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].
As information of Nepal’s earthquake disaster dominates word news, and nations of the world scramble in support of the beleaguered Himalayan state, the one “nation” that has for over 50 years received countless financial aid, moral support, encouragement and friendship, has remained relatively silent. Ironically it is this “government“ that should have been quick to jump in to help, to show its gratitude after all the assistance it has received, including from Nepal, who for over 50 years, has opened its borders and lands to the Tibetans seeking a new place to settle.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the supposed “government” of the Tibetans in exile issued a simple statement expressing sorrow, offered 20 Lakh (equivalent of less than USD 32,000) towards Nepali rescue and relief efforts, and a promise to pray for Nepal. On the face of it, it would appear that the CTA is doing what it can but in fact this paltry gesture betrays the true character of the exiled Tibetan leadership.
Since their exile in 1959, the Tibetan people have lived as refugees under the patronage and protection of its neighbors, primarily India, Nepal and Bhutan. In this time, for over half a century, they have received monetary aid, and various other forms of resources of all kinds, as well as multi-leveled assistance, that has allowed them to build schools, community centers, hospitals, monasteries, government buildings and other necessary infrastructure. Through the kindness of these foreign friends the Tibetan refugee government has been able to re-establish themselves, and preserve their traditions, and their cultural and national identity. The fact that the Tibetan refugees had these opportunities in India was because Nepal allowed them safe passage into Nepal to begin with, so that the Tibetans may then journey into India. All of this was done at the cost of provoking the ire of China.
Tibetans refugees who arrived in safely India in the 1960s because Nepal opened its borders for these refugees to transit.
This fact needs to be remembered by Tibetans in exile.
These neighboring nations have offered the Tibetan people safe havens, citizenships, protection and guidance. In fact it would be difficult to find another group of refugees who have received so much for over half a century and continue to do so. And yet when Nepal needs help at this time, the CTA’s efforts and participation fall way short considering how much they have received from Nepal. This does really reveal to the world who the CTA is and it begs the question – what has the CTA accomplished with all the funds and resources given to them in the last 56 years, and what systems have they truly developed that allows them to benefit others, instead of continuingly to rely on everyone else? If these questions can be answered, it would also explain why after over five decades, the Tibetan people are still no better off, and in fact some may argue, actually worse off.
The massive earthquake that hit Nepal on the 25th April 2015 has forced many to live on the streets due to subsequent aftershocks and many have lost their homes.
Today, 56 years after the first exodus of Tibetans from their homeland, the Tibetan people in exile are still known as refugees and are identified as victims of an oppressive China. Even today, other than the Dalai Lama, it is rare to hear of Tibetan contributions in the Arts, Science, Technology, Literature, Sports and Commerce. You just don’t hear of Tibetans accomplishing work of global renown and yet these are the people with the same genetic makeup as great beings like the Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas and Karmapas. This is supposed to be the same society that for centuries produced erudite scholars, accomplished teachers, enlightened philosophers and spiritual greats. So it definitely cannot be said that the Tibetan people are somehow genetically inferior.
As a matter of fact, up until recent decades the Tibetan people were well sought after. The Tibetans had one of the earliest recorded histories of medical science, philosophy, metaphysical views and spirituality that the rest of the world found so fascinating. The Tibetan people also had the Dalai Lama who, by virtue of his wide appeal and draw, generated global concern and attention towards the Tibetan plight. And yet by and large, the Tibetans have failed as a community of people. This makes it necessary to question why. Why have the majority of the Tibetans who are under the administration of the CTA, not progressed? And why is it, those few who have managed to make something out of their lives, live outside the influence of their own government?
A Nepalese woman holds the hand of a relative killed in an earthquake at a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal – Sunday April 26 (Source: Associated Press)
Of course, the CTA would like everyone to think that it is because of China that they failed. The truth is that although the China factor is a historical fact, it is also history that should have increasingly less influence on the present lives and standing of the Tibetan people, unless it is in the interest of the CTA to keep it that way. The world is full of communities of people that have been dislodged and disenfranchised and yet managed to find success. The Jews for example, have always been heavily persecuted and were especially heavily oppressed by Hitler’s Germany. Despite historical and near-constant persecution their communities have survived and thrived. The Germans and Japanese were left broken both economically and morally after the Second World War and managed to re-establish themselves as two of the most significant nations in the world today. The Chinese people survived a disastrous Mao era, and although an entire nation of people were driven beyond the poverty line, yet today China has revived itself and is now a trade and manufacturing powerhouse.
A man crying in the rubble of his home. One would think that as a nation that lost its country, the CTA would be more compassionate to those who have lost their homes in Nepal.
Chinese people who left home for distant shores, often with nothing, found success everywhere they landed – the Chinese communities in New York and San Francisco for example, are proof of this. And who can forget the Vietnamese people who were torn apart by an unwanted war and for many years were scattered as refugees around the world? The refugee camps are far behind them now and they have moved on into new lives. Similarly, immigrants from Poland, Italy, Greece and the Middle Eastern countries who settled in foreign lands and advanced their lives. The examples of these refugees and immigrants are proof that the natural tendency of humankind is to improve and progress unless there is a purposeful policy to keep them down. And shockingly, none of these communities received as much aid as the Tibetan people have and for such an extended period of time. It therefore becomes necessary to ask why the Tibetan people have not had the same successful experience?
The worst is not over for Nepal as aftershocks of the earthquake continue. To date, the number that have perished is almost 4,000 people, and still rising.
The answer lies with the one factor that stands in their way which is their own “government”. Fifty years after it was first established, the CTA (then known as the Tibetan-government-in-exile) still produces nothing other than propaganda and rhetoric. They have done nothing for their own people and instead continue to be fully reliant on handouts, aid and sponsorships. It is always questionable how much of these financial aid over the decades actually reached the intended people. Their monks continue to go on world tours to raise funds, their school-going children continue to reach out to Western donors for individual sponsorship, and their administration and social welfare continue to be funded by foreign donors. All the aid the Tibetans are supposed to have received from governments as well as public and private sponsors for decades is definitely not reflected in the conditions of the Tibetan settlements in India and certainly not in the lack of advancement of the exiled Tibetans. If they speak of anything, then it has to be the gross mismanagement of the Tibetan leadership.
The CTA has long been the beneficiary of foreign aid, assistance and friendships. But over half a century of kind assistance have so far not been reciprocated.
The CTA’s sole reason for being in existence is, it seems to keep the Tibetan people and the rest of the world focused on how victimized they are by China. Instead of building government infrastructures and facilities to train and develop Tibetan talents and minds, the leadership has chosen to keep two generations of Tibetan people thinking of themselves as impaired victims. In truth, the Tibetan people are victims, first of a Sino-Tibetan conflict but that was half a century ago. Today, they are victims of their own government’s corrupt policies and self-serving politicians. By keeping everyone looking at an external enemy, the CTA shifts focus away from its own incompetence, lack of direction and corrupt officials like Penpa Tsering.
The CTA today is mired with infighting for power and by leaders who seek only to serve their personal agendas. Instead of creating programs using the large network of Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) centers abroad (that boasts 30,000 members) and ‘Tibet Houses’ in foreign countries to promote Tibetan arts, culture and talents, and to initiate programs that will expose young Tibetans to new ideas and experiences, the CTA directs these powerful satellites to be used as platforms against the CTA’s perceived enemies.
The numbers who perished in the Nepal earthquake continues to rise as world nations scramble to assist. In the meantime the CTA has done little except pay lip service even though over 20,000 Tibetans live in Nepal.
We know this just by looking at the CTA’s preoccupations, which are China and in the last twenty years, Dorje Shugden practitioners whom the CTA unilaterally declared to be enemies of the Tibetan people simply by virtue of a small part of their religious practice. In fact, that is all the CTA has done with its time – create problems for its people and divided them so that they are not of one voice and one body of citizens that can question the government and hold them accountable for a string of failures. It was the CTA that divided the Karma Kagyus by acting outside their authority to result in the sect having two different leaders (Karmapa). It was also the CTA who divided the Gelugpas by unlawfully declaring Dorje Shugden an illegal practice in the eyes of the government. It was the CTA that created confusion amongst the Tibetan people as to the government’s stance regarding the much touted ‘Tibetan Cause’. The result of their botched policies is two generations of Tibetan people left drifting and divided. It is by dividing its own people, by denying them the means to progress, and by keeping them relatively poor and poorly educated, is how the CTA contains the Tibetan people so that they do not rise to question the failures and self-seeking policies of their government. It is how despotic regimes of North Korea and some African nations have treated their own people as well.
The nation and people of Nepal continue to experience grave devastation.
If further proof is needed that the CTA does not care for the welfare of others and not even that of its own people, then it is to be found in this recent lack of genuine concern towards the plight of its neighbor, Nepal. Nepal has without doubt contributed significantly to the exiled Tibetan people and up until today, it is home to over 20,000 Tibetans (a significant percentage of the total number of Tibetans in exile). Even if the CTA has no interest in the well-being of the Nepali people, at the very least it should be concerned about the Tibetan population in Nepal. In response to the Nepal disaster, China sent a 62-person team to assist in search and rescue and 58-strong medical team; Thailand pledged in excess of USD 200,000 and are running ongoing programs to solicit aid; Sweden sent a 76-member team to help; the United Kingdom deployed a team of 90 personnel; Singapore despite being a small nation stepped up to help and sent two planes and a 75-member team, and these are only a portion of what the world nations are doing to help Nepal. Even the Prime Minister of Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan nation that is not known for their economic prowess, is reported to have gone to Nepal personally with a Bhutanese medical team. And the CTA can only manage a paltry sum and cannot even direct a bus-load of strong Tibetan youth to help fellow Tibetans if not all who are affected by the earthquake.
Israel, who has also experienced tragedies in the past, sent a 240-member team comprising of medical, and search and rescue staff to Nepal.
This speak volumes of the CTA’s lack of genuine care and of their gross ineptitude. The sum of USD 32,000 cannot even cover the medical and living expenses and rehabilitation of the 20,000 Tibetans living in Nepal and again, the CTA leaves it to others to do what needs to be done for Tibetans. And this is the CTA that insists on being regarded formally as a legitimate government but refuses to perform responsibilities expected of a real government. In addition, this is the CTA that is seeking the world’s support to govern over 6 million people in Tibet. Who in their right mind would allow a negligent CTA to control 6 million people when they cannot even take care of 20,000 Tibetans in dire need?
A man grieving over the body of his father who lost his life after amongst the thousands in the tragedy.
Perhaps the CTA will say that all these foreign nations that are sending aid have ulterior political motives but that is really not the point. It is childish to think that any government in the world would act without any agenda. Is American presence in the Middle East devoid of any political agenda? Were the historical colonization efforts of the Western powers purely altruistic and not because of power and with intention of procuring markets and labor by force? Whatever the agendas may be, the people in Nepal would still benefit and at this crucial time, it should be what matters first and foremost, especially given how Nepal has helped the Tibetan refugees. The CTA might even argue that Nepal may officially reject their help as it did the Taiwanese offer to help (presumably due to the China factor). But that still does not excuse how the CTA has failed to put forward a decent offer of assistance, let alone make private arrangements for Tibetans to go help their own people. In addition, the CTA has not made any arrangements for the Dalai Lama to make an open appeal for funds from private and public sources to help the Nepali people. The Dalai Lama’s appeal and influence is wide and if the Dalai Lama were to make such calls, funds will easily be raised but it would appear that to the CTA, the Dalai Lama is only to be used for the CTA’s own gains.
Victims of Nepal’s earthquake forced to sleep outdoor, amongst them are fellow Tibetans.
This incident and how the Tibetan people have been robbed of progress for half a century truly shows the CTA to be nothing but a bunch of self-serving officials who have not hesitated to prey on their own people in order for them to persist in the pursuit of their own agendas. For over 50 years, the CTA has insisted that all nations owe them a responsibility, if not duty, to help them regain their country. In doing so, these countries have risked good relationships with a world super-power that they can ill afford to irritate. The CTA is skilled at their portrayal of themselves as victims and they spend much time lecturing the world as to its responsibility to help victims and yet when a neighbor like Nepal needs help urgently, the CTA officials cannot bring themselves to rise above their own selfish agendas and respond sincerely. Not even if such help is due to their own Tibetans. Is it a surprise at all why after all this time, the Tibetan people are still as lost as they were fifty years ago?
In contrast, China has demonstrated clearly that it does look after its friends. The Tibet problem may be a thorn at China’s side but it is one that China can wait out in a way the CTA cannot afford to. If the CTA truly does have the interest of Tibetans (both in exile and within the Tibetan Autonomous Region, TAR) at heart, it would make conciliatory moves towards China. It would also seek the Dalai Lama’s co-operation towards a similar objective. The Tibetans have tried to oppose China for 50 years and have not gained any ground and today China is stronger than ever before. The only move left for the CTA is to befriend China, meet on terms acceptable to China and yet beneficial to all Tibetans. That is the only way that the Dalai Lama can return to Tibet, and the way the Tibetan people may again be united. Economically and socially, the Tibetan people will be better off by being friends with China. Those in exile will have access to proper infrastructure and social network that will help in their advancement. It would also mean that the Tibetans in the TAR would enjoy greater freedom and trust of the Central Government instead of being perceived as a security threat due to their susceptibility to the CTA’s manipulations.
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay (left) and CTA’s Speaker of Parliament, Penpa Tsering (right). What have they done for Tibetans or countries that have supported them loyally over the years.
The CTA should also stop inciting the Tibetans living in Nepal to protest against China. This is perhaps the ultimate show of ingratitude. Nepal agrees to provide safe haven for the Tibetan refugees and in exchange they become the cause of tension and embarrassment for Nepal. The Nepali economy needs China and by protesting against China, the Tibetans hurt the country that has become their home and the people who have been kind to them. It is utterly wrong and shameful for the CTA to keep using friends in this way. Despite having to deal with regular Tibetan protests, the Nepali government has not expelled the Tibetan refugees. This is an act of kindness that deserves to be met with gratitude. The Tibetans are guests of the Nepali people and as guests who are in fact in the minority, they should not create problems for their host that will hurt virtually all the Nepali people. As it is, the Nepali government has had to provide for the Tibetan refugees’ needs and even kowtow to them so that they do not create more problems for Nepal.
Finally, it is time for all Tibetan people to look honestly at their own “government”. For over 50 years, the CTA has done absolutely nothing to develop Tibetan skills and expertise within any secular and professional disciplines. There simply aren’t any Tibetans that can claim to be of world class caliber in any secular pursuits whatsoever. In addition, they cannot claim to have contributed to the growth, development and reputation of Tibetan spirituality. Never has Tibetan Buddhism fallen into such confusion and disarray and looking at how the CTA can simply ban the Dorje Shugden practice and cause such deep rifts amongst its monastic community, it is more accurate to say that Tibetan Buddhism has grown not because of the CTA but in spite of it. The inability of the CTA to adequately respond to the Nepali natural disaster proves conclusively that they have done nothing with all the time, resources and assistance they have received. They cannot even go into Nepal with a basic disaster recovery team to help rescue their own people.
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Joo Won
April 28, 2015
A good article. A must read piece.
CTA likes any other government, when they are attacked by or faced with bigger issues they can’t solve or deal with, they divide them with others issues. It can be exaggerated the outer issues faced by the nation – foreign country as enemy or bullied by a neighboring country & dividing the attention on inner issues such as corruption, abuse of power, national unity and etc by government bodies.
CTA is worse, it is just a “government” without occupying a particular territory, without military force…but would like so much to be regarded as a country, yet the govern body never really plays its role to formulate ay policies to benefit its citizens.
Worse still, to cover its failure, plays up issues including Shugden ban and persecuting people of different faith to cover and divide attention.
Leaving your people in sufferings and discriminating some, and some still believing they will return to their homeland; whereas those in power enjoy their luxury lives, travel the world, corrupt the money… This is shameful.
shugden massive
April 28, 2015
well done , great to use others peoples misery to attack anything Tibetan , long live the PRC and its noble leaders , as we know the world revolves around shugden , shameful indeed ! Long life to tsem , we await orders .
Anonymous
April 28, 2015
What a load of crap. CTA has barely enough money to run its administration and cover the cost of its community projects let alone granting aid at a national level to any country for that matter. Tibetan community is surviving solely due to the CTAs efforts. Our culture and heritage has thrived despite China’s deliberate effort to sinocize everything in Tibet. Tibetans will never be Chinese and they know it. No matter how much buildings they put up or tear down if given a choice Tibetans will choose their own freedom and identity.
John Kelly
April 28, 2015
I am surprised to hear that Anonymous. Everywhere I go, I see one fund raiser or another asking for aid for the Tibetans refugees. What is quite startling is when I started poking around no one quite really tell me how much annually the Tibetans receive from India, the US. Europe and that’s not mention private sponsors. If it is true what you said, then the Tibetan leaders like the Dalai Lama should consider not being so lavish when he travels.
And what “community projects” is the CTA undertaking and where can I find this information?
Shugden CTA
April 28, 2015
@shugden massive, Your comments are one sided. It is you attacking the Shugden people as usual. And yes there is misery all over the world, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work for the lessening of one less misery which is the SHUGDEN ILLEGAL BAN. Long life to Samdhong, we await your further orders of discrimination!
Anonymous FPMT
April 28, 2015
@Anonymous, What is a load of crap? The failings of the CTA for the last 50 years? Why is the CTA poor as you say? Why are they failing? Why is there no famous Tibetan doctor, actor, lawyer, scientist, billionaire, sports personality, tv personality, entrepreneur, biologist? Why? Every other refugee that has immigrated to another country have done well. India has afforded you every freedom and opportunity to grow, be educated and be something. So many of you have been in Europe, America and Canada for decades. Why are you still waiting for handouts? Free items? Donations and sympathy? Move on already. Tibet is a part of China and it will remain that way. You lost your country because of your selfish government and it’s ineptness. Stop asking the world to help Tibetans. The world owes nothing to Tibetans.
American
April 28, 2015
Why does the world have to keep helping Tibetans? Why does Tibetans not help themselves?
Why does Tibetans think the world owes them anything. There are many other dire situations in our world that need real genuine help. Tibet is not suffering. Tibetans are making the sufferings within themselves. I am so sick of hearing about the ‘sufferings’ of Tibetans and how China is bad. Wake up.
Look what’s happening in the USA with racial riots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSAe8yWWfdc and Ferguson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut3xsdkIWhg The minorities in America are not treated equally. That is worse than China. Look in our own backyard.
Tibet lost their country because they are weak, corrupt and cannot keep what they had, so face the truth. Nobody owes nothing to Tibetans. This seems harsh, but it’s the truth. Stop the whining of the Tibetans already!
Anonynous2
April 28, 2015
Anonymous, you are wrong. The Tibetans are surviving solely due to the charity and handouts of the rest of then world. The Tibetan government has done nothing except line their own pockets and tell lies.
You cry poor but your PM Sangay can be given the money to pay off his mortgage and that’s more than US32k. Your Dalai Lama travels first class everywhere he goes and he travels a lot. The Tibetan government has over 100 offices worldwide. Also the Tibetan government is well paid to be a problem for China.
Whether 150,000 Tibetans become chinese nationals or not is of no significance and you still cannot see that. Over 6 million Tibetans already live under Chinese rule. About 30,000 are scattered all over the world namely America and Canada and they couldn’t careless anymore. Most will never return to Tibet.
Frankly I am sick and tired of the whiny Tibetan people with endless list of complaints and being a problem wherever they go. Nepal is an example. Imagine creating problems for the country that has given you refuge. Anyway, I think Tibetans are stupid for being used by their government and Western interests. If you’re going to sell yourself, at least get paid well for it.
Lovett
April 28, 2015
@Anonymous – If you read the article correctly, it is not about money but what CTA has done for the Tibetan people besides segregating its own people with the Shugden ban. Whatever the CTA is getting is due to the work of the Dalai Lama and not CTA. CTA does nothing but collect donations and funding in order to implement the ban and a few small ineffective initiatives that does next to nothing to uplift the Tibetan people. If they are really for the people, there would be no ban and no Shugden hit list on its website and all Tibetans are welcome to their various departments, hospitals, schools, etc.
shugdenmasive
April 29, 2015
@shugden cta how am I attacking shugden , do what you like , all im saying is that it is nauseating to watch somebody use the misery of the Nepalese to attack Tibetans , I mean really ! such crassness and lack of empathy at this time .
Lovett
April 29, 2015
@shugdenmassive – You did not read the article properly. Perhaps, you may want to read it again with an open mind. The article does not attack Tibetans as a people. It poses good questions towards the Tibetan leadership on how it has been operating and the example of sending more financial or manpower aid to Nepal is just an example meant to make a point. I don’t think the author of the article was misusing the misery of Nepal at all. You gotta read the article properly man and with no hard feelings.
Peter Trinley
April 29, 2015
Sometimes there are sentiments of not to reveal the real situation of an organization or a government body like CTA, so to not damage the image and spirit of Tibetans as a whole, especially when we are facing with bigger enemy from outside…
This is wrong somehow. Any corruption or abuse of power within an organization/government would not be fixed or put right by sweeping it under the carpet. If that’s the case, something should be done or corrected long before five decades has passed…
By “attacking” CTA is not equal to attacking Tibetans or Tibet. CTA as a government is not something forever or cannot be replaced, they are elected body by the people, should be accountable to the people, and if they are not fulfilling their responsibilities as a government, then they should step down and replaced by another group of people who could play their roles better.
Dan Bear
April 29, 2015
This article is very important for all Tibetans and those who support the CTA politically and financially to read and think. I have read this article over and over again and it it not meant to attack the Tibetan people or even make light of the Nepal disaster. The Tibetan people have suffered for too long and deserve better.
To me, this article raises a few questions:
1. Why doesn’t the CTA do more for its 20,000 Tibetans living in Nepal? If the CTA cannot help a mere 20,000 Tibetans, how can it manage 6 million?
2. If the CTA is saying that it cannot afford to help Nepal, then what happened to all the donations that run into the millions every year? There are only 120,000 or so Tibetans in the Indian settlements. Surely, they can be cared for better? Everywhere you go you see a Tibetan aid campaign and it is good that they are there but are the funds going to the Tibetan people? And if the CTA really is struggling to make ends meet, then why spend more money persecuting Shugden people and monks?
3. The CTA should show more gratitude to the Nepali people. If the CTA were to make more of an effort, then the Nepali people would treat the Tibetans living there BETTER.
4. How come after 50 years, the CTA cannot even manage to organize a search and relief team instead of depending on personal efforts by private individuals and monks? Where is the Official Governmental response?
The CTA did literally nothing to stop over 130 Tibetans from self immolating until foreign media embarrassed them into saying something. And now, they are doing nothing again. How does this help the ordinary Tibetan people living in Nepal? How does this promote the Tibetan people worldwide?
These are fair questions to ask a government and if the CTA is really a fair and liberal government, it must respond. Why are the Tibetan people not asking their own failed government to pull up their socks and be more effective?
Even as the Nepali people suffer at this time of crisis, the CTA does little to help them. Have not the Nepali people and government been extremely kind to the Tibetan people? China is doing so much and clearly the Nepali people appreciate the Chinese help. What is the CTA doing to show the Nepali people support? The CTA criticise China and yet when there is a genuine opportunity to show their gratitude and ability, they fail! So why get angry at an article that is telling the CTA to do better for their neighbours and also for the Tibetan people?
Ringo Starr
April 30, 2015
The CTA is running a budget of about USD32 million officially this financial year, surely this catastrophe demands some of the millions to be channeled immediately to Nepal, no?
Kelly
April 30, 2015
I think is not right for the CTA to just take never help even his own people who live in Nepal because they are your own people Tibethan if the CTA is practicing Dharma that’s is what they claim then I do not see why they cannot help during this critical moment.
Douglas
May 1, 2015
The Dalai Lama was burnt badly by the Nepalese government a number of years ago. The Dalai Lama had negotiated a deal in the 1960′s where a group of Khampa Guerrillas would stop fighting the Chinese and the Nepalese government would allow them to enter Nepal, lay down their arms and settle as refugees. The Khampa Guerrillas entered Nepal, laid down their arms and were then massacred by the Nepalese army. The Dalai Lama may really want to help but his hands may be tied. Please don’t use a tragedy like this as an excuse to bash him or anyone else.
john swainson
May 1, 2015
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/why-is-nepal-cracking-down-on-tibetan-refugees
American
May 1, 2015
Tibetans are lucky to be in Nepal. They have no rights in Nepal to create trouble for the Nepalese people and govt. If they are in Nepal, they must be loyal to Nepal and not Tibet. If they are loyal to Tibet, then why get a Nepalese citizenship? Why should the Nepalese Govt grant citizienship or R.C. to Tibetans who still fight for Tibetan separatist movements or align themselves to the Dalai Lama. All Tibetans in Nepal can work, trade, eat, have families, travel, go to school and do anything they like. I sponsor Tibetans in Nepal and they have full freedom. This article posted by John Swainson does not share all the facts and very one sided: http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/why-is-nepal-cracking-down-on-tibetan-refugees
For 20,000 Tibetans within Nepal why should Nepal govt jeopardize the welfare of 28 million Nepalese. These Nepalese need the financial help of the Chinese government. Certainly no European or American govts will help. If China helps Nepal and the ‘bargain’ is no separatist activities by Tibetans in Nepal is allowed, what is the big deal? What govt helps another nation without strings attached? Why does does the US and UK spend billions in arms to control, invasions, warfare and ‘assist’ democracy in the Middle East? From the goodness of their hearts? I don’t think so. They have huge oil interest. What America does in the Middle East or anywhere in assistance has personal gains for sure. So what is wrong with China helping Nepal with personal gains.
If you were the Nepalese govt who are strapped with huge economic troubles, who would you pick to help? Your own 28 million Nepalese or 20,000 Tibetan refugees who have no loyalty to the sovereign state of Nepal.
Peter Stamford
May 1, 2015
@Douglas,
The Dalai Lama’s govt has achieved nothing for their refugee people for the last 50 years. They have only promoted their Buddhist religion and nothing else.
Did you ever think the world is tired of supporting the useless Tibetan refugees that contribute nothing to the betterment of mankind? No scientists, no doctors, no lawyers, no great thinkers. Nothing. Zero. They just protest against China and guess what? They are ineffective. Their ridiculous CTA (Central Tibetan Administration) located in Dharamsala’ staff just collect a salary, have useless meetings and achieve nothing. They are no closer to independence, autonomy or self rule for Tibet within China than 50 years ago when they ran away. Now the Dalai Lama is old. He has a short time left on this earth. Once he passes, nothing will be heard from the useless Tibetans again.
I am so sick of donating to them and giving them money for years which I have stopped.
Kris
May 1, 2015
This is a very well written article, with much thoughts and logic reasoning.
It seems to me that, for the past 50 years, CTA always been only taking from others, but have not contributed much to others. Except for HH Dalai Lama, I have not heard anyone who is really outstanding. That leads to one very important question: How did CTA use the money given to them? I feel that CTA is purposely making their people uneducated so that they are easily manipulated, but that is a very hefty price to pay.
Looking at the history, it is not difficult to find that CTA spend a lot of money in suppressing the Dorje Shugden practitioners; and spend a lot of money in educating people about the issues of Dorje Shugden, including printing thousands and thousands of books to demean Dorje Shugden; and spend a lot of money to have campaign against Dorje Shugden practitioners.
If CTA cannot afford to give a lot of financial support to Nepal, why can’t they send the people to help? Or is it because for the past 50 years, they have not been able to produce enough doctors, nurses and emergency rescue team?
I indeed feel very sorry to Tibetans in exile, for they have a government who achieve absolutely no results, and all they succeed in doing, is to put the blame on China and Dorje Shugden.
May be it is time to grow up, own up, and move on?
Mark
May 2, 2015
Why are you asking for donations for your website at the end of the article instead of asking donations for the earthquake victims? Moreover, are you not exploiting the fate of the earthquake victims to make propaganda for your group?
It is fine to point out faults of others but it is not fine to not see your own faults. The Dalai Lama has immediately ask the Dalai Lama fund to give money from the fund to the victims.
You claim the CTA has only taken from others, and what has the CTA done for your with respect to education, the settlements etc? You are not even able to see their kindness towards you.
john swainson
May 2, 2015
I presume that the two posts from ‘American’ are from the same person? If so, my question to you is , if you believe the Tibetans to be as you say in your first post , ‘…. weak, corrupt and cannot keep what they had, so face the truth. Nobody owes nothing to Tibetans’ then why are you sponsoring them?
The situation within Nepal with regard to the Tibetans is, no doubt complex, as you describe, and to establish a ‘truth’ would be nigh on impossible. However, I add one more reference to the debate.
http://www.amnesty.ie/news/nepal-threat-lethal-force-unacceptable-escalation-tibet-protests
Anyway, the current situation in Nepal is more urgent with regard to the earthquake.
Mak
May 2, 2015
@Peter Stamford You seem to be really badly informed.
The CTA and the Tibetans in Exile have achieved quite a lot. The Time Magazine suggested that other refugees in the world learn from their example. The refugees didn’t get sucked in violence, widespread alcohol problems, lack of education as so many other refugee communities did.
The article above and some of the comments (including yours) demonstrate a lot of enmity and one sidedness but they don’t reflect reality or a minimum of integrity which would include to acknowledge the effort and work of the CTA – people who work very hard. Of course there are also self serving people in the CTA (as you find among religious people including Shugden people too) but it is not a bunch of bad people as you portray them – and even if this were the case – then it would just reflect the mentality of Tibetans, because the government won’t be better than its people
So therefore you and essentially the article to not only bash the CTA but all Tibetans 
The Time Magazine / Pico Iyer has a far more accurate view when they write:
“For most of us, for example, exile means disruption and loss. But the Dalai Lama has decided that exile is his reality and therefore should be taken as opportunity. Almost as soon as he left Tibet in 1959, he started to draw up a new democratic constitution for Tibetans, allowing for the possibility of impeaching the Dalai Lama. He threw out much that he regarded as outdated or needlessly ritualistic in the Tibetan system while gradually bringing in reforms so that women are now allowed to study for doctoral degrees and become abbots (which they could not do in old Tibet) and science is part of the monastic curriculum. Tibetan children in exile take their lessons in Tibetan until they are 10 or so—to make sure they are strongly rooted in their own tradition—and then in English ever after (so as to be connected to the modern world).
“This has made the Tibetan exile community one of the success stories among refugee groups in recent decades. But no less important, perhaps, it has offered a possibility to many others on a planet where there are, by some counts, as many as 33 million official and unofficial refugees. By showing how Tibet can exist internally, in spirit and imagination, even if it is barely visible on the map, the Dalai Lama has been suggesting to Palestinians, Kurds and Uighurs that they can maintain a cultural community even if they have lost their territory. Communities can be linked not by common soil so much as by common ground, a common foundation.
http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1724446,00.html
The whole article – as well as this whole website – reflect ill-informed people who enjoy to bash their perceived enemies and exploit topics, taking them out of context, only with the aim to attack their perceived enemies, the CTA/HHDL. What has this to do with Buddhism or science?
Dan Bear
May 2, 2015
Mak, you so confidently quote from Time that the Dalai Lama established a democratic system of government. But the question is, is the CTA even remotely democratic? Please answer the following:
1. Can a democratic government legislate to the effect that a religious practice is tantamount to a crime and its practitioners ‘criminals in history’? And at the same time boast of a “Constitution” that provides for freedom of religion?
2. Can an authentic democratic government legislate without any public referendum to preclude members of a certain religion from participation in government office and the judiciary?
3. Can an authentic democratic government deny Shugden monks and monasteries aid collected worldwide and on the pretence of protecting ALL Tibetan Buddhist traditions?
I would say that the Tibetan people have done pretty well in spite of a very corrupt CTA. And by the way, why are the various Tibet Houses around the world still collecting money to support an ‘Independent’ Tibet when that cause has long since been abandoned?
Curious Nepali
May 2, 2015
@ Mark, you said The Dalai Lama has immediately ask the Dalai Lama fund to give money from the fund to the victims”.
So can I ask if that is done and how much funding has the Dalai Lama Fund provided for Nepali and Tibetan quake victims? Or is that just for show?
Suresh USA Nepali
May 2, 2015
The Dalai Lama can establish a fund for Nepali since so many Tibetans live in Nepal. Also for decades Nepal allow Tibetan refugees to pass through our country to India. Dalai Lama can appeal and ask since he is celebrity. But he does nothing for Nepal. He asks no donations for Nepal. Nepal take care of all his Tibetan people for decades. But he does nothing for Nepal. Very sad.
tenzin
May 2, 2015
First of all this article doesn’t have an author so we can discard it as a rumor bearer!!! It has lost all the credibility!!! It is another piece of rubbish aimed to create disunity among the Tibetans. And i felt regretted to spend my precious time to go through such a shit !!!
Secondly I must remind you !!! Before u point ur finger to others u need to see yourself in the mirror!!! What did you, the Shungden Group, do for these Nepalese and the Tibetans refugees living in disaster? It is easy to accuse others but when it comes on ur turn it is difficult to face the reality !!!
ok i will stop wasting my time with these bunch of idiots who will see nothing else than the chinese money !!!
Ten Zin
May 2, 2015
@ Tenzin,
First of all, what is your full name and ID? If you don’t write your name and make comments then you are hiding.
Whoever wrote the article obviously is a person who has insider information. The article is well written and it bothered you because it’s the truth.
Eveyone loves money. You love money and who cares where the money comes from. CTA members are taking money from Chinese too. Dharamsala and Dalai Lama has taken plenty of money from Chinese in Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. So don’t act so innocent.
CTA is useless and have failed. Full stop!
Rose Altwood
May 3, 2015
Dear Tenzin, I supported the Tibetan cause for 6 years without break and I really wanted the Tibetans to have their freedom. But recently it was brought to my attention that you are raising money for a cause your government has already abandoned. I understand that independence is no longer the goal. That’s too bad but its a state decision. But why keep raising funds under false pretence?
I fee Tenzin, the Tibetans must first help themselves instead of demanding that others must always help them. When I decided to stop my sponsorship and raised the question on my Facebook with no bad intentions, some Tibetans on FB started calling me names and accused me of being a ‘Chinese dog’ amongst other unsavoury names. I was shocked. How is it everyone’s duty to support the Tibetans except themselves and their administration?
Anyway I pray that all the Tibetan people as well as Nepalese are safe. i had no idea there were so many living in Nepal.
Curious Nepali
May 3, 2015
Still no answer to my question. In the meantime, the Chinese people are doing serious work and helping a lot in my country. More than Tibetans.
Ten Zin
May 3, 2015
@Rose Altwood,
You have a very good point. The CTA are still raising funds under false pretext. This is nothing new. CTA is very deceptive. What is interesting is that you may have supported them for years and given money as I have, the minute you question them, they will turn against you. So will their supporters. They will call you vulgar names and accuse you of being with China. They will never thank you for your help in the past.
My question is, what is wrong with being with China? Why do we have to be with Tibetans?
Why does the CTA and Tibetans feel the world owes them everything free and easy on a golden platter?
Sunitta
May 4, 2015
I think we should all come back to the crucial situation of the people suffering from the earthquake in Nepal. It is not the right time to do all this “ego-bashing” exercise. If there are valid reasons and evidence to reassess the effectiveness and effciency of the CTA this should definitely be taken up, in the correct platform. Every government in this world goes through such exercise. It is healthy to do so on a regular basis.
Meanwhile the 20,000 Tibetan people in Nepal must be attended to. To check on their status. To check if they need assistance and support. This is definitely the responsibility of the Tibetan government. So are they doing sufficient ? I have briefly scanned through the CTA’s official website ( http://tibet.net/). The info available in this site has already been mentioned above in this article which was published on 27April. It has been 7days since and there are no new updates on extra assistance from CTA to the Tibetans in Nepal disaster. I really hope they are being attended to quickly, as based on all the news received, the situation is very bad in Nepal. Plus they are expecting more earthquakes on the western part of Nepal; estimated at a magnitude of 8.6 !! (estimation by geophysicist Simon Klemperer of Stamford University ).
Yangla
May 4, 2015
this is a horrible article that only brings around negativity in a time of need for Nepal. If you had real concerns you could have directed them directly to The CTA but instead choose to bash the Tibetan people and indicted others to do so as well. To the author of this article- did your point get made? Did this help Nepal at all? Obviously not. You aim your cruel words about how Tibetans are useless and have done nothing for this world- are you in the Tibetan community? Do you see what’s going on?
To Peter and other hateful commentators – There are plenty of Tibetan doctors,nurses, educators, and philosophers in this world. Just because You don’t know any DOESNT mean they don’t exists! You should be respectful of that and not just spout out whatever you want. Your words have consequences.
To Ms.Rose – thank you for all your contributions in the past and i apologize that you were harassed when you choose to stop (maybe donate to a group that would be happy to answer all your questions 👍) I noticed how everyone puts Tibetan people on this pedestal that we are all peace loving meditating group but we are people. We are humans just like the Chinese, Indians, Africans, Americans and so on and we are all individuals. What one Tibetan does should not reflect upon the many others. We all have flaws and Tibetans as well.
Rose Altwood
May 4, 2015
Dear Yangla,
Thank you for your comment which I felt was sincere. Yes, you are correct that Tibetans are people and are not spared human errors, and frankly I love your history and culture and spirituality. I cannot deny that Tibetans suffered under the Chinese, but I also cannot ignore the fact that many Chinese people suffered under the Mao regime as well. And in suffering, all are the same.
My disappointment is not with the beautiful Tibetan people. Oh no, I still hold the people very dear to me. I am however saddened at how your exiled government has not in my estimation, looked after the people. I happen to know some people who are privy to the amount of funds and aid the Tibetan exiled government have received over the years and I suspect that not a large percentage of that have filtered through to the common Tibetan. And this is what worries and ails me.
A sign of a maturing society is one that is ready to hold themselves and their government to accountable as a way to improve their own livelihood and standing, instead of always having to depend on others and availing itself as a political tool in the process. Perhaps in the early days the Tibetan people did not have a choice but now you do if indeed your government is ready to be a fair and democratic one. If it refuses to be fair and to respect the people’s rights, then how are they different to your old ‘enemies’?
I will take your advice and seek ways to resume my sponsorship and support but through methods that will reach the people directly.
I wish you all the best Yangla.
Sonam la
May 5, 2015
om…
May all those negative influences that harm the teaching of the victorious ones through their perverted aspirations –
Those with form and those without form (Shugden) –
All those who work with malicious intentions,
Be annihilated through the truth of the Three Jewels !
Geshe Sonam
May 5, 2015
Om Ah Hung
May all those who persecute others because of their religion
through their ignorance come to understanding -
May those who take religious freedom away from others realize
the damage they create -
May those who uphold the wrong view of religious discrimination find peace,
truth and happiness -
May the ban against the followers of the supreme World Peace Buddha Dorje Shugden gain freedom from religious persecution!
Om Svasti!
Soga Rinchen
May 23, 2015
Shame on you all the evil spirit, Dogyal followers, the Communise China’s Doggy.
At some point you will heavy price for your evil actions. Not to talk about your next rebirth, that is sure you will in the realm of hell, where you remail countless lives until negative karma is wash away.
Relise and repent on your bad actions. Its still not too late…
Eli Buchen
May 23, 2015
The CTA and the Tibetan unfortunate enough to be directly under the rule of CTA, have been telling the world they need aid and help, are now finally thinking they are truly handicapped. Not only that despite all the aid that is given to CTA what sort of development have they made with regards to their people?
if CTA keeps alienating their friends they only have themselves to blame. The Chinese have gone into Nepal in a big way, the Chinese word is good!
Anonymous
June 15, 2015
ok
Anonymous
June 15, 2015
The Dalai Lama has immediately ask the Dalai Lama
Dorje Pema
June 16, 2015
How can CTA protect 6 million Tibetan people if they can not even protect 30 thousand Tibetans in Nepal. H.H. and Lobsan Sangay you should listen to this: https://www.facebook.com/chokyi.champa/videos/1599619433652281/
Karma Lhundup
June 18, 2015
14th Dalai Lama does not deserve the spiritual leader of the Tibetan. I agree with that CTA is purposely making their people uneducated so that they are easily manipulated. Till now they, Dalai Lama and CTA, are busying raise money not for the Nepal’s Tibetans but for his birthday. Tibetans all over the world are mobilized to celebrate him approaching his birth date every year. It one of the obscurant methods to make his people believe Dalai Lama is aristocracy.
Ngawang
June 19, 2015
Dalai Lama is trying to destroy Shugden faith. He fails tibetan people and westerners. He made everyone to believe he is the pope of Buddhism. He do not care Shugden practitioners’ lives nor the Nepal’s Tibetans’. But CTA, as the elected body by its people, should protect the religious freedom and help Nepal’s Tibetan refugees during this critical moment.
Dharmacrazy
May 17, 2016
Tibetans have been moulded into the victim role by its leadership so well that they believe that this is actually an official social status that they are entitled to remain.
Being victims, the habit of taking is so ingrained in the Tibetan leadership that they think it is the world’s responsibility to help Nepal. They do not think deeper that this is an opportunity to return the kindness of Nepal who has offered Tibetan people a home and a community to befriend. This shallow and very immature attitude reflects on the leadership of Tibet.
Besides the “right” to just take, victims also have the right to be angry at the world for no good reason. Hence, they can self immolate and blame everyone else for this social disaster.
However, there is light as world leaders are no longer deluded by the mysticism and exotic of Tibet as leaders like Dana Rohrabacher and Maura Moynihan demands accountability. Numbers are being checked against the USD 3.6 million annual expenses of the CTA. Besides First Class air tickets and luxury hotel expenses, some parties are looking at where the CTA is directing the funds the global society has kindly donated to the CTA to improve the living conditions of the Tibetans worldwide.
The concern of Tibetan wellbeing is also addressed by the Dalai Lama and the opening of Men-Tze-Khang. His Holiness stated that it is hypocrisy when the leaders organnize an extravagant opening ceremony that only looks good when the hospital is unable to provide sufficient medical services and treatment to the Tibetan public.
I really hope that the CTA will be stopped from abusing the world by playing their victim role. Victims do not discriminate, segregate or ostracize others. Only very powerful dictators do such a thing. And power is not only claimed but also given by people who remain silent as thy witness injustice done upon others.
Camilia
May 17, 2016
Rather fuming to see the Tibetan public in exile no longer has the dignity to survive without having to depend on hands out and donation. After 5 decades of being portrayed as the victim, human capital development is essentially non existence because the CTA cannot show the world how capable Tibetans are when they go around the world showing a poor-me script and asking for money.
This is a case of chronic manipulation of governance and policy to suit the selfish agenda of a few. Please, more people should speak up and expose the ugly actions of the CTA and restore the dignity of Tibetan, by starting with basic humanity and freedom to express and freedom to religion.
Anemone
June 1, 2017
It is very sad to read that despite a superior genetical make-up, the Tibetans in exile remain in a deplorable state almost 6 decades on after the exodus. Comparing to nations who also suffered from war and poverty at around the same time, but have since regained their formal glory by arising from the ashes of failure, like Germany, Japan, China.
Who should be answerable to the backward paddling of Tibetans in exile? Is it China? Or the LEADERSHIP itself? Not forgetting to mention, the CTA (leadership to Tibetans in exile) has been receiving tons of funds and donations from foreign nations to aid in the rebuilding of Tibetans community outside of China.
Today, Tibetans who are scattered in India or Nepal are living in poverty while continuing to be flamed to chase after a bubble. The monasteries suffered from in-fighting because CTA instigated schism towards the Dorje Shugden practitioners. Let’s look at the Tibetans in China, who have progressed economically over the years, enjoying the fruits of the nation (China) as a whole and also the gradual improvement in religious freedom and human rights granted by the Chinese government.
It is evidential that CTA dragged Tibetan people down. And a corrupted and incapable leadership who is NOT fit to lead. Hence, the meager and insincere gesture of aid to Nepal is indeed and not surprising, as it is coming from the CTA who only cares about themselves.
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.