“Love is the great protector, protecting us from anger and jealousy, and from harm inflicted by spirits. When Buddha Shakyamuni was meditating under the Bodhi Tree he was attacked by all the terrifying demons of this world, but his love transformed their weapons into a rain of flowers. Ultimately our love will become the universal love of a Buddha, which actually has the power to bestow happiness on all living beings.”

(Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Eight Steps to Happiness:
the Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness, p. 124, © 2000)

email: emptymountains@yahoo.com

“We have never said that here we are pure, whereas others are not pure. The Dharma is the same.” — Geshe Kelsang Gyatso This unofficial website is a compilation of responses to the allegation of sectarianism on the part of the New Kadampa Tradition and its founder, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. By collecting together direct quotes from his published works, formal interviews, and even public debates, this website aims to show how the New Kadampa Tradition is actually non-sectarian. I wrote the first section to help us understand Geshe-la’s profound wisdom in abandoning both sectarianism and eclecticism.

Essays

• Standing Up for the Middle Way: a Buddhist Perspective on Religious Freedom
• Context Changes Everything: Do Geshe-la’s Writings Promote Sectarianism?

Pure Dharma

• Do we really need to rely on a tradition?
• What makes for a ‘pure’ Buddhist tradition?
• What does it mean to practice Dharma ‘purely’?
• Can I have more than one Guru or Spiritual Guide?
• Can I practice Buddhist and non-Buddhist teachings?
• Can I practice different Buddhist traditions at once?

Religious Harmony

• Are non-Gelug teachings complete paths to enlightenment?
• What is the relationship between the NKT and Gelugpas?
• What is the problem between the Nyingma and the Gelug?
• Why is there disharmony between Tibetan Buddhists?

Dorje Shugden

• Who is Dorje Shugden, and what is he so angry about?
• Why does Dorje Shugden appear so fearsome?
• Is Dorje Shugden a Deity or a demon?
• Was Je Phabongkhapa a spirit worshipper?
• Was Trijang Rinpoche a spirit worshipper?
• Does Dorje Shugden harm Gelugpas who mix traditions?
• Does the Dorje Shugden practice promote sectarianism?
• Can the Dalai Lama’s health be harmed by evil spirits?
• Did Dorje Shugden help the Dalai Lama escape from Tibet?

Mixing Pure Dharma with Tibetan Politics

• Do you support the separation of church and state?
• Is the illegal ban on Dorje Shugden politically motivated?
• Does not the Dalai Lama decide what is practiced by Gelugpas?
• Did Dorje Shugden practitioners issue death threats?
• Do you believe the stories in Zemey Tulku’s Yellow Book?
• Did Phabongkhapa use political power against Nyingmapas?

The New Kadampa Tradition

• Is the New Kadampa Tradition part of Tibetan Buddhism?
• Why were pictures of the Dalai Lama removed from shrines?
• Is there a rule that NKT students can read only NKT books?
• Is Geshe Kelsang Gyatso a self-proclaimed Geshe?
• Are the NKT’s ordination vows in keeping with the Vinaya?
• Are the NKT vows an authentic presentation of the Vinaya?

Religious Freedom

• How could the Dalai Lama’s unlawful ban on Dorje Shugden practice possibly
  destroy Je Tsongkhapa’s tradition?
• Is it un-Buddhist to demonstrate for the unalienable human right to religious freedom?

More Information

• This website’s accompanying blog
• Links to other websites and blogs

You hold a wisdom sword that cuts asunder the foe of samsara,
And a heart of great bliss that overcomes the extreme of [solitary] peace.
You display skillful means beyond the extremes of samsara and peace,
O Glory of countless living beings, to you we offer praise.

The system of Nagarjuna is the supreme view free from extremes,
And the supreme behaviour of the Vinaya is Buddha’s code of conduct;
To show living beings that they should practise these,
You wear a domed hat and saffron robes; to you we offer praise.

(Melodious Drum Victorious in all Directions:
the Extensive Fulfilling and Restoring Ritual
of the Dharma Protector, the Great King Dorje Shugden, p. 75)

OM VAJRA WIKI WITRANA SÖHA