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: Solaray Kusco
Since the 1960s, Dharamsala and Buddhism have become synonymous, thanks to the tireless efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to promote the teachings of Buddha and the Tibetan cause. Of late however, the association between the two has started to lose its luster as the world wakes up to the reality of what it is like to live under the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; the Tibetan leadership headquartered in Dharamsala).
Although proclaiming themselves to be Buddhist-based, examining the CTA’s decisions and policies makes it clear that they are anything but. Strong comparisons may be drawn to neighbouring countries to demonstrate this too; Bhutan for example, their neighbor to the north has shown how a truly Buddhist-led government can be a success by putting the welfare of their people and country first.
As a result of the Bhutanese government’s people-oriented policies, the country has a self-sustaining economy that provides for their population, whilst making a positive environmental impact on the world. The same cannot be said of the exiled Tibetan government who continues to rely on handouts and contributes nothing back to the government of India, except to be manipulated as a card in political games against China.
Click to enlarge. (Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/05/03/religion-atheist-china-communism/101238320/)
Hence, today we see a situation where the Buddhist religion thrives in anywhere but under Dharamsala, as reported by USA Today. Most significantly is the growth of religion under China which although officially Communist, has given a lot of support to Buddhism and Buddhist institutions under their rule. There are multiple strong examples of how Dharamsala is leading to the death of religion:
#1: Monks Leaving India
It has been reported that more and more monks are leaving India, and going back to Tibet. There are reports from Tibetan sources that when the visa service is open at the Chinese consulate in Delhi, long queues form. Hundreds of Tibetans are trying to obtain travel documents to return to Tibet, their desire fueled by a number of factors.
For lay people, they left Tibet hoping for freedom in exile, misguided by the CTA’s promises to them. Instead, they found themselves trapped in Dharamsala, unable to earn a living wage to provide for their families due to the Tibetan leadership’s inability to create a thriving economy for their own people. So they return to Tibet, attracted by the Chinese leadership’s well-placed guarantee of well-paying jobs to be able to provide for their families.
Sichuan government official Cui Baohua visits Amchok Rinpoche. Amchok Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama’s personal biographer, returned to Tibet and was immediately given Chinese citizenship. What does it say for the Tibetan leadership, and the future of Buddhism that a senior member of the sangha would prefer to stay in Tibet instead of India?
Amongst the ordained community, they desire to return to Tibet because the Chinese leadership have been funding the monastic institutions. In their homeland, they are also given great respect for having studied in the exiled monasteries. One such high profile ‘defection’ was that of Amchok Rinpoche, who returned to Tibet and immediately received Chinese citizenship.
Thus as more and more monks return to Tibet, if there are no more teachers left in India, who will teach in the exiled monastic institutions? Over time, this will lead to the death of religion in Dharamsala.
#2: A Senior Generation Lost
As more years pass by, the exiled monasteries have lost their last senior generation of masters. His Holiness Ling Rinpoche, His Holiness Lati Rinpoche, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche, His Holiness Zong Rinpoche, His Eminence Denma Locho Rinpoche…masters of that generation and caliber, and who used to live in the exiled Tibetan monasteries, are no longer with us to turn the wheel of Dharma.
The meditation master and accomplished scholar Gonsar Rinpoche is persona non grata in the Tibetan community, thanks to the Tibetan leadership’s efforts to discredit him for his Shugden practice. It is a real pity that this grand master is unable to share his knowledge with more Tibetans due to his blacklisting as a Shugden devotee.
Other senior masters who live outside of Tibet, and have the scholarship and practice to teach, have been sidelined by the Tibetan leadership for being Dorje Shugden practitioners, for example Kyabje Gonsar Rinpoche and Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin (of Gaden Jangtse Monastery). With their names blacklisted and their reputations stained, the Tibetan leadership have effectively kept these great scholars and practitioners from reaching out to the rest of the Tibetan population to educate them.
It was these senior masters who attracted younger monks to leave Tibet and join them in exile, in order to continue their education. Now that these senior masters are no longer with us, or are no longer “politically correct” to learn from, fewer younger monks have the incentive to leave Tibet for India. This is especially when many great masters have themselves taken rebirth in Tibet. One notable example is Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche who was a highly respected teacher in Gaden Shartse Monastery.
Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche took rebirth in Tibet. It is reported that the qualities of his previous life are manifesting strongly, and the young incarnation is a skilled and masterful debater.
Meanwhile, senior masters reborn outside of Tibet are still undergoing their own education and are too young to teach. Some with the learning and attainments to teach live outside of the CTA’s control, in the case of Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche for example.
Over time, this will inevitably lead to the death of religion in Dharamsala as fewer monks leave Tibet to join the ranks of the exiled monasteries and in fact, more monks leave the exiled monasteries to join those inside Tibet.
#3: Fighting for Equal Representation
As a Buddhist government that should represent all of their people, the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala has been surprisingly ineffective in doing so. The best example of this is the case of the Jonangpas, who have had to fight for representation in their own government.
Despite being officially recognized as a religion in 2011, the Jonangpas have since had to go on hunger strike against their own government. Their point of contention is that Dharamsala has neglected to give them representation that is on equal footing with the other Tibetan religions. They correctly assert that as an officially recognized tradition, they have a right to this.
One of the nine Jonangpas who staged a hunger strike against the Tibetan government to fight for equal representation for their tradition in the Tibetan Parliament.
All of this is a clear sign that unless their practitioners fight or take a stand, religions which exist under the rule of Dharamsala will be left to falter and, eventually, die out. This is because it is not in the CTA’s interests to protect, promote and preserve all religions practiced by the Tibetan people.
Another such example is the Dorje Shugden issue. Although the Tibetan leadership may not agree with it, the practice of Dorje Shugden is without a doubt one of the Tibetan people’s traditions. Because of that, Dharamsala should be interested in protecting it; even if they do not rely on Dorje Shugden, it is nevertheless their people’s tradition which they should preserve regardless of their personal opinions or feelings towards it. However, they have done nothing but try and stamp out the practice over the last 20 years, thus attempting to destroy another aspect of Tibetan religious tradition, further contributing to the death of religion in Dharamsala.
#4: The Karma Kagyus Split
The Gelug community is not the only religious tradition within the Tibetan community to have experienced a split caused by the Tibetan leadership. The Karma Kagyu community is similarly split over the Karmapa issue, with Dharamsala somehow bizarrely and paradoxically agreeing with Beijing’s selection of Karmapa.
The Tibetan leadership believes that everything China does has evil intent and they have made countless statements that China should never interfere with Tibetan religious matters. One therefore has to question why Dharamsala agrees with China’s choice of a Karmapa candidate, supporting him over and above the Karma Kagyus’ other choice, the Karmapa Thaye Dorje.
Hence, if unity is the key to Tibet’s happy future, then this disunity which has been caused by their leadership will surely lead to the death of religion in Dharamsala.
#5: The Drukpa Kagyus’ Troubles
Another religious tradition that faces a threat to its longevity due to Dharamsala’s inaction and inertness is that of the Drukpa Kagyus. The Gyalwang Drukpa, their spiritual head, has complained about his Drukpa Kagyu monks and monasteries being forcibly converted into the Karma Kagyu tradition. Through it all, the CTA has remained mysteriously silent.
The CTA’s selectiveness in what they become involved with is very obvious, and clearly driven by political favors and nepotism. While the leadership actively interferes with some traditions, in others they do not get involved with regardless of however much those adherents might request for their help. Because the CTA was elected by the people to serve the community, and because they are outright refusing to do so in some instances, this selectiveness further contributes to the death of religion in Dharamsala.
#6: Gaden, Sera and Drepung Split
Most recently, in another clear attempt at discrimination, Sera Jey Monastery implemented a badge system to separate Dorje Shugden devotees from non-Shugden practitioners, thus splitting the monastery further.
Prior to 1959, the center of religious life in Tibet was the three great monasteries of Gaden, Sera and Drepung. Monks from all over Tibet would travel for months to join these monasteries and further their education. This system, upheld for 600 years, produced great scholars, masters, debaters and philosophers who maintained Tibet’s religious tradition and its blessings through their own practices and scholarship.
However, and perhaps most disturbingly of all, the monasteries of Gaden, Sera and Drepung today are split. These great institutions, the very core of Tibetan religious tradition, are now divided over the Dorje Shugden issue. Lest anyone forget, the Dorje Shugden issue was started by the Tibetan leadership (and not the Chinese leadership, as is erroneously claimed). It was His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself who declared the ban, and further enforced it in 1996 and later, in 2008.
#7: China Sponsors While Dharamsala Begs
Since the 1980s, the monasteries in Tibet have been renovating, rebuilding and attracting people to join their congregations. For all of this work, they have required only one sponsor: China. China is the singularly most powerful sponsor regenerating and funding monasteries in Tibet. Dorje Shugden monasteries for example, have received billions of yuan in funding over the years to renovate their premises and attract monks to their institution. Other places of religious significance, like Kumbum Monastery, are also being protected and renovated, thanks to the Chinese leadership. Meanwhile, the monasteries in exile cannot rely on the CTA like that.
Over the years, parts of Kumbum Monastery have fallen into various stages of disrepair. Thanks to funding from the Chinese leadership, the monastic authorities have been able to restore this monastery constructed on the site of Lama Tsongkhapa’s birth.
In fact, monasteries under Dharamsala’s charge have to beg and go on world tours to raise funds. Each time a new project is planned, or each time the monasteries find themselves struggling to provide for day-to-day operations, they have to organize a tour, usually to the West, to raise funds by showcasing the monks’ skills. It is disturbing that the monks would have to parade themselves like this, performing showcase pujas and mandala tours in front of gawking audiences just to provide for the rest of their spiritual community back home.
Meanwhile, monks from the monasteries in Tibet and China never have to do this thanks to financial support from the Chinese leadership in Beijing. What is wrong with the Tibetan leadership that they have been unable to provide for and protect every aspect of their Tibetan way of life, be it financially or spiritually? The Tibetans and Chinese have suffered the same atrocities in the last 60 years; everyone suffered under the Cultural Revolution and everyone was subjected to the same advantages and disadvantages. So how come the Chinese leadership can provide for their country, and even improve it but Dharamsala cannot provide for theirs despite having receiving millions in donations over the last six decades? What have they been spending their money on?
In fact, contrary to what Western donors have been pouring their money towards, it is clear that the Tibetan leadership is not interested in preserving Tibetan culture. While the Chinese leadership of the past may have made mistakes, they are making up for it today with their financial support towards the regeneration of religion and monastic institutions throughout China and Tibet. The message is very clear – as long as the monasteries abide by the laws of the land, they will receive the leadership’s support. To expect the citizens of a country to be law-abiding is hardly groundbreaking or revolutionary, but evidently this is something the Tibetan leadership are unused to. Therefore in encouraging the Tibetans to protest against China, the CTA are in fact encouraging their people to break the law. Given that, would any leadership logically reward lawbreakers with financial support?
Conclusion
Based on facts alone, it is easy to conclude that to this day, China has done a better job of supporting Tibetan religious institutions than the Tibetan leadership themselves have done. Not only is the current situation the result of China’s great advancements in economy and technology, but it is also clearly the result of the CTA sewing seeds of division over the last 60 years. Instead of their community coming together under adversity, and growing stronger and more united, they are more fractured than ever before.
And as the Tibetan community approaches their seventh decade in exile, there are very few subjects that they continue to agree on. Even the so-called Tibetan cause is split between rangzen (independence) and umaylam (Middle Way Approach), with Tibetan supporters fighting with one another due to disagreements over this.
So the Tibetan leadership needs to take a step back and take stock of the situation. As the years go by, Tibetans living in Tibet grow more reliant on the Chinese leadership to meet their needs. If the Tibetan leadership really does not wish to lose their connection with them, and if they are to survive as a community and culture, it is high time that the CTA recognizes and addresses the aspects of their governance that have caused divisions and disharmony amongst their people. The future of Tibet, its religion and traditions both inside and outside of Tibet, relies on this. And the signs they are doing well will be clear for all to see. If they are doing well, then religion (being the core of Tibetan daily life) should not be on the decline and should be growing and improving. Only time will tell just what the Tibetan leadership chooses to do for the sake of their people.
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Doreen Park
May 6, 2017
There is every reason to believe that religion is dying out in Dharamsala, India.
China is now an economic powerhouse, enjoying the recognition of its status in international circles. Translated on the ground,places like Tibet, China, are now enjoying the benefits of this. High-paying jobs and higher living standards make Tibet more attractive than Dharamsala, India. Dharamsala hasn’t attended to the economic needs of the Tibetan community in exile. Dreams of a better life , that cause Tibetans to flee Tibet for India , have not materialised. Disillusionment had long since set in. Not being able to obtain decent jobs to even provide for basic needs of the family, the sentiments have changed. It’s now a reversal of flow.Now, it’s Tibetans in exile, wanting to return back to Tibet China! It is not surprising to see long queues lining up for applications for travel documents to go back. to Tibet. Many joining these queues are monks.
The senior generation of great Masters who fled into exile in India and elsewhere is disappearing. Death has taken its toll. Less and less younger monks who could have been students of these senior monks, are leaving China for India.On the other hand,the incarnations of this generation of Lamas are appearing in Tibet to continue turning the wheel of Dharma in
Tibet, China. The young incarnation of Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche is an example.
The policy of the Tibetan leadership in India has been an exclusive policy , marginalising certain religious groups, like the Jonangs as well as followers of Dorje Shugden, and attempting to stamp out their practices. There are also attempts to cause schisms and to fracture and destroy various lineages – the Gelug community, via the Shugden controversy and ban,the Karma Kagyu over the Karmapa issue and the Drukpa Kagyus being forcefully converted into Karma Kagyus .
Today, the three great monasteries of Lama Tsongkhapa that used to be the center of spiritual life – Gaden, Sera and Drepung – are being further and further divided over the Shugden ban and controversy. This increasing schism and divide within, over the ban on Shugden practice and controversy, are threatening to destroy them. How can religion grow or flourish from a bed of controversy and divide. It was the ban on Shugden practice that catapulted this controversy.
Shugden temples in China meanwhile continue to flourish, with unstinting resources from the Chinese government, who is creating an environment for this positive development.. Temples are being renovated and rebuilt, and these temples are attracting crowds . Take Ganden Sumtseling Monastery as an example. On the other hand,temples in Dharamsala are having to struggle to survive, as the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala does not take care of them.
Hence, it is small wonder that religion is dying in Dharamsala , while flourishing in China.
Cheryl
May 6, 2017
Reading this article it is very worrying that Tibetan Buddhism are dying out in Dharamsala, an important place for Tibetan Buddhism.
Indeed, I have not seen Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) doing much in propagating Buddhism besides collecting donation from Buddhists around the world using Dalai Lama’s name. They have been blaming and complaining about China about not supporting on Tibetan Buddhism and culture.
Furthermore, we always see that CTA has been segregating their people and discriminating anyone who do not have the same view as them, not just on political but also religious view.
The issues on two Karmapa, Jonangpas as well as banning Dorje Shugden (Gelug protector), CTA has further splitting their people instead of unite them. When there is drought in India, they have done nothing to help the situation too.
While in China, we can see that China government has been supporting monasteries, building Tibet and helping the TIbetan on their social economy areas. No wonder no many Tibetans want to leave Tibet while more Tibetans in exile are planing to go back to their homeland.
Feeling very sad reading this article with all these valid points because I can see that Buddhism especially Tibetan Buddhism is dying out and degenerating in India. Really hope the CTA can do something good or their karma will be coming back to them soon.
Dharmaholder
May 6, 2017
China has improved a lot since the period of struggle under Communist rule. I think the Chinese have learned from their mistakes and the present situation is much better. The country may be officially atheist but people are allowed to practice their chosen religions freely in their places of worship. The authorities are also restoring and rebuilding Tibetan temples and Tibetan Buddhism is allowed to flourish. More and more young Chinese people are also attracted to Tibetan Buddhism and following Tibetan gurus. Many people in China are experiencing a void in their lives and this void is being filled by this nascent spirituality. I hope more and more overseas Tibetan geshes/teachers will go back to Tibet or other places in China to spread the Dharma. There is a dire need for religion in China. What better way to live one’s life than to bring peace and happiness to others through the Dharma?
Elibuchen
May 6, 2017
It is good to know the Tibetans, monastics and lay are starting to head back to Tibet.
India had been an experiment of sorts, but CTA being an archaic institution borrowed from feudal Tibet, is a failed state. There is no future for the Tibetans under the rule of CTA, not bright future for the Tibetans
Any form of independence for Tibet has never been further than it is currently, there was a lot more hope 10 years ago. Now with all official dialogue having died out between CTA and China, there is no glimmer of prospects of any kind of independence.
Even the Dalai Lama is giving out signals he wants to head back to Tibet.
So why stay under CTA, that gives Tibetans in exile no hope for their future, spiritually the Buddhist organisations under the CTA are in some form of chaos. Practitioners talk more about politics than buddhism.
Dondrup Shugden
May 6, 2017
As a Buddhist following the tradition and doctrine of Je Tsongkapa, I am a Vajrayana Buddhist whose origin is in Tibet. As such it is very saddening to read the logical argument in this article on the demise of religion in Dharamsala.
Dharamsala is the headquarters of the 14th Dalai Lama who is the spiritual head of Tibetans, how can such a catastrophe occur. The Dalai Lama teaches the world and is greatly revered, then the question is what is happening in Dharamsala?
Is the governing body of Dharamsala too self involved to care? Is the CTA obsolete but yet the last election the same Sikong, Lobsang Sangay was re elected. Are changes not part of Buddhist teachings on impermanence?
As a saddened observer with no weight on the possibility to make changes with the CTA, I can only implore that CTA takes a good look to govern without further corruption and self benefits.
Or could it be the division and disharmony created by the discrimination and ban on Dorje Shugden worship that is the problem to fair governance? Maybe the wedge set into this segregation is too deep to be mended except for the lifting of the ban.
Many great masters left Tibet and continued to pass on the lineage all over the world , let that not be destroyed and may their incarnations continue the work on a platform that is conducive for the Dharma to spread to benefit many sentient beings.
The best platform is that of harmony and not more chaos as mentioned in this article.
CTA out of kindness should make changes, as doing the same routine over and over again and hoping for different results is called insanity. Think about that.
Aurore
May 6, 2017
It’s interesting how things are turning out for Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetans when once upon a time Vajrayana were in danger of extinction under the ruling of China. Although the article title says the death of religion in Dharamsala, it’s also the birth of religion in other parts of the world. This is good news.
It’s a smart move for China to make it attractive for the Tibetans and monks to go back to Tibet by providing security, good facilities and overall a better future for the Tibetans and the revival of Tibetan Buddhism. If it’s purely a strategy to prove a point, it doesn’t really matter as it’s a beneficial strategy.
The main point to note is it’s time for the world to realise the Tibetan cause is just a diversion for political and monetary gain governed by the ex-leadership of Tibetan people. EX-government is nothing more than the past. It’s time for Tibetans to move on to a better future under the governing of China.
samayakeeper
May 6, 2017
It is not surprising to learn of more Tibetans leaving for greener pasture. Dharamsala really pales in comparison in so many ways to other countries where other Tibetans live in. Soon, Dharamsala may have an ageing population when the educated young leave. This not only affects the lay people but also the sangha community, I have heard. Tibetans have lost confidence in the Tibetan leadership with their empty promises, deceptions, the inability to provide better living opportunities for its people. Instead they create rifts among Tibetans with their so called ‘advice’ against religious practices such as Dorje Shugden. Centuries old religious practices and traditions should be preserved and showcased to the world but no, the Tibetan leadership is butchering these. Fortunately other countries like China are popularising Tibet’s rich cultures, spending huge amount of money to restore old places of worship. If I were a lay Tibetan living in Dharamsala, I would have uprooted myself, China seems pretty attractive at this moment. If I were an ordained sangha, I would have left Dharamsala to be with my root teacher, wherever he is.
Michaela Smith
May 7, 2017
It is ironic that the Central Tibetan Administration has pleaded for donations for every little disaster that they have. For example several months ago, the CTA is begging for donation from sponsors to help the Tibetans sweater seller after the market fire or the Tibetan farmers after the prolonged drought.
In contrast the CTA, China is investing in 30 Billion Yuan to improve the lives of the people in the Tibetan Autonomous region. In addition, it is common knowledge that religion especially Buddhism is thriving in China. The Chinese government even subsidizes religious practice under the guise if preserving the traditional culture. With the current trend, there will be less incentive of for Tibetans in India to maintain their refugee status.
Instead of focusing on improving the welfare of the Tibetan community, the CTA continues to create conflicts and disharmony within the Tibetan community. If the CTA does not clean up their act, they will find themselves governing less and less people.
Anonymous
May 7, 2017
I am not surprised to read this. People especially monks are leaving India back to Tibet for a better life. What has CTA really done to help its own people? One can understand yes it’s Dharmsala and it doesn’t belong to CTA but Tibetans are not making a lot of money in India.
This will definitely lead to questions where did the money gone. CTA has not been doing anything for the public of its so called people.
Free Tibet
May 7, 2017
Based on facts alone, it is easy to conclude that to this day, China has done a better job of supporting Tibetan religious institutions than the Tibetan leadership themselves have done. Not only is the current situation the result of China’s great advancements in economy and technology, but it is also clearly the result of the CTA sewing seeds of division over the last 60 years. Instead of their community coming together under adversity, and growing stronger and more united, they are more fractured than ever before.
THIS IS A VERY POWERFUL CONCLUSION & ARTICLE and if the Tibetan leaders have half a brain, they would actually take the “HINTS” from many of such articles on dorjeshugden.com here! But as usual, we can expect they won’t and continue destroying their own future. And clearly, Dharamsala is doing an excellent job in this without the Chinese help. So what are they complaining about and why are they still not realising that if they actually make friends with China, they could probably save their fast dying culture and tradition before they themselves become an endangered species.
So the only way to really free Tibet is to really free their own people from all their political agendas and discriminations. They are already so few Tibetans and they are all scattered, you already have one group for Umaylam and another for rangzen, why must you divide people more based on their spiritual beliefs? So silly, when will they ever learn.
Pema
May 8, 2017
The CTA has, unfortunately, created a lot of problems and difficulties for their own cititzen. From unequal rights for all their people, splitting families, disunity in the monastic system, the misery they have done to their people is huge.
Instead of doing what a legal democracy should do, they have done nothing but the opposite. It is only a logical result that many Tibetans want to go back to their home country. But instead of creating good conditions for them, their government only insults the Chinese Government and cause more trouble for their people in their homeland.
It is the result of such miserable conditions that leads to the death of religion in Dharamsala. High lamas go back to Tibet or they take rebirth in Tibet. I hope that the CTA will finally see how they can benefit of the Tibetans first and do what is necessary to create good conditions for them with China.
Thank you for this truthrevealing article.
pgdharma
May 8, 2017
It is not surprise that more and more monks and lay people are leaving India and going back to Tibet as they have lost hope/confidence of the Tibetan Leadership. With the amount of funds the leaders received from overseas for their cause, what have they done to help their own people as compared to China who has invested 30 billion Yuan to improve the lives of the Tibetans in Tibet. Also in Tibet, citizens can practice Dorje Shugden freely without fear of being discriminated, octracized, abused or threatened. Definitely, living in Tibet is much better than living in exile.
Winnie MB
May 9, 2017
It is unfortunate that CTA governance is breaking the unity and disharmony of the people and not able to hold people’s trust. Being a democratic government they do not seem to practise fairness but instead many decision made were based on discrimination towards certain party for example the ban on Dorje Shugden practise.
Being a government which is a Buddhist based, it does not seem to practise the Buddhism way correctly which one clear example in the equality and fairness in Jonangpas issue. Also now that more than 60 years people living in exile, there is still not much development and improvement for the people.
What more now that many monks and nuns prefer to return to Tibet. So what will happen to Dharamsala being the core of the Buddhism center?
I think the CTA have to review their governance. To reform a government that is based on tolerance, compassion, peace and love.
bambi
May 10, 2017
Great question!!!
What have they been spending their money on?
I have read and heard that every time HHDL gives talk, millions pour in from donation. I guess that a part of it is given to CTA. And what about the taxes that they impose from their own people? Some of the Tibetans in exile are already having hard time providing for themselves, yet they still need to pay taxes to a political party that is not even recognized in most countries. If the CTA want to claim that they are taking care of their people, then I guess we won’t have such an interesting post to read.
I believe for any logical thinking person, one would definitely go back to where they will be well taken care of! But most importantly, religious freedom! Whether a DS practitioner, Kagyu, etc. So far, China is very supportive of its own people. The government is also restoring monasteries, helping with funds, protected, etc.
IMO, if I am not doing well in India and my government is not doing much to help, I would definitely consider going back to Tibet where I know the big and established government will help me on my spiritual path and not discriminate my choice.
Geraldine Sarie
May 16, 2017
What’s go around, comes around. This is the cause and effect, CTA have to face. If CTA have already known of the causes, why they still create such big mess? Why they are not taking any RESPONSIBILITY? Why keep blaming others of their fault? Blaming and hiding will make them any winner, but loser and coward.
Being well known lead by a highly spirituality leader, CTA should be have more AWARENESS and show KINDNESS towards their people especially on their religious freedom on practice Dorje Shugden. Respect them and set them free. It is senseless, religion shouldn’t mix with politic.
In order to hold on with the leadership, CTA should LEARN to build up good relation with their people and make peace with China. After all, Tibet is still part of China.
vajra-NMD
May 16, 2017
2 -3 years back ago, a friend from China ( Beijing ) told me that, Chinese government ( In China, people’s called Center Government ) is started give freedom for all religions practice. Of course it’s include Tibetan Buddhism, as long those religion’s leaders are not bringing ” their religion believe ” into political parties or involved into National Security in China.
It’s glad to heard that Dharma is growing back in China ( Tibet ) again.
Tenzin K
May 16, 2017
This article obviously shows how CTA has not done what they supposed to do to protect their people. All the points pointed in the articles is the result of selfishness act from CTA which will not bring any benefit to them and it’s coming to an end soon. In my opinion they way CTA operates whether China is the picture one day Tibet will come to this juncture.
In any country if the government doesn’t look after their people interest it will only bring the country down. How strong a country depend on the people. CTA should look into unity and find peace with China before it’s too late.
Richard LakTam
May 16, 2017
It won’t be surprise if one day all the Tibetan in exile go back to Tibet. What have CTA done for their people? Does Tibetan really need CTA? No….. One can be as stubborn as a donkey, but being supportive is supportive, life still need to go on. And what to support life to go on? Money! Although we always say money is not everything, but without money you can’t do everything! With China government now started to rebuild all the monasteries in Tibet, where CTA still sitting there, doing nothing, all they know to do is to discriminate DS practitioners, breaking up their own people instead of uniting them, who would not leave Dharamsala and go back to Tibet? Who wants to have a government that has so much negativity, who only care for their own pocket but doesn’t care about the people, who doesn’t stop self immolation but in a way to encourage it, who doesn’t protect their own country heritage but to think of ways to ban it? It’s always not too late for the Tibetan in exile to wake up now. So, whether the religion is dying in Dharamsala or not is not important. Nobody even cares. The important is, religion is not dying in Tibet, where Tibetan Buddhism origins.
Tianni
May 16, 2017
In addition, Chinese-appointed 11th Panchen Lama will be another challenge to the CTA. The 11th Panchen lama is being groomed by the China to fill an important political and religious role in Tibet. And China was giving lots of support to the Panchen Lama, obviously China is preparing Panchen Lama become the most important religious figure in Tibet. An increasingly active Panchen Lama is expected to mitigate the Dalai’s influence. Without the HH Dalai Lama, what can CTA perform? With Dalai Lama CTA already made so many mistakes. As a Tibetan Leadership, instead of protecting their people, CTA continues to create conflicts and disharmony with the Tibetan Community. I urge Dalai Lama to lift the ban of Dorje Shugden and get your peoples unite together and focusing on improving the welfare of the Tibetan in exile.
Vajra10
May 16, 2017
No one government deserve supports from his citizens if his motivation to become government is to get benefits for oneself such as corruption and abuse their power of authority, which have make people suffering and cause the economy of the country goes down.
Wisdommind
May 16, 2017
Tibetan has exile to the foreign country 60 year, The suffering of lost their main land will be past and become history soon. Is good to see China gavornment has help rebuilt the monasteries in Tibet allowing Buddhist teaching continue flourish in Tibet. China has become more acceptable in religion and try to bring different races harmony and close to each other. It open up good reason for high lama such as Zemey Rinpoche and Dagom Rinpoche choose their incarnation back to Tibetan in order turn the dharma wheel I Tibet again.
In this point , CTA has fell behind badly to bring their own Tibetan together. Ban of Dorje Shugden practice has shown Tibetan leadership did not let Tibetan religion practice and no human right freedom when people talk about it. CTA not even try to make peace and have lialog with China government to solve their problem. I am not surprise more monks will leave India and back to Tibet again. If CTA not realise their mistake has make, they will face more lost of Tibetan support. Is sad to witness what mass has created by CTA
Addan Rigg
May 17, 2017
To be very honest, this is one of the saddest post I’ve read so far, Buddhism is really dying especially in Dharamsala, CTA has spent their whole effort into attacking Dorje Shugden people instead of spreading Dharma, not to talk about spreading Dharma, they don’t even take care of their own citizen’s welfare, they only grab the donations and spend it to attack other people.
It’s really great to hear that Tibetans are going back to Tibet, I believe that China is doing a much better job than CTA, look at in China, how much they spent in promoting Buddhism as compare to CTA, and China is getting much stronger and stronger despite with the social media attack from CTA, it is not affecting them at all. I wish Tibet will be always under China and continue to flourish more and more.
Belinda Mae
May 17, 2017
What China is doing for Tibet and the Dharma is good while what the CTA is doing is totally the opposits of China. The CTA are creating splits and hatred amongst the people. They are not doing anything to help the people. Where did all the money that they receive went to? Don’t they need to address it to the people? If they are so clean, then be transparent. Since they themselves have so many problems and issues to handle, why still put so much energy on Dorje Shugden practitioners?
Jing Jing
May 24, 2017
That means China is giving more freedom in religions. I don’t think people living India and going back to China because Tibet has been supported by China. It’s the disappointment they get from their very own exile leadership in India. They finally realised that CTA will not do anything for the Tibetan Cause. No only that, they caused the splits among the 4 schools anc the people. Dorje Shugden is one of the many Tibetan practices that being blamed for CTA’s failure. Sacrifice Dorje Shugden so that CTA can remain the glory. This is nothing new to Tibetan leadership for example killing Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen because he’s overshoned the 5th Dalai Lama. So people lost their hope, hence going or retiring in China would be abetted choice of staying in India being treated like a criminal? What hope would you have by supporting CTA who encourage disharmony and split among their own people.
sierra
May 30, 2017
Well, Solaray Kusco, this only affirms the fact the the Tibetan government in exile, the CTA has regressed unlike the Chinese government which has progresses away from their old ideology which they now realize is not totally right.. They have have made amends and move forward from that. Strength lies in knowing you mistake and/or shortcomings and change.
Wonder if CTA will be as pro-active. They have been trying to stay in power and in control by fragmenting the Tibetans as then, they can no longer have a loud enough voice to clamor for change which is overdue.
“If his forces are united, separate them.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
And, that is what the CTA has been trying to do and succeeding so far. Will the Tibetans realize that and take action?
SabrinaS
June 3, 2017
This is such a sad article to read. The downfall of such a great religion of the highest & fastest potential for attainments/enlightenment. That carried such illustrious history of attained Masters and their enlightened activities of compassion with wisdom. All brought down by the greed and pride of those closest to the powerful religious leader, the Dalai Lama. CTA had created the chasm within its people, the Tibetans in Exile and those in Tibet, into pro-Shugden and Anti-Shugden. Tibet being a country steep in religious practices, her greatest asset would be the attained Lamas. Instead CTA drove away these Masters by the illogical ban on protector Dorje Shugden practice, a practice that most of these Masters hold close to their heart due to their practice of pure Guru devotion/samaya. The very basis of Tibetan Buddhism is the importance of one’s Guru who is even kinder than the Buddhas to give us the precious Dharma to bring us out of sufferings of samsara and who gives us the blessings of his pure lineage Gurus in holding true to all the practices given by his Gurus. So CTA by placing the ban on Dorje Shugden practice and trying to stop the Shugden Lamas from their lineage practice, would seek to stop the precious blessings? Why??? So I am not surprised by this downfall under the ignorant governance of CTA. What I am surprised by is the complacency of the anti-Shugdens in allowing CTA such great harm. I wonder where is the Dalai Lama in this with his silence and contradictory statements. Maybe His Holiness is really making his role obsolete and in that case, who is set to take over the leadership to bring Tibetan Buddhism back to its glory again?
Amber Sonam
June 3, 2017
India has been the land of Buddhist treasures especially of the Tibetan tradition since His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s gone into exile. Many learned Buddhists scholars flocked into India together from Tibet allowing the rebuilding of monasteries and preservation of Tibetan Buddhism to take place. For the last 60 years, many have benefitted from the kindness of India and the efforts of high calibre monks who have left important legacy behind.
The CTA has not seen to have supported any of the rebuilding efforts as the monasteries are relying heavily on donations from Buddhists around the world to support their daily operations, maintenance, stationeries, text books, ritual items, food etc. all necessities for the ordained community. Yet, the CTA interferes the operations and affairs of the monastic community, create divisions, and uses them to garner more financial aids towards the CTA.
It is very shameful for the CTA to behave in such a manner, using all the resources to improve their own comfortable lifestyle, extravagant travel plans, higher educations, retirement plans and expensive property investments. Surely with this kind of focus, no development will be done within the exile community and no preservation of the Buddhist traditions or the monastic needs will be meet.
Camillia
September 11, 2017
Actually, the headline should read The Death Buddhism by Dharamsala. Generally, all the harm caused by the actions of CTA and Dharamsala probably weigh more than what China had done during the Cultural Revolution. And today, China is making it up by injecting fund to restore and rebuild. Yet all Dharamsala did is going around asking for donation to fatten the pocket of a few and creating the schism within the Buddhist practitioners and monastery because that is the ONLY circle of control Dharamsala has. Pathetic.
Pema Norbu
September 15, 2017
I think everyone must know about this clear video showing His Holiness the Dalai Lama asking the monasteries to expel monks that practice Dorje Shugden. Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgYWidYw3U
Dondrup Shugden
October 7, 2017
China doing a better job in keeping Tibetan Buddhism alive than CTA in Dharamsala.
Amchok Rinpoche, personal biographer of the Dalai Lama has returned to China and accorded Chinese citizenship.
Good news!!!👍😀😍
Rachelle
October 23, 2017
It is very telling for Amchok Rinpoche, the personal biographer of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet under China. From all accounts, China, though communist by definition, recognizes the need for proper religion for the people and taking the right steps to encourage it. They are renovating monasteries and helping the monk. While in India, the CTA is dividing the monasteries and chasing monks out. What a contrast.
TseringD, Delhi
October 29, 2017
Nechung is ZUMA 👎 before I m think he is one of d best when I m watch dis video By Geshe Dorjee la but now I m think is not d truth n he is lie to Tibet people we r not back to Tibet yt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8 Chithue Tenpa Yarphel la tq for talk about truth of Nechung . I m watch to this video many time la https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8 n after I hear you talk I m not belief to Nechung
Lhakpa Dhendup
August 11, 2018
What will the all the people around the world and in Tibet do now? Dalai Lama says he is happy that Tibet is a part of China and should remain a part of China. So many Tibetans self-immolated for Tibet to be independent and now Dalai Lama did a 360 degree turn and says he wants to go back to Tibet and China and Tibet should be a part of China. So unbelievable. So many are angry and disappointed.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 12, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.
Ayana
August 16, 2018
Why doesn’t the United States and its allies end Refugee Status for the useless Tibetans? They have been refugees for 60 years now and don’t tell me they still cannot get their lives back in order?
Tibetans really know how to put on a good show and use people, take their money and do nothing in return.
Ojas
August 18, 2018
Supreme Court of India JUSTICE Mr. MARKANDEY KATJU (RETD) writes that Tibet is much better under the Chinese than it was under the lamas who only wanted to make the populace slaves. It was feudal and it will never return to the backwardness again.
Yoezer
August 19, 2018
While the government of Nepal has framed a policy to tighten the noose around non-governmental organisations, they have welcomed 30 Chinese NGOs to enter the country. These NGOs will penetrate the country’s social sector at the grassroots level. This is the first time such a large number of Chinese NGOs have entered Nepal at one time. Nepal is increasingly open to Chinese influence, a sign that ties between both countries are strengthening, while India’s influence is being reduced. The time has passed for India’s monopoly to remain uninterrupted in Nepal as opportunities to engage with China are being welcomed.
Vardaniya
August 24, 2018
The cracks in Tibetan society are starting to show, and it is now coming to the attention of local Indians who have all but identified the Tibetan leadership as the source of the divisions. According to this author, disunity amongst the Tibetans is now creating problems for Indian law enforcement agencies, and this disunity may culminate in young Tibetans holding silent grudges against their host country. It is incredible that after six decades of generosity from India, Indians are now facing the very real possibility Tibetans can be ungrateful towards India. The Tibetan leadership totally failed to impart positive values upon their exiled community, like gratitude for those kindest to them and the need to repay these kindnesses with real, tangible results. It’s also very unlikely that the Tibetan leadership will now start to do this, after six decades of failing to do so. Indians need to realise this, and see that there is no benefit for their nation to align themselves with the Tibetan leadership, and there never will be.
Maya
August 24, 2018
Although the Dalai Lama has offered an apology, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) still expressed their disappointment over his controversial comment on Nehru, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Dalai Lama called Nehru self-centred.
The Congress said Dalai Lama being a foreigner should shun and refrain from interfering in the internal as well as external affairs of India.