A Tibetan restaurant owner in Dharamsala recently refused service to ex-Sikyong candidate Lukar Jam Atsock because of a poetic eulogy he published to the late Tibetologist Elliot Sperling on Facebook, titled “You are the one who should have lived for 113 years!”
By: Kay Beswick
In the context of a government, democracy does not mean that the citizens of that country must share the same views and opinions. Rather, democracy is a situation whereby all citizens are entitled to their own views yet maintain a healthy level of mutual respect for each other i.e. they agree to disagree. Furthermore, the government of such a democracy should uphold this right to freedom of opinion amongst its citizens and stamp out any attempt at breaching this freedom.
Lukar Jam makes a stand for true democracy in a government ridden with power games and self-interest
The Tibetan refugee nation is one such self-proclaimed democracy. Yet, its leadership, called the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), continues to violate the core principles of democracy while claiming to be fighting to uphold human rights and individual freedoms. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the majority of the Tibetan people emulate the example of their leaders when it comes to opinions that do not conform to the popular view.
In one such recent example, ex-Sikyong candidate Lukar Jam Atsock published a poetic eulogy to the late Tibetologist Elliot Sperling on Facebook, titled “You are the one who should have lived for 113 years!” Professor Sperling had been possibly the world’s leading historian on Sino-Tibetan relations and an outspoken human rights advocate who championed causes such as that of the Uygur Professor Ilham Tohti. Being vocal against the Chinese government’s transgressions against human rights in Tibet and Mongolia was nothing new to Professor Sperling, and this is what made him so influential to the Tibetan cause.
Click to enlarge and read the full post, including the Tibetan composition and the comments. Extracted from https://www.facebook.com/lukarjam.atsock/posts/1425906127420677
Since that Facebook post, Lukar Jam Atsock has received a deluge of criticism for perceived disrespect to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Although he vehemently denies it, a section of the Tibetan people are adamant that the title of his poem is a reference to the Dalai Lama’s prediction that he will live to 113 years, and that Lukar Jam Atsock is implying that Professor Elliot Sperling should have lived to 113 instead of the Dalai Lama.
He has since become the target of a movement to ostracize him from Tibetan society, with slurs such as “Chinese agent”, “psychopath” and “traitor” hurled at him on the Internet. One restaurant owner went to the extent of refusing to serve him and physically removed him from the restaurant, all because of this perceived insult to the Dalai Lama.
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Even the current Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the elected leader of the Tibetan people, pitched in, making a strongly worded comment against Lukar Jam Atsock’s tribute to his long-time friend in his address during the commemoration of the 10th March ‘Tibetan Uprising Day’ at the Tsuglakhang temple in McLeod Ganj.
Sangay is quoted as saying that the remarks made are
“objectionable and unfortunate. Such statements sow discord in the Tibetan community and gives reasons for adversaries to rejoice.”
“Although such statements are made on the premise of right to speech, it is unacceptable that such remarks be made to our leader who has since the age of 16 been entrusted with the Tibet’s well being…”
It is ridiculous that the Tibetan people are accusing Lukar Jam Atsock, a former political prisoner of China and a Sikyong candidate who championed Tibetan independence during his election campaign, of being a Chinese agent. Lukar Jam Atsock’s election manifesto was strongly against any form of political obeisance to China and his stance has not wavered since then. How then does one make the mental assumption that this post-occupation war hero is in actuality a traitorous Chinese spy?
Lukar Jam a few months after his release from Chinese captivity. He has arguably suffered more for his country than many of those currently in power.
Is it because the title of the poem he penned makes a vague reference to the Dalai Lama’s prediction that he will live 113 years?
Is it because one assumes that if Lukar Jam Atsock wishes Professor Elliot Sperling to live to 113 years, it means that he doesn’t want the Dalai Lama to also live to 113?
Isn’t it plausible that Lukar Jam was drawing on the Tibetan belief that 113 is a lucky number?
Isn’t Lukar Jam allowed to use poetic license in his tribute to his friend?
Isn’t it possible for the Tibetan people to express their unhappiness with Lukar Jam Atsock’s poem without calling him a Chinese spy and ostracizing him from society?
Is it because all it takes to be a Chinese spy in the eyes of the Tibetan people is a tiny hint of disrespect to their leaders?
Is this what a democracy is? To be able to express oneself peacefully is an inseparable element of democratic society. And so when a person is denied this basic freedom or is placed at risk of his well-being for exercising his rights under a democracy, then we know that the system of government that he is living under is not a fair and democratic one.
But Lukar Jam’s experience of being targeted for penning a benign poem is not an isolated case. This too is exactly the reaction that Dorje Shugden practitioners receive from the Tibetan people. Never mind that Dorje Shugden’s practice was established over 350 years ago, centuries before the Chinese ever set foot in Tibet. Never mind that Dorje Shugden was the preferred deity of the majority of Tibetans living in Tibet pre-1959. Never mind also that Dorje Shugden is practiced today by people of all nationalities, races, ages and cultures.
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay at Tsuglakhang temple in McLeod Ganj, where he made strong comments against Lukar Jam’s Facebook post
All it takes is for the Tibetan leadership to baselessly condemn Dorje Shugden’s practice as being a threat to the Tibetan cause and immediately, automatically, all Dorje Shugden practitioners become Chinese spies by default.
It is even more ridiculous that the highest authority in Tibetan governance should see fit to make a comment about an ordinary citizen’s writings that may hint at disrespect to the Dalai Lama. Is he doing it to ruin Lukar Jam Atsock’s budding political career and to eliminate his rival? Doesn’t Sikyong Lobsang Sangay realize that he demeans the stature of his position by making comments on what should be a non-issue? In fact, the Sikyong should be making a statement to calm his people down instead of aggravating the situation further. After all, it is the obligation of a democratic government to protect individuals whose views differ from popular opinion instead of condemning them.
Lukar Jam Atsock’s current predicament just highlights the methods by which the Tibetan leadership seeks to sow fear and control the opinions and actions of their citizens. They isolate those who oppose them and use the China card to make their opposition look like pariahs i.e. anyone whom the Tibetan leadership targets is labeled a traitor and Chinese spy or agent and that is the cue for loyal Tibetans to reject the person. The sad truth is that the majority of the Tibetan people do not realize that as a refugee nation, they are already small in the eyes of the world with shrinking support for the Tibetan cause. The more they divide themselves on the basis of religion, opinion or geographical origin, the weaker their cause is going to be.
The Tibetan leadership is smart enough to realize all this. Yet, they allow it. Why? Because in truth, their leaders are more interested in playing the victim-refugee card and garnering aid from the West than they are in the welfare of the Tibetan people. Amidst questions raised about the effectiveness of Free Tibet campaigns and drastic budget cuts for Tibetan-related causes, individuals within the Tibetan leadership are desperate to collect every last ounce of funding for their personal gain before it dries up completely.
And when it comes to Lukar Jam Atsock, whose election manifesto revolves around sound political thinking as opposed to the hyperbole spouted by the then leaders, the Tibetan leadership are afraid – very afraid – that if Lukar Jam Atsock’s support base grows, their own influence will dwindle considerably as the Tibetan people realize that there is a world beyond blind obedience and loyalty to the Dalai Lama and their Sikyong. They will begin to understand that in truly democratic countries around the world, people are not isolated and ostracized for disagreeing with their President/Prime Minister/King/Queen and that having a different opinion does not mean that you are against the secular/spiritual leader.
Lukar Jam Atsock’s view on Shugden worshippers alone is enough to put the current Tibetan leadership to shame. He says,
“To me Shugden is a small issue, but due to the mistaken policies we have made it a big issue, basically we have blown it out of proportion. Shugden is a matter of worshipping a spirit, that too a Geluka spirit. We can’t have a monolithic view of Shugden worshippers. We have to know that there are different types of Shugden practitioners: there are those Shuden practitioners, who openly collude with our enemy, the Chinese government, as revealed by Lama Tseta. Then there are those who quietly practice the deity, while also acknowledging that they believe in the Dalai Lama. We also have to take into account that there are mischievous people harming the Tibetan cause in the name of loyalty to the Dalai Lama, in the name of fighting the Shugden worshippers. We have to have a nuanced, comprehensive policy that will tackle this issue.”
This is a relatively well-thought out stance that befits the potential leader of a refugee nation, a leader who appreciates the importance of harmony, tolerance and solidarity in a shattered and dispersed community and one who is willing to risk the ire of those who came before him in order to do the right thing. The Tibetan people sorely need a leader like Lukar Jam Atsock, not one who rides on the coattails of the Dalai Lama.
Could Lukar Jam be at the forefront of a Tibetan “revolution” of good governance, public service and transparency?
It is also interesting to note the clear divide in opinion amongst Tibetans on the current controversy surround Lukar Jam Atsock. For instance, the two comments below made by Tibetans living in India highlight the narrow-minded thinking that is endemic to the Tibetan leadership while the two comments made by Tibetans living abroad show the effect of exposure to real democracy and basic human rights.
“Here is my view: This is not a criticism at all, it’s a hatred inside, a man with the destructive emotion, mentally ill. Can’t bear the loss of the election, and going totally psychopath. I don’t think he is a poet, or knows how to engage in healthy criticism. To me he devalued the poetic community. It seems like when he can’t fight for freedom he friended with the enemy and begged their terms of freedom.”
- Paljor, from Bangalore
“I think that Lukar Jam is exactly doing what CCP has been trying hard to do for the past decades. That’s to bring down our idol and revile His Holiness. If Lukar Jam has freedom to do or say anything, then I or anyone has freedom to refuse him food at his restaurant 100 times.
We shouldn’t give much importance to someone who has been accused of stealing yak and spending time behind bar.”
- Tenzin, from Dharamshala
“I hope and pray for Lukar Jam and his family’s safety. Given the comments from this thread and other social media, the radical Tibetans may physically harm him using His Holiness name.”
- T Pema, from Toronto
“We Tibetans seem to have a hard time learning from our past mistakes. This situation with Lukar Jam reminds me of the early seventies when late professor Dawa Norbu was accused of similar critiques of HH in one of his Tibetan Review editorials. The people opposed to his views event went so far as to plan a mob attack to punish him.
Despite all that, like the late professor, I firmly believe Lukar Jam is a true patriot. I do not condone his views on His Holiness, but we do not want to lose a good Tibetan, just because he has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth once in a while.
As for politicizing the issue, it is a shame that some of our leaders can’t see beyond their sphere of influence and add to turmoil and misinformation that could cause us more harm and give leverage to our enemies.”
- Gyalpot, from Canada
More recently, a group of students and researchers in exile have written an open letter to those who criticize Lukar Jam Atsock, saying that their actions are unjustifiable and that it is wrong to criticize him in this manner for his artistic expression. The words of these educated academics will definitely carry weight in the Tibetan community. Originally published on tibetsun.com, the letter has since been removed for reasons unknown.
Click to enlarge and read the full letter. Extracted from https://www.tibetsun.com/letters-to-the-editor/2017/03/15/open-letter-regarding-movement-against-lukar-jam-by-tibetan-studentsresearchers-in-exile and also available on http://www.ezspk.co.uk/2017/03/14/open-letter-regarding-movement-against-lukar-jam-by-tibetan-studentsresearchers-in-exile/
Sonam, from USA, also published an open letter directed at Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, in which he condemns the exile government’s lack of support for free speech and requests that they guarantee the safety of Lukar Jam Atsock from vigilante attacks.
Click to enlarge and read the full letter. Extracted from https://www.tibetsun.com/letters-to-the-editor/2017/03/16/open-letter-to-sikyong-on-mr-lukar-jams-security
It is encouraging to know that there are moderate, educated Tibetans out there who are beginning to realize that it is wrong to ostracize people on the basis of their beliefs and that having a space that accommodates divergent ideas is a reflection of a democracy’s strength.
We can only hope that more and more Tibetans similarly wake up and realize that their government demonizes those who disagree with them and abuses their power and platform to turn public opinion in their favor. And by speaking up against the current Tibetan political situation, the Tibetan leadership will very soon have a serious problem on their hands if they don’t change their ways.
References:
- https://www.facebook.com/lukarjam.atsock/posts/1425906127420677
- http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=38771&article=Lukar%27s+reference+to+Dalai+Lama+unfortunate%3a+PM+Sangay
- https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/03/11/tibetans-condemn-lukar-jam-for-attacking-the-dalai-lama
- http://tchrd.org/profile-sentenced-to-17-years-for-espionage/
- https://www.tibetsun.com/letters-to-the-editor/2017/03/15/open-letter-regarding-movement-against-lukar-jam-by-tibetan-studentsresearchers-in-exile
- https://www.tibetsun.com/letters-to-the-editor/2017/03/16/open-letter-to-sikyong-on-mr-lukar-jams-security
- http://lukar2016.com/manifesto/
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A Hillybilly
March 20, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGzZQ7UcDAk
From the above video you will be able to deduce how the 2020 campaign for Sikyong has already begun.
The political strategy of the incumbent and his gang is very simple, for the simple Tibetan mind:
Dalai Lama is God.
Dorje Shugden is Devil.
Lukar Jam is for the Devil and is the devil’s servant.
Lukar Jam stole a Yak and was jailed for 6 years by the Chinese.
He is a thief, a no good son of the Devil.
China and Chinese is also Devil.
Dorje Shugden practitioners are little Devils propitiating the Devil.
This kind of narrative will be repeated again and again until the “democracy” re-elects their God’s candidate.
Unless of course…
Jampa Gyatso
March 21, 2017
This is so TRUE… “It is encouraging to know that there are moderate, educated Tibetans out there who are beginning to realize that it is wrong to ostracize people on t he basis of their beliefs and that having a space that accommodates divergent ideas is a reflection of a democracy’s strength.
We can only hope that more and more Tibetans similarly wake up and realize that their government demonizes those who disagree with them and abuses their power and platform to turn public opinion in their favor. And by speaking up against the current Tibetan political situation, the Tibetan leadership will very soon have a serious problem on their hands if they don’t change their ways.”
The only Devil I see is people like Hillybilly with the delusion that makes them not progress and is what made them lose Tibet in the first place!
SabrinaS
March 24, 2017
During the times of Chairman Mao, much atrocities and illogical laws had been implemented to garner or force the loyalty of the people. You never know who is your friend or foe, even children turned against their parents or vice-versa to comply with the rule…Loyalty only to Chairman Mao and his policies. His laws were the red bible to be carried and recited daily. If someone does not like the looks of you, then you may just be falsely accused and jailed, confused what had happened. And the accuser who lied was commended and praised. Topsy turvy world of confusion. Now China is a powerhouse and on certain aspects, no. 1 in the world and many seek to be in partnership with her.
Instead we see the very conditions of rule being implemented amongst the Tibetans In Exile by their government, CTA. Any whimsical implication towards dishonour of the Dalai Lama will have the society bearing down on you, with the full possibility of physical harm. Just as in the case of the practice of Dorje Shugden, an authentic religious practice of almost 400 years in the times of the 5th Dalai Lama who even built Trode Khangsar Chapel in honour of Dorje Shugden. He handmade the statue of Dorje Shugden that is within the Chapel and wrote the Praise…all signs of his approval and authenticating Dorje Shugden as a rightful protector practice. Yet now for convenience, an illogical ban is placed on this practice to distract attention away the failures by CTA to bring those in exile their return to Tibet. I also see it as a suppression of the Shugden Lamas whom were gaining prominence and influence due to their relocation to teach overseas and their growing numbers of students and followers. As China is the enemy, CTA falsely accused Shugden practitioners and Lamas to being supporters of China and Ta-Da…an instant enemy of Tibetans. And CTA gains more political mileage with their foreign sponsors.
So it is with no surprise that Lukar Jam could stand accused of being a spy of the enemy. After all this had worked with their people previously and why not just use the same?? Lukar Jam is exactly what Tibetans in Exile need to propel the people into the future of democracy. His ideals are equality for all and focus on the “Big Picture”, not the trivia. Definitely a strong potential political foe of the current CTA members. As mentioned in the article, CTA should have quelled the misunderstanding rather than add voice to something that they have no business in. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay being a Harvard Alumni should understand Lukar Jam’s emotional eulogy for a very close friend. I would have read his eulogy as a reverence to the Dalai Lama in using “lived to 113 years’. Its ironic that the 113 years, which the Dalai Lama said he will lived to, should be a lucky number and something everyone would try to emulate, has now become a curse and not to be used. Aren’t we taught to emulate the Buddha and to become a Buddha? So who is insulting the Dalai Lama?
Anonymous
March 24, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGzZQ7UcDAk
tibetan MP encourages banning lukar from society with english subtitles
Anonymous
March 24, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ2zBBUi3NE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br3H54JJTZ4
Anonymous
March 24, 2017
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/community/car-of-tibetan-pm-in-exile-candidate-vandalised/381726.html
Elibuchen
March 25, 2017
To me it is very apparent, the many years CTA demonizing Dorje Shudgen and others who do not conform to their version of the truth, could have led to a moment of utmost clarity in the face of the Lukar Jam’s reference to the number 113.
As more Tibetans start to see that dissenting voices is not something that is welcomed in the so called CTA. In fact one cannot even be sure if CTA is practicing democracy, with it election fixing moves and a tendency to silence dissenting voices.
As more Tibetans, mature into the internet age, they will have greater access to a variety of thoughts and thinking, although there is a lot of junk on the internet, it is if used correctly is a place to check out one’s theories and make comparison to one’s understanding of reality.
This is a good sign that Tibetans are coming into their own. That Tibetans in exile can think independently, draw conclusions and do not just swallow everything thrown to them from the mouthpiece of CTA.
Belinda Mae
March 28, 2017
It doesn’t make sense that the Tibetan people can have such big reaction and fuss over one Facebook post that Lukar Jam Atsock wrote about Professor Elliot Sperling saying that he should have lived till 113. Why do the Tibetans have to think that Lukar Jam’s post is indirectly hinting the Dalai Lama? Does that means that whatever the people post in the social media they have to be very alert that any time, any wrong phrase or word being use then they will be criticise and isolated by the public? Everyone has their own rights to write whatever they want as long as it is not directly talking bad about another person.
This incident is exactly the same with the one that the Dorje Shugden practitioners are facing. When are the Tibetans going to think and contemplate on their own rather than listening to others who might be feeding them with the wrong info and they are following it blindly?
Tenzin K
March 28, 2017
Frankly speak it’s nothing new to me looking at how the Tibetan leadership react in such situation. The CTA always aggravate the situation using the Tibetan sentiment. Personally this is the main reason why Tibet fallen and until today they couldn’t get it back. To make the situation worst they use religious as a scapegoat such Dorje Shugden practice to cover their failure to bring back their country. Separation after separation and CTA never learn how to unite their people but just blindly react over the matters just to look good which in actuality is from bad to worst.
In this context I don’t see CTA is supporting His Holiness in fact is jeopardising His Holiness reputation. As mentioned in the open letter by the students and researchers in exile His Holiness is the symbolism of Democracy and what CTA is doing is totally tearing apart of what His Holiness preaching around the world. The younger generation are more educated and looking much further in term of the freedom for the exile and with the letter it’s heart warming to see how they learn and see things in a wider scope and the important one is they speak up to counter CTA not in a negative way but democratically voice up for real freedom that to uphold the unity of Tibetan.
Tibetan leadership will not go any further with such attitude and very soon the Tibetan themselves will give up with them.
bambi
March 28, 2017
Unbelievable! One ‘poem’ that was written for a friend who has passed on can be twisted and damaged to such a point! Such madness and it shows how narrow minded the Tibetans can be!
To me personally, whether or not, Elliot Sperling or HHDL is suppose to live till 113 does not matter. We all know that HHDL is Chenrezig so whether He lives till when does not matter as He will reincarnate and benefit again. So why the big fuss? Its just a poem for a friend. Isn’t it suppose to be a democratic society? Then shouldn’t people be allowed to express what they want, freely?
And the scary part is how the narrow minded Tibetans make it worse by threatening an innocent man for saying what he wants to say. If the CTA can say what they want, then why can’t their own people? All CTA want is to control, control and control. Just so you know, there will be nothing to left to control with your current narrow mindedness.
samayakeeper
March 28, 2017
It doesn’t matter what good and sacrifice one has done for the country but one wrong word, statement, action, and that person is branded a dissident, a traitor, a Chinese spy, a demon worshipper. This man just composed a prayer and a eulogy for a dearly departed friend and all hell broke loose. And the CTA say there’s no ban on Dorje Shugden practice and there’s religious freedom. CTA called themselves a democratic government in exile yet when one person said or wrote something that they think was directed at the Dalai Lama and them, immediately they reacted and branded that person as what I mentioned above. Ridiculous.
vajra-NMD
March 28, 2017
I don’t like Politicians ( CTA and etc.. ), the ways “they” did, it is all about Power and Money and it never end. Is that a human nature? Power and Money only?
In this article i like Lukar Jam Atsock’s view on Shugden worshippers :
“To me Shugden is a small issue, but due to the mistaken policies we have made it a big issue, basically we have blown it out of proportion. Shugden is a matter of worshipping a spirit, that too a Geluka spirit. We can’t have a monolithic view of Shugden worshippers. We have to know that there are different types of Shugden practitioners: there are those Shuden practitioners, who openly collude with our enemy, the Chinese government, as revealed by Lama Tseta. Then there are those who quietly practice the deity, while also acknowledging that they believe in the Dalai Lama. We also have to take into account that there are mischievous people harming the Tibetan cause in the name of loyalty to the Dalai Lama, in the name of fighting the Shugden worshippers. We have to have a nuanced, comprehensive policy that will tackle this issue.”
Pema
March 28, 2017
It is amazing how the CTA can attack Lukar Jam because of a poem! Is there any law that you cannot write a poem to a friend on Facebook? How can a government attack a person based on that?
No serious person will take this government for real! But unfortunately this is what the CTA did with their people for so long and the Tibetans are so scared of what will happen to them, that they obey to such a nonsense!
I pity the Tibetans as their government does nothing for their wellbeing, for their return to their homeland and for building up the Tibetan society within China. All they do is creating problems where there are none.
The Tibetan Cause should be to rebuild their homes, culture and religion, and make peace with the Chinese. But instead they look for trouble and how to control their people. Such a behaviour has nothing to do with democracy and they should tell their supporters that in fact their CTA leadership is only a show and they are not looking to benefit the Tibetans!
May Dorje Shugden help the Tibetans as the CTA does not see it as their duty!
Vajra10
March 28, 2017
“In the context of a government, democracy does not mean that the citizens of that country must share the same views and opinions. Rather, democracy is a situation whereby all citizens are entitled to their own views yet maintain a healthy level of mutual respect for each other i.e. they agree to disagree. Furthermore, the government of such a democracy should uphold this right to freedom of opinion amongst its citizens and stamp out any attempt at breaching this freedom.”
People seem to have misunderstand the real meaning of democracy and claim that they are part of it but in fact they are not even close to it. In this case, even though we are the supporters of H.H Dalai Lama, we should respect others who are not, everyone has their own thoughts and we have to power to control, force them by threatening them. It’s an act of coward and will never gain faith from more.
There was an interview with H.H Dalai Lama, H.H said that he do not wants to give advise or ask his supporters to stop doing things that are not right because he worries that people will feel guilty or sad once they know they are not doing the right things that H.H would like.
The link of the full interview is as following:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bLY45o6rHm0
I think it’s a selfish act because H.H do not wants to hurt his supporters’ feeling by telling them they are wrong when doing things that have been hurting themselves and others, at the same time, people who are innocent are getting the side effects of it.
Brian Little
March 28, 2017
This is one of the ways to bring one person down especially he is supposed to be the previous contender of the Sikyong post. It’s normal to see this I supposed in Dharamsala, when one wrong move against the Dalai Lama or CTA will bring you down. There will be all sorts of rumours and public condemnation against you for your going against the authority of CTA. You can say Lobsang Sangay seized this opportunity to turn it against Lukar Jam who honestly speaking did not wished anything bad to happen to HHDL as per claimed by CTA. When will CTA start to concentrate to fight for Tibetans cause of regaining Tibet instead of finding faults in people not following CTA’s vendetta.
Geraldine Sarie
March 28, 2017
We are leaving in the democratic world where every citizen had their own rights and freedom to voice out their opinion. A grieving man’s reputation disrupted because of only sending a poem to closed friend who has passed away. What sort of leadership is this? To me, is shameful, shallow and senseless.
Richard LakTam
March 28, 2017
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard on earth! I thought the government of my country is ridiculous, this is 100x more ridiculous than my government! This is the joke of the world! It seems CTA has no will to unite their own people, but to keep breaking their people into groups, give names to the people they “think” is against them, make the loyal people turn away from Tibet. And this, they accuse Lukar Jam, who had done so much and so loyal to Tibet, and made him turn away from Tibet! It looks like what CTA does is not for the cause of Tibet, not for Tibetan, but for themselves! I never see a government instead of uniting their people, but to break their own people into pieces and groups. In that case, I can tell them, CTA, they will never get independent! And Tibetan will never unite. CTA will never concentrate to fight for Tibetans cause, is the people who’s running it, only think of their own benefit. The Tibetan in exile will always be exiled. I always believe in this, things happen for a reason. Don’t they know this simple logic? Just like my government. Then I want to ask this question, will this kind of government ever improve? Will this kind of leadership ever get support? I hope they, the CTA, will wake up one day, and look into this.
Anonymous
March 28, 2017
Nothing new, again this is about the Tibetan leaders tendency to use His Holiness Dalai Lama’s name to put down political opponents and using religion and His Holiness’ name to win political arguments.
In democracy system, Lukar Jam has the right to say whatever he wants and we have the right to reject him. The issue here is not choosing between Lukar or the HH Dalai Lama but is encouraging of freedom of speech, encourage the public to express their views.
The same go to the issue of Dorje Shugden, in democracy system, Tibetan has freedom of choosing their religion practice. Why ban Dorje Shugden which has been practice for more than 400 years?
It’s time for Tibetan to show the world that they have space for different opinions and tolerance. This will win them more support from the world.
Wisdommind
March 28, 2017
Attack Lukar Jam by CTA is another clear example said to the world ,tibetan people no have democracy and no freedom speaking up what they concern about living in Tibetan society. Tibetan people always get abuse by CTA, which I am not surprise how CTA humiliating Dorje Shugden practitioner. If CTA want supporting from the world must stop humiliation, hurting their own Tibetan people, giving space for them what they believe for human right. This is another concern message from another part of world seeing people are suffering to get punished. Please stop all this !
George Michael
March 28, 2017
This is such a sad story of Lukar Jam, just a poem, just because of 1 harmless poem, he was being attacked, labelled as a Chinese spy, traitor, psychopath, etc.
This is really what amazed me the most, being a country leader, they failed to see the talent of Lukar Jam, instead of developing him to contribute to the growth of Tibet, to the growth of the society, they attacked him and call him traitor, Seriously? CTA always wanted to claim back their country from China, but with their such narrowed minded attitude, and a childish action, how can they take care of the country?
One thing I find it very funny, CTA is a very interesting beings, whenever they dislike someone, whenever they felt ‘threatened’, whenever they feel uncomfortable with a person, no question ask, no investigation, and they will label these people as a Chinese Spy, and they can simply attack these people as much as they like, it’s simple as that. psychopath? Traitor? I think these words are best describing CTA, because they are the ones that is betraying Tibet and their own people, they are the one who is destroying their own country, not anyone else.
I really wish CTA can realize their such destructive action that will destroy their own country and stop it, they should turn the whole thing around and work full heartedly to work for the benefit of their citizen.
Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha
Daniel B
March 31, 2017
It should be manifestly clear to the Tibetans in exile that they will never have freedom under their own leadership embodied within the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). In fact they may have a better chance of enjoying a system of government closer to a democracy under China (see Hong Kong) than under their own “government”. The Tibetan-in-exile’s pursuit of democracy has had almost as much time to be firmly established as the Tibetans have been in exile. And yet, 60 years later we see Lukar Jam being nailed to the proverbial cross just for daring to have his own thoughts which he expressed.
Whilst the Tibetan people kid themselves into thinking that they are defending HHDL’s honor (as if a poem that diminish the Dalai Lama’s life), they are in fact driving yet another nail into democracy’s coffin. All this suits Lobsang Sangay just fine because for him, ‘governing’ is merely a business, being a ‘Tibetan Refugee’ a trademark and ‘Democracy’ no more than a slogan. (Come to think of it, a slogan is all the CTA has). As far as Sangay is concerned this is all just an early start to the 2020 Sikyong elections. Lukar Jam came close the last time so Sangay is not taking any chances. Demonising Lukar for something so benign seems the easiest way. After all, this is what the CTA has practiced on Dorje Shugden people since 1996.
So much for the Dalai Lama’s vision for the future of the Tibetan people.
Camillia
April 7, 2017
The actions of the fanatics who proclaimed they are followers and defenders of Dalai Lama are showing the world how backwater their mentalities are. It is rather shameful given that His Holiness is the infamous King of Tibetan Buddhism, Nobel Award winner and who had toured the world and greeted by world leaders many times over.
Yet the loyalists of HIs Holiness behave as if freedom of expression does not exist, religious freedom does not exist, human rights does not exist! Are they crouching Dalai Lama’s teaching and turning His Holiness into a symbol of abuse and discrimination. Or are they really so ignorant of their behavior? Which if they are, then why His Holiness does not say anything?
Or there is fear that once the voice of freedom rise, people will sway? I believe those who are familiar to Buddhism will understand that holding on to something forcefully, be it an object of material or an object of reputation / power etc, will likely bring negative karma. Dear Advisor to His Holiness, please take heed.
Sierra
April 15, 2017
I guess, everybody has to take a step back and take a deep,breath. The Tibetan government and generally the people themselves have not moved very far into the 21st century yet. We can’t forget that not too long ago, the monasteries practiced politics along with Buddhism. Serfs were not uncommon in Tibet.
The politicians have kept the populace mildly ignorant so that they are easier to manipulate. The politicians have their own agenda. They all do regardless of where they are or where they come from. Unfortunately, in this case, the populace are refugees and are being exploited both by their government and the west for political reasons, not to help them.
People like Lukar Jam sees the situation clearly and without prejudice. But, unfortunately, at the moment, he is the lone voice in the “cowboy town” and a giant uphill battle awaits him if he is to fight for Tibetans in exile.
The powers that be are using the Dalai Lama’s name and violence to instill fear into people and make them submissive. If Lukar Jam can overcome even a bit of that hurdle, he would have made a giant leap for the Tibetans.
Pema Norbu
September 15, 2017
You have to see this clear video showing His Holiness the Dalai Lama instructing the monasteries to expel monks that practice Dorje Shugden. Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgYWidYw3U
TseringD, Delhi
October 29, 2017
Nechung is ZUMA 👎 before I m think he is one of d best when I m watch dis video By Geshe Dorjee la but now I m think is not d truth n he is lie to Tibet people we r not back to Tibet yt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8 Chithue Tenpa Yarphel la tq for talk about truth of Nechung . I m watch to this video many time la https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8 n after I hear you talk I m not belief to Nechung
Lhakpa Dhendup
August 11, 2018
What will the all the people around the world and in Tibet do now? Dalai Lama says he is happy that Tibet is a part of China and should remain a part of China. So many Tibetans self-immolated for Tibet to be independent and now Dalai Lama did a 360 degree turn and says he wants to go back to Tibet and China and Tibet should be a part of China. So unbelievable. So many are angry and disappointed.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 12, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.
Ayana
August 16, 2018
Why doesn’t the United States and its allies end Refugee Status for the useless Tibetans? They have been refugees for 60 years now and don’t tell me they still cannot get their lives back in order?
Tibetans really know how to put on a good show and use people, take their money and do nothing in return.
Ojas
August 18, 2018
Supreme Court of India JUSTICE Mr. MARKANDEY KATJU (RETD) writes that Tibet is much better under the Chinese than it was under the lamas who only wanted to make the populace slaves. It was feudal and it will never return to the backwardness again.
Yoezer
August 19, 2018
While the government of Nepal has framed a policy to tighten the noose around non-governmental organisations, they have welcomed 30 Chinese NGOs to enter the country. These NGOs will penetrate the country’s social sector at the grassroots level. This is the first time such a large number of Chinese NGOs have entered Nepal at one time. Nepal is increasingly open to Chinese influence, a sign that ties between both countries are strengthening, while India’s influence is being reduced. The time has passed for India’s monopoly to remain uninterrupted in Nepal as opportunities to engage with China are being welcomed.
Vardaniya
August 24, 2018
The cracks in Tibetan society are starting to show, and it is now coming to the attention of local Indians who have all but identified the Tibetan leadership as the source of the divisions. According to this author, disunity amongst the Tibetans is now creating problems for Indian law enforcement agencies, and this disunity may culminate in young Tibetans holding silent grudges against their host country. It is incredible that after six decades of generosity from India, Indians are now facing the very real possibility Tibetans can be ungrateful towards India. The Tibetan leadership totally failed to impart positive values upon their exiled community, like gratitude for those kindest to them and the need to repay these kindnesses with real, tangible results. It’s also very unlikely that the Tibetan leadership will now start to do this, after six decades of failing to do so. Indians need to realise this, and see that there is no benefit for their nation to align themselves with the Tibetan leadership, and there never will be.
Maya
August 24, 2018
Although the Dalai Lama has offered an apology, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) still expressed their disappointment over his controversial comment on Nehru, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Dalai Lama called Nehru self-centred.
The Congress said Dalai Lama being a foreigner should shun and refrain from interfering in the internal as well as external affairs of India.