The opinion piece below was sent to dorjeshugden.com for publication. We accept submissions from the public, please send in your articles to [email protected].
By: Magda v.d. Berg
Observers and supporters of the Tibetan situation can generally be divided into two camps. One camp holds the view that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a god king and everything he does is infallible. If someone associated with him does something wrong, illegal or even criminal, then the Dalai Lama himself is innocent and absolved of all responsibility – his good name and reputation are being exploited by individuals who do not have the Tibetan people’s best interests at heart.
The second camp holds the view that the Dalai Lama is an ordinary human being capable of making mistakes. In this case, people here believe the Tibetans are worthy of support because of what they perceive as China’s inhumane acts, and not because the Dalai Lama is perfect and infallible. Ironically enough, the Dalai Lama himself professes to be a member of this camp, saying that he is nothing more than ‘a simple monk’.
With either view, the Dalai Lama is always innocent no matter what happens around him and it is precisely this view that is presented in Misbruikslachtoffers willen dalai lama spreken in Nederland (“Abuse victims want to speak with Dalai Lama in the Netherlands”), recently published by the Dutch publication Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. The article seeks to hold someone responsible for the recent spate of sexual abuse in the Tibetan Buddhist community, but it stops short of blaming the Dalai Lama himself. Instead, it says that:
…the Dalai Lama is insufficiently aware of how Buddhist teachers use him to build an image of trustworthiness.
That is to say, the blame lies with the perpetrators of the abuse and it is also the fault of those surrounding the Dalai Lama, because they did not make him more aware of the situation sooner. How realistic however, is this view? Consider these questions:
- Is it possible that the Dalai Lama was ignorant? That is, he did not know his supporters were abusing women and that is why he did nothing about it? No, because the abuse was widespread and the accusations have been going on for decades, and not just a couple of months. At some point, someone must have told him that certain lamas were being accused of improper and inappropriate acts with their students, and he should have acted there and then.
- Is it possible the Dalai Lama was disempowered? That is, he knew his supporters were abusing women but could do nothing about it? No, because the Dalai Lama can issue diktats and proclamations banning entire religious practices like the worship of Dorje Shugden. Therefore it is very much within the Dalai Lama’s realm and capacity to speak up strongly against the abuse of women. He does not need anyone’s permission to speak.
- Is it possible that the Dalai Lama is innocent or naive? That is, he did not consider people may be taking advantage of him? No, because someone who is singlehandedly capable of keeping the Tibetan cause alive for 60 years, will know everything that is happening in every corner of his community, especially what is being done by prominent Tibetan lamas. Someone who is that politically-shrewd, who can galvanize support from all corners of the globe, will know that he is being used by teachers to “build an image of trustworthiness”.
- Is it possible that someone viewed as a Buddha, did not have the clairvoyance to know that people were stealing money, embezzling funds, murdering people and abusing women, and using their association with him to whitewash their crimes? Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists view the Dalai Lama as Chenrezig. If people view the Dalai Lama as Chenrezig, then he definitely has clairvoyance. If he has clairvoyance, then he definitely knew about the abuse. And if he knew about the abuse, then he chose to do nothing about it. However, if people want to argue that the Dalai Lama is innocent and did not do anything because he did not know about it, then they are saying he does not have clairvoyance. If he does not have clairvoyance, therefore he cannot possibly be Chenrezig. Either the Dalai Lama is Chenrezig and thus possesses clairvoyance, or he is not. It cannot be both.
Everyone knows that as the topmost authority in the Tibetan community, there is nothing stopping the Dalai Lama from speaking up strongly against the abuses. With the imposition of the harsh ban against Dorje Shugden practice, the Dalai Lama has proven that he has no qualms about expressing his displeasure or imposing draconian measures against anything he manifests a dislike of. Thus the very fact that the Dalai Lama refused to distance himself from abusers like Sogyal, as the article mentions, until a written letter was published makes it clear that the Dalai Lama was aware of what was going on and chose to turn a blind eye until he was confronted with it and could not ignore it any longer.
Hence we arrive at a disturbing prospect – is it possible that the Dalai Lama knew about the sexual abuses all along and did not do anything because he supported the lamas’ actions? That is precisely what ‘De dalai lama beschermt nu bijna misbruikers‘ (“The Dalai Lama now almost protects abusers”), also published by Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, posits. By appearing in photographs with them, or agreeing to speak at their events, the Dalai Lama is in fact endorsing their behavior to the detriment of the unsuspecting public, risking their safety and spiritual practice.
Buddhist author Rob Hogendoorn is in agreement about this. Interviewed as part of Anna Mees and Bas de Vries’s article, Hogendoorn says:
If he [the Dalai Lama] speaks too clearly on this subject, he runs the risk of division among his own people
If Hogendoorn’s summation is accurate, then it means the Dalai Lama is aware of the abuse and is unwilling or unable to do anything about the situation. But how is this an indictment of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala)? Just like the Dalai Lama, the CTA has also been privy to the knowledge that some Tibetan lamas have been exploiting their positions in order to sexually abuse their students, and therefore they have been as equally unwilling and inactive as the Dalai Lama in dealing with this.
The CTA does not need the Dalai Lama’s approval to sanction these perpetrators; in remaining silent and allowing the abuse to continue, they are as equally complicit as those who appear in photographs next to the abusers. If the CTA is unwilling to sanction the abusers then at the very least they should not encourage the Dalai Lama to befriend these sex offenders; the CTA does not need to push the Dalai Lama in the direction of these abusers and sully his name by associating with them, all for the sake of financial contributions to the Tibetan administration. The CTA, in effect, compromised what is right, for what they found to be financially lucrative.
It is without doubt deeply incongruous and hypocritical to ban the allegedly ‘bad’ Dorje Shugden practice, while at the same time supporting a litany of clearly wicked so-called ‘spiritual’ figures who harm spiritual-seekers and damage the Dharma. Is it therefore worth supporting the Dorje Shugden ban, when it is being enforced by the very same people who made excuses for and continue to endorsed sex offenders? The CTA should also consider this – when they ignored, and even supported, these sex offenders they never thought that it would come back to haunt them. They never thought that the media would call them out on their silence, and find them complicit in the crime through their refusal to do anything. Continuing with the Dorje Shugden ban, the CTA should consider that it is only a matter of time before the media and the public will turn against them too.
It is high time the Tibetan leadership steps up. For 60 years, the entire survival of the Tibetan people has rested on the Dalai Lama’s reputation but with each news report that considers the possibility that the Dalai Lama is protecting these abusers, more and more are developing an unflattering view of the Dalai Lama, whether rightly or wrongly so. When such a view takes root, it will affect the Dalai Lama’s ability to foster and raise support for the Tibetan cause and community. This alone should be enough to motivate the Tibetan leadership to mature their democracy and take control of the situation before it is too late. Maturing their democracy means endorsing people for their merits and capabilities, instead of endorsing people who are politically correct or financially lucrative. It means doing what is good and right, and not what is easy and convenient. It means removing factors like the Dorje Shugden ban that divide the community, as well as respecting differences and people’s right to make their own decisions even if it does not necessarily agree with the leadership.
[NOS] Misbruikslachtoffers willen
dalai lama spreken in Nederland
English Translation: Abuse victims want to speak
with Dalai Lama in the Netherlands
[NOS] ‘De dalai lama beschermt
nu bijna misbruikers’
English Translation: ‘The Dalai Lama now
almost protects abusers’
[Channel NewsAsia] Dalai Lama to meet sex
abuse victims in The Netherlands
It appears that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has agreed to a “short audience” for the victims of sexual abuse. What can the Dalai Lama say during this “short audience” that will really help the victims, when he will not do anything else beyond that? He will not speak up against their abusers, he will not punish them and he will not excommunicate them from the Tibetan and Tibetan Buddhist community. His secretary has already made it very clear – while the Dalai Lama disagrees with these lamas’ actions, he as the head of the Tibetan people has absolved himself of all responsibility for their behavior, despite having endorsed them for decades.
The fact is that the Dalai Lama is only speaking up against the sexual abuse because he now has public pressure to do so. Just as the current Pope was finally forced to address similar issues in the Catholic Church after decades of successive Popes ignoring them, the Dalai Lama now has no choice but to say something. Had these crimes not come to light, they would have been ignored and swept under the rug, just as so many other troubling issues within the Tibetan community tend to be treated. Nevertheless, while the Dalai Lama has said something, he is apparently not going to do anything about it.
In other words, in consideration of the very serious damage inflicted on the victims by those he empowered, all the Dalai Lama seems to offer is a token denouncement. This itself is void of any power and this meek censure appears to be designed more for his public relations than to remedy the situation and prevent further abuses. This is all according to the Dalai Lama’s secretary Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, who says the Dalai Lama will not do anything about these abusers. Instead, he places that heavy mantle on the victims. Is it fair that the victims, who have already suffered so much, are the only ones who should fight to hold the sex abusers accountable for their actions?
Surely the man whom the Tibetan leadership positions as the head of Tibetan Buddhism, should be stepping in to sanction the inappropriate, highly improper and downright illegal behavior of these teachers. After all, the Tibetan leadership falsely promotes the Dalai Lama as the head of Tibetan Buddhism in order to justify his ban against Dorje Shugden; that is, according to the CTA, the Dalai Lama as the so-called head is apparently well within his rights to punish people for practicing Dorje Shugden. But while the Dalai Lama speaks up incessantly against Dorje Shugden, and is very strict in enforcing segregation against Dorje Shugden practitioners, the Dalai Lama’s secretary has now made it clear he will not be doing the same against the sex offenders.
So which one is it? Is the Dalai Lama the CTA-positioned head of Tibetan Buddhism, and therefore somehow justified to ban Dorje Shugden? If so, then he also has the right to sanction and punish the abusers, but is now choosing not to do so. And if he will not sanction the abusers because it is not his place to do so, how then does he have any right to ban Dorje Shugden?
In refusing to strongly denounce the perpetrators of the abuse, and refusing to speak up against them and discourage people from going to seek spiritual guidance from them, the Dalai Lama is in effect perpetrating the destruction of Buddhism by endorsing and ignoring sexual abuse. The question now is not what the Dalai Lama will say about these sexual abusers, but what will he do about them. What will the Dalai Lama do about these sexual abusers?
[DutchNews.nl] Dalai Lama, visiting the Netherlands, gets tough with abusers
Unbelievably, this was the actual advice given by the Dalai Lama’s secretary on how to deal with the abuse:
If we are feeling uneasy in the presence of a teacher it is best to distance oneself. Rather than talk to other students sharply or divisively it is best to softly move away’, NOS quotes the secretary’s earlier advice.
This statement is essentially victim-blaming by the Tibetan leadership, saying that it is the fault of the students rather than their abusers. Instead of taking any serious action against the perpetrators, they condemn the victims. Apparently, there is no onus on the so-called lamas to control their desires and actually practice the Dharma they preach and make money off of.
It is obvious to everyone – the CTA are trying to avoid confronting the bad guys in order to protect the financial benefits they derive from a lucrative relationship with these abusers. But the Westerners are not naïve and ignorant, and they can see clearly what is happening. It is obvious the Dalai Lama wants to remove himself from any responsibility or accountability, although it is clear that he endorsed the very lamas who were criminals, thereby enabling and emboldening them to continue with their criminal acts.
The CTA should post the lamas’ faces on their website and condemn these abusers in the same way they condemn Dorje Shugden practitioners. Why can the CTA segregate Dorje Shugden practitioners, although the practice only affects Buddhists, but refuse to do the same for people who do something that is universally reviled? So while the Dalai Lama’s secretary says that the Dalai Lama condemns these acts, it is all just words and no action. The CTA should actually issue statements against the abusive lamas, and denounce their actions strongly, firmly and without doubt. They should accompany these statements with actual sanctions instead of playing messenger, carrying messages back and forth with no opinion of their own.
[BBC] Dalai Lama meets alleged abuse victims
It turns out that in the end, the Dalai Lama did meet with four people representing a group of sexual abuse victims. When they tried to present their case to the Dalai Lama however, he was disappointingly not very “receptive” and at the beginning, did not even want to hear about them. Is this how someone who is promoted as the epitome of compassion should act with traumatized victims? It is indeed troubling that the Dalai Lama needs to be convinced to listen to the worries and requests of victims, while he happily meets with and attends the events of sexual abusers.
[ABC] Dalai Lama meets alleged victims
of abuse by Buddhist gurus
The four people who met with the Dalai Lama to ask for his support in their fight for justice left their audience with mixed reactions. After the meeting, the Dalai Lama did not meet with reporters and his office did not immediately respond to requests for a comment. This is typical of the Tibetan leadership who would prefer to sweep difficult issues under the rug. Surely it would be better for the Dalai Lama and his office to issue a statement regarding the meeting, rather than allow the tone and outcome of the meeting to be set by victims who were disappointed upon meeting him. The Tibetan leadership would rather shirk and avoid responsibility, than think about alleviating the suffering of these traumatized people.
[Hindustan Times] ‘Nothing new’: Dalai Lama says he knew about sex abuse by Buddhist teachers
Incredibly, the Dalai Lama admits that he knew about the abuses all along – for the past 25 years in fact – but did nothing. This must be a troubling revelation for the victims of sexual abuse, who relied on the Dalai Lama’s word and reputation as a measure of who they can and should not trust.
And exactly who it is did the Dalai Lama hear about 25 years ago was abusing their students, and did he anything about it? If he did not act against it, then that is a quarter of a century of the Dalai Lama allowing these perpetrators to continue their crimes unchecked and without consequence. This, combined with the Hindustan Times interview, only reaffirms the conclusion of the victims’ meeting with him – the Dalai Lama will not help them, and is not interested in helping them.
[Inquirer News] Dalai Lama knew sex abuse by
Buddhist teachers; it’s ‘nothing new’
Another article confirms that the Dalai Lama knew about these abuses all along and chose to do nothing about it. Where is his compassion for these victims of abuse? Who should these victims go to for help, if not the Dalai Lama who often acts as the head of all Tibetan Buddhists?
And once again, the Dalai Lama pushes the responsibility on to others, saying that “religious leaders should pay more attention”. But is the Dalai Lama himself not a religious leader? In fact, the Tibetan leadership positions him as the head of all Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders, although this is not necessarily the case.
So how come, as the supposed head, the Dalai Lama is not paying attention and doing something? How can he ask others to ‘pay more attention’ when he himself is not doing so? Why does the Dalai Lama devolve the responsibility onto other religious leaders? Does he not consider himself a religious leader? If that is the case, then perhaps the Dalai Lama should stop getting involved with religious issues in the Tibetan community and focus only on his own personal matters.
[Quartz] “You have given me ammunition,” the
Dalai Lama tells Buddhist abuse victims
While this article attempts to paint the Dalai Lama in a more positive and proactive light, it also states the fact that the Dalai Lama knew about the abuses for 25 years and did nothing about it. It also attempts excuse the fact the Dalai Lama did nothing before by saying he has “ammunition” now.
The truth is that as the God-king of Tibet whose word is law, the Dalai Lama never needed “ammunition” to act. And even if that were the case, these allegations were reaffirmed in 2011 when Sogyal Rinpoche was exposed in a documentary as being a sexual abuser. Was that not enough so-called “ammunition” then?
Now, after a 20-minute meeting with some of the victims, the Dalai Lama has agreed to their demands but it remains to be seen whether or not he will actually fulfill them. After all, the meeting was a very short one considering the gravity of the topic they were discussing, and the Dalai Lama has given speeches longer than the meeting he had with the victims.
Why does Dalai Lama allow sexual abuse
September 13, 2018
It is interesting that HHDL will meet the abuse victims. It is good he ‘denounced’ the abusers. It is good he asked the abused to report the abusers to authorities. BUT WHAT WILL THE DALAI LAMA HIMSELF DO ABOUT ALL THIS?
It sounds like he is brushing it off back to the abusers. They make the reports and take care of it and he himself will do nothing more. He is embarrassed he supported the likes of Soygal?
Dalai Lama has STRONGLY DENOUNCED DORJE SHUGDEN in his teachings and gatherings so many times. Why does he not do the same for Sogyal and the abusers like Sogyal? Why does he denounce Dorje Shugden lamas. But he does not repeatedly denounce these abusive lamas like Sogyal and Mipham Rinpoche of Shambhala? These lamas are more dangerous and harmful to Buddhism and warrant MUCH MORE STRONGER DENOUNCEMENTS from the Dalai Lama so he can warn others.
1. Dalai Lama should recommend their books to be removed from being sold.
2. He should warn the Tibetans about these lamas in Tibetan language strongly.
3. He should let all monasteries know.
4. He should segregate these lamas and people who continue to follow them also segregated from Tibetan hospitals, schools, public gatherings, places of business and monasteries. That is what is done to Shugden people.
5. He should call them Chinese spies who are out to destroy Buddhism. He says all these things about Shugden people.
Dalai Lama’s public denouncement of these offensive abusive lamas is not loud and thorough enough. He can be stronger and more vocal to denounce them and segregate them from Tibetan societies around the world and in Tibet. He does it to the Shugden people. Surely these abusive lamas are MUCH MORE DANGEROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE TO BUDDHISM THAN SHUGDEN PEOPLE?
Boomerang Karma
September 13, 2018
Why is the Dalai Lama supporting such evil men wearing robes and using religion to abuse women? What is wrong with the Dalai Lama? After all the Dalai Lama has to be challenged for his poor leadership with his own Tibetan Lamas abusing others just like the pope has to be forced to speak about the church pedophile issues.
Some sleazy pictures of Sakya Mipham Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche and Sakya Trizin being real good friends with Sogyal Rinpoche too. Disgusting.
Former Sakya Trizin is disappointing
September 14, 2018
The former Sakya Trizin supports Sogyal Rinpoche says too much. I thought Sakya Trizin is all powerful, omniscient and clairvoyant? If he is, then why didn’t he know what Sogyal was doing? If he did know, why does he support Sogyal and visit his centre in France? If he didn’t then he is not such a great and all knowing lama is he? Disappointing to say the least. I am glad I never took any teachings from this former earring wearing Sakya Trizin who thank goodness has been put to rest and now is the former Sakya Trizin.
Pema
September 15, 2018
Why is nobody taking action against these sex abusers? Instead of warning the public against them, the Dalai Lama, the Sakya Trizin and others are taking pictures with them!!!
This is very wrong or is the Dalai Lama saying sexual abuse is ok? Why do they become a monk when they go against the vows?
So, why is the Dalai Lama not taking action as he can take very strict and harsh actions against the many Dorje Shugden practitioners and lamas?
It is good that the public knows now that they have to be on their guard as the Dalai Lama is even said to almost protect the abuser by one of the papers.
Tracy
September 15, 2018
The CTA and the Dalai Lama are still endorsing these lamas who have sexually abused their students, this is unbelievable. Sexual abuse is a very heavy crime, the abusers should be brought to justice, why are they not? Why is the Dalai Lama still so close with these lamas?
The CTA applies 2 different standards when it comes to sex predators and Dorje Shugden followers. Dorje Shugden followers have not done anything damaging to the Tibetan community or Tibetan Buddhism. Just because the Dalai Lama had a dream and said Dorje Shugden is not good then a ban is imposed and the Dorje Shugden followers are discriminated against in the Tibetan community. These sex predators are damaging the Tibetan Buddhism, but no one in the CTA says anything about it, the Dalai Lama also did not say anything about it. Many people will start to lose faith in Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama is a living Buddha, he has the ability to see what is happening, why is he not saying anything? He should know these lamas are harming people, why does he still want to be seen with them. I am actually very disappointed, I used to think the Dalai Lama is the most compassionate person in the world, it looks like I was wrong.
snowlion
September 15, 2018
Incredibly disgusting is all I can say.
What is happening with the Dalai Lama? Why is he supporting Lamas who are sexual offenders and does not do anything to reprimand or condemn or segregate them yet he will instruct monks who practice Dorje Shugden for years to be kicked out? Why so much bias and unfairness? This is really appalling and a huge double standard! It shows how hypocritical the Dalai Lama is, sorry to say this but he is really leaving behind a not so positive legacy.
No spiritual person and definitely not leader should act, condone, support sexual abuse of any kind. It is totally unacceptable, not only you rape people physically, you also rape their spiritual belief, practice and path. It is horrifying to learn that the Dalai Lama allows all this right under his nose and does nothing about it and even endorsed these disgusting Lamas. It’s beginning to sound really bad as more dirt and skeletons are dragged out and people are voicing out.
Wang
September 16, 2018
Such a shocking article to come across! I’ve always thought that the Dalai Lama is all about compassion, peace, kindness and wisdom, didn’t know there’s another side of him.
The fact that the Dalai Lama doesn’t say anything about these despicable sexual abusers is indeed very disturbing. As a leader, one should not encourage such disgusting behaviour by staying quiet and keep associating with people like this.
Number one, it sends the wrong message to the public, it’s almost telling them that it’s okay to be friends with sexual offenders which is wrong. Number two, instead of stopping them from repeating again, it encourages the sexual abusers to keep doing it. So no matter from which angle we approach this issue, the Dalai Lama definitely is wrong. What kind of person would encourage sexual abuse by staying quiet and keep associating himself with the offenders? 😱
Utsang Nyima
September 16, 2018
Did you know Buddhist Professor Robert Thurman supports the sex abuse offender Sogyal Lakar? Sogyal Lakar has hurt numerous women and went into hiding. Thurman and Sogyal Lakar are very close and friendly. Robert Thurman is just interested in money and does not care who’s hurt. The only reason Thurman follows the Dalai Lama is for business purposes. Associating with Dalai Lama will help him sell books to make more money. Money and dollars rules Professor Thurman who is hated in the Buddhist communities as he is extremely arrogant. Very rude and shouts at people because he has huge anger issues.
Anonymous
September 16, 2018
I am rather disappointed with the advice given above related to the victims. Instead of asking the abusers to control themselves or to reprimand the abusers, the advise is pushing back the responsibility to the victims. 😱
The abusers are not normal people. They are lamas who teaches others Dharma which include to refrain from sexual misconduct. However, they are the one who made the mistakes. As a spiritual leader like Dalai Lama, isn’t he should reprimand them or take disciplinary actions on them? 😡
Lobsang Dhondup
September 16, 2018
It is bewildering that His Holiness the Dalai Lama mentioned that he had known of sexual abuse by Buddhist teachers since the 1990s, yet nothing was done to reprimand these Buddhist teachers. After all, such abuses inflict substantial damage to the reputation of Tibetan Buddhism as a whole as compared to smaller issues like Dorje Shugden.
The Central Tibetan Administration was fervent in executing the Dorje Shugden ban, launching a documentary film, books, expelling monks, splitting monasteries and denying access to hospitals, clinics, schools, retail shops and so forth down to even publishing a hit list of Shugden activists in order to encourage violence and lynch mob. Yet, the damage done to Tibetan Buddhism by these lamas seems to be ignored and hushed. Why is the Central Tibetan Administration not doing more to warn the public about these sex offenders like posting a warning list on their website?
Tashi Wangchuk
September 16, 2018
His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the Tibetan spiritual leader revered by millions of Buddhists around the world should ensure that the Tibetan spiritual leaders do more to denounce sexual misconduct and abuse of Buddhist teachers as there are far-reaching repercussions and negative impact on Tibetan Buddhism.
While His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been consistent in reminding practitioners about not practising Dorje Shugden in lieu of the social and religious problems associated with it, despite the unsubstantiated claims or justifications, the indolence of the Central Tibetan Administration in taking action to pacify the public disgust against the misconduct of these Buddhist teachers is severely lacking and appalling. The bias in dealing with these issues related to religious matter has again proven the political nature and conspiracy behind the ban on Dorje Shugden.
Alexandra
September 16, 2018
Dalai Lama has got to get his priorities and judgment right!
How can anyone call him a spiritual leader when he is destroying Buddhism. By covering up for perpetrators, that is exactly what it’s doing. It’s not like he cannot put a stop to it. We have seen how strong DL came down on Shugden practitioners although Shugden practitioners did nothing wrong. Yet, Shugden people are branded as criminals instead of these sex abusers.
So illogical.
SabrinaS
September 17, 2018
It simply makes no sense to shelter these criminals! Unless of course money is involved, I guess. As they said, “Money is the root of all evil”. CTA has a reputation of greed so I guess the reputation of the Dalai Lama is expendable. Actually if these perpetrators were rooted out to keep the purity of Tibetan Buddhism, sponsors would be happier with trust intact and would have continued to contribute even more. Now the taint is there and sponsors will be wary. Even thinking of it really raise the heckles. It seems the very “protectors of Tibetan Buddhism” are the ones destroying the sanctity of Buddhism. First the illogical ban on Dorje Shugden where Tibetan Leaders tarnished the pure lineages that trace back all the way to Buddha Sakyamuni, abuse the Dorje Shugden lamas and caused so much sufferings to the millions of practitioners. For what? Just to cover up the failures of the Tibetan Leaders’ promises? Now shielding and endorsing sexual predators who held positions of trusts for those seeking refuge? Come on! Wake up already. Endorsing criminals and persecuting pure practitioners?
Rabgyal
September 18, 2018
I don’t think the Dalai Lama is covering. I think the people around him and the Tibetan government are giving him the wrong advice. What do they expect a monk to do and say? They should be stepping in and taking charge of the situation, but they’re too afraid to do something about it. So they push the Dalai Lama out front and let him take all the hits. Sickening. The Tibetan government don’t love the Dalai Lama. He’s a convenient human shield for their refusal to be accountable for any of their actions.
Daniel A.
September 19, 2018
It’s heartbreaking to read news like these especially when it paint very bad reputation for Tibetan Buddhism. I can’t fathom the confusion and regrets of the victims and those interested to learn Buddhism. These news really destroy a lot of hard work that other lamas are doing to benefit others.
Although DL has a a huge part in these matters so does CTA because they have failed miserably in warning others about the real issue. DL can’t say anything now because he should have said it a long time ago when he first learned about the sexual abuses. He could have prevented it and help those pitiful people. Look at what it has become. DL has been doing a lot of wrong/poor judgements nowadays.Perhaps Dorje Shugden ban is also one of his wrong/poor judgement?
CTA is useless in doing anything. From self immolations, division among the Tibetans, getting free Tibet, etc and now alleged sexual abuses. Fantastic job they are doing to even do anything about it. All CTA want is more money to con more lies to tell more disappointment for the people. CTA should be disbanded as time and time again they have failed to lead by example and doing nothing effortlessly.
Samayakeeper
September 19, 2018
I think the Dalai Lama dare not intefere with the other sects’ affairs fearing the leaders of the sects may tell him to mind his own business. Like ‘clean up your own backyard instead of coming over to our yards.’ But still he can always advise those monks accused of sexual abuse, like he ‘advises’ against the practice of Dorje Shugden. Sexual allegations and alleged criminal breach of trust are very serious matters, especially when allegations are made against sangha members and religious government. That said, the Dalai Lama could have
advise Lobsang Sangay of sexual allegations made against him, and the CTA being asked to account for sponsors’ donations. Why didn’t he? But instead the Dalai Lama ‘advises’ against Dorje Shugden, whose practice has not harmed anyone and certainly the world could not care less about whether his claims are true or not. But sex and money? That is a big No No.
Dondrup Shugden
September 19, 2018
Sexual abuse is an issue that is within the confines of spiritual and secular irregularities. Total illegal by common law and spiritual vows.
Therefore it is not acceptable that the Dalai Lama does not take any action against the Lamas alleged to have conducted sexual abuse.
Whether efforts are to be taken within the moral legal code by CTA or the spiritual vows by the Dalai Lama, something should have been done.
There is no excuse for the Dalai Lama not to know as at picture of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama is their “King God”.
As a comparison, the ban on Dorje Shugden had been spoken of publicly by both CTA and Dalai Lama. This shows that CTA and the Dalai Lama had and can work hand in hand. With the ban on Dorje Shugden their efforts are definitely very effective.
Why then the sexual abuse is not be dealt with by these two parties, CTA and Dalai Lama? Why are these alleged Lamas still be promoted and endorsed?
Chidook
September 19, 2018
Why the Dalai Lama keeping quiet over this issue of sexual abuse? I believe HH knew very well that sexual misconduct is one of the refrain in 5 precepts of Buddhism especially on those holding vows. Is Dalai Lama endorsed these abusers because they are financially support to CTA?
In my opinion, sexual abuse is a crime and no matter how rich or powerful you are, your action had created a caused which is negative make negative karma arises. It goes same with the Dorje Shugden ban. Henceforth, to those who commited such crime, “May the force be with you…”
Dolkar
September 19, 2018
After reading the article, I felt so shocked why Dalai Lama is covering the sexual abuser. In the article, it has listed the few questions. Each question is clearly explained that there is no way Dalai Lama doesn’t know anything about the abuse. It is clearly shown that HHDL knew everything but choose to act nothing or take action on it.
It is so unbelievable. I thought as a respectful spiritual leader who is full of compassion and kind, HHDL should be shown compassion to the sexual abuse victims. At least he can advise what action to be taken to those abusers instead still agreeing to speak at their events. in other means, HHDL is endorsing their such ugly behaviors.
Comparing the sexual abuse and Dorje Shugden ban, the sexual abuse is far more critical and serious. Good point that does we still supporting the Dorje Shugden ban when it is being enforced by someone who made excuses for and continue to endorsed sex offenders?
Xi Man
September 19, 2018
I hope the H.H. Dalai Lama can speak up to those who ruin the name of Buddhism & people who use the name of Buddhism for the sake of enjoying personal benefits from it. We can’t afford to let the teaching of Buddha to degenerate any further.
Om Mani PadMe Hum
Elibuchen
September 19, 2018
Many reports have come out that the Dalai Lama knew since the 1990′s about this sexual abuse issue. Hope this time, that Dalai Lama given no choice, will do what is right and restore some dignity and respect for Tibetan Buddhism and its practitioners.
The whole world is aware of many teachers and lamas in the Tibetan tradition are abusing their students and some sexually, it has gotta stop.
Tenzin K
September 19, 2018
Sexual abuse is a very serious matter that directly harming the individual. Why the victims would want to meet up with Dalai Lama is because they have faith and trust towards The Nobel Peace Prize winner able to do something to stop this harmful act. For most Tibetan, they would see Dalai Lama as the religious leader and as well as the manifestation of the Buddha of compassion. Since Dalai Lama has been so vocal in persuing the ban of Dorje Shugden practice which does not harm anyone, why Dalai Lama keep silent towards the abuser. This silent indirectly allow the abuser to continue abusing the Dalai Lama students or supporter. The only reason I can think of why Dalai Lama behaving like this is due protecting the support from the abuser.
From the ban of Dorje Shugden we already know that nothing will stop Dalai Lama from for what he wants to do. Since that is the case it’s not difficult for Dalai Lama to take action on this people since it harms the people under the name of spirituality.
The world is watching the Dalai Lama now and every single steps Dalai Lama take will be under the radar especially on such cases, many people will start to voice up. Dalai Lama should act accordingly in order to gain the credit back or his reputation it will be just gone with the wind.
Brian
September 19, 2018
This whole thing is madness. Sorry but people will never understand why sexual abusers get protection while Dorje Shugden people are treated worst than dogs. This whole thing is indeed a mess.
Jing Jing
September 19, 2018
Practicing Dorje Shugden is evil, being discriminated and also a criminal. But sexual abuse others is consider ok. HHDL even ambraced then, supported their event, visit them and having good relationship with them. So it means sexual abuse is ok, no problem, nothing wrong! How can HHDL do that?
Tianni
September 19, 2018
In one hand, Buddhism encouraging people to take vows to become a better person and in another hand the monks broke their vows. Yes, this is nothing new as mentioned by the God-King of Tibet, the HH Dalai Lama. However the worst thing is this sexual abuse is allowed because the HH Dalai Lama did not say anything on this since he admitted he knew about it.
Many lamas who practiced Dorje Shugden during their past life have been reincarnated back and some being recognised and endorsed by the HH Dalai Lama himself. Yes.this is nothing new to Dalai Lama and the reincarnation of the lamas already a strong prove that nothing wrong with the practice otherwise the lamas will go to 3 lower realms already but Dalai Lama ban the practice.
Dalai Lama did not take any action on the sexual abuse issue which bring harm to the Buddhism but ban the Dorje Shugden practice which had bring benefits to so many people for the last 400 years. Where is the logic?
Tenzin Sangye
September 19, 2018
Is too many scandel and corruption within the tibetans in exile. It look like Dalai Lama is out of the control. Such cases abuse women sexually happen in tibetan buddhïsm by high lama. Dalai Lama will not interfere other sect high lama scandel. They need to cover their own mistake. Another hand Dalai Lama maybe fearing by taking action againts other sect high lama, they will not listen and support CTA anymore.
Tashi Wangdi
September 20, 2018
When compared to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamsala that does not take any responsibility for their people like any proper government normally would, China is radically different and liberal for allowing sex abuse victims to express themselves on social media, despite its heavy censorship of the Internet.
For people like Luo Xixi, whose online postings on sex abuse has garnered millions of views on Chinese social media, said that the government is gradually opening up to the #MeToo movement, a hashtag catch-phrase movement that encourages and empowers sex abuse victims to stand up against sex abuse. In China, those who are convicted of sexual abuse are severely dealt with by the law and laid off from work. The Central Tibetan Administration should take heed of how such cases are dealt with in China and not allow sex abuse perpetrators, especially Tibetan lamas to continue committing their crimes unchecked and without consequence.
Thupten Lungrig
September 20, 2018
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speeches create headlines nowadays not because they bring wisdom and enlightening thoughts, but rather unpleasant feelings and disapprovals. From the sexist quip in 2015, his gaffe on Nehru, and his recent comment about Europe that caused him to be labelled as White Supremacist, there is now one more to add onto the list. In order to be congenial and consistent with the image of a Nobel Peace Laureate, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been issuing statements, especially about Islam, such as redefining Jihad as an interior struggle.
More and more people are expressing their doubt, with some even directly pointing out the mistakes in the Dalai Lama’s speech. This pattern of speech of strong statements that ends up in denial or apology seems consistent with his advice concerning the practice of Dorje Shugden. With the reasons behind the ban shifted so much over time, perhaps there really was never any validity behind the ban at all.
Palmo
September 28, 2018
This is very disappointing of His Holiness and the Tibetan Government. Why are they not doing anything to protect the public and protect the Dharma from being tainted by somebody like Sogyal? Their evil deeds are creating a very negative image of Buddhism and Lamas around the world.
His Holiness even continued to grant audiences and take pictures with these sexual offenders. This can potentially harm more innocent people who know nothing about Buddhism. They might think that since His Holiness is still seeing these people, they will be okay to follow.
This allows unsuspecting disciples to be abused by the sexual offenders and people like Sogyal and continue doing their evil deeds. His Holiness is capable of voicing out and even issue a statement to slam those sexual offenders but he did not. He stayed quiet for decades and hence so many students were abused. His Holiness failed to protect those sexual victims.
Gold Germany
September 28, 2018
Transcript: Dalai Lama is a Racist Nazi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_J_we4rp34
Dalai Lama is a piece of shit and a disgusting scumbag. It is, it is insane this cunt comes to Europe and tells us that we should not accept more refugees. Is he fucking retarded? It is amazing, like you don’t expect from people like, like those to be Nazis and to support all the right. It’s just insane a spiritual leader is a fucking Nazi dude. Europe needs more refugees, way more than we already have. Do you understand? And this degenerate says that we should send refugees back to where they came from and that we should help the countries of the refugees. His suggestions are, it’s obvious, like obviously we should help the countries of the, of the refugees, of their origin, but we should not send anyone back. We need more refugees in Europe and we should not deport anyone. We should give money to the refugees so they can stay in Europe and live here. What this Dalai Lama is suggesting is very inhumane, that’s all what I wanted to say. Hopefully in future we will get more migrants in Europe. Hopefully we can help more people. Let’s hope, let’s hope for the better.
Ngawang Norbu
October 1, 2018
The issue of Indian resentment towards the Tibetan refugees living on Indian soil is nothing new. The Tibetans have built comfortable lives for themselves in India and enjoy many privileges including exemption from paying tax. All of this is done without Tibetans showing genuine concern for the less fortunate in their host country.
The story below, which took place over 24 years ago, is a reflection of how fragile the Tibetan situation is in India. When a Tibetan murdered an Indian following a dispute, chaos ensued, and the Dalai Lama had to consider moving out of Dharamsala. Tensions between the Indian and Tibetan community have not normalised and remain high in the area even until today.
Pema Tashi
October 2, 2018
A Plot to Murder the Dalai Lama
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, South India, says there is a plot to murder the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Link to the original video: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/fight-for-separate-lingayat-religion-karnataka-deputy-cm-alleges-murderous-plot-against-dalai-lama-more-1353993-2018-10-02
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1538514480.mp4
Namdrol
October 2, 2018
A plot to murder the Dalai Lama by a Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terrorist named Kausar was recently uncovered. Kausar planned to cause the Dalai Lama’s demise and blow up Buddhist temples in the Indian State of Karnataka as revenge for the attacks on Rohingya Muslims by some Buddhists in Myanmar.
Although Kausar’s plans are appalling and cannot be justified, it is a reminder that the Dalai Lama as a well-known Buddhist personality has a moral obligation to discourage religious persecution in any form. This even includes the discrimination experienced by Dorje Shugden practitioners.
Ngawang Jigme
October 2, 2018
The fact that rangzen activists aim for the goal of Tibetan independence is at odds with the Dalai Lama’s goal for Tibet’s autonomy. This is nothing new but it is an undeniable fact that the Dalai Lama is the most recognisable Tibetan face and representative for the Tibetan Cause. However, for years now there has been a deficit of trust between China and the Dalai Lama, which leaves the future of Tibetan refugees in limbo.
Recently, the Dalai Lama tried to take conciliatory steps towards China by acknowledging that development in the Tibet Autonomous Region is beneficial and expressed his desire to return to China. He even said he wants to go on pilgrimage to Mount Wutai, China’s most famous Buddhist site. The fact that the Rangzen people are still protesting against China however shows their true colour. They are against the Dalai Lama and want to make sure that his efforts to help Tibetans are unsuccessful.
Tashi Wangdi
October 4, 2018
Sex Predator in a Monk’s Robes?
In USA, Shambhala’s head Sakyong Mipham with his huge ceremonial hat, blue and gold brocades on a high throne. So much pomp and ceremony and underneath it all was a monster… a sexual predator in religious robes exploiting women and people. Such a disgusting shame. Sakyong should be barred from any activities in the future and go for counselling. He needs it badly. His father was Chogyam Trungpa who did the same thing to women and included drugs and orgies in the 70′s. Dalai Lama supports Sakyong Mipham as sizeable donations were given to the Dalai Lama’s office. Shame. We all thought Dalai Lama was clairvoyant and can see the hearts of sentient beings? Sakyong Mipham wears monk robes, shaves his head but has a wife and kids. Why keep wearing monk robes? He is wearing monk robes to look authentic as he is not authentic. Easier to swindle and fool people. Ontop of wearing robes, shaved head masquerading as a monk, has a wife and kids, he further attacks other women sexually. What kind of spiritual leader is this? Disgusting.
Belinda Mae
October 4, 2018
“Why does Dalai Lama cover sexual abuse among his ranks?”
Does this imply that anyone who does harm to another person or being is not wrong and does not have bad karma? A person who did harm or commit sin has to bear the consequences on their own.
Anonymous
October 13, 2018
ashrao
November 1, 2018
China and India are becoming closer and in a recent meeting have agreed on some points. One of these points is that the Dalai Lama will not be allowed to carry out any more political activities against China on Indian soil. Being a spiritual leader, why is he so political anyway? The Indian leaders are slowly silencing the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans in India. The Dalai Lama and his Tibetan government in-exile regime had better make friends with China already. They should either go back to Tibet/China or become Indian citizens and remain silent.
Potter
November 8, 2018
A powerful article, a must-read! Makes people wonder, why are they so biased against China when all the other countries are doing exactly what China is doing but behind the facade of ‘democracy’? 👎
Dawa Tsering
November 25, 2018
“The bottom line is its not about whether anyone trusts or likes China but whether China can help these countries advance their own respective national interests. And the answer is yes. Correspondingly the question is whether any country can afford not to access China’s vast consumer market moving into the future. Not doing business is bad for local economies and no one will elect or re-elect a government that presides over a failing economy.”~NY Times
Thupten Lungrik
November 25, 2018
Everyone is expecting a communist China to fail. But in fact China is getting stronger and bigger and more powerful. China proves communism can work to the chagrin of ‘democratic’ countries such as the US who is jealous and threatened of their own status quo. China will continue to grow according to the New York Times.
Drolma
November 26, 2018
It is very scandalous that so many Tibetan Buddhist teachers are sexually abusing their students in the name of religion. In Tibetan Buddhism, guru devotion is very important for us to gain attainment. Guru devotion includes obeying what the guru says. But where to draw the line?
These Rinpoches are abusing the guru devotion to sexually abuse the students. They claim what they have requested the student to do is to help them progress in their spiritual path, it is to please the guru. Since many people are very new and ignorant to what guru devotion is, they will obey the guru until things are becoming too much and illogical.
It is shocking to know the Dalai Lama has known about the sexual abuse cases many years ago but he ignores it and allows these Rinpoches to continue to abuse their students. What kind of compassion is this? So many lives are destroyed and they have made people lost their faith in the Dharma. As a spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama could have done more to protect and preserve the Buddha’s teachings.
Jampa Samten
November 27, 2018
India and China now pushing ahead with resolution of their border disputes. It looks like India is finally ready to officially drop the Tibet card.
Excerpt:
“India and China will have “early harvest” talks on their vexed border dispute as many agreements have been reached by both sides since their top leaders met in Wuhan, Beijing said on Monday”.
Sino-Indian ‘early harvest’ spells scorched earth for Tibetan dreams.
Too bad for Tibetans in India. Too bad for Tibetan leadership. Their karma coming back soon for all the harms they have done.
Sonam Wangdue
December 2, 2018
Dear Lobsang Sangye and Tibetan Govt in exile in Dharamsala,
How come after 60 years you are still not at the G20 meetings? How come you cannot get your country back? How come the world economies and power are shifting towards the East which is China? How come you cannot get Tibetan autonomy, or freedom or any leeway with China? How come your negotiations with China is a failure and you produced nothing?
You run around begging for FREE MONEY from Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada, Taiwan and US for 60 years now but no one in your refugee community has made it big or successful? Where did all the money go? In your pockets? How come all your Tibetans from India/Nepal are going back to Tibet or leaving to the west. How come your schools in India are empty? How come Dharamsala is emptying out?
How come you are getting weaker and more world governments are ignoring you? How come more are paying attention to China? Less governments are willing to pay attention to you and the Tibet cause? Where is all your rangzen groups? How come they are not effective? Maybe they are disillusioned with your corruption, lies and underhanded tactics and human rights abuses using religion to divide your own people?
What happened to you? Why are you and your community your Tibetan ‘parliament’ such losers and failures? How come you cannot achieve anything?
Are you going to continue to beg for more FREE MONEY to fund your trips, houses, children’s education, vacations, five star hotels, nice brocade chubas, expensive accessories, and properties. You know the ordinary Tibetan in India has gotten nothing in financial help of the hundreds of millions in aid for that last 60 years you Tibetan exiled government pocketed. Is that why your Tibetan people in India and Nepal are all leaving to back to Tibet and the west? You failed?
Your policies and work are not effective.
Too bad.
Thaimonk
December 3, 2018
TIBETANS SHOULD NOT HAVE MONKS AS LEADERS, THAT IS A BIG MISTAKE
Note what Namdol Lhagyari said is progressive and unlike the usual Tibetan rhetoric:
“The problem I see right now is how reliant we are on one individual,” Namdol Lhagyari, 32, the youngest member of Tibet’s exile parliament, said. “I understand that every freedom movement requires one role model, one leader, who would push everyone in the right direction, bring everyone to one goal. But he has reached an age where we will have to prepare ourselves for a post-Dalai Lama.”
Source: https://themediaproject.org/news/2018/12/3/as-the-dalai-lama-ages-tibetan-exiles-turn-to-secular-unity-over-sacred
👎
These are important points to remember:
1. Tibetan lamas and monks SHOULD not enter politics. They should not hold positions of power, leadership and political roles. It will demean the Dharma. They are not trained, nor qualified nor have the credentials to be in government. They also do much damage to religion as people start to respect them less. The lines between respecting them as spiritual beings (sangha) and speaking against them when they are in government and make wrong decisions become blurred.
2. Monks and nuns should not get involved with the running of the country but should stick to education. Giving good education to the public about ethics, morality and in some cases Buddhism. No one wants to see a political monk or nun. Because it contradicts the very reason they renounced the worldly life in order to enter a life of contemplation, learning, meditation and gaining enlightenment.
3. Look at other countries where Buddhism is strong where sangha is sangha and never get involved with government or being public officials. In Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Sri Lanka etc where there are tens of thousands of sangha, you don’t see them in the government at all. Local or national governments both do not have sangha. Even in Christian countries you don’t see priests in government. That is Tibet’s big mistake to place monks/high lamas in so many government positions and as public officials. Very dangerous for the country as it has proven with Tibet and Tibetans.
4. Monks, nuns and high lamas should do dharma practice, produce books, videos, give teachings, guide the public, do funerals, blessings, be a nurturer, study dharma, build real temples, keep existing temples spiritual, animal shelters, environmentalists, be mediators, help with orphanages, shelters, the poor, half way houses, poor houses, and basically all sorts of charities that benefit the mind and body of sentient beings that is NOT GOVERNMENT BASED. If sangha gives good education, they can produce kind and good leaders to run the country.
Tibetans should never never never allow Sangha (monks, nuns and spiritual personages) to be involved with government, politics and rule of law because it ends up in disaster. That is how Tibet lost it’s country and will never get it back. There are too many monks in the Tibetan Parliament and as leaders remember Samdhong Rinpoche as the prime minister of exiles. That was very bad. The King of Tibet currently is a monk. How does that look? Very political.
Tibet made that huge mistake and Tibet will never recover from it.
Forum: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=6226.0
Thaimonk
December 5, 2018
Differences between Dalai Lama and CTA president put Tibetan politics in a tailspin
By Rajeev Sharma, November 27, 2018 SouthasianMonitor.com
Tibetan politics is in a tailspin as there are signs of serious differences between the 14th Dalai Lama, unquestionably the supreme and undisputed leader of the Tibetans, and Lobsang Sangay, president of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
The immediate provocation is the unceremonious cancellation of the 13th Religious Conference of the Schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition, which was scheduled between November 29 and December 1 year in Dharamshala. Insiders have revealed that the conference was cancelled by Lobsang without consulting the Dalai Lama.
Even more intriguing is the timing of the move. Knowledgeable sources in the Tibetan establishment in India disclosed that Lobsang made the move while the Dalai Lama was travelling back from Japan, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop it.
Tibetan politics is turning out to be a cloak-and-dagger mystery. According to sources, Lobsang waited until the Dalai Lama was on his way to the airport before ordering the Department of Religion and Culture to cancel the event. Interestingly, the cancellation of the conference is available by way of an announcement in English on the CTA website.
The CTA’s Department of Religion and Culture announced that owing to the sudden demise of the supreme head of the Nyingma tradition, Kathok Getse Rinpoche, who passed away this week in Nepal and in respecting the sentiments of the followers of Nyingma tradition, the 13th Religious Conference of the Schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition was being indefinitely postponed.
The department cited that many lamas and representatives of the Nyingma tradition were unable to participate because of Rinpoche’s passing away.
On November 22, the CTA organised a prayer service to mourn the demise of Rinpoche, the 7th supreme head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche passed away following an accident on November 19 in Pharping, Nepal. He was 64.
Sources say the Dalai Lama is furious with Lobsang Sangay for trying to take credit for his negotiations with China about returning to Tibet.
Sangay claimed that the Dalai Lama has failed for 60 years in negotiations with China, but he has the power and ability to succeed. This is also an indication of how weak the Dalai Lama’s current position is. Sangay knows that the Dalai Lama has been negotiating with China about returning and he’s trying to position himself to take credit for it. Had this happened a few years ago the Dalai Lama would have had him removed, but since his cancer has become terminal, Sangay has been consolidating his position among the exiled community. He controls the press department of the Tibetan government-in-exile and has done so since he ousted Dicki Chhoyang.
For the record, the head of the department, which cancelled the conference, was appointed by Sangay.
By the time the Dalai Lama returned to India the event was cancelled and announcements were issued to the media while he was still in the flight, which would have prevented a confirmation with the Tibetan leader and nothing could have been done to stop it. The reason given for the cancellation was the death of a senior monk.
Sources said that the real reason for the CTA president to keep the Dalai Lama in the dark was because the latter would decide again whether to back the Karmapa as his successor. The Karmapa issue has been a major reason of discord between the Dalai Lama and the CTA president. Sources spoke about a telephonic conversation between the Dalai Lama and Sangay in this regard on November 22 when the former was in Japan.
During this conversation, furious arguments broke out between the two. The Dalai Lama is said to have “shouted” at Sangay, saying that the Karmapa wouldn’t be chosen and that he wouldn’t be dictated terms by anyone. In this conversation, the Dalai Lama used some expletives in Tibetan language which he did not expect Sangay to understand as the CTA president doesn’t know the language. However, a Lobsang aide is said to have translated what the Dalai Lama said.
This marks the most significant power play ever between the different factions within the Tibetan exile leadership. In other words, it’s now an all-out battle between the Dalai Lama and Lobsang Sangay over the future of the exile community, which may worsen in the days to come.
(The writer is a columnist and strategic analyst who tweets @Kishkindha)
Source: http://southasianmonitor.com/2018/11/27/differences-between-dalai-lama-and-cta-president-put-tibetan-politics-in-a-tailspin/
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This interesting article has much food for thought:
1. Dalai Lama is angry and shouting expletives as Lobsang Sangay. Everyone knows the Dalai Lama is in full control. He claims he’s retired from politics but this is just to say what the west wants to hear so he can continue getting funding. It looks good to the west that he voluntarily gave up power and this makes him look progressive. But the Dalai Lama controls everything from behind and if you don’t agree with his decisions, he will be furious. Every Tibetan knows this well.
2. Interesting the article mentions Dalai Lama’s cancer is terminal. Everyone knew this but the Dalai Lama tries to cover this point up. Why? Who knows? What is the problem if people knows he has cancer. Tibetan govt tries to play it down.
3. Dalai Lama is angry as his successor will only be on his terms and no one else may dictate to him the terms as Lobsang Sangay tried to do so since it is not a democracy in practice. As all Tibetans know, the Dalai Lama is the Lama-King and he has full power and no one may contradict him. The face he shows the west (soft, friendly, diplomatic, easy-going, democratic) is all just for the west. The face Dalai Lama shows his Tibetan people (fierce, King, angersome, in charge and must be obeyed) is how it really is. Tibetans know the Dalai Lama controls everything and fully manages all politics. People are not happy with this but dare not speak up as there is no democracy.
Writer Rajeev Sharma is telling the situation like it really is. Finally the truth is coming out. Tibetan government in exile is a regime in every sense of the world that depends on all the hundreds of millions of free dollars it has been taking from the west, Japan, Australia and so on. It exists on free money. It is not a good government and has failed all negotiations with China due to the Tibetan leaders’ arrogance. Why arrogance? They think the world will force China to do what Tibetans leaders want and that they are so important on everyone’s agenda. Tibetans are on no one’s top agenda and China is an economic and military super power. China will not and will never kowtow to the Tibetan demands. It is the Tibetans who must beg China to be friends and get some concessions if at all possible. No country has ever dared stand up to USA, but China has and China is growing in power yearly. Everyone is scrambling to be China’s friend and saying goodbye to the Tibetan cause. Tibetan cause is the thing of the past and no economic benefits to support Tibetan cause.
These days every country votes in leaders that can better their country’s economy due to world recession. So every country has to do business and trade and aid with China to improve their economy. If you side with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan govt in exile in India, what do you get? Nothing! So leaders of every nation realize this now and will continue to make friends with China and say goodbye to the Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama on a personal level may be rich, famous and sells a lot of books, but that won’t get Tibet back. That won’t win the support of leaders of the free world and other nations.
Mountains
December 25, 2018
“What does Empress Cixi and the 14th Dalai Lama have in common?”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has a ‘method’ in his very powerful rule.
The Dalai Lama will always say it is not up to him and it’s up to his people. He gave up his power to the people. But it is not really up to his people. His people and his parliament must seek his approval for all decisions or carry out his will. If you ask his people do they want a 15th Dalai Lama after him, they have to say yes as the current one (14th) is watching them and you have to be politically correct to say yes. Who dares to say no? You don’t want to displease him. Who dares to say we want genuine democratically elected leaders. Remember, none of the Dalai Lamas were ever democratically elected (the penny drops). All the Dalai Lamas sit in power on the throne till the end of their lives.
Also how the next Dalai Lama will be found, the current Dalai Lama will definitely set the mechanics during his lifetime and then sit back and say, it’s the people who wanted it this way. It’s the people who wanted another Dalai Lama. Of course they have to say that. If they say they don’t want another Dalai Lama after this one, it is tantamount to treason. It will offend the current Dalai Lama and make him upset. In order for a stateless leader like himself to continue to get millions in aid for free as he has been for 60 years, he must appear democratic. How will he get money to support his vast expenditure of his lama court, if no free donations in the millions are given? So behind the scenes, Dalai Lama pulls all the strings but in front, he acts like he is doesn’t know anything and not involved and his elected leaders are running the show. Nothing can be further from the truth. Just like the last empress Cixi of China. She always enthrones little emperors handpicked by her from her royal family and extended families and controlled their power and ruled China from behind them as their regent during their adolescence. As a woman she could not be the emperor or ruler of all China, so she was clever and put young kids she chose from her royal families on the throne to be their regent and controlled them from behind the gauze curtain. She was suppose to hand power back to them when they reach the age of maturity to rule China, but she never did. She would place the young emperors on the throne during audiences and sit behind a curtain and dictate orders to the ministers in the name of the emperor as their regent. So in this way, she was acting in the name of the emperor (regent), but actually she was in full control. When time came to hand power over to the emperor, she would have them poisoned. Then place another new very young emperor on the throne. She did this for decades.
She was literally the power behind the throne. She could not be dethroned in this way yet she held all power. Like this, she ruled China till her death which was near impossible for any woman to do so. The last emperor Puyi she placed on the throne before the kingdom fell to civil war. (This spawned the movie by director Bernardo Bertolucci “The Last Emperor” and the emperor was played by John Lone.) When time came for the maturing emperors to take actual power from Dowager Cixi during her regencies, she would have them poisoned and install another young emperor and continue to be the regent. In this way, she stayed in power. She didn’t get a chance to poison Puyi because she passed away (rode the dragon to heaven) during his adolescence.
The other only female ‘emperor’ in Chinese history is We Xetian (Empress Wu). Another very incredibly intelligent woman who beat the men around her at their own game and ruled China as a woman.
The Dalai Lama started the Dorje Shugden ban. It came from him and only he can start it. But now he says, it is not him. Because it would make him look bad if he admits the ban came from him which it did. He claims everyone in the monasteries took a vote and they voted Dorje Shugden out. Ignorant western audiences wouldn’t know any better. They had no choice but to vote Dorje Shugden out or the abbots of the monasteries would be dishonorably discharged by the Dalai Lama himself. He places them in power and he can remove them. All Abbots of the great Gelug Monasteries are chosen by the Dalai Lama himself. He can remove them from power anytime, therefore the abbots are frightened of the Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama says he just advised to not practice Shugden, but his people, the abbots in charge, the monasteries took it to another step and outlawed Dorje Shugden and it’s the will of the people. So his ban on Shugden appears democratic. It was up to them. But it is not. He rules behind a ‘gauze’ curtain that he handed his power over to his personal ‘Puyi’ (Lobsang Sangay).
The Dalai Lama cannot show the world he is in full charge, because he would be seen as a dictator and therefore lose all free aid money which he and his government subsist on. Dalai Lama is behind the gauze and holds all power and Lobsang Sangay ‘Puyi’ is on the throne. Strangely similar to Empress Cixi. If Lobsang Sangay does things that does not please the Dalai Lama, you can bet your bottom dollar, he will be dethroned. Again, no Dalai Lama was ever democratically voted into a lifetime of power.
Photos-Empress Cixi of China.
Tsering Ngodup
December 29, 2018
‘Karmapa’ Ogyen Trinley no longer recognised by Indian govt as 17th Karmapa. Indian government is not happy he did not show respect to India for all the years he took refuge in India. He simply renounced his Indian protectorate papers and took a Dominican republic passport. He could have had the courtesy to let Indian government know beforehand and thank them.
Read more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/67279793.cms?&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Alex
January 1, 2019
This is a shame to CTA. CTA is supposed to assist His Holiness the Dalai Lama in overseeing the Tibetan lama’s and to make sure that no one brings a bad name to Tibetan Buddhism. However, Sogyal’s nasty behaviour has bee rumoured to be true for decades and they did not take any action to investigate the authenticity of those claims.
It is obvious that they just brush it aside, most probably because they are getting fundings from this lama. CTA is known to be very money orientated and anyone can get away with anything as long as they can provide them with donations. That is why Sogyal’s case was dragged so long until finally, Rigpa decided to take the matter into their own hands. CTA is the one supposedly should have done something to reprimand Sogyal and protect the public.
Even know after Sogyal has resigned and gone into hiding, CTA still have not sent out an official announcement regarding Sogyal’s case to warn the public on the evil deeds of this Tibetan Lama so that everyone can be on alert if another Tibetan Lama decided to do the same evil deed. This shows that whatever Sogyal has done to his students and how much of bad name he has brought to Tibetan Buddhism did not affect CTA at all. They are totally not bothered by it and that is why they did not carry out any follow-up actions on Sogyal’s case.
Sonam Choephel
January 3, 2019
As the so-called spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama strictly abstains from drinking alcohol in accordance to traditional monastic codes. However, it has recently been reported that the religious leader owns his own vineyard in Switzerland! Apparently, various celebrities, including the likes of Roger Moore, Sepp Blatter and Zinedine Zidane have all made trips to the vineyard. What will people say when they find out that a Buddhist monk, who promotes abstinence from alcohol, owns a vineyard that produces wine for sale? This is certainly not going to sit well with his image of a religious leader and member of the Buddhist monastic order.
http://video.dorjeshugden.com/comment-videos/comment-1546557813.mp4