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Life without the Dalai Lama?
By: Ringzin Tsomo
October 2, 2017
DHARAMSALA, INDIA – high in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, something strange is afoot. For the first time in six decades, Tibetans are starting to consider the possibility of life without His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Concerns have been growing about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s behavior in recent years. The slow decline in his reputation began early in 2015 when in an interview about his successor, the Dalai Lama told the media that he would be the last Dalai Lama. He then further claimed that if the institution were to continue, he would come back as an “mischievous blonde female” and “her face must be very attractive” or “nobody pay much attention”.
Globally, the Dalai Lama was swiftly condemned as sexist, with some accusing him of holding misogynistic views towards women. Members of the Tibetan leadership, including Sikyong Lobsang Sengge, scrambled to clarify the Dalai Lama’s statements but the damage control came perhaps too little, too late.
Later, in October of that same year, the Dalai Lama was accused of exploring relationships with women, with the reporter even providing a photograph she claimed was the Dalai Lama on a date with her mother. Her report was subsequently met by widespread skepticism and later retracted by the online publication Broadly, who apologized for their failure to fact-check. Nevertheless, observers of the Tibet situation were keen to note that in years gone past, such reports about the consummate media darling would have been unthinkable. The fact they are becoming more frequent has not been lost on the Tibetan government.
Buoyed by public sympathy for his health conditions, the Dalai Lama nearly made it through 2016 without further gaffes. That is to say, until September when he infamously closed the year off by mocking then-President hopeful Donald Trump, going so far as to imitate the President’s infamous hairstyle. It appears however, that his disarming giggle was not enough to charm the White House who were decidedly unamused. To this day, the US President has not indicated any interest in meeting with the Dalai Lama, a sure sign of his disinterest in the Tibetan cause.
This interview was followed by a 2017 televised appearance on the host John Oliver’s show, during which he claimed that he was not in the position to criticize self-immolations. The Dalai Lama was heavily criticized for his remarks in this interview, by an incredulous audience who found it difficult to believe that the leader of the Tibetan people was not able to offer any comment on or was powerless to stop any of these violent suicides.
The Dalai Lama’s beleaguered reputation has not been helped by Dorje Shugden practitioners who continue to shadow his worldwide appearances, protesting for the freedom to practise their religion free from persecution. Given such a series of public relations missteps, there is little surprise that the Tibetan leadership have seen it fit to scale back His Holiness’s public engagements. In the last few months of 2017, the 82-year old Tibetan leader has called off a series of international visits and meetings, with his team citing exhaustion.
This has done little to stem talk of the Dalai Lama’s wellbeing, after 2016 was dominated by rumors of ill health after His Holiness visited the Mayo Clinic. Reports from the media attributed these visits to everything from a general check-up to chemotherapy. The Associated Press even reported that the Dalai Lama was receiving treatment specifically for prostrate cancer.
Closer to home, the toll of this repeated negative press is starting to be felt in the Tibetan settlements.
Lhundrub, 45, admits that he worries about the Dalai Lama. Declining to give his full name, Lhundrub agreed to be interviewed only on the condition of anonymity, saying that he feared retribution on his family who continue to live in the settlements.
“When I was younger, I heard all sorts of wonderful things about the Dalai Lama. He could do no wrong and people would never even dare to question his decisions. Nowadays, he is always making all kinds of comments to the media. People are whispering if something is wrong. Is someone hiding the news from us?”
His concerns were echoed by Tselha, 27, who accuses the Tibetan leadership of keeping the public in the dark. “What will happen when His Holiness passes away? How do we plan for our future if we don’t know what is going on? Are we stuck with Sikyong Lobsang Sengge?”
Indeed, current polls suggest that Sikyong Lobsang Sengge is facing a crisis of confidence, with his approval ratings registering at an all-time low. According to a well-placed source within the government, there is growing concern about this among the Tibetan establishment.
“It seems the Sikyong is more concerned about his public image. He spends more time promoting himself and the people he favors, and less on the affairs of our people,” our source tells us. “He was voted in because people thought a Harvard-educated man would know how to guide our people towards dialogue with China. We all thought he would be a breath of fresh air. Instead, things seem to have become worse compared to Samdhong Rinpoche’s time.”
He is anxious to clarify that he is not the only person who feels that way.
“Within the Parliament, there are many people who are starting to doubt the Dalai Lama’s decisions. As a spiritual guide, they continue to respect him but doubts about his political acumen and decision-making process are gaining strength,” he tells us.
“The recent speeches by MP Tenpa Yarphel really highlighted this. While the honorable member expressed frustration over our government’s reliance on Nechung for state decisions, every Tibetan knows the only reason Nechung has the power to do this is because His Holiness [the Dalai Lama] said so. But now people are starting to wonder if His Holiness made the right decision and how many more wrong decisions have been made.”
As the Tibetan leader continues to advance in age, it is a question no one wants to ask but everyone knows needs to be answered – what will happen after the Dalai Lama is gone? No doubt preparations are quietly being made in this burgeoning democracy for the Dalai Lama’s successor, but observers point out that a single charismatic leader has yet to be identified.
After decades of divisive policies and institutionalized segregation by the Tibetan leadership, and an over-reliance on the appeal of the Dalai Lama, disheartened Tibetans find they can do little else but offer their prayers that the Tibetan leadership wakes up soon to the reality that more will need to be done soon to draw their people together. Until such time that happens, there is very little that people like Lhundrub and Tselha can do but sit and wait.
Ngodup Tsering
November 29, 2017
Picture caption:
A Gelug monastery in Sarnath bans Shugden practitioners from their monastery and teachings
What the Dalai Lama said:
“When I wanted to enter the Jagannath Temple in Puri, they said only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. So, in order to make a pilgrimage to the Jagannath Temple, I have to become a Hindu, which is very difficult,” said the Dalai Lama ~ ya we knew that long ago”
Jinpa
December 8, 2017
The Dalai Lama, this great monk has been cheated by all those around him and these articles on DorjeShugden.com are maybe only the tip of the iceberg???!!!
How bad to be with the Dalai Lama like this. Same for the CTA as we can read that so much money was used for themselves and not for the Tibetans… sigh
Thank you DorjeShugden.com
Thamchod Nyingma
January 13, 2018
China’s economic prowess is not to be underestimated. Leaders from various countries seek economic collaborations with China, who has been contributing to the world’s economic growth, especially in the past decade. The Indian Intelligence Bureau’s (IB) report highlighted the lack of opportunities in India for growth and advancement as the causes for Tibetan youth to willingly betray their host India and work as spies for China. Tibetan youth clearly have difficulties to survive in India as CTA failed to create sufficient jobs for the Tibetans in exile. This is a reality and we will see more and more trend like this and eventually Tibetans seeking improvement in their quality of life and intellectual advancement will leave India and ‘return’ to China.
Dekyi Wangmo
January 13, 2018
Instead of creating employment opportunities, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has nurtured a culture where Tibetans expect handouts and foreign aids to get by. As a result, they created a new generation of Tibetan refugees who are volatile and vulnerable, and always depend on others to help them out of circumstances. Now, Tibetan refugees in India do not even hesitate to compromise the security of their host country, India, who has been so kind to them, in exchange for monetary gain.
Yodon chela
January 18, 2018
China has been liberal towards Buddhist practitioners, including those who practice Dorje Shugden. In fact, there are 250 million Buddhists in China currently, almost three times more than communist party members. On the contrary, the Tibetan leadership in exile continues to discriminate against Shugden practitioners and politicizes the Shugden controversy to their benefit instead of promoting harmony among Buddhist practitioners. How ironic that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) continuously criticizes China for their human rights issue, and yet the CTA fails to respect even the most basic human rights of other people, freedom of religion.
Tenzin Tsomo
January 22, 2018
Lobsang Sangay’s dismissal of Penpa Tsering with various accusations backfired, contrary to Lobsang Sangay’s expectation. Now, Tibetans are protesting and expressing their loss of trust in his leadership. Lobsang Sangay has to clarify a lot of things to the public, including the USD1.5 million loan with Tibet Fund. Tibetans are now beginning to see Lobsang Sangay’s true colours and are speaking up against him now.
Pema Wangchuk
January 24, 2018
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is expressing his wish to visit China again. This is not the first time His Holiness mentioned about visiting or returning to China. In fact, His Holiness made a strong statement in November 2017 that His Holiness “would return to Tibet at once, if China agrees”. Could this be another sign from the Tibetan leadership that rapprochement with China is happening soon?
Tsering
March 3, 2018
Comic drawn by Tendor, a prominent Free Tibet activist.
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.
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.
Tsering Drolhma
July 8, 2018
UNRULY TIBETANS FIGHTING AT DALAI LAMA BIRTHDAY PARTY AGAIN
July 2018-NYC- Tibetans fighting at some birthday celebratory event for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They set up a throne in the back, place Dalai Lama’s picture, and they fight, push, shout, scream at each other right in front of the throne of Dalai Lama and it’s filmed. That is the level of the Tibetans overall. Tibetans are not gentle, Buddhist, peace-loving, tolerant people as they portray to the world. They are rough, rude, hateful, vengeful, violent, regionalistic, narrow minded and will create trouble wherever they go. Very feudal. They always resort to vulgar words and violence. There are some moderate Tibetans, but on the whole they are very violent people who do not practice Buddhism. The average Tibetan know nothing of Buddhism and do not practice. Buddhism is just a meal ticket for them to get to another country. Their support of Dalai Lama is blind and only to be politically correct and they never practice what he teaches. Disgraceful to see a group of violent Tibetans fighting at a Dalai Lama birthday event. Shameful.☹
Tibetans are not welcomed wherever they go. Bhutanese kicked them out. Nepal hates Tibetans. India has no more use for the ‘refugee’ Tibetans and their temples made of gold. After 60 years they cannot get their own country back. What a bunch of losers and useless government people they have.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1531033672.mp4
Tsering Drolhma
July 15, 2018
The letter:
It is about the incident that happened at His Holiness’s birthday celebration in NYC recently July 6, 2018. Some members of Tibetan woman association approached to Parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel during the ceremony and complained that his comments regarding Nechung was disrespect to the protector and His Holiness. They also said him that he made many Tibetan people sad with his comments. And told him not to do that again in the future. Then Dhondup Tseten stood up and shamelessly touched those women. That incident almost made the ceremony stopped. To keep maintaining the relationship between Tibetan Woman Association and Tibetan Parliament Representative, TWA are asking for an apology letter from Dhondup Tseten for touching their members.
(It is so sad that in the fake democracy of the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala you cannot say anything against a leader or criticize. Too bad)
Bonnie Fider
July 12, 2018
WHY DOES RICHARD GERE AND DALAI LAMA SUPPORT SOGYAL THE DISGUSTING ABUSER?
As long as you are friends with the Dalai Lama, your actions are excusable, no matter how horrendous they may be. Even something as heinous as sexual abuse of over 60 women can be overlooked when the perpetrator is friends with the Dalai Lama namely Sogyal Rinpoche. Why rush to join the chorus of Hollywood voices condemning Harvey Weinstein’s criminality, but remain silent against Sogyal’s exploitation and abuse of women? Richard Gere was vocal in condemning against all the abuses and attacks against women by Harvey Weinstein. But silent on Sogyal Rinpoche. BBC has a full length documentary on Sogyal’s abuses as you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWhIivvmMnk. Yet Richard Gere can take photos with the disgusting and abusive Sogyal. Is it because one group of women are worth protecting and the other are not? If it is not for that reason, then it can only be because Sogyal is the Dalai Lama’s friend. The Dalai Lama’s condemnation against Sogyal is very light and it’s disappointing. I guess since Dalai Lama supported Sogyal so much, he can’t be seen as wrong in doing so. Politics is sad.
Christie Donald
July 14, 2018
Hollywood is one of the most influential groups of people who have promoted the mysticism of Buddhist Tantra to the world. Together with the media, they have packaged Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan lamas into a fantasy Utopia, filled with God-like beings who are able to lead people along the quick path to enlightenment.
This propaganda has been widely exploited by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to garner support, especially financial aid, for the so-called Tibetan Cause and the Tibetan struggle against Chinese rule. Little does the West, including Richard Gere and the so-called Buddhist Professor Robert Thurman, know that efforts from China to improve the infrastructure and standard of living for the Tibetans in China have created opportunities for Tibetans to grow and be successful. This is something that is rarely seen in exile under the governance of the CTA.
This false image that has been promoted for the past 60 years or so is now slowly fading away as more and more victims come forward, exposing the sexual abuse they have suffered under the hands of Tibetan lamas like Sogyal Rinpoche. The root of the problem is clear, people are greedy and lazy while wanting quick success and attention. Since they get these from the Tibetan lamas like Sogyal, they are willing to accept the exploitation. This is further driven by fear that they would no longer be seen as the privileged ones in the inner circle if they do not clutch at their lamas and be seen showing tremendous devotion to their gurus. With only a superficial knowledge of Buddhism, this cult-like group of Hollywood stars and American politicians like Richard Gere continue to generate respect and love for their skewed version of the “Dharma”, while real Buddhist masters are relegated to the side lines.
Lhakpa Dhendup
August 11, 2018
What will the all the people around the world and in Tibet do now? Dalai Lama says he is happy that Tibet is a part of China and should remain a part of China. So many Tibetans self-immolated for Tibet to be independent and now Dalai Lama did a 360 degree turn and says he wants to go back to Tibet and China and Tibet should be a part of China. So unbelievable. So many are angry and disappointed.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 12, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.
ayana
August 15, 2018
Why doesn’t the United States and its allies end Refugee Status for the useless Tibetans? They have been refugees for 60 years now and don’t tell me they still cannot get their lives back in order?
Tibetans really know how to put on a good show and use people, take their money and do nothing in return.
Ojas
August 15, 2018
Supreme Court of India JUSTICE Mr. MARKANDEY KATJU (RETD) writes that Tibet is much better under the Chinese than it was under the lamas who only wanted to make the populace slaves. It was feudal and it will never return to the backwardness again.
Yoezer
August 19, 2018
While the government of Nepal has framed a policy to tighten the noose around non-governmental organisations, they have welcomed 30 Chinese NGOs to enter the country. These NGOs will penetrate the country’s social sector at the grassroots level. This is the first time such a large number of Chinese NGOs have entered Nepal at one time. Nepal is increasingly open to Chinese influence, a sign that ties between both countries are strengthening, while India’s influence is being reduced. The time has passed for India’s monopoly to remain uninterrupted in Nepal as opportunities to engage with China are being welcomed.
Vardaniya
August 22, 2018
The cracks in Tibetan society are starting to show, and it is now coming to the attention of local Indians who have all but identified the Tibetan leadership as the source of the divisions. According to this author, disunity amongst the Tibetans is now creating problems for Indian law enforcement agencies, and this disunity may culminate in young Tibetans holding silent grudges against their host country. It is incredible that after six decades of generosity from India, Indians are now facing the very real possibility Tibetans can be ungrateful towards India. The Tibetan leadership totally failed to impart positive values upon their exiled community, like gratitude for those kindest to them and the need to repay these kindnesses with real, tangible results. It’s also very unlikely that the Tibetan leadership will now start to do this, after six decades of failing to do so. Indians need to realise this, and see that there is no benefit for their nation to align themselves with the Tibetan leadership, and there never will be.
Maya
August 24, 2018
Although the Dalai Lama has offered an apology, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) still expressed their disappointment over his controversial comment on Nehru, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Dalai Lama called Nehru self-centred.
The Congress said Dalai Lama being a foreigner should shun and refrain from interfering in the internal as well as external affairs of India.
Roy
March 20, 2019
CTA has not done anything beneficial to the Tibetans in exile community or Tibetans in Tibet for the past 60 years. They only create pain and suffering to the normal Tibetans while they are the only people who benefitted financially. The CTA only cares for themselves, this is the culture, it has been like this since in the old Tibet days.
For the Tibetans in the exile community, they have the first-hand experience with the CTA and it is not pleasant. 20 years ago, CTA imposed the Dorje Shugden ban. The ban did not bring Tibetans closer or more united, it actually creates so much tension in the Tibetan community. The ban also did not improve the progress of the Tibet cause. In short, the ban only harms the Tibetan community than doing any good.
If the CTA is a good government, they will evaluate the result of the ban and it is very clear to see the ban brings no benefit but harm. They will immediately lift the ban, resolve the conflict and unite the Tibetans. As long as the CTA doesn’t do that, more Tibetans will leave the exile community as the Tibetans have completely lost their confidence in CTA.
Tracy
August 20, 2019
While the CTA has been complaining to people about how China is suppressing the Tibetans in Tibet, they have not looked into how China has helped many of them improve their lives. What China has delivered is the reduction in the poverty rate, from 25% to 7%, there is a lot of improvement.
On the other hand, many countries have cut their ties with the CTA. CTA has closed down many offices especially their presence in Nepal. The arrival of Tibetans from China is closed to 0 now. This is not because of the strict border control but because China is a more promising government compared to the CTA.
However, CTA is not worried about their failure. They continue to operate the same way they have been doing for so many decades. How can one expects to see any changes if the method is not changed? I personally don’t have confidence in the CTA, I will not entrust my future to the CTA.
John
October 28, 2019
Tibetan should be worried if Dalai Lama entered clear light because CTA or rather Lobsang Sangay will not able to look after the Tibetan. Even with Dalai Lama present at this time, when do you see CTA look after the Tibetan welfare and until today there is no positive sign of CTA able to bring the Tibetan back to Tibet as promised.
If with the present of the Dalai Lama, the CTA still unable to do anything then we can forget about when Dalai Lama is gone. I strongly believe that their funding will be affected badly as no one will trust CTA. What CTA is getting now from the funding is the confident and support towards the Dalai Lama and not CTA. CTA has not done anything to gain recognition but just a lot of scandals that reported that make a lot of people around the world laugh at their actions. Why laugh? Because Tibetans have lost their country and instead of uniting their people and create strong and harmony environment, they discriminate, ostracised and imposed violence on their own Tibetans.
This is how CTA operates and many people starting to understand why Tibetan lost their country and after 60 years in exile they still in the same condition.