The 11th Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra Initiation: The Beginning of the End for the CTA

H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama

The Dalai Lama is easily one of the most recognized personalities in the world today. This is in part due to the plight of the Tibetan people after the Tibetan exodus of 1959, and in part due to the popular albeit incorrect view that the Dalai Lama is the most ‘attained’ and qualified Buddhist in the world. The Dalai Lama has been riding on the crest of his stardom as the most visible victim and refugee for decades. And this, coupled with his usefulness as India and the Western powers’ most effective thorn in the side of a rising China who threatens the global balance of power, has meant that the Dalai Lama has been left unfettered for over half a century.

Emboldened by the passivity of the nations of the world intoxicated by his charm, and empowered by his cult status, the Dalai Lama has progressively decimated the nation of the Tibetan people via a series of moves calculated to divide and subdue the only people who can puncture the Dalai Lama myth, the Tibetan people themselves led by the spiritual leaders of the various Tibetan Buddhist sects. We see how the Dalai Lama successfully split the Tibetan people via introducing confusion and schism into the community – the two Karmapas, the Dorje Shugden ban, the definition and direction of the ‘Tibetan Cause’ – rangzen or umaylam, and last but not least, by engaging in political gamesmanship with China, using the recognition of the 11th Panchen Lama as a gambit. Next to the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama is regarded as the highest Tibetan lama in terms of status although they rank equally in terms of spiritual importance.


The Panchen Lama

The 10th Panchen Lama had been a very important figure in Sino-Tibetan history and when the Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959, it was the 10th Panchen Lama who chose to remain in China to represent the Tibetan people, protect the Tibetan culture and act as an intermediary between the Tibetan people and their new overlords, the government of Mao Zedong. Initially seen as a traitor, he eventually won the hearts and trust of the Tibetan people by his defiance of Chinese government policies that he deemed to be unfair towards the Tibetans. And when the 10th Panchen Lama openly voiced his opposition to the harsh treatment of the Tibetan people by Mao’s army, he was incarcerated.

The 10th Panchen Lama (left) and the 14th Dalai Lama (right)

When the 10th Panchen Lama passed away, both China and the Dalai Lama hastened to claim the right to find his reincarnation. For China, finding and enthroning the next Panchen Lama would mean getting a handle on the control that steers the Tibetan psyche. For the Dalai Lama, it would mean denying China any legitimate opportunity to shape Tibetan thoughts and actions. Critics say that both intended to use religion as a political tool. When the Dalai Lama’s chosen candidate disappeared mysteriously, China recognized and enthroned a six-year-old boy, Gyaincain Norbu, who became Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, the 11th Panchen Lama.

If anyone could rival the 14th Dalai Lama’s deistic hegemony, it would be the 11th Panchen Lama as both have long been regarded as equals in terms of religious authority and this, and not political weight, is what moves the Tibetan people and adherents of Tibetan Buddhism. And so from Dharamsala, word quickly spread that the ‘Chinese Panchen Lama’ was a fake reincarnation and no more than a puppet of the Chinese government.

However, many who understand the divine nature of a Buddha’s mind or ‘life force’ (the Panchen Lama is long regarded as an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha) argue that no worldly maneuvers can outwit the passage of an enlightened being returning to resume his sacred work to lead all sentient beings out of suffering. In addition a high lama of the 10th Panchen Lama’s caliber can manifest concurrent Body, Speech, Mind, Activity and Quality emanations.

Nevertheless, for over 20 years, the new Panchen Lama remained relatively low-key as the Dalai Lama continued to lord over the Tibetan Buddhist domain with his every word taken as secular law and celestial mandate. And in that time, the world turned a blind eye to the Dalai Lama’s tyranny that included the forced division of the Karma Kagyu sect, inciting violence to undermine events of religious leaders the Dalai Lama does not approve of, and unilaterally declaring the deity of a group of Buddhists the Dalai Lama opposes, to be a demon and its worshippers, outcasts who are to be denied even the most basic human rights.

However, a recent event in Tibet indicates that change is underway and that perhaps the reign of the 14th Dalai Lama is coming to an end.


The Rise of the 11th Panchen Lama

The Kalacakra Tantra, meaning the ‘Wheel of Time’ belongs to the highest yoga tantra and like all Tantras, is an esoteric practice given to only the most qualified practitioners. However, a unique feature of the Kalacakra Tantra is the geo-location of its mystical pure realm known as Shambala, which is believed to be on the planet Earth. By that virtue, the Kalacakra is believed to be a particularly efficacious practice that allows denizens of our planet to enter the mystical pure land of Shambala, and hence its popularity, usually drawing tens to hundreds of thousands of initiates.

The 11th Panchen Lama arrives to commence the four-day Kalacakra event, the first in 60 years in China

News media reported that hundreds of thousands of Tibetans received the Kalacakra initiation from the 11th Panchen Lama

Kalacakra initiations and teachings also happen to be the Buddhist event the 14th Dalai Lama is especially known for. And whether by design or not, the masses drawn to the Dalai Lama’s Kalacakra initiations become bound by oath to obey the Dalai Lama and by default support his views and agendas.

And so, when it was announced that the 11th Panchen Lama would be conducting a Kalacakra initiation in his summer palace, Dechen Kelsang Phodrang, in Shigatse within the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), it became clear that the Dalai Lama and his supporters saw what was in fact a victory for the Dharma, to be a matter of concern instead.

After weeks of preparation, the event commenced on 21 July 2016, a historic day since the last Kalacakra initiation conducted in China was 60 years ago, ironically by the 14th Dalai Lama before his escape to India. The success of the Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra event cannot be understated and various media reported that the four-day occasion drew crowds of over 100,000 each day. Many braved long journeys to Shigatse to be present. In addition, many high lamas such as Nyetru Rinpoche, the young incarnation of the illustrious Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, and prominent lamas such as Lama Jampa Ngodup were in attendance.


A Problem for the Dalai Lama and CTA

If ever there was a need for evidence to show that the Dalai Lama’s government is more interested in personal gain than the welfare of the Tibetan people, then such evidence can be clearly seen in the way Dharamasala responded to this joyful affair., the CTA’s mouthpiece reported a few days before the event that:

The Chinese appointed Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu regarded as the ‘fake Panchen’ by most Tibetans is set to give the foremost Buddhist teaching, the Kalachakra initiation or the ‘wheel of time’ teachings next week in Tashi Lhunpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas in Shigatse, Tibet.

And on the first day of the Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra initiation, reported:

The Tibetan Women Association, Students for a Free Tibet, Gu Chu Sum Movement and the National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) today organized a ‘scarf offering ceremony’ near Tsuglakahang Temple, to a portrait of the Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima recognized by the Dalai Lama.

Supporters of the CTA offering khatas to the empty throne of the Dalai Lama’s candidate for the seat of the Panchen Lama

Instead of rejoicing that hundreds of thousands of Tibetans would be blessed by this rare and highly propitious ritual, the CTA chose to turn it into an opportunity to slander the Panchen Lama. The CTA would rather Tibetans who have been refugees for over half a century and no closer to having legitimate citizenship anywhere, make offerings to an empty throne, than to rejoice in the good fortune of hundreds of thousands of their countrymen attending this Panchen Lama’s event.

Dharamsala regards the Panchen Lama as a ‘fake’ but completely disregards the fact that the person who is the 11th Panchen Lama is also a monk, trained and qualified to give the very beneficial Kalacakra initiation. Clearly the CTA labels a lama good or bad depending on whether or not the lama toes the CTA’s political line, not by the lama’s individual qualities and spiritual attainments. This is patently wrong. Just because a lama does not vigorously agree with the CTA and the Dalai Lama’s politics does not disqualify him as a competent, practiced and attained monk and neither does it negate the blessings and power of Kalacakra. Neither the Dalai Lama nor the CTA can claim ownership of the Kalacakra initiation or indeed any part of the Dharma and neither can they insist on monopolizing any Buddhist rituals.

The fact that Dharamsala even attempted to, presumably under the instructions of the Dalai Lama, if not with his consent (seeing that nothing happens without the Dalai Lama’s approval) is a clear indication of their priorities and lack of sincere Buddhist values.

Moreover, it is a well-known belief that a fake or falsely recognized incarnation of a high lama will not posses the merits to occupy the high seat for long. He will simply not have the force and karmic puissance to hold that high position. And yet, we see the 11th Panchen Lama growing in relevance and activity and displaying the demeanor of an enlightened being.

Neither can it be said that only Kalacakra initiations given by the Dalai Lama are potent. The line of Dalai Lamas as well as Panchen Lamas have historically been intimately involved in this tantra. Both have written important commentaries on Kalacakra and both are associated with various kings of Shambala, the pure realm of Kalacakra. Therefore, initiations given by the Panchen Lama are every bit as potent as those of the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama and CTA have also implied that the event is a manufactured gambit by the Chinese government to assert authority in Tibetan Buddhist matters, and that the sponsors of the Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra initiation do not have pure intentions.

However, the very same accusations can be levied at the Dalai Lama prolifically giving Kalacakra initiations (33 up until 2014, which is a lot more initiations than any other lamas have given in the past). A key aspect of the ritual is the initiate visualizing his or her rebirth as the child of the lama performing the initiation, or belonging to a sacred community with the lama as the central focus. Therefore it can also be said that in conducting as many Kalacakra rituals as the Dalai Lama has, he maintains his symbolic dominance over the people, very much in the same way the feudal lords of old Tibet did. In addition, how do we know what motivations all the Dalai Lama’s sponsors had?

The way the CTA attacks the Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra initiation is strange and incongruous when we try to see it from an assumption that it is the government of Avalokiteshvara. However, if we were to shift our assumption and view the CTA as nothing more than a corrupt and incompetent administration that hides behind the veil of the Dalai Lama’s supposed divinity, it all makes sense.


The Undoing of the Dalai Lama’s Government

The rise of the 11th Panchen Lama is a bane to the Dalai Lama’s coterie for a number of reasons:

  1. It is evidence that contrary to the CTA’s well-oiled propaganda machinery, China is not opposed to Buddhism and in fact carefully promotes it. China has always been firm that it does not oppose Tibetan Buddhism but it is the Dalai Lama’s splittist objectives and activities that often hijack Buddhist apparatus for its political purposes.At no point during the four-day Kalacakra initiation did the Panchen Lama or any Chinese official indulge in anti-Dalai Lama rhetoric or political agenda. On the other hand, it is common for the Dalai Lama to use teachings and sacred events to attack those whom he has decided to be enemies with, such as Dorje Shugden practitioners.
  2. Neither do we see the supposedly ‘bigoted’ Chinese government impose conditions on anyone attending the Panchen Lama’s event. This is in stark contrast to the way the Dalai Lama’s camp forbids practitioners of Dorje Shugden to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings and other spiritual events intended to liberate all beings;
  3. It is also clear that since his official installation in 1995, the 11th Panchen Lama has progressively gained the trust and devotion of the Tibetan people. The number of Tibetans who travelled great distances and withstood days of rain and cold to see and receive blessings from him means that the Panchen Lama has gained acceptance as the Dalai Lama’s significance to Tibetans in the Autonomous Region begins to wane. Over time, the young Panchen Lama’s popularity will only increase, as the aging and ailing Dalai Lama becomes a fading memory;
  4. As the Panchen Lama’s activities grow, so does the number of his disciples and this is precisely what the Dalai Lama does not wish to see. Those who regard the Panchen Lama as their guru will surely oppose the Dalai Lama’s attacks on the Panchen Lama, on China and on worshippers of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, seeing that the line of Panchen Lamas have always believed in Dorje Shugden. It was after all the 4th Panchen Lama Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen who recognized Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen (from whom Dorje Shugden arose), as Manjushri. To the Dalai Lama, this represents a drastic weakening of his use of religion as a political tool;
  5. The Panchen Lama’s ascendancy is also seen as a problem for the CTA and the Dalai Lama. They have openly declared this Panchen Lama to be an impostor. And yet as this Panchen Lama gains popularity and the acceptance of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama may have to recant his accusations or lose the support of the Tibetan people, which he cannot afford to do. It would not be the first time the present Dalai Lama would go back on his decision, based on his supposed omniscience, as the Dalai Lama’s camp would have you believe.

A similar situation occurred with the 10th Panchen Lama. The 14th Dalai Lama had initially rejected the boy known as Gompo Tseten as the rightful incarnation of the 9th Panchen Lama. Instead the 14th Dalai Lama recognized another candidate as the 10th Panchen Lama. However, Gompo Tseten had the support first of the Kuomintang and later the Chinese Communist Party. The 14th Dalai Lama, concerned that the newly legitimized 10th Panchen Lama might, with the support of China claim secular and religious control over Tibet, decided to quickly recognize the Chinese-endorsed 10th Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama’s first choice of the 10th Panchen Lama was unceremoniously relegated to the position of ‘Panchen Otrul’ or merely an emanation of the Panchen Lama.

So, we see that the Dalai Lama has been proven to be quick to change his mind on whom he deems to be the ‘right’ incarnation of a high lama, depending on which way the political winds blow. As it turned out, the 10th Panchen Lama whom the Dalai Lama initially denied performed tremendous deeds for the Tibetan people as well as the religion that left no doubts in anyone’s mind that he was an enlightened being;

The Dalai Lama’s persecutions of Shugden worshippers spread worldwide as monks and nuns, left with no other choice, took to the streets to protest the Dalai Lama’s religious ban

Tibetan lamas asking the Dalai Lama not to deny them their right to practice their beliefs. The world turns a blind eye.

The Dalai Lama and CTA’s days of unchecked abuse of power, corruption and manipulation of the Tibetan Buddhist religion is coming to an end. As it turns out, so is their persecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners. For over 20 years, the CTA has made every effort to destroy an ancient and holy Dharma Protector practice and in the process, they have distorted the Dharma, divided Tibetan Buddhists worldwide and forced countless Buddhist believers into confusion and broken samaya.

In the same time span, Dorje Shugden masters who, according to the Dalai Lama, should be burning in Avici Hell became learned and knowledgeable, matured, began manifesting the high attainments they had achieved in their previous lives and emerged as the powerful lamas they are.

His Holiness Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, another rising Dorje Shugden lama

We see this in the rise of the 11th Panchen Lama, H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, H.E. Rabten Rinpoche, H.E. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, Lama Michel Rinpoche, H.E. Achok Rinpoche and the return of great masters such as H.E. Domo Chocktrul Rinpoche and H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, all great masters who did not abandon their faith in Dorje Shugden. None of this was supposed to happen if the Dalai Lama is right about Dorje Shugden being a demon.

Concurrently we see the tremendous rise of China as a world super power. China had no interest or stake in the Dorje Shugden conflict until Dharamsala made it their business to get involved, by accusing Shugden believers worldwide to be covert agents of China trained to undermine the Dalai Lama. Combined, they represent the unraveling of the Dalai Lama’s CTA, not because Shugden lamas harbor any anti-CTA or anti-Tibetan agenda but because their mere presence exposes the CTA’s malicious agenda that it has carried out for decades.


H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama giving Kalacakra Initiation



More Pictures from the Kalachakra Initiation

Both ordained Sangha and lay people traveled from great distances to attend the Kalacakra initiation given by H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama

Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery for the blessed event. For many, to receive the Kalacakra initiation from the Panchen Lama is a dream come true

A humble and yet grand canopy set up for H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama

H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama giving the Kalacakra initiation

H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama in Tantric dress

Thousands of Sangha were in attendance

H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama walking amongst the crowd

H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, who was recognized by H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama, was also present

Many Sangha members took photos with their cellphones, to share this blessed event with as many people as they can


Panchen Lama Qoigyijabu Part 1



Panchen Lama Qoigyijabu Part 2



Panchen Lama Qoigyijabu Part 3



Panchen Lama Qoigyijabu’s 20th Enthronement Anniversary



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  1. Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu is regarded as the ‘fake Panchen’ by the Tibetans in exile, but there is also doubt that the current Dalai Lama is the ‘false Dalai Lama’ , that Reting Rinpoche and his friend Ketsang had chosen the false reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. This was apparently quite widespread before Tibetans went into exile.

    It is said that in examining the boy, Ketsang thought that the boy “was attractive looking, and thought that this would be good enough”. As detailed in
    ‘Ocean of Truth Explained’, Ketsang lied about the results
    of his examination of the boy.

    It is said that when Taktra’s term as Regent was almost finished, the Tibetan government Kashag (‘Cabinet of Ministers’)
    received many reports from different people about how Reting and
    Ketsang had chosen a false reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai
    Lama, and for this and other reasons the government sent soldiers
    to Reting Monastery to arrest Reting and bring him to Lhasa. The (current) Dalai Lama was to be removed from his position, but a number of lamas strongly requested the government through Taktra Rinpoche to delay the removal of Lhamo Dondrub from the position as Dalai Lama as it was a time of great upheaval in Tibet.

    I see a parallel between the 14th Dalai Lama and the 11th Panchen Lama. We cannot be sure whether both or any of them are the real incarnation. However, what we can see is the results or work they are doing. So for the reason of furthering Buddhadharma in the world, we should let ‘the show’ continue, whether they are real or fake. As a non-Tibetan Buddhist, I think whether or not one is a real Tulku is not important, the estate, the rank, these are not important, but the propogation of Buddhadharma done by them.

    Likewise the issue of two Karmapa is equally bad where the CTA has sent people to sabotage Karmapa Thaye Dorje in Ladakh. Whether Thaye Dorje is the real Karmapa or not, he is doing a good job as a teacher and extensively to bring Buddhadharma to many.

    I think I have to echo view of some that the tulku system is starting to fall apart, and perhaps should be removed totally, in the case of being used as political tool or personal gain.

  2. As a New Kadampa Buddhist, I very much appreciate the fact that our teacher, Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, has abolished the tulku system in his lineage. Instead, our senior teachers practice scholarship and teaching ability, and choose their leaders democratically under a constitution. It is very reassuring.

  3. Wow, thanks admin for sharing this sacred Kalachakra Initiation event. It is so holy even just touring by the pictures above.

    Nice to see thousands of Tibetans attended the Kalachakra Initiation by The 11th Panchen Lama. Hence from the article above we can understand more about the inter-related of Panchen Lama, Dalai Lama and CTA.

    I like the title very much ” The 11th Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra Initiation: The Beginning of the End for the CTA “

  4. For sure, the Dalai Lama would regard this development as bad news. The Panchen Lama is so young and yet conducts himself so well and every bit like a high lama.

    It is very exciting news that a high lama who is of the same status as the Dalai Lama has the support and backing of a global superpower to spread the Dharma. I expect that the Panchen Lama would in due course tour the globe and spread the Buddha’s teachings.

    What I like is that this Panchen Lama does not get involved in politics and does not take advantage of religious events to further a secular agenda. We have all seen too much of that already.

    The 4th Panchen Lama was known to have a very close relationship with Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and so I would expect that as the 11th Panchen Lama grows in his maturity and activities, so will the lineage of Dorje Shugden. And there is nothing the CTA can do about this.

    The bigger the Panchen Lama grows, I guess the less relevance the CTA will have. Similarly as more time goes by, this Panchen will have more and more disciples and equal the Dalai Lama as the most popular Buddhist in the world.

  5. The analysis on the impact of the Kalachakra initiation by Panchen Lama in China on the Tibetan in exile community is astute to say the least. It presented a panoramic view of a very misguided Tibetan cause and the constant power-brawl between Dharamsala and Beijing. Dalai Lama, who is used to decades of international stardom without contest as a result of the Tibetan exodus, is finding it a struggle to arrest the fading of support. Considering that the emerging new order of the world rest with China instead of the West, Dalai Lama’s position as the well-polished puppet placed to deprecate Beijing all along is falling through the crack. The fabricated lies and tools used by the Dharamsala machinery to instill fear and control had amazing effect on the Tibetans in the past but not anymore.

    Years of accusing Dorje Shugden lamas as traitor and linking them to China, as well as defaming Dorje Shugden as demon had gotten Dharamsala nowhere, but had taught the people some valuable lessons on how low the politicians would go. Newer lies such as the 2 Karmapas and accusing the 11th Panchen Lama as fake are now quickly and easily identified as dirty techniques to create confusion and schism among the Tibetan community so that Dharamsala can assert control. It is just amazing that there are still people who fell for it despite the news circulating in both mainstream and alternative media. To be fair, probably the Tibetans were left with no choice since there is no rival to Dalai Lama’s rank and position in both spiritual and secular world.

    Personally, I felt the time is ripe for the 11th Panchen Lama to emerge. Why? The Tibetans are already tired of the dirty tricks used on them for over half a century with nothing done to improve their welfare and social status. They succumbed to Dalai Lama’s atypical policies because they generally revered the Dalai Lama as the unrivaled spiritual head. Now, Tibetans in exile can look up to Panchen Lama instead as a recharged symbol of hope and spirituality, probably even the savior to reunite Tibetans in exile with Tibet, considering the good relationship with Beijing. This is something that had been fanned as the Tibetan caused but now sounded nothing more than the echo amidst the Himalayan mountains since nothing was done to advance the cause, except fetching huge funds from the west to thicken the pockets of a few, in Dharamsala.

    This is the setting for change to be underway. The much awaited spiritual renaissance that grant unity and harmony has finally arrived.

  6. This is a first on many levels, the first Kalachakra initiation after 60 years. China is transforming at an accelerated rate, as China joins the modern world, who can predict the direction of the Chinese.

    With the support of Buddhism that China is showing and acting out on a local and global level, could China be the next superpower for the spread of Buddhism, time will tell. A 100k people benefiting from the Kalachakra initiation is a great start to that.

    We truly rejoice that Buddhist teachings are spreading once again from China. What the Panchen Lama did with the Kalachakra initiation, is deemed to be a challenge and problem for the 14th Dalai Lama and CTA, undermining their spiritual authority and their monopoly over Tibetan Buddhism. All the Dalai Lama’s are Avalokiteshvara and omniscient. Hence it is interesting to note that it was the 5th Dalai Lama who suggested the establishment of Panchen Lama’s system of reincarnation.

  7. The Panchen Lama and Dalai Lama has always been working together hand-in-hand in preserving and spreading the dharma in Tibet while holding their political role in governing Tibet and her people. This has been the tradition for centuries until 1959 where the Panchen Lama continued to stay back in Tibetan to fight for the Tibetans’ rights while the Dalai Lama escaped to India. It makes sense that the Panchen Lama is supported by the Chinese due to their experience with the Panchen Lama after the Dalai Lama’s escape. Whether it is for political reasons or not, the Chinese is supporting religious and accept all lineages equally without discrimination. There is no sign that says “All are welcome, EXCEPT for Dorje Shugden practitioners.”

    The rising of China is inevitable and instead of using the Dalai Lama’s stardom as a thorn to “counter-attack” China, the world leaders should come together harmoniously and work together to bring more benefits to the denizens of mother earth, serving the highest purpose of humanity.

  8. In the meantime Dharamsala carries out some lame khata offering ceremony to make a statement. Like a bunch of silk scarves are going to change the world or change peoples minds about China. Why is it Dharamsala always has to play the victim? Arent they tired of playing victim for the last 60 years?

    Soz but I for one am glad the Panchen Lama did this. Good for the Tibetans to make a connection and the Chinese leadership accumulated a lot of merit by allowing this to take place. Its probably whats propelling their ascend to power to be honest. Every country has its time to be a superpower and it looks to be Chinas turn. India was in the past with their various empires, then you had those in the Middle East before recent ones like the UK and our cousins across the pond. Well weve got Theresa May now and the States is about to get Trump so I guess our times up, ha.

  9. This is a great to have this Kalachakra initiation presided by the 11th Panchen Lama publicly in China. More than 100,000 people attended the initiations showed that Panchen Lama has very much influence in dharma growing.

    Now, let’s think about if the 11th Panchen Lama was a fake reincarnation, he may not able to perform the Kalachakra initiation so well in front of this big crowd of 100,000 people. If the 11th Panchen Lama is wrongly enthroned or he is false, I believed that he has no great merits to support him in the spreading dharma. But what we can see now is over 100,000 people attended in this Kalachakra initiation, this showed that the 11th Panchen Lama is become famous and his teachings are accepted by the people.

  10. No problem at all!

  11. These write ups clearly reflect frustrations of Dorjee Shugden community. There is no substance, only filled with fake information intended to mislead other people. The truth is the Communist China has been paying or rewarding this community over the years for standing against HH the Dalai Lama or CTA.

  12. Doma Nyerchig,

    The truth is, if you’re Tibetan in the Indian settlements you’re either the elite establiahment or you’re languishing as a stateless refugee even after 50 years. Or more likely you’re now a citizen of another country and already given up hope of the Tibetan Cause and the rest of your countrymen stuck in Dharamsala or Nepal.

    You people keep accusing China of bad things and maybe they did many bad things but CTA bully Tibetans just like Communist.

    The longer Tibetans depend on CTA the more worse life will be soon.

  13. Can’t we just rejoice that hundreds of thousands are receiving the Kalachakra Initiation? Can’t understand why people just want to make things complicated and mixed up with politics eg setting up empty throne with a portrait of the Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima recognized by the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala or be a sour grapes and saying all the bad things about this mass initiation.
    Absolutely childish and non-Dharmic at all!

    As a Buddhist, regardless of which traditions, which lineages we are following, we should focus on Buddha’ core values – Wisdom & Compassion and respect all.

    I truly rejoice in mass Kalacakra Initiation by His Holiness Panchen Lama as I know thousands will be benefited from the initiation and be closer to Dharma.

    May His Holiness Panchen Lama continue to turn the wheel of Dharma and spread Dharma especially in places that hard to get Dharma eg China.

    May the Shugden ban be lifted and all conflicts arise in the Buddhist Societies will be resolved soon so that everyone can just focus on practicing Dharma for enlightenment.

  14. It is amazing that the Tibetan leaders in exile (Dharamsala) and their subordinates are not happy about a monk (whatever his label is) which is the Panchen lama to give the Kalacakra to hundreds of thousands and benefit them. By receiving Kalacakra initiation so many will be blessed.

    The Tibetan leadership in exile can spread rumours that the participants of this initiation by Panchen Lama were forced to attend the teachings. One look at the pictures and see the simple Tibetans with their hands folded in reverence can see clearly they are faithful and no one is forcing them to attend. More malicious rumours spread by Dharamsala’s exiled Tibetan leaders to defame a religious event in Tibet they don’t sanction. They are jealous that so many attended the Kalacakra by Panchen Rinpoche which means Dharamsala’s propaganda against Panchen lama is not working. Panchen Lama’s fame and name is growing more and more and this frightens the Tibetan exiled leaders-karma coming back. More people attend the Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra then any other lama giving initiation and the exiled Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala, N. India are jealous of this point as it shows they are losing grip. But then again, who needs their sanction to make this precious event spectacular as it was.

    One good point to remember, which is no matter what religion or denomination you are, you may attend Panchen Lama’s religious ceremonies. Even if you practice Dorje Shugden, there is no discrimination against you. I guess Panchen Lama is not afraid of Dorje Shugden ‘harming’ him? But if Dalai Lama gives any religious ceremonies, Dorje Shugden practitioners may not attend because Dorje Shugden will ‘harm’ the Dalai Lama. –this is their claim-research it out. How can Dorje Shugden harm Dalai Lama but not Panchen Lama? Aren’t they equally powerful? Anyone can attend Panchen Lama’s religious discourses and it’s open and free but Dorje Shugden people cannot attend Dalai Lama’s ceremonies. What a stark difference in so called religious freedom and lack of freedom.

  15. Om, glorious deity of Shambhala,

    Three world’s ruler Red Faced One,14
    Protectors of Loseling’s scholars,
    Including Dorje Shugden come here.

    Pleasing, harmony producing samaya substances,
    Especially mansions, red and white tormas,
    A mountain of flesh and bones as vast as the ocean,
    Including all objects of desire I offer.

    Partaking with enjoyment, study, listening, meditation,
    Virtues of theory and practice, please increase.

    Increase favorable conditions, remove unfavorable conditions,
    Assist us on the path of wisdom and compassion.

    For the monks possessing the three trainings, may there be auspiciousness.

  16. @Doma Nyerchig

    People who practice DS practice are confronted with the situation that their protective deity, that arises from the self arising wisdom and compassion of space- and conciousnesscontinuum like all other deites/deities are the self arising wisdom and compassion of space- and conciousnesscontinuum itself, suddenly is called an evil spirit and to practice the protective aspect of wisdom and compassion suddenly is called worshiping an evil spirit beause of reasoning that has no substance.

    Vajrayana is about pure perception and ecperience of reality or non-duality because reality is non-duality and because of this there is this basic freedom of lastingness and non-existence or self arising wisdom and compassion of space- and conciousnesscontinuum that makes pure perception and experience possible and where all the deities arise from and why they are there all the time everywhere anyway.

    These are aspects of our own inherent dignity or wisdom and compassion. So all these aspects are the aspects of our own conciousnesscontinuum and within ourself all the time and we can use this, our own wisdom and compassion, by dharma practice that has to be free of eternalism and nihilism of course. So if there is something wrong with the practice then you can change the practice text to have a pure practice text that is free of eternalism and nihilism but why this “ban” and so on? If there is something wrong you can change but never give up dharma itself.

    So the conciousness of DS can’t be evil because it is basicly free of lastingness and non-existence. All beings are buddhas! Therefore it must be wisdom and compassion inside all beings and this wisdom and compassion inside of dorje shugden is used in the dharmapala practice of ds to protect the teachings of wisdom and compassion (dharma) and the consiousnesscontinuum from eternalism and nihilism. That’s just all and we need to practice dharmapala practice to protect dharma transmissions and our own conciousness from eternalism and nihilism.

    Just look into the world with all the terrorism and criminality that is rooted in duality (eternalism and nihilism) because of ignoring non-duality. Duality is not there but an illusion a black magic trick of ignorance that creates the illusion of duality. So we need to protect ourself from black magic/ignorance, duality, extremism and violence. And this is not worshiping an evil spirit but is just to protect dharma and oneself from harmful magic/black magic/satanism and so on by the way. To study and practice wisdom and compassion is not black magic/worshiping, don’t missperceive dharma!

    Non-Duality means free of lastingness and non-existence duality, free of good and bad duality, free of god and devil duality, free of friend and enemy duality and so on that is what shunyata really is and teached in all dharma lineages until today, it is free of all extremes/extremism of all kind.

    Communists came and destroyed tibetan culture in tibet, many tibetan people left tibet but why there are some tibetan people who go against other tibetan people who practice dorje shugden practice? Why discrimintation in the name of democracy that is based on wisdom and compassion (inherent dignity)?

    Is this helpful for the tibetan cause?
    Is this dharma?

    What do we need to understand?

    Dorje Shugden represents, like all the other dharmapala deities, the self arising protective aspect of ones own conciousnesscontinuum. The protective aspect within the dharmapalas conciousnesscontinuum that arise from spacecontinuum is within our own conciousnesscontinuum also. That is not worshiping an evil spirit at all but you only use the protective aspect of the self arising wisdom and compassion to protect yourself with wisdom and compassion. That’s all but not worshiping an evil spirit! So if HHDL says not to practice your dharmapala practice, it means not to protect yourself with wisdom and compassion. This is like a teacher asks you not to practice dharma and throw away dharma. But why?

    Because it harms the life of HHDL to practice wisdom and compassion?
    Because of wisdom and compassion harms china?
    Because of wisdom and compassion harms the tibetan cause?


  17. Who is more spiritually powerful? Panchen Lama or Dalai Lama?

    If Dalai Lama is more powerful how come he is afraid of Dorje Shugden and do not allow Dorje Shugden Buddhists to attend his talks/rituals?

    How come Panchen Lama allows everyone to attend his religious talks/rituals even Dorje Shugden Buddhists and there are no restrictions on them?

    Who gives more religious freedom to the people? Panchen Lama or Dalai Lama?

    Panchen Lama allows all people to attend his public teachings without restrictions. But Dalai Lama does not. Dorje Shugden people barred from attending Dalai Lama’s public teachings.

    Does anyone understand my point?

  18. @Carole McQuirre,

    Actually when I was reading through this post, it didn’t really catch on in my mind but now that you mention it, it is food for thought.

    Why is one so open and the other bars people because of their faith?

  19. @Carole,

    What you said makes quite a lot of sense, and it is something I have wondered for a long time as well. HH Dalai Lama is believed to be Chenrenzig, and many high lamas have high regards for HH Dalai Lama too. But it is very strange that a Buddha Chenrenzig cannot “handle” a “small” deity Dorje Shugden. Why so scared of this “small” deity? Why not just do a ritual to destroy the deity?

    Your point of who has more religion freedom is also very interesting. I didn’t think of it this way before. HH Dalai Lama always said China does not have religious freedom, and He always advocate the religion freedom around His world tour, but Dorje Shugden practitioners are not allowed to attend His talks? How ironic.

    I fully agree your point of view.

    To add salt to the wound, Tibetans in China is now enjoying much better quality of life compared to those in exile; while on the the hand, those living in exile are under the leadership of corrupted CTA, and the money donated to CTA is not well spent.

    And now HH Panchen Lama is now openly giving Kalachakra initiation, and we can see CTA is really worrying. That’s why CTA twisted the face and openly accusing the Panchen Lama’s initiation as wrong, even though they know it very well that anyone can give Kalachakra initiation.

    I wish CTA can wake up from this dream and stop accusing Dorje Shugden as the scapegoat.

  20. Well Carol…. you sure ask some very blunt but truthful questions!

    Indeed it is obvious now as the world has witness the biggest Kalachakra initiation under China and under no scrutiny of segregation or any form of discrimination on anyone due to their differences in faith, race or culture. Totally different from Dharamsala and while they might condemn it, saying Panchen Lama is a fake, the fact of the matter is that He still manage to pass an authentic initiation and plant seeds of Dharma in the mind stream of more than 100 thousand present. That’s something any genuine Dharma practitioner would rejoice in.

    It seems like Dharamsala is acting more like a Communist than a Democratic government… since there is less freedom of religion and huge segregation in amongst its people.

  21. Thank you for the sharing.

    The analysis on the qualities in between the two highly attained Lamas had widen my eyes on issues pertaining to politicised religion.

    No matter how bad the situation is, a Bodhisattva definitely can overturn the situation to minimize the harm or even without create any harmful action.

    The recent Kalacakra Initiation clearly shown the world on the quality of The 11th Panchen Lama and the Buddhist value in equality. The crowd of over 100,000 per day in the four-days occasion represent the fact of the Tibetan people who put their trust and their rely upon the 11th Pancen Lama.

    Finally the title of this article The 11th Panchen Lama’s Kalacakra Initiation: The Beginning of the End for the CTA, relates very well to the current situation.

    May religious freedom concept be practiced at all places over the world, may Dorje Shugden ban be lifted immediately, may all great Lamas continue to flourish their dharma work and spread to the ten directions.

  22. Thank you for sharing. It’s definitely an article shed some light to many issues on these:
    * Who is qualify to give Kalachakra’s initiation and teachings
    * What makes one qualify to give the Kalachakra teachings and initiations
    * Only high lamas? Only HHDL? Only you are someone recognised by CTA can give Kalachakra initiation?
    * One attained lama who is accused as “fake”, did his/her teachings/initiation given to the mass became invalid, carry no blessings at all?
    * MOST IMPORTANTLY, why Dorje Shugden practitioners were barred from attending HHDL’s teachings and initiations, but they are allowed to attend to 11th Panchen Lama’s Kalachakra initiation?

    Are the fate, the life of Dorje Shugden is not important at all, compared to other non Shugden practitioners? Where is the equanimity when one acts in this way? Even a non-Buddhist can attend His Holiness’s audience, teachings and initiations…

    One still can accuse Chinese government is using the religion or 11th Panchen Lama to gain political interest. But who cares, hundred thousand of people who attended the Kalachakra teachings and initiations definitely benefitted!

  23. Dear

    Thank you for the well-written article. I sincerely rejoice in the 11th Panchen Lama’s work and success and I hope he will continue to work for the benefit of beings in this life.

    I agree with you that the Tibetan leadership has continuously tried to undermine the influence of the 11th Panchen Lama and faintly tried to promote their choice of Panchen Lama. Personally I have no issue with people promoting their own Lama, but the real problem here is what is the contribution of CTA’s chosen Panchen Lama. We hardly see him in the Dharma scene.

    I agree with you that China allow everyone to attend Panchen Lama event while CTA or the Dalai Lama follower Dharma event always have a condition that DS practitioners cannot attend. I think it reflects badly for CTA.


  24. I rejoice for the many who received the Kalachakra initiation!!
    H.H. the Panchen Lama is very kind and offers this to all people – without restriction! These are great news and powerful pictures!

  25. This is really a great news thanks for sharing this sacred Kalachakra Initiation by H.H. the Panchen Lama is very kind to give this to all the people without restriction.. wow all the DS practitioner and non practitioner received the Initiation what a blessing.. This is called religious freedom. look at he crowd so many people. ha ha ha CTA must be very jealous many people attended the Kalacakra Initiation by Panchen Rinpoche.. Lets see CTA long can keep the BAN ON SHUGDEN…

  26. It is really OUTSTANDING news that everyone without prejudice can attend the Kalacakra by Panchen Rinpoche no matter what their spiritual orientation is.

    It is not the case with Dalai Lama. If you practice Dorje Shugden you may not attend Kalacakra. That is strange because everyone should have religious freedom.

  27. It’s a total fantasy to claim the “beginning of the end for CTA”! Unfortunately for us Ribs, there’s a far bigger enemy in a superpower called China, specifically the Communist Party of China, that is occupying our country and who would love to use the divisions within the exiled Ribs to further it’s interests. But I suppose this is
    beyond the myopia of this publication and the people behind it, who already look compromised as stooges of a foreign power killing our brothers and sisters without any let up or remorse!!

  28. It’s a total fantasy to claim the “beginning of the end for CTA”! Unfortunately for us Tibs, there’s a far bigger enemy in a superpower called China, specifically the Communist Party of China, that is occupying our country and who would love to use the divisions within the exiled Tibs to further it’s interests. But I suppose this is

  29. Love these colorful pictures of the initiation. What a really huge gathering of ordained and lay.

    Is this initiation heralding the coming of age of the new generation of masters to come out and spread the pure teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa and the propagation of the practice of Dorje Shugden? Definitely an occasion to witness – for the spreading of the Dharma to benefit so very many.

    I guess, when one accuses others of being stooges of China, one has to remember that the CIA also has their own agenda in their financing.

    The CIA is not so innocent and stainless either.

  30. Dear Tamdin Gyalpo,

    Tell you what’s not a fantasy. We Tibetans are still lost after following this CTA for more 50 years. How many more years we should follow blindly? Maybe China took out homeland but it’s the CTA that’s stopping us form returning. Look at all the policies that CTA is doing to break up Tibetan unity.

    Just look at where we are now? After all the bug talk, just look at where Tibetans are now. CTA is corrupt and before be deal with China problem we must deal first with CTA problem.

  31. Worldly “government” never had, don’t has and never will have control about the enlightnend activities of space- and conciousnesnesscontinuum.

    Due to space is sovereign and worldorder of all worlds in space, worldly “government” has no sovereign like space.

    But remember that cultures that where and are based on eternalism and nihilism or illusion, because reality is free of lastingness and non-existence, have failed in history of mankind and soner or later they dissappeared because illusion is impermanent.

    That’s why dharma will stay and nations will fail because nations have cultivated eternalism and nihilism. It’s selfdestruction.

    That’s why I would recommend all nations to cultivate dharma/wisdom and compassion, so that they have a future. Otherwise they simply will fail, they have no future with all the ignorance and violence.

    So, it is important to aknowledge the inherent dignity or wisdom and comapassion as once identity and based on that to cultivate dharma or a so called dharma culture, to overcome injustice, abuse of power and business crime around the world. Otherwise all these nations will fail.

    Just check law and activities of public hand and economy around the world, to find out that they are all about to fail because of their eternalism and niihilism.

    So guess why a wisdom and compassion culture is still alive since over 18.000 years and why all the dualistic cultures appeared and dissappeard during this time until today?

    This is the way it will continue, dharma will stay but nations that have cultivated eternalism and nihilism will dissappear sooner or later.

    So stay with dharma and your nation has a future, or you nation will simply fail.

    It’s just that simple.

  32. I (as an ethnic tibetan) cannot for the life of me see how the 11th Panchen Lama (selected under the auspices of the Chinese Government) giving a valued Kalachakra will lead to the end of the CTA (Central Tibetan Adminstration) also known as the Tibetan Government in Exile which is based at Daharamsala; India.

    If he is able to deliver a genuine Kalachakra (let us not politicize this matter of religion) he will prove that he is a “Lama” a religious teacher, just as the Dalai Lama or the Karmapa are. So if people benefit from his teachings then that is good. Why not?

    It was my understanding that those who practice the worship of Dorjee Shugden accuse others of religious intolerance. Why are you doing exactly what you are protesting against? Just my two cents worth.

  33. Also Dorji, when you give your opinion, never use the term “we Tibetans” because you are including all Tibetans in your point of view irrespective of whether you are right or wrong. Just say “I” when you are giving your personal opinion. The only time you would use the term “we tibetans” is when you are the democratically elected to represent all those Tibetans who elected you. Until then you are just another Tibetan like me expressing our own personal opinion.


    Tibetans ready to be part of China: Dalai Lama
    Indo-Asian News Service


  35. Dear Dalai Lama,















    Trump and Allies Seek End to Refugee Status for Millions of Palestinians


    JUSTICE MARKANDEY KATJU (RETD) | 12 August, 2018
    The more important question is whether Chinese rule has benefited Tibet.
    The writer is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India


    30 Chinese NGOs all set to work in Nepal
    Kathmandu, July 30

    Tibetan disunity not in India’s interest
    John S. Shilshi
    Updated: August 7, 2018, 11:00 AM




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