The original news article
TAIPEI, Nov 22, 2012 (AFP) – Taiwan has decided to bar the Dalai Lama from entering the island, triggering an angry response from a women’s organisation that had invited him to a meeting there next month, officials said Thursday.
The Taiwan chapter of the Federation of Business and Professional Women, headed by former vice president Annette Lu, said the move reflected fear of angering China, which sees the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader as a separatist.
“We are angry as the government is obviously worried about China’s reaction. It’s ridiculous that Taiwan has to listen to China and seek its approval before doing anything,” said a spokeswoman for Lu.
The federation said that they had contacted the Dalai Lama directly and that he had agreed to attend their Asia Pacific regional conference in Taipei in December.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry confirmed that they would not allow the visit, but denied China had anything to do with the decision.
“It’s just not a good time,” foreign ministry spokesman Steve Hsia told AFP, declining to elaborate.
China is highly critical of the Dalai Lama, suspecting him of seeking independence for his Himalayan homeland, even though he says he only wants greater autonomy and religious freedom.
The Dalai Lama had voiced a wish to visit Taiwan in 2008, but at that time, too, the island’s government had argued the time was not right.
He did visit Taiwan in 2009 to comfort victims of a deadly typhoon in a trip that was strongly criticised by China and reportedly triggered mass cancellations of mainland tourist groups to the island.
Dalai Lama visits to Taiwan are particularly galling for China, as it still regards the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, even though it has ruled itself since the end of a civil war in 1949.
Ties between Taiwan and China have improved markedly since Ma Ying-Jeou became Taiwan’s president in 2008 on a Beijing-friendly platform.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/322600/taiwan-rejects-dalai-lama-visit
Our response
Dear Dr. Lobsang Sangay,
The Tibetan people and culture has long been a place of great interest and fascination to the world. When Tibetans had to flee their country in the 1950s, this was a big shock to many all around the globe. For the next few decades, nations everywhere looked upon the exiled Tibetans with great empathy and had hope that they would eventually return to their homeland.
Unfortunately, this hope has begun to wane over the years, diminishing into a protest that is fast losing its voice. We hope to lend a different perspective to this situation, with the wish that it might encourage you and your government to seek another way to achieving greater freedom for your people. We wish to share a few points for your consideration, as follows:
1. You were formerly known as the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. In recent years, you were made to change your name to the Central Tibetan Administration (the CTA) which itself is a large blow to your cause, purpose and stance. Now, you are simply known around the world as the CTA – no longer a government, but just a small administrative body which manages the Tibetan exiled community within the host country of independent India.
2. Now, a new and shocking blow has come around. Your supporter for many years, Taiwan, has just barred the Dalai Lama from entering their country. Please see various accounts of this news here:
This is a massive set-back to your movement for Tibet’s autonomy. It shows clearly that Taiwan is on China’s side, as most countries are. Almost every powerful nation in the world is now supporting China (whatever their right or wrong reasons may be).
3. Last year, when the Dalai Lama visited America, his meeting with the American President Barack Obama was considered an unofficial one and he was made to exit through the back door of the White House. Considering the fact that the Dalai Lama is not only so highly respected in the world but is also quite elderly now, this act reflects blatant disrespect and is evidence of the low regard that Americans have for Tibetans.
After meeting with Barack Obama, the Dalai Lama was shown out through the back door of the White House, past the garbage dump
This has been widely viewed as a sign that Washington is increasingly unwilling to risk angering Chinese officials
This also shows clearly that although the American government declares that it is a strong supporter of human rights and democracy, they are still afraid of the might of China. If they were not afraid of China, the Americans would have announced the Dalai Lama’s visit as an official one; they would have received and showed him out through the front door.
It seems clear that the Tibetans are garnering less and less support around the world. At the same time, Tibetans are becoming more scattered around the world as many are starting to leave the India / Nepal area and migrating to other countries in the West.
Tibetan youths continue to fight for Tibetan automony… but what’s the point if their leaders are not unifying their own people?
At this crucial time, we urge the CTA to focus on achieving much stronger unity among your own people, especially within the Tibetan communities in India and Nepal. This includes Tibetans from all areas, regions and all backgrounds. It includes Tibetans of different ages, political and religious backgrounds. It includes even Dorje Shugden practitioners, who have received so much discrimination and segregation from their own exiled Tibetan community.
This unification of the Tibetan diaspora is especially important at this time. Your portals to the halls of power are narrowing, and there is less and less support in the world now for your cause of autonomy. No matter how much support you think you have for the Dalai Lama, the plain facts show that all civilized, progressive and powerful countries do not openly support a Tibet separate from China. Even something as horrific as the recent self-immolations brought hardly any result and did not move any of these nations enough to do something in support of the cause for Tibet’s freedom. This is a clear indication of the waning support that the CTA is getting.
H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche (front row, right) has long had a strong relationship with the United Nations. Here, he is pictured with Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary-General (front row, left)
You must also realize that the most powerful Tibetans in the world today are actually Dorje Shugden practitioners. H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche is very closely connected to the United Nations. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso of the New Kadampa Tradition has over a thousand centers around the world and resides in one of the most powerful countries, the UK. H.E. Serkong Tritul Rinpoche also has many centers in prominent, highly respected countries such as Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. It would be wise for the CTA to forge strong and sincere friendships with these Lamas. They have gained the respect of the modern world and would be your strongest hope for getting more people to listen to your cause.
The Dalai Lama is respected but his government is now getting less and less global support for their cause
No matter how respected the Dalai Lama is in the world, that his government, the CTA, are getting less and less support. It would behoove the CTA to start building their community and to stop alienating their own people due to unjust bias and prejudice against religious worship. If you would let small differences in religious practices (such as the Dorje Shugden issue) split your people, then why should the rest of the world take you seriously for a much larger issue like gaining autonomy for Tibet? If the CTA cannot even handle a small exile community peaceably, then how will they handle an entire country?
The CTA must realize that getting Tibet back as an independent country or achieving autonomy is besides the point. This is a secondary issue. Before you can even talk about reunification and returning to Tibet, it is so much more important to unify your own people first.
With concern,
DorjeShugden.com | DorjeShugden.net | XiongDeng.com
CC concerned friends, individuals, organisations, institutions, supporters
Read how Taiwan has rejected His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit:
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/taiwan-rejects-dalai-lama-visit/
Join in the discussion:
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=2791.0
Check out the buzz on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=464041033637392&set=a.333716930003137.72762.124479407593558&type=1&relevant_count=1
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Jampa
November 23, 2012
I just want to ask the one who wrote this article.. Are you a Tibetan? if you are a Tibetan, then why r u siding with China.. Irrespective of whether you are a shugden practitioner or not, this is no reason you should side with China. hundreds of tibetan families who practice shugden still reside in exile in Indian/Nepal. think about them if not all the Tibetans.. if they are so happy with china, why dont they go back to china instead of staying on in exile.. ywe are all Tibetans first.. religion is only secondary.. and if you r a foreigner (who wrote this article) then fukk off.. if u want shugden, all yours.. but dont poke your filthy nose into our politics.. you mother fukking piece of shit
Tenzin Dawa
November 24, 2012
@jampa, if youwanna know I am Tibetan myself and went to tcv school. I really don’t know who this website belongs to or who wrote this article, I don’t think it is important. But whoever wrote this does have stronge points that are true. Changing the name from Tibetan gov’t in exile to CTA is a very big mistake. I am not sure that CTA was thinking. Secondly, ban on dorje shugden was the worst thing the current dalai lama and CTA did, it divided our own family and our own people. Yes, there are many people still in India and Nepal that worship dorje. Trust me I myself know many of them. They all want to go to China, USA, Canada and Europe but we all know it’s not as easy as just buy a ticket and go. I am kinda sick of people including CTA saying shugden people and china are working together… If they are, so what? I don’t blame them after what the dalai lama and CTA did dividing our own people, family and our monasteries. I am sure if dalai had the chance to go to Tibet, he would without a doubt. Also as a Tibetan be respectful of others and use appropriate language.
Another big loss for the CTA will be not having control over the current trijang chocktrul rinpoche.
jampa
November 25, 2012
@tenzindawa: so you went to tcv, ate tcv tingmo and dal.. well, thats the height of ingratitude. if this is how you repay the one who fed u, bathed u and made u capable of the little english that you know now.. then ur character is self-explanatory.. Besides, changing the title of the TGiE to CTA is a political matter while dorjeshuden.com is a religious site.. so dorjeshugden.com has no business in the matter, get some perspective first.
And secondly, if the dalai lama wants to go to Tibet, he woul;d be in Tibet now. but he dint return to Tibet because he felt the chinese govt is making the issue of Tibet into an issue of the Dalai lama only. if you dont believe me, do some research on it for the sake of your half-boiled brain.
And thirdly, if shugden followers keep on supporting China even when our fellow countrymen are burning themselves to death protesting against china in tibet, it is only logical that ppl will suspect you to be hands in glove with the chinese authorities. as simple as that.
And FYI, i dont have anything against shugden, if that matters. religion is only secondary. our identity is as a Tibetan, not as a buddhist.
Jhonny Boy
November 26, 2012
If you attack others, other will attack you.
This is what is happening now. In the 70s, Zemay Rinpoche under Trijiang Rinpoche advice brought out a book called Yellow book which was very sectarian and attacked Nyingma and Kagyu sects. This book was the source of all the conficts in exile and a very foolish move by Trijiang.
If HH Dalai Lama had not spoken out against DS practice. Nyingmas and Kagyuks would have broken away from CTA and Geuks would have been prosecuted in Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, ladhaks etc.
If it was not for the HH Dalai Lama, Tibetan buddhism and Tibetan unity would have been in turmoil.
tenzin
November 27, 2012
Arghhh please you don’t have to focus on criticizing H.H. THE 14TH DALAI LAMA. May be Ganchen Rinponche is more respectful and more recognize than Yeshi Norbu ,You don’t have to mention who is respectful The world knows who is he, and the world decides who is more respectul? Thats why he is the one who got the Nobel peace prize award and many many uncountable awards from different universities which is obviously not a joke.And whether he came out of the back door of the white house or front door, he got invited by the president, thats the thing.
. you are the one who enjoyed your fullest during your early ages and when your turn came to return your debt you are showing your backkk booooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .
P.S. we don’t mind @ writer after all you can pull legs or hold for sometime but you can’t stop him from growing . And @ tenzin dawa banning Dorjee shugdhen is not a big mistake lo, there is a very big reason behind banning shugdhen.And my friend you are getting sick over the one who made what you are today so… its little pity that you’re getting abhor of your own parents, pretty sad
Tenzin Dawa
November 27, 2012
@ Tenzin and jampa, I went to tcv school and yes i ate many tingmo’s and dal.. But, guess what? My parent paid for every penny. not to mentioned, Paid a big donation just to get into tcv. It’s pretty sick.. I wasted 10 years of my life and my parents money. and they Brain wash you head to toe with dalai lama. Thanks to that.. Besides, i don’t owe anything to dalai lama or cta. my parents paid every penny for it. Trust me, i have respected dalai lama and consider him as good lama. till he put base less ban on Dorje shugden. Sorry to say but, i have no longer respect for him… he is just a hollywood monk. comes to america and give some sweet talk and leaves.. but, back home.. he divided our own family and people.. i seen it with my eyes. i hope next dalai lama reincarnation is a real one. this current one i believe it’s fake after all.. can’t believe his said, all his previous gurus are wrong … hahaha what a joke.
jampa
November 28, 2012
Dear Tenzin Dawa,
am amazed at the way you keep on spewing lies after lies.. i get it that you have no shame but i hope you have a conscience at least. how can you lie to yourself? First of all, TCV doesnt accept donations from the students or their families. Second, even if your family paid fees for your schooling (which i am assuming they did), do you really think paying 1150 rs per month is enough for your accommodation, food, tuition and your clothing?? Moreover, 1150 rs is the current price. it must be only 750/m during your days. And if your family dint want to pay, who forced you to join TCV. there are hundreds of other schools where u can join. why TCV? TCV is meant for orphans and newly arrived tibetans from tibet.
another thing, if the shugdenwalas hate the dalai lama so much, why do they keep using His Holiness’ name to serve their own purposes. ths website is a clear example of the double standards of the shugdenwalas. when you type dorjeshugden.com, you ll see dorje shugden and dalai lama spreading dharma together!!! you ppl use his holiness name when it serves your purpose, then attack him afterwards. what kind of warped sense of ideology is that?
I am not a very religious person and i dont care much about the ban on Shugden but you have to understand that by attacking the Dalai lama, it will only make your case worse. 99% of the Tibetans and the world will surely side with His Holiness because all his life, his holiness has worked for peace, kindness and the cause of Tibet. what have you or shugden done for Tibet? Tell me. do something for Tibet instead of attcking the dalai lama everywhere, then only ppl will start taking you guys seriously.. otherwise you guys are a bunch of cheap comedians..
norbu
December 10, 2012
@tendawa, to be frank i didnt read ur comment completely because i feel u are not worth reading after i came across the way addressing his holiness the dalai lama as just dalai lama wat are u infront this great selfless master and the great leader?, wat is your status in front of his knowleadge and experience? can’t you call ur elders in respected letters? secondly you have studied in TCV through out your life, i m sure u havent paid a single penny for your entire education, but instead of being greatful for wat CTA has provided to you, you shitting on the plate where ones u have have been served food when u were hungry and needy. So this is a very small advice from a very small person.. “before blabering anything in public place, learn to be grateful for the one who has been greatful to you.” in tibetan we call a person like as “gyue-ta meh pe mee.” and one last thing.! abt dorje shugden worship, its your wish if u want to follow but do not act like a cry baby. i m not a dorje shugden believer but yes i do have friends who believe in it. thank god atleast they are not like you who come on criticizing CTA or His Holiness. Becoz they are a good person and although they cant leave the worship of this diety or devil. they have’nt forgot who they are and wat they are. yes there are few greedy people who in the name of this faith go around licking chinese shit and earn their living. thts a no doubt.! i feel pity on those people. and last but not the least hey @tendawa. u are worst thn dog. even a tiger who is so blood thirsty would not bite da person who feeds him.you are worse thn an animal..!
Tenzin Peljor
July 30, 2017
By siding with the Dalai Lama and Tibetans, what does anyone get? Of course Taiwan will not side with Tibetans any longer. They have their own problems with China and Tibetans will not help with their problem. Better to side with China.
Pattie S.
July 31, 2017
The Dalai Lama should not travel to countries that he knows will damage that country’s relations with China. China is a chief economic power and many countries would benefit from a relationship with China. If Dalai Lama knowingly travels those country at the expense of their economic benefit with China, that would not be very shrewd as it will backfire. Eventually that country will have repercussions with China and ban the Dalai Lama anyways. Dalai Lama should consider carefully where he travels in order to not damage the country’s economic relationship with powerhouse China.
Dalai Lama should do his best to extend the olive branch to China and become friends. Dalai Lama should not antagonize China in any way for the sake of his people.
Vishal Dhiman
August 11, 2017
The articles and the administrator of this page/website ‘Shugden’ are biased. Authors/supporters of this baseless anti-tibet thought are spineless, funded by the unethical, attrocious, coward Chinese Govt. to promote their nefarious motive of keeping Tibet with them by hook or crook. But Tibetans who’re supporting the Chinese are the most ungrateful people and digging graves for their future generations. Soon you should see the darkness when Chinese backstab you. They can never be friends with anyone. Read some article by some Mr Rai on this page and it was a total waste of time, this person doesn’t know the definition or meaning of autonomy let go understanding the importance of it. A message to my beloved Tibetan brothers and sisters, make good use of the land/platform/opportunity my country Bharat has given to you by nurturing you, if you want autonomy for your motherland Tibet, fight for it. I feel sorry on behalf of Jawaharlal Nehru who was careless enough to give away this great and sacred land of Tibet to a crook China and didn’t fight for it. Stand up for yourself or your children will read ‘Tibet’ just in textbooks. Goodluck!
Nima Sangpo
March 6, 2018
An increasing number of countries in the world are choosing to align themselves with China and establish good relationships, the latest being the Central American country of Panama. With the promise of Chinese business, investments and infrastructure projects, world leaders will not be hesitant when it comes to starting positive relationships with China. The choice is obvious when the benefits are so many.
Nima Sangpo
March 27, 2018
In Nepal, the former Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba may soon be ousted as party chief and one of the reasons being cited is his sharing of the stage with Lobsang Sangay i.e. he supports the CTA and Tibetans. This follows the recent example of India, whose Foreign Secretary issued a directive stating all Indian officials should not attend CTA-hosted events in conjunction with their “Thank You India” campaign. After the Dalai Lama’s most recent trip to Mongolia, the backlash against the Mongolian President was so strong, he was forced to ban the Dalai Lama from Mongolia.
Never mind China sanctioning them, or expressing displeasure on an international level. What these politicians are facing even domestically are internal sanctions for expressing support for the CTA. The message is clear and that is, it is bad news to be seen with the CTA.
If politicians are being discouraged on all levels from supporting the CTA, it is only a matter of time before the Tibetans find themselves on the very lonely, losing end of their fight against China.
Sonam
April 4, 2018
It pays to make good relations with China. After the Dalai Lama cancelled his visit to Botswana, China responded immediately with encouraging news that bilateral relations with Botswana will progress.
There is no way to deny China’s economic prowess, and many countries, including India, the host of the exiled Tibetans for the past 60 years know that it is not worth to risk bilateral ties with China for the Tibetan cause. After snubbing the Tibetan leadership and cancellation of key Tibetan events in Delhi recently, India receive the quid pro quo from China of signed commercial deals worth nearly $2.36 billion. Mongolia, who has banned the Dalai Lama from entering the country is now welcomed to carry out cross-border trade with China’s Bohai Commodity Exchange to help Mongolian agricultural products enter the Chinese market. Switzerland was the top recipient of Chinese investment in 2017 with a combined value of US$44.6bn, who since 2015 has automatically reassigned the nationality of Tibetan refugees as Chinese nationals in their residence permits.
More and more countries have jumped on the bandwagon to reject the Tibetan leadership, including Australia, Bhutan, The Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, Sweden, with the Central American country of Panama being the latest addition, and the list is expected to grow. Why would any country want to risk their economic prosperity for a lost cause like that of the Tibetan cause?