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By: Ashok Rao
There exists today four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, one of which is the Kagyu school. One of the main sub-sects of the Kagyu school is the Karma Kagyu lineage headed by a leader referred to as the Karmapa. Each year, this lineage celebrates the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo (Great Prayer Festival), a tradition established by His Holiness the 7th Karmapa Chodrak Gyatso to bring together members of the Karma Kagyu lineage to pray for the benefit of all sentient beings. After the Tibetans entered into exile in India, the tradition was revived in 1983 by His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche and His Eminence Bokar Rinpoche. Since then it has once again been used to promote peace and harmony.
Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who was recognized by Tai Situpa Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government
This year, attendees at the Kagyu Monlam Festival received a special broadcast from one of the two Karmapa candidates, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. In what was billed a “special message”, he openly expressed his frustration, the reasons for his frustration and, in his own words, his ‘depression’. He criticized the behavior of the Karma Kagyu high lamas, spoke of his disappointment at having been controlled for more than 18 years of his life, and subtly blamed the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala) for interfering in the lineage, bringing about the division and issues they face today.
The message was a very brave move for such a prominent figure, as there is no freedom of speech within the Tibetan settlements. Those who criticize the CTA usually find themselves on the receiving end of violent repercussions. It therefore speaks volumes that the Karmapa’s special message was recorded in the United States, away from the domineering control of the CTA in India. And so instead of broadcasting a straightforward Dharma teaching to millions of Karma Kagyu devotees worldwide, Ogyen Trinley chose to use the platform to criticize the CTA. It is an act that reflects the gravity of his situation and its impact on the survival of the lineage. Many of the points Ogyen Trinley spoke about struck at the heart of political issues facing Tibetan Buddhism today:
- He did not receive a proper spiritual education. Having left Tibet at an early age, Ogyen Trinley thought his training in India would be comprehensive and complete. But many factors were not in his favor: the lineage was in tatters following the CTA’s interference, Karma Kagyu lamas were scattered around India and the world, and his movements were tightly controlled by the CTA. As a result, he did not have much opportunity to learn and thus he feels that he is deceiving the public. He feels he is not qualified to teach and to handle what is required of him.
- He was forced to be involved in politics, something he was ill-prepared to deal with. Ogyen Trinley said that historically, the Karmapas are purely spiritual leaders who are not politically involved. And even in this, he was forced to disregard his lineage’s traditions. Ill-equipped to deal with political life, he ended up making many errors which have plagued him for more than 18 years. There is only one group who could have forced him to do this – the Tibetan leadership. Thus, in saying he was ill-prepared to meet with various leaders and officials, he implied that it was the CTA who failed to provide him with the training and guidance necessary to be successful.
- So not only did he fail to receive a complete spiritual education, but he was also not given the tools to succeed in a secular environment. Ogyen Trinley reiterated the Buddhist teachings that politics derive only short-term benefits, whereas spiritual pursuits are for longer, more meaningful results. He made multiple references to his wish to engage in spiritual practice, and mentioned that in his youth and desperation, he had even contemplated studying within the Gelug system, thus portraying his genuine non-sectarian nature. It is no surprise that Ogyen Trinley would have thought of this – not only is the Gelug system known for its rigorous structure of study, but the previous 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, was known to have been extremely close to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Both lamas are considered to be of the same mindstream, as Trijang Rinpoche’s incarnation lineage includes the 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje. In watching his speech, one cannot help but think of Ogyen Trinley as a sincere Dharma practitioner who was forced into a political role to be exploited by the CTA to challenge the Chinese leadership, with no regard for his spiritual responsibilities and gains.
- He has been controlled for most of his life and implied that his managers and staff failed him. The fact Ogyen Trinley failed to receive a proper education is not only the CTA’s responsibility, but also his managers’ whom he implies have controlled him his entire life. As a child, offerings made to him were opened and inspected by his attendants, and then he never saw them again. Those who sought audience with him even learned to sneak monetary offerings under his cushion when no one was looking. His attendants were similarly untrained in politics and as a result, he received bad advice.
- To this day, he does not even have a monastery of his own. It is extremely unusual for someone of his position, touted to be the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, to be living at the Gelug tantric monastery of Gyuto. He is not allowed to set foot in Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Karmapas in India, since the issue of the two Karmapas came to blows in 2000. At that time, the Indian Border Police were forced to intervene and bar both Karmapa candidates from entering Rumtek, fearing further security issues. Although it was the CTA who caused this two Karmapa issue by interfering in the recognition process, they failed to do anything to improve upon the division, for example by creating a monastery for Ogyen Trinley to preside over. The logical conclusion is that they wish for him to remain under their control; being at Gyuto and without his own monastery, Ogyen Trinley cannot grow a powerbase of his own which allows them to keep him under their thumb. This, coupled with his lack of a formal education, suggests he is being exploited by the CTA to be a pawn, rather than the head of a rich religious tradition or even just a practitioner of the Buddha’s teachings.
- There is no end in sight to the Karma Kagyu split. In his speech Ogyen Trinley made a lengthy reference to the deep split in the lineage. After the passing of the 16th Karmapa, two candidates for his reincarnation were identified – one, Trinley Thaye Dorje, was recognized by His Eminence Shamar Rinpoche, who traditionally holds the authority to make such a recognition. On the other hand, Ogyen Trinley Dorje himself was recognized as the other Karmapa candidate by the Kagyu lama Tai Situpa Rinpoche, a choice backed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The dual recognition of a Karmapa candidate tore the lineage in half and since then, this rift has never healed although Ogyen Trinley sought to meet the Shamarpa in the past to work on the divide. While nothing fruitful came of the meeting, Ogyen Trinley spoke of his respect and admiration for the line of Shamarpas, stating that they should not be removed from the supplication prayers to the lineage lamas, as some have argued, no doubt under the influence of the CTA, whom the Shamarpa bravely defied. Interesting point to note: Ogyen Trinley was also selected by the Chinese government in Tibet as the Karmapa. The Dalai Lama accepts China’s choice of Karmapa but it is strange that the Dalai Lama will not accept China’s choice of Panchen Rinpoche.
Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje (left) was identified by His Eminence Shamar Rinpoche according to age-old tradition. He and his consort Rinchen Yangzom have recently announced that they are expecting their first child.
- The CTA has a trend of splitting lineages and keeping them divided. The message from Ogyen Trinley is clear – the CTA intentionally interfered in the Karma Kagyu’s religious affairs and after splitting the lineage, did not lift a single finger to mend the rift or even mediate between both parties. But why would they? They created the issue in the first place, dividing large groups of people in order to weaken and conquer them. Likewise, the CTA instigated the unjust and illegal ban against Dorje Shugden practitioners, splitting the Gelug lineage in half as well. It is clear the CTA does not care about spiritual practice or its preservation; the only thing that matters is political dominance over the Tibetan people and they have achieved this by attacking what is at the very heart of Tibetan culture – its religion.
- His speaking out may encourage other dually-recognized lamas to speak out. The CTA are well known for recognizing lamas whose incarnations have already been recognized by the spiritual leaders of their own traditions. In addition to the Karmapas, the CTA have also recognized a second incarnation of His Holiness the Panchen Lama, His Eminence Domo Geshe Rinpoche and His Eminence Kundeling Rinpoche. Identifying a reincarnation of their own is a ploy by the CTA to retain their power through spiritual manipulation; since that particular individual received recognition from the CTA, when they grow older, the CTA assumes they will be somehow beholden to the Tibetan leadership and therefore obligated to enforce their diktats. But we know that Ogyen Trinley, as one of two Karmapa candidates, has refused to speak negatively against Dorje Shugden and in his Kagyu Monlam video, said that he dislikes politics and does not wish to be involved. So given Ogyen Trinley’s candid and open refusal to be manipulated by the CTA, his actions may perhaps encourage other dually-recognized lamas or those forced into political positions to speak up about their treatment at the hands of the unscrupulous CTA.
- Ogyen Trinley reiterated that he is a normal person. Contrary to common perception of the Karmapa’s nature and his role, he states on numerous occasions in his video that he is an ordinary person. He paints himself as someone who has to work at his spiritual progress, who may have somehow fallen behind in his knowledge due to being poorly educated. This is in contrast with the CTA’s portrayal of him as a superhuman, all-knowing enlightened being, and a direct counter of their stance regarding his spiritual attainments. In fact, he has mentioned twice that he feels very depressed, which is strange for a person whose life’s work is to teach others to be happy yet he himself is depressed.
- Hence doubt is cast over the Dalai Lama’s recognition of him as the rightful Karmapa candidate. Ogyen Trinley reiterated so frequently that he is just an ordinary person that one might be led to think he is casting doubt on his recognition as the Karmapa, and even implying that the Dalai Lama may have been wrong to recognize him. The implications of this would be disastrous for the CTA, as each and every reincarnation they have recognized will then be opened to being questioned. If the CTA can be wrong on such significant decisions related to the key leaders of many spiritual lineages, how many other mistakes have they made throughout the years that have been unaccounted for? If the Dalai Lama can be wrong on something as important as the rightful Karmapa, how many other errors have been made? Are the Dalai Lama and the CTA wrong about imposing the ban on Dorje Shugden too? The Tibetan leadership would be exposed as the fake and inefficient leadership that they really are, relying on spiritual and religious traditions to maintain their oppressive control over the Tibetans rather than any genuine political prowess.
- Most listeners come away with the conclusion that Ogyen Trinley is planning to abdicate. What would happen if he abdicated? It could lead to the destruction of the Karma Kagyu lineage, where the Kagyus under Ogyen Trinley would fade out of existence. It might also lead to its reunification under one Karmapa candidate, Trinley Thaye Dorje, who was recognized according to tradition by the Shamarpa.
- For a Karmapa candidate to so explicitly state that he is depressed is unprecedented. What many are asking is, how can the emanation of a being meant to be the cause and happiness of others be unhappy himself? How can he teach others to overcome their depression and gain happiness, when he himself is so unhappy? The only two possible conclusions that can be arrived at are, he is not the real reincarnation of the Karmapa or he is manifesting disappointment at the treatment he has suffered at the hands of the CTA. Neither conclusion is particularly pleasant for the CTA – in the first scenario, they made an error in identifying the Karmapa, thereby causing 18 years of division in the Karma Kagyu sect, for ultimately no reason other than self-gain, and political control and manipulation. In the second scenario, they have treated him so badly that he feels the need to speak out against them.
- Either way, it is clear that the CTA are losing control. Their abuse of Ogyen Trinley for more than 18 years has finally come to a head. Controlled by them for their own twisted agendas, Ogyen Trinley is now revealing the truth behind the CTA’s duplicitous nature. What is most significant is that he is the purported head of a lineage who has received the CTA’s stamp of approval, and who is now speaking up against them. This will not be the only battle that the CTA has to contend with. Many other sectors of Tibetan society are speaking up, for example Thupten Choephel of Sera Jey Monastery who is threatening self-immolation if the CTA does not stop their abuse and exploitation of the Tibetan people. Political trends have also shifted – in India, for example, the government now clearly favors a friendship with China over supporting the Tibetans in exile. The CTA are losing their grip over all areas of Tibetan life, from politics to religion.
When will it end?
The CTA’s machinations within the Karma Kagyu lineage have led to a huge rift within the tradition. They engineered the split of the lineage with their recognition of a second Karmapa candidate, whose life they have controlled and whose spiritual education they have neglected. Foreseeing potential problems with the Shamarpa’s reincarnation, Ogyen Trinley himself warns against two Shamarpas being recognized. This is a very real possibility as the CTA, who have battled with many successive Shamarpa incarnations, will be tempted to recognize their own candidate in order to control him too. However, should they recognize their own Shamarpa, Ogyen Trinley warns that the Karma Kagyu school will be further split and the CTA will have directly caused the irreversible destruction of the unity of the lineage.
Coupled with the other divisive policies that the CTA enforces such as the ban on Dorje Shugden practice, the CTA are single-handedly causing the destruction of Tibetan Buddhism as a whole. Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as one of two Karmapa candidates knows this from his own personal experience, and his views are clear evidence of this.
Ogyen Trinley’s speech indicate that he is a true spiritual practitioner, disinterested in the manipulative politics of the CTA but passionate about the genuine teachings of the Buddha – peace, harmony and the cohesion of spiritual traditions. Unfortunately, and much to his disappointment, he has not received any of this whilst under the control of the CTA. The Tibetan leadership should take his message as a real wake-up call to heal the rifts that they have caused to the fabric of Tibetan life, not only within the Karma Kagyu tradition but also with Dorje Shugden practitioners. If they really care about the survival of the Tibetan culture and tradition as they so often claim, they had better start making amends, lest their actions lead to the complete destruction of Tibetan life in the future.
Special Message from the Karmapa – English
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Special Message from the Karmapa – Tibetan
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Special Message from the Karmapa – Chinese
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Transcript: Special Message from the Karmapa
Today is the last day of the 35th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo. And so, just as I have requested of him, this year His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche has gone to unfathomable efforts to come and preside over the Kagyu Monlam. My original plan was that Rinpoche only needed to attend a few of the most important events and did not need to come to everything but Rinpoche has, whenever he has been able, come to preside over the sessions whenever he could without missing a single day. This is extremely kind of him, so on the behalf of all the monastics and the lay people who had attended the Monlam, I would like to express my deepest thanks to Rinpoche.
Likewise, Kyabje Mingyur Rinpoche showed us the kindness of giving meditation instructions during the pre-Monlam teachings. And then, since then during the time of the Kagyu Monlam, Rinpoche has also put in a lot of effort to come to many different events, both large and small. So, I would like to ask, and once again thank Rinpoche on behalf of everyone.
This year even though I was not there, everyone in the Monlam organising committee has taken on the responsibilities for their individual teams and co-operated, working together, just the same as they would if I were there. The results of their work has produced are no different than how they would have been, were I there, so I would like to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to Lama Choedak, foremost amongst the Monlam workers and all the other workers as well. Thank you very much.Likewise, the monks and nuns from the various monasteries, despite the fact that the weather has been very hot, they have been very exemplary and praiseworthy in all respect during this Monlam in terms of the motivation, conduct and everything else, even in the heat. So, I would like to also say thank you very much to all of you as well.
Likewise, the faithful people who come from foreign countries, this year there have been many changes in the Monlam dates. This has caused you difficulties financially and once you arrive here, the weather has been hot and caused you even more difficulties but all of you participating makes the Kagyu Monlam into an international event. I think it shows that no matter where in the world we are from, our wishes are in unison, our wishes for world peace are in unison. Our wishes that all sentients be happy are in unison and so I would like to thank you all deeply.
Likewise, the place where we hold the Monlam is the sacred site of Bodhgaya, the noble land of India. The government of India, the federal government as well as the state government of Bihar and the local administration have all provided a great deal of assistance. Likewise, the administration of the Maha Devi temple has also continually supported us not only in the past but also in the present, so I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to all of them.
Till today, at first, I didn’t think I needed to say too much. But now I would like to take this opportunity to say a few things and I think that maybe it will bring a little bit of benefit. So, the main thing to talk about is that many people have been asking when the next Kagyu Monlam, the 36th would be held. They are also asking for the time to be fixed and not changed. Quite a few people had said this and generally from our point, we have gone through a lot of effort to have a definite schedule that didn’t change but sometimes there are events with other Lamas, other great Lamas and Monlams from other lineages that are being held at the same time and when they conflict with each other then it is not very easy for us or for them. And for that reason, we have had to postpone or change our dates for such reasons several times. Even though we have not wanted to reschedule there have been situations where we have no choice but to do so. But we are doing everything we can to avoid having to change our dates in the future. In the next few days, we will have meetings to decide on a fixed time for the Monlam. We will have free discussions about the schedule in the meetings and do our best to make a decision as soon as we can. And once we have decided, we will announce it immediately over the internet so that everyone can make advance preparation to come to the next Monlam. So, try our hardest, we will try our hardest to inform you as soon as we can.
This year I really didn’t have the opportunity to attend the Monlam in person. However, as I have already said, the Monlam has been excellent and well-organised, no different from that if I were there. And when I think about it, I was recognised as the Karmapa at the age of 7. And then at the age of 14, I was separated from Tibet and come to the noble land of India. Thinking about how it was when I went from being a little boy who didn’t really understand what a Karmapa is to being brought and put on the Karmapa’s throne and gradually having to take the responsibilities that it entails, from my perspective, the Karmapa has the history of over 900 years and there have been 16 incarnations. To have qualities and abundance realisations such as they did and activities such as theirs, I don’t even have the confidence that I can even hope for such. And I don’t, for myself, really believe that it would ever happen. But because I have received the blessings of the Karmapa to some degree, I have done my best. I have done my best but I am an ordinary person. So, no matter how much hard I try, there are many other situations where that is not enough, where it is beyond me.
Many people think to themselves that being the Karmapa, you know is like some incredible thing but for me, that hasn’t happened, even if I am the Karmapa. The situation is still that really need to try hard. Gyelwa Kunsapa said, “Even the rebirth, reincarnation of a Lama or a Tulku, should spend 12 years of purification, practicing meditation to purify their remaining obstacles. It is necessary to practise meditation and accomplishment and retreats”. So, even if one is a Tulku or a reincarnation of a great Lama, you have to put in such efforts. For me, I don’t have any reasons or any basis to say that I am the reincarnation of any great Lama and since I am an ordinary person, I have to put in incredible effort even more than other people. But no matter how much effort I make, it is never enough, it is never ok. It never really reaches a level where it is sufficient. And for one side, this is people have such high limitless hopes in me. On my own part, I do my absolute best to try to live up to them. And I do this with as much as I can with the pure motivation.
When I was little, a lot of people came to give me advice. They’d say, “You have to be really careful. There are many people who have said to me Karmapa, so you have to be your best”. So many people said this but for my own part, I never had the motivation that I should compete with everyone else said to be Karmapa and therefore be careful.
For my own point, I have had a pure motivation. Whatever I am, directing my best efforts no matter what. When I was, even when I was studying at Tibet, in terms of my education, my tutors, my teachers and my tutors, the way they paid respect and so forth, were not the greatest and once I arrived in India, one reason I came to India was to study and to receive the Dharma lineages, that is why I came.
So once I arrived, it should have been better than it had been in Tibet, but in terms of my education, there were many gaps. From one perspective, the fault was my own for being too lazy. And also, I am pretty smart and since I am pretty smart, no matter what I study I immediately get a little bored and think, “I get it”. Then I immediately feel disinterested. In addition to that, the Lamas and Khenpos whom I study with, we invited the best Lamas and Khenpos amongst our Kagyus but the best Lamas and Khenpos have their own monasteries, their own Dharma centres that they have to maintain and take care off, they have activities. Hence, they could not spend all their time with me. So, for these reasons, sometimes I would have all these classes and sometimes I would not and this happened frequently.
In the past, I had the thought that if I went to a Gelugpa monastery, matriculated so to speak and followed the curriculum, I would have become a good scholar. But later when I thought about it, if I had gone to a Gelugpa monastery and gone through the studies, on the one side, there would have been nothing wrong with it. But on the other instance, I have the title Karmapa. If the Karmapa were to go to a Gelugpa monastery to study, people would say that and in the future, someone with the head of the overall, the title of the overall, head of the Kagyu were to do this, it’s like would be a bit of a problem that happened historically.
So, I‘ve had many different discussions with Gelugpa geshes but I’ve never matriculated in a Gelug monastery. So, this is one issue. My own studies have not all been that high quality or good. Mainly what I know has come from me taking interest and putting the effort into it. I never had any properly organized, thorough, education. So, that’s one issue.
So, another issue is that, when I was recognized as Karmapa when I was 7, so I was just a little boy. From the time I was little, I grew up in Tsurphu Monastery. And when I was little, all the people around me were adults. So I had to do whatever they told me to. And I couldn’t say what I needed to do.
At first, of course, I didn’t know what I needed to do. And in addition to that, other than listen to them, I never had any freedom to say what I should do or should not do. Actually, when I was little, I did have a lot of hard times. For example, in terms of power, it’s the changtso had all the power. And when people would come to give me gifts, they first of all had to take to the changtso, the changtso would take them out and open all the gifts first. And those people were suspicious that there might be a bomb or poison or something like that. So, they would take them out to check to see, they take the gifts out to make sure that there is no bomb or poison. And once the gifts had been taken away, they were never brought back, almost all of them.
Also people would come to give me money to say it was for me to give my parents. Those who knew my situation would give me money surreptitiously. At that time, there was a lot of people around right? So without knowing, they quickly slipped it under my cushion, slipped it under my cushion secretly. That’s what it was like. So, that’s what it was like when I was little.
I never really felt that I had any freedom of my own. And then I came to India. See, when I came to India, India is a free country, a democracy. So I’d hoped that when I arrived, I could do whatever I wanted. That was my hope. But when I first got to India, none of us had any knowledge about India. And at that time, the people who advised me, the people… my guides, the people who advised me, even though they definitely had pure motivation, there was none who was able to guide me, who was a hundred percent reliable. They didn’t know how things were done. So I had no one to guide me. So when we first began discussions with the Indian government, there was disharmony and disagreement in the discussion and this probably caused some suspicions. In any case, I’ve spent eighteen years in India. And during this time, I have had continually difficulties and hassles as you all know. They said that I was sent by the Chinese or that I was a Chinese spy.
Many things have happened. But even though many things have happened, I still have done what that I could. The reason why I stayed right up until now is because I feel like I must not give up on the teachings, the Kagyu teachings. Likewise, I thought that to myself that this is for the benefit of Tibet, for the benefit of all sentient beings. Thinking in this way, I stayed. Also from another perspective, when I arrived in India, it was very fortunate. I had the fortune to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and hear his teachings. I had many opportunities to receive profound Dharma teachings from Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche. Likewise, I’ve had the opportunity to receive profound Dharma teachings from Tangur Rinpoche, Bokar Ripoche and Yongzin Thrangu Rinpoche. And I feel all of this has been very, very fortunate. Where I live is Gyuto Monastery and the heart sons they live elsewhere, Situ Rinpoche lives in Sherab Ling, Gyaltsab Rinpoche lives in Sikkim. There’s never been a place for us to spend an extended period of time at the same place. It’s like we’re all been scattered.
When I read the lives of the previous Karmapas, the Karmapas and their heart sons all stayed together. Wherever they went, they went together. Whether it’s by teaching the Dharma, or by taking care of each other. It was like at that time, they all took care of each other but this has never happened with me. And for me, this is something I feel very disappointed about.
Then, to speak bluntly. After the 16th Karmapa passed away, we had a great rift in our Kamtsang lineage. I don’t need to say anything any more about the old situations. But because of this, we have had some disagreements among the ladrangs. Many things have happened since I arrived in India. Some of you know, some don’t. There has been a lot disharmony among the ladrangs and this has also caused me a lot of worries.
On one occasion, I invited Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshri Gyaltsab to come to Delhi, both Rinpoches are quite like the moon and the clouds in the sky. They are not stained by any thoughts but those who are underneath them, their attendants, and I told them to tell their attendants, the people under them that we have had a great disaster in the Kamtsang lineage. Such has never happened before. We’ve had been a huge conflict. We’ve had a terrible violation of samsara, please do what you can to avoid that again. This is what I asked both Rinpoches. And they both promised to do as I asked. Actually, to make such a request is like teaching Avalokiteshvara the Mani mantra, you shouldn’t have to say to that extent but I was too petty, too small minded and asked.
Also thinking that maybe it would be of benefit to the Karma Kaygu teachings, I went to see Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. And when we arranged a meeting on our side shall we say, there were people who’d said that it would not be okay to make a bad connection. Quite a few people said this. Some who were nearby said this vociferously. But I ignored that and I went to Shamar Rinpoche and when we met, there was no really specific result you could point to.
But now, Rinpoche has passed away, and I do feel a bit of comfort in my mind, that at least I was able to meet Rinpoche and tell him what I thought. So, this gives me a little bit of comfort. In general, we all know how important the Shamar Rinpoche has been in the history of the Karma Kagyu. But in the last few years, in the last couple of decades, so many events have occurred that many people say we should not recite long life prayers for Shamar Rinpoche and that we should remove the Shamar Rinpoches from our lineage supplications.
But I think that that is really not seeing the important points, because Shamar Rinpoche is not just the recent 14th Shamar Miphang Chokyi Lodro, The Shamar Rinpoche is a part of the old lineage of Karma Kamtsang. The lineage from Drakpo Sengge to the present. It is not the name of the single person, it is not a single person.
No matter how much the people say that the actions of the current Shamar Rinpoche were wrong, I think that we must not paint the activities of the entire Shamar lineage black. For this reason, I think that we must have a positive way of thinking about Shamar Rinpoche. I think we need to think about Buddhism in general and the lineage in the future.
Now Shamar Rinpoche has passed away. It is extremely important that there be no problems regarding his reincarnation. We have another situation or we say there’s two different reincarnations. It will harm the Kamtsang in general and in future, the Kamtsang will split into two factions, looking at each other as enemies and that would not be good in any way at all.
From the depths of my heart, I think we can have reconciliation. And I am doing a few things to bring that about. But it’s not something for one person to do. It’s so crucial to remember that both sides need to be open. If we continue to always say bad things about each other and criticize each other. If we continue to do that, I do not think it will turn out well.
Our teachings at the Kamtsang are the same. Our Gurus the same. The colour of our hats is the same. But despite this, if we continue to cling to our own factions, no matter how right we are, we have such bias towards our sides, we will work for ourselves, to win for ourselves to defeat the others. Taking this on would be like a complete mistake. There’ll be nothing good about it. So, we often say there is the Shamar side and there is the Situ side. One side or the other. Actually we aren’t on the Situ Rinpoche side, we aren’t on the Shamar Rinpoche side. We are all on the Karma Kagyu side.
Otherwise, we’re filled with our own afflictions, the three poisons; we engage in partisanship and jealousy and at the same time say… and while we still do that we still… how to say… and if at that point we say I’m on Vajradhara’s side. There’s no benefit to that at all.
So these people say I’m pure, he’s pure, he’s a pure Kagyupa but they’re not pure. But whether one is pure or not comes down to the practice we have in our mindstreams. It does not come down to whose side we are on. I think this is something we all need to keep in mind.
Another thing is that I’m in America. I spent many months abroad, the last six months in America. There are probably a lot of people who explain the reasons why I stayed abroad for such a long time. But independent of anyone else’s explanations, what I’d like to say is that the main reason I am staying abroad is that when I had a medical exam in Germany, they told me that I had a medical problem. So then I had an .?.. (27.38) and for his sake I had to go to America and once I arrived there, I had to follow up on the medical problem they had told me when I was in Germany, and so that is for the reason.
Another matter is that, you know, for many years I’ve never had the opportunity to really rest — to rest both the body and the mind.
Once I get back to India, there’ll be a lot of busy-ness and frenetic-ness so I would not be able to rest. So, I had stayed here to rest.
So, I stayed here because I’m thinking of the long term.
Probably many people have said that I’m staying for my own personal benefit or that I had some insidious plan, but that is not it at all.
In brief, people think that I’m decisive and that whatever I’m doing, they say, “He’s the Karmapa,” so of course they’ll take it as definite the case but for me, it’s not like that.
No matter what decision I make or what action I do, there’s a lot I have to give up.
For my own part, I’ve done everything I could up till now. Everything I’ve done, I have done with a pure motivation. I’ve had a pure motivation but people will make things up. There are many people who make things up out of dislike, and there is nothing to do about that.
But amongst ourselves, there are many people who give incorrect explanations because they either do not know or do not understand what my real intentions are. Especially now that I’m staying in America, even the people I am around here have had a lot of anxiety. Likewise many people all over have had a lot of anxiety. And I have actually myself been quite downcast and depressed. This is because when other people look at what I have tried to do, they take it as a matter of course, but for my own part, I have had to give up a lot. None of it has been easy.
And even though it has been easy and when I ignore that and keep pushing ahead, if those around me do not believe in me then there’s no reason for me to pretend and keep going. So for that reason, I have been depressed.
But when you think about it from the perspective of the future, from the time of the first Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa, to the present, the Gyalwa Karmapa has been a Lama who has engaged only in Dharma activities, not one who has been involved in politics.
And now we’re at a critical time for the Snow Land of Tibet — we have come to a point where it is important to put effort into both Dharma and politics. So for this reason we definitely need a political leader or a political guide. But for me, I don’t know how to give any political direction. I don’t know how to do this but since I have the title of Karmapa, it would not be appropriate.
Likewise, in terms of the dharma, the way I think to myself is that one does politics to accomplish short-term aims and benefit. Now, political people, they’re always changing. And also, politics means dividing into factions and then dividing into groups then trying to find profit and benefit.
But Dharma, Dharma means not divide into factions but instead bring benefit to all sentient beings who are as limitless as space. Its duration is that people don’t change posts immediately. Dharma is for protecting ourselves in this and in future lifetimes and for guiding ourselves in this until thereafter.
So the way Dharma and politics work is completely different. Since I have the responsibility of being a religious leader, I can only contend in the direction of the Dharma. When I was in Tibet, I was worried that I would have to get involved in politics. Once I arrived in India, I’ve always thought that if it came to me having to do political activities, I would not have the skills to do it, I wouldn’t know how to do it and I have no wish to do so. This is another important point for people to take into consideration.
In brief, from my own perspective, I don’t have such qualities of abundant realisations as the previous Karmapas had. If I, even though I lack those, were to continue to pretend, to deceive people, I feel I will be accumulating severely negative karma.
I have no feeling of delight, no thought of ‘I’ll get rich’ or have power or that many people like me, I don’t have any such… feel like there’s nothing I have to feel such pride or confidence in. So sometimes I think there’s no point. There’s no point to continue deceiving others.
Sometimes I think it would be better to just live as an ordinary person, an ordinary Dharma practitioner. I sometimes think that and especially recently I felt this strongly.
This is because I have worked hard for many years but I can’t work hard all by myself. A single pillar can’t hold up a single building, can it? Everyone needs to work hard and help out. We say that everyone has to have people to take care of them. If you’re taking money you need somebody to take care of you.
Without any support for yourself, there’s no benefit to teaching and helping sentient beings all by yourself. We, Buddhists, believe in karmic cause and effect. We believe in the view of inter-dependence. Inter-dependence means that in all situations, no matter what they may be, occur because of multiple causes (and) conditions. There’s nothing that can be accomplished with a single cause or a single condition. This is something that everyone needs to take into consideration.
In brief, our Kagyu lineage in general, and in particular the Karma Kamtsang, it’s like we’re a big family. It’s like a big family and in this family, the Gyalwa Karmapa is like the father of the family. But the father can’t take all the responsibility alone. The support of all the family members is needed.
Likewise, if you think about the history of the Kagyu lineage, and in particular the Karma Kamtsang, there have been many losses. For example, when the Mongol Gushen invaded, their armies razed many Karma Kamtsang monasteries and many lineages of practices and explanations were lost. Such terrible events have occurred and later after 1959, there was the Cultural Revolution.
So now we have an opportunity for the teachers to revive and flourish so I’d like to ask everyone, to ask everyone to take this opportunity as your own and to make efforts.
Sometimes people don’t seem to understand how I think. They seem unable to understand my perspective. It’s quite possible that this will happen. But what i think the most important thing is, I’m not saying that I can see far into the future or that I know how to think about the long term; but as much as I can, I try to take a long term view as I work.
It’s possible that some people cannot take such a long view but their leader, so called. If you’re going to be a leader. Once you believe in their leader, even though you may not understand all their plans and decisions, it is important to believe in them and support them.
But I’m not saying you must support me. I’m not asking for you to understand me. I’m not asking you to understand me.
Instead I’m saying this is a general thing, no matter who the leader may be in the future. People need to keep this in mind.
So I leave it here today. I have spoken about several different issues and if I’ve made any mistakes or if I’ve said anything inappropriate, I beg your pardon.So now whatever merit has been gathered during this Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, please dedicate for His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche to live long and for his wishes to be accomplished spontaneously, to be able to soon set foot in Tibet and turn the vast and profound wheel of Dharma.
Likewise, for the masters of all lineages to live long, for the Sangha of the ten directions to be harmonious and have pure discipline and so forth as described in the great aspirations which is next. So please, everyone make such aspirations and dedications.
Video: Dalai lama made mistake said Shamar Rinpoche
Shamar Rinpoche is the most senior Karma Kagyu lama after the Karmapa himself. For centuries, they would recognize each other’s reincarnations. Shamar Rinpoche would always recognize the new Karmapa and conversely, the senior Karmapa would recognize the new Shamarpa. This has gone on for many incarnations. If Shamarpa was not available , then perhaps one of the junior regents would be consulted. The current Karmapa being recognized by Tai Situpa Rinpoche and endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is out of tradition and incorrect. Shamar Rinpoche makes this point very clear in the video below. Without consulting Shamar Rinpoche, Tai Situpa snuck into Tibet and, together with the Chinese government, recognized Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the Karmapa incarnation. Shamar Rinpoche did not agree. Shamar Rinpoche has his own candidate according to the written prophecies of the previous Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche’s own divinations. Shamar Rinpoche objected to the candidate Ogyen Trinley Dorje as he is recognized by the Chinese and further, it is not understood why Tai Situpa would supposedly join forces with the Chinese government to recognize the Karmapa. Shamar Rinpoche has requested His Holiness the Dalai Lama to withdraw his endorsement of Ogyen Trinley as Karmapa, but the Dalai Lama has said he cannot do so. This has created tremendous rifts, fighting, violence, name-hurling and legal issues within the Karma Kagyu sect. This was all created by the Tibetan leadership who interfered with the recognition of the Karmapa which they have no authority to do. Maybe it’s a sign of the incorrect way the whole procedure was done that resulted in Ogyen Trinley Dorje feeling unsure of himself as the Karmapa and complaining he is not qualified to fill the Karmapa’s shoes.
Shamar Rinpoche has recently passed away and Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje is wary of which faction will recognize the new Shamarpa. If the Dalai Lama faction recognizes one Shamarpa and the other Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje recognizes another Shamarpa, it would further divide the Karma Kagyu school and perhaps break it entirely.
Watch Shamar Rinpoche express clearly, with his trademark directness, his feelings on this whole matter that divided the Karma Kagyu school, now still unresolved, in half.
Or watch on server | download video (right click & save file)
Robert Thurman’s Letter to the Shamarpa
If His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has no rights, jurisdiction or traditional involvement in the recognition of any Karmapa in the whole of Karma Kagyu history, why would a self-proclaimed scholar of Je Tsongkhapa such as Robert Thurman have an inkling of what is correct and incorrect? Why does Robert Thurman think he can interfere in the traditions of the Karma Kagyu sect and even have the audacity to write to Shamar Rinpoche and the Kagyus? Why does Robert Thurman have to interfere in places where he does not belong and knows nothing about just because he claims to be the Dalai Lama’s good friend?
Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.tilogaard.dk/english/html/answer_to_robert_thurman.html)
His Eminence Shamarpa’s Open Letter to Robert Thurman
An excellent well-written logical and tradition-based letter to Thurman by Shamar Rinpoche. Shamar Rinpoche’s letter scatters any and all doubts away with his clarity and directness. One should take the time to read Shamar Rinpoche’s response.
Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.tilogaard.dk/english/html/answer_to_robert_thurman.html)
Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.tilogaard.dk/english/html/answer_to_robert_thurman.html)
Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.tilogaard.dk/english/html/answer_to_robert_thurman.html)
Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.tilogaard.dk/english/html/answer_to_robert_thurman.html)
Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.tilogaard.dk/english/html/answer_to_robert_thurman.html)
Click to enlarge (Source: http://www.tilogaard.dk/english/html/answer_to_robert_thurman.html)
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Tashi Rinchen
March 25, 2018
Now that India has decided to improve her bilateral relationship with China, the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) are deprived of the honor and privileges that they have grown accustomed to. A state minister of Himachal Pradesh, invited as the Chief Guest decided not to turn up for the Tibetans’ March 10th event. Now there’s another bad news for the Tibetans. The 7th World Parliamentarian’s Convention on Tibet scheduled on April 26 – 28 in Delhi is canceled.
The last global conference was held six years ago, and it is clear that the Tibet issue has not been high on anyone’s agenda for a long time. If we look at the trend now, it is clear that the Indian government prevents any official from attending any Tibetan events, and even refuses to host any discussion on the Tibet issue. With a series of upcoming high profile meetings between Indian and China officials, it looks like India is dropping its support on the Tibet issue completely. It remains to be seen how things will become worse for the CTA. The next thing we can expect to see is perhaps Indian officials will start avoiding to be seen with Tibetan officials, and perhaps even the Dalai Lama as they are courting China?
Kelsang Rabgyal
March 25, 2018
Time for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to wake up! CTA’s events are being rejected and postponed one by one. The CTA should realise by now that they are being strictly sidelined by India and nobody really wants to associate with them as they spell trouble. The Tibetans cannot be so oblivious, or maybe they are just too embarrassed to talk about it. Perhaps they are just too busy scrambling around to find out what event will be cancelled next from one of their insiders in the Indian government in order to save face, if there is any left to save.
Namgyal Wangchuk
March 26, 2018
Things are going from bad to worse as the Tibetan leadership has to grapple with yet another problem. Not only does the Indian leadership now refuse to be seen with them, but tourists are no longer attracted to Dharamsala, whether it’s to attend teachings by the Dalai Lama or because they want to go somewhere exotic. The region has seen a tremendous drop in tourists especially for the month of March, which used to be peak tourist season when the town would overflow with visitors.
And not only has the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) failed to host an annual summer festival that used to be a major tourist attraction, but now they are even blaming the cancellation on a lack of funds allocated by the Indian leadership. Does the CTA REALLY think this will improve their relationship with the Indian government? It is typical CTA mentality – if you don’t give things to them for free, they won’t do anything.
And just to prove everyone really has NO idea what to do to bring the tourists back, they’re thinking of requesting the Dalai Lama to give even more teachings as an attraction point. Yes, they are going to ask an 82-year old man to do even MORE work to bring in the money. When will the CTA let the Dalai Lama retire? And yes, that’s right – they don’t want to request the Dalai Lama to give teachings because they want Dharma. They want the Dharma to make MORE MONEY. That’s how it has ALWAYS been with the CTA. So maybe the real reasons tourists are avoiding Dharamsala is because they’ve figured this out, and they have had enough of giving their money to a corrupt leadership that has exploited them financially for 60 years.
Dolma Jane
March 27, 2018
The last time world parliamentarians met to discuss Tibet was in Canada in 2012. It has taken them six years to organize the same meeting, a sure sign that the world has had better things to do in the last six years than to discuss Tibet.
However the latest meeting, scheduled to be held in New Delhi, has been cancelled, the reason being it is a “sensitive time” for India-China relations. This took place after India “conveyed its concerns” to the Tibetan leadership. While it may sound like a benign reason, this is not the first incident in recent times where India has directed the CTA to stop provoking China. Very significantly, the Indian Foreign Secretary also directed Indian officials not to attend CTA events hosted as part of their “Thank You India” campaign, meant to celebrate 60 years of Indian kindness towards the Tibetans.
Apart from the cancelation of those Tibetan-related events, His Holiness the Dalai Lama also announced that he would not travel for the rest of the year. All seems to spell doom for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). It is clear that India does not want anything to do with the Tibetans, and it is only a matter of time India starts saying that Tibet is a part of China. So it seems that the only direction for the CTA now is to befriend China, just like the rest of the world is doing.
Lelkyi Tsho
March 27, 2018
After the humiliation of their Chief Guest not attending the Tibetan Uprising Day event, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has resorted to keeping their list of invitees secret for the upcoming opening ceremony of the “Thank You India” campaign. This is an unprecedented move as they are always publicising who their special guests are.
Could it be that none of the Indian dignitaries have agreed to grace the event so the CTA has no one to announce as yet? Or is it because the CTA are embarrassed and afraid that history may repeat itself, and are trying to prevent a similar incident where Chief Guest Kishan Kapoor did not show up after they had publicised he would be there? Or perhaps this is a way to go around the Indian government’s directive which discouraged Indian officials from attending Tibetan related events. Perhaps the CTA thinks that if the Indian government doesn’t know who the CTA invites, then the Indian government will not be able to contact the invitees and tell them not to go, again.
One thing’s for sure, the CTA has lost its support from the Indian government. PM Modi is scheduled to visit China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in June and India will not allow any incident that may derail the talks.
Ngawang Jigme
March 27, 2018
This is probably the biggest slap in the face for the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala. They have been using the Dalai Lama for years now in order to garner support, and flex their authority and influence over others. But in an interview to CNN-News18 earlier this month, the Dalai Lama said he does not care about the alleged pressure from China which caused the cancellation of the high-profile ‘Thank You India’ events in Delhi. The events were supposed to mark 60 years of the Tibetan government’s exile in India. On top of that, he said that the position of the Dalai Lama was no longer relevant, and that the Tibetan people – not the leadership – must decide on whether to continue the position or not.
It seems like the Dalai Lama is leaving the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetans in-exile to fend for themselves. No more spoon-feeding. Perhaps the Dalai Lama has had enough of being exploited by the Tibetan leadership and lost all hope in the Tibetan president’s paving the way for the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet or even Tibetan autonomy. In that case, isn’t the CTA comparatively more irrelevant than the Dalai Lama, since it failed to achieve what it set out to do decades ago?
Tashi Namgyal
March 29, 2018
As long as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetan refugees are living on Indian soil, they will continue to be a thorn in the relationship between China and India, as China will continue to view India as harboring Tibetan separatists.
So if Dr. Lobsang Sangay is serious about not wanting to “cause inconvenience” to India, he should do MUCH MUCH more than just moving the “Thank You India” from New Delhi to Dharamsala (which he was ordered to do anyway). He should stop condemning China and stop flying the Tibetan flag, which contradicts China’s policies regarding Tibet. And he should also use donations that the CTA receives to organize the return of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan refugees to their home in China. Otherwise, whatever he says about not wanting to “cause inconvenience” to India is just lip service, like it has been for the last 60 years.
Big Boss fan
March 29, 2018
It’s the beginning of the end for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). How can the Dalai Lama, whom Tibetans believe to be the Buddha of Compassion Chenresig, be exhausted? Lets say the Dalai Lama is just a simple monk which he often claims. Even as a simple monk, the Dalai Lama is also a seasoned tantric practitioner who has been practising tantra for decades so he should be able to easily heal himself through controlling his winds. So why is the Dalai Lama exhausted and not healing himself? The logical conclusion is that the Dalai Lama is purposely manifesting exhaustion.
Whatever the Dalai Lama’s reasons are, one thing is for sure and that is the cancelation of the Dalai Lama’s travel schedule will speed up the decline of the CTA. Everyone knows that the Dalai Lama is the breadwinner of the Tibetan refugees and the CTA because the world likes him. They give money because they want to support HIM through supporting the Tibetan people. But as the Dalai Lama reduces his visibility from travelling less, and also becomes less accessible, the world will slowly forget about him and the support, especially of a financial nature, to the Tibetan cause will weaken.
So Lobsang Sangay, the President of the CTA, has failed to perform in his role despite the support of the Dalai Lama. He’s not as well-liked or as attractive to support as the Dalai Lama. Hence in the future, without the backing of the Dalai Lama, Lobsang Sangay will never be able to sustain the CTA, and he will not be able to raise the same amount of awareness and fund as the Dalai Lama did, because no one knows who he is.
The end of the CTA draws closer every day.
Chokphel
March 29, 2018
When Nepal said ‘no more’ to Tibetan activists protesting in Nepal, they seriously meant it. To show just how serious and efficient they are, they even took a Tibetan activist into custody after he posted a picture holding a Tibetan flag in front of the Boudhanath Stupa on Facebook.
If Tibetans really wish to continue living in peace in foreign countries, they had better follow the rules of that host country and toe the line. Overzealous activism for the Tibetan cause will no longer be tolerated in countries, such as Nepal, which are trying to improve ties with China. When will the Tibetans wake up and realise that they can no longer fight against China, a superpower with far-reaching influence in international affairs?
Lhakpa Tsering
March 29, 2018
India has swapped its hard line approach to China. Top Indian officials distanced themselves from the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) after a directive from India’s Foreign Secretary to avoid events hosted by the Tibetan leadership, and after the enforcement of an unprecedented ban on Tibetans holding a rally with the Dalai Lama in New Delhi.
Now it has been announced in Reuters that the Tibet card is no longer a strategic tool for India, and the Dalai Lama himself has said that the position of the Dalai Lama has become irrelevant now.
All of this easily leads to the conclusion that the CTA will soon be defunct. India is offering citizenship to Tibetans in India. The flow of refugees arriving in Nepal and India has been curtailed for the last decade after Nepal closed a popular route used by refugees leaving Tibet. The President of the Tibetan leadership Lobsang Sangay is plagued by various scandals on a near-daily basis, and Tibetans in exile are protesting and calling for his impeachment. Another possible leader of the Tibetans in exile, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the head of the Karma Kagyu sect has been abroad for the past year to “rest and recover” due to health concerns. With no viable leader without the Dalai Lama, and having lost their biggest supporter and ally in India, it looks like there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the CTA.
Khampa Warrior
March 31, 2018
After weeks of speculation following India’s change of policy towards the Tibetans in exile, the Indian government announced this morning at the opening of the ‘Thank You India’ event in Dharamsala that India supports the Dalai Lama’s struggle to return to China.
The statement from the Union Minister Mahesh Sharma is particularly significant because it was delivered at this specially organized event for Tibetans in exile to express their gratitude to India for protecting and hosting the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan refugees for almost 60 years.
Clearly, India wants the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan refugees to return to China and stop being a thorn in the relationship between these two Asian giants. This direction is one that the Dalai Lama agrees with since he has said on numerous occasions that he wishes to return and Tibet wants to stay in China.
If the Tibetans are sincere when they say that India is the guru and Tibetans are the students (shishya), they should appreciate the Indian government’s wish for them to return home and stop creating trouble for India.
Jampel Senge
March 31, 2018
Tibetans throw Dalai Lama Statue into River in Tibet
Tibetans are sick and tired of the Tibetan in-exile leadership and are showing their frustration by throwing the 14th Dalai Lama’s statue into the river. What’s more shocking was that this incident happened in Amdo, the birth province of the Dalai Lama where he is highly revered.
The failure of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in advancing the Tibetan cause for six decades, combined with more recent setbacks like being snubbed by their host India, means that patience in Tibet is wearing thin. As more world leaders distance themselves from the Dalai Lama and the CTA, the chance for Tibetan autonomy or even the return of Tibetans in-exile to Tibet is bleak. The Dalai Lama is still branded a separatist with no sign of dialogue with China in sight.
For all the negative actions done to Dorje Shugden practitioners for decades, including denying their basic rights to health care, food, education etc., and encouraging ostracism and discrimination against them, the karma now returns to the CTA in manifold ways. The Tibetans now denounce their ‘God-King’, signalling that the CTA’s final end is not too far away.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1522524193.mp4
ashrao
March 31, 2018
India is saying “no thank you” to the Tibetans, who are quickly losing their standing. India would rather make China happy for security in the region, as well as political and economic harmony.
1. “Thank you India” events held this weekend caused the Indian government apprehension as to how China is going feel, since China considers Tibetans in-exile to be separatists. On top of this, Tibetans themselves are highly embarrassed at the situation, given that their supposedly landmark events were so small.
2. Mr. Sonam Dagpo, chief organiser for the events and the Tibetan leadership’s spokesperson said that it was “futile” for Tibetans to hold such events. The Indian government had already told their officials not attend.
3. Dr. Jonathan Holslag said India giving in to China was largely symbolic. But that India needs to catch up with China. India needs to something to give them leverage in this situation, and all fingers point to distancing themselves from the Tibetans.
Go Home Tibetans!
April 2, 2018
Even the Tibetans themselves do not care about Tibet anymore 👎
Chewang Ngokhang
April 3, 2018
The formation of a new Asian golden triangle is taking place between China, India and Nepal. These three countries, strategically placed with access to ports, land and natural resources may become a central hub of trade in Asia in the future. Keen to make this golden triangle a reality is India who is shunning the Tibetans. They started with a directive from their Foreign Secretary instructing ministers and officials to avoid Tibetan events.
India is clearly serious about strengthening ties with China in this post-Doklam period but there is a stumbling block in this new relationship – the Tibetans. Instead of always being an obstacle, and since they are hosted by India, Tibetans should actually follow India’s political direction and not get in the way like they have been for decades. It is time for the Tibetans to take responsibility for their own 95,000 people in exile and not just wait for the Dalai Lama to beg for foreign aid on his international trips.
soyang
April 3, 2018
The Tibetan leadership is not as innocent as you would think. They are downright ungrateful. They have been using their freedom in India to irritate China and this has created tension between the two Asian countries. But now India is using the Tibetans, this time to improve ties with China instead.
(1) Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale met with both the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay to tell them to move their ‘Thank you India’ events out of Delhi, as India gears up to please China.
(2) Gokhale told government officials not to attend Tibetan events, but he did not have to write his instructions down. These instructions were leaked. Some think it was intentional and hints at the fact it was both a ploy to let China know that India is changing its stance towards the Tibetans, and to let Tibetans know that it was doing so.
(3) The leak was probably to slight the Tibetan leadership, who even went ahead with their smaller-scale events without coordinating with the Indian ministry.
(4) Samdhong Rinpoche’s secret visit to China last year really irritated the Indian government. If the Tibetan leadership were to accept that Tibet was always a part of China, this would jeopardise the McMahon Line, and call into question India’s entire border with China.
(5) The Tibetan leadership are not shy about stoking the fire during sensitive times. Lobsang Sangay even unfurled the Tibetan flag at Pangong Lake, near India’s border with China. He did this on Indian soil, but what made matters even worse, he did so during the Doklam standoff, when India and China were on the brink of war.
Kalsang Norbu
April 7, 2018
During the international security conference in Moscow, India’s Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with her Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on the sidelines. Although no official details of the meeting are available, it is understood that the geopolitical security is one of the main concerns and border issues between the two countries were discussed.
With the Dalai Lama’s wish for Tibet to remain in China, the topic of Tibetan independence can no longer be used to maintain India’s geopolitical security. Hence India is now taking a more proactive approach in directly negotiating practical solutions with China.
So not only did the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) render themselves useless to the Indian government, but this was reaffirmed by the meeting between Sitharaman and Wei – China and India will now deal directly with one another, without the CTA as an interference. So once again, the CTA has proven themselves to be a failure. In publicly stating they wish to be a part of China, the CTA sent a strong message to India that they will do what it takes to become a part of China, and therefore not do anything to support their kind host of 60 years.
At this rate, it won’t be long that the Tibetans are asked to leave India.
Rinchen Nyima
April 11, 2018
The news of Karmapa Ogyen Trinley being allowed by the Central government of India to enter Sikkim is not well received by everyone.
The 3rd claimant to the Karmapa’s throne, Lama Dawa Sangpo Dorjee is challenging Karmapa Ogyen Trinley to be tested for authenticity. Karmapa Ogyen Trinley was recognised by Tai Situpa, a high lama in the Kagyu tradition while Lama Dawa Sangpo Dorjee was identified by Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, another lama in the Kagyu tradition as the incarnation of the 16th Karmapa.
This adds to the messy affair and confusion in the Kagyu lineage as there are 3 Karmapas recognised by 3 different lamas in the Kagyu tradition. Which one is the real one?
Jampel
April 12, 2018
The Tibetan leadership seems determined to sabotage the union between India and China at a time when it was made known that India is trying hard to mend its relationship with China. Despite being asked to move their Thank You India event out of Delhi and a memo sent to all Indian ministers to not attend any Tibetan event, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) insisted on organising such an unnecessary event and went ahead to put up a show. Because of this, India was forced to send representatives to Dharamsala for the event, apprehensive of the potential damage and friction with China.
On top of that, the CTA’s Secretary for the Department of Information and International Relations tried to throw the responsibility of the Tibetan struggle onto India with the public statement that India is the foundation of the Tibetan cause. So, not only have they freeloaded off India for 60 years, they want to now dump their issues with China on India. This desperation must have arisen since the US no longer sees the value of the Dalai Lama and the Tibet card in their geopolitical negotiations with China.
Is that how the Tibetans “thank” someone they appreciate? Well, India’s message back cannot be any clearer, if Tibetans in exile really want to thank India, then it’s time for them to go back to Tibet.
Samten Dhundup
April 12, 2018
The Dalai Lama’s health has been a concern for many around the world, especially for the Tibetan community. It’s really sad to know that the Dalai Lama last year reported and confirmed that he has prostate cancer, and had to undergo radiation treatment for his condition. It is mentioned here on the Dalai Lama’s own website, confirming his ailment.
It was announced at the end of last month that the Dalai Lama canceled all foreign travel for the rest of the year due to age and exhaustion. Last week, the Dalai Lama was rushed to Delhi for a check up and surprisingly declared fit upon his return. Is the Tibetan leadership trying to cover the truth about the Dalai Lama’s state of health because they want to continue to use him to attract donations and support?
LobNam
April 12, 2018
In 1992, Tai Situ, a regent of the Karma Kagyu lineage recognized a boy as the 17th Karmapa, endorsed by the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala. This move went against tradition as the Tibetan leadership has NEVER been involved in the recognition of the Karmapas AND it has been the Shamarpa who is traditionally responsible for recognizing the incarnations of the Karmapa.
As a result of the Tibetan leadership’s involvement, a feud arose between the two candidates’ supporters and split the Karma Kagyu lineage into two factions. One group supported the Sharmapa’s candidate; the other group supported Tai Situ’s candidate because he got the endorsement of the Tibetan leadership.
Tai Situ was subsequently banned from entering India from 1994 to 1998 for his alleged pro-China and anti-India activities, after he travelled frequently to Tibet to enthrone his Karmapa candidate at Tsurphu Monastery, which is the traditional seat of the Karmapas in Tibet.
Because of the Tibetan leadership’s validation of one of the candidates, the two Karmapas situation continues to be unresolved today, with many disputes and scandals. This unprecedented strife destroys the harmony and sanctity of the Karma Kagyu school of Buddhism, all because the Tibetan leadership had to get involved and exert its power, even in matters where it has no authority over.
Today, Rumtek Monastery, the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage outside Tibet is not known for its sacred relics, but as a focal point for the sectarian tensions and violence because of the Karmapa rivalry, thanks to the Tibetan leadership.
Nakchukha
April 13, 2018
The West has finally recognized that the Dalai Lama, the icon of universal peace, love, and tolerance, is undoubtedly the driving force behind the discrimination and ostracization of Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world. His ‘government’ in exile, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) led by Lobsang Sangay, advocates the ‘Tibetan way’ of democracy that is ‘unique’ – they give the order, and the Tibetans are to follow without question. The undemocratic way of firing people from their jobs, expelling monks from the monasteries and prohibiting Dorje Shugden practitioners from attending the Dalai Lama’s talks are just some of the ways used to intimidate the Tibetans to do what the CTA wants.
Clearly, the CTA’s democracy and their ‘noble’ Tibetan cause are just a veil that conceals the underlying hypocrisy and abuse of human rights, which is ironic as they are asking China for the same rights. The religious apartheid, segregation, and discrimination continue to be enforced internationally after two decades, just because the Dalai Lama said so.
Dawa Sangpo
April 13, 2018
Amongst all those who vehemently attack Dorje Shugden practitioners online, one person seems to stand out like a sore thumb – Tenzin Peljor. He is even said to be operating several websites registered under various aliases to negatively influence online discussion regarding the Shugden controversy and sway opinion in his favour. These websites claim to be the premier sources for “authoritative and independent information” on the subject.
It is more than disturbing that a so-called ‘simple’ Buddhist monk is so engrossed in promoting hatred against Dorje Shugden practitioners. Such behaviour is not becoming of a Buddhist monk. His actions caught the attention of arebuddhistsracist.com to investigate further and what they found was appalling. Hidden behind a monk’s robes, the East German Tenzin Peljor has a complex background including involvement with the Stasi; a huge interest in the dynamics of Nazism, dictatorship, totalitarian systems; and Buddhist cults.
The investigation uncovered the hidden agenda behind his websites and his connections with the leadership of the Tibetans in-exile. Apparently, he was hired to ensure that propaganda ostracizing and persecuting Shugden practitioners continues unabated, even to the level of inciting violence on innocent people.
Ngawang Tsering
April 15, 2018
Professor Robert Thurman’s involvement in #LamaGate is very unbecoming. He even solicited members of Anonymous to hack into legitimate Twitter accounts that he referred to as “Shugden group(s) targeting the Dalai Lama.”
It is amazing that Thurman would risk disgracing the Dalai Lama by committing cybercrime. Hacking is after all a federal crime. His disrespect for the First Amendment of the United States Constitution is dumbfounding. This Amendment is what protects the rights of citizens, including freedom of speech. On top of this, the act of soliciting hackers showcases his malicious intent to cause harm towards the operators of those Twitter accounts.
Why would a professor at Columbia University in New York, the co-founder and president of Tibetan House US, go to the extent of wanting to hire hackers, unless he himself has something to hide?
Thubten Palden
April 15, 2018
It is due to the kindness of the Indian Government that the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans have been living safely in exile. They do not even have to pay a single cent in tax. Some may say it is only fair because the Dalai Lama is not only a refugee but a spiritual leader who speaks about peace and compassion.
If you have followed the Dalai Lama closely, you would have heard of the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust. All funds collected during the Dalai Lama’s events and tours go to this single trust. However, recently, questions and doubts were raised by a trustee and it was revealed that the funds were being used like the Dalai Lama’s ‘personal bank account’ even though it was declared a public trust. Severe concerns were raised as to how much of the funds were used to sustain the Dalai Lama’s lifestyle, something that does not conform to the trust’s charitable aims.
This article highlights a very dodgy system that lacks transparency. It is not even clear where the millions of dollars donated to the trust actually go. With the Dalai Lama’s ‘personal emissary’ suspended over allegations of corruption, and a US$1.5 million loan that went ‘missing’ under Sikyong Lobsang Sangay’s administration, will an investigation into the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust reveal more dirt on the Tibetan leadership?
Jigme Norbu
April 15, 2018
The supposedly well-known Buddhist scholar and author Robert Thurman of Columbia University and President of Tibet House US actively engages in hate campaigns online. These are meant to ostracize and discriminate against Dorje Shugden practitioners. He is also known to publically solicit hackers to hack into Twitter accounts that belong to people who do not agree with his views. This is something that is a criminal offense according to US law.
Why would someone like Thurman go to the extent of breaking the law over this? What is he hiding? Could his actions be evidence of a deeper plot to keep Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists divided, perpetrated by the Tibetan leadership that he works for?
Rinchen Wangmo
April 16, 2018
While the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; the Tibetan leadership based in Dharamsala) are not capable at all of making a positive difference in the lives of Tibetans in-exile, they are more than capable of blaming others for their failures. They like to call critics and those who challenge their authority “Chinese spies”.
The inept CTA hurls this derogatory blame against virtually everyone to distract from the truth that they have turned the Tibetan cause into a hopeless one; scapegoated Dorje Shugden practitioners; persecuted Lukar Jam and his supporters, as well as Mila Rangzen and others. However, even the Tibetans have grown tired of the CTA’s lame excuses. An increasing number of dissatisfied Tibetans have left the exile communities for greener pastures, some have even returned to China. This is a clear indication of how much the CTA has failed their people and how badly managed it is, despite an overwhelming amount of resources, aid, and goodwill from foreign supporters at their disposal.
The CTA has no intention to fight for the welfare and future of the Tibetan people. All the CTA does is lie, manipulate, abuse its power, discriminate, ostracize, embezzle funds and squander Chatrel money (contributions from Tibetans) to persecute those who do not follow or agree with them. Welcome to the CTA’s version of ‘democracy’.
Jamyang Dolma
April 16, 2018
In most parliaments, ministers discuss policies, budgets and legislation that can make a positive impact for their nation. However, in the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile, they talk about a bunch of postcards critical of their poor leadership. Astounding! That is how they plan to ‘save the world’ and lead the Tibetan people back to Tibet? Their intelligence is simply out of this world. It looks like the postcards were right after all, they are extremely ineffective.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1523892203.mp4
Bhuti Kelsang
April 18, 2018
After almost 60 years of living in political limbo, the Dalai Lama is now paving the way for his future and that of his fellow Tibetans in-exile. During a recent Thank You India event in Dharamsala, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay presented the Dalai Lama’s wish to return to Tibet as his “last unfulfilled dream.” Some of the important Indian officials in attendance welcomed this dream and noted their support for the wish to be realized.
However, India has a precarious role to play in pushing for the Dalai Lama’s return to China. India can use the Tibetans to negotiate favourable terms to protect her interests, including the settlement of the Sino-Indian border issues. China’s acknowledgement of Arunachal Pradesh as part of India can be one of those conditions India imposes on the Dalai Lama’s return to the Tibetan Autonomous Region. But the move could back fire, if the Dalai Lama accepts China’s stance that Tibet was never an independent state, but an integral part of China, India may need to concede sections of her northern territory to China. The current border was drawn up between British India and the Tibetan leadership before 1959. If the Dalai Lama was to state that Tibet was never independent, the demarcated border would be moot. The Tibetan leadership would never have had the authority to sign any agreement, nullifying the one that created the border in the first place. Either way, the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans in-exile continue to be a thorn in the relationship between India and China.
The fact that the Tibetan cause was downgraded from one that sought complete independence to one that seeks autonomy is a clear sign that the prospect for a free Tibet is bleak. The CTA has failed. Once the Dalai Lama steps foot on Chinese soil, he would no longer be a ‘refugee’ and Tibet’s fate as a part of China would be completely sealed.
Dawa Tsering
April 19, 2018
More evidence has surfaced regarding His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust’s dubious activities in India.
The Buddhist Community Centre UK (BCCUK) paid “donations” of £50,000 to the trust for the Dalai Lama’s talk in Aldershot in the UK 3 years ago. This is yet another example against the claim that the Dalai Lama does not charge or receive money for his highly priced and ticketed talks around the world. The other highly infamous case was the US$1 million received for the Dalai Lama’s appearance in Albany in 2009. This actually let to the Dalai Lama’s Trust endorsing the sex-cult leader, Raniere. In addition, a trustee also revealed that the trust is used to transfer profits made from events like this in order to evade tax.
It seems that charities set up in the Dalai Lama’s name show poor levels of accountability, lack transparency in the use of the money raised, and are involved in criminal activity. Millions of dollars are poured into these charities through various Tibetan advocacy groups and foreign NGO’s in an effort to support the ‘Tibetan cause’. It is extremely unethical for these charities to take advantage of the sentiments for Tibetan victims of self-immolations against China, to get money. On top of that they squander the hard-earned cash of donors and treat it like one’s ‘personal bank account’.
Kunchok Gyaltsen
April 20, 2018
China is serious about matters of security. A new website in both Mandarin and English allows members of the public to report incidents which could endanger China’s national security. Nagchu County in the Tibetan Autonomous Region even offers promises of cash rewards for leads on “criminal” activity, including the reporting of organizations or persons advocating “separatism”, and the “abuse of religion, power, and family connections to illegally encroach on property”.
Not only is China stepping up its curbing of national security threats, the legal system is also being improved, providing stronger guarantees for the lawful rights and interests of the public. Earlier this month, China issued a white paper noting that the country adheres to policies on religious freedom, and that China forbids discriminatory behaviour against religion and even ethnicity.
On one hand the Central Tibetan Administration baselessly persecutes Dorje Shugden practitioners as “criminals in history” simple due to their religious beliefs and even blames Shugden practice for the failure of the Tibetan cause. On the other hand, China seems to be sensible when dealing with issues threatening national interests, and does not blame religious practitioners for their woes. Perhaps the Dalai Lama has realised that the Tibetan leadership is useless and that’s the reason why he wants to return to Tibet. China is much better at leadership than the Central Tibetan Administration.
Jushri
April 21, 2018
His Holiness the 7th Karmapa sounds pretty depressed. Can’t blame him. So much pressure and restrictions. As the Karmapa, one would think that he would have the power to decide but it doesn’t seem like so. With this article, it’s obvious the “ruling power” in Karma Kagyu does not lie with the Karmapas but with the people who helped him be recognised and enthroned as Karmapa.
It is sad to see how politics is corrupting something as sacred as the appointment of a Karmapa or even the Dorje Shugden enlightened status.
Dalai Lama can't speak against Shugden
April 21, 2018
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been openly saying he wants to return to Tibet. He has dreams he is in his potala palace with many butterlamps lit and meeting Tibetan people meeting him. Lobsang Sangye says Tibetans should make the Dalai Lama’s dream come true. Members of the Indian govt also says they hope he can go back.The interesting thing is if Dalai Lama goes back to Tibet, he will not be able to speak against Dorje Shugden anymore. Speaking against Dorje Shugden forces people to take sides and segregate. So much disharmony and pain created. The Tibetan leadership have divided their exiled Tibetan communities into two factions due to their illegal ban against Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden people are not allowed into Tibetan hospitals, clinics and events since the ban started in 1996. Their children are asked to leave Tibetan schools which was damaging. Dorje Shugden people have suffered tremendous discrimination due to the ban from the Tibetan leadership.
China does not want social disharmony especially in Tibet for whatever reasons. So China does not ban Dorje Shugden but ironically gives religious freedom. Therefore the ban against Dorje Shugden by the Tibetan leadership in exile will not be allowed if Dalai Lama returns to Tibet. In fact, if Dalai Lama and his people want to get on the good side of China to even be considered to visit or return to Tibet, they better stop speaking about Dorje Shugden negatively. The tables have turned. The oppression against Dorje Shugden people have to end now.
Video of His Holiness Dalai Lama expelling monks from monasteries solely because they practice Dorje Shugden. Remember, Dorje Shugden has been practiced in major monasteries for the last 400 years. Dalai Lama in the video says he is happy they are kicked out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgYWidYw3U
Tenzin Tsundue
April 25, 2018
Samten Lhamo
April 25, 2018
It sure looks like both China and India are determined to achieve successful reconciliation, something that will mark a new milestone in the history of India-China relations. This will continue to impede the Tibetan leadership’s attempts to spew anti-China rhetoric and propaganda. India already began its clampdown on the Tibetans in March, when they banned key Tibetan events, including cancelling celebrations marking the Tibetans’ 60 years in exile, which were going to be held in Delhi.
India changed her strategy after recognising that a hard-line approach with China did not work. Rather, there is much more to gain if Asia’s two giants come together for the common goal of mutual benefit. If all goes well, India may even be the one cutting a deal with China to allow the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet. After all, the Tibetan leadership in-exile have failed miserably in making progress in this regard. Nonetheless, we know for sure that India will no longer tolerate nonsense from Tibetans in-exile that would jeopardize their relations with China any further.
Karma bhu
April 27, 2018
Did His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognize the wrong Karmapa?
The Karmapas and Sharmapas are spiritually inseparable. Both are fellow holders of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage, a spiritual tradition that predates the lineage of the Dalai Lamas by over 200 years. They are also responsible for the recognition of each other’s reincarnations. However, in 1992, Tai Situ recognized a Karmapa candidate different from the candidate chosen by the Sharmapa. He effectively overrode centuries of tradition amongst the four Karma Kagyu regents. Tai Situ went ahead and enthroned his own candidate without the Sharmapa’s approval, and received the Dalai Lama’s approval. Therefore, the Dalai Lama may have endorsed the wrong Karmapa.
Due to the Dalai Lama’s endorsement, the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala acknowledged Tai Situ’s candidate, Ogyen Trinley, as the 17th Karmapa, hosting him at the Gelug lineage’s Gyuto Tantric monastery. They even side-lined the Sharmapa’s candidate, Thaye Dorje. The world’s media were also misled to believe that “the Dalai Lama’s Karmapa” is the sole and legitimate candidate for the position. Until today, thanks to the Tibetan leadership, there is no end in sight to the rift that the Karmapa issue caused within the Karma Kagyu tradition. This long-standing feud occurred because of the Tibetan leadership’s political interference in spiritual matters.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1524833812.mp4
Tsering Wangyal
April 27, 2018
The beginning of the end for Tibetan leadership in India.
The Dalai Lama and Tibetan govt in-exile better be on the alert now. For years they have met politicians, organizations and private individuals while talking negatively about China and painted an ugly picture of China wherever they went to get sympathetic votes and more free aid in dollars. It didn’t work, as the whole world wants to be China’s friend now, even the Indians. Tibet was no Shangrila and the reason they even lost their country back in 1959 was due to their own ineffective and corrupt leadership. It’s their own fault. For the last 60 years living Tax free in India they have still not secured their country back. It shows their lack of abilities and ineptness. Now Prime Minister Modi has landed in China to meet the powerful President Xi. One of the agendas to be discussed is the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans in India. Definitely China will work something out with Modi against the freeloading Tibetan refugees. High time too. Many Indians on social media have called for the Dalai Lama and Tibetans to return home as they have overstayed their welcome in India. Why should India stick their necks out any further for the useless Tibetans? That is how the Indians have rightly complained.
Now with Modi getting closer to China and President Xi, this spells doomsday for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans. For years the Tibetans have been meddling in Indian politics and insulting China and now the day of reckoning is near. The Tibetan govt in-exile are corrupt, useless, self-serving, schismatic and hateful. For years they have spoken against Dorje Shugden practitioners, segregating them and inciting violence against them in India. Now their karma has returned. The Tibetan govt in-exile likes to call Dorje Shugden pracitioners ‘Chinese spies’ and the funny thing is now the Dalai Lama is nearly begging China to return to Tibet/China. Who is the Chinese spy now?
Now the Dalai Lama and his exiled govt better keep quiet about China and be humble. They better remain silent on the unjust treatment of Dorje Shugden people and ‘allow’ religious freedom. They are losing power and losing support fast. Now the time has come they will have to swallow their own bitter pills they so happily doled out to others previously. Tibetan govt leaders better keep quiet and be humble now. The Tibetan govt in-exile should not have segregated Dorje Shugden people. Now Dorje Shugden people should go and become friends with China and return to Tibet to live also. The Dalai Lama wants to return to Tibet so bad but China does not want him. Too bad. India does not want him either. Too bad. Should have been friends with Dorje Shugden people in order to have more support in the hundreds of thousands. They should not have made trouble. Too bad the Tibetan leadership is so corrupt. So narrow minded, they trampled on their own people’s religious rights. Now we will see who wins. The Tibetan leadership or Dorje Shugden. I have a feeling Dorje Shugden will win.
Palden
April 27, 2018
His Holiness on Why a Woman Should Be Very Attractive to Be a Candidate for the 15th Dalai Lama
How come a spiritual leader is commenting on the value of women based on their looks? This is not funny, not intelligent and not politically correct. It is wrong. It is debasing and makes people lose respect for a monk such as Dalai Lama for talking about human beings in this manner.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1524861358.mp4
Tsering Kyi
April 29, 2018
Breaking news!
Well, all the people who was saying China-backed Panchen Lama is fake sure look ridiculous now. They attacked all the Tibetans and supporters who respected the China-backed Panchen Lama calling them all types of dirty and foul names in person and on social media. Calling them China stooges and China paid vulgar names for believing in the China-backed Panchen Lama. Now who looks so ridiculous? Now the Dalai Lama says the China-backed Panchen Lama is good and has a good teacher. If he has a good teacher it means he is turning into a good teacher himself. So he is qualified to teach. The end.
Dalai Lama says the China-backed Panchen Lama is an emanation of the previous Panchen Lama because high lamas can incarnate back as several lamas at the same time. So the Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama and the China-backed Panchen Lama are both good and both are incarnations of the previous Panchen Lama. How the tables have turned. Now all the people who criticized China-backed Panchen Lama can keep quiet and remember how ridiculous they look now. Listen to what the Dalai Lama says now as of April 2018 about the China-backed Panchen Rinpoche http://video.dorjeshugden.com/videos/11PanchenLamaIsAlive.mp4
The Panchen Lama recognized by Dalai Lama is alive and well also according to Dalai Lama himself.
Sonam Rinchen
May 4, 2018
Is it time to save the sinking ship that is the Tibetan cause? But wait a minute, the ship has already been sunk for the likes of Mr Ugyen Gyalpo.
Gone are the days when Tibet’s independence was possible, yet Tibetans like Mr Gyalpo are still living in a fantasy, asking the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to go against the Dalai Lama’s goal of meaningful autonomy for Tibet, and advocate full independence instead. On top of that, he wants India to help Tibet gain its independence, disregarding how these actions would jeopardize India’s relationship with China.
This is the same kind of illogical, self-centred, wishful thinking that caused the Tibetans to lose their country to China by signing the 17-Point Agreement in 1951. Why ask someone to fight for a lost cause? Perhaps Mr Gyalpo was on holiday and did not catch the latest media flurry about the Dalai Lama stating that he is happy for Tibet to be in China. The CTA President Lobsang Sangay even urged Tibetans to make the Dalai Lama’s dream of returning to Tibet come true.
It is time for My Gyalpo and other pro-independence activists to seriously wake up from their self-imposed slumber and plan what they can actually do if and when the Dalai Lama gets the green light to go back to Tibet. Do they want to support the Dalai Lama, their spiritual leader? Or will they betray and abandon him?
UTsang Kunga
May 5, 2018
In March 2018, Tibetan protestors gathered near the Tibetan parliament, seeking to impeach Lobsang Sangay because his actions are unjust and akin to those of a dictator. Protestors also questioned his sudden termination of Penpa Tsering, the former Representative of the Office of Tibet in Washington, DC, who was his arch-rival during the 2016 Tibetan election.
But this is not all, Lobsang Sangay’s CV includes a long list of deceitful actions, such as hiding the loan trail of $1.5-million taken by his office from Tibet Fund to purchase a building to house the Office of Tibet in DC. He even ordered the Auditor General to remove any mention of the loan in various financial reports. Lobsang Sangay is also alleged to have sexually assaulted an intern of the International Campaign for Tibet advocacy group. Even before he became the Sikyong (the president of the Central Tibetan Administration), scandals surrounding his actions were rampant. Four years after buying a house near Boston, his US$227,000 mortgage disappeared overnight, one week before he became the president of the CTA. It is no wonder that Tibetans like Pelgyamo express their dissatisfaction by posting sarcastic comments on Lobsang Sangay’s Instagram page.
Yeshi Dorje
May 11, 2018
The Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in Dharamsala refusing to accept Tibetan RCs (Registration Certificates) is yet another example of interference by the Central Tibetan Administration. Tibetans need this document to apply for an Indian passport. The CTA does not want to lose its grip on Tibetan refugees, as fewer refugees under their control means less foreign aid. That translates to less money that they can line their own pockets with.
This is not the first time that the CTA has created problems for Tibetans who wish to apply for Indian citizenship. Last July, the CTA ordered all its departments to stop issuing NOC (No Objection Certificates) to Tibetans applying for Indian passports, effectively sabotaging India’s goodwill of offering citizenship to eligible Tibetans. Perhaps that is a reason why many Tibetans are leaving their settlements in India, some of them even returning to Tibet! The CTA’s days as a ‘government’ are numbered, as more and more Tibetans apply for Indian citizenship or leave the CTA’s influence in India altogether.
Khampa Bhu
May 14, 2018
The Dalai Lama Fears that He Might be Expelled from India!
The situation in India is not getting better for the Tibetan government in-exile or the Dalai Lama. Since India is getting closer to China, this trend will not slow down. Whether it is the current Prime Minister Modi, or the next Prime Minister of India making efforts to get close to China, it does not matter because the momentum has started. It benefits both India and China tremendously to be friendly and on good terms with each other. The parasite-like Tibetans leeching off India brings no benefit whatsoever to India and India realizes this sad fact finally. The Dalai Lama and his team in the Tibetan government in-exile have created so many problems externally for India and internally within the Tibetan communities, enough is enough. Tibetans like to use India to irk China. They have done that for decades and now it’s over. The Tibetans have been put in their place. The Indian government has been snubbing the Dalai Lama this year. The Dalai Lama and his cohorts have created tremendous problems, segregation, hatred, and violence towards thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners, now that karma is coming back. Too bad. The Tibetan leadership is losing support from India, in fact, Modi purposely humiliated the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama and cohorts have less power to create so much schism and trouble now. If you read this article carefully, the Dalai Lama himself has expressed concerns he might be kicked out of India. It has reached this level that the Dalai Lama is unsure of his footing in India now. Too bad.
Tsamduk
May 15, 2018
More and more Tibetans are expressing their dissatisfaction with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). This even extends to accusing them of ruling without legal precedence. This is a serious matter as their management of funds, administrative procedures, and even their governing constitution are all flawed. From the simple of choice of words used for the translation of a title, the CTA have exposed the way in which they run their “nationless government” in an egotistical and self-serving manner. The CTA simply do things based on their personal agendas and needs, using the title of democracy as a cover.
Clearly, there is no system of governance for what the CTA do and how they spend the money they gain from people sympathetic to the Tibetan plight, aid from their host and donors from around the world. Since law is at the core of any administration, their underhanded tactic of finding loopholes and bending the rules to suit their individual needs has failed the Tibetan people. As an ex-Senior Fellow of Harvard Law School and a self-proclaimed expert in international human rights law, Sangay deters people’s faith in the integrity of a leader and the legal system, instead of upholding the cause of justice. After the public apology during his swearing in ceremony in 2016 and his firm pledge not to repeat his misconduct, it looks like Sangay is at it again.
Tashi Bhutia
June 7, 2018
India tightening its grip on the Dalai Lama and Tibetans
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed Himachal police to tighten its grip on Tibetans meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those Tibetans without paperwork showing individual identity and establishing legal credentials of their arrival in India will be turned away from seeing the religious leader. Undocumented Tibetans have been arriving in India, usually from Nepal, where they are aided by the Tibetan communities there. India seems to clamping down of Tibetan activity, from cancelling Thank You India events in Delhi and now restricting Tibetans from seeing the Dalai Lama. What else with the Indian government do next?
Thinley Woeser
June 8, 2018
Things are going to be very different for Tibetans in India from now on as Sino-Indian relations get warmer by the day. India has vowed to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and ensure Tibet-related issues are handled ‘properly’. This means India will tighten her grip on all Tibetan-related activities. So, the trouble-making Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) better watch themselves and not create further problems that may antagonise China. This is something India will no longer tolerate.
Peljor
June 14, 2018
Ex-Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche caught sleeping in a meeting
The representative of the Dalai Lama and former prime minister of the Tibetan government in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche during an important meeting having a nice sleep. The Tibetan government in-exile are run by people like this who have no control over their body and manners. They only stay awake in the meeting if there is FREE aid money coming their way to line their pockets. Shameful how Samdong Rinpoche is sleeping in the middle of a meeting and he represents the Tibetan government in-exile. This is why after 60 years Tibetan leaders have failed to get Tibet back but blame others for their failures. Shame!
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1528941530.mp4
Dorji Damdu
June 28, 2018
The Dalai Lama has emerged as the biggest talking point during informal Sino-Indian bilateral talks during 2018, such as the Wuhan Summit. This is all due to concerns related to the Dalai Lama’s health. China wants the Dalai Lama to travel to Tibet, knowing that it would most probably be a one-way ticket. India on the other hand initiated the talks, shunning the Dalai Lama and kowtowed to China’s rising power. Their aim was to strike a deal to resolve border issues.
Sonam Wangchuk
June 28, 2018
The Central Tibetan Administration may be delighted to read the Daily O’s claim that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was the main subject of discussion during the recent informal summit in Wuhan between Prime Minister Modi of India and President Xi of China. However, it is said that the discussion was prompted by the Dalai Lama’s ailing health, and that China and India entered into discussion to avoid a sequel to the 73-day stand-off between two countries. Perhaps the dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representatives and Beijing may finally resume since Prime Minister Modi and President Xi are being brought into the picture.
Yangdon Dhondup
June 29, 2018
Here is another article that gives a bleak assessment of the situation regarding the Dalai Lama and of the Tibetan cause. It mentions clearly how Tibet is losing out to China and why. It also explains why Lobsang Sangay is feebly respected by the Tibetan diaspora. The articles does not foretell good news for the Tibetan diaspora, in fact it does not even give a possible outcome for what is going to happen to them. It shows how the Dalai Lama is losing influence over world leaders from countries like the Netherlands to the United States. Such articles are becoming increasingly common because they reflect the situation for the Tibetans in-exile and their leaders.