagers of the nearly wiped-out Kobayashi Village in the town of Chiahsien, Kaohsiung were killed and 311 are missing. This is similar to the violent and criminal “March 14”2008 incident in Tibet involving beating, smashing, looting and burning that was instigated by the Dalai supporters. During the incident, 18 civilians were killed and 382 injured including 50 severely wounded people. 242 public security police and armed police soldiers were either injured or killed. Is there any difference between the calamities caused by the unscrupulous Dalai followers seeking to split China using any possible means and a heartless typhoon?
Typhoon "Morakot" is a natural disaster, how about the Dalai Lama?
As the saying goes, crises are either natural or man-made. Taiwan has suffered the most severe natural disaster in 50 years, with serious casualties and economic losses. People have no choice but to accept a natural disaster. Since mankind never has a chance to fight against the nature, we can only minimize injury and losses, then strive for post-disaster reconstruction and learn lessons to be prepared for preventing the next disaster. The Dalai Lama's promotion of independence for Tibet and Taiwan has clearly become a man-made disaster. With Taiwan active in disaster relief, instead of making a donation the Dalai Lama arrives in Taiwan with two empty hands bringing more trouble under the cover of praying for happiness. His purpose is self-evident. China resolutely opposes both covert independence and open independence, and stresses that there is only one China. What the victims need is material and spiritual assistance.
Typhoon "Morakot" has gone, how about the Dalai Lama?
Thom this site is not pro china take your chinese publicity somewhere else. Chinese soldiers club monks with sticks 5 on 1 whilst the Dalai Lama forces them to break their vows. This place is not to discuss politics its to discuss the religion itself. There are plenty of places to discuss the politics online
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slphx9Cymys&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYhNuqpFFQo more beating monks & lay people
Dear A_ I cannot understand what you are saying unless you reveal whom you are. Otherwise you sound like a the Dalia Lama or a ghost .
That video was made by the Richard Gere Productions Company and these are monks and monks playing their role for $2.00 a day.
China sanctioned Panchen Lama is 19 years old now. He is taking on his role of Tibet ’s Highest Lama within Tibet/China more and more. The Chinese Government although saying they are Socialist and do not believe in any religion, still backs up the highest ranking lama within Tibet . Panchen Lama is endorsed by the Central Government of Beijing and all his expenses borne by them also. He has State ranking.
Whether we accept this as the authentic Panchen Lama or not is not the issue here. The Panchen Lama may have many emanations of we are to follow the scriptures. If he grows up to serve the proliferation of BuddhaDharma, then it will bring many people to Buddhism in China itself. China is supporting the practice and spread of Dorje Shugden’s lineage within China and Tibet itself. No one can stop that. Not the Dalai Lama, not his exile government, not the various scattered Dharma centers of the four schools of Buddhism throughout the world. Eventually their protests of Dorje Shugden will be tantamount to protesting against one of the policies of the Chinese Government. They will not take lightly to that.
And if hes not an authentic lama which is likely since hes been chosen to accomplis political aims then hes gonna do just as good a job of destroying Buddhism as the Dalai lama is. Like I said everyone is harming Buddhism as politics is always put as most important.
Dear Invisible Person,
It was the Tibetan VOA that turned in the Panchen Lama in Lhasa.
Are you so narrow minded not to recognize that true Lamas do not recognize political boreders.
I think you do not understand the situation. Give it some time and take your head out of your tent and see what is going on. Your Cold War indoctrination needs to untie the shoes that bind your perspective.
“External demons are just deluded perceptions, and as long as you do not destroy your believe in a self, trying to kill them will not put them to death. Beating them will have no effect on them. Trampling them will not crush them. Chasing after them will not make them go away.”
“People today who claim to be practitioners of Chö do not understand any of this, and persist in thinking of spirits as something outside themselves. They believe in demons, and keep on perceiving them all the time; in everything that happens they see some ghost or gyalgong. They have no peace of mind themselves, and are always bewildering others with their lies, delivered with much assertive blustering: 'There's a ghost up there! And down there, too, a spirit! That's a ghost! That's a demon! That's a tsen! I can see it ... Ha! - I've got it, I've killed it! Watch out, there's one lying in wait for you! I've chased it away! There – it looked back!”
Milarepa:“You who appear as harmful spirits and yaksas, male or female,
Only when one has no understanding are you demons,
Bringing all your mischief and your obstacles.
But once one understands, even your demons are deities,
And become the source of all accomplishments.”
“Demons become Dharma protectors, and those protectors' faces become the face of the nirmanakaya.”
"Dorje Shugden is the Supreme Dharma Protector"
Organic Decay is inherent. better move along as the branch of the Wild Cherry, How swiftly it flies back.
Dear friends,
As per information received from the High Court of India,New Delhi,I am told,that there was a recent hearing on the Dorje Shugden case on the 14th of september.This was the 3rd hearing in response to a riposte,that had earlier been provided by the Advocate of the Dalai Lama-that too,after a lapse of 9 and a half months-precisely speaking!The 3rd Judge in question,was unlike the 2nd,who had expressed reservations and unwillingness to dictate a ruling-as a decision-but,on the contrary was also open to the re-addressal of the affair.
This Judge,as pointed,dismissed the Dalai Lama's arguments as inconvincing,further asserting,that,'there was sufficient documentation of evidence available to prove that the Dalai Lama was in fact and indeed,persecuting followers of the deity Dorje Shugden and,that this would have to cease henceforth.A notice in this regards would be sent to the DL as a warning to desist.Notwithstanding which,the Judge declared,that punitive measures would be initiated,would the DL not restrain from his persecutive acts.
Apparently,Dharamsala is mysteriously silent,and this is not new!They are probably contemplating on the next course of action-whatever it may be.The Tibetans are a beguiled lot.It is possible that they may contemplate peaceful and violent means--or,on the contrary behave as if nothing has happened!Please spread this news to all concerned.
Consider THIS most illogical and silly accusation:
- That Dorje Shugden practitioners are receiving money/bribes from the Chinese
- DS practitioners are Chinese spies
- DS practitioners don’t believe in the cause and independence of Tibet and support Chinese takeover
- DS practitioners support Chinese hatred of Dalai Lama
Here’s a few points to contemplate as to why this argument holds absolutely no water, not even a drop:
1) The practice of Dorje Shugden has been around for 350 years BEFORE any of this China issue/politics were even heard of. The people of Tibet very seldom even left their regions, least of all travelled to China! So what was happening then? Were the lamas of Tibet 350 years ago receiving money from China? Were they also spying on Tibet and reporting to China then?
2) Before any of this issue of Tibet Independence/Chinese takeover arose, back in them old, old days, did Trijang Rinpoche therefore receive a salary from China? What about Pabongkha Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche? Were they all receiving salaries from China too? Were they armed with a webcam and a walkie talkie to spy on Tibetan politics then also? If so, then why is it that when they moved to India, the Chinese didn’t just pile on a huge amount of money to help them out? Why were they squatting in tents for years?
3) If this was the case, then all the MILLIONS of people in China who are doing DS practice now must be receiving lots of money from China also. Do the Chinese have so much money to just give it out to people just because they’re doing a certain spiritual practice? Is China so free to go around investigating who’s a DS practitioner so they can give them money?
4) Do you think it would really be that easy to just go up to the Chinese government and say, “Hey Hu! I support DS, gimme some money, support me!” In that case, ANY of us could just make up a lie and pretend that we practise DS and go get some free money! Why don’t we all do that?
5) There are many, many people all over the world – from all backgrounds, cultures and countries – who practise Dorje Shugden and who do not have anything to do with China; I daresay many of them they probably don’t even know anyone from China. It’s impossible that every practitioner or teacher of DS would be receiving money or support from China
6) Here’s a shocker: even if they WERE receiving money from Chinese people, what would be so bad about that if they were using it to spread Dharma?! Look at what the Gurus are really teaching – they are all teaching the same things as the Dalai Lama himself: the teachings of mind transformation, karma, the four noble truths, compassion, bodhicitta, lojong, Lamrim. If these teachings grew in the world, brought people benefit and incredible transformation, and it was by some support of “Chinese money” then why would that be a bad thing? It is also merit for the sponsors which is good for them and a way for them to also receive the benefit of Dharma. If we are as holy-schmoly as we purport to be, we would sincerely wish for others to also receive the dharma and practice so we would actually be happy that our perceived “enemies” are doing Dharma.
When I was at university in the last 90s, there were accusations that people who shopped and supported Marks & Spencers were supporters of the Jews, promoted Israeli politics and wished to oppress the Palestinians. Our university were gathering students to petition against having Marks & Spencers products in our university shops. Doesn’t it sound ridiculous to make this claim that just because you like eating M&S’ Victoria sponge cake, it almost means that you support blasting up Palestinian families and running huge tanks through Palestinian settlements?
Yes, quite ridiculous.
Just as ridiculous as the claim that just because you engage in a certain spiritual practice which has been around for the past 350 years, it also means you are being bribed by a big country to do away with the Dalai Lama and destroy a small country.
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