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SHPN-Thupten Lhama-071011-9023.jpg
Not long ago, Thupten Lama's goal, as a frail and elderly Ph.D of Tibetan Buddhism, was to become a U.S. citizen before he died so that he may be reincarnated as a U.S. citizen in his next life. The monk, who holds the same level of theological education as the Dalai Lama, fled from China to India, following his spiritual leader into exile. But in India his home was firebombed because he would not stop worshipping Dorje Shugden, a deity in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon outlawed by religious authorities. Viewing the ban on worship of Dorje Shugden as a political matter, he continued to follow the practice, a stance that made living in the Tibetan community in India unsafe. To preserve his religious freedom, he moved with his family to Minnesota, where he is safe, happy, and a citizen.
- Copyright
- Ariana Lindquist
- Image Size
- 4200x2800 / 3.4MB
- Contained in galleries
- BOOK: GREEN CARD STORIES

