Panchen Erdeni: Democratic reform an important turning point for Tibetan Buddism

[Ringo Starr]

What the Panchen Lama says rings so true. Tibet was no Shangri-la, no Garden of Eden. It was a bunch of families who fought, jostled for power, inter-married and ruled over a serfdom, all for their economic interest. Today, according to a recent report, the size of of Tibet's economy has grown 197-times since the Dalai Lama and his cronies left in 1959. There is no comparison as to which society is better off.


Panchen Lama: democratic reform an important turning point for Tibetan Buddhism

2019-04-09 China Tibet Online

Panchen Lama Erdeni Choskyi Gyalpo, a vice chairman of the Buddhist Association of China, said in Beijing recently that the democratic reform in Tibet was not only a great revolution that liberated more than one million of serfs, but also an important turning point in the development and progress of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Panchen Lama said that before democratic reforms were implemented in Tibet, laws in the feudal serfdom at the time, in which politics and religion were combined, divided people into three classes and nine levels. More than one million of serfs and other people suffered cruel political oppression, economic exploitation, and spiritual control from the "three ruling classes" (the then government officials, aristocrats and high-level monks). Tibetan Buddhism was no longer a religious belief but a political tool for serf-owners. They violated the Buddhist doctrines of "compassion from the heart and equality for all living beings".

The Panchen Lama believes that the separation of politics and religion after the democratic reform abolished religious privilege and feudal exploitation and eradicated the shackles restricting the development of productivity. Democratic reforms restored the original appearance of Tibetan Buddhism and promoted it into a "re-expansion period" that is compatible with the socialist society.

The Panchen Lama says he will carry on the Buddhist philosophies of equality for all living beings and compassion from the heart. He will pass on the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of patriotism and love for religion, promote the adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism to the socialist society, unswervingly uphold the unification of the motherland and ethnic unity, and promote people's happiness and well-being.

http://eng.tibet.cn/eng/index/top/201904/t20190409_6548260.html

[Drolma]

What the Panchen Lama said is very wise. It is true that the Chinese have liberated the Tibetans from serfdom and they abolished the "caste" system in the Tibetan society. Everyone now is equal, people will get what they want if they work hard, it does not depend on social status anymore.

In 2018, the Chinese government has successfully reduced the poverty rate in Tibet from 37%-8% in 5 years. It is not something the Tibetan government is capable of doing. Life is so much better now in Tibet compared to before the Dalai Lama and his cronies' escape from Tibet.

Religion and politic can never be mixed, feudalism is not a workable ruling system. They are an obstacle to the development and progress of a society. If it is a good system,  it would have survived and make Tibet stronger but it didn't happen. The CTA should learn from their mistakes and be clever to move on with the right strategy.

[Rowntree]

This is the reason why Tibet lost their country. Ordained people, aka monks, do not know about politics and have no management skills in managing a country. They keep themselves secluded and isolated with no knowledge of what was happening in the world. They were so arrogant to think that they were on top of the world and there was nothing wrong to continue to practise feudalism.

When the English and the Chinese invaded, the Tibetans basically handed Tibet over to them. Neither did they have trained soldiers, nor weapons that are strong enough to defend Tibet. It was rather ridiculous to see monks in robes holding their guns. The robes and killing represented by the gun just don't match.

I am sure that the Dalai Lamas were the emanation of the Buddha of Compassion, Chenresig. I am sure he had the compassion and wisdom to rule Tibet. Unfortunately, within his group, there were more corrupted government officials, aristocrats and high-level monks.

There is nothing much a person can do. No matter how great he was, when he is surrounded by corrupted people, that's the result we see today. Om Mani Padme Hum!

[Alex]

Before the invasion, Tibet is a closed country, and they kept everything to themselves. 90% of the population are serfs, and 10% are the lords and owners. I bet 10% of the population who are the one that decided to keep Tibet remain as a neighbouring country because they are the one that is enjoying all the power over the rest of the population.

Since China's invasion, the situation in Tibet is so much better. The serfdom system has been demolished, and all the slaves are granted freedom as well as aids to help them to get back on their feet in society. Many of them are given free lands and financial subsidies. Since then, the poverty rate in Tibet improved much better.

China has said that they will be able to eradicate poverty in a few years totally. It is such a significant improvement compared to last time when the Tibetan government is in control.

[Tenzin K]

Strongly agree. Democracy is important and should be implemented to provide respect, preserve the individual culture, tradition and also spiritual belief. Democracy is the key to unity to let every individual have their words and share their thought. All decisions made transparent to the people and the voting system in place for everyone to exercise their right. It’s time for Tibetan to be responsible for their country with the right leadership to guide through them.

[Tracy]

Strongly agree. Democracy is important and should be implemented to provide respect, preserve the individual culture, tradition and also spiritual belief. Democracy is the key to unity to let every individual have their words and share their thought. All decisions made transparent to the people and the voting system in place for everyone to exercise their right. It’s time for Tibetan to be responsible for their country with the right leadership to guide through them.

CTA always say they are a democratic government and they give freedom to its people. They condemn the Chinese government for suppressing Tibetans, for not giving the the freedom to practice their own language and religion. CTA has been using this as a humanity issue.

As much as CTA is saying the Chinese government is suppressing the Tibetans, CTA is also suppressing its own people! CTA imposed a ban on Dorje Shugden practice and segregates people who refuse to give up the practice. Is this what a democratic government should be doing?

CTA is such a hypocrite, they want the Chinese government to give freedom to the Tibetans but they are not giving the religious freedom to the Tibetan in exile community. Why always the double standard? This is exactly why CTA has failed as a government.

[dsnowlion]

Well CTA will have no choice but to really work to persuade the Chinese government if the truly wish for things to turn around for them, or rather for the Tibetans in Tibet.

This news here actually says a lot about what His Holiness wants, so far the best message presented in this 5-50 Youth Forum that's been going on for 2 days now.  Ngawa Tsegyam, Secretary (Chinese) at the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama(OHHDL) reiterates Chinese people’s support is inevitable in resolving the Tibet issue.

On top of that, he reiterated that it is not right to carry out any activities in exile that might cause further repression to the Tibetans inside Tibet. He seems to understand what needs to be done, or perhaps a message delivered on behalf of HHDL.

But what really stood out was this statement... could this be new change? “There are many ways for a Tibetan to identify oneself, as being from a certain region of Tibet, belonging to a particular religious’ sects, gender or ideology, but these should not precede being a Tibetan first.”

FINALLY someone is making sense and talking some sense. In reality Shugdenpas are still Tibetans and they are still loyal to their country, actually many still respect and loves the Dalai Lama too. The ban made them choose like between their mother and their father. Most were so heartbroken and it was really very painful for them. The ban created so much suffering and separated so many from their teachers, family and friends. Why on earth would you segregate and penalise every Shugdenpas and create disunity? Isn't being Tibetan a big enough cause to be together and united? Being Tibetan should be the ONLY thing that matter if the exile government wishes to have a future. Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel (?). This Dalai Lama's secretary seems to be making a lot more sense than Sangay and I bet everything he says has been approved by His Holiness... he would not have the guts to say such things, if it was not told for him to do sp!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OHHDL Secretary says Chinese people's support inevitable to resolve Tibet issue

DHARAMSHALA, August 17: Ngawa Tsegyam, Secretary (Chinese) at the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama(OHHDL) said Chinese people’s support is inevitable in resolving the Tibet issue at the plenary session of the Second 5-50 Youth Forum held at the Hotel Devdar here. 

Speaking on the theme “Tibet and the People’s Republic of China: Establishing Constructive Engagement and Negotiation,” he said the shift to Middle Way Approach (MWA) in 1974 was adopted after careful considerations, saying that it has strengthened the bond between Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, between Tibetans and Chinese people and Chinese officials.

Addressing the general perception among Tibetans that the ten rounds of Sino-Tibetan dialogues have more or less failed, he claimed that these meetings have led to many small results that remain overshadowed by the lack of success in achieving the key goals.

He said the current stalemate in the Sino-Tibet dialogue is a result of China’s reluctance to resolve the Tibet issue, People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) tendency to equate the Tibet issue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the existence of section of opportunists in the Chinese power structure that cast aspersions on the sincerity of MWA.

“It is crucial to understand China and Tibet well in order to actualize Sino-Tibet dialogue in the future, as is retaining unity among ourselves, continued lobby for international support and most importantly forging good relations with Chinese people and convincing them of resolving the Tibet issue with urgency,” he added.

He reiterated that it is not right to carry out any activities in exile that might cause further repression to the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Tenzin Dorjee, a commissioner of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), another keynote speaker at the event covering “Young Voices in the Tibetan Freedom Movement: Communications, Advocacy and International Relations” also called for strengthening internal unity.

“There are many ways for a Tibetan to identify oneself, as being from a certain region of Tibet, belonging to a particular religious’ sects, gender or ideology, but these should not precede being a Tibetan first.”

The second day of “Second Five-Fifty Youth Forum: Shaping Tibet’s Future” held talks on “Inclusion of and responses to Tibetans inside Tibet and Diaspora,” and “CTA’s Leadership Toward the Five-Fifty Vision- Creating Visionary Leadership and Resource Mobilization,” that featured more than a dozen young speakers.

Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=41681&article=OHHDL+Secretary+says+Chinese+people%27s+support+inevitable+to+resolve+Tibet+issue

[Tracy]

Well CTA will have no choice but to really work to persuade the Chinese government if the truly wish for things to turn around for them, or rather for the Tibetans in Tibet.

This news here actually says a lot about what His Holiness wants, so far the best message presented in this 5-50 Youth Forum that's been going on for 2 days now.  Ngawa Tsegyam, Secretary (Chinese) at the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama(OHHDL) reiterates Chinese people’s support is inevitable in resolving the Tibet issue.

On top of that, he reiterated that it is not right to carry out any activities in exile that might cause further repression to the Tibetans inside Tibet. He seems to understand what needs to be done, or perhaps a message delivered on behalf of HHDL.

But what really stood out was this statement... could this be new change? “There are many ways for a Tibetan to identify oneself, as being from a certain region of Tibet, belonging to a particular religious’ sects, gender or ideology, but these should not precede being a Tibetan first.”

FINALLY someone is making sense and talking some sense. In reality Shugdenpas are still Tibetans and they are still loyal to their country, actually many still respect and loves the Dalai Lama too. The ban made them choose like between their mother and their father. Most were so heartbroken and it was really very painful for them. The ban created so much suffering and separated so many from their teachers, family and friends. Why on earth would you segregate and penalise every Shugdenpas and create disunity? Isn't being Tibetan a big enough cause to be together and united? Being Tibetan should be the ONLY thing that matter if the exile government wishes to have a future. Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel (?). This Dalai Lama's secretary seems to be making a lot more sense than Sangay and I bet everything he says has been approved by His Holiness... he would not have the guts to say such things, if it was not told for him to do sp!

Dorje Shugden followers are not violent in nature, they have never created any problem to anyone before the ban was imposed and after the ban was imposed. Dorje Shugden lamas had contributed so much to the preservation of spreading of Tibetan Buddhism. Great masters such as the previous Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche had passed their knowledge to so many contemporary masters after the Tibetans escaped from Tibet to India in 1959.

Dorje Shugden followers don't hate the Dalai Lama. They respect the Dalai Lama a lot. What they don't understand is why the Dalai Lama impose the ban on Dorje Shuden pratice? Why were they made to choose one or another? It is very painful to them to have to make the choice.

Dorje Shugden practice has been around for the past 300-400 year. Dorje Shugden followers have not been a trouble makers, they just want to practice what the teachers have given them. They should be given the right to practise what they want. CTA has to stop segregating its own people.

[dsnowlion]

Well, just when you think, they are starting to use their brains and maybe, just maybe... there is hope. Then the next day you read this kind of stupidity that does not help the Middle Way dialogue to ever happened. Just yesterday, the secretary of HHDL said that "it is not right to carry out any activities in exile that might cause further repression to the Tibetans inside Tibet." And this is what you get the next day, more dramas... (sigh) 


It is very obvious that not everyone is willing to co-operate or listens to what the Dalai Lama says any more. The CTA is losing power too due to their contradictions. They should actually stop these kind groups from creating obstacles for HHDL, for them, and the Tibetans in Tibet to progress and move forward. This is why China does not believe in the Dalai Lama or cares what he says any more. How China sees it, is that it is all the Dalai Lama's doing and fault. 

Tibetans in Dharamshala march in solidarity with Hong Kong

DHARAMSHALA, August 19: Tibetans and supporters carried out a candlelight vigil in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong here at McLeod Ganj this evening. 

Led by activists and organized by GuChuSum, an organization of former political prisoners, locals and tourists walked from the main square to the Martyr’s Pillar near Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama temple) carrying banners and placards that read, “Hong Kong is NOT China”, “Tibet with Hong Kong”, “Tibet supports Hong Kong.”

Namgyal Dolkar Lhagyari, the president of the Gu-Chu-Sum, said people of Hong Kong from all quarters of society are part of the ongoing mass protest against the Extradition bill, saying there is a lot Tibetan people can learn from the protestors about the power of non-violent resistance.

Tenzin Tsundue, activist and poet based in Dharamshala, said what is happening in Hong Kong has been happening in Tibet for the last 60 years and asserted it will happen in China tomorrow. “Hong Kong today, China tomorrow.”

Marchers posed for a photo in front of the symbolic Martyr Pillar and collectively shouted: “Hong Kong, we are with you.”

The press release issued at the event said, “We stand with people of Hong Kong in their fight for justice and right to self-determination. We stand with nations and world leaders of the People of Hong Kong. We urge leaders and nations who are silent on the issue to condemn the atrocities inflicted upon the non-violent protesters in Hong Kong.”

Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=41687&article=Tibetans+in+Dharamshala+march+in+solidarity+with+Hong+Kong