Could the Next Dalai Lama be Female?

After struggling for almost five decades, speculation is growing on who will lead and guide the Tibetans after the 14th Dalai Lama “TenzinGyatso”.

Speculation grew last November, when the exiled Tibetan leader hinted at a press conference, that a female Dalai Lama may succeed him. Many attendees were surprised, since history has never seen a female Dalai Lama.

His comments came after a historic Tibetan’s exile meeting ended, which discussed the future course of action in their nearly 50 years of freedom struggle.

In the context of Tibetan Buddhism, the possibility of a female incarnation of the Dalai Lama, or other reincarnating lama lineages, is known collectively as tulku. Tulku is used to refer to the corporeal existence of enlightened Buddhist masters.

“Although there are female lamas, or living Buddhas, men are predominant and it is rare for reincarnated lamas not to share the sex of their predecessors,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

This comment follows his surprising remarks that he might choose his successor before his death, or even hold a referendum on whether he should be reborn at all.

“If people feel that the institution of the Dalai Lama is still necessary, then it will continue,” he said.

“All the Dalai Lamas, ‘til now, have been male,” says the Dalai Lama. “Now, we want a female Dalai Lama. Women have to play a more important role to play in today’s context.”

And then in his characteristic style, he adds, in a lighter vein, “The female Dalai Lama will be more attractive, so we will have more followers.” But then, is he a feminist?

“Yes, I am a feminist and a humanist too,” he says.

The Dalai Lama scotched all rumors of his possible retirement, saying, “There is no point or question of retirement. It is my moral responsibility ‘til my death to work for the Tibetan cause.”

“My body and flesh is all Tibetan. I remain committed to the Tibetan cause,” he says.

“There are various ways of doing it [having a successor],” says the Dalai Lama. “The point is whether to continue with the institution of the Dalai Lama or not. After my death, Tibetan religious leaders can debate whether to have a Dalai Lama or not. The successor can be a young girl. Girls show more compassion. Also, women are dominating things all over the world.”

Tibetan girls were delighted. They said it was unexpected but not unlike the Dalai Lama to say this.

“No one expected the Dalai Lama to say such a thing,” says Tenzing Nyesang a young Tibetan women outside the temple, minutes after his speech. “But one expects the progressive leader to have such an outlook towards equality of women.”

Tibetan women in exile have been quick to adapt to the new social life in exile and have contributed in the field of social welfare, community building, economics and the political struggle of Tibet in particular. Tibetan women have established themselves as a strong force in assisting the Tibetan government in exile through social and political activities and are the backbone of the refugee community.

Life in exile has given Tibetan women an opportunity to raise their issues to the international community, by working with international womens’ groups and attend various conferences related to women’s causes. Participating in these international gatherings has enhanced the outlook of Tibetan womens’ perspectives and taught them to work on a variety of issues concerning women in the global village. This has helped focus the international community on the Tibetan cause from a woman’s point of view.

As refugees, Tibetan women are displaced people who cannot return home for fear of persecution. Tibetan women refugees have had to adapt to a new way of life and at the same time struggle to maintain the Tibetan culture and identity in which the best effort to restore things are being done by them.

Even as the Dalai Lama stated that there is no question of his retirement until the Tibetan cause is resolved, he is still a visionary, looking ahead, keeping with the times, and breaking tradition.

Saransh Sehgal

Dalai Lama in Poland – review of a week-long visit

The religious and political leader of Tibet, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, spent seven days in Poland. Magdalena Jensen went along to an audience with the charismatic Tenzin Gyatso in Warsaw.

While it was his second visit to the country, this visit was much more public, comprehensive and controversial than before. The Buddhist monk, Tenzin Gyatso, spent a week travelling the country, being honoured in various cities, holding meetings with politicians and giving public lectures.

The Dalai Lama was a guest of honour last weekend at Solidarity hero and former Polish President Lech Walesa’s 25th anniversary celebrations for the receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was joined by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the last president of apartheid South Africa Willem de Klerk, Israel’s Shimon Peres, Iranian lawyer and activist Shrin Ebadi as well as several hundreds of youth from around the world.


The Dalai Lama, addressing his audience, spoke of Poland’s remarkable embodiment of the essence of Solidarity – that is provides an example for his people seeking sovereignty as well as unity in the face of struggle.

“Poland is a nation who has experienced many difficult periods, however, no matter what difficulties, the Polish people always keep your spirit, your determination. I admire Polish people, [you have experienced] a lot of atrocities, a lot of difficulties, but you never lost your hope.”

This message of hope was a continued theme throughout the Dalai Lama’s visit and public and private meetings in Poland. The Tibetan leader was named an honourary citizen by the southwestern city of Wroclaw as well as received an honourary doctorate degree from Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

The University chose to honour the Dalai Lama based on his high ethical standards in social and public life as observed in his inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue and non-violent fight for sovereignty for Tibet. At this particular meeting, the Polish professor who nominated the Dalai Lama, Professor Beata Szymanska-Aleksandrowicz, called the monk a symbol for all those who fight for his cause but remain anonymous in the eyes of the world. She also compared Tenzin Gyatso to the likes of Catholic distinguished figures such as John Paul II and Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

Upon receipt of his doctorate in Krakow, the Dalai Lama continued what became the theme of his message for his Polish audiences: “Poles survived many difficult states in their history, but the Polish nation has kept its heart adamant.”

Upon arrival in Poland’s capital city, the Dalai Lama held an unplanned meeting with President Lech Kaczynski. The Polish President called the meeting private in nature, but, nonetheless, it compounded China’s anger at the Dalai Lama’s meetings in the country that was instigated by the meeting the Tibetan held with Sarkozy.

The French President and the Dalai Lama held a private meeting in Gdansk which angered the Chinese government so much that they cancelled an EU-China Summit that was to be held in Lyons, France early in 2009 to discuss bilateral relations. The meeting with the Polish President was also unfavourably received by Chinese officials. They expressed their “deep dissatisfaction” with the Polish side and hoped that Polish politicians would do nothing further to damage Chinese-Polish relations.

Spirit of solidarity

The Dalai Lama’s trip culminated in a lecture entitle “Personal Responsibility in Everyday Life” held at the Torwar Stadium in Warsaw – with an audience of 5,000 people.

Despite the size of the crowd and sheer vastness of the hall, as soon as the Dalai Lama entered the room, a quiet calm settled on the place. In his truly laid-back, even impish manner, the monk started by joking, “What was I supposed to talk about again?”

His speech, though rather spiritual in nature – about compassion and how the conscious practice of that value creates inner peace, which will in turn lead to world peace – spoke to everyone in the crowd. Babies and grandmothers alike listened with rapt attention as the Tibetan monk spoke of altruism and embodying an objective mental attitude.

The lecture, which felt more of like the telling of a story rather than a true lecture, concluded with the Dalai Lama espousing his general message to Poland: that of Solidarity.

“I have found a very strong spirit of Solidarity [here in Poland] with our struggle. Your solidarity has had a very important impact on [the Tibetan] problem – it gives us hope,” he stated.

Speaking to members of the audience both before and after the visit, I knew that this particular audience would not embody a typical slice of Polish society. Amongst those in the crowd, many were Buddhist – monks and nuns in traditional garb, a large representation of Warsaw’s Vietnamese community, several Tibetans residing in Poland, several Indian Buddhists as well as many young Polish people interested in alternatives to Catholicism.

Maciej Magora, a documentary film maker focusing on the Dalai Lama’s visit to Poland, claims that “this is a historic visit because it is so big and the government has taken a definite stand along with His Holiness for the Tibetan government.”

Gosia, a Pole who lives half-time in Britain, claims that we are lucky to be able to host the Dalai Lama and show our “full support” for Tibet. “We can connect in this way,” she added.

However, not all were so optimistic about his visit. Jakob, a young Polish Buddhist, expressed his disappointment at the Polish audience. “I get the feeling that the questions from the audience for the Dalai Lama represented a bit of a shallow view of Buddhism.”

The Dalai Lama, himself, perhaps sums up his visit better than I ever could. He expressed so much happiness at the welcome he received from Polish officials and the public, thanked them for sitting through his words and promised to “return again as many times as he can in this lifetime.”

His Holiness added, in speaking to his Warsaw audience, “So long as space remains and so long as sentient beings and sovereignty remains, I will live to serve.”

And so, the unassuming monk who spoke to an audience of 5,000 put his shoes back on, unwound himself from his position on the couch on which he was perched, bowed humbly before his admirers and calmly left the stage with a large smile.

From Polskie radio

Dalai Lama Hospitalized, Could Undergo Abdominal Surgery

The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and leader of that country's government-in-exile, checked into a New Delhi hospital on Thursday after complaining of severe abdominal pain, according to various media reports.

The Times of India says that the Dalai Lama may even undergo surgery later this week:

The spiritual leader was admitted to New Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Thursday following media reports that abdominal pains for which he had spent four days in a Mumbai Hospital in August had recurred.

"He was admitted when he complained of abdominal pain and now chances are that the Dalai Lama will be operated upon, most probably tomorrow (Friday)," said a senior doctor at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, who did not wish to be identified.

Associated Press is also noticing that the Dalai Lama's spokesman is being very tight-lipped on the Lama's condition but reminds us that the leader has had some health problems this year:

In August, the 73-year-old Dalai Lama was admitted to a Mumbai hospital and underwent tests for abdominal discomfort. Doctors advised him to cancel a planned trip to Europe and rest, saying he was suffering from exhaustion.

by Ronald Nurwisah

Dalai Lama visits Philadelphia

The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and the smiling human face of Eastern spirituality for many in the West, brought his message of compassion and peace yesterday to Philadelphia.

He began his daylong visit at the Kalmyk Buddhist Temple in the Feltonville section, praying solemnly with monks, and ended it by blowing out a candle on a birthday cake at the Kimmel Center as the audience sang "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you. Thank you," he said, laughing and clasping his hands in a bow to the sold-out crowd. He turned 73 on July 6.

He was in the region at the invitation of the area's Kalmyk community, a population of immigrants of Mongolian Buddhist heritage who sent him word two years ago that they needed his help in reacquainting their young people with their religious and ethnic roots.

His core message to the Kalmyks - and everyone else in his audiences - was that ritual observance alone does not make a person a good Buddhist. "It is very, very essential to study Buddhist philosophy," he said, and to practice kindness and compassion.

The Dalai Lama arrived at Northeast Airport by helicopter from Bethlehem, Pa., where he had given five days of lectures at Lehigh University, and was greeted by a crowd of about 300 shortly after 9 a.m. outside the modest Kalmyk temple on East Courtland Street.

He acknowledged them with bows and smiles as he emerged from his limousine, and he accepted several traditional offerings of Buddhist images - which he returned - before entering the temple's lavishly decorated interior.

There, about two dozen monks in maroon-and-gold robes awaited him.

After prostrating himself three times before an image of the Buddha, he sat down on a mat surrounded by the monks and led them in prayer for about 10 minutes.

With their low voices filling the room, images of Buddhas gazing down from the red-and-gold walls, incense wafting through the air, and prayer wheels and mandalas and little bronze pagodas crowding the altar and tabletops, it was a timeless scene that could have been Tibet centuries ago.

After prayers, the Dalai Lama sat atop a high, cushioned seat and greeted the monks in Tibetan, asking them questions for about 10 more minutes and making jokes that sent them into bursts of laughter.

He then walked out of the temple and into the adjacent Kalmyk community center, where he greeted about 150 people.

The Buddhism practiced in Mongolia "is the same Tibetan Buddhism," he assured them, and told them that some of his finest teachers growing up in Tibet had been Mongols or Kalmyks. The latter are ethnic Mongols who migrated to Southern Russia about 400 years ago. About 2,000 live in Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey.

"Now it is very, very important to transmit our culture to the younger generation," he told them, but cautioned that traditional dance and music and participation in occasional Buddhist festivals were not enough.

He urged them to study the texts of Buddhism and practice meditation, and to "keep in close contact" with one another. "Cooperation is essential," he said.

He then shook hands with members in the front row and clasped shoulders as he exited the room. He even yanked playfully on the beard of a middle-aged Hindu Brahman from Center City, who gave his name as V. Sharad. "He pulled hard," said Sharad, who laughed.

The Dalai Lama then stood under a yellow canopy outside the temple and answered prepared questions for about 20 minutes before saying "thank you" in English and Russian and climbing into his limousine.

"He's awesome," said a 20-year-old woman from South Jersey who gave her name only as Olesya.

"It's an honor to be in his presence," said Zandan Urusow, 63, from Harleysville. "That's why we're here."

Although widely esteemed as one of the world's great spiritual leaders, the Dalai Lama - who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 - is not without enemies.

His efforts to regain autonomy for his native Tibet, which he fled in 1959 after Chinese communist troops took control, have incensed Chinese leaders.

And his refusal to recognize a splinter sect of Tibetan Buddhism known as the Western Shugden Society has provoked angry demonstrations and pickets outside his public appearances.

About 50 pickets from the Shugden Society, some with bullhorns and signs that read "Dalai Lama, don't be a hypocrite," were waiting for him outside the Kimmel Center.

The program at the center began with about a half-hour of Mongolian songs and dances and Tibetan Buddhist chanting before he appeared on stage.

"Hello. Hello, everybody. I am very happy to be here once more in this famous city," he said, and recalled the last time he had been to Philadelphia, in 1990.

He had been taken to see "the Bell of Liberty," which had "some crack" in it, he said with a laugh.

He touched on some of the more esoteric features of Tibetan Buddhism, including the notion of "interdependence," or multiple factors, as the causes for events.

To illustrate his point, he chided President Bush for attacking Iraq because Saddam Hussein was pure evil "when, in reality, it was not that simple."

"The Buddhist view is interdependence," he said. "The Buddhist practice is compassion."

After some morning meetings today, he is scheduled to travel to New York and leave tomorrow for a festival in Colorado.

By David O’Reilly

Dalai Lama to speak at Lehigh University

The Dalai Lama is coming to Lehigh University in Bethlehem. He'll teach a series of classes Friday and Saturday on Tibetan Buddhism and give a public lecture Sunday on "Generating a Good Heart."

When tickets to hear the Buddhist monk with the rock star status went on sale March 20, all 5,000 were gone in 15 minutes.

Here's a look at the cause of the excitement: BACKGROUND The current Dalai Lama -- most recent in a lineage of 14 spiritual leaders of Tibetan Buddhism -- has lived in exile since 1959, nine years after the communist takeover of Tibet. He leads the Tibetan government in exile in India and in 1989 received the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent effort to end Chinese occupation of his homeland. THE FASCINATION "The word has gotten out that there is something special about this man. He's very warm and seems to be 100-percent present to every person," said Dan Cozort, a religion professor at Dickinson College. "It turns out he's very smart, too."

Celebrities such as Richard Gere and the Beastie Boys' Adam Youch are Dalai Lama followers, and his life has been examined in major films starring Brad Pitt and directed by Martin Scorsese.

Tibetan Buddhists in the U.S. tend to be native-born, well-educated, middle-class people drawn to the emphasis on compassion, Cozort said. He also notes a big contingent of "nightstand Buddhists," who don't formally associate with Buddhism but help make the Dalai Lama's books best-sellers. THE OCCASION The Dalai Lama's visit to the U.S. marks the completion of the English translation of the sacred Tibetan Buddhist text, "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment," which will be the subject of his teaching. Cozort helped with that translation. WHY LEHIGH? The university said it has long-standing ties through its faculty with the nearby Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in Washington, N.J., which oversaw the translation and is sponsoring the visit. THE CONTROVERSY A complex doctrinal dispute pits members of the Shugden stream of Tibetan Buddhism against the Dalai Lama. He has called their practice divisive. They say he represses their religious freedom. Demonstrations have marked his public appearances in recent years and will continue at Lehigh, a Shugden spokeswoman said.

By Mary Warner

Dream Builder

An architect fulfills the vision of working on a spiritually enriching project

After more than thirty years as an architect, John Martens had been in these types of meetings before. Difficult conversations where he would have to tell one of his clients that despite everyone's commitment and best intentions, a deadline could not be met.

But this was no ordinary project, and no ordinary client. Martens would have to tell Geshe Sopa, founding abbot of the Deer Park Buddhist Center, that his longstanding dream for a traditional Buddhist temple would not be ready on the projected completion date in 2007. More importantly, it wouldn't be completed in time for the Dalai Lama to deliver a formal consecration during his trip to Madison.

For Martens, these testy situations have always called for a little humility along with the agility needed to run and duck. But the response he received from Geshe Sopa embodied the Buddhist ethos and underscored the Dalai Lama's close relationship with Geshe Sopa and Deer Park.

"After we told Geshe Sopa it wouldn't be ready, he immediately got an ear-to-ear grin and said, 'I just want to thank you people for working so hard on this,'" says Martens. "That's what this project is all about. It's a total inspiration."

Geshe Sopa had no way of knowing that the fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, would be back again just one year after his last trip to Madison from India, where Tibet's political and spiritual leader has lived in exile since 1959. But on July 19, he will be here, and the occasion will mark an astonishing fifth official visit by His Holiness since 1979.

An iconic figure whose worldwide influence belies his humble calling as Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama is a Nobel laureate and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, and he frequently spends his days zigzagging between countries to consult with dignitaries on political, religious and economic issues of the day, including the current unrest in Tibet that erupted in March. Amid all of this, Gyatso's journeys have again and again set him on a path leading back to our community, back to the uniqueness of Deer Park and its new temple, and Geshe Sopa's role in fostering its vision.

A Madison Treasure

The Deer Park Buddhist Center sits high on a hill in the Town of Dunn, just south of Madison. To visit Deer Park, you have to travel down a two-lane county highway that cuts through the countryside passing cornfields, a horse stable and unadorned family homes. If you're not looking for the turn, it's easy to speed right past.

The centerpiece of Deer Park is the nearly twenty-thousand-square-foot temple built in traditional Tibetan style that incorporates stunning handcrafted woodwork, metalwork and symbolic elements such as lotus flowers and wish-granting jewels. By any definition, this is no ordinary building. The Buddhist monastery and teaching community not only attracts students and devotees from around the globe, but has also become a treasured place for the Dalai Lama himself. To Geshe Sopa, it is the realization of a sacred ground in America that preserves Buddhist teachings, literature, art and architecture as well as a way to help sustain his Tibetan homeland's culture in the face of diaspora.

Even at a very early age, Geshe Sopa was considered an extraordinary Buddhist scholar. He was chosen as one of the examiners who tested the young Dalai Lama as he was completing his studies. In the early 1960s, Geshe Sopa moved to the United States at the Dalai Lama's personal request. His Holiness asked him to lead a mission of spreading the Buddhist message cross-culturally.

After a brief time on the east coast, Geshe Sopa moved to Madison to accept a teaching position at the University of Wisconsin--Madison. Here he was named professor emeritus and became the first Tibetan tenured at an American university. But in spite of these professional accomplishments, as with the Dalai Lama, Geshe Sopa's first calling is that of a simple monk. More than anything, Geshe Sopa wanted to create a lasting gathering place where people could study Buddhist teachings outside of the university setting. When asked why he's here, so far from public view, his answer is perfect in its simplicity: "The land was on sale, so I bought it," Geshe Sopa says.

When speaking with nearly anyone associated with Deer Park and the Dalai Lama's visits, there is an undeniable reverence, but it is impossible to find even a hint of self-importance. This is not surprising when one explores the basic tenets of Buddhism.

Buddhism exists somewhere between religion and philosophy, and even those who study it do not agree on a perfect classification. In fact, the Dalai Lama himself has taught that if a person has a religion to which he already subscribes, he should not feel compelled to abandon it for Buddhism. If there is something in Buddhism's teachings that interests a person, she should by all means adapt and incorporate it into her daily life. But no one should ever feel any pressure to follow a doctrine that doesn't work personally. And while strict Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama is an enlightened being who has postponed his own nirvana to serve humanity, Buddhist teachings as a whole are inclusive and focus on achieving enlightenment through the practices of meditation, awareness, compassion and tolerance.

"It Will Not Rain"

Ani Jampa is a Buddhist nun and Sopa's full-time administrative assistant. Born Alicia Vogel, she was one of Geshe Sopa's teaching assistants before joining Deer Park. She dresses in the same maroon and yellow robes as the monks and wears her dark hair shaved close to her head. When she talks about Geshe Sopa, there is a passion in her words that put Geshe Sopa's achievements and relationship with the Dalai Lama into a context the humble Geshe Sopa shies away from.

"Geshe Sopa has done so much in his life. His Holiness [the Dalai Lama] has great respect for him," she says. "Teaching in the American academic system is unheard of for Tibetan lamas."

While Jampa herself is obviously close to Sopa and Deer Park on a spiritual level, similar attitudes are repeatedly reflected when exploring why the Dalai Lama, Geshe Sopa and Deer Park are so intricately intertwined.

Penny Paster has been volunteering for Geshe Sopa since 1977 and has served as primary coordinator for most of the Dalai Lama's visits to Madison. Her husband, Dr. Zorba Paster, is the point person for medical care should His Holiness need to see a doctor while he is in the United States.

Each is involved with the Dalai Lama to a degree most people never experience, but neither views their roles with any heightened importance. Things need to be done, so they do them, they say, just as anyone in their position would do. And like so many others whose lives have been touched by the spiritual leader, they spend less time contemplating the whys and more on being grateful that he does, in fact, have these strong ties to Madison.

"His Holiness feels very much at home here. He loves driving through the country and stopping to pick flowers," Penny Paster says. "We've seen again and again that the serenity and peacefulness of Deer Park is very important to him. It's a living, breathing monastery. We don't question it; we're just so thrilled."

Martens is not a practicing Buddhist, but he has long been interested by its teachings. As a result, he originally signed on with the new temple project as a volunteer construction consultant but later became the primary architect for the construction phase. After three years, he has traveled to India and invested innumerable hours of research, all with the goal of being mindful of Geshe Sopa's hopes for the temple. He has also experienced things he cannot explain.

Last fall, Martens was contacted by Deer Park on a Thursday and told that the following Tuesday would be a propitious day. They requested that certain ceremonial roof ornaments--which had not been scheduled to be installed for weeks--be put up by the following Tuesday. To further complicate matters, that day's forecast called for heavy all-day rains.

So on that Monday, Martens called Deer Park to tell them he didn't think it would be possible to complete their request. He was told to wait. After five minutes, a voice came on the line and spoke four words: "It will not rain."

Tuesday morning, it was pouring. By the afternoon, there were no clouds in the sky, and the ornaments went up without incident.

Martens shrugs when the incident is brought up. "I have seen things happen here that make me appreciate the depth of this project," he says.

This July the temple will be finished, and the Dalai Lama agreed without hesitation to return again to perform the dedication. On the eve of completion, Martens knows he has been part of something few people ever get to experience.

"I can't believe how lucky Madison is to be in this situation."

By Jason Albert

Selling Tibet to The World

GUCCI, iPod, Facebook, Tibet - these are among the world's hot brands, for which brand integrity is everything.

Tibet, as a brand, works particularly well. It brings in millions, and Hollywood A-listers queue to endorse it. What's more, they do it for free. Creative director and brand chief executive, the Dalai Lama, will visit Australia again next week. He will preside over a five-day Tibetan prayer instruction course in Sydney. A company has been set up to handle the visit - Dalai Lama in Australia Limited.

Tickets for the event can be bought online even from The Age's own Box Office website along with tickets for Bjorn Again and The Pink Floyd Experience. But few are as expensive as the Dalai Lama experience, with tickets ranging from $800 for front seats to $450 for seats at the back. Tickets for good seats for the Sunday session alone are $248. Lunch is extra - between $18 and $27 for a pre-ordered lunch box. A clothing range has even been created. There are polo shirts, baseball caps - even men's muscle tees emblazoned with the endless Buddhist knot. From street chic to urban cool, baby, this monk has funk.

Saving Tibet, like Saving Private Ryan, is a good earner. Everyone's into it, even China. Back in April, a factory in China's Guangdong province was exposed as one of the manufacturers of the Free Tibet flags so prominent in the anti-Olympic torch protests in Britain, France and the US. The factory workers claimed they had no idea what the colourful flags represented. Blame China's state-controlled media for that.

But dark clouds threaten the Tibet brand. The Dalai Lama has just been in Britain where an appearance at Royal Albert Hall was marred by more than a thousand protestors, most of whom were supporters of Dorje Shugden, a controversial deity in the complex pantheon of Tibetan Buddhist deities. The Dalai Lama, who apparently once supported this deity but then issued edicts against it, has attracted the ire of the deity's supporters.

Shugden supporters plan to protest against the Dalai Lama next week in Sydney too. Several are flying in from the US and Britain to help organise the protests. They have been tailing the Dalai Lama recently, popping up wherever he does with placards labelling him a liar and a persecutor. It's embarrassing for the Dalai Lama because these are his people.

One called on me recently in London. She was accompanied by two bodyguards, which is suggestive of how hot tempers are getting on both sides, despite the ostensible support for non-violence. The precaution might be well founded. In 1997, three monks were murdered in Dharamsala, India, where the Tibetan government-in-exile has its headquarters. A year earlier, a former Tibetan government-in-exile minister was stabbed and wounded. Both events seem to be linked to the Shugden controversy.

Selling Tibet to The World - Page 2

By Michael Backman

Selling Tibet to the world

Shugden supporters claim that the Dalai Lama took advantage of the worldwide groundswell of support that accompanied the Olympic torch protests earlier this year to move against them. They claim that on his orders hundreds of pro-Shugden monks were expelled from Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, mostly in India, leaving them without financial support and shelter. They now argue it is the Dalai Lama who is breaching human rights when it comes to freedom of worship.

While in Britain, the Dalai Lama gave evidence to a British parliamentary committee about the human rights situation in Tibet despite, as Shugden supporters pointed out, him not having set foot in Tibet for almost 50 years. Of course, before that, Tibet was ruled by the Dalai Lamas, under whom the human rights situation was nothing short of disgusting. The brand makeover since has been startling. It helps that Westerners find mountains romantic. Come down from them and anything can be excused.

Why is the Dalai Lama so hell-bent on moving against Shugden supporters? A reason might be that he genuinely believes Shugden worship is wrong. Another seems to derive from his desire to unite the four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism - the Nyngma, Sakya, Kagyu and Gelugpa. This has always been one of the Dalai Lama's problems. He is not the head of Buddhism; he is not even the head of Tibetan Buddhism. Traditionally, the Dalai Lamas are from the Gelugpa sect. But since leaving Tibet, the current Dalai Lama has sought to speak for all Tibetans and particularly all overseas Tibetans.

To enhance his authority, he has sought to merge the four traditions into one and place himself at its head. But Dorje Shugden presents a roadblock. One aspect of Shugden worship is to protect the Gelugpa tradition from adulteration, particularly by the Nyngma tradition. Nyngma followers respond by not wanting anything to do with Gelugpa followers sympathetic to Dorje Shugden. So to allow a proper merger of the four traditions, the Dalai Lama needs to get rid of the Shugden movement. If the Dalai Lama can claim to represent all Tibetans, it will increase his political prestige and clout with overseas Tibetans and with governments.

Pushing the Dalai Lama's wheelbarrow is Australia's right as an independent country. But given that China is Australia's most important trading partner, Australia owes it to itself to fully understand exactly what is in that wheelbarrow before it pushes so hard. After all, prudent shoppers are always careful to separate the actual product from the brand and the buzz that surrounds it.

Selling Tibet to the world - Page 1

By Michael Backman

Dalai Lama Faces Protest

Hundreds of Buddhist monks plan to gather in the centre of Oxford today - to protest against a visit by the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The Dalai Lama is due to speak at the Sheldonian Theatre and up to 1,000 members of the Western Shugden Society plan to demonstrate outside.

They claim the Tibetan leader has banned a traditional Buddhist prayer, the Dorje Shugden, and worship of a deity, while his followers are abusing the human rights of Shugden Buddhists.

Speaking yesterday at the Randolph Hotel, in Beaumont Street, Oxford, Kelsang Pema, the spokesman for the Western Shugden Society, said the demonstration would be peaceful but noisy.

Extra police will be on duty and Catte Street will be closed throughout the morning.

Kelsang Pema said: "We want the world to see these demonstrations and hope we can get the Dalai Lama to lift this religious ban, which is infringing people's human rights.
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"In India, monks have been expelled, houses burned, supporters denied food and thousands of families ostracised, because Shugden is perceived as acting against the Dalai Lama.

"He comes to this country and tells us about love and compassion, but he is not practising what he is teaching.

"We will be making a lot of noise and we won't stop until he stops this religious persecution.

"We hope this demonstration will bring about a meaningful discussion with him."

Supporters are expected in Oxford from as far away as Brazil, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South Africa.

Many of them have been following the Dalai Lama around the UK, including London and Nottingham in recent weeks.

Kelsang Pema claims a referendum initiated by the Dalai Lama aims to ban the Shugden prayer across the world. She denied the group shared links with China or was harmful.

Mark Leonard, of the Oxford-based Society for Wider Understanding of the Buddhist Tradition, which is hosting the Dalai Lama's talk, said: "We welcome freedom of speech and our understanding is this is an internal matter within Tibetan Buddhism."

Supt Brendan O'Dowda, of Oxford police, said: "We're very used to dealing with high-profile visitors in Oxford and will deal with this event in a sensitive and professional manner."

By Matt Wilkinson

"I am inspired by His Holiness' wisdom and humbleness

NOTTINGHAM, May 27 - As scheduled some months back, His Holiness the Dalai Lama this afternoon attended here the civic reception for him hosted by the Nottinghamshire County Council at the County Hall, where officials and local people lined up to accord a warm reception.

Speaking at the official function attended by senior government officials, staff and invited guests, the Chairman of the Nottinghamshire County Council Joan Taylor said it was a privilege and honour for them to receive the Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate at the County Hall.

"His Holiness needs no introduction, but it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge his extraordinary attitude and strides to achieve world peace and harmony", Councillor Taylor said, adding that she is "deeply moved and inspired by his wisdom, his humbleness, his humour and his simplicity".

Prior to this, to mark his visit, His Holiness was also invited to plant a tree in the Country Hall premises overlooking the River Trent. Responding to the spontaneous and positive response from the public and officials who had gathered around the tree planting area, His Holiness waved his hands and expressed his appreciation and on seeing a local waving the Tibetan flag, spontaneously recalled how during his visit to China and meeting with Chairman Mao in 1954/55, the Chinese strongman had asked him about the Tibetan flag and told how it was important to keep it. "You have the permission of Chairman Mao to fly this flag", said His Holiness, who was followed by press photographers and reporters.

His Holiness in his remarks made before receiving from the Chairman of the Nottinghamshire County Council the especially designed glassware gift said he appreciated the warm civic reception given to him. He said he was enjoying the natural surroundings of Nottingham city and was pleased to hear sweet sounds of birds chirping. Then to yet another delight of the city staff and others, His Holiness said one reason why the organisers of his visit had chosen Nottingham as the venue of his public talks and teachings is because it was comparatively "cheaper" than several over cities and this had apparently been helpful to many people coming to hear him.

His Holiness devoted two hours each of the morning and afternoon session to the teaching on Je Tsongkhapa's "Praise to the Buddha for His Discourses on Dependent Origination" (tendral toepa). During the teachings, attended mainly by about 5,000 Buddhists from different parts of the UK, Europe and the Americas, His Holiness answered questions from the audience to clarify their doubts or to seek a more pointed response. Answering a question on the controversy surrounding the Shugden worship, His Holiness said the reasons for his discouraging the worship of Shugden is because the practice was degenerating the profound teachings of the Buddha into "spirit worship" as well as coming in the way of his efforts to promote religious harmony and non-sectarianism among the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness said he as the teacher has advised his disciples from propitiating the Shugden spirit keeping in view the larger interest and well-being of the Tibetan people.

"We Tibetans are passing through a difficult period. But as someone who supports freedom and democracy, I cannot ban anything. So whether they listen or not it is up to them", His Holiness said.

This evening His Holiness gave an audience to about 700 Mongolians that the Mongolian Embassy had arranged through the London Office of Tibet. The Counsellor of the Mongolian Embassy thanked His Holiness for sparing some time for the UK-based Mongolian and the Chairman of the Mongolian Community made a milk offering in accordance to the Mongolian tradition.

His Holiness recalled to the Mongolian audience the age-old historical and religious ties that the people of Mongolia and Tibet had enjoyed. He also said how the Tibetans despite being refugees are still trying to help the Mongolians in imparting knowledge about Buddhism, which had suffered in Mongolia because of their having to live under Russian Communist regime for a long time.

"Mere recitation of mantras is not enough. You must study the Buddhist philosophy and form discussion groups. Buddhism itself is very intelligent and based on logic but due to lack of understanding it may become like blind faith", His Holiness said, adding that the Buddhist concept of "inter-dependence" can also be used in enhancing one's professional field.

According to Mr. Tsering Tashi, the London-based Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the warmth with which the local people, officials and others have been responding to His Holiness' presence and talks in Nottingham is most encouraging and speaks volumes of how much the Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader is regarded wherever he goes.

"Each time His Holiness enters the auditorium stage at the start of the public talk and teachings and upon leaving, the people have been giving His Holiness standing ovation apparently as a mark of their show of respect and appreciation for his presence and wisdom shared", said Mr. Tsering Tashi, who is also accompanying His Holiness during the Nottingham leg of the visit programme.

On Thursday morning His Holiness will leave for Oxford, where he has been invited to give the keynote address at a seminar on Christian and Buddhist prayers and meditation and a public talk on the wider understanding of Buddhism, besides other engagements.

Yesterday, His Holiness gave an audience to Nottingham City Councillors and officials of the Nottingham Arena, where the five-day public talks and the teachings that began on 24 May are being held. The Chairman of the Nottingham City Council and the Executive Director of the Nottingham Arena thanked His Holiness for agreeing to come to the city and through his visit putting the city on the international map and for generating an atmosphere of spirituality and peace.

Report by Office of Tibet, London

Buddhist leader 17th Karmapa to visit US in May

New Delhi - Tibetan Buddhist leader the 17th Karmapa is scheduled to visit the United States in May, an official at his office in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala said Wednesday. The 22-year-old Ogyen Trinley Dorji heads the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The young monk was being groomed by China to be the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists till he fled to India in 2000.

The 17th Karmapa's first visit outside India comes as Tibetans around the world are holding protests against Chinese repression in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics.

China has repeatedly told the international community against establishing contact with the 17th Karmapa, whom it accuses of trying to split Tibet from China.

A posting on the monk's official website said he would be visiting the US from May 15 to June 2 and this had been confirmed by the government of India through the Dalai Lama's representative in Delhi.

The 17th Karmapa is third in line of succession to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan buddism.

An official at the Karmapa's office said the spiritual leader would be visiting several US cities, including New York, Seattle and Boulder in Colorado and the focus of his visit would be to meet disciples, bless centres, hold prayers and give teachings. The sect he heads has more than 600 centres in 51 countries.

From: earthtimes.org

A brief history of Tibetan Buddhism

Tibet has always been overshadowed by other neighbouring nations. Thus, nothing much about its culture is known. Here is a brief history abouta sacred religion called Bon, Tibet’s pre-Buddhist religion, now better know as Tibetan Buddhism.

RECORDS OF human civilisation on the Tibetan plateau stretch back thousands of years. However, Tibetans are only starting to be widely recognised now. Even so, it is only their recent history and some of their Buddhist past. I hope that this section will give a brief, but comprehensive, explanation of the basic history of Tibetan Buddhism and its pre-Buddhist roots, prior to the Chinese invasions of 1912 and 1949.

Early Tibetan history:

Bon: The first religion of Tibet Prior to the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, the majority of the Tibetan people practiced an animistic religion called Bon. Bon originated in Olmo Lungring, a region west of modern day Tibet; it then spread east to Zhang Zhung and finally, to Tibet where it took root. It is still practiced by a minority of Tibetans today as well as, by a significant percentage of Lepchas, the indigenous inhabitants of Sikkim.

Unfortunately, although Tibetan history stretches back thousands of years,writing was only brought to Tibet with Buddhism. In addition to this hindrance, due to persecution of Bon religion, Bon adopted many Buddhist practices (and vice versa). So while we have a good oral history of Bon, no one knows how accurate it is and what the original Bon religion was like.

Bon lore states that the religion was founded by Tonpa Shenrab 16,000 years ago. Tonpa Shenrab was believed to have studied Bon philosophy in past ages in heaven and was born on earth to teach them. Similar to the Buddha, he was born a prince, married, had children but then later, chose to renounce the palatial life he was born in to, in order to spread the Bon teachings and bring the doctrine to Tibet. However, Tonpa Shenrab found Tibet to be inhospitable to the Bon teachings and was forced to give up. He hid the Bon teachings throughout Tibet and died at the age of 82 years. Much later teachers were able to teach Bon in Tibet, which took root and flourished.

Bonpos believed that Tonpa Shenrab and other Bon teachers were enlightened beings (similar to Buddha), who existed prior to the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni. Bon is another path to enlightenment that was not taught by Buddha Shakyamuni but instead was taught by these sages. As an animistic religion, Bon also has a great respect for nature and a desire to be in harmony with it. It also includes many spirits who must be satisfied. Overtime, Bon beliefs merged with the Buddhist beliefs brought from India. Both Bon and Buddhism changed, as a result. Nyingma, the oldest of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, is in fact very similar to Bon and the two religions practice some of the same forms of meditation and share certain teachers and deities.

Buddhism started to gain popularity in Tibet, the Buddhist leaders repressed Bon, in their attempts to establish Buddhism as a state religion. In order to preserve the teachings, Bonpo teachers hid ‘terma’ or treasure teachings, throughout Tibet. In 1017, Shenchen Luga uncovered many of these ‘termas’ and brought about a Bon revival. Although Bon never overtook Buddhism in popularity in Tibet, Bon was openly studied for many years after this revival.

In 1727, the Dzungars invaded Tibet. A great repression of the Bonpos and Nyingmapas followed and many were killed. The Dzungars would make people stick out their tongues believing that speaking mantras would turn one’s tongue black. The Nyingmapas and Bonpos were known for their constant recitation of mantras and this test was part of the witch-hunt to find them.

The fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Losang Gyatso, declared Bon to be a fifth school of Buddhism in Tibet - a stance, which has been reiterated by the present 14th Dalai Lama. However, Tibetans differentiate between Bonpos and Buddhists, referring to practitioners of Bon as ‘Bonpo’ while calling members of the other four schools of Buddhism ‘Nangpa’ (literally‘Insider’).

Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced in Tibet in the eighth century by the Indian saint, Padmasambhava (Tibetan: Pema Jugne, Guru Rinpoche) at the invitation of King Trisong Duetson. King Songsten Gampo had introduced Buddhism a few decades earlier; it did not gained much popularity then. Padmasambhava subdued the local demons (presumed by many to be Bon spirits, or a metaphor for the Bon priests themselves) and created Samye, the first Buddhist monastery. Trisong Deutson, Songsten Gampo and Ralpachen, all Buddhist are considered the three great kings of Tibet. Under their rule, Buddhism flourished and became the state religion of Tibet and Zhang Zhung and Olmo Lungring were annexed by Tibet. Buddhist scholars were brought in from neighboring countries to visit Tibet and teach Buddhist philosophy and many temples and monasteries were built for that purpose. Tibet became famous for its Buddhist teachers that the Mongol Khans and the Chinese Emperors both sent for Buddhist teachers from Tibet to advice the courts.

However the 42nd and final king of the Tibetan dynasties, Langdharma, brought an end to this religious honeymoon. Langdharma was a practitioner of Bon and was very bitter against Buddhism’s popularity. He forced monks and nuns to leave their monasteries and attempted to destroy Tibetan Buddhism through systematic persecution. Langdharma was assassinated during a ceremonial dance performance by an ex-monk, posing as a performer.

The Four Schools of Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism is split into four schools (five, if one counts Bon). While these schools follow the same basic philosophy, they have different teachers and often put the emphasis on different aspects of the Buddhist teachings.

Nyingma:This is the oldest of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism? In fact, its name literally means ‘old’? Unlike the other three schools, Nyingma does not always have one set leader who is the most important lama in the school. Like Bon, the ‘dzogchen’ form of meditation is very important; likewise, they share many teachings and deities. Padmasambhava is very important in the Nyingma School and the school emphasises practice, versus study of the sutras.

Sakya-Sakya: Meaning ‘gray earth’, is the next school of Buddhism? Leadership is passed down through the family line versus reincarnation of leaders. Its monasteries are distinguished by very high walls. The Sakya School is historically important, as it was the school of choice among many of the Mongol Khans.

Kagyu: The Kagyu School was the first school to use reincarnation as a form of continuing teachings with the same masters. The first lama recognised as a reincarnation was the Karmapa, who is the head of the Karma Kagyu sect. The Kagyu sect includes many subsections, such as Karma Kagyu and Drikung Kagyu. The Kagyu School held power in Tibet for many years before the Gelug School took power with the fifth Dalai Lama. It is also the main school in Bhutan and Sikkim and predominant in southeastern Tibet. It is also the main school of Tibetan Buddhism practiced in the west.

Gelug: The Gelug School is the predominant school in Tibet as well as the most famous, world over, due to its leader, the Dalai Lama. It is, however, the youngest school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Gelug School was founded by Tsongkhapa, who created it as a way to reform Tibetan Buddhism. It is very strict on the ‘vinaya’, or rules of monastic life, and unlike the other schools does not allow its monks or lamas to marry under any circumstances, unless they revoke their vows, which are frowned upon. It also places a strong emphasis on debate and study.

The Kagyu School held power in Tibet for many years, however the Gelug School rapidly gained popularity quickly after its creation. This created some tension that was made worse by each school taking political sides in wars. The losing side would often be oppressed by the political faction of the winning side. These political flip-flops occurred so often, the monks had to find an interesting way to deal with it. The Kagyu School started wearing red hats, while the Gelugpas wore yellow hats. The monks started making yellow hats lined with red that, were reversible and they could easily turn them inside out whenever a new ruler came to power.

In the 17th century, the Gushri Khans invaded Tibet and installed the fifth Dalai Lama as both religious and secular leader of Central Tibet. The Gelug influence was already strong in Amdo, due to Tsongkhapa’s roots there, and so it was easy for the Gelug School to gain political control over the majority of Tibet. The ‘Great Fifth’, as he is called started the construction of the Potala Palace, a 13-story structure with over one thousand rooms, in Lhasa. He also brought greater stability to Tibet, demanding that the Mongols stop plundering Eastern Tibet, and organising the Tibetan government in Lhasa. The Gelugpa School remained in political power up until 1959.

The city of Lhasa, meaning, ‘land of the gods’, became the centre of religion and politics of Tibet. The holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, the Jokhang, is located right in the middle of the Lhasa market area. Major monasteries containing thousands of monks surround the city. In addition, Lhasa became home to the majority of ‘gutrag’, or nobility, who usually held positions of political influence.

The Tibetan government was a mix of a theocracy and an aristocracy. Positions were given to two people; one noble and the other, monk. The monk might be a Rinpoche (Incarnate lama) or simply a monk who had studied hard and gained a position of importance. The noble was almost exclusively someone born into the position, who may have slightly raised his position through hard work. At the centre of the government was the ‘kashag’, or congress, which likewise, consisted half of laymen and half of monks. Women never held positions in politics.

At the head of the government was the Dalai Lama, a monk in all but one occasion, who held supreme political and religious power over Tibet. Although not all Tibetans followed the Gelug School, due to his political influence, the Dalai Lama held sway over religion as well.

However, one should not be mistaken and starts believing that, the Dalai Lama was an all-powerful dictator. The Dalai Lamas spent most of their lives in religious study and retreat, leaving political decisions mostly up to the ‘kashag’. In addition, very few Dalai Lamas even made it to maturity?

Written by: Amalia Rubin

Dalai Lama urges Tibetans not to use violent methods

New Delhi (dpa - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday urged Tibetans not to adopt violent methods of protest and said he would resign if the violent demonstrations continued, news reports said Tuesday.

'I have always made it clear that the expression of deep emotion should be in control. If it is out of control, we have no option. If the violent demonstration will continue, I would resign,' PTI news agency quoted the Tibetan leader as saying in the Indian capital where he is holding a week-long meditation workshop.

The Dalai Lama urged Tibetans to refrain from harming Chinese people. 'I have always respected the Chinese people ... Chinese communism. Even most of the Tibetan protestors are ideologically communists. I think inside or outside China, if the demonstrators utilize violent methods, I am totally against it,' he was quoted as saying.

Asked what he planned to do about the ongoing crisis, the Dalai Lama said: 'Just wait.'

The Dalai Lama lives in exile in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala but spends a great deal of time travelling across the world giving lectures on Buddhism and holding meditation workshops.

From monstersandcritics.com