1. There are more objective sources, such as
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shugden
2. It is complex and political, but it is not merely a political
issue. As all the main teachers of the other three main schools
(Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya) have made very firm stance about Shugden
not being an enlightened being. Great scholars such as Jamyang
Khyentse Chokyi Lodro (proponent of the Rimey/non-sectarian
movement), HE Trulshik Rinpoche (Nyingmapa master), HH Sakya Trizin
(Head of Sakya) have all openly warned disciples not to practice
Shugden due to its harmful intent.
3. What you pointed out about HHDL being a Guan Yin emanation
warrants another topic of discussion, as you will have to
understand the meaning of "emanation" in Tibetan Buddhism. However,
bearing in mind the importance of the "Guru" in Vajrayana practice,
the fact that 14th HHDL's teacher Trijiang Rinpoche taught him the
"Shugden" practice, puts him in a v difficult position. Yet, when
he realized the sectarian nature of this being, HHDL had to make
the decision to denounce the practice.
As early as 5th HHDL had already denounced the practice. 13th HHDL
also denounced it, but after his death, his disciple Pabongkha
spread it and also changed the status of Shugden from a worldly
spirit to an enlightened being. Pabongkha also replaced the three
protectors of Gelugpa tradition to other beings by himself, a move
that is definitely not in accordance with the Vajrayana practice.
Trijiang Rinpoche supported Pabongkha and eventually when 14th HHDL
was found, Trijiang Rinpoche taught the practice to 14th HHDL,
despite the 13th HHDL strongly advocating against the
practice.
4. Some quotes from WIkipedia:
" Driving this dispute is the inherent nature of Dorje Shugden,
which is to "protect" the Gelugpa lineage from adulteration by the
traditions of other lineages, especially the Nyingmapa. His
practice includes a promise not even to touch a Nyingma scripture,
and several pro-Shugden lamas have said Shugden will kill those who
violate this vow. "...
"Today none of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism accept
Shugden as a Dharmapala, citing his origin and activities against
other schools. Many high masters from the other Tibetan Buddhist
schools (Kagyu, Nyingma and Sakya) agreed with the view of the 14th
Dalai Lama that Shugden (Dhogyal) is a worldly spirit with demonic
power. Shugden was not taught by Buddha, Atisha, or Tsongkhapa, or
any Indian Tantric yogi or Indian Pandit who form the basis of
Tibetan Buddhism. So Shugden was not accepted as an official part
of the Gelug school by the Ganden Tripa, the Head of the Gelugpas.
Because the worship of Shugden has created many conflicts within
the Tibetan Buddhist community (for instance it is said that
disciples of Lama Pabongkha destroyed Nyingma monasteries and
statues of Padmasambhava and converted these monasteries into Gelug
monasteries and not only Nyingmapas had many difficulties with
that spirit, also Kagyu practitioners made cleaning rituals after
they visited Gelug monasteries), the 14th Dalai Lama used his
status as the spiritual and political head of all the Tibetans to
speak out about the sectarian harm of that practice. Then he asked
Shugden followers not to come to his teachings, because there is no
basis for a faithful teacher-disciple relationship if they don't
believe his proofs. He also gave advice to all Gelug monasteries to
stop the practice and to support harmony within the whole Tibetan
Buddhist community. But of course in Tibetan Buddhism every one has
the personal freedom not to follow his advice, and the Dalai Lama
asked the Tibetan Buddhists to do the practice in private if they
cannot give it up. Nowadays there are members of the Gelug school
(for instance in Sera Monastery, India) who follow his advice, and
there are some members who do not...
"One member of the Tibetan Government in Exile (Kashag) made the
suggestion that practitioners of Dolgyal should not be allowed to
hold public office within the Tibetan Government in Exile, but this
personal suggestion was not accepted by the Tibetan Government in
Exile...
5. Statement from Amnesty International:
The Shugden followers tried to receive a statement from Amnesty
International (AI) that the Tibetan Goverment in Exile
(specifically the 14th Dalai Lama) has violated human rights.
However, AI replied in an official press release:
None of the material AI has received contains evidence of abuses
which fall within AI's mandate for action such as grave
violations of fundamental human rights including torture, the death
penalty, extra-judicial executions, arbitrary detention or
imprisonment, or unfair trials.[53]
Worded as it is, Amnesty's statement clearly treads a fine line,
neither asserting nor denying the validity of the allegations
against the CTA (Central Tibetan Administration), nor finding
either side culpable in the dispute. ... Amnesty International:
Regarded spiritual issues and state affairs as separate, whilst
seeing the command-based nation-state as the fundamental framework
for understanding the category of actionable human rights abuses.
Fundamental to this were linked criteria of state accountability
and the exercise of state force, neither of which could clearly be
identified within the CTA context. Whilst a prima facia case of
infringement of religious freedoms within Tibetan refugee
communities certainly existed, the absence of definable
nation-state command structures precluded the formulation either of
accountability or unavoidable jurisdiction essential to the
formulation of a human rights violation.[54]
6. I agree with all that it's a highly complex issue. It is
difficult to investigate, and not necessary some times. However, if
one has the intent or wish to be associated with groups and events
that are associated with Shugden, then for his/her own benefit, I
would invite one to really explore and investigate deeply into the
issue of the Shugden controversy.
Metta.
