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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHis Holiness The Dalai Lama is under attack by extremist sect.
Last edited Tue Jun 16, 2015, 02:41 AM - Edit history (2)
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/13/dalai-lama-uk-visit-extremist-protestsIts followers believe it can help them achieve serenity, but Buddhism itself is under assault from a toxic campaign against its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, that, it is alleged, is being encouraged by the Chinese authorities.
The International Shugden Community, followers of a 300-year-old Buddhist sect, plans a series of protests against the exiled Tibetan leader before his visit to Britain this month, a week before he turns 80. ISC members have in the past disseminated images depicting the guru as a pig. They have described him as a Muslim masquerading as a Buddhist and compared him with Hitler. Now they plan to demonstrate when the Dalai Lama appears in Aldershot this month at a ceremony to remember victims of the Nepal earthquake. He is also reported to be appearing at the Glastonbury festival in a fortnight.
The UK protests are being organised by the New Kadampa Tradition, which emerged in the 1990s and now has nearly 50 centres in the UK promoting Shugden practices. In preparation for his visit, the ISC and its supporters have inundated Twitter with tens of thousands of anti- Dalai Lama tweets that have caused offence to mainstream Buddhists.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)He's a political figure from Tibet, nothing more. There are many sects of Buddhism.
Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism went their separate ways in the first century AD. Mahayana then subdivided into several diverse schools, such as Zen, Pure Land and Nichiren, many of which flourish today in East Asia. The Vajrayana Buddhist tradition is an esoteric sect that is predominant in Tibet and Nepal.
http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/branches
http://www.religionfacts.com/tibetan-buddhism
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)Last edited Tue Jun 16, 2015, 12:17 AM - Edit history (1)
model. He travels constantly all over the world giving teachings on love, compassion and other highly regarded Buddhist beliefs.
This sect is attacking him because their leader has a grudge against His Holiness The Dalai Lama and uses that for the personal attacks.
It is sad to see a religion that emphasizes compassion, acceptance, and non-resistance to have one group perpetuate these very ideals.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/02/world/world-news-briefs-dalai-lama-group-says-it-got-money-from-cia.html
And in no way represents anything but one sect of Tibetan buddhism, a minor sect in the overall buddhist world.
Buddhism by percentange as of 2010
Country[4] Estimated Buddhist population % of total Buddhist in country
Cambodia 13,701,660 96.90 %
Thailand 64,419,840 93.20 %
Burma 38,415,960 80.10 %
Bhutan 563,000 74.70 %
Sri Lanka 14,455,980 69.30 %
Laos 4,092,000 66.00 %
Mongolia 1,520,760 55.10 %
Japan 45,807,480 36.20 %
Singapore 1,725,510 33.90 %
Taiwan 4,945,600 21.1%
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_by_country
G_j
(40,367 posts)why not throw Jimmy Carter in there? He associates with all kinds of bad people.
Guilt by association is a dishonest way to criticize someone.
And seriously, does he claim to represent all Buddhists?
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)President George W. Bush has an adoring fan in none other than the Dalai Lama.
Asked about the people hes met who have really impressed him, the Tibetan leader-in-exile said during a sit-down with CNNs Piers Morgan that other than Nelson Mandela whom he considers quite impressive he also admires Bush.
I love President Bush, the Dalai Lama said.
Which one? Morgan asked.
The younger one.
Clearly taken aback by the answer, Morgan quipped, Really?
Yes, really, the Dalai Lama insisted, before adding, As a human being. Not as a president of America. Sometimes his policy may not be very, very successful. But as a person, as a human being, very nice person. I love him."
Pressed by Morgan on how President Bush went to war so much and was responsible for so many deaths, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate acknowledged that he didnt always agree with the former presidents national security decisions.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/click/2012/04/dalai-lama-i-love-george-w-bush-121581.html
Strange love affair.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)There is a story handed down from the Buddha's days about a very mean serial killer that everyone was afraid of. When the Buddha saw him he was not afraid because he could see the goodness that was deep inside. The man did not harm the Buddha.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)beliefs are from that country. And Buddhists are separated by a comparatively small number of groups that have come down through the ages. I think His Holiness follows the Mahāyāna tradition but I could be wrong.
At this site it says there are 4 main types of Buddhism - "http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/tibet-txt.htm
"There are Four Principle Schools in Tibetan Buddhism."
Basically Buddhism is the same. That sect that tries to harm His Holiness cannot be said to be a Buddhist sect because they actively set out to harm others.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)You certainly sound like one.
Avalux
(35,015 posts)Just to clarify - the Dalai Llama is a Tibetan Buddhist, and not the leader of all of Buddism, which has endured and spread in various offshoots for thousands of years. It has survived much worse.
HH is a well-known cultural figure and has been in the middle of a political tug-of-war with China for a very long time. His message is true, and no matter what they try to do to him, he will remain balanced, and probably laugh at them.
Editing to ask a question -
Why are mainstream Buddhists offended by this? If they are walking the middle path, they would not be.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)I try very hard to develop Buddhist characteristics and I fail just as hard. The good thing is there is no judgement so you don't feel guilty if you mess up.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)Don't be shy.
JM
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)TexasTowelie
(112,168 posts)Post the latest news from reputable mainstream news websites and blogs. Important news of national interest only. No analysis or opinion pieces. No duplicates. News stories must have been published within the last 12 hours. Use the published title of the story as the title of the discussion thread.
1) Article was published on June 13 which is more than 12 hours ago.
2) The exact title of the article was not used as the title of this thread.
3) Editorial comments are not permitted in the main body of a LBN thread.
Suggest posting in the Religion Group.
TexasTowelie
(112,168 posts)My error, I thought this was in LBN.
Maraya1969
(22,480 posts)but I wanted more people to see it. This sect follows His Holiness around and pickets him. They are very disturbing