Jigme Dhamchoe Gyatso (1898–1947)
The following account is found on pages 394 and 395 of the Biography of
Jigme Dhamchoe Gyatsho (1898–1947) by the Dhomey scholar Tsetan Zhabdrung
(1910–1985), first published in June 1987.
"Some
of the followers of Ven. Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo Rinpoche engaged in heated
argument over the systems of philosophical tenets of the new and the ancient
traditions. They engaged in many mistaken activities such as destroying images
of Padmasambhava and other peaceful and wrathful deities. They said that
reciting the mantra of the Vajra Guru is of no value and would destroy the
Padma Kathang (by burning it or throwing it into rivers.) Similarly, they
asserted that turning Mani prayer wheels, observing weekly prayers for the
deceased, and so forth are of no purpose and so placed many on the path of
wrong view.
They
held Gyalpo Shugden (Dholgyal) as the supreme refuge and the embodiment of all
the Three Jewels. Many monks from minor monasteries in the southern area,
claiming to be possessed by Shugden, ran madly in all directions destroying the
three symbols of enlightenment (images, scriptures and stupas) and so forth.
Displaying many such faults they greatly harmed the teachings of the second
conqueror, Je Tsongkhapa. Therefore, if you were to compose an advisory letter
for everyone’s benefit and were to publish it and distribute it throughout the
three provinces of U, Tsang and Kham, it would greatly contribute to
counteracting such disturbances to the teaching."
