The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of www.dorjeshugden.com. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to [email protected].
By: Carrole Mc’Quirre
Why is MP Juchen Konchok opposing the Dalai Lama’s middle way approach to Tibet’s issue. The Dalai Lama has spoken countless times he does not want independence but genuine autonomy for Tibet which is called the middle way approach. Yet you have MP Juchen Konchok and the conference people talking about full Rangzen or full independence. They are breaking their spiritual samaya (damstik) with the Dalai lama by opposing his views directly. They are opposing the Dalai Lama. When you oppose the Dalai Lama whether politically or spiritually within the Tibetan diaspora, you are asking for problems including segregation, ostracization and perhaps losing your standing within the community. People who continue with the Protector Dorje Shugden practice are treated with malice, hatred, segregation and violence because it is seen not as religious freedom but opposing the Dalai Lama. Now the Rangzen activists are said to be allegedly even more ‘dangerous’ within the spectrum of groups that conflict with the Dalai Lama’s views. I guess the Rangzen people will have to tolerate the label of opposing Dalai Lama when your views are different as the Dorje Shugden people have for decades. They will suffer the same verbal and perhaps physical attacks for having a view different than the Dalai Lama’s just like the Shugden people. They will be labelled the agents of the Chinese because within the Tibetan communities, this is the best way to brow-beat people into submission or to create segregation for a person or group. Whether you are an agent of China or not does not matter. That label is powerful as the CTA uses this on the groups that do not fall in line with their ‘democratic’ rule. This is how it works within the Tibetan communities under the CTA.
There are around 140 people, mostly Tibetans, who gathered in Paris recently for the Fourth International Rangzen Conference. As noble as the objective may seem, the question is, how effective would the conference be? What impact could these 140 plus people have created? The truth is this, these people are only speaking among themselves, telling each other what they have already known. There are no press, journalists or media of international calibre who can further spread their message globally. So how was this conference effective?
The idea of Rangzen (full independence for Tibet) directly opposes the Middle-way approach which the Dalai Lama has been advocating for decades, so whatever that opposes the Dalai Lama will be crushed by the Dalai Lama immediately, so who would listen to what these 140 people have to say? They are only talking among themselves for self-serving purpose and would accomplish nothing else.
It is also shocking that there are actually some members of parliament from the Tibetan government in exile (Central Tibetan Administration or CTA) Dharamasala present in the conference, so this is evidence that the CTA is actually opposing the Dalai Lama behind his back. To quote MP Juchen Konchok “Rangzen conference like this are individual initiative and this is not an effort to oppose His Holiness the Dalai Lama but revival of Tibetan independence”. This statement may sound polite, but if this is not opposing the Dalai Lama, then what is it? The Dalai Lama clearly says he wants the Middle-way and not full independence for Tibet (Rangzen), and the Middle-way Approach is even boldly stated on CTA’s website, so what is Juchen Konchok and other representatives of CTA attending and even giving speeches in this Rangzen conference, showing their support?
The Dalai Lama says very clearly, we want Middle-way, and yet they all are having a big ‘momo party’ about independence (Rangzen). Their meeting is meant to destabilize the Dalai Lama’s work and it is dangerous, and it creates disharmony within Tibetans. When you oppose the Dalai Lama within the Tibetan communities, no matter right or wrong, you are perhaps inviting trouble. It is not democratic in Tibet’s ‘Shangrila’ at all. For the sake of receiving US billions of dollars in aid from the United States alone to the Tibetan government in exile or now known as Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), they have to keep up appearances of a fledgling democracy to continue this free aid. This meeting in Paris, France of all places, spells trouble and sees its conference goers as a direct opposition to the powerful Dalai Lama and his policies.
Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, another attendee of the three day conference in France to oppose the Dalai Lama’s middle-way. More Tibetans are speaking against the Dalai Lama’s all powerful directives.
MP Monlam Tharchin who is the representative for the Bon sect in Parliament in CTA also attended this conference giving his support for full independence (Rangzen) which opposes the Dalai Lama’s middle-way policy for Tibet. Why is Monlam Tharchin suddenly countering the middle-way in which the Dalai Lama has spoken countless times in recent years to many world leaders?
Former MP Tethong Wangpo is a long term activist for full independence of Tibet. It has been 60 years since the ‘lost’ of Tibet. Will independence happen during the lifetime of hopeful Wangpo who has attended the meeting which is in direct opposition of the Dalai Lama’s clear instructions to work towards the middle-way or autonomy. Will this type of opposition to the Dalai Lama serve the Tibetans well?
Mr. Lukar Jam who was a past candidate for President (Sikyong) of Central Tibetan Administration has advocated full freedom with no compromise for Tibetans. He composed a poem as a tribute to Elliot Sperling which was seen as an affront to the Dalai Lama allegedly wishing Elliot Sperling would live longer instead of the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan diaspora instantly retaliated with all forms of defamation against Lukar Jam on social media leading to his car in Dharamsala being smashed and him being thrown out of a restaurant in Dharamsala
Attendees of the Fourth International Rangzen Conference in Paris
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=39445&article=Fourth+International+Rangzen+Conference+kicks+off+in+Paris
Solomon Lang
September 14, 2017
Dear Wangpo Tethong,
Aren’t you the same person who apparently took years to plan a publicity stunt in the heart of Beijing in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics? You even made a video of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JM2Ggd0nQQ
I must congratulate you – you have guts.
But why are you now not willing to acknowledge that you are for Rangzen or Independence? See the banner you heroically unfurled in Beijing? It says FreeTIbet.Org
This is FreeTibet.Org:
ABOUT FREE TIBET
Our vision is a free Tibet in which Tibetans are able to determine their own future and the human rights of all are respected.
We campaign for an end to China’s occupation of Tibet and for international recognition of Tibetans’ right to freedom.
We mobilise active support for the Tibetan cause, champion human rights and challenge those whose actions sustain the occupation.
This is His Holiness Dalai Lama’s Middle Way:
https://www.dalailama.com/messages/tibet/middle-way-approach
Big difference. Why are you so shy to admit that you are for Rangzen. You should be wearing a shirt with a big “RANGZEN” printed on it. Be brave, stay true to your words.
SabrinaS
September 14, 2017
Its really surprising that a seasoned ex-CTA member Wangpo Tethong would feel the need to clarify and justify his presence at the meeting. If he was not guilty then why bother explaining. I must say the DS.com is indeed a powerful and well read blogsite that brings the truth to the people. I personally think that whether invited to speak or not, by attending and what more to give his talk shows strongly he support the Rangzen movement as he felt no wrong being there. It is only when DS.com made public this conference that he realise he had become enemy of Tibet as Rangzen is against Dalai Lama’s autonomy wishes. As a business man, he should really promote Dalai Lama’s wishes as China can accord him with much.
Another point being that I wonder if CTA is falling apart since the officials dare so openly attend this meeting. Unless CTA itself supports this meeting, these officials would be going against the wishes of Dalai Lama with much disrespect. So are they really agents of China to harvest discord amongst CTA? Actually I really don’t think China even bothers as she is already a giant in world stature and have no need for this pettiness. CTA themselves are sneaky and underhanded in fulfilling their own greed, so most likely its fractions of discord is from within. One can’t help but see the effects of Karma coming to bite. The pain and sufferings that CTA had created for the Dorje Shugden practitioners with the ban is now manifesting within CTA itself. Soon CTA will disappear in a Poof when India implements compulsory citizenship.
As for Wangpo Tethong, you can’t undo your intended actions with a weak excuse of clarification. You are an experienced ex-member of CTA. You would know better than “Oh I had already clarified my position before the conference” but went ahead to support movement with your presentation. Your presentation in itself is Rangzen motivated when you are pressing your point in on the fact of demographic shift in Chinese being relocated to popularise Tibet, Mongolia, etc. What better way to put the fear in the people to support Rangzen? Sneaky.
Ngawangwang
September 15, 2017
Dear Wangpo Teethong, please stand up for Rangzen, please be firm. Now it’s the time to let Rangzen people know they are not alone. You are no more with CTA, you are free to express your political views and stands. That’s your human rights.
Please ignore all the comments and be your own hero and the hero of Tibetans. Why other CTA members are free to go wherever they want and express whatever political opinions as they like, but former MP cannot? Lay people like all of us cannot? Why must we all follow what our leaders say and they never consult our views before making any important decisions? They don’t even care how’s our lives now? What we hope for our future and our children? How eager we wish to go back to our land? They care only for their own pocket and luxury lives. That’s not what a leader should be doing. You must show the good example, with no fear, stand firm. Thank you.
Pema Norbu
September 15, 2017
See for yourself a clear video of His Holiness the Dalai Lama asking the monasteries to expel monks that practice Dorje Shugden. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgYWidYw3U
Thupten Jamyang
September 15, 2017
Wangpo Tethong is definitely paid by the CCP. See here he is meeting a traitor in Beijing, an ex-Tibetan minister who played an important role in signing Tibet away to China in 1951. This man, Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme later became a member of CCP and a high ranking Chinese official.
When His Holiness the Dalai Lama is working hard to get autonomy through Middle Way, asking many countries to help Tibet, this is what CCP-paid Rangzen traitors are doing. Shame!
Hate Shugden
September 16, 2017
We hate Shugden
We hate Dalai Lama’s middle way
We love our all expense paid trip and holiday to France for our Rangzen meeting
Rangzen people will never agree with Dalai Lama’s middle way
Hate Shugden
September 16, 2017
We hate Shugden
We hate Dalai Lama’s middle way
We love our all expense paid trip and holiday to France for our Rangzen meeting
Rangzen people will never agree with Dalai Lama’s middle way
christine victor
September 17, 2017
A Conference with 140 peoples attended, without reporters , and it is about Freedom of Tibetan was not held in Dharamsala but in Paris. With all this Tibetan going to Paris, discuss about freedom while their fellow Tibetan Refugees are so poor struggling in India, I wonder what is these peoples intention? To avoid from H.H Dalai Lama or to avoid their own people or to show to the world that they are independent entity that bravely object H.H Dalai Lama middle way approach to Tibet’s issues.
Beside, if they are truly so grateful to the Tibetan who have sacrifice themselves; beside having luxury meeting in Paris, what have they done to the family of the victim? Any compensation?
More surprise to me is that Wangpo Tethong could write in to Ds.com to request delete this article which report about his attendance to Rangzen. I thought those oppose Dorje Shugden would not even read what is wrote in the web. Looking at they treated whatever related to Dorje Shugden is illegal. The act Wangpo Tethong wrote in, it seem that the anti Dorje Shugden’s people are always looking at this web. Why did you all bother to read the articles in this web? Because, you all know that the articles in this web brought many truth and could reveal to Tibetan in overseas about what exactly you all have done. On surface support H. H. Dalai Lama to ban Dorje Shugden, but bottom you all are actually opposed on H.H Dalai Lama. It is so clear that recently H.H Dalai Lama have said people could practice Dorje Shugden instead to help in unite Tibetan Refugees, CTA continue even more aggressively to spread the propaganda about Dorje Shugden, continue to create disharmony amongst the Tibetan Refugees. It is so obvious it goes against the policy of H.H Dalai Lama. True color of CTA is begin to shown up.
Manjushri
September 17, 2017
Rangzen way is supporting self immolation. They support people to sacrifice their bodies because they/ the CTA cannot do anything to get Tibet back, so people use their bodies as sacrifice. If they were effective in any way at all, then this method for Free Tibet would not need to happen at all.
They have had 4 Rangzen conferences, but there is no results from the conference. Dalai Lama said to use the Middle way, but these group of people choose to oppose Dalai Lama. I am sure they are against Shugden practitioners too, so why are they selective in listening to the Dalai Lama’s advice? Through their action, they are proving that the Dalai Lama is wrong and ineffective in other words. Where to they get the finances to fly everyone to one place to hold a conference? If they get from CTA, that means, the CTA is also opposing the Dalai Lama in this regard? Because some of the attendees are MPs of the CTA, it shows that some are against Dalai Lama.
Wangpo Tethong wrote here to justify himself. If he did nothing wrong, why worry, justify and explain?
Anonymous
September 20, 2017
CTA must close down
September 22, 2017
😕 The CTA in Dharamsala must close down as soon as possible. They have no benefit to their own people or the people of India.
Chokyi USA
September 23, 2017
Hello everyone, specially to our CTA Taxi union president Lobsang Sangay and his beneficiary Kashag members and followers,
I am Chokyi I worked in Exile government 15 years. When Lobsang Sangay came to Dharamsala leadership I researched 2 years through what I have seen and what I listened from him personally. Lobsang have no personal skill and capability to solve the issues of Tibetans in India. He have only a paper degree from Harvard that’s called R….R….R, which means big talk in Tibetan. I feel so much pity on those uneducated Tibetans who set themselves on fire and burned their bodies. Each self-immolation brought a huge benefit to CTA financially. After every self-immolation Lobsang Sangay and his Kashag members have tour programs under the name of Tibetan political issues to introduce to western countries. Mostly, they travel first/business class. But, once they reached destination Lobsang Sangay asked donations to CTA. This is Sangay’s no 1 capability to ask donors in the name of self- immolation. So, I have known much better what Sangay real doing. That’s why I resigned from my post and living independently in US now. Here I humble request to all ordinary Tibetan people in exile. Plz go to apply for western or Indian citizenship as soon as possible. This is only way how you and your children survive a better life. Don’t listen CTA leaders big talks. Because, when you don’t have money to pay your children’s school fees. CTA can’t help you. When your father got serious sickness CTA can’t help you. When your mother died CTA can’t help you. But, CTA will use you for donations in name of seeking help for Tibetans. That donations they will corrupt at the end. Therefore, do something for yourself. Don’t let others use you. This is real experience that I got from CTA in 15 years working from down to earth. Don’t waste your life in CTA’s misuses.
The truth
September 24, 2017
@Chokyi-USA,
It is absolutely true what you say about CTA Taxi union president Lobsang Sangay and his beneficiary Kashag members and followers. They only want money, money and more money. They do nothing for the Tibetan people. Until now Lobsang Sangay has arranged no talks with China regarding our Tibetan situation. That is why we want to overturn Sangay and his ‘democratic’ minions. They should retire and go live in their rich mansions. We want full rangzen and we want a new Tibetan exiled government with people that will do something and care.
Agatha
September 24, 2017
Again and again Rangzen people are opposing HH Dalai Lama! They are against the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way and paid by China! Rangzen people are all fake!
Lophun from Delhi
September 24, 2017
Lophun from Delhi
September 24, 2017
Anti-Dalai Lama and anti-Tibetan traitors in Paris. What is Lobsang Sangye going to do about this?
Tashi Dolma
September 24, 2017
Since he took office, Lobsang Sangay has failed to secure any talk with China to advance the middle way he claims to support. Are you for real Lobsang Sangay or are you paid by China?😠
Tsering
September 24, 2017
Since Lobsang Sangay is a failure – no wonder his MPs are not supporting him and go to the rangzen side.
Palden
September 24, 2017
Lobsang Sangay is a failure who had lost control over his own administration
Gyaltsen from USA
September 24, 2017
These MPs, Juchen Konchok, Monlam Tharchin etc are definitely paid by China to go against the Dalai Lama’s middle way – Shame on you!!!
Sonam Rinchen
September 24, 2017
@Wangpo Tethong or better known as Tethong Tenzin Wangpo
Remember the day where you took the oath from Penpa Tsering on 6 May 2014 and sworn-in as a member of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from Europe at a brief swearing-in ceremony held at the Tibetan Parliament? You were lucky to be designated as the member of parliament because Chungdak Koren resigned on health grounds. You were given a rare opportunity to fight for the Tibetans’ rights and to actualise His Holiness’ Middle Way approach.
In return, you joined the rangzen anti His Holiness the Dalai Lama group by going against his approach, the best way for the Tibetans moving forward. You received your Swiss passport and all the perks that make you wealthy due to His Holiness’ kindness. You have proven to be a non-grateful person and another one who sold our country for your own benefits. Yet, you have the balls to comment here and ask the admin to delete all truth about you?
You are really stupid and should be ashamed of your actions and for going against His Holiness’ Middle Way. Go on and continue to be another anti Dalai Lama coward that sell Tibet away for your own wealth and security. You are disgusting!
😠😡😤👺👊👎🐷🐢
Dorje Tseten
September 25, 2017
Lobsang Sengge travels so much to raise funds but Tibetans never see any of it. Visit our settlements and see how our people live. The poverty is not charming. The poverty is suffering.
So many problems in our society but we never see Lobsang Sengge solving any of them. Only see him attending openings, giving speeches, traveling to America, shaking people’s hands. What’s he doing, raising funds to go on holiday with Dhardon Sharling?
Camillia
September 25, 2017
The Dalai Lama clearly says he wants the Middle-way and not full independence for Tibet (Rangzen). This manifesto had been clearly communicated to the authorities and people. However, 140 people came together outside of the settlement of Tibetan in exile, discussed and plotted about full independence (Rangzen) for Tibet.
140 is a big group coming from a small 100,000 community. What more, some of these 140 people are currently holding positions in the CTA, which is the leadership of the Tibetan in exile community. Meaning to say, these leaders and Tibetans are plotting against Dalai Lama and the government /leadership of Tibetan in exile.
Is this not a threat to national (community) security? And shouldn’t the ones who are holding official positions be interrogated for their intention in disturbing the peace and harmony of the community? To the very least, they should be suspended so that their conflict of interest will not be further pose threat to the community.
This is a serious matter, yet, there is no follow-up from Dharamsala or CTA. Are they in cohort too?
The biggest conspiracy of the 21st century?
Tharchin
September 25, 2017
You are all anti Dalai Lama. How shameful to go against HH’s Middle Way.
Tsundue J.
September 25, 2017
You see, even MP and former MP are speaking up and dare to speak their mind and stand up for the people. Why they no support to CTA leaders? Why oppose openly? People will not oppose without reasons, must be CTA is corrupted to the core and needs someone and many to come out and stop all these nonsense, including to ban of Dorje Shugden practice, to encourage self-immolations, to silence the dissidents with violence…
CTA please steps down and let the people who care for people rules. We all have enough
Tashi Ngodup
September 25, 2017
More Tibetans are discovering the fact that even the CTA members are against Gyalwa Rimpoche, Wangpo Tethong is just one example. It’s obvious that the CTA members do not care about Gyalwa Rimpoche, all they want is more money. Us Tibetans will stop supporting the traitors working in CTA, why continue to support CTA and hurt Gyalwa Rimpoche?
Pete Stevens
September 25, 2017
Wow… one of my friends directed me to this article and I must say that reading the article and especially the comments has been an eye-opener for us who live in the Western countries that do not understand the Tibetan politics well. I too work for the government and have personally been donating to the Tibetan refugees in hope that they will live a better life. It’s extremely despicable of the Tibetan leaders to raise funds in the name of the poor Tibetans and free Tibet, but they end up keeping the money to themselves. Attention must be brought to this matter so our people here do not continue to spend money on a ’cause’ that does not exist.
dorje
September 25, 2017
CTA leaders keep all money in pocket. think CTA will change and generous when CTA rule Tibet in China???? 👎👎
jamyang
September 25, 2017
tashi delek.. this is real. Tibetan politician want to save their ass.
news show the truth.
J. Ushri
September 25, 2017
CTA has been condemning DS practitioners as being anti-Dalai Lama for choosing to exercise their right to practice a religion of their choice. But look what some of CTA’s cabinet ministers are doing… attending a Rangzen conference. Isn’t Rangzen the opposite of what His Holiness is working towards ie Umaylam? Look who is anti-Dalai Lama now.
This article clearly shows that even CTA’s own MP Juchen Konchok does not support her own leadership, how will CTA be able to regain Tibet?
Anonymous
September 25, 2017
Cta no interest to get back Tibet in china. Cta is rich. they have money and house outside of india, can live nicely.🙁🙁
Tashi Dolma
September 26, 2017
Lobsang Sangay people are being paid by China to attack the Dalai Lama
Gyaltsen
September 26, 2017
Lobsang Sangay’s people are the real traitor of the Tibetan cause
Palden la
September 26, 2017
Rangzen people are paid by China to attack the Dalai Lama
Danny Short
September 26, 2017
These people ganging up against Dalai Lama but Central Tibetan Government kept quiet and allowed it. Why?
Doreen Park
September 26, 2017
What sticks out like a sore thumb is that present at this 4th International Conference in Paris,France, are several MPs of the parliament of the Tibetan Government in Exile! Despite vehement denial by MP Juchen Kunchok, by being here and supporting Rangzen, they are directly opposing HH the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way or Autonomy for Tibet from China.Supporting Rangzen behind HH the Dalai Lama’s back?
If they can oppose HH Dalai Lama’s Middle Way,why can’t they also oppose a more illogical ban against Shugden practice.? This selectivity is questionable.It’s all very politically motivated.
They talk about the self immolations in support of Rangzen.But why can’t they see the futility of these deaths – wasted precious lives that in reality are not advancing the Rangzen cause at all. Again, perhaps they know, but it is more likely to gain them big “donations” and “sponsors” to support the self-immolations and Rangzen!
Pema Y
September 26, 2017
Seriously, Rangzen or Middle way, whatever it is, Tibetans, please wake up, it’s been 60 years, do u think we can still get back our so-called country and be independent? Come on, it’s just a “country” a label only, we tibetans should not fight among each other, ban this and that, make our own lives difficult, make each other hate each other, just for RAngzen? or for our stupid president? Lobsang Sangye and his stupid admin people are sucker for money, sorry for my rudeness. I have suffered enough and so do my fellow tibetans in the settlement.
Please please please, pls do not make so much trouble just to line your pocket, CTA! realize how Karma works and you really will be scared if you could fast forward your life and see how karma takes over everything.
Artisena
September 26, 2017
Im sorry to say, Tibetans like social gathering, talk big, show off and i guess the Rangzen conference in Paris, is another big social party for everyone who can afford to attend? wrong purpose, wrong gathering, wrong people. A gathering that oppose their leader’s view, turning their back to the leader and governtment body, what’s so proud? A conference with no effect and result, waste of resources, time and money. Save these things for your kids’ education and raise them well better lah, Tibet’s future relies on the young generation and not you guys!! 👎
Tsering Tenpa
September 26, 2017
What? CTA is going against His Holiness’s middle way approach!! What a shame!
Lobsang Sangay is a failure! 😠😠
Tsering
September 27, 2017
I did not know before that there are a lot of traitors within the CTA – why should we keep our loyalty to them? Better be Indian citizen
Tashi
September 27, 2017
I am tired of this dirty and hypocrite politicians
Gyaltsen
September 27, 2017
Shame on you Lobsang Sangay? You cannot even control your own staff Mr. President
Ludwig
September 27, 2017
From my understanding Dalai Lama wants umaylam. So rangzen people are acting against Dalai Lama and breaking up Tibetan unity. So members of parliament are organising people to gather and plan agains the Dalai Lama. This is most bad, Tibetan people must tell them many times that this is wrong to be against Dalai Lama who is most kind and holy 👎👎👎👎👎👎
Gayathri
September 27, 2017
Tibetans have no self-sacrificing people in their leadership. Gandhiji won India for us because he loved us and he loved his country more than he loved himself. When the Tibetans are led by a Parliament of selfish fools, no wonder they will never be independent and will always remain beggars. Now they have degenerated to acting against the Dalai Lama. Without Dalai’s blessings there will be no Tibet.
Dondrup Shugden
September 28, 2017
Lobsang Sangya and CTA don’t be traitors and betray the Dalai Lama anymore. He is already 80 years old. Don’t destroy His reputation.😰😨
DS survivor
September 28, 2017
CTA is very,very,very selfish!! CTA only want 💰😰😜👎. The eyes are covered with 🤑🤑. Shame!😡
Anonymous
September 28, 2017
Jangchub
September 30, 2017
I can’t believe that there so many traitors within the CTA. They pretended to be loyal to the Dalai Lama, but in reality – they are stabbing him from the back – coward!
Tsundue
September 30, 2017
These CCP paid spies (i.e., Juchen Konchok Tsering, Tethong Wangpo, Monlam Tharchin, Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar) are hypocrites
Namgyal Wangchuk
September 30, 2017
Amazing! the Dalai Lama is surrounded by traitors and double dealers. One of the proofs that rangzen activists are CCP paid spies are they are against the Dalai Lama