6 awkward truths for those who deny the Dalai Lama’s discrimination against Shugdens

Posted on November 6, 2014

To those who deny any kind of discrimination against Shugdens and who try to silence our protests, here are some facts you might find unsettling.

1. No one is denying the evidence of segregation we present

During our protests, we distribute photographs of shops, restaurants, medical facilities, even the Dalai Lama’s residence displaying signs reading ‘No Shugdens Allowed’ or similar. Doesn’t that make you even slightly uncomfortable? Would you be able to disregard this as easily if it said ‘No Blacks’, ‘No Gays’, ‘No Jews’?

Former Prime Minister of the Tibetan exile Parliament, Samdhong’s explanation for this:

“When privately owned restaurants and stores carry signs that say the Dholgyal worshippers are not welcome, then that is the freedom of the owners. That is their Fundamental Human Rights. […] Let alone that, in the hospitals, people infected with contagious diseases are quarantined and not allowed to meet with other people.” 26 July 2014, India.

In these words a faith community is being compared with a contagious disease, are you entirely comfortable with that?

2. The Dalai Lama’s personal website promotes this segregation

We understand that people want to have faith in the Dalai Lama – who wouldn’t want him to be what his reputation declares him to be? – but everyone, and especially those with great power and influence need to be judged on their actions and not just on their words.

For years, the Dalai Lama’s personal website has promoted a call for the complete social exclusion of Shugdens, it urges:

“all other Tibetan organizations not to enroll anyone into their membership who venerates and worships (this native Tibetan Buddhist deity) Dholgyal.”

http://www.dalailama.com/messages/dolgyal-shugden/tyc-resolution

The Tibetan Shugdens in the exile community are already refugees, if this call is heeded, then without question they are exiled again even from their own community.

3. This segregation is based on their faith choices and nothing else

Regardless of the slanders directed at Shugdens claiming them to be violent murderers and such like - even though not one of us has been convicted of any violent crime - the segregation we’re opposing is based simply on our faith choices and nothing more:

“Supposing someone asks the following question: For the purpose of forging unity between those who haven’t stopped Dholgyal worship and those who have stopped the worship, is there a way by which a Dholgyal worshipper could be accepted to continue with the worship? Then, what would be the response on our part? […] If one thinks that may be there is a way by which such a unity could be forged by both sides budging a little to make room for each other and give the Dholgyal worshippers the okay to continue with the worship, then (it should be understood that) there is no room for such an immunity. The option is only between continuing and discontinuing the worship.” – Samdhong, former prime minister of Tibetan parliament in exile, 26 July 2014, India.

Where is the tolerance and love in these comments? The only option presented to Shugdens is to abandon their faith, or be discarded from their communities. Are you comfortable that the Dalai Lama’s closest supporters see no way for Shugdens to be accepted within their society unless they give up their faith?

4. The Dalai Lama personally engages in the vilification of Shugdens

Before the Dalai Lama began his campaign against Shugdens, they were respected as valued members of the Tibetan community. Many of those who left Tibet with the Dalai Lama and helped establish a new community in exile were Shugdens.

At a press conference in the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama – the irony of which is not lost on us – the Dalai Lama said:

“This group, Shugden group…” pointing over his shoulder in the direction of the protestors, none of whom have any conviction for any violent crime and whose peaceful protests are praised by police forces around the world “… they also, you see, [involved in] murder cases.”

This baseless slander against innocent Shugdens is repeated not just by the Dalai Lama’s followers, but by the man himself, to give just a few examples:

“Shugden followers have resorted to killing and beating people. They start fires, and tell endless lies. It is no good.” January 2008, in India.

“The practitioners of Dholgyal are quite rough. First they killed the director of the institute of Dialectics in Dharmasala […] so the threat is always there.” January 2014, in India.

Even if some misguided Shugdens, acting in complete contradiction to their Buddhist faith, did engage in these horrible crimes, to brand an entire faith community as violent criminals would simply be prejudice.

These days we often see this kind of prejudice directed towards muslims and other minority groups, justifying all kinds of unseemly behavior. Most educated people denounce such prejudice, so we wonder how comfortable it is for the Dalai Lama’s defenders to hear him engaged in exactly the same prejudice and through it to justify the social exclusion of an entire faith community.

5. The Tibetan Parliament in Exile has criminalized the Shugden faith.
In the modern world we value the separation of church and state. We recognize faith choices as something precious and individual, not something that parliaments and governments should be passing laws to enforce or outlaw. How comfortable is it then to read the March 17 resolution of the Central Tibetan Administration that:

“recognises also the Dolgyal followers and others […] as criminals in history.”
http://tibet.net/dolgyal-shugden/tibetan-parliament-in-exiles-resolution-concerning-dolgyal-17-march-2014/

6. The Dalai Lama has never once spoken out against the segregation of Shugdens

Shugden Buddhists have endured all manner of humiliation and intimidation since the Dalai Lama’s speeches in 1996 that accused them, and their prayers, of being a risk to his good health and an impediment to the struggle for a free Tibet – accusations so inflammatory, anyone with any intelligence could easily have predicted the animosity they would generate towards Shugdens. And yet, during those speeches and since, the Dalai Lama has never said one word to stop the flow of discrimination directed towards the Shugdens.

On the occasion of calling a referendum on whether or not to segregate Shugdens – the very notion of such a referendum should surely bring a sense of unease to those who value human rights – the Dalai Lama said:

“If it turns out that more than 60 – 70% says […] they want nothing to do with Dhogyal propitiators […] then obviously it is better for them to go back to [Tibet]. What is the point of staying here?”

The gauge of a healthy democracy is how well it takes care of its minorities. The world expects its leaders to show this example. Regardless of whatever else the Dalai Lama may have done, in this instance he is letting himself and the institution of the Dalai Lama down. We hope the Dalai Lama will change course and lead the Tibetan people in the direction of harmony. As things currently stand, his treatment of Shugdens is likely to remain an enduring stain on his reputation.

To those who are so keen on defending his reputation that they direct their criticisms towards us, we would like to encourage you, instead of trying to stamp out our protests, to please encourage him to follow his own advice and enter into dialogue, promote harmony and tolerance, and actively oppose the segregation and discrimination within his own society.

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ISC supporter receives threat letter

Posted on June 18, 2014

This letter was received yesterday (June 17th 2014) by a nun at a Kadampa Buddhist Center in California. It appears to have been sent from Oakland, CA, by four people with Tibetan names representing “The United Front of the Tibetan People”. It contains a clear incitement to violent action against “traitor Tibetans” and “foreign Dolgyal people” - people who have dared to stand up to and criticise the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration: “we must take strong and physical action against them” and “teach them lesson”.

Those threatened in the letter include the 34 Tibetans listed by the CTA on its website as “Dolgyal” protestors, as well as other Tibetan and western Shugden practitioners around the world. These people are innocent of any crime: all they have done is exercise their basic human right to free speech and their freedom of belief.

ISC responds to Dalai Lama ‘Wanted List’

Posted on May 26, 2014

Responding to the CTA wanted list inciting violence against prominent Tibetan Shugden Buddhists, the ISC’s legal representative has written to each representative of the Tibetan Government in Exile. He has informed them that they will be held legally responsible for any harm that comes to these Shugden Buddhists as a result of the CTA’s actions.

The duty of a government is to care for all its citizens. The CTA does the opposite. The world is watching.

Today’s news headline: You’re a hypocrite Dalai Lama

Posted on May 1, 2014

In Norwegian National Newspaper Dagbladet May 1st, 2014

See story here: http://www.dagbladet.no/2014/05/01/nyheter/innenriks/dalai_lama/dalai_lama_oslo/buddhisme/33070619/

Full translation:
You’re a hypocrite Dalai Lama
The Peace Prize winner can expect the largest international protest in eight years from excluded Buddhists.

Here is a Buddhist nun speaking out against the Buddhist leader Dalai Lama (78), who will demonstrate in front of every site the 1989 Peace Prize winner will visit in Oslo.

And the Canadian-British Crystal Collins (39) from a Buddhist collective in Nesodden is not alone in raising her voice against the Dalai Lama.

Between 350 and 500 Shugden Buddhists from the United States, Australia, Singapore, UK, Italy and Canada are going to Oslo next week to make demands of the “other Buddhists'” great icon.

- We are not against the Dalai Lama, we just want him to lift the ban he has enforced against worshiping the Dorje Shugden spirit, which he believes is evil. This has led to the isolation of four million Buddhists worldwide. We are a very peaceful bunch, said the American spokesman for the worldwide Buddhist group Dolgyal Shugden, Len Foley, to Dagbladet.

Largest demonstration since 2008
Of the 10,000 Buddhists in Norway, 1000 belong to the Shugden tradition. According to Crystal Collins the demonstrations in Oslo will be the largest international demonstration from “non-orthodox Buddhists” against the Dalai Lama since 2008. According to Collins a limited number of the group’s sympathizers have received police permission to demonstrate outside each of the places the Dalai Lama will visit.

- “Do not come with your lies to us. Stop acting like a hypocrite.” This will be the main message on our placards. “It is shameful that the Dalai Lama is allowed to be a defender of human rights when he doesn’t even tolerate religious freedom in the various branches of his own religion”, says Collins to Dagbladet.

- It’s that simple - our reason for demonstrating. We have no view on whether Tibet should be an independent country. The criticism that has been directed against us that we are a mouthpiece for the Chinese government is pure nonsense. We receive no financial support from China, says Crystal Collins.

In the video she explains more about the Shugden Buddhists’ views ahead of the Dalai Lama’s visit.

- They are violent and aggressive
Relations between Buddhists are obviously not as peaceful as the rest of the world may have had the impression; at least not between all Buddhist traditions.

Shugden Buddhists have many stories about how they are excluded and discriminated against by the Dalai Lama-friendly denomination.

Lama sympathizers are not turning the other cheek in peace and harmony.

Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Robert Thurman at Columbia University in New York is a close supporter of the Dalai Lama.

- This is definitely not a peaceful group that just wants to be left alone with their religion. They are both verbally and even physically fighting a violent and aggressive battle to discredit the Dalai Lama he said.

- Part of the Chinese propaganda
He believes the group is part of the Chinese propaganda machinery to oppose the Dalai Lama, and that the sect actively endorses Chinese claims that Lama is a ” wolf in sheep’s clothing “, a devil and a religious oppressor.

- If they just wanted to be religious in peace, why are they then out in the streets with this aggressive and expensive public relations campaign? asks the New York professor rhetorically.

He believes that the estimate of four million followers is a huge exaggeration .

- Even if you divide this number by a hundred, it will still be too high, he writes in an email to Dagbladet.

A Simple Solution

Posted on May 1, 2014

Article 5, Elimination Of All Forms Of Religious Intolerance, United Nations Resolution 48/128 (1993) -

“Urges States to ensure that, in the course of their official duties, members of law enforcement bodies, civil servants, educators and other public officials respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons professing other religions or beliefs;”

The Dalai Lama is the head of state of the Tibetan Exile community. To resolve the crisis amongst his people he simply needs to acknowledge and accept his duty of care to all exile Tibetans - not just the ones who share his own beliefs.

The Dalai Lama should reverse the persecution by following the following four points:

To allow anyone who wishes to practice Dorje Shugden the freedom to do so

To stop completely the discrimination against Shugden practitioners

To allow all Shugden monks and nuns who have been expelled to return to their monasteries and nunneries, and to receive the same material and spiritual rights as non-Shugden practitioners

To write to Tibetan communities throughout the world telling them that they should apply practically the above three points

Refutation of Denials

Posted on May 1, 2014

“For the purposes of the present Declaration, the expression ‘intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief’ means any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on religion or belief and having as its purpose or as its effect nullification or impairment of the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis.”

- Article 2.2, Elimination Of All Forms Of Religious Intolerance, United Nations Resolution 48/128 (1993)

There have been numerous Tibetan exile government statements and resolutions vilifying Shugden practitioners with the aim of completely removing Shugden practitioners from the Tibetan Exile Community.

In an attempt to deflect attention from their clear abuses of human rights, these statements often include a sentence or paragraph denying that they are restricting religious freedom. For example, point 3 of the 17 March 2014 resolution of the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies says:

(3) Recognises clearly the actions of Dolgyal followers as a political tool to create discord within the Tibetan community under the influence and deception of monetary gains, and to denigrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama with baseless allegations. The Parliament would like to make it clear that the issue has nothing to do with religious freedom.

Further recognises also the Dolgyal followers and others – whose have caused grave harm to the faith and polity of Tibet under the Chinese government’s ploy and in violation of the law of Karma – as criminals in history.20

In the very same point they criminalise anyone who worships Shugden simply for the ‘crime’ of their faith, and claim that this has ‘nothing to do with religious freedom’. They are saying peope can continue to worship Shugden but if they do they will be viewed and treated as criminals - this is a clear abuse of their basic human rights.

As Dr Martin Mills remarks, the claims that Shugden practitioners’ freedom to practice their faith is not being restricted are ‘simply disingenuous’.21

Detailing the accusations against the Tibetan Exile Government, he says: ‘Shugden worshippers were being forcibly purged from the ranks of the Tibetan exiled polity (an expulsion which, given the legal statelessness of Tibetan refugees within the Indian polity, and the importance of mutual support networks within the exiled community, would be individually devastating).’22

Exclusion from Government & Public Service

Posted on May 1, 2014

“(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country”

- Article 21, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations (1948)

“Urges States to ensure that their constitutional and legal systems provide full guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief,”

- Article 2, Elimination Of All Forms Of Religious Intolerance, United Nations Resolution 48/128 (1993)

In a fair society there would be no discrimination on the basis of religion, laws would enshrine this essential principle of civilised society. Sadly, due to the Dalai Lama’s efforts within the Tibetan exile community, not only is there such discrimination, but the discrimination itself has been enshrined in law.

In the wake of the Dalai Lama banning Shugden practice, the Tibetan Exile Government’s Department of Health wrote to all it’s staff. Their letter, dated 18 April 1996, includes the following:

‘If there is anyone who worships Dorje Shugden they should repent the past and stop worshipping. They must submit a declaration that they will not worship in the future. In case there is anyone who doesn’t abide by the addresses of His Holiness to give up Shugden worship […] such person should submit their resignation. There is no other alternative for such person.’10

A Constitution that enshrines discrimination

In July 1996, article 63, clause 2 of the constitution of the Tibetan Exile government was amended to:

‘The Presiding Judge of the Judiciary Commission and the two juries, should, in addition to being Tibetans, should not be a worshipper of Dorje Shugden…’11

German documentary highlights the discrimination against Shugden practitioners in the Exile Government and how discrimination has been enshrined in the Tibetan exile constitution.

http://youtu.be/NeG4G_2oh

Senior Tibetan politicians callously acknowledge the discrimination against Shugden practitioners.

“The Dalai Lama’s opposition to Shugden became louder in 1996 when the CTA prohibited the Shugden practice among all CTA officials and the entire monastic population that stood under its supervision.”

- Dr Stephanie Roemer, The Tibetan Government-in-Exile: Politics at Large

Make a list of their names

The letters banning the practice of Shugden sent out by the Private Office of the Dalai Lama conclude with the following chilling instruction:

‘In implementing this policy, if there is anyone who continues to worship Dhogyal now, make a list of their names, house name, birth place, class - in case of students, and the date of arrival in the case of new arrivals. Retain your original, while sending us a copy of that list. Please share our responsibility and submit a clear report on the implementation of this circular.’12

The Sole Source of This Persecution

Posted on May 1, 2014

The Tibetan people didn’t want the ban on Shugden or the persecution that followed. Up until 1996, in whole regions of the Tibetan diaspora the worship of Shugden was ‘almost universal within the dominant Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism’15. He was viewed as a trusted protector that had served them well16.

The Dalai Lama changed his mind about Shugden in the mid-seventies. He gave up the practice his root guru, Trijang Rinpoche, had given to him and began to advise others to give up the practice too. Some followed his advice, the majority chose to continue their worship.

Since simply advising had not had the effect the Dalai Lama hoped for, in 1996 he issued his decree banning the practice. Even after this, in many speeches he expressed his disappointment that people weren’t abandoning the practice and doing more to enforce his ban.

In order to instigate the extreme persecution of Shugden Buddhists that we have seen throughout the exile community and even in Tibet, the Dalai Lama had to make the emotive (and patently absurd) claims that worshipping Shugden was a danger to his life and the reason the Tibetans hadn’t been able to return to Tibet.

With these provocations, as he himself admits, he ‘stirred up’ the Tibetan people and created the internal conflict that we see now.

During a private meeting at Trijang Labrang, Venerable Gen Chonze, the eldest monk in the assembly, humbly asks the Dalai Lama if he would kindly consider revoking the ban on Shugden worship because of the hostile atmosphere it had created within the Tibetan communities comparing it to cultural revolution the Tibetans had suffered in China. To this the Dalai Lama angrily replied:

“There will be no change in my stand. I will never revoke the ban. You are right. It will be like the cultural revolution. If they do not listen to my words the situation will grow worse for them. You sit and watch. It will only grow worse for them”17

In December 2013, Venerable Gen Chonze was attacked inside the grounds of the temple he has cared for for 60 years by five men armed with knives18. There is no doubt that unless the Dalai Lama’s persecution of Shugden Buddhists can be reversed the situation will get worse and worse.

Dalai Lama threatens his own people -

‘I will carry through to completion the work I have begun. I will not back off because of a few disgruntled individuals. I am determined to implement the conclusions of my careful research and will not let it be. […] Even private individuals may later have cause for regret if you take this lightly now in the hope that perhaps things will turn out all right after all.’19

“The Dalai Lama had made the decision alone, but his followers were now forced to join in the demonization […] Accomplices spoke out in the streets to condemn their brothers and sisters, who began to suffer serious discrimination.”

- Maxime Vivas, Behind the Smile: The Hidden Side of the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama acknowledges that he is the sole source of the persecution of Shugden practitioners.

http://youtu.be/474k0GdXc-

The Tibetan prime minister states that the ban on Shugden worship is the Dalai Lama’s wish and should be enforced even if it leads to segregation within the Tibetan Community.

Presumption of Innocence Disregarded

Posted on May 1, 2014

Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 11.1, United Nations (1948)

No Shugden Buddhist has been convicted of any violent crime and yet the Dalai Lama and his representatives continually slander these innocent people by referring to them as murderers and terrorists.

It is shameful that a head of state, and his most senior leaders, would so comprehensively disregard the presumption of innocence - a cornerstone of any free society.

There was a horrific murder in Dharamsala in February 1997. Geshe Lobsang Gyatso and two of his assistants were murdered. This case has never been solved. No one has been charged, let alone convicted. There are many possible motives for this attack as Gen Lobsang Gyatso had many enemies - he had written articles humiliating the Tibetan Guerrilla movement, men who had been waging a violent struggle inside Tibet’s borders for fifty years - and was reported to have just returned from a fundraising trip with a many thousands of dollars in cash.

There is a video of Prithvi Raj, Chief of Police of Kangra District, making allegations against Shugden practitioners. The claims he makes are based on evidence shown to be erroneous or fabricated13. He specifically alleges he has a record of phone call being made from the murderers to a phone registered in the name of Geshe Chime Tsering a prominent member of the Dorje Shugden Society in Delhi… Geshe Chime Tsering has no phone registered in his name.

The only legal ruling on the case so far has been a reprimand against the Dharamsala police for illegally detaining members of the Shugden Society of Delhi.

Even if the murderers were Shugden Buddhists, to then accuse all Shugden Buddhists of being murderers, is nothing more than base prejudice. Nonetheless, the Dalai Lama and his representatives have wasted no opportunity to spread this slander.

“This gruesome act was exploited to the hilt by the government-in-exile with only one aim in mind: Resorting to all possible means they tried to incriminate the Dorje Shugden Society in Delhi.”

- Helmut Gassner, Translator to the Dalai Lama in Europe for 17 years.

A Criminal Offence to Pray?

On 17 March 2014, the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies passed a resolution that:
‘recognises also the Dolgyal followers […] as criminals’14

What kind of government passes a resolution that condemns people as ‘criminals’ simply for preserving their faith and not accepting beliefs imposed upon them by their government?

As Dr Stephanie Roemer points out in her research: ‘The Central Tibetan Administration does not tolerate any opposition within exile “democracy”’.

The Dalai Lama repeats slanderous prejudice against Shugden practitioners, none of whom have ever been convicted of these crimes.

http://youtu.be/KTrgluBq2a

The Tibetan prime minister slanders innocent Shugden practitioners.

བདེན་པའི་ར་སྤྲོད། Tibetan Public Talk Video 30/04/2014

Posted on May 1, 2014

Tibetan Public Talk Video

‘བདེན་པའི་ར་སྤྲོད། THE TRUE FACTS’

Some excerpts from the video:

In this video you can see the truth of the conflict in Tibetan community - how Shugden practitioners are going through discrimination, ostracism and their human rights and religious rights are completely violated by the Dalai Lama and his fanatical followers.

“They (the Office of the Dalai Lama’s Representative) called my younger sister after I left and they told her you host some spirit worshippers and Chinese money receivers in your house and thats not allowed in your house…”

Why are they (the Office of the Dalai Lama’s Representative) not allowing to see ones sister, creating so much bad karma? … There is no place in this world that one cannot see ones own sister.

“Living in my community is very difficult if you practice Dorje Shugden, the people from community and their leader came to ask us to take oath and sign that we are not practicing any more. My late husband refused to do that but the other problem is that my daughter has relation with non worshipper they have one child and … they are asking her not to have contact any more with her parents from today.

Parents of her husband want to bring my grandson to Dharamsala schools, and same time they are saying this boy cannot enter in Dharamasala school.”

“In Ooty Tibetan community on the issue of Dorje Shugden, they had meeting and got resolution saying that each person need to take Oath that not keeping any relation with Dorje Shugden practitioner. Without leaving any options to people, fully suppress, everyone must take this Oath, and finally only three families left. We don’t have any hope left that anyone can help this out. Even some very close friends cannot talk. So I feel very sad and confused, how far things will go if we stay in this Tibetan community. These nasty activities not benefit to religious or political. In my life I have never done anything that harms Tibetan and Tibet cause, in future I will not intend to do that and also I am not that kind of guy. I always voluntarily serve the community and I never broke any rules or regulations. I thought we are living in this open and modern world that everybody can express whatever they wish to say, but in this case it is not like that - putting a lot of oppression that one cannot express ones own thought, so some feel and I myself sad and shy and shame that this kind of community I live in. They think that they did a right and pride work for Tibetan cause, but in reality it is very shame and harmful for Tibet and Tibetan growing on new age.

I don’t see anything constructive resulting from this ban except the bad influence such as divorce and split out from family members, expelled from monastery and different institutions, and teachers and students relations hurt. That’s creating huge bad karma for oneself and others.”

“Now it’s been forced our neighbors don’t speak and staring at us and completely cut communications. The representative of community came to my house asking me to sign the oath not to practice Dorje Shugden, and I told them with my hands folded please don’t bother me. Firstly I am an old women and until now from Tibet I am practicing Dorje Shugden. I am not going to give up these special prayers sorry. Then they asked my daughter to sign and my daughter told them she is not going to sign what so ever. They came to our house a couple of times. Now we are completely cut out from this community. They gave us a letter that we are not allowed to attend any public assembly.”

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‘བདེན་པའི་ར་སྤྲོད། THE TRUE FACTS’