On 15 th March 2002 during the assembly, The Abbot, ex-Abbots, Tulkus, Geshes and member monks took voluntary pledge – ‘not to propitiate the Dorjee Shugden' before yidam tamdin (Hayagriva) Pema Yangchen (presiding deity of Sera Jey). Thenceforth, all new comers have taken the pledge in joining the Monastery.
On 21 st January 2008, at a special meeting of the Gelug Tradition council chaired by Sharpa & Jangtse Choeje and attended by Abbots & ex-Abbots of all the six monastic institutes of the three main monasteries – Gaden, Drepung & Sera, unanimously passed the resolution of banning the propitiation of Dorjee Shugden & in disassociating with those propitiating the Dorjee Shugden in the Gelug Tradition.
Sera Jey Monastery on 26 January 2008, at a special assembly gathering in the presence of Sharpa Choeje & Representatives of - Dept. of Religion & Culture (CTA) & Lugsam Tibetan Settlement (Bylakuppe), the Abbot, ex-Abbots, Omze (Chant Master) Chief Disciplinarian & Administration Committee and In charge of the 14 respective Khangtsen's (House) & members, altogether totaling 3727 members inconformity with Tibetan Buddhist Canon, individually chose the Yellow baton to present their referendum vote and gave their pledge voluntarily ‘not to propitiate the Dorjee Shugden and nor to have any association – spiritual & material' with those propitiating the Dorjee Shugden.
From the total registered member of 4416 monks, 689 members were not present at the monastery – were those members, either staffs stationed outside or on sick leave taking medical treatment, holiday leave, serving as Dharma teachers & performers abroad, those studying the Tantric course in Gyuto & Gyudmed Tantric Monasteries and those undergoing retreats . On 28 rd January 2008 a special meeting of Governing Body of Sera Jey Monastery was convened, chaired by the Abbot adopted a realistic approach & resolution in implementing the monastic code to the remaining 689 members.
To this adopted resolution, where those amongst the 689 members who have taken the first pledge earlier in 15 March 2002 can give the new pledge to the monastic code at any time upon their next return to the Monastery, where as the rest are notified to give their pledge by 15 March 2008. So far to this date 323 members from 689 have come down to the Monastery & gave their pledge.
From 24 January 2008 to this date, 67 new comers have joined the monastery, voluntarily performing two pledges - the first pledge enacted in 2002 & the new pledge enacted on 26 January 2008 - not to propitiate the Dorjee Shugden and not to have association – spiritual & material' with those propitiating the Dorjee Shugden, in accordance to the monastic code.
From 23 January 2008 to 9 th February 2008, Sera Mey Monastery had been unable to implement the adopted monastic code passed by the Gelug Tradition; and hence conducting the assembly prayers & monastic debate course, and function the common mess, School & Health Care Center, and even The Monlam Chenmo (Great Prayer Ceremony) has not been able to take place in schedule amidst much difficulty, all due to the disturbances & disharmony created by a section of Pompra Khangtsen monks who propitiate the Dorjee Shugden refuse to abide by their Monastic code adopted in line with resolution of the Gelug Tradition.
Eventually, with the effort & result by petitioning to the local & administrative authorities, the Monlam Chenmo was conducted later amidst the possible threat of being suspended for the year. Similarly for two months the periodic bimonthly Sojong (purification ceremony) had not been conducted. The hard efforts of 6 rounds of deliberations by the Abbots, Administration Committee & Representatives of respective Khangtsen (House Divsions) of both Sera Jey & Sera Mey Monastery with the Dorjee Shugden group failed to materialize any solution.
On 19 March 2008, a special meeting between respective heads of the two Monasteries – Sera Jey & Sera Mey convened to discuss on the prolonged disruption & the consequential danger of decline to Sera Mey Monastery's course curriculum, Sera Jey Monastery has extended support to avail the facility & conduct Debate Class together and provide meals to all members of Sera Mey monastery who have taken their pledge to the code. On the petition & recommendation by Sera Jey Abbot, Tulkus, Geshes and members monks to the Administration Committee of Sera Jey, the two Secretaries - Geshe Yeshe Gyatso & Geshe Ngawang Lobsang approached the Abbot & Administration Committee of Sera Mey Monastery and extended to offer daily meals to its member monks as a token of good will in consideration to the ongoing problem & hardships faced by Sera Mey Monastery & its members. A grant of Rs. 25,000.00 (Twenty Five Thousand) was extended to each of the two most affected khangtsens of Sera Mey – Tsadhor & Marngyung to alleviate their immediate hardships.
In a unanimous decision, Sera Lachi, Sera Jey & Sera Mey Monastery forwarded petition to the Deputy Commissioner of Mysore District for his intervention in resolving the crisis. On 2 nd April 2008, The Deputy Commissioner of Mysore District convened a major meeting at Sera Lachi, attended by The Assistant Commissioner of Hunsur Division, Chief Representative of Tibetan Settlements in South India, Representative – Mr. Tashi Wangdu of Lugsam & also on behalf of Tibetan Dickey Larso, respective Abbot & Administration Committee of Sera Jey & Sera Mey Monastery and representatives of Dorjee Shugden group. However the meeting failed to materialize any solution to the problem with the The Deputy Commissioner concluding that the problem has to be solved internally within 24 hours time or else the monastery (Sera Lachi) had to be closed.
Nevertheless, on the evening of 4 th April 2008 around 60 policemen took guard of Sera Lachi Monastery and the officer In-charge seized the key of the Assembly Prayer Hall. The Dorjee Shugden group with hundreds of policemen threatened to stall the Sojong session in the morning of 5 th April 2008. However the peaceful protest led by The Joint Committee of Himalayan Buddhist Association & Cause for Tibet from Sera Jey, member monks from Sera Jey & Sera Mey, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress & Womens Association and with over 1000 Tibetan lay settlers - men & women, eventually succeeded in conducting the Sojong session after 3 hours.
After the sojong session, the police officer demanded that the Dorjee Shguden group be given the privilege to conduct sojong session at Sera Lachi. The public & member monks in unity prevented them from entering & conducting the sojong – as it is violation to the monastic code.
And after the sojong session, respective Abbots & Chant Masters of Sera Jey & Sera Mey Monastery appeared before the mass gathering of member monks at Sera Lachi, where the Chief Disciplinarians formally announced the expulsion / extermination of six monks within the Dorjee Shugden group from the membership of Sera Monastery.
During that day long event, Sera Jey Monastery provided Tea & Lunch to over 300 Himalayan student monks & over one thousands public – men & women who stayed till 5 pm. The President & Committee members of The Joint Himalayan Buddhist Association & Cause for Tibet was called on and met by the Acting Abbot, Chant Master & Chief Disciplinarian of Sera Jey Monastery expressing immense gratitude & appreciation for their assistance in making possible in conducting the sojong session after prolonged suspension. The Monastery agreed to assist The Joint Himalayan Buddhist Association & Cause for Tibet in all activities involved in the Buddha Dharma & Tibetan Culture.
And henceforth the students of Himalayan Association have assisted & made possible in holding the mangja (Prayer Assembly offering at Sera Lachi).
From the Administration Committee of Sera Jey Monastery
Dated: 16 April, 2008
