Crown Prince expels Nyingmapa lama

New Delhi, October 06: Religious suppression on Nyingmapa Buddhism still continues in Bhutan even after king announced for establishment of democracy by 2008 guaranteeing religious freedom.
 
Shri Lhomon Ngagyur Ningma (Buddhist Welfare Foundation) in Thimphu has said the Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk has expelled Drukpoen Lungten Dorji, deputy chief of Youngla Goenpa in Pema Gatshel, on the verbal order. The association further said proceeding to expel Lama Neten, the shrine chief, is already in action.
 
Action has been taken against both the Buddhist monks after the Crown Prince happened to see the portrait of HH Dodup Rinpoche, highly revered spiritual leader in Nyingmapa sect, on the wall of Lama Neten's private bedroom.
 
Dodup Rinpoche re-arrived in Bhutan in early 1980s to reinvigorate Nyingmapas sect. He established many Nyingmapas learning centre here. He also repaired famed Youngla Goenpa, 300 years old Nyingmapa monastery. This monastery housed several hundreds of Sharchopa monks. Government supported his various ventures and achieved the glory of Nyingmapa traditions. Unfortunately in midst of 1990s, Rinpoche was barred to enter Bhutan after persistence misinformation campaign and submitting false report to King by few vested interested persons who successfully engineered misunderstanding between Rinpoche and King. Thence, Government started to prosecute Nyingmapa sect practitioner and particularly Rinpoches's followers. Government forcefully converted the Nyingmapa learning centers into Kagyurpa centers.
 
In 1997, Nyingmapa followers staged a peaceful demonstration against government demanding freedom of conscience, religion and belief as enshrined in Universal Declaration of Human rights. More than 200 people were brutally suppressed and sentenced to 4-13 years imprisonment for participating in demonstration. Khenpo Thinley Ozer (Chief Abbot) of Drametse Shedra (College) was released last year after serving 8 years sentences. But even after his release, he is still under surveillance in Thimphu.
 
"We were looking forward to 2008 with belief that religion freedom under fundamental rights is guaranteed in draft Constitution," the association has said.
 
The association has also urged for reinstatement of the Drukpoen Lungten Dorji and expulsion of Neten. Bhutan News Service/Vidhyapati Mishra