For the first time in I don't know how many years I am inclined to
agree fully with Jamyang Norbu (Phayul - March 2nd) that the security
in the hotel lobby in San Francisco was far below expectations.  What
we saw in the video clip was a deliberate attempt to confront and
insult His Holiness in the presence of all those people in the lobby.
The nun's friend made sure he got everything in camera so that they
could use it on YouTube to show others what they had achieved.  And
achieve they did!
 
What happened in the lobby does not really surprise me as I have
watched small crowds of Shugden protesters in several countries over
the last more than 15 years; watching them crying their lungs out but
without achieving much of the desired effects.  The difference this
time, however, was that they managed to get close to His Holiness and
caught everyone off guard.  But what I am really surprised at is the
absence of our ministers and secretaries who should have been there
near about to engage the inji nun in discussion rather than His
Holiness having to explain the difference between religion and spirit
worshiping which is, in fact, really what the Shugden worshipers are
doing.  Only Chimi Rinzin-la came in the end to say something to the
inji nun as His Holiness walked away but not before the nun said what
she had planned to say.
 
Everyone who is reading this will agree with me that the safety and
long life of His Holiness at this moment in our history is very
important to all of us abroad and particularly those in Tibet.  We
must take security very seriously and the authorities should make it
their prime responsibility to beef up security arrangements where ever
His Holiness travels.  What happened in San Francisco may not seem
urgent to some people but if we do not take note and learn from it we
might end up being sorry for the rest of our lives.
 
The Shugden protesters, particularly the western monks and nuns, are
mere pawns being used by vested interests and have no idea what they
are doing. They haven't the slightest clue as to what Buddhism is
really about and do not even care.  They are here today and gone
tomorrow searching for something else. Perhaps something more exciting
than just shouting slogans. What is more dangerous, however, are the
devils lurking behind them.  Beware of them.
 
I cannot express enough how important it is for all of us to have His
Holiness in our hearts.  He brings us hope, unity, harmony and genuine
happiness.  Let us all strive to keep him safe.