Understanding the Case Against Shukden: The History of a Contested Tibetan Practice

· Sold by Simon and Schuster
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360
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About this ebook

Leaders of the Dalai Lama’s tradition illuminate the issues surrounding the Shukden controversy.

Before the twentieth century, the figure of Shukden, or Dölgyal, was an obscure one in the pantheon of Tibetan Buddhism’s many oracles and protectors. But after individuals within the Geluk tradition began to promote and disseminate the practice, division arose among Buddhists of different sects. Later, incidents within the exile community, as recounted in this book, prompted the Dalai Lama to investigate the practice more deeply. The fruits of this research are presented here, as are the statements made by His Holiness about it over the past forty years. Understanding the Case against Shukden uncovers the historical context behind this contentious practice, which dates back to the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama in the seventeenth century, and clarifies why the present Dalai Lama has been so vocal in countering it.

Understanding the Case against Shukden is a clarion call for unity among the Tibetan people and a vision for a more harmonious Tibetan Buddhist community.
Leaders of the Dalai Lama’s tradition illuminate the issues surrounding the Shukden controversy. Before the twentieth century, the figure of Shukden, or Dölgyal, was an obscure one in the pantheon of Tibetan Buddhism’s many oracles and protectors. But after individuals within the Geluk tradition...

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Ratings and reviews

1 review
Joel
April 5, 2020
This text is a propaganda piece that represents the politicization of religion. It involves debasing the legitimacy of a Buddhist protector deity greatly honored and trusted by Buddhist practitioners for centuries in order to further the political aims of the current, 14th Dalai Lama. Lacking truth and merit there is no reason to read this book. There is only one definitive text on Dorje Shugden in modern times and that is 'Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors' by Trijang Rinpoche, who is the Dalai Lama's own teacher. This book by Gavin Kilty represents the betrayal of the Dalai Lama, who has turned his back on his own teacher and renounced the practices of his own tradition.
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About the author

Gavin Kilty has been a full-time translator for the Institute of Tibetan Classics since 2001. Before that he lived in Dharamsala, India, for fourteen years, where he spent eight years training in the traditional Geluk monastic curriculum through the medium of class and debate at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics. He has also received commissions to translate for other institutions, such as the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Teachings, Tibet House Germany, The Gelug International Foundation, and Tsadra Foundation.
Gavin Kilty has been a full-time translator for the Institute of Tibetan Classics since 2001. Before that he lived in Dharamsala, India, for fourteen years, where he spent eight years training in the traditional Geluk monastic curriculum through the medium of class and debate at the Institute of ...

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