Critical Forum for the Investigation of the Kalachakra Tantra and the Shambhala Myth

The Dalai Lama presiding over the Kalachakra initiation in
Bodhgaya in January 2003. "The Dalai Lamas have had specific interest in the Kalachakra practice, particularly the First, Second, Seventh, Eighth, and the current Dalai Lamas. The present Dalai Lama has given thirty Kalachakra initiations all over the world, and is the most prominent Kalachakra lineage holder alive today. Billed as the"Kalachakra for World Peace," they draw tens of thousands of people. Generally, it is unusual for tantric initiations to be given to large public assemblages, but the Kalachakra has always been an exception. The Dalai Lama, Kalu Rinpoche and others have stated that the public exposition of this tantra is necessary in the current degenerate age. The initiation may be received as a blessing for the majority of those attending, although many attendees do take the commitments and subsequently engage in the practice. Kalachakra Initiations given by H.H. XIV Dalai Lama 1. Norbu Lingka, Lhasa, Tibet, in May 1954 2. Norbu Lingka, Lhasa, Tibet, in April 1956 3. Dharamsala, India, in March 1970 4. Bylakuppe, South India, in May 1971 5. Bodh Gaya, India, in December 1974 6. Leh, Ladakh, India, in September 1976 7. Deer Park Buddhist Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, in July 1981 8. Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, India, in April 1983 9. Lahaul & Spiti, India, in August 1983 10. Rikon, Switzerland, in July 1985 11. Bodh Gaya, India, in December 1985 12. Zanskar, Ladakh, India, in July 1988 13. Los Angeles, USA, in July 1989 14. Sarnath, India, in December 1990 15. New York, USA, in October 1991 16. Kalpa, HP, India, in August 1992 17. Gangtok, Sikkim, India, in April 1993 18. Jispa, HP, India, in August 1994 19. Barcelona, Spain, in December 1994 20. Mundgod, South India, in January 1995 21. Ulanbaator, Mongolia, in August 1995 22. Tabo, HP, India, in June 1996 23. Sydney, Australia, in September 1996 24. Salugara, West Bengal, India, in December 1996. 25. Bloomington, Indiana, USA, in August 1999. 26. Key Monastery, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India, in August 2000. 27a. Bodhgaya, Bihar, India, in January 2002 (postponed). 27b. Graz, Austria, in October 2002. 28. Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, in January 2003. 29. Toronto, Canada, in April 2004. 30. Amaravati, Guntur, India in January 2006.”
Critical Forum for the Investigation of the Kalachakra Tantra and the Shambhala Myth
In Sanskrit, Kalachakra means"The Wheel of Time", but it is also the name of
the supreme Tibetan"Time God.” The Kalachakra Tantra is held to be the last and
the most recent (10th century) of all the tantra texts that have been revealed,
and is considered by the lamas to be"The pinnacle of all Buddhist systems.”
Over more than 25 years, many hundreds of thousands have been"Initiated"
through the Kalachakra Tantra by the XIV Dalai Lama. Of these, large numbers are
illiterate people from India. But even the"educated"participants from the West
barely know anything about what this ritual actually entails, since alongside
its public aspect it also has a strongly guarded secret side. In public, the XIV
Dalai Lama performs only the seven lowest initiations; the subsequent eight of
the total of 15 initiations continue to remain top secret.
There is no talk of these eight secret rites in the pamphlets, advertisements or
brochures, and especially not in the numerous affirmations of the XIV Dalai
Lama. Here, the Kalachakra Tantra appears as a dignified and uplifting
contribution to world peace, which fosters compassion with all living beings,
interreligious dialog, interracial and intersubjective tolerance, ecological
awareness, sexual equality, inner peace, spiritual development and bliss for the
third millennium ("Kalachakra for World Peace"). The motto for the whole show is
quoted from the XIV Dalai Lama: "Because we all share this small planet earth,
we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature.”
The highly focused, extremely tantric initiation of Tibetan Lamaism thus garners
the kudos of a"transcultural and interreligious meeting for world peace.”
But are the Kalachakra Tantra and the Shambhala myth truly pacifist? Do they
really encourage harmony and cooperation among people? Do they make any real
contribution to freedom and justice, equality of the sexes, religious tolerance
or ethnic reconciliation? Are they a comprehensive, politically humanist,
democratic and nonviolent contribution to world peace?
Over the past few years, increasing criticism has been leveled at Tibetan
Buddhism, the history of Lamaism, conditions among the Tibetans in exile and the
XIV Dalai Lama himself, criticism which is not from the Chinese quarter.
Historians from the USA have begun questioning the widespread glorifying
whitewash of Tibetan history (Melvin C. Goldstein, A. Tom Grundfeld). Critical
Tibetologists have raised accusations of deliberate manipulation by official
Tibetology (Donald S. Lopez Jr.). Tibet researchers have investigated the
"dreams of power"that are activated and exacerbated by the"Tibet myth"
nurtured by Lamaists (Peter Bishop). Prominent politicians have had to admit the
evidence of their own eyes that the Chinese are not committing"genocide"In
Tibet, as the Tibetans in exile continue to claim (Antje Vollmar, Mary
Robinson). Former female Buddhists have condemned, on the basis of personal
experience and with great expertise, the systematic and sophisticated oppression
and abuse of women in Tibetan Buddhism (June Campbell). Psychologists and
psychoanalysts have investigated the aggressive and morbid character of Lamaist
culture (Robert A. Paul, Fokke Sierksma, Colin Goldner). From within the Dalai
Lama's own ranks, overwhelming evidence of his intolerant, superstitious and
autocratic nature has been amassed since 1997 (Shugden Affair). Lamaism's
rituals have also been subjected to strong criticism. The humanistic,
peace-loving, tolerant and ecumenical intentions of the Kalachakra Tantra and
the Shambhala myth it contains have been interrogated in a comprehensive study
(Victor and Victoria Trimondi). Biting criticism of the XIV Dalai Lama and his
system founded on magic has also been broadcast in German, Swiss and Austrian
television (Panorama, 10 nach 10, Treffpunkt Kultur). In Munich, on the occasion
of a visit by the Tibetan religious potentate (in May 2000), there was even a
split in the SPD, whose"pro-Dalai Lama"Wing had invited the Tibetan"God-King"
to a gala event. The media as a whole has been equally divided: the Dalai Lama
has been accused of, among other things, having an undemocratic and autocratic
leadership style, suppressing any political opposition, acting to repress
religious minorities; letting policy be determined by possessed oracles rather
than through dialog and debate, deliberate falsification of the history of
Tibet, maintaining uncritical relationships with former members of the SS and
neo-nazis, defaming critics and conducting misogynist rituals. Felix Austria —
this criticism seems to have floated by the beautiful mountains of Austria like
a slim cloud that hardly turns a head.
Here are some of the points raised by the critics of the Kalachakra Tantra and
the Shambhala myth it contains that the Critical Forum Kalachakra is putting
forward for discussion:
The secret rites of the Kalachakra Tantra may not, under pain of medieval
punishment for body and soul, be discussed with the uninitiated. The"head and
heart"of whoever reveals its occult secrets"Will burst asunder"And they will
burn in the deepest hell. There are good reasons for this, then in the the eight
highest initiations there is talk of things that stand in complete contradiction
to a humanist system of values (Michael Henss — Kalachakra — ein tibetisches
Einweihungsritual — Zurich 1985, 46).
The Kalachakra-Tantra is anything but pacifist, rather, it prophesies and
promotes a bloody religious war for world domination between Buddhists and
non-Buddhists (Shambhala myth).
The text explicitly names the"leaders"of the three monotheistic religions
(Judaism, Christianity, Islam) as opponents of Buddhism: "Adam, Enoch, Abraham,
Moses, Jesus, the White-Clad one [Mani], Muhammad and Mathani [the Mahdi].” The
Kalachakra Tantra describes them as"The family of the demonic snakes" (Shri
Kalachakra I. 154).
Thus, the Kalachakra Tantra is opposed to all religions of Semitic origin, and
for this reason has been pressed into service by right-wing radical and
anti-Semitic circles for their racist propaganda.
The Kalchakra Tantra invokes a global war between the Islamic and the
non-Islamic world in which the followers of Mohammed are presented as the
principal enemies of the Buddhists. The original text refers to Mecca, where the
"mighty, merciless idol of the barbarians"lives as a"demonic incarnation"
(Shri Kalachakra I. 154).
Murderous super-weapons possessed by the Buddhist Shambhala Army and employed
against"enemies of the Dharma"Are described at length and in enthusiastic
detail in the Kalachakra Tantra (Shri Kalachakra I. 128—142). Modern Lamaist
interpretations of these military arsenal fantasies indulge in spectacular
comparisons to the weaponry of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The Buddhist art of war in the Shambhala battles is obviously at odds with basic
human rights, and is instead described in the original text as"merciless"And
"cruel.”"The supremely ferocious [Buddhist] warriors will cast down the
barbarian horde"And"eliminating"Them"together with their followers.” (Shri
Kalachakra I. 163/165).
All the participants in a Kalachakra initiation (i.e., also those in Graz) have
the questionable privilege of being reborn as"Shambhala Warriors"In order to
be able to participate in the prophesied apocalyptic battle as either infantry
or officers, dependant on rank. High lamas of particular lineages have already
been assigned to commanding positions (E. Bernbaum — Der Weg nach Shambhala —
Auf der Suche nach dem sagenhaften Knigreich im Himalaya — Hamburg 1982, 252,
35).
According to a vision of the Tibetan Lama Kamtrul Rinpoche, it is the
reincarnated Dalai Lama himself, who as wrathful field marshal will lead the
Buddhist army into the Shambhala battle (Rudra Chakrin) to conquer all evil in
the universe. Propagandists for the Kalachakra Tantra peddle a primitive martyr
cult that resembles that of the Moslem jihad warriors: he who falls in the
Shambhala war is rewarded with guaranteed entry to the Shambhala paradise (E.
Bernbaum — Der Weg nach Shambhala — Auf der Suche nach dem sagenhaften
Knigreich im Himalaya — Hamburg 1982, 253).
At all levels, the Kalachakra Tantra fosters the postulation of (and negotiation
with) a conceived"enemy"And — completely at odds with the original teachings
of the historical Buddha or the ethical demands of Mahayana Buddhism — advocates
war between"good"And"evil", between the"faithful"And the"unbelievers.”
The Kalachakra-Tantra contains a Buddhocratic doctrine of state which is even
more"Theocratic"than the fundamentalist Islam concept of theocracy; the
Buddhist"Chakravartin" (world ruler) is seen as a direct"Incarnation"or
"emanation"of the Supreme Buddha (Adi Buddha), as a walking"God-Man"on earth,
whilst the"Caliph"Is only God's (Allah's)"representative"on earth, who does
not even have the rank of a"prophet.”
At the pinnacle of the authoritative Buddhocratic Kalachakra state, on the"Lion
Throne"resides an absolute"Priest-King" (Chakravartin), who unites in his
person religious, political, juridical and military might. There is absolutely
no civil"separation of powers"here. Those familiar with the constitutional
position of the Dalai Lama in traditional Tibet (up until 1959) know that the
office of the Tibetan"God-King"corresponded to that of a Chakravartin in
miniature. The highly questionable and half-hearted democratization reforms that
the XIV Dalai Lama has introduced among the Tibetans in exile would be
obliterated afresh through the Buddhocratic, state political consequences of the
Kalachakra Tantra teachings.
The right to a Buddhocratic world supremacy is an explicit demand of the
Kalachakra Tantra. Here too we find a fundamentalist correspondence to Islamist
ambitions to global domination. If both systems are set to confront another as
deadly enemies in a bloody apocalyptic battle, then this is a consequence of the
logic of their theocratic-cum-Buddhocratic absolutism.
Modern Buddhocratic visions for our planet which are welcomed by the XIV Dalai
Lama are built upon the foundations of the Kalachakra Tantra. See in this regard
Robert A. Thurman's book — Revolution von Innen — Die Lehren des Buddhismus oder
das vollkommene Gluck (1999), where the author develops the authoritative
political theory of a"Buddhaverse.” As early as 1979, Thurman, described by
Time magazine as the"spokesman of the Dalai Lama"In the USA, saw the Tibetan
religious leader in a dream enthroned as a"Time God"over the Waldorf Astoria
Hotel in New York, while the great swarm of notables - mayors, senators, company
directors and kings, sheiks and sultans, celebrities and stars buzzed around
him; caught up in the maelstrom of the 722 dancing deities of the Kalachakra
Tantra swarmed around him just like bees in pinstripes around a huge hive.
In the secret higher stages of initiation the Kalachakra Tantra demands the
unconditional and unlimited surrender to the absolute will of the administering
guru (in this case the Dalai Lamas as Kalachakra master). The"ego
consciousness"And the personality of the initiand are extinguished step by
step, so as to transform him into a human vessel for the in part warlike and
aggressive tantric deities and Buddhist figures. Hence, the Kalachakra Tantra
brings no"ennoblement"," transfiguration"or"Integration"of the individual,
but rather its systematic"elimination"In the interests of a codified religious
pattern.
In the eight secret higher initiations of the Kalachakra Tantra, extreme mental
and physical exercises are used to push the initiand into a state beyond good
and evil. The original text thus requires the following misdeeds and crimes of
him: killing, lying, stealing, infidelity, the consumption of alcohol, sexual
intercourse with lower-class girls. As in all the other tantras, here too these
requirements can be understood both symbolically and literally. Even the XIV
Dalai Lama finds it legitimate for a Kalachakra adept to kill a person under
special circumstances," who are harmful to the [Buddhist] teaching.” He insists,
however, that this be"motivated by compassion" (Dalai Lama — The Kalachakra
Tantra — Rite of Initiation - London, 1985, S. 348 ff.).
In the highest magical initiations, what are known as"unclean substances"Are
employed. The Kalachakra Tantra recommends the consumption of the meat of
various taboo animals. Human meat (maha mamsa) is also employed as a ritual
substance. It is usually taken from the dead and, writes the tantric grand
master and Shambhala King, Pundarika, in his traditional Kalachakra commentary,
is the"meat of those who died due to their own karma, who were killed in battle
due to evil karma or and due to their own fault, or that of robbers and so forth
who were executed.” He continues with the advice that it is sensible to consume
these substances in the form of pills. The flesh of innocent people, who have
been killed as sacrifices to the gods, out of fear, as part of an ancestor cult,
out of desire (greed) or for money, is laden with"unspeakable sin"And may not
be used in the rituals.”But which falls in the bowl unasked-for is without
unspeakable sin"— and may therefore be put to use. (In: John Ronald Newman -
The outer wheel of time: Vajrayana Buddhist cosmology in the Kalacakra Tantra -
Madison 1987, 266 f.).
Numerous ritual objects employed in the ceremonies are made from corpses (bowls
made from human skulls, trumpets made of leg bones, bone necklaces). A glance at
the great Kalachakra thangka (wall tapestry) which will be hanging above the
throne of the XIV Dalai Lama during the whole of the ceremony in Graz is enough
to convince one of the wrathful character of this ritual. The Time God
"Kalachakra"depicted there together with his consort, the Time Goddess
"Vishvamata"In sexual union while standing, hold in their total of 32 hands 24
objects of an aggressive, morbid or warlike nature (hooks, sword, machete, drums
and vessels made of skull bowls, a scepter whose peak is adorned with three
severed human heads, etc.)
In the secret higher initiations of the Kalachakra Tantra sexual magical rites
take place, the aim of which is to transform"sexuality"Into worldly and
spiritual power. The real or imaginary women (both are possible) used in these
represent particular forms of energy, whereby age plays an important role. One
begins with ten-year-old girls. Up to the age of 20, the female sexual partners
represent positive characteristics. If they are older they are regarded as the
bearers of the negative energies of scorn, rage, hate etc. and as"demonesses.”
In the 8th to 11th levels of initiation into the Kalachakra Tantra sexual magic
experiments are made with just"one"Woman; in the 12th to 15th levels, the
so-called Ganachakra, a total of 10 women take part in the ritual along with the
master and the initiand. It is the pupil's duty to offer his Lama the women as a
"gift.”"Laity"Who are to be initiated into the ritual are supposed to offer up
their female relatives (mother, sister, wife, daughter, aunt, etc.). One can
read in the Kalachakra Mlatantra that"If the pupil does not hand these wisdom
consorts over to his master, in order to protect his family, then [the master]
may not perform this ritual.”Consecrated monks and novices, however, may make
use of unrelated women from various castes. In the secret ritual itself the
participants experiment with the masculine and feminine seed (sperm and
menstrual blood). In the Kalachakra Tantra women are regarded as mere"energy
donors"for the male practitioners and once the ritual is over they have no
further role to play (see in this regard Naropa — Iniziazione Kalacakra — Roma
1994).
In the current age, which according to the teachings of Lamaism is hastening
towards an apocalyptic end (Kali yuga), the Kalachakra Tantra has a particularly
destructive and aggressive character. It includes special rites which are
supposed to accelerate the general decline through symbolic acts.”What is
Kalachakrayana [the Kalachakra Way]?”— asks one of the leading experts in the
field of Tantrism, the Indian Shashi Bhusan Dasgupta, and tellingly answers,
"The word kala means time, death and destruction. Kala-Chakra is the Wheel of
Destruction.”
These are just some of the problematic aspects that critics object to in the
Kalachakra Tantra and the Shambhala Myth it contains. They ought to provide
sufficient grounds to question whether this ritual can still be seen as having a
humanistic, peaceful, tolerant, freedom-loving and ecumenical character. In
addition, the Shambhala myth integrated into the Kalachakra Tantra has — insofar
as it has been accorded historical and ideological relevance — led to extremely
aggressive behavior patterns, megalomaniac visions, conspiracy theories and
terrorist activity. But above all it exercises a special fascination for
neo-fascist circles and provides a source of ideological inspiration for them.
In the wars between Byelorussians, Bolsheviks and Mongolians, the Shambhala myth
was associated with ideas of the return of Genghis Khan at the beginning of the
twenties. The Mongolians saw themselves in this conflict as"Shambhala
warriors.” Their military actions were extremely bloodthirsty.
The Italian fascist and right-wing extremist philosopher of culture, Julius
Evola, saw in the mythic realm of Shambhala the esoteric center of a sacred
warrior caste and suspected that the palace of the world king, whose escutcheon
was the swastika, could be found there. He held lectures on these views for the
the SS"Ahnenerbe.”
In the occult literature (the"Nazi mysteries")," masters"from Shambhala are
depicted as the hidden string pullers who are supposed to have participated in
the"magical"creation of the Nazi regime (Trevor Ravenscroft, Louis Pauwels and
Jacques Bergier u. a.).
In the ideological SS underground of the post-War period and in the"SS
mysticism"of the nineties, the mythical kingdom of Shambhala is seen as a
sanctuary for an aggressive and morbid"Nazi religion" (Wilhelm Landig, Jan van
Helsing u. a.).
The Shambhala myth is one of the ideological pillars of"esoteric Hitlerism.”
This is the worldwide, racist, occult doctrine of the Chilean diplomat, Miguel
Serrano, and the Indian by adoption, Savitri Devi ("Hitler's Priestess").
With his concept of the Shambhala warrior, the now deceased Tibetan Lama,
Chgyam Trungpa (1940-1987), laid the first foundations for a potential
"Combative Buddhism", already found in large parts of East Asia, in the West.
Instead of monasteries, Trungpa's Shambhala warriors live in military camps,
meditation is accompanied by military parades, in place of the begging bowl his
pupils carry weapons and rather than monastic robes they wear military uniforms.
The master himself no longer moved around in Buddhist style, with yellow and red
monastic robe and walking staff and sandals, but rather rode forth on a white
horse (in accordance with the apocalyptic prophecy of the Kalachakra Tantra) in
peaked cap, tunic and high boots. The Shambhala coat of arms can be seen on the
saddle of a horse in a photo of the martial Trungpa.
The Shambhala Myth provides the ideological basis for the terrorism of the
Japanese apocalyptic guru, Shoko Asahara. He derives his apocalyptic visions
from the teachings of the Kalachakra Tantra. His intention is to accelerate the
onset of the Shambhala war and this is his justification for his poison-gas
attacks on the Tokyo Underground. Asahara was the first leader of a sect to make
the"uninvolved"from outside of his own organization the target of his deadly
attacks and thus opened the floodgates for the religiously motivated
international terrorism that has become the number one topic in the world
community.
Even if these fascist and terrorist interpretations of the Shambhala myth are
erroneous, it is therefore all the more pressing that the XIV Dalai Lama and his
followers lay bare the Kalachakra ritual in all its detail, correct possible
distortions, projections and misuses, and distance themselves publicly from its
more problematic contents, that or edit them out of the traditional texts.
Instead, however, there have in the past been numerous friendly meetings between
the Tibetan religious leader and former SS figures (Heinrich Harrer, Bruno
Beger), the founder of"esoteric Hitlerism", Miguel Serrano, and the terrorist,
Shoko Asahara, whom even after the Tokyo attacks he described as his"friend,
albeit an imperfect one.” Only later did he distance himself from him. It is the
duty of the city of Graz, the provincial government of Styria, the various
political factions, the media, the intellectuals and not least the Christian
institutions, to begin a broad public discussion of this ritual, so as not [to]
be drawn into something which is diametrically opposed to their original
intentions.
Then, according to statements in numerous international media reports, Tibetan
Buddhism is the"trend religion"of our time. Through the XIV Dalai Lama,
through both his charismatic appearances and his ostensibly humanist speeches
and writings, a gigantic, unreflective cultural import of Eastern concepts into
the West is taking place, one which displays fundamentalist characteristics and
serves as an ideological foundation for various fundamentalist camps and can
continue to so serve in the future. The Buddhist leader appeals to people's deep
need for harmony and peace, but the history of Lamaism itself, the contents of
the Tibetan tantras and their complex of rituals, even the conditions which
prevail among the Tibetans in exile, are anything but peaceful and harmonic.
There are passages in the Kalachakra Tantra which brazenly call for a"War of
the religions", which are intolerant and aggressive. In Tibetan Buddhism we have
an archaic, magic-based religious system, which has remained to a large extent
untouched by the fundamentals of the Western Enlightenment. This is also the
reason it is so attractive for right-wing extremists. For centuries it has led
to social injustices that any freedom-loving citizen of today would be forced to
reject. The equality of the sexes, democratic decision making and ecumenical
movements are in themselves foreign to the nature of Tantric Buddhism, although
the XIV Dalai Lama publicly proclaims the opposite.
In a reaction to 11 September 2001, Der Spiegel drew attention to aggressive
elements and fundamentalist currents in the three monotheistic religions in an
article entitled"Religious Mania — The Return of the Middle Ages.” As is so
often the case in such cultural critiques, Buddhism was spared. This is untrue!
All of the topics criticized in this article (battles against unbelievers and
dissidents, religious wars, armament fantasies, theocratic visions of power,
apocalyptic predictions, misogyny, etc.) are to be found in a particularly
concentrated degree in the Kalachakra Tantra.
The Critical Forum Kalachakra (CFK) demands that a wide-ranging cultural debate
over the Kalachakra Tantra and the Shambhala myth. The CFK collects
informations, distributes and translates documents.
Index | Contents | References | Buddhism Debate | Glossary | Home
Copyright 2003 — Victor & Victoria Trimondi
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http://www.trimondi.de/SDLE/Annex.htm

Because they talk well people believe. What have they given you? Somebody says they have given us the Knowledge? All right, what Knowledge? What Knowledge have they given you? Knowledge is all mental — what they've got in their awareness where you have to evolve?”
The Paraclete Shri Mataji
The New Age Has Started, Houston, USA
October 6, 1981
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