The WSJ missed the real story again.

[vajratruth]

The Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay is at it again and this time in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. True to form and although with no new tunes, Dr Sangay laid the blame of Tibetan woes squarely on China again. The slick Dr Sangay gave the impression that less Tibetans are making it out of Tibet due to harsher and tighter security policies imposed by the Chinese. He said, “Before 2008, 3,000 to 5,000 people fled via Nepal annually...but now it’s less than 1,000.” Perhaps it is the tighter security enforced by China. But, perhaps fewer Tibetans are escaping the Tibetan Autonomous Region because they see China doing much more to improve the standard of living of Tibetans therein, compared to what the CTA is doing for the Tibetans in exile. Perhaps many of those who taught of escaping realised that there is nothing better to escape to since Dr Sangay admitted earlier in the year that he is ready to accept communist rule after all and that the "Tibetan cause" is not a fight for democracy and freedom. [See how Dr Sangay relinquished the Tibetan quest for democracy and freedom in exchange for a position in TAR's management: http://www.phayul.com/news/tools/print.aspx?id=33551&t=1].

In the same interview with the Journal, the Sikyong also discussed Tibetan self immolation which he described as "horrific" but not so horrific that the CTA would make a strong stand against it.The Journal noted that  "Since February 2009, 123 people have died in this manner, with the latest victim a 20-year-old monk named Tsering Gyal, who passed earlier this month. On his deathbed he expressed support for “the unity of Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet, and said it was his hope that Tibetans can remain united and protect and uphold the Tibetan language,”

It is a pity that the Wall Street Journal did not prevail upon Dr Sangay to explain the curious situation where, whilst Tibetans are burning themselves up pleading for unity amongst Tibetans, it is the Tibetan-in-exile's own administration that Dr Sangay heads, that is in fact creating disunity amongst the Tibetan people. The Dorje Shugden ban, the 17th Karmapa issue and outrightly ignoring the majority of the Tibetan people's wish for independence are just some examples of how the CTA has set about systematically creating disharmony amongst its own people. This is where the real story is.

Read the interview here:http://tibet.net/2013/11/21/dont-forget-tibet/

[DharmaSpace]

Sikyong of CTA, give religious freedom to Dorje Shugden Practitioners!

This is Mary Kissel email [email protected], I believe she should know the truth. We should give her the other side of the story.

It might even embarrass her a little to find out the very CTA and Lobsang Sangay are actually conducting an inhuman campaign in parts of India against their own people, and the CTA's words and words from their representatives, I would not give it the time and day. 

[DharmaSpace]

Anyways I have sent her this letter below

Dear Mary,
 
I refer to your article ‘Don't Forget Tibet’.
 
Although I cannot vouch what the CTA or the Sikyong has mentioned to you about what is happening in China. But CTA and its prime minster aren’t entirely truthful people they have created an inhumane ban on the practitioners of Dorje Shugden a protector deity within the Gelug traditions.
 
Tibetan people and families are being ostracized, denied basic services and education and in some cases threatened. This is a bigger story and the reason why CTA will never be able to get independence for their own people, they themselves oppress their own people and community. Based on Buddhist philosophy you reap what you sow. So how can one get freedom when they deny it to other people?
 
You can read this article about an American Family visiting Shar Gaden
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/dorje-shugden-practitioners-are-still-discriminated-against/
 
http://www.10best.com/interests/travel-news/one-familys-miraculous-quest-to-make-a-difference/
 
E

[Galen]

I have to agree with Vajra Truth that maybe there are less TIbetans escaping from China is because they do see the benefits of being China's rule. Since the invasion, the Chinese Government has built up Tibet to be a progressive state. There are developments everywhere and monasteries are being refurbished. There are more tourist arrivals and has boosted up the Tibetan economy. So, why would a Tibetan leave a place where it is flourishing? Further more, there is no oppression of religious practice in China. They can freely practice Dorje Shugden practices without being discriminated.

When compared to their compatriots in India where the refugee camps are and the CTA is, there are not much going on there. THe camps are in deplorable states and i would assume that life is more difficult than in Tibet as opportunities are lesser. They are also restricted by the freedom of spiritual practice. No doubt that the ban imposed by the Dalai Lama has split up the community in the camps.

So, based on logic, definitely there are lesser Tibetans escaping out of Tibet. The greener pastures are where they are at!

[Rinchen]

Totally agreed with both Vajratruth and Galen, the Tibetans that are constantly protesting are only the ones that are influenced by the CTA outside of Tibet itself. If it is true, the Tibetans at China would also be more people escaping and also start rioting or protesting about every single thing.

[dondrup]

The Times of India had failed in its accurate news reporting about Dorje Shugden and the plight of Tibetans suffering under the ban on Dorje Shugden!

Now we have The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) who has lost the golden opportunity to question Dr Lobsang Sangay the Prime Minister of the Tibetans in Exile and leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

There are so many issues on hand and the most critical ones are the human rights of the Tibetans who practise Dorje Shgden and the future of Tibet!

What surprises me is that an established news agency like WSJ who have access to information about Dorje Shugden chose to believe Dr Lobsang Sangay and had produced such a 'useless' piece of news.

Many worldwide demonstrations and protests against the ban on Dorje Shugden had been organised in the past. Many real-life accounts of the suffering, mistreatment, discrimination, injustice and so on of the Tibetans affected by the ban had been recorded and reported in the past. Are these not enough to prompt WSJ to do a thorough, fair and accurate reporting on the Dorje Shugden issue and the incompetent  CTA?

Dr Lobsang Sangay can continue to twist the facts and blame the Chinese. But this will not bring about the independence of Tibet or whatever autonomy CTA wished to achieve if the very basic and fundamental issue of Dorje Shugden ban remains unresolved!

[Freyr Aesiragnorak]

I agree with everyone on this thread but I also believe that the reasons why there are less people ‘escaping’ China these days is because they have spent their time growing up in a country without the presence of the Dalai Lama. I say this because a lot of the people who escaped Tibet had as one of their primary reasons that they were following His Holiness Dalai Lama. The older generations can surely no longer travel treacherous and insecure roads out of Tibet. The only ones who can do are the younger generations. But these younger generations have grown up under Chinese rule, they do not know ‘freedom’ and may even be content with their lives, therefore negating the need to ‘escape’. It just shows to me that the power of the Dalai Lama and the CTA in the lives of ordinary Tibetans living under the rule of the Chinese is waning.     

[fruven]

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303653004579209762537626186

China’s Communist Party leadership announced a 60-point reform plan last week which moves the country toward a more open and liberalized economy. But if Beijing’s treatment of Tibet is any indication, constraints on political freedoms won’t be loosened anytime soon.

Exiled Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay visited The Journal’s offices recently to discuss the situation, which has worsened since Tibetans rose up to protest the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Since then, Beijing has sent waves of Han Chinese to effectively colonize the region, cracked down on religious expression, detained supporters of the Dalai Lama, and even “installed CCTV cameras” in small villages, Mr. Sangay says.

More ominously, China has also tightened security along its border with Nepal, a mountainous area which has long served as the primary escape route for Tibetans to Nepal, and ultimately, to Dharmsala, India, the home of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

“Before 2008, 3,000 to 5,000 people fled via Nepal annually,” Mr. Sangay says, but now it’s “less than 1,000.” Chinese security officials even pursue Tibetans Nepal and are training that country’s security officials, Mr. Sangay notes. Repatriated Tibetans face interrogation, imprisonment or torture upon their return.

Tibetans have reacted to the crackdown by self-immolating, a practice Mr. Sangay calls “horrific.” Since February 2009, 123 people have died in this manner, with the latest victim a 20-year-old monk named Tsering Gyal, who passed earlier this month. On his deathbed he expressed support for “the unity of Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet, and said it was his hope that Tibetans can remain united and protect and uphold the Tibetan language,” Radio Free Asia reports.

“In 2008, the majority of the protestors were monks,” Mr. Sangay says, but now protests are “region-wide” and include “lay people” and “students.” He emphasizes that Tibetans want autonomy, not secession, and he remains open to dialogue with China’s leaders, a process that’s been frozen since January 2010. Meanwhile the Dalai Lama continues to call for peaceful protest. Given the circumstances, it’s unclear how long Tibetans will heed that advice.

Such a short piece and very lacking of any substance.

Why would Tibetans need to continue to flee from Tibet? Those whom have escaped have already done so decades ago following the Dalai Lama lead. Those that have stayed would have done so, if they are really being oppressed by China, they would have done so many years ago. Why would one continue to think that every Tibetans need to escape? Isn't it become a cowardly attitude and continue to expect Tibetan to continue 'escape'? It speaks of a mindset of running away, the same for CTA. The CTA has ran away from Tibet. What is it currently doing now?

[shugdenpromoter]

I myself have known younger Tibetans who are staying in Tibet or the surrounding, they are actually very proud to be part of China. The reasons are very obvious as they enjoys the growth the Chinese government has given them.

One thing which CTA fails to realise, with evolution, spirituality to many younger Tibetans are no longer important to them as it has been to their parents or grandparents. How many younger monks are now enrolled into the monastery in 2013 compared to 10 years ago, from the figure one will see that it has dropped. This does not only apply to Tibetan Buddhism but a rather broad scope of other religion. Religion and their leaders have to evolved to be able to hold their vows i.e. to liberate mankind.

Is still not too late to change for CTA but then again, if there were any changes it would have been done long time ago and results would have shown it.

[Vajraprotector]

Read this:
These policies include replacing the Tibetan language with Chinese as the language of instruction in schools; sending some 21,000 Chinese party officials into Tibetan monasteries to keep an eye on monks; forcing monks to denounce the Dalai Lama; banning the display of the Dalai Lama’s photograph; having a heavy armed police presence in Tibetan towns, villages and around monasteries; closing monasteries; and clamping down on demonstrators with arrests and shootings by police officers.
(http://tibet.net/2013/11/30/desperation-in-tibet/)

Now, what about the thousands of Shugden monks who were expelled from the monasteries, continuous religious persecution and segregation of Shugden practitioners and their families including children at school, normal Tibetans who are Shugden practitioners are not allowed to visit shops to get their supplies, followers were criticised for ‘creating problems in Tibetan Struggle and in Community' to the extent of harming the good health and long life of their beloved spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, organisation that has Shugden worshippers as members - the members were expelled, or the organisation is closed down [ The Tibetan Association of Western Massachusetts, USA, is closed down a few years back because some of its members are Shugden practitioners], posters and personal information of practitioners being put up as if they were criminals,  practitioners have also been stripped of voting rights, which other Tibetans enjoy.

Perhaps the Wall Street Journal should see what the Tibetans are doing to their own people, before judging what other people are doing to Tibetans for a start? 

[vajratruth]

This is Mary Kissel email [email protected], I believe she should know the truth. We should give her the other side of the story.

It might even embarrass her a little to find out the very CTA and Lobsang Sangay are actually conducting an inhuman campaign in parts of India against their own people, and the CTA's words and words from their representatives, I would not give it the time and day.

I fully agree with DharmaSpace that we should write to Mary Kissel of the WSJ. Recently Sashi Kei, a regular contributor to this site took the Times Of India to task [see: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/a-commentary-on-the-times-of-indias-article-rift-among-tibetans-riddles-security-agencies-task/ and personally I would like to hear what the Times Of India have to say about their irresponsible reporting. So far, its been nothing but silence from them.

It would also place good pressure on such journalist as Ms Kissel if all those who are concerned about the great injustice suffered by Shugden practitioners, would pick any story from the vast resource contained in this site and email the link to to the reporter or journalist. We give them the benefit of a doubt and assume that for whatever reasons, they just took the Dalai Lama's word as gospel. It would be interesting to see what they may write after knowing the truth.

Here is Mary Kissel's email address again: [email protected]

Please do your part and send her an email to inform her again, where the real scoop is.

[Rihanna]

[Well said Galen. I echo your thoughts. When Tibet lost their independence, they also lost their freedom to practice their religion. That was why there was an influx of monks going into exile in India. Unfortunately, their dreams were shattered when CTA decided to bring politics into religion and came down hard on freedom of their own religion by banning and ostracizing their own people who practiced Dorje Shugden.

Imagine scaling the Himalayas in winter, penniless, going without food for days, without shoes, risk of losing their lives, leaving their families behind only to face the bitter truth years later. I would stay back in the developed China controlled Tibet too! ]

I have to agree with Vajra Truth that maybe there are less TIbetans escaping from China is because they do see the benefits of being China's rule. Since the invasion, the Chinese Government has built up Tibet to be a progressive state. There are developments everywhere and monasteries are being refurbished. There are more tourist arrivals and has boosted up the Tibetan economy. So, why would a Tibetan leave a place where it is flourishing? Further more, there is no oppression of religious practice in China. They can freely practice Dorje Shugden practices without being discriminated.

When compared to their compatriots in India where the refugee camps are and the CTA is, there are not much going on there. THe camps are in deplorable states and i would assume that life is more difficult than in Tibet as opportunities are lesser. They are also restricted by the freedom of spiritual practice. No doubt that the ban imposed by the Dalai Lama has split up the community in the camps.

So, based on logic, definitely there are lesser Tibetans escaping out of Tibet. The greener pastures are where they are at!
[/quote]

[icy]

It is absolutely true the younger Tibetans are no longer interested to escape China.  Why would they leave what they are enjoying now in the comfort of their own country compared to their counterparts in exile under CTA?  What have CTA got to offer them?  Even those who are in exile are uncertain of their faith after the Dalai Lama has gone.  They have to travel to other countries to look for greener pastures instead of being left to rot without any opportunities.  A case in point is in this report: 

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=First+group+of+Tibetan+settlers+in+Canada+leaves+India&id=34284

It is unnecessary for Tibetans in exile to resettle in other countries had it been good for them.  This certainly proves what the CTA said is a cover-up.

Bad journalism is dangerous and misleading which eventually will hurt and destroy people.  It will be in the interest of  WALL STREET JOURNAL to rectify the damage and be responsible for what they are reporting.  Karma is an universal law regardless who and what religion you are.  When karma hits it could be too late, better to rectify the action while you can.