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].
This article is an opinion piece based on the article published by Washington Times: Mission failure at the International Campaign for Tibet by Maura Moynihan.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/8/maura-moynihan-mission-failure-at-the-internationa/
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay (left) and H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama (right)
The Prime Minister of the Tibetans in exile Lobsang Sangay is supposed to be the leader representing the Tibetans in their fight against the various “injustices” committed by China. In other words, China is the arch-enemy and Lobsang Sangay, their supposed hero.
In addition, the Tibetans trust their leaders and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to safeguard their interest. Strangely, if that is the case, why is the Office of Tibet, representing the Tibetans in exile, purposely using the same resources as that of their alleged enemy, China where secrets and plans of the Tibetans in exile can be easily leaked? The Office of Tibet that operates under Lobsang Sangay shares the same lobbyist as one of China’s most prominent Chinese nationalist in USA – Benjamin Wey?
It has been discovered that Office of Tibet paid Benjamin Wey’s firm to lobby on issues like foreign aid, immigration policy and self-immolation. Self-immolation is an issue the Tibetan government leverages on to pressure China in the global arena. At the same time, Benjamin Wey’s biggest client is the Chinese government. The question is, why would Lobsang Sangay engage the services of the lobbyist who is not only a Chinese nationalist, but would also be reluctant to act against his largest client? It is like Coca Cola and Pepsi both using the same PR and Marketing firm. Wouldn’t such gross negligence on the part of the Tibetan leadership facilitate a leakage of confidential information and play into the hands of the Chinese? Could this be more than mere negligence? Could it actually be an arrangement of convenience?
Was engaging Benjamin Wey’s firm intentional or a major negligence by the Tibetan leadership?
This is not the only time Lobsang Sangay has raised a few eyebrows and by right, a few red flags as well. The sudden paying-off of Lobsang Sangay’s USD250,000 mortgage loan right before his election as Prime Minister is yet another “coincidence” that should be of concern. Did Sangay pay off his mortgage with his own money or was it taken care of for him? And why at such crucial timing, which is just before the CTA election? And who paid Lobsang Sangay’s loan, and has he been compromised? Could it be possible that the Chinese assisted the would-be Prime Minister that the Tibetan people would trust, in exchange for certain ‘favors’? These are issues that should have worried the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama. Instead, Sangay was made ‘Sikyong’ a position that was beyond a mere elected Prime Minister.
For all the Tibetan people’s supposed fear of Chinese subterfuge, they certainly missed examining Lobsang Sangay, who after much denial, finally admitted to having visited China in 2005 using an Overseas Chinese National papers to enter the ‘enemy’ country. There is nothing wrong with exiled Tibetans visiting China (the Dalai Lama’s representatives visit China from time to time for negotiations in the interests of the Tibetans in exile) except, why is the Tibetan people’s leader travelling as a Chinese National and then lying about it? Isn’t that a direct conflict seeing his status as the Prime Minister of the Tibetans in exile who are fighting against the Chinese? The Prime Minister of the Tibetans in exile using official papers as an Overseas Chinese National, is an act that indirectly admits that Tibet is a part of China. If that is the case, then there should be no cause to fight for anymore and all “Free Tibet” or the Middle Way/Tibet Autonomy efforts should cease henceforth. Furthermore there should be no more exile government, no more Central Tibetan Administration, not more Office of Tibet, all these should be dissolved immediately, since the Prime Minister, the leader of all exiled Tibetans is already an Overseas Chinese National, then by default all exiled Tibetans are Overseas Chinese Nationals too, so Tibet is accepted by the Tibetan leadership as being part of China. It’s the end to the Tibetan cause and struggle.
The Tibetan people and government are also found to be extremely tolerant when its own Prime Minister, Lobsang Sangay undermines Tibetan history using Chinese Communist propaganda code words like referring to pre-1959 Tibet as a “feudal realm” that was “shackled to feudalism? Why would Sangay use labels that the ‘enemy’ uses to sway opinion against the Tibetan people, which is obviously derogatory towards his own people and history? Which side is Lobsang Sangay on?
These are some of the issues that have to be raised. Why was there no background check on the leadership candidates seeking votes to represent the Tibetans in exile? First we have Lobsang Sangay who has a shady pro-China background, and now we have the new candidate for the Prime Ministership, Penpa Tsering, who is an alleged murderer with dubious ethic? Is there still any credibility left in the Tibetan leadership? Is there any credibility in what the leadership says and does and if the leadership is proven to be negligent or dodgy? If the Tibetan leadership is proven to be negligent and dishonest then can there be any credibility in their accusations of Dorje Shugden? Can anyone believe the reasons they gave for their illegal religious ban which they deny even exists? How can anyone trust this leadership?
Losing faith. Tibetans and Free Tibet supporters are starting to question the exiled Tibetan government’s credibility.
Dorje Shugden practitioners are always accused of receiving money from the Chinese, and are unfairly labeled “traitors”. Perhaps the Tibetan leadership should really check and clean up their own backyard instead of going on this false inquisition of Shugden-Chinese-agents. Why go on a witch-hunt of innocent Dorje Shugden practitioners when in fact there is clearly something fishy going on within the ranks of the Tibetan leadership? Isn’t the series of incidents pointing towards the current Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay’s shady dealings with China many times more serious than merely receiving China’s money (if it is true)?
Perhaps it is really what it is, Dorje Shugden is made a scapegoat to divert attention away from the real deception that has plagued the Tibetan people. Perhaps they needed a diversion so that corrupt leaders can continue to reap benefits for themselves, and there is no real concern for the welfare of the Tibetans in exile, a strong reminiscence of what happened decades ago leading to the loss of Tibet. It seems things have not changed that much.
Article and write up sent in by Lobsang Smith
Disclaimer: This article was submitted by a third party author and does not necessarily reflect the official opinion of DorjeShugden.com. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to [email protected].
Mission failure at the International Campaign for Tibet by Maura Moynihan. Published in Washington Times.
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Sunitta
September 2, 2015
This is a real eye opener report for me. If all that is said by Mauro Moynihan is true that the International Campaign of Tibet is has it’s weaknesses and proves to be ineffective for the people of Tibet, then actions to revamp it is very necessary. Donors and supporters are entitled to know the truth. Also it would also be more effective for the people of Tibet.
Similarly with the Tibetan government. If there are cracks and weaknesses, unsuitable leaders and poor practices, it should all be brought to light and appropriate actions to be taken to eradicate all the problems. I think all Tibetans deserve an honest and correctly motivated and effective government.
Ringo Starr
September 4, 2015
It always bemuses me how politics always ends up a game of charades. Thank you DorjeShugden.com for carrying this eye opening piece.
Eli Buchen
September 4, 2015
ICT seems to be on firm footing to line their pockets and coffers.No results after half a century. The real losers of this has got to be the Tibetans. How long more will Tibetans have to suffer Tibetan leadership bent on taking advantage of Tibetan in exile?
This is a real eye opener for Tibetans and non Tibetans alike. Maura Moynihan is no stranger to Tibetan politics and how they work from the influence she probably got from her father who supported Tibetan independence.
Victor
May 22, 2016
This is indeed an interesting article! So, by being a Chinese National, Tibet has already been given up by its leader? And the rest is only show?
I agree, many people donated money to free the Tibetan people and help them with human rights and having a democratic government. Yet, this has never happened as we learn. The Tibetan government even attacks their own people and there is no democratic system for Dorje Shugden practitioners and their family, no friends, no work, no travel and so on…
What a deception to see that the money, donated by kind people, was not used for the Tibetan people, to help them living a decent life!
Camilia
May 28, 2016
For an economy that rely on exporting Buddhism and gaining Freedom from China, the slogan “Free Tibet” certainly have helped Tibetans in Exile gain global attention and financial support in the past decades. It is hard to just let go of this cause while it can still yield economy benefits for the Tibetans in Exile leadership. But The Tibetan in Exile leaderships are not fools. They are fully aware of the influence China had grown into globally and might have a hunch that “Free Tibet” will not longer command any sympathy. Paving the way back into China on a personal level seemed to be a new trend among the affluent of Tibetan in Exile community. If Achok Rinpoche, one of the closest people to HHDL, the former Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and the biographer of HHDL has defected back to China and proudly says he is now a Chinese citizen, what more about unscrupulous politicians like Sikyong Lobsang Sangay.
Amber Sonam
June 5, 2016
Good try CTA, yet another failing attempt in covering their dirty laundry. The smell is too strong to be hidden. I mean, how can you hide smell? In Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, this phrase is commonly used to direct logical thinking: where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The smoke cannot content itself and is too obvious to be ignored. In the presence of smoke, regardless how hard the CTA attempted to divert our attention, we can still see through the smoke and we know what causes it.
There are people who choose to think otherwise, who believe the CTA is fighting for the Tibetans “cause”. Although the results are obvious, no results to-date, there are people who choose to cling to the hope that the Dalai Lama is the head of the CTA and people around him will never do things listed above. One should not forget Dalai Lama maybe the emanation of Avalokitesvara, but the people around him are not. They are the same as you and me, full of greed, desire, jealousy, anger and what not. They are selfish and money, power, status…are very tempting and they can go wild with it. Best still, the CTA is surrounded by people with blind faith towards the Dalai Lama, so it is so easy for the CTA to perform corruptions and harmful actions. This was what had happened in the past 50 years and still continuing today.
What kind of developed country leader would make a spiritual deity a national alert, covering their dirty actions with a spiritual deity, abusing the financial aids from kind sponsors for selfish reasons and bring no results to benefit his country people? The CTA for sure!
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.