The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to [email protected].
By: Shashi Kei
Just when you thought the Tibetan leadership couldn’t afford another scandal, one erupts involving the Tibetan people’s highest official and most visible figure, the Dalai Lama himself.
On 24th January 2018, the Daily Mail ran a story with a blistering headline, “Dalai Lama was paid $1 MILLION to endorse women-branding ‘sex cult’ after secret deal between Buddhist’s celibate U.S. emissary and his Seagram billionaire ‘lover’”. While some Dalai Lama fans may discredit the Daily Mail as a gossip-mongering tabloid, the story itself is an extension of The Guardian’s news about the dubious activities of Tenzin Dhonden, the Dalai Lama’s personal emissary in America, involving sex and money. In addition, the Daily Mail was not reporting on a new story but rather, it ran a detailed narrative about the Dalai Lama’s involvement with Keith Raniere, the founder of the NXVIM cult who is today on the run from the law. The event itself took place in Albany in 2009 when the Dalai Lama graced a NXVIM event and endorsed Keith Raniere.
What should disturb the Tibetan leadership is this – the Daily Mail report confirms that the eyes of the global media are now trained on the Tibetan leadership and, unlike previously, seem to be unwilling to let old delinquencies slide. This translates into more trouble for the Dalai Lama and his exile government, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) who finds itself increasingly under scrutiny as it is hit with one scandal after another. Apart from the Tenzin Dhonden blow to the credibility of the Dalai Lama, the CTA’s trustworthiness has also been called into question recently when sacked ex-Dalai Lama representative to New York, Penpa Tsering who is also a political rival to the incumbent CTA Prime Minister, Dr Lobsang Sangay, exposed that a sum of $1.5 million from the International Campaign for Tibet may have been misappropriated under Sangay’s directive.
Whether inadvertent or not, the Dalai Lama contributes to the Tibetan leadership’s notoriety. The Nobel Laureate being named in the NXVIM scandal with the inference that he endorsed Keith Raniere in exchange for money is reminiscent of his endorsement of Aum Shinrikyo’s cult leader, Shoko Asahara, for a reported sum of $1.5 million in donations. Asahara, whom the Dalai Lama regarded as a close friend, would go on to carry out the deadly Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, where 13 people perished and up to 6000 were hurt.
The office of the Dalai Lama has since refuted the claim that the Dalai Lama’s appearance at the NXVIM event was the result of a sum of money changing hands. But, regardless of whether the Dalai Lama’s endorsement was made in exchange for financial gain or not, the simple fact is that the Dalai Lama did legitimize Keith Raniere, even writing an extensive foreword for Raniere’s book, The Sphinx & Thelxiepeia. This calls into question the spiritual leader’s judgement and his advisors’ competence in vetting who the Dalai Lama associates with.
Ironically, the Dalai Lama is said to be a living Buddha, complete with omniscience, omnipresence and perfect clairvoyance. That is why he is worshipped and his instructions obeyed without question. It is therefore strange that such clairvoyance failed to detect the Mephistophelian schemes of the Keith Raineres and Shoko Asaharas, whereas it is supposed to have worked when the spiritual leader proclaimed in his divine wisdom that the 400-year-old enlightened Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden was evil and contemptible. Clearly, it is highly probable that the Dalai Lama made a mistake in the case of Dorje Shugden, as he did in the cases of Raineres and Asahara.
A Sinking Ship
Whilst it is common knowledge that the CTA reeks of corruption scandals, the politicians at the CTA could not have picked a worse time for their shenanigans to be discovered and aired publicly. In the past few years itself, the CTA has lost its erstwhile firm footing on the international stage as country after country snubs a Dalai Lama whose popularity seems to be waning fast. The casualty is of course the ordinary Tibetan’s dream to return to his homeland, a dream that the Tibetans have hung on to for over half a century, a dream that is going up in smoke as CTA politicians fight over rights to have first bites over a very lucrative trough overflowing with donations from well wishers – almost 60 years worth of government grants, public donations and unknown sums in the form of private donations, not to mention gifts and inheritances, to be exact.
Questions are looming – why does the Dalai Lama allow this and how can he not know of such rife corruption and impropriety amongst his government’s top officials? Is the Dalai Lama a part of a secret scheme or is he really out of touch with what is going on around him and in the world? Comments abound with some saying that the Dalai Lama should not have to bear the blame for the malfeasance of some of his officials and the negligence of the rest of his people. Others ask, why should the Dalai Lama be absolved from any blame when it is well known that nothing happens except with his express permission? Yet others ask, why should the Dalai Lama not take the rap for the mistakes of his advisors and assistants seeing that he takes all the credit when they perform well? And, seeing that the Dalai Lama has been glorified for every suffering his people have endured, should he not also take the blame for their wrongdoings?
Amidst these myriad questions, one has been answered resoundingly and that is the question of whether the Dalai Lama’s government is up to the task of managing a Tibet with a population of 6 million, if by some chance they regain control of their homeland. These scandals suggest that the Tibetan leadership cannot. Not when the top men in the Dalai Lama’s coterie are falling over themselves managing a mere 150,000 Tibetans in diaspora.
Questions will continue to be asked as investigators and journalists smell blood. They sense that what they have seen so far is only the tip of the iceberg. 60 years in exile, with zero accountability and unknown amounts of money moving under the ambiguous preface of “Tibetan Freedom” seems to be the formula for a lot of things to go wrong.
EXCLUSIVE: Dalai Lama was paid $1 MILLION to endorse women-branding ‘sex cult’ after secret deal between Buddhist’s celibate U.S. emissary and his Seagram billionaire ‘lover’
![dalailamascandal01](http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dalailamascandal01c.jpg)
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5230067/Dalai-Lamas-1-MILLION-women-branding-sex-cult.html. Click to enlarge.
Addendum
Eagle-eyed observers have noticed that many prominent sponsors of the Dalai Lama, and people who have been praised by the Dalai Lama often end up mired in self-created scandals or have their corrupt and sickening actions exposed.
The latest is Keith Raniere, the wealthy leader of the NXIVM cult who has just been arrested in Mexico and has since been extradited to the United States where he faces charges of sexual abuse. Mr Raniere had previously paid the Dalai Lama US$1 million to address NXIVM members in an event that has since been promoted as the Dalai Lama’s endorsement of Mr Raniere. The Dalai Lama has also previously written a foreword for Mr Raniere’s book titled “The Sphinx & Thelxiepeia”.
Mr Raniere joins a list of other prominent associates of the Dalai Lama who have been charged with various felonies or accused of various offences, including:
![keithranierebook](http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/keithranierebook.jpg)
The Dalai Lama’s endorsement of Keith Raniere included writing a foreword for The Sphinx & Thelxiepeia, a book by Mr Raniere. Click to enlarge.
- Sogyal Rinpoche, infamous now for molesting women, whose acts have been mentioned in various websites and news portals for nearly a decade. He was even the subject of a BBC documentary, as well as videos produced by his victims, to expose his immoral acts.
- Tenzin Dhonden, the personal emissary of the Dalai Lama who was suspended for corruption and embezzlement. It was later revealed that he had sexual relations with a wealthy heiress. It was also Tenzin Dhonden who introduced the Dalai Lama to Mr Raniere, and had the Dalai Lama accept a financial gift from Mr Raniere. In exchange, the Dalai Lama appeared at a talk that Mr Raniere hosted, to praise Mr Raniere thereby legitimizing his organization. How many women joined NXIVM as a result of the Dalai Lama’s endorsement, and were subsequently put at risk of sexual abuse? Tenzin Dhonden is responsible for this.
- Penpa Tsering, the Dalai Lama’s representative in North America, who has for years dodged allegations of various illegalities including murder and associations with a visa-trafficking ring. It is believed that his sudden sacking was to evade another CTA scandal, in which he discovered that Tibetan President Lobsang Sangay had somehow pilfered US$1.5 million from the Tibetan people.
- Phachok Rinpoche, whose bank accounts in Nepal were frozen due to allegations of money laundering. It is claimed that during the 2015 Nepal earthquake which devastated the country and left thousands of people homeless and destitute, Phachok Rinpoche raised money on the pretext of helping earthquake victims but he never actually disbursed the funds to them.
Above are just some examples of people who were endorsed by the Dalai Lama himself one way or another, but were later exposed as corrupt, conniving or simply despicable individuals. This again leaves people thinking, is the Dalai Lama really psychic? If he is, why did he allow and encourage the misdeeds of these people?
![keithcult](http://www.dorjeshugden.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/keithcult.jpg)
Click to enlarge. (Source: https://nypost.com/2018/03/26/cult-leader-arrested-for-allegedly-branding-women-keeping-them-as-slaves/)
Sharling Dhardonite
January 27, 2018
The Dalai Lama even gave a forward for this cult leaders’s book. Amazing endorsement. Is this wisdom? 😖
Samten
January 28, 2018
Although His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s secretary had previously denied that the Dalai Lama was paid $1 million to speak for Raniere, a trace has been found that the Dalai Lama’s trust has received US$ 2 million in donation ten days after the event. Raniere is the leader of a cult called NXIVM which brands women on their pubic region with his initials and requires them to give him nude photos of themselves and other damaging material in case they reveal the secrets of his cult.
Although the Dalai Lama office continues to deny that the donation was related to the speaking engagement, one can’t help but wonder whether His Holiness would have received such donation if he did not come to Albany to speak in the first place?
IRS
March 13, 2018
Why has the Dalai Lama Trust stopped having Audited Accounts since 2015?
Isn’t that a compulsory thing?
Pasang Tashi
January 29, 2018
Dorje Shugden practitioners have been victims of unfounded blame for more than half a decade, with news reports initiated by the Tibetan leadership, alerting the public that Shugden fundamentalist groups posed huge security threat to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as they were covertly backed up by China. The reality is that terrorists are out to harm His Holiness, with two bombs found amid His Holiness’ tight security, thanks to the intensive combing operation by Indian police. The Central Tibetan Administration should stop spreading lies that Shugden practitioners or more absurdly, Shugden practice imperil the life of the Dalai Lama, and pay more attention to real threats such as this.
Karma Rangzen
January 29, 2018
As a son of Tibet, I am disappointed to read about yet another scandal surrounding a figure we all grew up loving. The Dalai Lama meant more to me and virtually all Tibetans, as more than a king and more than a spiritual ruler. The Dalai Lama was a living symbol of the Tibetan people’s very being, our spirituality and our hope. He was the centre of our lives.
My family and many other families trusted the Dalai Lama so much we went into exile to be with him. Before that, when my parents heard that his life was in danger, we came from every direction to encircle his summer palace so that the enemy could not get to him.
In exile, we suffered but not all Tibetans suffered. The Dalai Lama’s family didn’t suffer. His close associates didn’t suffer. His chosen politicians didn’t suffer. Ordinary people suffered and yet we trusted him.
When his people told my parents who were in the late 70′s that they had to choose him or Shukden, we chose him the Dalai Lama and it was painful. But we continued to trust him. Now phama are passed away and they died broken. But I continued to trust the Dalai Lama because I didn’t know anything else.
But like me, many of us have seen what good governments do for their people and I can tell the difference between good and bad government. And the exile government we have is definitely not done anything for us.
Everyone tell us we Tibetans are lucky because we have Dalai Lama but I think Dalai Lama stopped thinking about us long time ago.
Tenzin Choejor
January 30, 2018
In a letter by the Dalai Lama’s translator, Thupten Jinpa, he had said that The Dalai Lama Trust was “slowly getting caught in unnecessary distractions”. Here is an excerpt from the letter:
“For someone who have [sic] had the honor and good fortune to serve His Holiness for over three decades, it had been painful to see how His Holiness’ name and legacy was slowly getting caught in unnecessary distractions (Albany-based NXIVM) and discordant messages (of rich and celebrity orientation). Especially, for the Trust, which is effectively His Holiness’ principal charitable foundation for the outside world, the last two years’ record has been, to put it mildly, quite embarrassing. The Trust has alienated most of its inter-organizational relationships, almost destroyed its infrastructure of the Tibetan graduate scholarship program with a majority of the independent reviewers resigning, and failed to support those international organizations that were actively inspired by His Holiness’ vision for the world and were undertaking high profile initiatives furthering His Holiness’ vision. Most sadly, the Trust has unfortunately acquired a reputation of being authoritarian, confrontational, petty, and uncaring, characteristics so far removed from His Holiness’ personal ethics. In particular, for those organizations and individuals who had been the recipients of grants from the Trust, frankly, the behavior of the Trust can be best characterized as that of bullying. If ever, some of the email communications from the Trust during this period were to come to light within the public domain, it would be a source of embarrassment for everyone connected with the Trust.”
The Dalai Lama’s office had also called for investigations and the eventual of any wrong doings by the organisation.
http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2018/01/30/daily-mails-article-dalai-lama-one-short-attempt-sensationalism/
L Lhundup
January 31, 2018
This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
If investigators could find US1 million dollars cash, yes CASH, at Karmapa Lama’s monastery in India, how much money do you think has flowed through the hands of the trusted persons of His Holiness Dalai Lama? [ http://shanghaiist.com/2015/07/10/karmapa-lama-money-laundering.php ]
And how much of this has been accounted for (or not) in the books of the various non-profit organizations such as the Tibet Fund, Tibetan Community Development Fund, etc.? Or has it flowed into the pockets of individuals?
Remember His Holiness has been around for a much longer time than the Karmapa Urgyen Trinley and attracts an exponential number of admirers, devotees and donors as compared with the Karmapa.
I cannot even imagine the amount of money that could have flowed to Dharamsala. But has Dharamsala, the Tibetan settlements and monasteries in India seen development commensurate to the hundreds of millions or even billion that could have possibly flowed in? Definitely not. All we can see is scandal after scandal and Tibetans in high position behaving like the Kardashians.
A complete investigation by His Holiness using independent auditors and financial forensic experts should be done.
And all top men and women should make statutory declarations as to how many banks accounts and properties they hold in the USA and elsewhere, and especially in offshore financial centers.
Remember, this is His Holiness’ reputation at stake.
Leave no stone unturned.
From,
A perturbed loyal person of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Anonymous
January 31, 2018
Impeach Sangay
February 2, 2018
It is better the Dalai Lama stays in India and hides for awhile till the heat dies down. He said he will not travel outside of India for year 2018 and now we can see why. Too many controversies, mistakes and bad decisions surfacing now.
![](/wp-content/uploads/stickers/51-x64JFkNBVE448.gif)
christine victor
February 3, 2018
Over 6 decades, millions and millions of dollars have flow to Tibet in Exile under the name of “Free Tibet” propaganda. And yet, till today, we could only hear the poor story of Tibet refugees.
If The CTA could spent more fund towards benefit their peoples, maybe the real “Free Tibet” could be achieve where their people are more educated and out of poverty, living in peace without fear of any religion ban.
Tenzin Dharpo
February 12, 2018
The Indian police has issued a circular for Tibetan refugees who are Indian voters or Indian citizens to surrender their Tibetan refugees registration certificates (RCs). Dawa Rinchen, Tibetan settlement officer at McLeodganj, said that the matter was to be dealt by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
There are around 1,400 Tibetan voters registered in Kangra district, many of them have exercised their voting rights in the state assembly elections without surrendering their RCs.
The Tibetan and Indian authorities are in a fix over this issue as the Tibetan authorities say that they don’t have any data of such Tibetans while the Indian authorities have passed the responsibility to Tibetan authorities stating that they had not asked anyone to apply for Indian citizenship or voting cards.
The CTA has already asked the Tibetans that they cannot take the benefits of being a refugee if they are holding Indian citizenship. There are also guidelines that such Tibetans have to leave the settlements. However, it remains to be seen if such rules will affect the CTA officials, such as Dhardon Sharling, Dolma Gyari, and Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar who hold Indian passports.
Tashi Dolma
February 13, 2018
Tibet Autonomous Region Public Security Department issued a report on organized crime, that contains information about activities that violate the existing law and regulations. The CPC Central Committee and State Council will act to control these criminal activities to ensure social harmony and stability, and that the people live and work in peace and happiness. CPC called the ‘Middle Way’ as a narrow nationalistic idea and is trying to control any activities related to supporting the Dalai Lama.
Eli Buchen
February 24, 2018
It does seem like the CTA is not managing the Dalai Lama, well and has caused the Dalai Lama to be linked to all sorts of scandals and misappropriation.
If this happened in any other country or organization, many heads will roll, within CTA, things get swept under the carpet or disappear into void. Tibetans in exile be careful who you follow.
Devano
February 25, 2018
An article published in 1997 in the Spanish magazine “Mas Alla” stated that Ling Rinpoche practiced Dorje Shugden. The magazine covers spiritual and metaphysical issues around the world, and doesn’t have anything to do with Tibetan Buddhism. So in that way, it has no reason to be biased in and to write articles in support of or against Dorje Shugden.
The magazine was also issued in 1997, before the height of the ban, at a time when no one was compelled to hide the truth. So we can be sure that the reporting on this matter is therefore neutral and unedited and objective.
It’s a fact that both the tutors of the 14th Dalai Lama (Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche) practiced Dorje Shugden, which was confirmed by the research conducted by the reporter JC Deus from Mas Alla. Deus clearly interviewed the right people and since the truth will always prevail, it is not surprising that an independent researcher like him with no links to Tibetan Buddhism so easily discovered and reported that Ling Rinpoche does Dorje Shugden practice. Remember that Deus was just doing his duty as a reporter, and reporting it as a neutral historical fact, not with any agenda in mind.
This is clear proof and it contradicts the false information the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) propagates that Ling Rinpoche does not practise Dorje Shugden. Lies like these will always be found out and exposed. This has been proven with the CTA who continue to make a fool out of themselves, losing trust among the Tibetans and supporters around the world.
This is PART 1, the first part of my 4-part comment. It shows the first three pages (pg 28-29) and the cover of the Mas Alla magazine, which published this report about Dorje Shugden.
Devano
February 25, 2018
This is PART 2, the second part of my 4-part comment. It shows the next three pages (pg 30-32) of the Mas Alla magazine, which published this report about Dorje Shugden.
Devano
February 25, 2018
This is PART 3, the third part of my 4-part comment. It shows the next three pages (pg 33-35) of the Mas Alla magazine, which published this report about Dorje Shugden. Please take SPECIAL NOTE to see page 33. The part where it mentions Ling Rinpoche practices Dorje Shugden has been highlighted for your reference.
Devano
February 25, 2018
This is PART 4, the final part of my 4-part comment. It shows the last two pages (pg 36-37) of the Mas Alla magazine, which published this report about Dorje Shugden.
Golog Jigme
February 27, 2018
Mr. Mila Rangzen says the head of the Tibetan exiled govt is a sexual predator
Since 2011, Lobsang Sangay’s tenure as the President of the Central Tibetan Administration has been mired with various scandals and failures, such as the election scandal and the US$1.5 million loan scandal. The 17% unemployment rate among the Tibetans in exile has also forced some Tibetans to become spies, betraying their host country India. Now, in more shocking news from Mila Rangzen, who has been proven to have access to a lot of insider news, Lobsang Sangay has been revealed to be a sexual predator who does not hesitate to risk the Dalai Lama’s reputation to satisfy his lust. More women and people are speaking up about this. This is really breaking news. These women deserve a platform to express the pain and humiliation and be open to heal.
Mila Rangzen has, on numerous occasions, shared extremely accurate and reliable news for the benefit of the Tibetan community. He has never failed us with the accuracy of the news and they have all proven to be true. Mila seems to not be afraid to tell the truth.
All the victims of the sexual predator Lobsang Sangay should not keep quiet anymore and must expose him once and for all. He should be punished for his actions and asked to step down from his position now! The victims should be empowered by this and speak up and point the finger at Lobsang Sangay if this is true. Do not stay in the dark and hide your shame because Lobsang Sangay is destroying the reputation of the Dalai Lama.
Rangzen
February 27, 2018
Peter
February 27, 2018
Tibetan govt in exile is corrupt, liars, segregationalists, greedy, bigots and this is what they do when Dalai Lama is alive. After Dalai Lama is no more, the whole Tibetan govt in exile will just collapse overnight.
They lost their country in 1959 because they are too corrupt to keep it. For the last 60 years they cannot get their country back. Tibetan govt is a failure whether in Tibet or in exile.👎
Tsering
March 3, 2018
Comic drawn by Tendor, a prominent Free Tibet activist.
Sar Lang
March 5, 2018
Lhatse Lobsang, the President of Utsang Yargay Tsokpa, warns the elected leaders including the Sikyong Lobsang Sangye/Tibetan leaders and members of the parliament of his self-immolation in protest if they don’t resolve the termination issue in the coming March parliamentary sessions. Tibetans in India are so unhappy with their Tibetan government in exile in North India, they wish to self-immolate in protest. This would spell big disaster for the corrupt Tibetan government in exile in India.
Gangchenpa
March 9, 2018
The Nepalese officials have again turned down permission for Tibetan refugees to commemorate the Tibetan uprising day in order to protect its alliance with the Chinese Communist Party, which has proven to be more beneficial to Nepal as compared to supporting the Tibetan refugees.
The Nepal Chief District Officer issued a written notice in 2005 to the Representative of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Refugees Welfare Office (TRWO) in Kathmandu to suspend both offices, ending a 45 years partnership to care for some 2,500 Tibetan refugees who would transit in Nepal from Tibet. This move was a lesson to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for not addressing the tensions between the Tibetans and Nepalese, as well as not contributing back to Nepal for as long as they have been there. The fact that the Tibetan refugees continue to protest on March 10 is a perfect example in which they will jeopardise the relationship between Nepal and China, who is now the top assistance providers to Nepal. The Tibetan refugees are forever taking, and never reciprocating the favour has proven to be an ineffective way of dealing with the Nepalese as they feel they are taken for granted always.
ashrao
March 9, 2018
Indian and Chinese foreign ministries have both made statements thawing relations between the two Asian giants. Determined to improve ties between the countries, the Indian government is taking steps to ensure nothing jeopardizes their efforts. First, they told their officials to distance themselves from the Tibetans, and then the planned #ThankyouIndia2018 events were moved from New Delhi (India’s political capital) to the out of the way Dharamsala.
Now, even Chinese ministers are hoping for improved relations, bringing stability to the volatile region. The Chinese dragon and the Indian elephant need to dance in order to become stronger said the Chinese Foreign Minister.
Will this be the end of India’s support of the Tibetans? What will they do next?
sonkel
March 10, 2018
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) should really learn from Nepal. Aligning with Chinese policy is necessary if you wish for growth and economic stability. The Dalai Lama was recently quoted to say, “We want to stay with China. We want more development.”
Nepal has developed so much since collaborating with China, with China now contributing to around 58 percent of foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments received by Nepal. China has promised that areas of mutual cooperation with Nepal would be expanded in the days to come.
Jampel Senge
March 10, 2018
Not only was the thankyouindia2018 forced to move back to McLeodganj, the Tibetans are warned to keep the event low key! BJP leadership, including L K Advani and Shanta Kumar, and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had been invited for the event in Delhi but none of them replied to the invitation. Apart from the change of venue now, new invitation list has to be prepared. It is clear that the Indian government is distancing itself from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and they will do what is necessary to mend their ties with China.
SonamT
March 10, 2018
It is very clear by now that the Indian Government does not want the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)’s thank you. No matter how the CTA orchestrates the propaganda campaign to please India, it is very clear that the Indian Government had enough of the Tibetans and are making effort to distance itself from the CTA. Although India will continue to support His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his spiritual works, the distinctions between His Holiness and the CTA is made very clear. Looking at the trend, we may be able to speculate that the Indian Government’s plan for the next few years is to end decades of support to the CTA and its people, eventually clearing all Tibetan refugees from India.
Lelkyi Tsho
March 13, 2018
Although both China and India are seen as giants, India has been seen submitting to China more and more. The relocation of “Thank You India” event from Delhi to Dharamsala and Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha’s note to Indian officials to not attend the event because it is a “very sensitive time” for bilateral relations with China both clearly show that India is bending backwards to please China. And they are definitely not going to entertain Lobsang Sangay anymore because the Tibet issue is no longer a trump card for India.
Lobsang Sangay said not long ago that an official usually wants to do something big in their last term of office so that people will remember them. In this case, he will forever be remembered for his incapability and his focus on building closer ties with young women, such as Dhardon Sharling, instead of significant diplomatic ties. He has done a lot of big things in his last term as the President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) but none of these shows any leadership characteristics whatsoever. These include:
1) The sacking of Penpa Tsering to evade the Tibet Fund loan scandal of US$1.5 million. He even tried to push the loan on to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to settle on his behalf.
2) Allowing a downsized, low-key #thankyouindia2018 event to celebrate 60 years of exile, something which Dhardon Sharling, the Secretary of Department of Information and International Relations, claimed to have no idea as to why the events were shifted.
3) Allowing fake monk Tenzin Dhonden to use His Holiness’ fame to conduct dubious activities including being involved in a cult and sex scandals.
4) Losing India’s half-century worth of support towards the CTA and its people for his ungrateful attitude. Instead, he focused on filling up his own pockets instead of thinking of the welfare of the Tibetans in exile.
Lobsang Sangay’s intention to take on the role as the President of the CTA is clear and his best ‘achievements’ definitely outshine his predecessors as inept failures.
Khampa Warrior
March 13, 2018
India has lost significant support from Nepal, especially since Nepal’s devastating earthquake in 2015 when China gave the country funds for aid and rebuilding infrastructure. It is now losing its grip more and more, such as in its internet monopoly, now threatened by alternatives from China. China is making inroads into Nepal aggressively. India, which originally thought of China as a friend, can only sit by and watch China exert its influence and power further, such as improving telecommunications and building railway extensions from the border with Nepal and Yadong across Sikkim, to Kathmandu and Lumbini.
Nepal and India have historically enjoyed good ties and strong trade relations and if India does not take advantage of this fast-closing window of opportunity, China will be successful in wooing Nepal. Kathmandu already signed trade and transit agreements with Beijing in March 2016. This gave Nepal an alternative route for its trade and supplies. As China builds a stronghold in Nepal, it will continue achieving its strategic objective of eliminating Indian influence and curbing the Tibetan refugee population.
Tamang
March 13, 2018
Athar Migmar
March 15, 2018
By hosting the Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi when India-Pakistan ties are at an all-time low, Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is telling the world that he is not afraid of India, especially after landmark trade and transit agreements were signed with China. This seems to go well with the general sentiments of the Nepali people, as Oli’s pro-China stance is wildly popular among his core constituencies.
As mentioned in the article, New Delhi must learn to accept China’s presence in the region and to work with it. As China works on building trilateral cooperation with Nepal and India, the Tibetans will have no standing. Recently, the report that the Indian government had asked senior leaders and officials not to attend events that would mark the Tibetans’ 60 years in exile, as well as the cancellation of 2 events in Delhi, are clear signs that everyone is trying to please China. The Tibetans have no more sympathizers who will continue to support them as it risks jeopardising relations with China.
ashrao
March 15, 2018
Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet!Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet!Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet! Tibetans in India go home!! Go back to Tibet!
Phuntsok Palden
March 15, 2018
Look at these real tweets, Indians are not happy with Tibetans, questioning why India must support the Dalai Lama.
Phuntsok Palden
March 15, 2018
More tweets of Indians talking about the Dalai Lama.
Phuntsok Palden
March 15, 2018
More tweets of Indians not happy with the Tibetans. One even asks the Tibetans to go back to China.
Phuntsok Palden
March 15, 2018
Indians saying Dalai Lama is anti-India and pro-China.
Phuntsok Palden
March 15, 2018
Clearly the Indians are of the opinion that Dalai Lama’s pro-China stance is hurting Indians.
Phuntsok Palden
March 15, 2018
See this tweet by Savita, this may be what many Indians are thinking right now.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SHUGDEN
March 15, 2018
For years the Tibetan government in-exile has been suppressing Dorje Shugden practitioners and punishing them for practising by barring them from Tibetan hospitals, schools and communal gatherings. They have been severely segregated and pressed down and made into pariahs of society. They did this to scapegoat Shugden as the cause for them to fail in their job in getting Tibet back from China after 60 years in exile. Now the tables have turned. India is starting to change its stance toward the Dalai Lama and Tibetan leadership. The Indian government is starting to make friends with China and that means distancing themselves from the useless Tibetans. Too bad.
Now the Tibetan leadership will know what it feels like to be abandoned, abused and segregated like they did for years to Dorje Shugden practitioners. Without Indian support the Tibetan government will have less power to abuse Shugden practitioners within their communities. Finally the tables have turned against the Tibetan leadership. Now it’s time for them to humble down and shut up! They better not make further trouble. They could have had hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners supporting the Tibetan leadership but you alienated them with your segregation and inhumane policies of segregation and now you have less and less support. Too bad. Dorje Shugden people could have supported you all but you lost it. Too bad.
Kaali
March 16, 2018
More and more Indians are speaking their mind, look at this tweet below. It is true that the Tibetan leadership does not get involve or support India when India faces problems, such as during the Gorkhaland and even Doklam crisis. Instead of helping, the President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) incite more tension by saying that what happened to Tibet could happen to India as well and that India should be worried about China’s continued military build-up in Doklam.
Kaali
March 16, 2018
Indians are speaking up against Tibetans now. See what t j prasad said. Tibetans live for free for decades in India while amassing massive funds from foreign aid, claiming they are refugees.
Kaali
March 16, 2018
You cannot deny what the Indians have observed. After all, they put up with these fake refugees in their country for decades. What vikram chandra said is true, Tibetans are enjoying their good life everywhere and taking advantage of their host countries.
dorjeeK
March 16, 2018
What the Tibetan leadership said is clearly seen as disrespectful and ungrateful towards the kindness shown by India for hosting the Tibetans for almost six decades now. See how upset the Indians are and what they are saying now.
Senge
March 16, 2018
NorbuT
March 17, 2018
Apart from two big Tibetan events planned in Delhi being scrapped, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) can add another disgrace to the list, this time thanks to its own people, the Tibetans.
On Saturday 17th March, a large number of international protestors gathered near the Tibetan parliament, seeking the impeachment of Tibetan President Sangay, saying his actions are akin to those of a dictator. The protestors are from India, Nepal, Europe, and the US and the protest will go on until the session ends on March 24. Lobsang Sangay definitely made a mark in Tibetan history as he is the first President that Tibetans protested to impeach.
tendhar
March 17, 2018
It is understandable that national ministers refrained from attending events organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) following the leaked classified directive from the Indian Cabinet Secretary. But to have a State Minister of Himachal Pradesh (that Dharamsala falls under) skipping such an important event for the Tibetans in-exile is a clear message – India is now making ties with China, and the ‘Tibetan cause’ (Tibetan independence) is no longer useful to India.
Over the past few months, the Dalai Lama has made numerous statements that Tibet should remain part of China. He has been reaffirming his stance that he is not seeking independence for Tibet. Meanwhile, India is exercising a whole new approach – to make friends with China. After all, India’s national interest comes first.
Jigme Tsering
March 18, 2018
In response to the cancellation of the recent ‘Thank You India’ event in Delhi, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) released a video message by His Holiness the Dalai Lama saying that the Tibetans have not been seeking independence for Tibet from China since 1974. In addition, His Holiness further reiterate the mutual benefits of reconciliation between Tibetans in exile and China.
This statement was very offensive to Indians who were very kind enough to host the Tibetan refugees for the last 60 years. Not only did the Tibetan community contribute nothing to India, they have also been using India in order to further their own cause. Now that India is changing their stance towards China, Tibetans are quick to turn around in favor of China and India is quickly abandoned. What is apparent in this speech is that India remains an undesired place to be called home.
Tashi Wangchuk
March 21, 2018
I see many Indians expressing their displeasure with Tibetans on Twitter daily. Look at what they are saying now.
Chewang
March 21, 2018
Modi’s government’s direction is clear regarding the Tibetans – India wants the Tibetan government in exile to avoid indulging in any political activity against Beijing, and on the Indian side, it is stepping up its engagements with China to deepen economic and political cooperation before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in June, of which Prime Minister Modi is attending the multilateral event.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are scheduled to meet their Chinese counterparts before the SCO summit and ministerial engagements with China is expected to translate into a bilateral informal summit between Modi and Xi.
Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha’s recent note asking all politicians and bureaucrats to refrain from participating in events organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is a huge contrast to when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in May 2014, this was when the then Prime Minister (now President) of the Tibetan government in exile Lobsang Sangay was invited for his swearing-in. As India denounce their strong support towards the Tibetans in exile, we know that the CTA’s power is dwindling down, especially when the Dalai Lama said that he wants to “voluntarily” put an end to the process of Dalai Lama succession.
dolma tso
March 22, 2018
India banning Tibetans from hosting a rally with the Dalai Lama this month for the 60th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule is a clear sign that India wants to improve ties with China.
China said that it is “willing to keep up the good momentum of two-way cooperation with India,” while the Indian side mentioned that India and China agreed to consult each other on regional and international issues.
You can’t really fault India for doing so. After all, it was His Holiness the Dalai Lama who batted for the recognition of the “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai” (India and China are brothers) spirit to take Sino-Indian relations forward.
Dolma Khoza
March 22, 2018
The Tibetan government in exile has been dumped by the Indian government for a bigger prize: China. For years, the Tibetan government in exile would accuse Dorje Shugden people of taking money from the Chinese but everyone knows that this is not true. Now even their host, India, will be friends with China. Everyone will be friends with China sooner or later, and the Tibetan leadership beg to be as well. The Tibetan leadership shouldn’t have messed with Dorje Shugden people. Too bad for you! And when the Tibetan leadership is friends with China, what will they accuse the Dorje Shugden people of then???