Protest against the Dalai Lama in Nantes, France - Day Two
Dalai Lama donne la liberte religeuse – Give Religious Freedom
In Nantes today 600 Shugden practitioners from around the world joined their voices to make a powerful statement to the Dalai Lama – “Give Religious Freedom”.
The demonstrators brought to life the sincerity of their desire for this basic human freedom; a freedom that is recognized throughout the civilized world as an inalienable human right.
There are few countries more passionate about this right than France – its history is punctuated with significant events in which the right to practice religion freely, without interference from the state, is proudly upheld. In 1905 a law was enacted thoroughly separating religion and state – it is unthinkable in France to mix religion and politics.
This is a simple tenet that is upheld by all the great nations of the world.
Sadly, this is something that the Dalai Lama and his puppet Government –in-exile is still to learn. The Dalai Lama continues to use his position as head of state to impose his religious beliefs on people. Despite his pretense of establishing a democracy in exile, the fact remains that this traumatized community is still suffering at the hands of one the world’s last remaining dictators.
The Dalai Lama has controlled the lives of his people for decades, dictating what they can and can’t do and using an iron fist to admonish anyone who dares to step outside of his control. Nowhere is this more evident than in his autocratic ban outlawing the ancient prayer of Dorje Shugden.
Just as the people of Europe rose up against such abuses of power so now the Western Shugden Society is standing up for the religious freedom of people within the Tibetan exile community and Buddhist practitioners throughout the world.
Published: 16 Aug 2008