March 2, 2014
We the elected members of Tibetan Parliament in Exile from North America and Tibetan Associations of North America are gravely concerned by recent events that took place during the current visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United States. While thousands of fellow Americans celebrated the Dalai Lama’s visit to California, we Tibetan Americans have been shocked to see our respected leader, His Holiness, personally slandered by a group of religious extremists calling themselves the “International Shugden Community.” Approaching His Holiness at close quarters and slandering him, the Shugden group has caused security concerns to the person of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Judging by their appearance we suspect that the majority of these people are members of a sect called New Kadampa Tradition (NKT).
We recall that it is some members of the Shugden group that have been charged by the Indian police of having murdered a prominent Tibetan Buddhist scholar and his students in India in 1997. Interpol has also issued warrants for their extradition from Tibet where they are hiding. Some members of this group have a history of violence and murder.
As the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, His Holiness the Dalai Lama feels it to be his moral responsibility to advise his Buddhist followers on what is in the best interest of the Tibetan tradition. It’s in connection with this, drawing from his wisdom and years of critical examination, His Holiness has spoken about the negative aspects of the historically divisive and controversial Shugden practice. At the same time, His Holiness has clearly stated that, in the end, it’s up to the individual to choose what they wish to do. So why are the Shugden group bothering His Holiness when they do not want to heed his advice?
The Tibetan people rose up as one in 1959 when the Chinese Communists were posing threat to the person of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We cannot tolerate another threat emanating from people who should know better. What pains us deeply is how the Shugden group’s activity makes mockery of the daily struggle that our fellow Tibetans undergo inside Tibet for whom His Holiness represents the sole source of hope and inspiration.
The American people, particularly the Tibetan American community, is very fortunate to have His Holiness the Dalai Lama with us in the United States during this Tibetan New Year period. He is scheduled to have programs in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. before he returns to his temporary headquarters in India. We, therefore, ask our Government in Washington, D.C. to strengthen the security arrangements for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the light of this threat from the Shugden Group.
We the Tibetan community in the United States offer our heartfelt prayer for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. May all his aspirations be fulfilled.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the Tibetan people’s undisputed spiritual master and guiding force. The Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people have a special bond going for centuries. The action of the Shugden group has deeply hurt the feelings of the Tibetan people and is a threat to the person of the 14th Dalai Lama.
1. Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota
2. Tibetan Association of Western Massachusetts
3. Boston Tibetan Association
4. Capital Area Tibetan Association
5. Indiana Tibetan Association
6. Montana Tibetan Cultural Association
7. Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association, Oregon
8. Vermont Tibetan Association
9. Tibetan Association of Idaho
10. Tibetan Association of Northern California
11. Tibetan Association of Southern California
12. Colorado Tibetan Association
13. Chicago Tibetan Alliance
14. Michigan Tibetan Association
15. Tibetan Association of New Jersey and New York
16. Tibetan Association of Santa Fe, New Mexico
17. Albuquerque Tibetan Association
18. Ithaca Tibetan Association
19. Tibetan Association of North Carolina
20. Philadelphia Tibetan Association
21. Tibetan Association of Austin, TX
22. Utah Tibetan Association
23. Charlottesville Tibetan Association
24. Tibetan Association of Washington State
25. Wisconsin Tibetan Association
26.Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario
27.Tibetan Culture Association of Vancouver B.C
28.Tibetan Cultural Association of Quebec
29. Tibetan Association of Alberta
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