Dorje, as someone who has worked with Tibetans and visited Tibet, I am a bit dissapointed that you posted this thread.
His Holiness has often stated that one of his most important commitments is the promotion of inter-religious understanding and harmony. As part of this endeavour, His Holiness is committed to promoting non-sectarianism in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Dhogyal is a wrathful diety that is part of a sectarian tradition.
Don't you know that China is trying to undermine your people by promoting this cult? I feel sorry that your people have endured 50 years of sedition, genocide, and subversiveness from the Chinese. You should believe what you want, but when we associate with negativity and bad people we become karmically linked to them, and not in a good way.
We have to do what we can to promote positive thinking. At the end of the day it's all we really have: our thoughts and ourselves. As a part of Tibetan society, you should also recognize that harmony with your friends and family is the glue that holds you together. Instead of fighting your friends, family and neighbors, why not go with the flow, be calm, and let things happen as they go?
I humbly disagree. While i do agree that His Holiness has pushed for non-sectarianism goals in the past and still does push for them. People should not agree on the basis of blind harmony. If that were the case then no one would enter into debate and the long tradition within all Dharmic faiths would might as well be thrown away. If the Blessed One recognized that type of harmony, he might have never left his fathers palace to lead a spiritual life and the beautiful Buddhist tradition wouldn't exist.
Also, it is interesting that His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, worshipped this protector spirit for around 40 years before doing the "research" about Dorje Shugden. And he is allowing the reincarnation of his junior Root Guru (the one who initiated him in the worship of Dorje Shugden) to continue the practice without consequences. I find two things wrong with this situation:
1. Just as the Awakened One instructed, no Buddhist should accept the practices/beliefs of the Buddha as their own beliefs/practices until they have applied them to their own lives and have found them to work for that specific individual. -- I could argue that this 'rule of thumb' should be extended to apply to even the Dalai Lama's junior Root Guru, thus the Dalai Lama did not follow the words of the Buddha (whom he took refuge in).
2. Why is it that his junior Root Guru can continue the worship of Dorje Shugden when others cannot? This is an unfortunate double standard.
Additionally, PatrickMahoney-ji, i'd like to peacefully point out that there are many protective deities--some are wrathful and some are peaceful. Just because a deity is seen as "wrathful" doesn't make them unvenerable. Nor does it disqualify them as a compassionate being. They are just a wrathful manifestation of a certain quality within the tradition. It is nothing negative.
Absolutly not. I actually like the Dalai Lama, but im a little dissapointed about his views of Dorje Shugden and how he is handling it.
I agree, the Dalai Lama is a beautiful being. The problem lies in how he is handling the situation. And i'm also disappointed. Don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't be especially since you are a Tibetan Buddhist and it directly affects you. As a manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, he shouldn't be negatively affecting the lives of those who follow this practice, he should find a more constructive way of taking care of the issue.
*Peace To All Beings*
