The Tibetan leadership in exile has spent the last six decades abusing the 82-year-old the Dalai Lama’s name and power, with very little results and progress to show for it. How much longer can they keep up the charade of being the custodians of the Tibetan people’s interest and welfare?
The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to [email protected].
By: Solaray Kusco
In the 60-odd years that has seen the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) milking the international community for every dollar they can, no other refugee community has been allowed to get away with shockingly low levels of financial transparency and accountability. The CTA, or the Tibetan leadership based in Dharamsala, exist on Indian soil but are never expected to show their accounts, pay taxes or otherwise contribute to the governance and welfare of India. Similarly, the multitude of Tibetan non-governmental organizations that raise funds for the so-called Tibetan cause are never asked to produce their accounts or show their expenditure, and this has led to accusations of financial mismanagement. It is clear for everyone to see that the only reason why such an exception has been made regarding the Tibetan leadership’s finances is because they have their secret weapon: the affable, compassionate, disarmingly charming Dalai Lama.
Despite the six decades of generosity that India has shown to the Tibetans, even allowing them to establish their own Parliament on Indian soil, the leadership in Dharamsala have done nothing but abuse His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s name and reputation for decades, to line their own pockets, eliminate their political opponents and otherwise bolster their own self-serving behaviors.
Globally, there is an unprecedented level of trust in His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Political and religious leaders regularly cite him as an outstanding example of unquestionable honesty and integrity, as someone whose words can be trusted and believed. This reputation has, quite undeservingly, filtered down to the rest of the Tibetan leadership who have long been painted as an underdog fighting the might of the Chinese leadership.
But it is precisely this reputation that the CTA have been abusing for the last 60 years, to the detriment of their Tibetan people. Instead of developing political and thought leaders who are capable of driving the negotiating process with China, the Tibetan leadership have taught their people to become beggars lying in wait for a handout from the world. Thinkers and intellectuals like Jamyang Norbu have had their free speech brutally suppressed; potential leaders and politicians like Lukar Jam have had their chances of leadership violently discouraged.
Anyone else who dares think or believe differently from the Tibetan leadership, like Dorje Shugden practitioners, are turned into pariahs. Those who ever dare to express a different point-of-view from the Tibetan leadership are stigmatised as anti-Dalai Lama, and they have riots and mobs set against them. They are threatened with violence, beaten and stabbed, driven from their homes, have their properties vandalized and destroyed, watch their children get bullied in school, are refused medical treatment and even kicked out from their jobs.
The fact that the Dalai Lama’s name is used to turn a community against someone, is proof that the Dalai Lama’s name is the only one with power in the Tibetan community. How come no one is accused of being ‘anti-Lobsang Sangay’ or ‘anti-Samdhong Rinpoche’? The fact is that no other name bears as much influence and weight in the Tibetan community; everything is measured against the Dalai Lama’s opinions and decisions, and not the Tibetan leadership’s or Parliament’s.
The Tibetan leadership have, in effect, been abusing the Dalai Lama’s name to alienate many forward-thinking progressives capable of modernising the Tibetan community ready for the 21st Century. So even if people are passionate about Tibet and about improving the welfare of the exiled community, over time they are forced to set their passion aside and fall in line with the narrow thinking of the leadership.
In this way, the Tibetan leadership have also been abusing the Dalai Lama for the last 60 years, by forcing him over and over again to work hard for Tibet while the leadership and people sit idly by and do nothing. The leadership have taught their people that it is okay to push the entire burden of the so-called Tibetan cause, and the entire weight of the Tibetan people’s expectations onto the Dalai Lama’s shoulders.
The Tibetan leadership forces His Holiness the Dalai Lama to beg for assistance. Yet, despite millions of dollars received in financial aid, the Tibetan leadership have done very little to convert this assistance into actual, tangible results for their people. So it would seem that the Dalai Lama’s work for the last 60 years has been utterly in vain.
Is this how the Tibetan people profess their so-called love and devotion for the Dalai Lama, by relying on him to single-handedly achieve all Tibetan political goals? Give the 82-year-old monk a break. Where most people would be happily retired by this age, going off to do retreats and deeper meditational practices, the Tibetan leadership continue to cruelly parade the Dalai Lama around the world to drum up support for their ’cause’. In their laziness and selfishness, the Tibetan leadership have turned His Holiness the Dalai Lama into a punchline, forcing him to kowtow to Western powers for money and awareness of the so-called Tibetan cause.
So almost rather naively, the international community have forgotten that the Tibetan leadership is run by many hands who are not ordained, who are not monks, or who are not required or expected to be kind by virtue of their vows. But that was in the last 60 years and slowly, we are seeing signs of change. Countries are rejecting meetings with the Dalai Lama and refusing him entry, and even refusing entry to Tibetan would-be asylum seekers. Predictably, the Tibetan leadership are very unhappy about this. When countries start to value their own relationship with China over the CTA’s trouble-making schemes, the Tibetan leadership cries foul, claiming abuse and disrespect of human rights.
Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India) and Xi Jinping (President of China) greet one another. Why should the two countries have an antagonistic relationship just because the Tibetan leadership will not benefit from this? The average Indian citizen should not have to suffer from India-China hostilities which are consistently provoked by the Tibetan leadership’s protests against Beijing. India should not have to bend to the Tibetan leadership’s definition of human rights.
But why are these countries forced to bend to the Tibetan leadership’s definition of human rights? Why are they forced to respect the Dalai Lama? What about their own citizens’ human rights to have economic opportunities and financial stability, and a better standard of living, all of which can be gained with a positive relationship with China? It is a clear sign that instead of relying on their intellect, negotiating ability and political skill, the Tibetan leadership have lazily relied on the Dalai Lama’s status as an international symbol of compassion. And when this is no longer enough, they have little to fall back on apart from bleating about how countries have been bullied into submission by China.
This lack of options after 60 years embodies the laziness and complacency that defines the Tibetan leadership. No other refugee community in the world has received as much benefits and consistent financial support as the Tibetans, not the refugee community in the Darfur, not the Rohingyas in Burma, and not the Nepali community suffering statelessness in Bhutan. Europe consistently rejects Syrians, and Australia runs controversial detention centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru for asylum seekers. But Tibetans are always welcome; wherever they are in the world, the Tibetans are always warmly received with open arms and masses of sympathy and financial assistance. Shockingly however, no other refugee community has received so much aid and accomplished so little despite all of this help.
What is the difference between the suffering refugee communities elsewhere in the world, and suffering Tibetans if not the fact the Tibetans have the charismatic Dalai Lama? Darfur, Rohingyas, stateless ethnic Nepalis all lack this singular figurehead that the world can identify with their cause.
It is always the Dalai Lama meeting various world leaders that generates the headlines, and never Samdhong Rinpoche or Lobsang Sangay meeting with them as an equal. Seen here is His Holiness meeting with (top row) former US President George W. Bush and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela, and (bottom row) Archibishop Desmond Tutu and former US President Bill Clinton.
And that is precisely what should frighten the CTA the most. They should contemplate on whose name fills the headlines and, as a result, their wallets. When the Dalai Lama travels and meets with foreign dignitaries, it is almost to be expected that these meetings with lead to some kind of headlines and news coverage, and (usually empty) promises of political assistance. After 60 years and a succession of leaders from Samdhong Rinpoche to, more recently, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, no other personality or office bearer in the Tibetan leadership generates as much headlines as the Dalai Lama. Even in India, the headquarters of the Tibetan diaspora, news headlines are focused on the Dalai Lama and not on the appointed leader of the Tibetan community, the Tibetan Prime Minister Sikyong Lobsang Sangay.
How many people outside of the Tibetan community would really know who these two gentlemen are? If the names and faces of these two leaders are not as universally familiar as the Dalai Lama’s, something has gone very wrong in the Tibetan leadership’s efforts to safeguard the future of their people.
This is a clear sign that globally, the international community is not interested in Samdhong Rinpoche, Lobsang Sangay or anyone else. Despite Lobsang Sangay’s extensive international tour schedule, these appointed leaders are seen merely as emissaries of the Dalai Lama and in fact, independently of the Dalai Lama, no government really cares or has a sustained, proactive interest in the Tibetan community or plight. This is something that the Tibetan leadership, and especially Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, need to seriously reflect on. Obviously they are lacking in something that causes the world to fall in love with the Dalai Lama and not with them, and when the Dalai Lama is no longer with us, there will be no one left to lead the charge for the Tibetan leadership to generate awareness of the so-called Tibetan cause.
The Tibetan leadership also needs to consider if world leaders actually interested in the Dalai Lama as a person, as a spiritual mentor or as a political chess piece to be manipulated in power games against China. By over-relying on His Holiness as the face of their movement and struggle, and by exploiting his godlike status to suppress their enemies, the Tibetan leadership have turned His Holiness into a parody of his real role as a spiritual guide for millions of Tibetans.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama walks out the back door of the White House in Washington, after meeting with former US President Barack Obama. Is the international community’s respect for the Dalai Lama actually based on his true role as a spiritual mentor, or as a political chess piece to be manipulated against China? Is this really how you show genuine respect to someone, by showing them out the back door? There are doubts that someone like Nelson Mandela would receive the same treatment.
No one is more acutely aware of this than those who are marginalized, suppressed and ostracized by the Tibetan leadership. Tibetan Dorje Shugden practitioners, for example, would love to be reunited with the Dalai Lama and receive teachings from him, and be assimilated back into the rest of the Tibetan community. Many of them would love to view the Dalai Lama as what he really is – the historical spiritual guide for their community – but they are forced to stay away by a leadership who has made it a point to actively discriminate against them for the last 20 years. And so Dorje Shugden devotees remain torn – continue to respect the Dalai Lama as they have done for centuries, or relate to him as the spiritual leader who has imposed this ban against their religion and faith. Meanwhile, the Tibetan leadership stands by and watches silently, content to exercise their prejudice by violently imposing the ban whilst simultaneously doing little to repatriate the Dalai Lama’s reputation in the eyes of those who hold him responsible for this discrimination against them. Hence, in all levels and in all aspects, the Tibetan leadership abuses the Dalai Lama, using him to raise money and using him to justify their abuse and agenda-driven discrimination of their enemies.
At a time when the Tibetan community is so deeply divided over so many issues, and the leadership continues to lumber on in their abuse of the Dalai Lama’s name, the so-called Tibetan dream and everything that the exiled community hopes for seems to be moving further and further away than ever.
English
Indonesia
Tibetan
Ngawang Tsering
July 17, 2017
“For the love of Buddha!”
“For the love of God!”
Rallying cries of support
While fires to burn the bodies of innocents
Yet round are our leaders
And fat are their wallets
Dazed in the dollar stupor
Of injis trekking through Dhasa
Dhasa! For the perfect selfie for inner salvation?
Hashtag blessed.
The mountains call my name
Tibet grieves for her children
And China swallows us whole.
Ashok Rao
July 17, 2017
It is really saddening to see the CTA use the Dalai Lama like this. Not even from the point of view of him being a learned and practiced spiritual master, but simply from the point of view of his age. Can you image, leading your people for most of your live, out of your country, re-establishing your community in India with all that entails, and have to do all the politicking because the rest of the government is inadequate?
Even though people could see it as the government being inadequate, it’s quite obvious from their actions and the evidence piling up by the day that they are really using the Dalai Lama. The CTA really are abusers, they do everything to line their pockets, from using an elderly spiritual master to suppressing those who question what they do or that don’t think the same way as they do. Is this really a democracy or some sort of real-life circus act?
tenzinsangay
July 18, 2017
Hey solary or whatever your real name is. You have used the story again and again. I don’t know what is your problem. But, the way you are writing all these long sentences proves one thing that your mind is confused and it’s out of box. You have learned nothing from your dharma. Do you think people who are reading your words here will believe it to 100%? The hatred, anger and dishonesty in your writing will cause no one but your own innocent ignorance mind and those who blindly believes it. Your writing has been potentially proving that how Dalai Lama and his works are inspiring and spreading stronger and stronger. How CTA who was not even known to world before 60 years works from ground zero to the perfection of height, who has now the capacity to inspire world leaders and challenge China’s government which no other nation even dare. So, the point is you are a follower of Dolgayl, spirit worshiper. And you are assigned to spread lies and criticize Dalai Lama and CTA through your writing. People know that although Dalai Lama advise to stop this worship, but he always mentioned that everyone is free to choose any thing. Yes, anything.
But, dolgyal worshiper accepts money from china. It is now not a religious matter. You always have the right and freedom to worship but you choose to worship the money. You have used religion to create hatred and disunite among all the peoples even among worshipers. So, the thing is even if you keep writing these hatred story again and again, but deep inside you one day you will feel that you have gone very far from the truth.
Kedrub
July 18, 2017
@tenzinsangay,
You wrote such a long comment, but what are you talking about? No one knows what you are talking about.
Kedrub
July 18, 2017
@tenzinsangay,
I don’t believe in Dhogyal. But I am a young Tibetan living in Canada and many of us do not believe in Dalai Lama’s policy and we do not trust the CTA. We love our country and people but why am I in Canada? Because CTA failed. If we express why we don’t agree with Dalai Lama than all you fanatics will jump up and down and be angry. You should think about what you are talking about. TIBET IS NOT FREE AND WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?
Celine
July 18, 2017
@tenzinsangay
Not bad. Your government can lie to you, steal your money, have two passports (while ordinary people like you only got one), murder Tibetans, turn you into beggars, trick you into pretending they are a democracy, kick your children out from schools, make you rely on foreign governments for money, turn your politics into a one-party system, destroy the reputation of your big thinkers…but you STILL defend them. The article is DEFENDING the Dalai Lama and how he has been abused by the Parliament but people like you still defend these crooks. Soooo…are you saying it is OK for the Parliament to abuse the Dalai Lama? Wah lau what kind of student are you? Is this what YOU learned from YOUR Dharma, to protect the people who abuse your spiritual guru?
Some more, the point about Dorje Shugden itself is very small but you cannot see past it. Immediatley have to jump onto Dolgyal. That’s why I said not bad, they did a great job of brainwashing you, gambate!
By the way, Dalai Lama also accepts money from China. So is he a traitor now?
Ada Imani
July 18, 2017
I see parallels with Nelson Mandela’s South Africa which saw him being enthroned as a human rights champion fir decades. But his countrymen and specifically his politicians have let him down.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/the-anc-is-mandelas-legacy-now-his-granddaughter-has-renounced-south-africas-ruling-party/2017/04/29/17663916-23ae-11e7-928e-3624539060e8_story.html
Ngawang Tsering
July 18, 2017
An Ode to Sangay
Blind is the frog trapped in the well
While the eagle takes to the skies
Canada, England, France, Swiss, Ari
He leaves from Dhasa, Buxa, Suja, Chautra
But never Lhasa.
Awake is the frog who leaves the well
To taste waters at a different shore.
Freedom is sweet.
Harmony is sweeter.
Truth is the ultimate nectar.
Will I see you in Lhasa next New Year?
*****
Sangayla, open your eyes and be brave to face the truth. Our government is not perfect but if we always hide behind Dolgyal to make the excuses for them, it will never be. Don’t you think our people deserve better?
Bhod gyalo!
UK Tibetan youth
July 19, 2017
This is the only website existing today that actually exposes the corruption of the CTA and their human rights abuses. While they parade around in the west looking all like poor refugees and downtrodden, actually they abuse their own people within India. Any publications or media that criticizes them, they will intimidate and shut down like Jamyang Norbu’s works in Dharamsala. No one else dares to speak up for there will be repercussions to them or their families back in India. This is the dark side of CTA aka Tibetan leadership few know about. But we Tibetans who have immigrated out of India know this and therefore we have left. My parents speak about the corruption that is rife in Dharamsala and that is why they took us to UK when we were very young. We will never move back to Tibet and have no interest in living in Tibet because we are so disconnected to Tibet.
tenzinsangay
July 20, 2017
@ kedrub
You are a young man with troubled mind. At least i am glad that you have that Tibetan spirit. Ask your mom and dad how they manage to come in canada? And also ask why their parents have to fled from Tibet? You will then get your answers. It is not about what Dalai lama and CTA has done for you. It is all about what you have done for your country. Then the rage in your mind will rest in peace.
tenzinsangay
July 20, 2017
@ celine
Dear there, don’t ever ask me what His holiness and my government has done for me. I feel pity when you poke your nose in not well known indifferent subject or you don’t even care. Why you are so excited and at the same time cruel to us who already have no country to call ours. We have been facing challenges and we are doing what we can. We don’t need your extra advice which is of no use. Or you may have better idea or the ability to do something for us? Then you are welcome because we already had gone through a lot. Spare your time and energy for your own people and country.
tenzinsangay
July 20, 2017
@ Ngawang Tsering
We both know that we are not chatting in some fancy separate chat zone or any news channel. This website carries name of shugden but they always release fault news about dalai lama and CTA. Its like now they are addicted to it. Dolgyal religion itself was never a threat for Tibetan government. Even His holiness has been practicing it until 19s. It’s just the issue of whether you follow it or not. HH advises all not to worship him but at the same time given freedom of choices. But nowadays, You will never find a true shugden practitioner. Those who admit it have used it for their own interest. China has used it like they have been doing every possible means to damage Tibetan Buddhism and create disunity among Tibetans. So, let me ask all the shugden followers that did they ever wrote a single line on how china is destroying our religion and culture? Did you ever held Tibet flag for once to stand against china? No. That is why even some shugden practitioners are now disappointed and don’t know what they are doing. If you are Tibetan and if you are a genuine shugden follower, then you are also a part of Tibet and it cause to save Tibetan Buddhism. That means you have the same responsibility as every other Tibetan whether you follow buddhism, Bon, Islam or even Christianity. Dalai Lama has given a choices to shugden which is internal religious matter. But China and western narrow minded people have made it always controversial resulting in unexpected huge damage within itself. This clearly shows that the shugden follower has lose their vision of saving their own dharma..
Lobsang-ByLakuppe
July 20, 2017
@tenzinsangay.
We need a platform to speak out about all the problems within the Tibetan communities and about CTA.
In any Tibetan ‘official’ media/paper in Dhasa, if you speak negative or negative about CTA or parliament, they will threaten you and close you down. That’s what happened to Jamyang Norbu. I don’t agree with Dorje Shugden and I don’t practice, but I think people should be allowed to practice-FULL STOP. This website speaks against the repression of Shugden people and defy Dhasa and that is democracy.
There are many policies I don’t agree with in Dhasa for sure. We need a place to speak and talk without fear. Or even we speak anonymously, it will be published as the Tibetan medias will dare not publish for fear of CTA. I hope this website here http://www.dorjeshugden.com can provide a separate platform where many Tibetan youths around the world can connect and their foreign supporters can speak openly and without fear and without much moderation on various Tibetan issues plaguing the Tibetan communities.
Lobsang-ByLakuppe
July 20, 2017
We need a platform to speak out about all the problems within the Tibetan communities and about CTA.
In any Tibetan ‘official’ media/paper in Dhasa, if you speak negative or negative about CTA or parliament, they will threaten you and close you down. That’s what happened to Jamyang Norbu. I don’t agree with Dorje Shugden and I don’t practice, but I think people should be allowed to practice-FULL STOP. This website speaks against the repression of Shugden people and defy Dhasa and that is democracy.
There are many policies I don’t agree with in Dhasa for sure. We need a place to speak and talk without fear. Or even we speak anonymously, it will be published as the Tibetan medias will dare not publish for fear of CTA. I hope this website here http://www.dorjeshugden.com can provide a separate platform where many Tibetan youths around the world can connect and their foreign supporters can speak openly and without fear and without much moderation on various Tibetan issues plaguing the Tibetan communities.
Dawa Namdak
July 20, 2017
@tenzinsangay
I think what you say is important. As Tibetans we should be able to talk more about this and other issues more openly. That’s why i contacted dorjeshugden.com and asked them to give another section or platform where we can talk about any issue surrounding the Tibetan community, not just Dorje Shugden issue.
They replied that they can do this but to give them some time to get it done. Then we will have a properly place to talk about any Tibetan issues. This way we have a proper place to talk and discuss about our community and be able to share what we really think.
Tashi Pema
July 20, 2017
@Dawa Namdak @tenzinsangay
Yes we should speak and speak the truth. It is TIME the world sees and hears the truth. I believe this is a good place to start. At least they will not censor your comments.
Our so called government is not democratic… if they truly are, we will not be in this mess. We were all once one big family, but no they have tear us all apart and while we continue to suffer, they enjoy all the perks and all the western money coming in for their own pockets. where have you see lives of Tibetan in exile improve? What is the result, where are we at now? Shameful to use even the deities as excuse for their failure. Really sad and shameful.
Tashi Tsering
July 20, 2017
@tenzinsangay
Is good to see your comment here on this article because there were not many other Tibetans who comment here. It’s because of you I am writing here for the first time. With the passport problem and many other including dolgyal, I hope there will be more Tibetan people speaking their mind so problems gets solved.
Ashok Rao
July 20, 2017
@Tashi Pema @Dawa Namdak @tenzinsangay
While I am not a Tibetan but an Indian, I do have very close connections to the Tibetan community here in India. What i find interesting is that even though living in a democratic country like India, Tibetans don’t really seem to have place to discuss various issues that they really want to talk about. If and when this platform is up it will be a good place for this to happen.
While most of you will know that i don’t think very highly of the Tibetan government, because of how they have treated some of those most close to me, I don’t consider myself above discussing various issues. I get to share my views, so why can’t others? It is one of the benefits of living in a democratic country, and also of the Internet. There should definitely be a place where Tibetans can talk openly about the issues they consider important.
Elibuchen
July 22, 2017
One does not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out, that CTA have used Dalai Lama’s name one too many times, and they have no results to show for. CTA has squandered much money from Western Governments, and also without nothing to show for.
It does not make sense to compare the Dalai Lama with the Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela had much forgiveness in his repertoire towards his oppressors and also moral highground on his side. For Dalai Lama’s to have banned the Dorje Shugden practice, it really means the Dalai Lama created discrimination against his own people. So he has lost quite some initiative because of that action.
Pemba
July 22, 2017
In the 1970s and 1980s, HH Dalai Lama has His flare, and everyone flock to Him for spiritual reasons. It was the time of Buddhism into the western world, and we really appreciate what HH Dalai Lama had done. Faster forward to 20 years, and HH Dalai Lama has lost His flare, and HH Dalai Lama is now being downgraded to be a pawn to negotiate with China.
How long can HHDL live? He is already 80+ years old, how many more years can CTA abuse HHDL? What will happen to the poor Tibetans after HHDL pass into clear light?
It is such a pity HHDL is abused into getting money for the corrupted CTA, and the money is hardly used to benefit the Tibetans in exile. Should HHDL stop all these monkey business?
christine victor
July 23, 2017
Since the CTA have a Sikyong, I thought that H.H Dalai Lama could retired and be a spiritual guide as H.H should be. Instead, I come across news on H.H Dalai Lama visiting this and that particular country and every time H.H’s visit will be accompanied by different embarrassing moment. Such as, the experiences that H.H have to walk the back door of The White House. It is very heart sick to even read about an old person being treated this way, not to mentioned that H.H Dalai Lama is a symbolic of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Refugees’ leaders have surely put Tibetan Buddhism down.
As a graduate that graduated from famous world University, Mr. Lobsang as a sikyong should lead Tibetans into more modern and democratic path. At least, part of it, is the financial of refugees communities would be alright and not continue to beg for donation using the Tibetan cause. But, instead, I read He is only capable in carrying His image as a head of Beggar and continue with thick face to beg for fund which the fund do not seem to improved the living condition of Tibetans’ refugees in Dharamsala.
I agreed strongly with the writers on how long could Mr. Sikyong milk the countries for more fund especially when the world economic issues set in, and, China seem to be the country that can improve the poverty in the country? How many country would not be protecting their own people ? How many country would want to risk their country in making war and no peace with other country just because of small group of refugees?
The most important issues that rise here. How long can the CTA and Sikyong abuse H.H Dalai Lama more?
Hope the leaders saw what is coming to them soon. Start unite their people and not use religion to separate their people.
Joo Won
July 23, 2017
On why Tibetan leadership not showing any significant result in getting Tibetans back to Tibet through talks or negotiations with Beijing; or any campaigns to push Beijing; after reading this opinion piece, I have the thought that, for CTA it would be better for them remain status quo – as a government in exile. Why? Because such a government is in “pity” situation and status to earn their money to support their people, on a foreign land in India.
Thus, CTA do not need to worry to much the criticism, if they are not able to take good care about Tibetans’ welfare in India. No need for them to take up the responsibilities and burden of financial, foreign policy, apart from welfare of the citizen. Most importantly, they can keep enjoying low levels of financial transparency and accountability. On one hand milking money from all over the world who concern about human rights issue and who do not feel comfortable with the rise of China as world power.
In this process, unfortunately, HH Dalai Lama has turned into a goose that laid golden eggs for Tibetan leaders – as a label of human rights issue of Tibet cause, as a name to bully/against whoever dare to say NO to them – including Dorje Shugden practitioners and all others dissidents like Jamming Norbu.
Camillia
July 25, 2017
This article plainly points out how Tibetan in general and CTA in particular abuse and use their Spiritual Leader, the Dalai Lama. Different people may react to this article differently, but the facts remain:
1. Nothing had been accomplished for the Tibetan in Exile community for the last 60 years.
2. The world leader only recognizes Dalai Lama, not the CTA. And this recognition is dwindling by the day because fearful of Beijing.
3. Dalai Lama is very elderly now. And the CTA is not capable as we can see from the result they are delivering today.
With the three viewpoints of past, present, and future, it is obvious that there is much work to be done by the people for the people to be truly free. Relying on CTA is like digging own grave. Their loyalty is not with the Dalai Lama because they do not even defend Dalai Lama’s dignity and reputation. This group of middle-man called the CTA should be replaced to restore the good name of Dalai Lama. New leadership is desperately needed to represent the people and safeguard their welfare properly.
Tenzin K
July 25, 2017
After 60 years CTA has failed big time to convince the world to take care their Tibetan welfare. After so long the CTA still has to rely on HH the Dalai Lama big name which by right they should work like a real leader to manage and bring Tibetan to another level with positive progress. It’s sad to see how the exile instead of moving fwd but instead getting to a situation where their own people are losing hope on them. No positive result shown to their supporters and only more and more negative action from CTA revealed such as discriminate and harming their people belief on Dorje Shugden practice, being not transparent with their fund, stoping potential people to contributed in the development on exile and many more.
How long more CTA can use the sympathy card to get support from the world? This method can no longer work after so many years. Other country leaders will definitely feel being chaat and feed up with this. How long more the CTA keep wanting to jeopardise HH the Dalai Lama name and fame? The World are not stupid and are watching…..
Dondrup Shugden
July 25, 2017
The 14th Dalai Lama is charismatic and charming always giving powerful teachings and speeches for people to be good and be good Buddhists. He has travelled the world and gave audiences to world leaders and spoke at gatherings of great thinkers and movers and shakers of the world. Including presidents of the United States of America? How come than throughout the 60 years in exile, it was not possible for Him to speak to the President of China to have some level of talk and negotiations for the Tibetan cause.
How could the Dalai Lama with all his wisdom is unable to steer the CTA to politically settle the Tibetan cause with China? China is growing stronger as a world power whereas with the mismanagement of CTA, the Dalai Lama’s prestige is diminishing. This is indeed sad as the Dalai Lama had worked very hard for the last 60 years. And he is already 82 years old.
There are too many questions that cannot be answered but yet logically is pretty simple. If the results are not what is expected, had efforts been enough by the CTA?
It is very saddening to see the photo of the Dalai Lama leaving the White House via the back door amongst the garbage.
In conclusion, I completely agree with Solaray Kusco that Dharamsala under the government of CTA and Sikong Lobsang Sangay are abusing the Dalai Lama for the millions of US dollars to benefit themselves. What a shame.
Please Dalai Lama stop the abuse of power by CTA and most of all reunite the Tibetan people and give religious freedom to all for the worship of Dorje Shugden.
bambi
July 25, 2017
How many years can one hide the truth? After 60 years of milking people for donations, what is being done? Shame on you, CTA for using HHDL for your selfish needs and gains. Not only does the CTA abuse the funds donated but also the trust of the Tibetans. Why? Because instead of leading their people towards a better future, they are deceived with lies. Keep feeding them hopes of a free Tibet, poisoning people’s mind with Dorje Shugden’s ban and keep ticking off China. More countries are now refusing to let HHDL visit their country because they don’t want to ‘upset’ China, but obviously CTA is doing a very good job at upsetting China. The clock is ticking, better think quick on how to help the Tibetans that are still in India before its too late.
Dear Tibetans, I am very happy that your people are starting to speak up. People should have open discussion and not jump to decisions before analysing and without proof. How to learn and grow if one keeps shutting out the facts presented. What did CTA do for the Tibetans in India so far? After 60 years, what is the progress like? What is going to happen after the 100 years is up?
Belinda Mae
July 25, 2017
I really pity H.H the 14th Dalai Lama because the CTA are mis-using Dalai Lama’s name for their own benefits and not the Tibetan people in exiled. The CTA are treating Dalai Lama like a puppet. The CTA better wake up and do something themselves with their own capabilities and capacity. Dalai Lama’s name will not be here forever for them to use. Better to play safe than to be sorry later. Nobody cares who is their current Prime Minister because people from around the world knows and pays respect Dalai Lama
vajra-NMD
July 25, 2017
I wanted to highlight on this part ( in this article ) :
Give the 82-year-old monk a break. Where most people would be happily retired by this age, going off to do retreats and deeper meditational practices, the Tibetan leadership continue to cruelly parade the Dalai Lama around the world to drum up support for their ’cause’. In their laziness and selfishness, the Tibetan leadership have turned His Holiness the Dalai Lama into a punchline, forcing him to kowtow to Western powers for money and awareness of the so-called Tibetan cause.
Just want to add-on : CTA please give HHDL a break and let him lift the ban of Dorje Shugden. Thank You CTA.
samayakeeper
July 25, 2017
The CTA will use anyone to realise their objectives, and their objectives are to gain power and to get money. Money not for the Tibetan people but for their own coffers. And they have big coffers. They have done nothing significant for their people despite receiving monetary aids from other countries. Their promise to Tibetans of working towards returning to their homeland was just empty talk. They just want to milk as much as they can through sympathy from other governments while the Dalai Lama is still around.
Addan Rigg
July 25, 2017
This is so spot on:
After 60 years and a succession of leaders from Samdhong Rinpoche to, more recently, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, no other personality or office bearer in the Tibetan leadership generates as much headlines as the Dalai Lama.
After so many years Dalai Lama has resigned from this political position, but sadly to say that, till today, CTA is still bringing up his name to threaten the Tibetans, to split family apart, CTA has been using Dalai Lama’s name to cover their lack of effort, lack of care towards the citizen, and their desire to gain fame, power and money. Well, after 60 years, what has CTA achieved? That is digging more and more money from various countries who has supported them. Dalai Lama’s name has been used by them to the extend where till today, so many countries has banned Dalai Lama from entering their country, what for?
Why can’t CTA just realize their action is so harmful and Dalai Lama has spent so much effort and time to reach where he is today, but they are destroying it, they are destroying Dalai Lama’s effort for the past so many lifetimes. CTA should stop and start working towards the welfare of their citizen before it’s too late.
Richard LakTam
July 25, 2017
Agree 100%. What had CTA done? And, who is Lobsang Sangay? Most of the people know Dalai Lama more than Lobsang Sangay. 60 years, a so called “government”, so called leadership, used up 60 years, and still people don’t often hear about Samdhong Rinpoche and Lobsang Sangay, but always hear the name Dalai Lama. Is Dalai Lama the “Prime Minister”? Is Dalai Lama going to run the show? No! So, CTA, anyway, I think is too late now, the whole world starting not to believe in your old miserable, tragic, sympathy story anymore. Continue using The Dalai Lama’s name is not going to work anymore. Coz the whole world started to ban him! Poor Dalai Lama. Might as well give him a break and let him concentrate in his meditation, retreat, and Dorje Shugden issue. And, ya, please let H.H Dalai Lama lift Dorje Shugden ban.
Pema
July 25, 2017
It seems that there is no retirement plan for HH. The Dalai Lama has been advocating Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetan Cause so much throughout the world but yet, the CTA still requires him to run all over as he is so much respected and listened to.
Sad to say that there is no one with such influence in the whole Central Tibetan Administration. The CTA should not exploit the Dalai Lama as he has done so much for them.
Geraldine Sarie
July 25, 2017
There is a question that I need to ask CTA. Do u CTA people have parents? Would you ever urge your parents to seek funds for you to feed up yourself? It’s so sad to see highly attained monk HHDL need to run all errands for them. I’m wondering how would, CTA be compassionate where they treated their spiritual leader the SAME like others. So selfish!!
Vajra10
July 25, 2017
H.H Dalai Lama has been working so hard for people and share the teachings of Buddha but sadly it has ruined by the CTA who are the closest members to him. I can’t imagine how heavy are the shoulders of H.H Dalai Lama, so much burdens created by the CTA.
May he get over all the obstacles and continue to share Dharma to all around the world.
Wisdommind
July 25, 2017
With the exile gorvornment like CTA, no wonder at the pass His Holiness has to non stop traveling at the pass to giving teaching and seek for help and support from the foreign countries. Through Holiness teaching about compasdion to people and many people get benefit but what CTA doing is totally opposite way to treat tibet refugee in exile. Why can’t CTA gain their tibetan support and respect like Holiness gain his resputation welcome and respect in the world. It seen not happeninh in this generation.
Dadak
July 28, 2017
When Dalai Lama was our king for many years there was no problem in the Tibetan community at the beginning . Then when we are becoming more democracy and Samdong Lama and Sikyongla is coming to power, then all the problems are starting . As long as our leaders do not cherish and respect to the Dalai Lama, we will see problem after problem . I read before on your website one post about Dalai Lama disappointed to our leaders and this I believe is true .
All our problems are starting because one side leaders are saying democratic but other side they are not act like democratic . So it is like lying to our people .
May Mal
July 29, 2017
It is all about greed…!! The moment you bend religion with politic this is the outcome! CTA is nothing but a crooked dirty political entity..!!
supermom
July 29, 2017
Dharamsala abuses the Dalai Lama
I sympathize the Tibetan leaders where they are still indulging in the anti DS campaign. I really puzzled how can a leader focus in this instead of modernizing and developing their country and community, to improve their citizen’s life, welfare, education and etc.
The HH 14th Dalai Lama has already made a comment that by practicing DS is not wrong. However, the CTA still insisted on the ban of DS . The Tibetan leadership have abused the Dalai Lama for the last 60 years, by forcing him to work hard for Tibet while the leadership and people sit and do nothing. The leadership have taught their community to push the entire burden of the Tibetan people’s expectations onto the Dalai Lama’s shoulder. This is really uncalled for. More and more leaders from overseas have decided to stop the support rendered to the Tibetan Community and some leaders have even stopped seeing HH 14 Dalai Lama. It shows that the leaders of the other countries are also disagreed with their current leadership in Tibet.
I hope the CTA will wake up from this mess soon and free Dalai Lama from burdening with all this political issues soon.
Tara
September 9, 2017
This article rings the truth in so many levels. 60 years has passed and yet nothing has been accomplished for the welfare of Tibetans but all the donations and sponsorship have been making their way into the deep pockets of those cronies ‘working under the Tibetan cause’ and the Dalai Lama is made to dance around the globe on the tune of compassion. At their best these cronies only did well in ostracising Dorje Shugden practitioners as ‘evil spirit worshippers’ and made them pariah. They are nothing else but a bunch of legalised ‘dirty crooks’. Anyway time is running out for these abusers.
Pema Norbu
September 15, 2017
There is a clear video of His Holiness the Dalai Lama asking the monasteries to expel monks that practice Dorje Shugden. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgYWidYw3U
Lovett
September 24, 2017
I think the Dorje Shugden ban hurts all Tibetans especially for the antiShugden ppl because it makes them look bad and especially in the Tibetan CTA who relies on Western sponsorship in order to survive. For CTA to survive in the future, it has to drop the DS ban!
Qing
September 26, 2017
With China growing economic clout is sure to foil any Rangzen independence movement and Middleway Umaylam self autonomy rhetoric. Why would China have dialogue with TIbetan CTA when they treat their own fellow Tibetans Shugden people like this. Time to rethink the Dorje Shugden ban!
sierra
September 29, 2017
Well argued. Truly, if not for the Dalai Lama and all those high lamas promoting the Dalai lama to the west, where would the Tibetan refugees be? Even though he has officially stepped down from political office, he is still the face of Tibet and not one person has been able to step into those shoes.
Creating these division and dissension is the only way for the CTA to stay in the limelight and control.
If only they had the mantle to head and lead the Tibetans, and to put the people first with creating all these controversies, imagine where that can take them!! If they can show that they are ready to be REAL leaders, then Tibet may have a chance.
Tsering Gonkatsang
September 30, 2017
Member of Parliament Tenpa Yarphel is a hero. He is speaking up for free speech and freedom of expression. He is exercising his rights, he is standing up for logical democracy which is the only way forward and not having to contact spirits like Nechung via oracles to make decisions that impact people’s lives. But look how people speak about him in the comments, so rude and nasty. It really represents the Dalai Lama badly as they are supporting Dalai Lama beings so rude: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8
They say we need to believe in Nechung and follow what he says. But in 2009 Nechung said the Dalai Lama would go back to Tibet and that everyone would be happy. A monk from Nechung Monastery is the one that told everyone about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8. But Nechung was wrong. It has been eight years and this has not happened. The Dalai Lama did not return to Tibet. Nechung being consulted by Tibetan government in exile is backwards. No governments do this in the civilized world.
When people like Tenpa Yarphel speak up and are real patriots of the Tibetan people, they are attacked by other people. In fact people even protest like this man who shaves his hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA. People like these are actually protesting against Tenpa Yarphel’s democratic rights and freedom of speech. Tibetans by criticizing Tenpa Yarphel shows they are far from democracy. Besides many of the other Kagyu leaders such as Drigung Chetsang Rinpoche, Drukchen Rinpoche, Karmapa Thaye Dorje all did not say anything against Tenpa Yarphel that represents the Kagyus.
Dalai Lama had said that is his minister of cabinet in the government. Even though it is clear that Nechung is unreliable and a spirit, the Dalai Lama continues to rely heavily on Nechung and other oracles who take trance of spirits. He invites Nechung to all his events and allow him to take trance in centre stage always. In fact the Dalai Lama even calls the oracles to his own private bedroom: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x62ocw1.
These practices show how Tibetan government is run.
Lhakpa
October 17, 2017
Chokyong Nechung is wrong! Nechung in this video said that Dalai Lama is going back to China and that was five years ago? What happened? Why are we even listening to him ever again. He always make mistakes. 😱
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
Lobsang Sangay
October 17, 2017
Let’s face it… there is NO REAL FREEDOM of SPEECH for us Tibetans living under the ruling of the CTA and Dalai Lama. The Tibetan communities in India all sufer this fate and we live in lies and deception of a FAKE DEMOCRACY.
Just watch how Tibetans insult and backstab each other and would even dare insult people they do not know, calling them Chinese dogs/Chinese spies is the only thing they can say and the label they give you the moment you dare to speak up. This is done to shut you up and to indicate to other Tibetans to attack you because they make you sound like you are a traitor and this is how they get all to turn against you. This is how the Tibetan CTA deals with people they feel threatened. All because of power and position.
However, there are a few brave Tibetans who basically had enough of their deception and begin to speak up, to tell the truth. A good example is Tenpa Yarphel who bravely stood up and talked about Nechung and the inconsistency and FAILED prophesies… also the ridiculous heavy reliance on him for everything. Where on earth do you ever see any government relying on “mystical Gods” to help them make state decisions? Even if they did, they would not dare tell anyone because this is 2017 not the medieval times. Just watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
Then you have the small-minded, sheep like followers, shaving their hair – like WOW big deal, to protest against Tenpa Yarphel. Lololol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
Jamyang
October 18, 2017
Question to Tibetan exile government, Central Tibetan Administration – CTA: Hey this Geshe Dorje interprets Nechung’s prophecy saying the Dalai Lama will go back to Tibet five years ago, but look, Dalai Lama still cannot go back. Watch… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
Not only that, there is still NO sign of even creating a good relationship for a chance to go back! So we are all stuck and still nowhere near going back to Tibet. So why on earth are we still listening to this spirit Nechung who always makes mistakes and give wrong prophecies? Nechung even killed the 13th Dalai Lama by giving him the wrong medicine. So WHY are we still listening to him for? Why are we Buddhist following what a spirit says? If we can follow Nechung spirit so why condemn Dogyal? This is weird and wrong!
Pema Schneider
October 19, 2017
Lobsang Sangay at Golden Jubilee Celebration of Tibetan Settlement Office, Dharamsala: https://youtu.be/eInTi-E9na8
Losang Sangay said recently (October, 2017) in Dharamsala that Tibetans have two enemies: the outer and inner enemy. The outer enemy is the Chinese government and Dorje Shugden people. The inner enemy is the people who speak against about our Tibetan affairs like regional differences and religious differences. (He didn’t say this directly but he means people like Tenpa Yarphel who spoke up in the Parliament.) He said that out of the two enemies, the worse one is the inner enemy.
Now the Tibetans have started a new Facebook page specifically against Tenpa Yarphel. Tibetans are protesting against him: http://bit.ly/2ysowTH
And there is a video of Tibetans with Tenpa Yarphel’s name on the paper against him and asking him to resign: http://bit.ly/2zAH2af
Matteo
October 19, 2017
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a a dedicated advocate for the principles of democracy. In September this year, Tibetans in India celebrated the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the democratic path in the running of the Tibetan people’s political system. Sadly, it’s all lip service.
Look at the recent incident of MP Tenpa Yarphel speaking up. Tenpa Yarphel has the right to speak and express his opinion, especially because he is a representative of the people, a Member of Parliament. He was criticized for issuing irresponsible statements. Watch this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
What is absurd is that there are even people protesting against his opinion, shaving their hair in protest! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
Tenpa Yarphel was accused of being sectarian, but the reality is that because of Nechung’s advice, Dorje Shugden practitioners were segregated, discriminated and ostracized from the Tibetan community in general all around the world. This MP is perhaps tired of seeing the separation and found the courage to speak up for the unity of the Tibetan people in exile.
luka
October 19, 2017
Nechung oracle is not reliable. Many times his predictions wrong.
He didn’t help when british invaded tibet in 1904. he gave wrong medicine to 13th dalai lama which caused His holiness’s death. he said in the past Tibetans going back to Tibet soon. In 2009, this Geshe Dorje read out what Nechung oracle said. How many years passed, negotiation talk never resume after Lobsang Sangay become Sikyong. That is why now Kagyu Member of Parliament Tenpa Yarphel speaking up about Nechung because so many problems caused.
Why we still believe Nechung? Watch this short video, see how confident this Geshe was explaining, but it never came true:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8