“No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation.”
Article 12, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations (1948)
The worship of Shugden involves the recitation of brief prayers designed to help promote compassion and wisdom.
In 1996, the Dalai Lama said the worship of Shugden ‘does great harm to the cause of Tibet. It also imperils the life of the Dalai Lama.’5
Although it is absurd to think that simple prayers could have these consequences, it was inevitable, in the highly charged atmosphere of a refugee community, that these words would lead to violence.
Scapegoating Shugden worshippers for their failure to return to Tibet, and vilifying them as a danger to the life of the Dalai Lama led to a frenzied witch-hunt. On multiple occasions large mobs of Tibetans attacked Shugden Buddhists, harassment and intimidation has been common place.
Direct orders for violence from the Tibetan Government
On 24 December 2010, the then Prime Minister, Samdhong Rinpoche said on Radio Free Asia: ‘without fear and hesitation, we, Tibetans, must fight and destroy Shugden followers.’6
Hatred consumes a community
On 12 September 2000, an angry mob of 3000 Tibetans descended on Shugden monks at Dhokhang Khangtsen of Ganden Shartse monastery.
Throwing stones and bricks, they smashed windows, caused extensive damage to property and hospitalised 30 Shugden monks.
Only by using tear gas and firing warning shots were the Indian police able to disperse the mob.
“The Tibetan government […]has produced and distributed literature and videos demonizing Shugden worshippers. It has furthermore made no effort to discourage or condemn attacks on Shugden groups.”
- Jamyang Norbu, Founding Member of the Tibetan Youth Congress
The Dalai Lama refuses to ask his followers not to harm Shugden practitioners when challenged to do so by a journalist, and then denies that there have been any acts of violence against them.
This is followed by personal accounts of violent attacks on Shugden practitioners.
Footage of the Dalai Lama directly threatening Shugden practitioners.
Extensive evidence and personal accounts of threats and intimidation towards Shugden practitioners.