What Happens to Dorje Shugden Lamas?

What happens to lamas who practice Dorje Shugden? The Tibetan leadership says one thing, but their actions show another.

It is common knowledge that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; the Tibetan leadership based in Dharamsala) continuously promotes the false notion that Dorje Shugden is an unenlightened spirit or demon. They claim that he arose from the culmination of flawed and mistaken prayers made during his previous life as Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen. As a lowly vengeful spirit, the CTA maintains that it is his nature to harm sentient beings. Hence, the CTA equates the propitiation of Dorje Shudgen to spirit worship. This is a claim which presents a serious problem for Buddhist practitioners.

The foundation of the Buddhist faith is one’s refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, collectively known as the Three Jewels. A part of this involves a commitment to rely only on the Enlightened Beings (Buddhas) on the path towards complete liberation from suffering. As the central-most aspect of Buddhist practice, all other practices hinge on this refuge being intact. By worshiping a spirit or demon, this refuge is broken and the karmic consequences of breaking one’s vows will lead to an unfortunate rebirth in one of the three lower realms (animal, hungry ghost or hell-being).

Such sentiments echo His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s thinly veiled threat during his address to the Sangha that,

Those who worship Dorje Shugden will be reborn in the three lower realms.

Hence, by preying on the Tibetan people’s fear of a negative rebirth, this has become one of the ways by which the CTA justifies the undemocratic ban on Dorje Shugden and the abuse against Dorje Shugden practitioners for the last 20 years. They claim that there is a need to ban the practice because of the harm it causes to practitioners.

Following such strong statements, the CTA capitalized on the situation to further their personal agendas. They began by taking extreme steps to police the religious belief of their citizens for their own personal advantage. From abusing state instruments to codifying discrimination against Dorje Shugden practitioners, to issuing controversial allegations designed to provoke hate and even violent reactions, the CTA expended a significant amount of public resources in an attempt to stamp out the religious practice.

 

The Proof is in the Pudding

But the amount of resources they have allocated to suppressing a religious practice is not the most disturbing aspect, nor are the violent consequences that often follow when someone is revealed as a Shugden practitioner. One of the more disturbing aspects of the whole Dorje Shugden ban is the sheer hypocrisy that permeates every decision and policy from the CTA. One example of their hypocritical behavior concerns their recognition of the reincarnations of many Dorje Shugden lamas.

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche (left) performing prayers for Lama Yeshe (right) just before Lama Yeshe passing. Both passed away as Dorje Shugden practitioners. According to the Tibetan leadership, both would have taken rebirth in the lower realms so why is the CTA recognizing their reincarnations?

According to the CTA, those who rely on Dorje Shugden will take rebirth in the three lower realms. This is because, according to the Tibetan leadership, Dorje Shugden is a spirit and relying on a spirit causes us to break our Refuge, Bodhisattva and Tantric vows. If we are to believe the CTA’s claims of what happens to you after death if you practice Shugden, it would therefore follow that high lamas who rely on Dorje Shugden will also take rebirth in the three lower realms. Hence, there should be no need to search for and recognize the reincarnations of Dorje Shugden Lamas. Based on the CTA’s flawed logic for imposing the ban, there should be no one to recognize as there should be no human reincarnation!

So why then does the CTA continue to recognize the irrefutable reincarnations of many Dorje Shugden lamas? Below are but a handful of stalwart Dorje Shugden high lamas and great masters who have, out of great compassion, returned amongst us in perfect human form to continue spreading the Dharma for the benefit of all. In many of these cases, the reincarnations were recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself, thus contradicting the Tibetan leadership’s own justification for banning the practice.

Not only is their recognition of these lamas’ reincarnations hypocritical but in recognizing these lamas, they invalidate their own reasons for imposing the ban. How can they say that Shugden practice is harmful and sends you to the three lower realms, when they themselves are recognizing lamas who clearly did not go to the three lower realms?

 

H.H. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche

H.H. Pabongka Rinpoche

One of the most recognizable lamas of the past century, His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Dorjechang is a household name amongst Tibetan Buddhists everywhere. A renowned proponent of the Dorje Shugden practice, the fact that Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche widely propagated this practice reflects the significant role he knew it would play in protecting and disseminating the Gelug teachings all around the world. Thanks to Pabongka Rinpoche’s kindness, many of these teachings and lineages are still intact and widely practiced today.

It is a real testament to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s attainments and the respect he commanded that H.H. the 13th Dalai Lama requested Pabongka Rinpoche to give the annual Lamrim teachings in 1925, instead of asking the Gaden Throneholder (Gaden Tripa) as was customary. Arrangements were also made to extend Pabongka Rinpoche’s teachings to 11 days instead of the usual seven days.

There is no Gelug practitioner today who has not benefited from Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s works at some point of their practice and study. For example, the universally-renowned Lamrim text, Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, was compiled by His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, one of Pabongka Rinpoche’s direct students. The text is an edited recording of 24 days of Lamrim teachings given by Pabongka Rinpoche to tens of thousands of people. The text was personally acknowledged by H.H. the 13th Dalai Lama to be authentic and of great importance, and it continues to be one of the main Lamrim references in Tibetan Buddhist studies throughout the world today.

H.H. Pabongka Choktrul Rinpoche (3rd and current supreme incarnation)

Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche had many prominent students, like Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche who would later go on to become His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s tutor. Trijang Rinpoche would also find Pabongka Rinpoche’s subsequent reincarnation, Ngawang Lobsang Trinley Tenzin (1941-1969), who passed away in his twenties.

The current incarnation, His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Choktrul Rinpoche Lobsang Thubten Trinley Kunkhyab was born in 1969. Identified in the early 1970s before the ban would have any real impact on his recognition, he continues to be universally accepted by the Gelug community, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as the unmistaken incarnation of the great Pabongka Dorjechang.

 

H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche

H.H. Ling Rinpoche

One of the most influential teachers of our time, His Holiness Kyabje Ling Dorjechang was one of two tutors to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Together with His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche who was the other tutor, Ling Rinpoche played a significant role in imparting Dharma knowledge and practices to the 14th Dalai Lama during the ruler’s most formative years.

Kyabje Ling Rinpoche’s impeccable knowledge in Sutra and Tantra was uncontested. Such was the respect for his attainments that the Gelug assembly of Varanasi University requested him to compose a ritual to invoke upon enlightened Dharma Protectors.

It is one thing to engage in prayers but it is quite another thing for a lama to be able to compose prayers that would successfully invoke upon the enlightened beings. On the side of the lama, to be able to request the enlightened beings to heed the prayer, he would have to have some kind of attainments himself, starting with Bodhicitta.

So the fact that the Gelug assembly requested Ling Rinpoche to compose a prayer, reflected their belief that prayers composed by him would be effective because he has attainments. The request that Ling Rinpoche so compassionately and skillfully granted turned out to be a simplified prayer of fulfillment, confession, request for activity and serkyem for Mahakala, Kalarupa, Palden Lhamo and Dorje Shugden.

H.H. the 7th Kyabje Ling Choktrul Rinpoche was enthroned by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

Kyabje Ling Rinpoche was a heart son of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, hence it is no surprise that he was a Dorje Shugden practitioner. Many of the older monks who are still alive today can attest to Ling Rinpoche having frequently prescribed Dorje Shugden’s practice within the Tibetan community.

In 1987, the unmistaken incarnation of Kyabje Ling Rinpoche was recognized again by the student of his previous life, H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.

 

H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche

H.H. Trijang Rinpoche

Few lamas have reached the renown of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Widely known as the ‘teacher of teachers’, it is an undeniable fact that many erudite and influential Gelug lamas in this modern era can attribute their Dharma knowledge and understanding to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, either as their direct teacher or their lineage teacher through his eminent students. In fact, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was one of the two tutors of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and the majority of the 14th Dalai Lama’s lineages, teachings, commentaries and practices are a result of Trijang Rinpoche’s transmissions. Trijang Rinpoche was also known to be an extremely astute politician, a quality that he imparted to the Dalai Lama ahead of his ascension to become the secular leader of the Tibetans.

H.H. Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s unmistaken faith in Dorje Shugden was so pervasively known, that the Dalai Lama exempted the current incarnation from the ban on the propitiation of Dorje Shugden. His is the one and only exception to the ban that has ever been expressly given by the Dalai Lama.

Not only did Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche find and train Dorje Shugden oracles, including the current 7th Panglung Kuten, but he also wrote, compiled and composed extensive texts and prayers to help practitioners engage in the practice. He also compiled explanations into the background, nature and benefits of propitiating Dorje Shugden. This text is known as Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors.

The current incarnation of this great master, Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche was officially recognized by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on 23 April 1985. Just like his predecessor, Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche continues to be a staunch devotee of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, giving sogtae (life entrustment initiation) of Dorje Shugden to thousands of people.

 

H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche

H.H. Zong Rinpoche

His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, considered to be an emanation of Heruka, was highly revered as a powerful tantrician. He gave many empowerments and teachings to thousands of students, with a special emphasis on the Tantras of Heruka, Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja and Vajrayogini. He was also known to be a master of the Hayagriva, Dorje Shugden, White Tara and Vaishravana practices.

Known to be a ritual master, there are stories aplenty of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s attainments, from controlling the weather to healing people, to the erudite and penetrative teachings that he would give directly from memory.

Zong Rinpoche was also very strict, traditional and exacting, especially when it came to rituals. Upon entering a prayer hall, if he saw the altar had not been set up properly, or the offerings were not done correctly, he would crush the tormas (ritual cakes) and leave. He would only return once the set-up had been done correctly. Instead of being offended, the monks would fold their hands and scramble to make the corrections. Such was their devotion and respect for Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.

H.H. Zong Choktrul Rinpoche

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was a heart disciple of his root guru, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. It is therefore no surprise and no secret that Kyabje Zong Rinpoche shared an extremely close relationship with the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden and consistently advised his students to propitiate Dorje Shugden strongly and devotedly.

His new incarnation was duly recognized by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and enthroned at Gaden Shartse Monastery in India amidst great pomp and ceremony.

 

H.E. Zemey Rinpoche

H.E. Zemey Rinpoche

The greatness and significance of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s contributions to the Dharma is widely believed to be unparalleled, but even so, Trijang Rinpoche himself singled out His Eminence Zemey Rinpoche as his equal in all aspects of attainments.

Zemey Rinpoche was an erudite scholar and a highly sought-after teacher by the monks from the three monasteries of Gaden, Sera and Drepung. As such, he became the teacher of many of the most influential practitioners of the world today including high lamas like H.E. Dagom Rinpoche and even the Dalai Lama’s translator, Thupten Jinpa. The last years of Zemey Rinpoche’s life were spent in isolated retreat, having been heavily ostracized by the Tibetan community due to his unwavering faith in Dorje Shugden.

H.E. Zemey Choktrul Rinpoche

The unmistaken incarnation of this great master has since returned, and he has been recognized by high lamas across Tibet, Nepal and India. In addition, the young incarnation has since officially reconnected with his Dharma Protector of many lifetimes as he has received Dorje Shugden initiation (sogtae) from Lama Jampa Ngodrup at Yangding Monastery in Daocheng County, Sichuan, China. Like his previous life when he was known as an erudite scholar, the current incarnation of Zemey Rinpoche has gained the reputation of being a formidable debater with penetrative insight into the teachings.

 

H.E. Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche

The 1st Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Ngawang Kalsang

According to the well-known story, upon meeting H.E. Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang, His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama was so impressed by this erudite master that he equated meeting Domo Geshe Rinpoche as meeting Lama Tsongkhapa himself.

Tales of Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s accomplishments are aplenty, from his remarkable healing abilities to his fulfillment of a prophecy made by both his Guru and Dromtönpa (the main disciple of Atisha Dipamkara) by erecting a large Maitreya Buddha statue at Galingkang.

Domo Geshe Rinpoche is also remembered for having tamed the ferocious spirit of a murdered Mongolian monk, and installing the being within Dorje Shugden’s entourage. He is now known as Namkar Barzin, and propitiated as a member of Dorje Shugden’s entourage who is especially effective in preventing robberies. In fact, Domo Geshe Rinpoche has always had a very close connection with Dorje Shugden. His monastery, Dungkar Gompa, which is located at the crossroads of India and Tibet, would come to host many powerful oracles of Dorje Shugden.

The 2nd Domo Geshe Rinpoche

The 2nd Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Ngawang Jigme, was known for his quick intelligence and humility. In 1976, Domo Geshe Rinpoche established Dungkar Gonpa Society in the United States and shortly after that, established Gangjong Namgyal, a large piece of land in the Catskills Mountains in New York State. Gangnam, as it came to be known, would host the Dalai Lama in the summer of 1981. Domo Geshe Rinpoche continued to reside here until his passing in 2001.

In the spring of 2008, the unmistaken incarnation of Domo Geshe Rinpoche was enthroned in Samten Choling Monastery in Ghoom; in Tashi Choling Monastery in Kurseong; and in Enchey House, the ancestral home of the previous Domo Geshe Rinpoche in Gangtok, Sikkim. On 21 June 2008, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche and Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche presided over the hair-cutting and final enthronement ceremonies at Gangnam in the USA. Today, Domo Geshe Rinpoche is undertaking his monastic education at Shar Gaden Monastery in South India.

Ironically, despite their assertion that Dorje Shugden lamas go to the three lower realms, the Tibetan leadership have also recognized their own candidate as the incarnation of this prominent Dorje Shugden lama. However, only the incarnation in Shar Gaden is acknowledged and recognized by Dorje Shugden practitioners, and indeed by Dorje Shugden himself, to be the true incarnation of the 2nd Domo Geshe Rinpoche.

The 3rd Domo Geshe Rinpoche Losang Jigme Nyak-gi Wangchuk

 

H.E. Kyabje Denma Gonsa Rinpoche

H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche

When political turmoil reached Tibet in 1959, many lamas left to enter a life of exile in India. Only a handful of high lamas remained in Tibet to navigate the tumultuous times, to try and preserve the Dharma there. H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was one such lama who remained in Tibet and worked tirelessly to ensure the Dharma would be protected and not lost. It is a feat many agree that he was more than qualified to do, considering Denma Gonsa Rinpoche has represented the Gaden, Sera, Drepung and Reting Monasteries in Lhasa, Shigatse, Shan Nan, and other places in Tibet.

Known to be a no-nonsense, direct lama, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche would, over time, come to win the respect of both Tibetans and Chinese alike. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was a devotee of Dorje Shugden, having built Tibet’s largest Dorje Shugden statue at his monastery. Such was his unwavering faith in the Dharma Protector and the strength of his guru devotion that Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was one of the few lamas to speak out against the Dorje Shugden ban in its early days, even directly to H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama himself.

As the well-known story goes, when the Dalai Lama called to gain Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s support for the ban, the elderly lama hung up on the Dalai Lama. Whilst some saw this as rudeness or an act of defiance, others would later come to see this as skillful means – remaining on the phone with the Dalai Lama would have compelled Denma Gonsa Rinpoche to do something about the ban, as he would have found it difficult to resist a direct instruction from the Dalai Lama himself. Yet, he did not want to break his spiritual commitments by giving up the practice that he received from his own teachers. Regardless of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s motivations, his actions gave hope and courage to millions of Dorje Shugden practitioners to stand up against the ban on the practice.

H.E. the 20th Denma Gonsa Choktrul Rinpoche

Following specific instructions from Denma Gonsa Rinpoche prior to his entering clear light, his students found his perfect incarnation who was subsequently recognized by four of the greatest masters of the Gelugpa lineage, namely His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama, His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Choktrul Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche, and Dorje Shugden via oracular trance. On 31 July 2014, the 20th Denma Gonsa Choktrul Rinpoche was enthroned in his monastery in Tibet, an event attended by over 200,000 people.

 

H.E. Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche

H.E. Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche

Recognized as the 12th Dagom Rinpoche by H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang at the age of six, His Eminence Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche was a true Dorje Shugden lama who showed every sign of being a highly accomplished master in both Sutra and Tantra. Dagom Rinpoche’s main practice was Yamantaka and indeed, the monastic community came to view the 12th Dagom Rinpoche as being one with Yamantaka himself.

After the ban on Dorje Shugden, Dagom Rinpoche spent his later years in Nepal until he entered clear light in 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand. Dagom Rinpoche’s many deeds include his incorporation of Dorje Shugden as one of the main Protectors in the magnificent Gelugpa refuge tree.

H.E. the 13th Dagom Choktrul Rinpoche Lobsang Khyenrab Tenpai Wangchuk

To incorporate a Dharma Protector into a refuge tree is no insignificant matter. The refuge tree represents all the Buddhas, yidams and deities that a Buddhist practitioner can take refuge in. Spirits, demons and other unenlightened, lesser beings are not depicted on a refuge tree as they are not objects worthy of prostrating to or taking refuge in. Hence, for Dagom Rinpoche as Yamantaka to include Dorje Shugden on the refuge tree is a strong reflection of Dorje Shugden’s nature being that of Enlightenment itself.

On 21 November 2016, the new incarnation of Dagom Rinpoche was duly recognized and enthroned at Lhorong County’s Shodo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Dagom lineage of incarnations.

 

Ven. Geshe Rabten Rinpoche

Venerable Geshe Rabten Rinpoche, a renowned Dorje Shugden lama, served not only as the philosophical assistant of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, but was entrusted by the Dalai Lama to ‘break into’ the West and propagate the Dharma there. Thus, long before Tibetan lamas had truly established themselves in the United States or Europe, Geshe Rabten became the first Tibetan Buddhist master to introduce the complete Vinaya-tradition and the study of the five major topics of Buddhism to the West.

Ven. Geshe Rabten Rinpoche

Amongst Geshe Rabten’s many notable students were Venerable Lama Thubten Yeshe and Venerable Lama Zopa Rinpoche, both of whom relied on Dorje Shugden for their own works in spreading Dharma to the Western Hemisphere. Also amongst Geshe Rabten’s students was Venerable Helmut Gassner, a Western Buddhist monk who would later become the Dalai Lama’s first translator in the West, especially in Europe.

Ven. Tenzin Rabgye Rinpoche

After Geshe Rabten’s passing, his heart student Ven. Gonsar Rinpoche continued Geshe Rabten’s legacy at Rabten Choeling Monastery in Switzerland.

In 1989, Geshe Rabten’s incarnation was discovered and recognized by Gonsar Rinpoche through a series of consultations with various authoritative sources including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden through oracular pronouncement. The new incarnation is known today as Rabten Rinpoche, or Tenzin Rabgye Rinpoche.

 

Venerable Lama Thubten Yeshe

Venerable Lama Yeshe, the founder of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), was one of the most beloved teachers of his time. Charming, humorous, easy-going yet extremely realized and very humble, Lama Yeshe’s method of delivering the Dharma meant thousands of Western students connected with Buddhism at a time when most were still unfamiliar with Eastern philosophies.

Lama Yeshe with his heart disciple Lama Zopa performing puja under a Dorje Shugden thangka

Under his stewardship and through his reliance on Dorje Shugden, Lama Yeshe grew FPMT to become one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist organizations in the world, with 165 Dharma centers, projects and social services.

It is no secret that Lama Yeshe strongly relied on Dorje Shugden for the growth and success of his organization. In fact, his chief disciple Lama Zopa himself has said that Lama Yeshe would never begin the One-Month Meditation Course held annually at Kopan Monastery without a kangsol (extensive puja/ritual) to propitiate the blessings of his Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. In the image above, you can see Lama Yeshe (far right) and Lama Zopa (wearing glasses) engaged in a puja under a thangka of Dorje Shugden.

Lama Ösel Hita Torres

Based on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s confirmation of Lama Zopa’s observations, Ösel Hita Torres was recognized as the unmistaken incarnation of Lama Yeshe. He was subsequently enthroned as Tenzin Ösel Rinpoche on March 1987 at Tushita Retreat Centre in Dharamsala, India. Again, the Dalai Lama’s recognition of Lama Ösel, as he came to be known, is ironic, confusing and hypocritical considering the Tibetan leadership’s assertion that those who rely on Dorje Shugden take rebirth in the three lower realms.

 

H.E. Serkong Dorjechang

A collage of H.E. Serkong Dorjechang’s incarnations

A prominent Dorje Shugden lama, His Eminence Serkong Dorjechang not only authored extensive commentaries on the Tantric deity Heruka Chakrasamvara, but he also wrote extensive confession and propitiation prayers (kangsol) to the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.

This kangsol forms the basis of the monthly Dorje Shugden puja performed by Gelugpas all over the world.

In it, Serkong Dorjechang not only asserted Dorje Shugden’s true enlightened nature but also made direct references to Dorje Shugden’s previous incarnation as Duldzin Dragpa Gyeltsen.

H.E. the 3rd Serkong Dorjechang

Serkong Dorjechang also referred to Dorje Shugden as the principal Protector of Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings as well as the special Protector of the Gaden Ear-Whispered Lineage, the heart of the Gelug tradition.

The 3rd Serkong Dorjechang was recognized as the reincarnation of the 2nd Serkong Dorjechang by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama during a Kalachakra initiation in Bodhgaya. Yet again, this recognition of the reincarnation of a Dorje Shugden lama was confusing at best and hypocritical at worst, considering the Tibetan leadership’s assertion that all Dorje Shugden practitioners take rebirth in the three lower realms.

 

H.E. Lati Rinpoche

H.E Lati Rinpoche

One of a very rare class of scholars, saints and practitioners who completed his training in Tibet itself, His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche not only served as spiritual advisor to H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama but the Dalai Lama also entrusted him to tutor many of the young Rinpoches of the time.

Lati Rinpoche was a former abbot of Ganden Shartse Monastery, where he would teach, advice and guide the monks long after his abbotship tenure was completed. Hence, this Dorje Shugden lama educated many of the eminent teachers, masters and scholars of today, including the likes of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche and His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche.

And like the thousands of monks of Ganden Shartse Monastery, Lati Rinpoche relied strongly on Dorje Shugden. He was well known to consult Dorje Shugden during the monthly trances held at the Dorje Shugden Protector Chapel in the monastery.

The young reincarnation of Lati Rinpoche with H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

To say that the 14th Dalai Lama respected Lati Rinpoche would be an understatement. The Dalai Lama was so fond of Lati Rinpoche that within the Dalai Lama’s personal monastery, Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala, North India, the Dalai Lama had rooms permanently allocated for Lati Rinpoche’s use. It was a highly unusual occurrence, but it served to reflect their close, personal relationship. And so great was Lati Rinpoche’s contribution to the Buddhadharma that when he entered clear light, the 14th Dalai Lama immediately composed a prayer for the swift return of Lati Rinpoche’s incarnation.

According to recent information released by Lati Ladrang, the new incarnation of Kyabje Lati Rinpoche has been found in Mustang, Nepal – along the border of Nepal and Tibet. Considering Lati Rinpoche’s well-known reliance on Dorje Shugden and the CTA’s claim that all Dorje Shugden practitioners take rebirth in the three lower realms, the Tibetan leadership’s act of recognizing yet another Shugden lama is very hypocritical.

 

Venerable Zawa Rinpoche

Ven. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

In addition to having two prominent Dorje Shugden lamas like Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche as his main gurus, Venerable Zawa Geshe Rinpoche received teachings from many high lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, including the practice of Dorje Shugden which he kept all his life.

It is a testament to his accomplishments that many miraculous signs appeared and quite a number of sacred relics were discovered when Zawa Geshe Rinpoche chose to pass into clear light.

In this life, the unmistaken incarnation of Zawa Geshe Rinpoche, Zawa Tulku Rinpoche was recognized again by many yogis and high lamas. This includes the Panglung Oracle when he was in trance of Dorje Shugden. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche was enthroned in an elaborate and large ceremony at Ganden Shartse Monastery in 1997.

 

H.H. Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Nyima

H.H. Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Nyima

It is a testament to His Holiness Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche’s attainments and the respect he won that, when he completed not one but two Vajrayogini three-year, three-month, three-day retreats, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama instructed him to become the Abbot of Ganden Shartse Monastery.

This was after he had already completed a tenureship as Abbot of Gyuto Tantric College. Later, Kensur Jetsun Lobsang Nyima Rinpoche ascended to the throne of Sharpa Choeje, ‘Lord of the East’. This put him in line to become the next Gaden Tripa, the Throneholder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism considered to be Lama Tsongkhapa’s representative on this earth.

The young incarnation of H.H. Sharpa Choeje Jetsun Lobsang Nyima

Being a devoted student of H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, it is no surprise that Sharpa Choeje Jetsun Lobsang Nyima faithfully propitiated Dorje Shugden.

What is surprising however, is that both Dorje Shugden and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama have confirmed the same candidate as the unmistaken incarnation of Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche. It is surprising considering the Tibetan leadership’s false assertion that those who rely on Dorje Shugden will take rebirth in the three lower realms.

 

H.H. the 10th Panchen Lama Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyaltsen

H.H. the 10th Panchen Lama

It is common knowledge that in his great omniscience, His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as a principal Dharma Protector of his lineage. In fact, at his monastic seat of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, he would personally propitiate Dorje Shugden together with the other Protectors of Tashi Lhunpo. Tashi Lhunpo itself has a special temple and chapel dedicated to the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. Every day, special pujas, rites and rituals propitiating Dorje Shugden’s blessings are conducted by senior monks, as they have been for decades already.

The 10th Panchen Lama wrote extensively, and his works have been compiled into various volumes known collectively as a sungbum (collected works). Contained within the Panchen Lama’s sungbum are extensive prayers that the Panchen Lama himself composed to propitiate Dorje Shugden’s blessings. Had Dorje Shugden been a minor Protector, or an insignificant practice, a lama of the Panchen Lama’s caliber would not have dedicated so many pages of his sungbum to the propitiation of Dorje Shugden.

H.H. the 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu

On 29 November 1995, His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama Jetsun Lobsang Jampa Lhundrub Chokyi Gyalpo Pelsangpo was recognized and was enthroned in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet on 8 December of that same year. He was selected using the Golden Urn Method, which had also been used for recognizing the 11th Dalai Lama and His Holiness the 8th Panchen Lama.

The Tibetan leadership have proposed their own candidate for the seat of the 11th Panchen Lama. Their insistence on a candidate is confusing considering the 10th Panchen Lama clearly worshipped Dorje Shugden and therefore, according to the CTA’s own claim, there should not be an 11th Panchen Lama at all. Therefore, their own action of recognizing a Panchen Lama candidate contradicts what they claim to be true about Dorje Shugden.

 

Conclusion

It is clearly evident from the above that;

  • All these erudite enlightened masters had unshakable faith in the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden and were committed proponents of the Protector’s practice
  • All of them are irrefutable masters of both Sutra and Tantra of impeccable standing and unstained reputation
  • All their reincarnations were either found, confirmed, recognized and/or enthroned by highly learned and accomplished masters with the same irrefutable attainments and qualities

Thus, if Dorje Shugden was really an evil spirit, it should be impossible for any one of the above lamas to reincarnate in human form at all given, according to the CTA, that they were doomed to end up in the three lower realms. If Dorje Shugden’s practice really is demon worship that causes people to take rebirth in the three lower realms, then why did His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama confirm and enthrone the reincarnations of Dorje Shugden masters?

At the end of the day:

  • There is clear evidence of Dorje Shugden lamas returning in perfect human form (and not ending up in the three lower realms) despite their continued propitiation of Dorje Shugden
  • The actions of the Tibetan leadership are inconsistent, hypocritical and contradictory to their own stance about Dorje Shugden practice
  • In the absence of clear proof, the Tibetan leadership has no solid justification to ban Dorje Shugden practice. In recognizing the reincarnation of any Dorje Shugden lama, they themselves undermine and invalidate one of the reasons they gave to ban the practice
  • For Dorje Shugden practitioners, there is no contradiction in their behavior – Dorje Shugden practitioners believe Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being and thus, his practice will not send practitioners to the three lower realms. As a result, there is no conflict in recognizing any reincarnations.

Thus, it is plain to see that the Tibetan leadership’s false assertions damning Dorje Shugden as an evil spirt just does not add up. But then again, considering the ban has always been based on politically-motivated trumped-up charges, is it any surprise that yet again, the Tibetan leadership’s behavior is proven to be hypocritical and their reasons for the ban proven to be wrong? No, there is absolutely no surprise at all.

 

Read about many more great masters who have relied on Dorje Shugden throughout the ages:
https://www.dorjeshugden.com/category/great-masters/

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  1. I never thought about this. It is very logical. Since the Dalai Lama says if you practice Dorje Shugden, you will break your refuge vows and therefore take rebirth in the three lower realms. Then how come all these Dorje Shugden lamas are reincarnating back and not going to the three lower realms. This means doing Dorje Shugden practice has no ill effects.

    Secondly, if the Dalai Lama is saying you go to the three lower realms if you practice Dorje Shugden, then why is he himself recognizing the reincarnation of famous and well known Dorje Shugden lamas and enthroning their incarnations again? Does this not make Dalai Lama look illogical to the reasonings he himself purported? Dalai Lama does not look logical on this at all.
    If the Dorje Shugden people recognized these lamas, and the Dalai Lama ignored them, then okay. But the Dalai Lama is recognizing them himself. Strange. 😟
    These are excellent points mentioned in this article. It makes me think deeper about something that never occurred to me.

    Keep up the WONDERFUL articles that bring wisdom, reflection and understanding into our lives. 👍

    The more you think about the Dorje Shugden ban, the more illogical it becomes. The reasonings the Dalai Lama gives to state Dorje Shugden is negative is not clear at all. I am surprised a man of his calibre would not see what we can see here clearly.

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  2. If you practice Dorje Shugden, then you are going to take rebirth as a ghost, animal or in hell. How come these Dorje Shugden lamas who promoted Shugden to hundreds of thousands of disciples are returning back as perfect tulkus? Why are they returning back as perfect incarnations to continue their works? If you practice Dorje Shugden, that is enough to send you to take a bad rebirth, but if you encourage/initiate/teach others to practice and thousands of others, that should be worse, then your ‘sin’ is much more heavy. So surely should take rebirth in hell right? But these lamas still return in perfect human form. So that proves that practicing Dorje Shugden has no ill effects. Why is the Tibetan leadership always telling untruths? 😟

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  3. Why does the Dalai Lama use his divination powers to recognize the reincarnations of Lamas he has condemned for practicing Shugden? If Dalai Lama says we go to hell for practicing Shugden, then all the Shugden lamas should go to hell. Yet Dalai Lama is recognizing them which contradicts himself. 😞 Practicing Shugden has not bad effects is the logical conclusion. Great article here!

    pointing-buddha-points

  4. This is really a well thought out logical post to help readers think deeper. Thank you

  5. The Central Tibetan Administration should explain as to why they fired Penpa Tsering

    Tibetans Stage Demonstration Near CTA Dharamshala
    November 27, 2017

    This morning a group of Tibetans have gathered at the basket ball ground in the vicinity of Central Tibetan Administration compound in Dharamshala holding placards calling for the protection of integrity in Tibetan administration. The demonstration is being held in relation to the issue of ousting the North America representative Mr. Penpa Tsering earlier this month.

    The demonstration as being circulated in the internet a video interview with one of the participants demands the CTA to assign an independent committee to make an investigation in the issue of Kashag’s decision to replacing the North America representative Mr. Penpa Tsering. They demonstrators are arguing that the decision was not fair from the side of Kashag which pointed out 10 reasons in replacing the representative.

    Kashag’s (Cabinet Secretary) Additional Secretary Mr. Phuntsok Tsering has been handed a memorandum from the demonstrators which the secretary informed that will be discussed during the bi-weekly cabinet meetings at the Central Tibetan Administration scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays.

    According to the interview, there are approximately around 100 people gathered for the demonstration who have come from different places like Nepal, Delhi, Bylakuppe, Dehradun, Dharamshala, etc.

    The Kashag on November 7 appointed the Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering as the new Representative of North America based in Washington DC. The Kashag cited the removal of incumbent representative Mr. Penpa Tsering as per Chapter 1 Article 1(3) of the Tibetan Charter and Article 19(1) of the Tibetan Public Service Commission rules and regulations. It further issued a 10 point clarification for the removal of the representative on November 11.

    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2017/11/27/tibetans-stage-demonstration-near-cta-dharamshala/

    Tibetan Journal

  6. Ya, how is that those high lamas who practised Dorje Shugden in their previous lives come back in human form again? Didn’t Dalai Lama say those who propitiate spirit will go to three lower realms?

  7. Penpa Tsering is sacked and now maybe Dhardon wants his cushy job in USA. So she gotta be nice to her big boss Sikyong to get this job.

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  8. Have you seen this latest news about the historic protest against Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, India on 27 November 2017.

    Historic protest against CTA targets Penpa Tsering dismissal

    By Lobsang Wangyal
    McLEOD GANJ, India, 27 November 2017

    For the first time in nearly 60 years, Tibetans in exile held a protest against the Cabinet (Kashag) of the Central Tibetan Administration. They were challenging its controversial decision to sack the Representative of the Dalai Lama to North America in Washington DC.

    Kashag had announced on 7 November that Representative Penpa Tsering had been fired from his position. He has been ordered to leave office on 30 November.

    About 100 people gathered at the basketball ground on the premises of the CTA demonstrating against the Kashag’s action. The protestors also expressed dissatisfaction with the 10-point response that had been issued by the Cabinet.

    Last week a few dozen Tibetans staged a protest in New York City over the same issue. A few also protested in Toronto, Canada, during Lobsang Sangay’s visit to the country.

    The majority of the demonstrators in Dharamshala are from McLeod Ganj. A few had travelled from other places. While carrying out their peaceful silent protest, an announcer said that if any outsiders come to provoke them, they would not use any violence against them.

    Banners hanging on the walls read: Movement for promotion of CTA’s integrity; No misuse of power; Do not destroy His Holiness’ legacy; No disregard to public aspirations; and, We need an independent commission to resolve the matter immediately.

    Dolma Bam, one of the staunch supporters of Lobsang Sangay in the 2011 election, was among the protestors today. He said, “We are not protesting against the CTA. We are seeing an injustice. There is not a good reason to sack Penpa Tsering. I feel that Lobsang Sangay is destroying the CTA. We are here to protect the CTA from destruction.”

    “We are no more able to trust and rely on Lobsang Sangay. There is lack of honesty and justice, and the reasons given by Kashag are unacceptable,” he said.

    Sherab Dolma, 81, who was the oldest among the protestors, said, “I would like the Kashag to be truthful. Do not dismiss those who are working hard.”

    “I don’t know if the Kashag will pay heed to us, but it will be a shame for them. It is for the first time that the public is protesting against it.”

    Organic farmer Rinzin Dorje travelled the longest distance to participate in the demonstration, from Bylakuppe in South India. Dorje said, “I was shocked to hear about the sacking of Representative Penpa Tsering. It came all of a sudden. The Kashag’s decision doesn’t do any good for the Tibetan cause.”

    “None of the 10-point reasons given by Kashag calls for expulsion of a Representative from his duty. We now call for the formation of an independent committee to give a recommendation after impartial investigation of information from both the sides.”

    Dorje added that if the matter doesn’t get a fair judgment, they will continue with their agitation.

    Salam (who uses only one name), 36, had travelled from Goa to join the protest. “I am neither supporting Lobsang Sangay, nor Penpa Tsering. I am here to support the truth. Penpa Tsering has rejected Kashag’s 10-point charges. That has raised the question.”

    “We do not need explanation, we need the reason why Penpa Tsering was expelled. We have the right to know. We demand an independent committee to investigate the matter.”

    Tsultrim Dorje, 53, had come from Kathmandu, Nepal. He said he voted for Lobsang Sangay in the 2011 election. “I have heard lies over the years from Lobsang Sangay as the leader. He has been deceiving the people.”

    He said that Kashag’s ten reasons created more doubts than clarity. “Unless justice is done, we will not stop our movement.”

    One of the protestors left his winter sweater business and travelled to Dharamshala to join the demonstration. Tsering Wangchuk, 36, is from Dekiling, but does his winter sweater business in Rajasthan. He said that Penpa Tsering has not made any comments so far out of respect for the rules. “I have full confidence that Penpa Tsering will come out clean from this situation.”

    A protestor from Sikkim said that she is a ‘Denjongpa’, but her husband who passed away a few years ago, was a Tibetan. She said, “I am here to support truth and justice. Kashag’s reasons are not satisfactory. The Dalai Lama is working so hard for Tibet, and what the Kashag has done makes me worry about what China will think. Tibetans should work in unity to achieve their goals.”

    Five representatives of the protestors approached the Cabinet Secretariat to present a memorandum. The Additional Secretary of the Secretariat Phuntsok Tsering received the memorandum from them at the entrance of the Secretariat, and said that he will hand over the memorandum to the Cabinet tomorrow when the President of CTA and the ministers meet for their weekly meeting.

    Answering questions from the the media, he said, “People have the right to demonstrate in a democratic society. Kashag will look into their demands and will make a decision.”

    Penpa Tsering has said that he will respond to the Kashag’s 10-point charges against him after he leaves his office on 30 November.

    https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/11/27/historic-protest-against-cta-targets-penpa-tsering-dismissal

    Protest

  9. Kalon visited Jonang Temple. Do you think he will visit a Dorje Shugden temple soon?

    Chorig Kalon Attends Special Conference on Jonang Tradition

    November 25, 2017
    Published By Jamphel Shonu

    DHARAMSHALA: Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, Kalon of the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, today attended a special conference on the evolution of Jonang tradition and its present status at Duekhor Monastery near Norbulingka institute. The conference was organised by Jonang wellbeing Association.

    The chief guests at the conference were Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok and Gyalwang Gyaltsab Rinpoche. Other guests at the conference include settlement officer Dawa Rinchen and representatives from non governmental organisations.

    Kalon Karma Gelek Yuhtok also inaugurated a compilation book of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speeches and teachings published by the Jonang Wellbeing association.

    Tsangyang Gyatso, President of Jonang wellbeing Association, explained that the objective of the Special conference was to revive and spread awareness about the Jonang school of Tibetan Buddhism, and to acquire equal religious status as other schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

    http://tibet.net/2017/11/chorig-kalon-attends-special-conference-on-jonang-tradition/

    Kalon Visit Jonang1

  10. The Dalai Lama said that he cannot change his religion to enter into the Hindu temple. He wants to visit the Hindu temple, but he cannot change his religion. Only those of Hindu faith can enter this temple. He tried to enter by saying indirectly make an exception. But the Hindu priest said no. Even for the Dalai Lama, a big celebrity, the rules cannot be changed. It would have been nice if the priest did change the rules because the temple is to be visited by all and blessings are for everyone.

    Similarly, Dorje Shugden people cannot change their religion so they cannot enter the Dalai Lama’s temple. So the situation is exactly the same. It would be nice if the Dalai Lama himself can change his rules too.

    Ngodup Tsering

    Dalai: Why Puri temple doors shut for non-Hindus?
    Minati Singha| TNN | Updated: Nov 22, 2017, 02:35 IST
    BHUBANESWAR: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Tuesday questioned the practice of not allowing non-Hindus inside the Puri Jagannath Temple premises while criticising the Christian missionaries for trying to convert people of other faiths.
    “During my last visit to Odisha in 2010, I wished to go to the Jagannath Temple in Puri. I have a practice of visiting holy places wherever I go. I go to local places of worship like churches, gurdwaras, Hindu temples, Buddhist temples and mosques. I have made pilgrimages to Jerusalem (the holy city of the Jewish), the Syrian Christian Church and the Muslim sacred rock,” the Dalai Lama told TOI in an interview on Tuesday. He was responding to a question on the state’s unique Jagannath culture.
    The Dalai Lama, who is here on a two-day visit, said he cannot change his religion to enter the Jagannath Temple. “When I wanted to enter the Jagannath Temple in Puri, they said only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. So, in order to make a pilgrimage to the Jagannath Temple, I have to become a Hindu, which is very difficult,” said the Nobel laureate.
    The Dalai Lama also questioned conversions by Christian missionaries. “I never say Buddhism is the best religion. I never try to promote it in non-Buddhist countries and in Christian countries like Europe and America. I admire Christian brothers and sisters but don’t like it when they try to convert people. Being secular, like India, is a very practical and wonderful approach,” he said.
    Reacting to the Dalai Lama’s comment, Jagannath Temple priests said not allowing non-Hindus inside t is an age-old tradition. “Non-Hindus have not been allowed into the temple for centuries and the rule cannot be changed,” said Ramkrushna Das Mohapatra, president of the Daita Pati Nijog (an association of priests).
    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/dalai-why-puri-temple-doors-shut-for-non-hindus/articleshow/61746509.cms

    Hindu Temple

  11. Picture caption:

    Sign in Sarnath that barred Shugden practitioners from a Gelug Monastery

    What the Dalai Lama said:

    “When I wanted to enter the Jagannath Temple in Puri, they said only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. So, in order to make a pilgrimage to the Jagannath Temple, I have to become a Hindu, which is very difficult,” said the Dalai Lama ~ ya we knew that long ago

    Picture2

  12. Picture caption:

    A Gelug monastery in Sarnath bans Shugden practitioners from their monastery and teachings

    What the Dalai Lama said:

    “When I wanted to enter the Jagannath Temple in Puri, they said only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. So, in order to make a pilgrimage to the Jagannath Temple, I have to become a Hindu, which is very difficult,” said the Dalai Lama ~ ya we knew that long ago”

    Picture3

  13. It is logical that Dorje Shugden is not an evil spirit because high lamas who practiced and promoted Dorje Shugden, entered clear light and took rebirth in human form and continue their work from their previous life. If Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit, these lamas would have gone to the three lower realms because they would had broken their refuge vow, by worshipping an evil spirit. So this proof the claims by CTA / Dharamsala is illogical.

    Then, the more bizzare thing is, Dharamsala, without any hesitation recognise and endorse the Tulku-ship of these high lamas who returned. Depsite they were all supposed to be in hell for practicing Dorje Shugden in their previous life.

    On one hand, Dharamsala is saying Dorje Shugden people will go to hell; on the other hand Dharamsala is happy to recognise that these supposedly hell-bound lamas return as human. So which is which? Dharamsala and CTA cannot even get their story straight in trying to reason why Dorje Shugden is bad, how can they expect intellectual, modern and progressive people to buy their story.

    Therefore, only the people who has no thinking capability, hooligans mentality will follow this illogical arguement. Which is very sad to see because Buddhism, by right, is not a blind faith and encourages / stimulates followers to think logically. What has been demonstrated by Dalai Lama’s followers, who naturally are Buddhist, is no difference from the terrorists of the world.

    What a disgrace.

  14. Lie no more CTA, current reincarnations of erudite Shugden lamas are recognised by your boss, Dalai Lama.

    Don’t indoctrinate fear as study and practice of Dharma is to eliminate fear.

    Lower realms for liars not Dorje Shugden people.

  15. This article really give Tibetan leadership a big slap on their false claimed. The high lamas that practice Dorje Shugden in fact reincarnate back and most of them are also being recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. Tibetan leadership using Dorje Shugden as a scapegoate of their failuer to fullfill their commitment to bring their Tibetan people return back to Tibet. This is very obvious and now becoming a joke to many people around the world for their hypocrisy.

    The world are watching further how CTA being undemocratic and create so much suffering to their own people instead of uniting them for their cause.

  16. Tibetans protested against Lobsang Sangay outside the Office of Tibet but what response did they get from the Central Tibetan Administration? Lobsang Sangay and his administration not only failed to give satisfactory reasons why Penpa Tsering was removed from his position, he is now creating more dismay among Tibetan communities worldwide.

    Group of Tibetans protest outside Office of Tibet, DC during handover
    Phayul [Wednesday, November 29, 2017 09:27]
    By Tenzin Monlam

    DHARAMSHALA, November 29: Protest against Kashag’s decision to oust the North America envoy Penpa Tsering has reached Washington DC, the seat of Office of Tibet in the US, as a group of Tibetans stood with banners outside the office during the handover proceedings yesterday.
    Protesters reportedly from Boston, Connecticut, New York and Washington DC say their protest was not against the Tibetan government in exile or against Gaden Phodrang, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
    “This protest is not against the Central Tibetan Administration or His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it is against Lobsang Sangay,” said a Tibetan woman.
    During the meeting Ngodup Tsering said, “I am not here as a representative of Kashag. I am here only as a staff of the Kashag to carry out the handover of the office. As for clarification on the matter, Kashag has made it public.”
    He promised that he would take their application on the matter to the Kashag. He, however, denied their request of addressing the group outside and said that he would address only after taking charge of the office.
    In an unfortunate turn of event, a protestor named Ngawang Tsering, according to the protesters, suffered a heart attack and has been hospitalized.
    The protest in DC follows another in Gangchen Kyishong, the seat of Central Tibetan Administration, where around 90 men and women carried out a peaceful and silent protest calling for an independent committee to probe the ousting of Washington envoy.
    The Kashag initially on November 9 said that removal of Penpa Tsering was solely due to his failure to assume his duties appropriately and in the manner befitting of the office as seen by the Kashag.
    And on November 18, Kashag released a 10-point statement for the removal of Penpa Tsering after repeated probe by the media and demands for clarification by the public.
    While accepting the decision taken by the Kashag, the outgoing representative Penpa Tsering has stated that he does not agree with the charges against him and that he would respond only after completing his tenure on November 30.
    http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=39853

    Group of Tibetans protest outside DC office

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  17. Dear readers,

    Why are the Tibetan govt in exile not ordering their people to stop the self immolations? They dictate to them everything else they want as the Tibetan government is a dictatorship and regime and not the democracy they pretend to be.

    Why do they allow the tragic loss of lives. Are they allowing their own people to self immolate so they can pressure the international community to do something? Are they letting their own people die for their own gains?

    The international community will not do anything because they would rather do business with China to better the lives of their own citizens. Helping the Tibetans gives them nothing. If Tibetans want the self immolations to stop, then the Dalai Lama and Tibetan ‘government’ in exile will have to humble down and plead with China to come to begin talks again. China is Tibet’s key. By the Dalai Lama and his ‘government’ in exile always critizing China in Western medias will not make China come to talk. Who will talk to you to better your situation if you are always berating them?

    If the horrible and tragic self immolations are to stop, then Dalai Lama and his ‘government’ in exile must be humble and beg China to talk and negotiate. Tibet holds no power and China holds all the power. Tibet stands to gain if Dalai Lama and his people humble down on behalf of all the Tibetans. Don’t let the lives of those self immolated have no meaning.

    Tsering Dondrup

    Another victim of self-immolation
    Latest self-immolation death in Tibet causes concern for CTA Leadership
    Dharamsala: The President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay today expressed concern over the death of Tenga, a Tibetan monk aged 63 who died after carrying out a self-immolation protest on 26 November this year in Kardze, eastern Tibet. Tenga is identified as the son of late Tsewang Norbu and late Jamyang Dolma.
    While burning, Tenga called out for freedom for Tibet, media reports say. Police quickly arrived at the scene and took away the charred body which hasn’t been returned to the family yet. Reports also confirm heavy military presence, deployment of police and crackdown on communications in Kardze.
    The number of self-immolations till date stands at a staggering 150 including five this year. In Kardze alone, 13 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2011.
    Responding to the self-immolation, President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay said: “It deeply concerns us to see Tibetans, young and old, men and women, monks and nuns self-immolate. Such sacrifices by Tibetans in Tibet evidences that repression in Tibet under the Chinese rule is making lives unlivable. Therefore it is time the Chinese Government heed to the calls of Tibetans in Tibet who long for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama back to Tibet. China must address the legitimate grievances of people in Tibet. The issue of Tibet can be best resolved amicably through the middle way approach, by resuming dialogue with the Tibetan representatives.”
    http://tibet.net/2017/11/latest-self-immolation-death-in-tibet-causes-concern-for-cta-leadership-2/

    Self Immolation

  18. Prominent Buddhists in North America welcome the suspension of the Dalai Lama’s Personal Emissary of Peace, Tenzin Dhonden. Although it is not official that Tenzin Dhonden has been permanently replaced as he has hired a New York legal firm to reclaim his position on the trust, a temporary replacement has been appointed as the organisation’s “acting secretary”. It is unfortunate that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is surrounded by officials who seemed to be self-serving. This incident, and the sudden removal of Penpa Tsering are series of scandals that continue to expose more corruption and abuses within the top Tibetan leadership circle.

    Controversial monk and Dalai Lama aide replaced amid corruption accusations
    Rory Carroll in Los Angeles
    Wednesday 29 November 2017 12.19 GMT
    Prominent Buddhists in North America are welcoming the apparent downfall of the Dalai Lama’s self-styled “personal emissary of peace”, a Tibetan monk who befriended celebrities and billionaires but has been accused of bullying, celebrity worship and corruption.
    The Dalai Lama Trust has replaced Tenzin Dhonden as its executive secretary with a temporary appointment following claims, which the trust has said they are investigating, that Dhonden abused his position as a gatekeeper to the Buddhist leader.
    It is not known what the outcome of the trust’s investigation is or whether they have reached any conclusions. Dhonden has vigorously denied the corruption accusation, which was made by a Seattle-based philanthropist. He has not publicly responded to the other allegations.
    If permanent, his replacement by the trust would be a severe blow to Dhonden, who from his base in La Jolla, near San Diego, California, built a network of wealthy supporters, including the eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and the Seagram heiress Sara Bronfman.
    The Guardian revealed last month that the 53-year-old had been suspended pending an investigation into allegations from a Seattle-based technology entrepreneur that Dhonden extracted unjustified payments from him between 2005 and 2008, in return for setting up an event with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama’s personal secretary said the monk had been suspended pending a “conclusion” to the allegations.
    Dhonden strongly disputed the allegations and hired a venerable New York legal firm, Patterson Belknap, to defend his reputation and reclaim his position on the trust.
    But last week Dhonden’s name disappeared from the trust’s website and a trustee, Tashi Namgyal Khamshitsang, took his place as the organisation’s “acting secretary”.
    It is not known in what circumstances he has left his position as secretary of the trust. It has made no public comment about the new appointment or the status of its investigation into Dhonden. The trust and the Dalai Lama’s office did not respond to requests for information for this article. Emails to Dhonden’s attorneys asking about his fate and future plans also went unanswered.
    Prominent Buddhists in North America with connections in Dharamsala, the hill town in India which hosts the Dalai Lama and other exiled Tibetans, have welcomed the trust’s appointment of a new secretary, a decision said to have been taken at a board of trustees meeting on 10 November.
    The accusations against Dhonden shone a light on his role as a bridge between Dharamsala and Dalai Lama supporters in Hollywood, Silicon Valley and elsewhere.
    “I would like to join many others in expressing my deep gratitude to you all for stepping in to protect the precious reputation and legacy of His Holiness through effecting the recent transition of the leadership of the Dalai Lama Trust,” Thupten Jinpa, the Dalai Lama’s principal English translator, said in a letter to trustees seen by the Guardian.
    Jinpa, a former monk who has translated and edited about a dozen books by the Dalai Lama, wrote that it had been “painful” to see the spiritual leader’s name and legacy snagged by “unnecessary distractions … and discordant messages” which he said reflected “celebrity orientation”.
    Jinpa’s letter did not name Dhonden but said that under his stewardship the trust had alienated allies with “embarrassing” and “bullying” behaviour. “Most sadly, the Trust has unfortunately acquired a reputation of being authoritarian, confrontational, petty, and uncaring, characteristics so far removed from His Holiness’ personal ethics.”
    His questionable values, arrogant disposition and objectionable behavior have generated confusion and anxiety.
    In a phone interview Jinpa said the letter had been intended just for trustees but confirmed its contents. The Dalai Lama, who is the trust’s chairman, took a “very firm” stand once alerted to the allegations, he said. “I think his highness was clearly disturbed by the allegations.”
    The criticism is a marked contrast to praise for the monk’s “equanimity” and “pure goodness” in a 2015 San Diego Union Tribune profile. The article said he was a diligent emissary for the Dalai Lama.
    Other prominent Buddhist figures, however, share Jinpa’s satisfaction at the apparent fall of a monk who grew up in Dharamsala and moved to the US in 1991, where he helped organise celebrity-studded public events and private audiences for wealthy donors during the Dalai Lama’s visits to the US.
    “His questionable values, arrogant disposition and objectionable behavior have generated confusion, anxiety and extensive unhappiness for many years, impeding the work of His Holiness in North America and jeopardizing his reputation,” Marty Krasney, director of the San Francisco-based Dalai Lama Fellows, wrote in a letter to the Dalai Lama’s private office, and copied to trust board members, which the Guardian has seen.
    Krasney thanked the board for taking action to “protect” the Dalai Lama and to keep his vision and message “untarnished”.
    Richard Grace, a Napa vineyard owner who has been friends with the Dalai Lama for more than 20 years, also wrote to the Dalai Lama’s office to welcome the decision.
    Grace initiated the push against Dhonden after attending an 80th birthday celebration for the Dalai Lama in 2015 in Anaheim, near Los Angeles, which featured a golden cake, dancers in tight bodysuits and celebrities previously unassociated with Buddhism – “insulting” elements he blamed on the monk.
    Krasney and Grace persuaded Daniel Kranzler, a Seattle-based entrepreneur, to meet the Dalai Lama face to face in June and lay out allegations that Dhonden had demanded payments in return for ensuring the spiritual leader appear at a large event which Kranzler hosted in Washington state in 2008.
    Dhonden has not responded to requests for comment but vehemently rejected wrongdoing via his attorneys. They said last month that Kranzler’s allegations related to events that “occurred nearly a decade ago, are largely inaccurate and otherwise relate to conduct that is not unlawful, unethical, or even inappropriate”. They added that the allegations were “designed to falsely and unfairly tarnish” Dhonden’s reputation and that any payments he received were for legitimate work.
    In a phone interview last week Grace, a former marine, claimed Dhonden loyalists in Dharamsala had insulated the Dalai Lama from complaints and that action was overdue.
    A California university administrator who liaised with Dhonden over Dalai Lama events, and requested anonymity, said colleagues gave the monk a coarse nickname for his perceived obsession about inviting celebrities regardless of whether they had any interest in Buddhism or Tibet.
    Some critics also blamed Dhonden for organising an event in Albany in 2009 hosted by Nxivm, a controversial self-help organisation that has been compared to a cult, a description adherents reject. The event was initially cancelled after an outcry but then went ahead, giving a misleading impression that the Dalai Lama endorsed Nxivm, according to Dhonden’s detractors.
    Leading Nxivm adherents include Sara Bronfman, a wealthy heiress with a longstanding interest in Buddhism whom Dhonden has befriended, according to several sources.
    The monk is also close to Pierre Omidyar, the eBay founder, and his wife Pam, travelling in their private jet, visiting their estate in Hawaii and facilitating meetings with the Dalai Lama, according to people who have attended some of the meetings. The couple has a longstanding interest in Buddhism.
    Bronfman and the Omidyars did not respond to requests for comment.
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/tenzin-dhonden-dalai-lama-corruption-celebrity-investigation?CMP=share_btn_fb

    a1

  19. Again proof that there is nothing that Dorje Shugden practitioners have to be afraid of as every Dorje Shugden practitioner is well aware of.

    It is completely illogical to have a ban against Dorje Shugden and it is well known that Guru Devotion and the teacher-student relationship is most important. It does not matter what an other lama or government says, we have to keep our commitment to our Root Guru who gave us the practice and these high lamas who all practiced Dorje Shugden all their life, are another proof and with the approval of the Central Tibetan Administration.

    So much suffering has been created and it is high time to end this painful ban of Dorje Shugden. Please stop this suffering of so many Tibetans and end the ban against Dorje Shugden.

  20. The CTA is doing nothing but fanning sentiments against Dorje Shugden practitioners.They are still trying to lay the blame on everyone else instead of their own ineptitude to make any positive impact in their global dealings. They are so engrossed in their siphoning that they have become emboldened, thinking themselves invincible.

    May the Tibetans fidn the knowledge and wisdom to be discerning.

  21. Kashag’s allegations “false, incomplete and manipulative,” says former NA envoy P. Tsering
    [Wednesday, December 06, 2017 12:59]
    By Tenzin Dharpo
    DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 5: The former North America representative Penpa Tsering refuted all the allegations against him saying they are “false, incomplete and manipulative,” at a press conference here today. He said that while the executive body of the Central Tibetan Administration led by Dr. Lobsang Sangay has the authority to terminate him, he rejects the allegations which he said was an “attempt to malign his image.”
    The row over the termination of Penpa Tsering’s tenure in Washington office began on Nov. 7 when the Kashag made a public announcement that former education minister Ngodup Tsering will be the new NA envoy. Later the Kashag made public a 10-point statement which cited growing “performance and trust deficit” as well as “insubordination” by Penpa Tsering.
    The former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile today said that he couldn’t respond sooner to the allegations as he was bound by regulations not to speak out while being a staff of the CTA. He shared a 97-page document that included official correspondences, some of which appeared confidential.
    In response to the Kashag’s allegation of ‘trust deficit’, he said that it was the Sangay led Kashag which portrayed reluctance in trusting him. Tsering said two additional Directors for the TCDF (Tibetan Community Development Fund), including a close aide of the President, were added just two months into his tenure and that he was kept in the dark on matters related to US government funding under the PRM and USAID initiatives despite reaching out to President Sangay on the matters. He also said that his office was not notified on a few occasions when the President or a member of the cabinet visited the North America on official schedule.
    Penpa Tsering said that he categorically refutes ‘lack of performance’ allegation as he had left no stones unturned as far as output of his office is concerned. Responding to the charges of failure to set up key meetings with officials of the US government, he said that his office had approached concerned offices through official mails but that the meetings could not materialize due to scheduling conflicts. He added that closure of the bank accounts was a political move that no one could have avoided, he said while addressing the allegation over the warning by a prominent bank to close several accounts under the OoT. He backed his claims with copies of the correspondence to the media. “Was any of my predecessors charged for not being able to set up meetings for the President?” Tsering questioned.
    The former NA envoy also said he does not accept the “insubordination” allegations against him. Addressing the incidents cited by the Kashag, he said Chinese liaison officer Kunga Tashi’s appointment was not finalized and he told the public that such appointment was subject to Kashag’s.
    On the loan debacle concerning the Tibet Fund and OoT, the former Speaker said the President first raised the issue in the ten point statement and that any problems arising out of it for the CTA or chaos amongst the public will be the responsibility of the Kashag.
    He shared a copy of the “Promissory note,” an internal agreement between the OoT and Tibet Fund. He said that the non profit organization continued to show the amount of 1.5 million USD as loan despite the President’s insistence that “it was not a loan” and that such back door agreements with an organization based in a foreign land is a breach of the Tibetan Charter’s article 6 where compliance to the laws of the host nation is stressed clearly. Penpa Tsering said it was his duty to question such discrepancies and does not consider such acts as insubordination.
    Through the three hours fifty-minute press conference, the former NA envoy reiterated that he had not breached any rules and regulations of the exile Tibetan administration and called on the Kashag to speak out on any specific breaches.
    http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=39878&article=Kashag%E2%80%99s+allegations+%E2%80%9Cfalse%2c+incomplete+and+manipulative%2c%E2%80%9D+says+former+NA+envoy+P.+Tsering

    2017-12-07_0-48-58

  22. Penpa Tsering challenges Cabinet to prove charges against him
    By Lobsang Wangyal
    McLEOD GANJ, India, 6 December 2017
    Penpa Tsering responded Tuesday to the Cabinet’s charges against him regarding his termination from the post of Representative of the Dalai Lama in North America. He presented a 97-page document which contained arguments refuting each point, and claimed that the charges were intended to blacken his reputation.
    He challenged the Cabinet to prove their allegations with documentation, and said that failing to respond, he will take further action.
    “I am a human being. I have family and friends. Even they will be dragged down because of the charges against me. I will not let this issue go scot-free,” Penpa Tsering said during a press conference that took more than three hours.
    He said that he didn’t start the fire, and that the current commotion in the Tibetan community was a result of the actions of the Cabinet of the Central Tibetan Administration led by its President Lobsang Sangay.
    He repeated his previous statements that although he did not accept the Cabinet’s accusations, he did accept the termination order, as it was the Cabinet’s prerogative to terminate the services of the Representatives.
    Penpa Tsering said that Sangay initially approached him for an appointment as the Representative in Belgium, a post the liaises with the European Union. But later, he was told that he has been appointed the North American Representative based in Washington DC.
    He felt there was a fissure even before going to DC to take over the position. He said that he met with Sangay in Delhi to seek his guidance, particularly to follow up on any CTA funding intiatives. Previous Representatives had the responsibility to manage the US government funds provided through the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). He felt that Sangay disconnected him from these responsibilities, signalling a lack of trust right from the beginning.
    The 10 points and rebuttals
    The Cabinet issued a 10-point clarification on 18 November of the reasons for Penpa Tsering’s termination on 7 November. Penpa Tsering said that the ten points were forced to create some reasons for his dismissal.
    The first point was an introduction stating that there was a growing trust deficit, under-performance, and insubordination. A few days before issuing the 10-point document, the Kashag said that three warnings were served, but Penpa said that he received only one.
    With regard to point two, which accused him of not submitting any formal reports, he said an order had been issued by the Department of Information and International Relations of the CTA to submit reports only on 20 April 2017. He showed documentation proof to that. He further said that the accusation that no reports were sent during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US was in early April, prior to the DIIR’s letter.
    Point three cited as a case of insubordination, his announcement of Kunga Tashi as Chinese Liaison Officer in New York, and he said this lacked any truth. “I didn’t announce him as an appointee. I told the people of New York that approval has been sought from the Cabinet, once approved he will be appointed.”
    “I have made this clear through the DIIR, and when they got the picture clear, I never got any further inquiries about that.”
    Point four concerned “not following DIIR’s mandatory standing order” and not reporting “Dholgyal-related activities.” He said that the welcome rally by some Dholgyal followers to Xi Jinping had been reported to the Secretary of the Department of Security of the CTA, and further, that the accusation of not following DIIR’s order to send reports was after the event, as Xi was in the US in early April, and DIIR sent the order to all the Representatives on 20 April.
    The juxtaposition of the Dholgyal’s welcome to Xi in April and the Dalai Lama’s visit to the US in June are precarious, and raises the question of the coorelation of the two events. “It feels like a design to look for faults in order to terminate me had already been happening.”
    The fifth point accused Penpa Tsering of being “unable to schedule any such meetings for Sikyong” with Speaker of the House, or the Majority Leader of the Senate, or even with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
    To this, Penpa Tsering stated that the documents would speak for themselves. He showed several documents to prove that he contacted and tried to schedule meetings, but because of scheduling conflicts of the US leaders, no meetings materialised. “We had short notice of Sikyong’s visit, and we were unable to resolve schedule conflicts. Would it be right to blame me for these things which are out of my control.”
    He questioned how many of his predecessors from 2011 had scheduled meetings of Sangay with US leaders. “Have they been warned about not arranging meetings?”
    Challenging the accusation of “negligence raising funds” in point six of the Cabinet’s reason, Penpa Tsering said that there was a new Donald Trump administration, and many new contacts to be made. But despite that, his requests to State and Foreign Operations ranking members helped to get continued funding assistance for Tibetans from the US government.
    To point seven, the “closure of five bank accounts” of the Office of Tibet in Washington, Penpa Tsering said that due to political reasons, CitiBank announced the closure of the five accounts. “There wasn’t anything we could do about the closure.”
    “We informed the DIIR Secretary, and acted promptly as per Sikyong’s order to disperse funds to other Offices of Tibet. Sikyong’s claim that a huge loss in tax had occurred was a lie, as there wasn’t any loss in tax. The closure was not due to my negligence. The closure notice came all of a sudden for political reasons.”
    He further added that Sikyong was misinforming the public, and providing incomplete information and twisting the facts.
    Regarding the 1.5-million-dollar issue raised in point eight, which stated “the amount was not a loan”, but an amount that Tibet Fund had contributed and did not expect to be paid back, Penpa Tsering said that the accounting of Tibet Fund shows the amount as a loan every year.
    The Office of Tibet building was purchased for 2.6 million dollars in August 2014, with a contribution of 1.3 million dollars from Ganden Phodrang and a 1.5-million-dollar loan from Tibet Fund.
    Penpa Tsering said that Tibet Fund continued to show 1.5 million as a loan, but there wasn’t any documentation showing that the Office of Tibet is liable for repayment of the loan.
    During the audit of the accounts of the Office of Tibet, Penpa Tsering asked the auditor how best to solve this issue so that there would not be a problem in the future. The auditor told him that he would ask his senior in Dharamshala about finding a solution.
    However, the matter appeared in the audit report. Sikyong then summoned the Auditor General twice for showing the issue in the audit report. Penpa Tsering was charged by Sikyong for instigating the auditor to mention the loan issue in the audit report, failing which he would not sign the report. “I never thought it would become an issue. I was only trying to find a solution. The charge that I will not sign the audit report if the issue was not mentioned was a lie. The auditor could be asked, and what I said to the auditor could be asked to all the staff members of the Office of Tibet.”
    “If raising such an issue was seen as insubordination, then why should there be meetings? If we are not able to raise issues and are to just follow orders, wouldn’t that be an autocracy, not a democracy?”
    Concerning point nine, Penpa Tsering accepted that he had a long chat one evening with Dhardon Sharling, the DIIR Secretary, but denied the Cabinet’s charge that “he tried hard to convince a female Kalon nominee against working with Sikyong.”
    He said, “all those present should be asked about what he had said during the gathering.”
    The tenth point was a summary of the firing of Penpa Tsering and of providing for his replacement.
    https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/12/06/penpa-tsering-challenges-cabinet-to-prove-charges-against-him

    2017-12-07_0-55-31a

    2017-12-07_0-55-31b

  23. The Dalai Lama Wants to Return Home
    BY P. STOBDAN ON 04/12/2017
    Is India bracing for the potential fallout?
    The impact of the 19th Communist Party of China congress and affirmation of President Xi Jinping as China’s ‘most powerful’ leader in decades seems already to be having a bearing on India – especially on the ‘Tibet Issue’ that deeply intersects with the boundary problem. Is India bracing for the potential fallout?
    There may be more to the Dalai Lama’s desire to return home than meets the eye. The Tibetan leader’s November 23 statement – “The past is past, Tibetans want to stay with China” – carries a serious political overtone, coming as it does immediately after the 19th party congress and the Doklam standoff between India and China.
    The Dalai Lama’s statement that he is “not seeking independence for Tibet and wishing to stay with China” is not new; however, his declaration that “he would return to Tibet at once, if China agrees” has sparked fresh speculation of a possible rapprochement with Beijing.
    The sign of rapid thawing strangely comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Beijing. Most likely, Trump wouldn’t have made Tibet a pressure point in his dealings with Beijing; rather he would have dumped the Dalai Lama (whom the US fostered for over half a century) on the altar of a better trade deal and for securing China’s commitment to exert more pressure on North Korea. During the trip US officials made to Dharamshala prior to Trump’s visit, this prospect would probably have been discussed.
    The inevitability of this change was clear when the US had started faltering on Tibet even earlier, when Barack Obama had to welcome the Dalai Lama through the back door of the White House, signalling Washington’s inability to withstand Beijing’s pressure.
    Trump was not even inclined to embrace the issue, as he refused to meet the Tibetan leader and instead proposed zero aid in 2018 to the Tibetans, reversing the decades-old American policy. The State Department has also not appointed a special coordinator for Tibet.
    Surely it couldn’t have been a coincidence that a week after Trump’s China visit, the Dalai Lama abruptly selected two personal emissaries (for an indefinite period) to represent him in all ‘global engagements’. He has cited increasing physical fatigue, but the decision to appoint two “trusted friends” – former ‘prime minister-in-exile‘ Samdong Rinpoche and current president of the ‘government in exile’, Lobsang Sangay – was meant to send a calibrated signal to China.
    Anyway, the Dalai Lama has been working on a new plan – 5/50 vision – that envisaged a five-year strategy for returning to dialogue with China, but preparing for a 50-year struggle if needed – along the “hope for the best and prepare for the worst” proverb. The 5/50 strategy reaffirmed his middle way approach (Umaylam) as a realistic political means of realising the dual aim of his early return to Tibet and fulfilling the aspirations of the Tibetan people.
    Appointing personal emissaries satisfies China. Beijing has been emphatically asking the Dalai Lama to stop travelling to Western capitals, if talks are to be resumed. At the 19th party congress, the Tibet Work Forum chief told reporters that international figures have no excuse for meeting with the Dalai Lama. Recently, the Dalai Lama even had to abort his planned visit to Botswana, citing physical “exhaustion”.
    Within this rapidly-unfolding scenario, the Dalai Lama appears to have sent Samdong on a discreet visit to Kunming (China). Samdong’s visit, starting from mid November, must have been facilitated by no less than You Quan – newly-appointed head of the United Front Work Department that overseas Tibetan affairs. You Quan, who formerly served as party secretary of Fujian, is a close associate of President Xi. He had earlier successfully dealt with Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan’s business communities.
    Clearly, Samdong’s visit forms part of the first five-year plan to engage with China, while Lobsang Sangay’s 17-day tour to Europe and Canada is meant to sustain the struggle for the next 50 years, if the first plan fails.
    Will the talks succeed now? In the past, Chinese leaders stymied the Dalai Lama’s desire to return to Tibet. But there is a distinct possibility that it may bear fruit this time.
    First, Xi, widely known to have a soft spot for Tibet, hitherto kept his own approach close to his chest, fearing resistance from hardliners. Unlike others, he held the view that the prospects for solving the Tibet problem would peter out once the Dalai Lama is no more. Xi now finds himself in a perfect position to resolve the issue as no other Chinese leader could do in the past, for he also stands to gain personally both in political and moral terms, to become the most credible leader in China’s history.
    Second, the Dalai Lama too long hoped for Xi to change tack, as he hailed him as “realist” and “open-minded” in contrast to his predecessors. In fact, the Tibetan leader has admitted to having received positive signals from top Chinese officials, especially from the moderate elements as streams of Han Chinese flocked to meet him during Xi’s first term. In May this year, the party was shocked to find their own party members clandestinely funding the Dalai Lama.
    But, most critically, Tibetans living inside Tibet may have pressured the Dalai Lama to seize the opportunity and resolve differences during Xi’s second term, before the window for a deal closes a few years from now.
    With time running out fast, the Dalai Lama can be anything but hopeful. He has been steadily losing international support in the face of China’s rise as a world power. No longer does any country dare to receive the Dalai Lama officially.
    Apart from his own ageing, the Tibetan leader faces the challenge of keeping his flock together. For example, the delay in reaching a solution causes anxiety, uncertainty and division among his people. Even inside Tibet, rising frustration and hopelessness have been highlighted by people resorting to self-immolation. The number stands at 149 so far.
    And so, in what must be an embarrassing climb-down for the exiled Tibetan leaders, all they can do now is settle for the cause of “development”, besides hoping that the Chinese will not resort to repression of the Tibetan people.
    Therefore, in a way, we are likely witness the curtains finally being drawn on Tibet’s quest for an independent state. Tim Johnson knew this when he aptly titled his book Tragedy in Crimson: How the Dalai Lama Conquered the World but Lost the Battle with China.
    And finally, for India, the question is whether New Delhi has any role to play in this rapidly-evolving scene, and if so under what political parameters. There is no sign of anyone having even considered the impact of this. But to be cautious, any Sino-Tibetan deal would seriously risk undercutting India’s position on the boundary dispute with China.
    Seemingly fretful about impending developments, the Dalai Lama now finds himself walking a political tightrope by espousing reconciliation between India and China, “living peacefully by putting the differences aside”. He maintained a hands-off position and tried not to get drawn even into the Doklam standoff – instead calling for a peaceful solution. One hopes he is successful this time.
    P. Stobdan, a former Indian ambassador, specialises in Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian and Uighur affairs.
    https://thewire.in/201726/dalai-lama-india-china-tibet/

    2017-12-07_0-34-40

  24. Dalai Lama’s Envoy Samdhong Rinpoche Discreetly Visited China
    December 5, 2017 by TJ editor
    In one of the hottest news unfolding recently is that His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s personal emissary, the former Prime Minister of Tibetan government in Exile, His Eminence the Samdhong Rinpoche is being said to have made a discreet visit to China! Besides the discussions going on in the Social media, an article in a major online media suggests the same.
    “In a rapidly-unfolding development, the Dalai Lama may have sent his envoy Samdong on a discreet visit to Kunming (China). Samdong’s visit, starting from mid November, must have been facilitated by no less than You Quan – newly-appointed head of the United Front Work Department that overseas Tibetan affairs. Quan, who formerly served as party secretary of Fujian, is a close associate of President Xi. He had earlier successfully dealt with Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan’s business communities.” suggested the report in The Wire.
    However, there are no any official information available about the visit. The article which titled as ‘The Dalai Lama Wants to Return Home’ suggested that the Dalai Lama appointing the emissaries and lessened foreign visits recently have significantly pleased China.
    “Appointing personal emissaries satisfies China. Beijing has been emphatically asking Dalai Lama to stop travelling to Western capitals, if talks are to be resumed. At the 19th party congress, the Tibet Work Forum chief told reporters that international figures have no excuse for meeting with the Dalai Lama. Recently, the Dalai Lama even had to abort his planned visit to Botswana, citing physical “exhaustion”.” added the report.
    Besides the article also suggested the while the former prime minister’s visit to China meant the working at the Five year’s plan to resolve the Tibet issue while the incumbent Prime Minister Dr. Sangay’s foreign visit during the same period meant the forming of sustaining the for the next fifty years if the need be for the struggle. This discusses about the Five-Fifty policy being endorsed by the Tibetan Administration.
    The article also noted that there is some hope in this juncture over the dialogue in view of the fact that the Chinese President Xi is reportedly known for having a soft side for Tibet while His Holiness himself has called President Xi has being open minded and a realist leader. However, the facts are yet to be seen and the past is very bitter as far as the dialogues despite having held more than ten rounds of talks having held between the two!
    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2017/12/05/dalai-lamas-envoy-samdhong-rinpoche-visited-china/

    2017-12-07_0-37-29

  25. Tibet Fund confirms 1.5 million USD loan to grant agreement
    [Thursday, December 07, 2017 18:23]
    By Tenzin Dharpo
    DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 7: Non-Profit organization Tibet Fund in a statement on Wednesday said that the 1.5 million USD provided by the organization for the purchase of the Office of Tibet property is a “loan” which however was “expected and hoped” to be forgiven in the future. “We are issuing the statement to clarify Tibet Fund’s position on the loan issue,” the statement read.
    Tibet fund said they “entered into a $1,500,000 loan agreement with the Office of Tibet on March 31, 2014,” and that, “the loan was scheduled to be repaid in thirty years.” The organisation also mentioned that the agreement was “consistent with customary legal practice in New York.”
    Tibet fund cited an official correspondence from the organization’s Chairman to the CTA (Central Tibetan Administration) dated July 6, 2017 stating, “At the time the loan was made, both the Board of Tibet Fund and the CTA hoped and expected that at some point the loan would be forgiven and the full amount would then be deemed outright grant from Tibet Fund to the CTA, although the specific timing of this grant was never discussed or agreed. It was certainly our hope that after some number of years and experience working together, the board would feel that the time right to confer the loan to a grant.”
    However, the non-profit organization wrote that the conversion of the loan into an “outright grant” is condition upon the CTA honoring the terms and condition of the loan and where the relationship between CTA and Tibet is “one of mutual respect and support”.
    On Dec. 5, former North America envoy Penpa Tsering said that the agreement between the two parties concerning the 1.5 million USD, a part sum used to purchase a 500 square feet office space for the OoT in Washington was not as per laws of the host nation. Penpa Tsering said that the act was in violation of the the article 6 of the Tibetan charter where compliance to the laws of the host nation is stressed. A copy of the “promissory note” between Tibet Fund and CTA was shared by Tsering to the media yesterday.
    The acting-President Yuthok Karma Gelek today told Tibetan media that the Kashag maintains that the amount of 1.5 million USD is not a loan.
    Tibet Fund is an organization that is reliant heavily on US government funding and is essentially a social service outfit based out of New York, US, that has been involved in uplifting various spheres of the exile Tibetan community in the Indian sub-continent and in the west.
    http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=39888&article=Tibet+Fund+confirms+1.5+million+USD+loan+to+grant+agreement

    sean-20th-w-susan-and-dzamser

  26. December 7, 2017
    It is such a bad image what all these people around the Dalai Lama are giving to him.

    The Dalai Lama, this great monk has been cheated by all those around him and these articles on DorjeShugden.com are maybe only the tip of the iceberg???!!!

    How bad to be with the Dalai Lama like this. Same for the CTA as we can read that so much money was used for themselves and not for the Tibetans… sigh

    Thank you DorjeShugden.com

  27. It really defies logic to even imagine that great Shugden Masters like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche , Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and Domo Geshe Rinpoche should even be thought of as spirit worshippers. The very reason they reincarnate is to turn the Wheel of Dharma and spread and proliferate the Dharma for the benefit of all beings. How can such compassionate beings worship spirits, knowing that this would greatly harm all their students and followers, causing them to break their basic refuge and other vows, and casting them inevitably to the lower realms when they die.

    What is so absurd and most illogical is that the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan leadership have, since 1996 ,condemned all Shugden Lamas as spirit worshippers in one breath, and in the next breath they recognise and enthrone their incarnations !By recognising their incarnations they are actually telling the world that these are highly attained masters and definely not spirit worshippers. By logical reasoning, Dorje Shugden is thus not a spirit.

    Time is not on the side of the Tibetan Leadership and Tibetans in Exile. It is imperative that negotiations begin as soon as possible with the Chinese Government for autonomy for Tibet. However, negotiations can only take place when there is a solid basis for negotiations. Tibetans must unite for peaceful meaningful negotiations. For the sake of Tibetan unity, the Shugden ban must
    be removed!

  28. After Trump in China, Will Any Country Officially Receive the Dalai Lama?
    December 6, 2017 Jigme Wangchuk
    The United States has always been an outspoken ally of the Tibet cause; at least it seemed to be until it showed a sign of corrosion in the last 10 years. China’s economic boom and its far-reaching impact in international affairs have risen astoundingly amidst growing call for human rights intervention in Tibet. The support for Tibet is dwindling as has been made apparent by His Holiness’s remark.
    The Dalai Lama recently announced that he would indefinitely be absent from all international events and declared Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and Prime Minister Dr. Lobsang Sangay as his two emissaries. The undertone of this decision seems to make it clear that the Dalai Lama has reached an understanding with Beijing, one that would fall in line with his vision of autonomy for Tibet.
    An article by The Wire has drawn conclusions on how the Dalai Lama has panned out his policy for the Tibet cause in the future. News article pertaining to power politics and fading call for the Tibet cause have sprung up after Donald Trump’s visit to China – not without a reason. Trump has made it clear that he will not invite His Holiness to the United States like most of his predecessors. He also suggested zero dollars in aid to the Tibet cause.
    China’s supposed involvement in the ousting of Zimbabwean president Mugabe highlights its political influence around the world. And with United States and the rejection by Botswana, it seems unlikely that no country will officially receive the Dalai Lama without offending China and paying a possible price for it. It would be erroneous to speculate that the Dalai Lama has surrendered his influence and nullified the Tibetan freedom struggle. With more and more countries reclining on China and lucrative trade relations for its people, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Dalai Lama wants development for Tibetans in Tibet too.
    But as far as the Dalai Lama’s travel is concerned, he will be limiting his presence to India where the Tibet cause will be fostered until that moment when India will embrace the exhaustive slogan “Hindi-China Bhai Bhai.”
    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2017/12/06/trump-china-will-country-officially-receive-dalai-lama/

    2017-12-09_0-37-40

  29. Thank you, Namdrol. This is really the Dalai lama making himself look real bad. He is questioning the Hindus for doing what he himself is doing. He better ask himself the same question – why segregate? Why discriminate?

    xyz

  30. Oh this makes total sense! Anyways, typical of the Tibetan Administration Leaders and His Holiness! They always contradict themselves and it was just a matter of time that these strong evidence and logical arguments emerged.

    Time after time it has been proven that Dorje Shugden is not a spirit practice, nor the lamas that propagate the practice. It clearly shows that Dorje Shugden lamas too are attained, are lineage holders of the tradition, and in every way just as qualified as Non-Shugdenpas.

    What can Dalai lama and Tibetan Administration say to this? If they know for sure the lamas and practitioners are breaking their samaya and vows then they would know definitely that they won’t incarnate back. But yet they recognise the incarnations of these Shugden lamas.

  31. The CTA said Dorje Shugden practitioners will all go to hell, which include the high lamas. Yet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognises them. How contradictory!

  32. Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri and arose as a Dharma Protector of about 400 years ago. Its practice is really benefitted to many others especially those sincere practitioners.

    However, CTA claimed that Dorje Shugden is an evil and those are relied on Dorje Shugden, they have break their refuge, Bodhisattva and Tantric vows that will lead them take rebirth in the three lower realms. This is not true. If Dorje Shugden is an evil, the great masters have faith and propitiate Dorje Shugden are definitely will not reincarnate, continue their dharma works and spread the dharma for the benefit of others as what they are doing now. If Dorje Shugden is an evil, why the Tibetan leadership still recognize and enthrone the those great masters relied on Dorje Shugden such as H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and many other great masters???

    Personally, I think when the CTA’s advice not to practice Dorje Shugden, this cause the people will take rebirth in the Three Lower Realms. You know why? Because, those are following the CTA’s advice actually have go against and ignore their spiritual guru’s advice and given them Dorje Shugden practice or Sogtae. What had CTA done actually bring much harm to the people which drag people away in achieving their attainments.😟

  33. The Dalai Lama has banned the Dorje Shugden practice, yet millions around the world are exercising their democratic rights by practicing Dorje Shugden, so the CTA should not segregate and discriminate against them.

    The Dalai Lama has banned the Rangzen (Tibet Independence) movement, yet many are exercising their democratic rights by continuing to pursue for Tibet’s independence.

    Video: Rangzen people are more dangerous than Dorje Shugden people by Prof Samdhong Rinpoche: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn62-WmDFg4

    The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) are very defiant, within days after the Dalai Lama said that “Tibetans want to stay with China”, the TYC has announced it will take out a nationwide campaign in India calling for independence for Tibet. Shouldn’t the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala and Dalai Lama take action against the Rangzen people? Dalai Lama has expressed that he wishes to visit Tibet and see the 6 million Tibetans before he passes. The only way to do this is to become friends with China. If that is the case, if Rangzen activist protest against China, would this not jeopardize his wishes? Tibetans are always saying they owe so much to the Dalai Lama and if this is so, shouldn’t they help the Dalai Lama return to Tibet by becoming friends with China? The first step is that the Dalai Lama and his exiled govt (CTA) in Dharamsala, North India, must start using the China flag. Show some concessions. Make China happy. If Dalai Lama wants to be an autonomous state of China under China, he has to be sincere by using the China flag first. After all, all the world leaders are now refusing to meet on official terms the Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama is being banned from more and more countries. More heads of state are scrambling to make friends with China and not Dalai Lama. To be friends or friendly with Dalai Lama will bring no economic benefits to their countries. China is the largest economy in the world now and is still growing. By being friends with China, many countries will benefit their economy and that is the first priority of all world leaders.

    More leaders are not meeting the Dalai Lama and his popularity is dropping. Even if Tibetans want to use violence to overcome China, it will be impossible. Six million Tibetans cannot withstand the might of the 1.2 billion Chinese in warfare. The best route is the Dalai Lama’s middle way which is to become an autonomous state under China and he can return to Tibet to visit and see his followers who are waiting for him. All countries should not use Dalai Lama as a trump card to irritate China because of the competition with China. It is better to be friends with a super-power such as China.

    Tenzin Monlom

    Tibetan youth plan march for freedom
    NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 08, 2017 22:18 IST
    by Suhasini Haidar
    New Delhi must review its policy… after Doklam, people of India realise what is going on: group leader
    Days after the Dalai Lama said that “Tibetans want to stay with China”, the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest group of youth activists among the refugee population, has announced it will take out a nationwide campaign in India calling for independence for Tibet, highlighting the growing divide within the community in India.
    The march, called the “Bharat Jagran Yatra”, will also coincide with the arrival of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is attending the Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting in Delhi. The External Affairs Ministry declined to comment if the march would affect the talks in any way, but a senior government official who handles Tibetan refugee matters said the government “isn’t too worried”.
    While the TYC has carried out protests in the past, this is the first time it is attempting a march of this scale. “There is a sense of frustration among our people who have lived for 50 years in exile. We have to educate people about the need for an independent Tibet and why it is important for India, given Chinese intrusions at the border, as well,” TYC president Tenzin Jigme told The Hindu, outlining plans for the march beginning December 10 from Dharamshala, Chennai and Salaugara in West Bengal, to travel to 150 towns and cities.
    Among the TYC’s demands are that India must “review its policy” and support Tibetan independence. “We must seize the moment, as after Doklam, people of India realise what is going on. Already several [Indian] leaders have spoken of reviewing India’s policies [on Tibet],” Mr. Jigme said.
    India recognises the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of China, and has reiterated that there has been no change in the official “One-China” policy. However, since 2014, the NDA government has toughened its stand on supporting the Tibetan community, beginning with an invitation to the ‘Sikyong’ or leader Lobsang Sangay to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
    Dalai Lama’s visit
    Analysts say the government has also increased security for the Dalai Lama, and will be facilitating another visit by him to Arunachal Pradesh shortly, which China has always objected to.
    However, the larger concern at present is over the growing divide between the Dalai Lama’s leadership, which advocates the Umaylam or middle-way approach that calls for more autonomy for Tibet within China, against the Rangzen or independence demand pushed by the TYC and their followers in the Tibetan diaspora. At a speech in Kolkata last month, the Dalai Lama said Tibetans “will have to look into the future” and seek development, not independence, following which his official envoy, Samdhong Rinpoche, reportedly visited China.
    “This Umaylam-Rangzen schism has been growing since elections were held last year,” says Jayadev Ranade, former Cabinet Secretariat official and author of a new book, Cadres in Tibet.
    Mr. Ranade, who has closely watched the Tibetan community in India, estimated to be between 1.5 lakh and 4.5 lakh, adds, “For us in India, the concern is about any law and order issue that would come out of it.”
    (With Vijaita Singh)
    http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/tibetan-youth-plan-march-for-freedom/article21340159.ece

    2017-12-14_4-23-23

  34. Tibet wants to stay with China, says Dalai Lama
    TNN | Updated: Nov 24, 2017, 15:42 IST
    KOLKATA: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said on Thursday that Tibet did not seek independence from China but greater development.
    Speaking at an interactive session hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here, he said, “We are not seeking independence… We want to stay with China. We want more development.”
    He added, “Tibet has a different culture and a different script… The Chinese people love their own country. We love our own country.”
    He said, “From Yangtze to Sindhu rivers, major rivers … come from Tibet. Billions of lives are involved. Taking care of the Tibetan plateau is not only good for Tibet but for billions of people.”
    He also lauded India’s “spirit of religious tolerance”, adding that there were “problems sometimes because of politicians trying to manipulate that”.
    He took a dig at the average Indian’s laziness as well — describing them as “lazier than the Chinese”.
    “I think Indian people are lazy but that may be due to the climate. But India is more stable and can play a role in the world stage,” he added. “India has a tradition of living together. (It is) a living example of different traditions being carried together,” the Buddhist monk said, adding: “I can proudly state the same about Tibetan culture.”
    India should combine modern education with basic human values rooted in its traditional teachings, he said. “This could pave the way for peace in the 21st century+ after the violence that has prevailed in the last 100 years,” said the monk. “Religion, too, has become a lip service and failed to bridge the divide between humans,” he added, blaming politicians for often using it in a wrong way.
    “India is rich in traditional teachings. These, rather than just religion, can help bring people together. If modern India can combine newage education with lessons on inner values in a secular way, then the country can head in the right direction. Modern education is a bit too materialistic,” he said.
    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tibet-wants-to-stay-with-china-says-dalai-lama/articleshow/61775261.cms

    1017-12-14_15-01-32

  35. CTA would like to downplay Samdhong Rinpoche’s private visit to China. The fact is, in order for him to go, he needs permission of India government, China government and Dalai Lama. For someone as high profile as him and who has criticised China for decades to be even allowed to go to China shows you that he is not going there for excursion, holidays or just to meet relatives. It will definitely be something official. Since he is going as the envoy of the Dalai Lama, it is definitely to negotiate with the China government regarding Tibet’s autonomy and Dalai Lama’a returning back, it could not be anything else. Therefore it is important for CTA and all Tibetans and their supporters to stop criticising China so that the negotiation goes through smoothly, and there will be a positive resolution for Tibet and a chance for the Dalai Lama to visit China and Tibet. The irony is, after Samdhong Rinpoche visited china, he is not accused to be colluding with China government for Tibet, HE HIMSELF is going to China. So there is no point in accusing Dorje Shugden people of befriending China, because the Tibetans exiled leaders are going to China themselves now.

    Cautious Sangay says Samdhong Rinpoche made a “private visit” to China
    [Friday, December 15, 2017 16:51]
    By Tenzin Dharpo
    DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 15: In the much speculated development over the visit of former Tibetan Kalon Tripa (then called Prime Minister), Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche to China, Tibetan President Dr. Lobsang Sangay said that the close aide of the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama did visit China. “It was at most, a private visit”, Dr. Sangay said on Thursday in New Delhi.
    The head of the exile Tibetan government (known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration), while responding to a question at the Prof. ML Sondhi Memorial Lecture in New Delhi said that he did not get any official confirmation on the front from Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.
    “He (Prof. SR) is yet to brief me officially, so I don’t know the details. But it’s out in the papers. But I think we should not read too much into it.” Dr. Sangay is seen responding in a video clip shared by Tibet TV of the Q&A session at the event.
    On Dec. 4, a former Indian Ambassador and columnist P.Stobtan wrote that Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche made a “discreet visit” to Kunming, China and met You Quan, head of the United Front Work Department that overseas Tibetan affairs. He also wrote that the Dalai Lama’s ‘right-hand-man’ and one of Xi Jinping’s closest aide met in November in Kunming, China.
    The Tibetan Prez, however, said that Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche went to Wutai-Shan mountains in Shanxi Province, just about 350 kms from Beijing, for the meet. The Wutai-shan mountains seem especially apt considering the holy Buddhist sites there and the fact that Dalai lama was reported to have expressed his wish to visit the same for a religious pilgrimage in the late 1990s.
    While the issue was widely discussed in the Tibetan community and Tibetan media with regards to resumption of dialogue between China and Tibet, the official confirmation for the same has not surfaced. The Dalai Lama’s private office has not made any disclosure on the incident.
    The Tibetan President also said that such developments should not be taken too seriously with regards to resolution of the Tibet issue as the previous nine rounds of dialogue between the Tibetan envoys and their Chinese counterparts have not borne result and further caused “regression” when it comes to the Tibetans exercising restrain in the global arena.
    http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=39926&article=Cautious+Sangay+says+Samdhong+Rinpoche+made+a+%E2%80%9Cprivate+visit%E2%80%9D+to+China

    001

  36. CTA would like to downplay Samdhong Rinpoche’s private visit to China. The fact is, in order for him to go, he needs permission of India government, China government and Dalai Lama. For someone as high profile as him and who has criticised China for decades to be even allowed to go to China shows you that he is not going there for excursion, holidays or just to meet relatives. It will definitely be something official. Since he is going as the envoy of the Dalai Lama, it is definitely to negotiate with the China government regarding Tibet’s autonomy and Dalai Lama’a returning back, it could not be anything else. Therefore it is important for CTA and all Tibetans and their supporters to stop criticising China so that the negotiation goes through smoothly, and there will be a positive resolution for Tibet and a chance for the Dalai Lama to visit China and Tibet. The irony is, after Samdhong Rinpoche visited china, he is not accused to be colluding with China government for Tibet, HE HIMSELF is going to China. So there is no point in accusing Dorje Shugden people of befriending China, because the Tibetans exiled leaders are going to China themselves now.

    ‘Former Tibetan government head visited China recently’
    Posted at: Dec 15, 2017, 2:07 AM; last updated: Dec 15, 2017, 1:58 PM (IST)
    Ajay Banerjee
    Tribune News Service
    New Delhi, December 14
    The Sikyong (head) of the elected Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay, in New Delhi confirmed that his predecessor Prof Samdhang Rimpoche did visit China recently. He, however, warned, “Don’t read too much into it. At most it’s a private visit and it’s too early to say anything.”
    He was answering a question by former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal on the sidelines of the Third ML Sondhi Memorial Lecture. Sangay delivered the lecture on ‘Tibet holds the key to Beijing’.
    Sondhi was an IFS officer who quit and won a Lok Sabha election in 1967 from Delhi on a Jana Sangh ticket.
    Sangay said India should make Tibet the lynchpin in changing Beijing, saying Tibet must be declared the “core issue”.
    “Either you transform China into a liberal democracy or it transforms you,” he said. Citing Norway and Denmark as examples of the transformation, he said the two nations had abandoned the cause of Tibetans to mend ties with China.
    Sangay, who spoke at the United Nations two days ago, warned India, saying: “China is already in Nepal. They have come to Doklam.” He repeated Mao’s words on Tibet being the “palm of China” and Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and North East Frontier Agency (NEFA, modern Indian province of Arunachal Pradesh) its five fingers. Mao, former Chairman of the Communist Party of China, had asserted it is China’s responsibility to “liberate” them all.
    On being asked if he agreed with the recent book, ‘China’s India War — Collision Course on the Roof of the World’, by Bertil Lintner, which said China had prepared for war in 1959, Sangay said: “China prepared for the 1962 India-China war in 1954 when it agreed to only a five-year renewal of the India-Tibet trade pact. In 1959, Tibet was attacked.”
    Sangay said: “China is worried as it now has the largest Buddhist community of 300 million — more than the 82 million strong Communist Party.”
    BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, who was the chief guest at the memorial lecture, said: “Maintaining good relations with China is the government’s priority. At present, negotiations are on between Tibet and China. Whenever required, India and its people will stand by them (Tibetans).” On the India-China standoff, he said: “Doklam is not over yet.”
    http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/dalai-lama-headed-to-china-on-pvt-visit/513541.html

    002

  37. There is soooo much proof! All the Dorje Shugden lamas come back perfectly! And they are recognised by the Dalai Lama himself!

  38. 藏人西藏中央你们不觉得你们很有问题吗? 一直在说修习多杰雄登会堕入下三道, 不过同时间达赖喇嘛又一直在认真修习多杰雄登喇嘛的转世。 你们不觉得自己很矛盾的吗?

    又一直在炒作多杰雄登禁令课题, 不把自己应做的事情做好。 那么多多杰雄登喇嘛转世回来的例子就是代表修习多杰雄登是没有问题的。 快停止炒作这个课题, 让流亡藏民可以选择自己的修持。

  39. India and China realized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, and held daylong talks to prevent border disagreements. This move shows the commitment of both giants to foster better relations with each other, seeking mutually acceptable resolutions. This is the article:
    India, China hold talks on long-running border dispute
    BY Ashok Sharma | AP
    NEW DELHI, India, 22 December 2017
    India and China on Friday discussed ways to prevent a repeat of a recent face-off between their armed forces at a Himalayan plateau where their borders meet and agreed that resolving their boundary disagreements served the interests of both countries.
    Relations between the two Asian giants have often been strained, partly due to an undemarcated border. They fought a month-long border war in 1962 and have been trying to settle the boundary since the 1980s.
    The two sides agreed Friday that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it was necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas, a statement by India’s External Affairs Ministry said at the end of daylong talks.
    The Indian side was led by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and the Chinese delegation by Special Representative Yang Jiechi. The two had met in Beijing in July on the sidelines of a meeting of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit.
    “The talks were positive and focused on bringing out the full potential of the closer developmental partnership between the two countries,” the statement said. “They re-emphasized their commitment to achieve a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the India-China boundary question at an early date.”
    The latest confrontation took place where India and China’s border meets that of Bhutan. It started in June when Indian troops moved in to stop China from constructing a road in the Doklam region in Bhutan. Both countries agreed to pull back their troops on 28 August.
    The border dispute continues to bedevil relations between the giant Asian neighbours — armed with nuclear weapons and with 2.6 billion people between them — despite a recent warming of economic relations.
    Each side accuses the other of occupying its territory. China claims some 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 square miles) of territory in India’s northeast and cites the region’s cultural affinity with Tibet as evidence that the area is part of what it calls “southern” Tibet. India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometres (15,000 square miles) of its territory in the Aksai Chin plateau in the western Himalayas.
    Friday’s was the 20th meeting between the two sides on the border issue since mid-1980s.
    https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/12/22/india-china-hold-talks-on-long-running-border-dispute

    Tibetsun_IndiaChinaTalks

  40. China made another intelligent maneuver in offering economic incentives in exchange for political favor. Recently, Senator Steve Daines of Montana hosted a delegation of Chinese Communist Party officials that oversee Tibet and undercut the simultaneous visit by the President of the Tibetan Government in exile in exchange for a $200 million deal with a leading Chinese retailer to export Montana’s beef to China. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is definitely no match for China regarding political astuteness and intelligence. If the CTA is smart, they will start to build rapport and stop condemning China for an event that happened over 60 years ago.

    US Senator Exchanged Tibet For Economic Incentives With China?
    TJ editor| December 18, 2017
    A US Senator is reported to have overseen the fact that Tibet is going under a serious situation of human rights crisis for economic deals with China. According to an opinion in the Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin, China is bidding political favours in foreign countries in return for economic incentives they provide.
    “In its effort to cultivate foreign influence, the Chinese Communist Party boldly mixes economic incentives with requests for political favors. Its dealings with Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) this year offer a success story for Beijing.” write Josh Rogin in The Washington Post.
    The writer explains how the recent case with Senator Daines’s dealing with the China perfectly demonstrates how such an exchange took place.
    “Last month Daines announced a breakthrough in his long-standing effort to win access for Montana’s beef exports to China — a $200 million deal with a leading Chinese retailer.” said the opinion “Then, on Dec. 5, the regime of Xi Jinping got something at least as valuable from Daines. The senator hosted a delegation of Chinese Communist Party officials who oversee Tibet, at the request of the Chinese Embassy — thereby undercutting a simultaneous visit to Washington by the president of the Tibetan government in exile.”
    While The House Foreign Affairs Asia subcommittee held a hearing on December 6 about Chinese repression in Tibet in due consideration over China’s growing oppression in Tibet, inaccessibility of foreign media and officials into Tibet, etc., where Hollywood actor spoke as witness, Daines was reported to have praised Chinese officials in Tibet for doing “a good job in environmental protection and traditional cultural preservation.”
    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2017/12/18/us-senator-selling-tibet-economic-incentives-china/

    US Senator Exchanged Tibet for Economic Incentives with China?

  41. After looking at several contradictory reports regarding the alleged Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s visit to China, one should wonder why Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche had to deny his four-day visit to China after such visit was confirmed by Dr. Lobsang Sangay and now by a former Indian intelligence officer. If Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche had the best intention to promote the Dalai Lama’s middle way, then why he needs to deny this visit? After all the Sino-Tibetan relationship has been stagnant since 2011, the fact that Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche was able to secure a meeting with Chinese government officials should have been a great success for him, instead of becoming another source of controversy. What is the real purpose of this visit Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche?

    Former Indian Intelligence Claims Samdhong Rinpoche Visited China
    A former Indian intelligence officer claims in an article that the former Kalon Tripa or the Prime minister of Tibetan government in exile, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche had a four days China visit in November last year. The article by the former RAW officer says that Dalai Lama’s envoy would have met senior Communist party leaders during the visit.
    Samdong Rimpoche’s visit to China materialised against the backdrop of strained India-China relations consequent to the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam, says former RA&W officer Jayadeva Ranade according to the article in the Rediff.com.
    “Samdong Rimpoche, who was nominated a month earlier as the Dalai Lama’s envoy for talks with the Chinese authorities, would certainly have met senior Communist party leaders during his four-day stay in Kunming, capital of China’s Yunnan province.” added the report claiming that the two-term Kalon Tripa (‘prime minister’) of the Tibetan administration-in-exile and one of the Dalai Lama’s most trusted advisers had quietly travelled to China in late November 2017.
    The report also suggested that the Rinpoche would have met with the You Quan, a former party secretary of Fujian province whom Chinese President Xi Jinping appointed director of the united front work department in November or Zhang Yijiong, executive vice minister of the UFWD.
    As China still do not recognise the Central Tibetan Administration, functioning as the Tibetan government in exile, president Lobsang Sangay has not accompanied the Rinpoche in the China visit added the article by the former Indian intelligence.
    The former prime minister of Tibetan government in exile, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche however had earlier rubbished of the China visit when asked about whether he had made a China visit as being speculated and told that the news about his visit to China has no truth and it was nothing more than just media speculations.
    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2018/01/07/former-indian-intelligence-claims-samdhong-rinpoche-visited-china/

    Samdhong Rinpoche Visited China

  42. China’s economic prowess is not to be underestimated. Leaders from various countries seek economic collaborations with China, who has been contributing to the world’s economic growth, especially in the past decade. The Indian Intelligence Bureau’s (IB) report highlighted the lack of opportunities in India for growth and advancement as the causes for Tibetan youth to willingly betray their host India and work as spies for China. Tibetan youth clearly have difficulties to survive in India as CTA failed to create sufficient jobs for the Tibetans in exile. This is a reality and we will see more and more trend like this and eventually Tibetans seeking improvement in their quality of life and intellectual advancement will leave India and ‘return’ to China.

    China recruiting “disgruntled” Tibetan refugees to spy on India: Intelligence Bureau
    Friday, January 05, 2018 19:56
    By Tenzin Dharpo
    DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 5: Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB) has reportedly said that China is recruiting Tibetan refugee youth in the Northeastern parts of India to provide strategic information in exchange for monetary gains.
    The IB, India’s internal intelligence agency, has issued a string of alerts that China is approaching Tibetan refugees settled in northeast India to provide strategic information about the area.
    According to The Print, a comprehensive report submitted to the central government will include how China had been targeting “disgruntled Tibetan refugees” in the region for the past two years and how many of the recruits have already left for China.
    An unnamed source from the IB was cited as saying “young Tibetan refugees” from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and other parts of northeast India have been recruited as spies. “It appears to be China’s strategy to make a base in India to create a channel, through which it can constantly receive relevant strategic information,” the source told The Print.
    The same source also described the newer generations of Tibetans to be “volatile and vulnerable” whose desperation caused by unemployment and wish for a good lifestyle is tapped by China who assure money as well as job and education for their kids. 
    In addition to the report to be sent to Ministry of home affairs, the local police in the north east states have also been notified of the threat and may result in “scrutiny of Tibetan refugees” there soon.
    There are five Tibetan refugee settlements in the Northeast India; Choepheling- Miao, Dhargyeling –Tezu, Tenzigang- Bomdila and Tuting-Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh and Kunphenling- Ravangla in Sikkim as well as smaller pockets of Tibetans in Sonada and Darjeeling area overseen by the exile Tibetan government here in Dharamshala, known as the Central Tibetan Administration. 
    http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=40007

    Phayul_China recruiting “disgruntled” Tib_ - http___www.phayul.com_news_article.aspx

  43. Samdhong Rinpoche’s November visit to China is brought up again in this article because it may have implication to India’s politics. At the moment, it is not clear yet as to what transpired during Samdhong Rinpoche’s 4-day visit to China and how the development may impact the progress of Tibetan cause or India-China relations. The confusion and curiosity related to this visit have increased a notch recently after Samdhong Rinpoche denied that this visit even occurred. The public may speculate further about Samdhong Rinpoche’s real intention for the visit and why he was hiding it, and the speculation could run wild and impose a new risk to the Tibetan cause and India China relations. Therefore, it is best for Samdhong Rinpoche to clarify this matter once and for all.

    Tibet developments may put pressure on India
    Samdong Rimpoche’s visit to China materialised against the backdrop of strained India-China relations consequent to the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam, says former RA&W officer Jayadeva Ranade.
    There have been important developments relating to Tibet since the Chinese Communist Party congress ended in Beijing on October 25, 2017 and the two months thereafter.
    All of them have implications for India and some could potentially put India under sustained pressure.
    The first was the indication that the Chinese Communist Party’s central committee’s united front work department, which is responsible for supervising non-Communist parties and ethnic minorities including the Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions, was preparing to take fresh initiatives.
    This was the dramatic ‘leak’ that Samdong Rimpoche — a former two-term Kalon Tripa (‘prime minister’) of the Tibetan administration-in-exile and among the Dalai Lama’s most trusted advisers — had quietly travelled to China in late November 2017.
    Samdong Rimpoche, who was nominated a month earlier as the Dalai Lama’s envoy for talks with the Chinese authorities, would certainly have met senior Communist party leaders during his four-day stay in Kunming, capital of China’s Yunnan province.
    There is speculation that Rimpoche could have met You Quan, a former party secretary of Fujian province whom Chinese President Xi Jinping appointed director of the united front work department in November or Zhang Yijiong, executive vice minister of the UFWD.
    If Rimpoche met Chinese leaders, this would be the first acknowledged contact between an envoy of the Dalai Lama and Chinese Communist officials since negotiations between the two sides were suspended in 2010.
    China’s official media has, however, not yet mentioned a visit by a senior leader to Kunming during this period.
    Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong (head) of the Central Tibetan Administration, obliquely confirmed that Professor Rimpoche had visited China. He was replying to a question posed by former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal on the sidelines of the M L Sondhi memorial lecture in New Delhi on December 14, when he cautioned ‘Don’t read too much into it. At most it’s a private visit and it’s too early to say anything.’
    It is pertinent that Lobsang Sangay — who is the other envoy nominated by the Dalai Lama for talks with the Chinese — did not accompany Samdong Rimpoche probably because China continues to adhere to its policy of not recognising the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala. No relaxation has been noticed in China’s policies towards Tibetans or Tibet so far.
    Samdong Rimpoche’s visit also materialised against the backdrop of strained India-China relations consequent to the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam and threats made at the time by China through its official media.
    It comes too in the wake of an international conference convened by the Tibetan administration-in-exile in October 2017 to finalise a long-term action plan, including revival of Tibetan Buddhism in the Indo-Himalayan border belt.
    At the same time a securitisation of Tibet is taking place. Following up on Xi Jinping’s work report to the party congress — which for the first time devoted an entire section to poverty alleviation — the Tibet Autonomous Region has launched a campaign to tackle poverty and simultaneously enhance security.
    It has decided to build ‘well-off border villages’ along Tibet’s ‘borders with India, Nepal, Bhutan and other neighbouring countries to ensure the security of the borders and maintain stability’ in the region.
    The State-owned Global Times newspaper on December 25, 2017 asserted that ‘confronting separatism remains a challenge for the region. Raising living standards for local residents is a fundamental way to guard against activity sabotaging China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’.
    ‘Tibet’s rural poverty alleviation,’ the newspaper added, will help maintain stability in the border areas’.
    Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns in the TAR are being co-opted to sensitise people and ensure that Buddhism serves socialism.
    Additionally, the decision to bring the people’s armed police force (PAPF) directly under the central military commission with effect from January 1, 2018 puts Tibet under the direct control of the people’s liberation army (PLA).
    Xi Jinping had earlier appointed PLA officers loyal to him as the commander and political commissar of the PAPF.
    Since the PAPF is deployed in strength in Tibet’s main towns, rural countryside and border areas, the PLA officers — who are now being re-inducted into the party standing committees at the provincial and county levels — will have an enhanced role.
    In addition to deploying PAPF troops when civilian authorities request assistance, the PLA officers will have a greater role in military-civil coordination and be directly involved in building the ‘well-off border villages’.
    Each of these villages is to be connected by road, thereby facilitating military movement along the border with India.
    Finally, the TAR leadership is being encouraged to push the Belt and Road Initiative and Bangladesh China India Myanmar Corridor with Tibet’s neighbours.
    To promote the BRI and BCIM, China has announced it will expand TAR’s road network from 82,000 kms to 89,000 kms by 2020.
    Chinese officials have earlier pointed out that there are 70 road links between China and Nepal and there have been suggestions of a new China-Nepal-India Corridor.
    The aim will be to build pressure on India by creating public opinion, including by co-opting Tibetans, to endorse the BRI and China’s plans for connectivity.
    Jayadeva Ranade, a former Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, is presently President, Centre for China Analysis and Strategy.
    http://m.rediff.com/news/column/tibet-developments-may-put-pressure-on-india/20180107.htm

    tibet-developments-may-put-pressure-on-india

  44. Instead of creating employment opportunities, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has nurtured a culture where Tibetans expect handouts and foreign aids to get by. As a result, they created a new generation of Tibetan refugees who are volatile and vulnerable, and always depend on others to help them out of circumstances. Now, Tibetan refugees in India do not even hesitate to compromise the security of their host country, India, who has been so kind to them, in exchange for monetary gain.

    China luring Tibetan refugees in India to work as its spies, Intelligence Bureau warns
    ANANYA BHARDWAJ | 5 January, 2018
    IB issues alert that many refugees settled in northeast India are being paid and offered jobs by China in exchange for strategic information.
    New Delhi: Amid rising India-China tensions along the Line of Actual Control, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has issued a string of alerts warning that Tibetan refugees settled in northeast India are being approached by China to provide strategic information about the area.
    While China has reportedly managed to convince a number of young Tibetan refugees to work as its spies in exchange for money, it is aiming to recruit many more, IB sources told ThePrint.
    According to the alert, based on which a detailed report will soon be submitted to the government, China had been eyeing disgruntled Tibetan refugees in the region for the past two years. Sources said that many of the refugees it has recruited have already left for China.
    “We received an alert stating that young Tibetan refugees settled in areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and other parts of northeast India are moving to China. We learnt that China is trying to recruit the refugees as spies in the area,” a source said. 
    “It appears to be China’s strategy to make a base in India to create a channel, through which it can constantly receive relevant strategic information.”
    The local police in the concerned states have also been sounded out about the alert. A report is being prepared and will be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, following which a scrutiny of Tibetan refugees in the area may start.
    “The present generation of Tibetan refugees is very volatile and vulnerable. While they wish to have a good lifestyle, they do not have any job opportunities. This is what the Chinese took advantage of to plant their spies,” the source said.
    “The Chinese reportedly not only promise them good money in exchange for information, but also a good job and education for their children in China. However, it is still not known as to how many refugees the Chinese have been able to mobilise.”
    Asked about the IB alert, a Home ministry official said: “It may be a possibility. We will look into it.”
    https://theprint.in/2018/01/05/china-luring-tibetan-refugees-india-to-spy-intelligence-bureau-warns/

    china-luring-tibetan-refugees-india-to-spy

  45. China has been liberal towards Buddhist practitioners including those who are practicing Shugden deity. In fact, there are 250 million Buddhists in China currently, almost three times more than communist party members. On the contrary, the Tibetan leadership in exile continues to discriminate against Shugden practitioners and politicizes the Shugden controversy to their benefit instead of promoting harmony among Buddhist practitioners. How ironic that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) continuously criticizes China for their human rights issue, and yet the CTA fails to respect even the most basic human rights of other people, freedom of religion.

    Three times as many Buddhists as Communists in China: Dalai Lama’s Tibet wish may require rapprochement with former adversaries
    01/16/2018 07:27 am ET
    By: Martin Desai, Contributor
    Journalist and financial investigator
    Whilst China technically remains a communist country, it has over the last two or three decades relaxed draconian Mao-era rules, for example by opening the door to private sector capitalism and by allowing individuals to practice a religion of their choice, so long as it is not to be perceived as a potential threat to the stability of the state or of the Communist Party.
    There are now almost three times as many Buddhists in China as there are Party members. An official communiqué released in July this year estimated the membership of the Communist Party of China at just under 90 million. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Religious Affairs estimates there are some 250 million Buddhists in China, more or less evenly split between Tibetan Buddhism and Han Buddhism, and 200,000 registered Buddhist monks.
    Chinese authorities monitor religious adherence closely, and are extremely sensitive to any challenge, real or imagined, that certain religions may represent. While the Chinese regime’s approach to Buddhism has been liberal – for example, no bans have been issued and open religious expression is permitted – it clearly takes the religion’s influence seriously, given its importance in Chinese society.
    Above all the regime fears religious divisions or unrest, as evidenced by the swift outlawing of the Falun Gong movement and imprisonment of its leaders after a series of demonstrations by Falun Gong members prompted fears that the group’s swelling support could one day rival the Party. The regime is also acutely sensitive to the possibility of what it sees as external interference – especially on the delicate subject of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.
    A particularly divisive issue for the Buddhist community, both within Tibet and abroad is the devotion to the Dorje Shugden deity, a 400-year old practice that began in the 17th century and has become a major practice in Tibetan Buddhism. Critics of Shugden devotion say worship of the deity promotes divisions among the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, all of which share the same fundamental philosophy, and whose differences lie in their interpretation of the extensive collection of Buddhist scriptures and the emphasis they place on various aspects of Buddhist philosophy.
    At the origin of the controversy lie a number of ambiguous declarations from the current (14th) Dalai Lama. On the one hand, he has appealed for non-sectarian cooperation among all branches of Tibet’s religions. However, he has also effectively excluded Shugden practitioners from such cooperation despite once regarding Dorje Shugden as an enlightened being and authoring one of the most popular liturgies to this deity. Some Shugden devotees have claimed that these ambiguous declarations amount to a de facto ban on their practice and this exclusion is tantamount to being exiled in their own communities. The Shugden de facto exclusion has already existed for two decades since it was initiated by the current Dalai Lama and has slowly stirred disunity in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China and among the exiled Tibetan communities.
    In 2014 the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet, which is chaired by the actor Richard Gere, said it had obtained a ‘directive’ from the Communist Party Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in China in February 2014 whose title translates as, “Some opinions on dealing correctly with the ‘Gyalchen Shugden’ issue”[1].
    The International Campaign for Tibet’s evaluation of the directive accuses China of seeking to gain a political advantage from the controversy. Entitled “China’s new directive on (the) controversial Shugden spirit in Tibet in (a) further bid to discredit Dalai Lama”[2], even the title of the critique dispels any expectation of objectivity.
    While the Chinese position is that the authorities are aiming to guarantee the right of all Tibetans to choose who and how they worship, the directive issued by the Communist Party Committee of TAR is couched in rather divisive language. It calls the Shugden controversy “an important front in our struggle with the Dalai clique” and “a deceitful ploy by the 14th Dalai’s clique to split the country…”
    The Chinese directive was made in response to the de facto religious ban implemented by the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government in Exile, and to their suspected destabilizing activities inside the TAR. The directive proposes educational and law enforcement measures to be implemented inside the TAR to mitigate the risk of division and unrest that the controversy may cause. Tashi Tadchen, a representative of the European Dorje Shugden Society which was set up to create awareness of the supposed ban, says that following the exiled Tibetan leadership’s edict against the Shugden practice, there have been frequent clashes which at times have led to loss of lives between those who feel obliged to follow the Dalai Lama’s decree and adherents of the Shugden practice.
    The directive mirrors Chinese fear of discord within Tibetan Buddhism and Buddhism in general. What it does not do, despite the International Campaign for Tibet’s claims, is take a specific position on Shugden devotion outside the TAR. In spite of the content of the directive, the Exiled Tibetan Government and related NGOs around the World have repeatedly used it as evidence to attest that Shugden practitioners are “spies of the Chinese Communist Party.”
    A late 2015 report from the news agency Reuters looking into the Shugden controversy relied heavily on the Communist Party Committee of TAR directive, and especially the International Campaign for Tibet’s interpretation of it, as solid evidence that China is financing various Shugden groups in the West, in particular the International Shugden Community (ISC) which has seen strong support from individual members of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) and Tibetans living in the West. The NKT has meditation centres around the world and has been vocal in its public opposition to the Dalai Lama’s position.
    Even so, no concrete evidence has ever been supplied. However, whilst the intended objective is unclear, the Dalai Lama’s Shugden exclusion has created unrest amongst Tibetans inside the TAR. This is precisely what China fears. China sustains a “One China” policy to maintain stability and prosperity of the state. Any divisive conflict in the TAR such as the Shugden split, does not augur well for it’s objectives. This is not an objective the exile Tibetan Government necessarily shares and its ability to influence affairs in the TAR is one of it key bargaining chips.
    What we have, in effect, is both sides calling for unity while at the same time continuing to bicker. The Communist Party of TAR has certainly sought to politicise the rift, as the Dalai Lama and his supporters also appear to have done. The Dalai Lama’s comments have served to alienate Shugden devotees from other Tibetan Buddhists, and are somewhat jarring when considered alongside his calls for unity in the Tibetan diaspora. Shugden adherents have insisted that if indeed the exiled Tibetan leadership believes that the Communist Party of China is leveraging this issue, then a simple pronouncement by the Dalai Lama declaring an end to the de facto ban would have the effect of rendering it harmless.
    Could the time now be ripe to call for closure of hostilities? The Dalai Lama has recently expressed a desire to return to his Tibetan homeland, a wish that would have no chance of fulfilment without a significant thawing of China’s attitude towards Tibet’s spiritual leader.
    Harmony among Tibetan Buddhists is in the interests of both sides. Moreover, having said in November 2017 that “Tibetans want to stay with China” and that he would return to Tibet at once, if China agrees, the Dalai Lama has flagged a willingness to try and overcome the longstanding political impasse. In addition, a high ranking emissary of the Dalai Lama, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche – former Prime Minister of the Tibetan exile Government – was nominated in the autumn as the Dalai Lama’s envoy for talks with the Chinese authorities and is believed to have held secret meetings with senior Communist party leaders.
    Given that one of His Holiness’ early reasons for his criticism of Shugden worship – that it “harms the life of the Dalai Lama” – no longer seems justified given his longevity and continuing fair health, a rapprochement with Shugden acolytes may be a good starting point if his desired return to Tibet is to be anything more than a pipe dream.
    [1] http://www.savetibet.org/the-official-line-on-shugden-translation/
    [2] http://www.savetibet.org/chinas-new-directive-on-controversial-shugden-spirit-in-tibet-in-bid-to-further-discredit-dalai-lama/
    https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/three-times-as-many-buddhists-as-communists-in-china_us_5a5dedb8e4b003efadb6b0d1

    three-times-as-many-buddhists-as-communists-in-china

  46. Lobsang Sangay’s dismissal of Penpa Tsering with various accusations backfired, contrary to Lobsang Sangay’s expectation. Now, Tibetans are protesting and expressing their loss of trust in his leadership. Lobsang Sangay has to clarify a lot of things to the public, including the USD1.5 million loan with Tibet Fund. Tibetans are now beginning to see Lobsang Sangay’s true colours and are speaking up against him now.

    Sikyong Sangay, the ball is in your court now!

    By Mila Rangzen
    KOLLEGAL, India, 20 January 2018
    On 5 December 2017 former speaker Penpa Tsering made a detailed clarification rejecting every allegation, categorically, that Sikyong Sangay lobbed on him on 6 November 2017. But to Sikyong’s shock, the 10-point grenade of accusations didn’t burst on PT. It just refused to do so. It backfired.
    Sikyong’s attempt to tarnish the image of a dedicated public servant for both political and personal reasons has failed. With the vigilance and quick action from the public, the humble Tibetan people have spoken! The grenade burst back on Sikyong in the form of protest and loss of trust in his leadership.
    Sikyong never imagined even in his dreams that the Tibetan public would one day rise and speak truth to power right in his face. Terminating PT is the enormous miscalculation Sikyong made after being in office for nearly two years in his second term, and he is now paying the price.
    Many, including those who voted for Lobsang Sangay, are now beginning to see him as a shallow, fake, narcissistic, crooked, unreliable, cowardly, small-minded, touchy, egotistical, arrogant, greedy, deceptive, unappreciative of criticism, irresponsible, vindictive man, and also a sack full of outrageous lies. These are the characteristics of a wicked conman that HH abhors and does not wish to see in any human being, let alone Sikyong whose office is tied to the destiny of the six million Tibetan people.
    1. The claim that LS gave the representative post to PT by recalling his friend Kaydor Aukatsang to Dharamshala even before his tenure was numbered is a lie. The fact is that Gaden Phodrang was not happy with Kaydor’s performance in general and his election controversy in particular, so LS had no choice but to recall Kaydor and appoint Ngodup Tsering in his spot. This decision was taken long before LS posted PT to Washington DC. Yes, LS decided to name PT to the post of representative in Brussels. But that decision had to change later, and the credit goes to Gaden Phodrang, not Lobsang Sangay.
    2. What hurt Sikyong’s ego most was when PT, like an honest statesman, suggested that there should be a payable record with Office of Tibet when there exists a receivable record with the Tibet Fund regarding the $1.5-million loan. This process, he argued, sits well with both the accounting practices and the local laws. Article 6 of the exile charter states that the local laws must be respected at all cost. However, LS violated this critical article in the charter, as usual with a straight face.
    3. Narcissistic. LS asked former MP Koren from Europe to submit a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for him. Remember the picture of himself with Buddha in the background on a thangka hanging on the wall beside his desk? Thangkas are usually reserved for Buddhas and bodhisattvas. He has no shame in hanging such a thangka in his office. 
The irony is that he prefers to call himself Senge “Lion” instead of Sangay “Buddha.” When it was found out that his actual name is spelled Sangay in Tibetan in his Green Book, he insisted and changed to call himself Senge rather than Sangay. Also, his portrait photo lined up on par with HH during elections. His framed picture was carried by well over 60 supporters at the JFK airport recently, an act that is usually reserved for a religious figure like the Dalai Lama. This is all coming from a remote control in LS’ hand. Sangay wishes to be listed as a Nobel laureate alongside the Dalai Lama. He’s a dreamer, but that’s LS for you. How can he even think of competing with His Holiness?
    4. Egoistic. LS also asked MP Pema Chazoetsang from the US to submit his name for the Templeton nomination, a prize worth around $2 million which is usually awarded to a scientist who is prepared to say something nice about religion.
    5. Vindictive. LS terminated PT because PT raised questions with facts and compelling reasons whenever his duty required him to do so. You rarely see this kind of leader in our community except for MP Dolma Tsering who stands her ground and speaks up and grills powers that be. I salute her from the bottom of my heart because our community needs more leaders like her.
    6. Can’t stand criticism. The fact is he is a highly vindictive person. He can’t stand criticism let alone appreciate it. That’s the height of childishness sitting in the character of a man whom we expect to lead us through these dark times.
    7. About two months after the election was over on 20 March 2016, HH gave LS a dressing-down in front of the staff of Gaden Phodrang, Penpa Tsering, and the Justice Commissioners. His Holiness reminded him that he was telling everybody he met that LS was his political boss to create a decent image (but LS gets carried away as usual) of the Sikyong on both the domestic and global stages so that the Tibetan cause could benefit from it. But when LS blatantly indulged in lie after lie and falsehood after falsehood, HH asked him point-blank what was the point in HH continuing to live any longer if the man he praised publicly is full of lies. 
The entire dressing-down episode took only minutes. LS was the only one who refused to keep a copy. He merely wanted to feign ignorance of the contents if people demanded a copy of the same. He wept after the Speaker and Justice Commissioners left in front of HH. He wept perhaps realizing his outrageous lies could cost him his political career any time. Had HH dressed him down in public that would be the end of LS not only as a leader but even as an individual. HH can’t keep LS at a distance because he is an elected leader and it would look bad on the Sikyong if HH did, although the nature of his personality warrants otherwise. This is the problematic position HH is in. Long ago one of my brothers was a monk, carrying Nechung in a trance, at Namgyal Dratsang, HH own monastery. And with a connection in the right place, it is not hard to find a reliable, eyewitness source of information.
    8. It was LS who leaked the secret visit Samdhong Rinpoche made to China recently. Why? To put that on his list of achievements if any. To boost his political image, he makes sure the Tibetan public and the media are not left in the dark even on this secret visit of the former president! LS tipped off Indian intelligence anonymously, and Indian intelligence passed it to an Indian journalist who wrote about it first.
    If the current nightmare is to end soon, then it’s time Sikyong either declares PT’s clarification a bag of lies, or answers his conscience honestly and offers an apology to PT in public. The ball has been in Sikyong’s court for more than 40 days now. But there has been no response whatsoever from Sikyong. PT did not accept even a single accusation as real, and if Sikyong continues to remain silent, then it only means the truth is on PT’s side. Sikyong should also immediately apologize for deceiving the Tibetan public and creating chaos and rift in our community.
    Failing this, PT will have no choice but to leave no stone unturned in seeking justice, and that could include the taking of Sikyong to the Tibetan court and possibly the US court too on defamation charges. The clock ticks now!
    PS: Two pieces of good news! LS cannot come back in 2021. To do so, he has to win 30 votes in the Parliament. Both U-Tsang and Amdo parliamentarians won’t let that happen! PT is eligible to fight in the Sikyong election in 2021!
    https://www.tibetsun.com/opinions/2018/01/20/sikyong-sangay-the-ball-is-in-your-court-now

    Sikyong Sangay, the ball is in your court

  47. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is once again expressing his wish to visit China. This is not the first time His Holiness mentioned about visiting or returning to China. In fact, His Holiness made a strong statement in November 2017 that His Holiness “would return to Tibet at once, if China agrees”. Could this be another sign from the Tibetan leadership that rapprochement with China is happening soon?

    Dalai Lama Waiting For A Pilgrimage Visit to China One Day
    By TJ editor
    January 23, 2018
    The Buddhist spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the course of teaching at Bodh Gaya today told that he is praying for a pilgrimage visit China’s Mount Wutai one day. His Holiness concluded the Diamond Cutter Sutra teachings specially dedicated to the Chinese disciples presently attending in Bodh Gaya on Tuesday.
    While explaining about the significance of the holy place in China, Wu Tai Shan, the five peaked mountain, His Holiness told that he is praying to have an opportunity to visit the holy place to receive the blessings of Manjushri.
    “China has a special connection with Manjushri, and Wu Tai Shan—the Five Peaked Mountain is the sacred place associated with him. If you Chinese can do the practices of these two, Manjushri and Sarasvati, it will be of special benefit to you. Meanwhile, I pray that one day I may visit Wu Tai Shan to receive Manjushri’s blessings—and you can pray for that too. To make your having come to Bodhgaya worthwhile, try to develop an understanding of emptiness and cultivate a good heart.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained at the third and last day of teachings for the Chinese disciples in Bodh Gaya today.
    The Tibetan spiritual leader fled from Tibet in 1959, following the military coup by the People’s Liberation Army of China and sought refuge in India since then. Over the last six decades, the Tibetan exile community thrived to rebuild a national struggle and His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been very optimistic that he will be able to return to Tibet within his life time.
    Since His Holiness’s arrival to Bodh Gaya since the beginning of this month, he has conducted three series of teachings to thousands of devotees gathered at the holy place. While the first teaching was organised at the request of his Indian devotees, the third teaching was specially dedicated to the disciples from the Mainland China.
    The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama is expected to stay in Bodh Gaya till the beginning of February, there will be public talk Education for Universal Ethics in Schools and Colleges to students from private and government schools at the Kalachakra ground on Thursday.
    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2018/01/23/dalai-lama-waiting-pilgrimage-visit-china-one-day/

    dalai-lama-waiting-pilgrimage-visit-china-one-day

  48. Dorje Shugden practitioners have been victims of unfounded blame for more than half a decade with news reports initiated by the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala alerting the public that Shugden fundamentalist groups posed huge security threat to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It was alleged that they were covertly backed up by China. The reality is that terrorists are out to harm His Holiness, with two bombs found amid His Holiness’ tight security, thanks to the intensive combing operation by Indian police. The Central Tibetan Administration should stop spreading lies that Shugden practitioners or more absurdly, Shugden practice imperil the life of the Dalai Lama, and pay more attention to real threats such as this.

    One Suspect of Bodhgaya Blast Appear to Be Nepali Origin, JMB the Terror Group

    January 29, 2018 | By TJ editor
    Five suspects in the Bodhgaya blast have been picked out from the video footage in the CCTV cameras installed around the Mahabodhi temple and the police believes one of them to be of Nepali origin. Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terror group is being suspected as the primary outfit behind the Bodh Gaya incident and less likely for the Students Islamic Movement of India or Indian Mujahideen’s hand.
    Gaya police is seeking the assistance of investigating agencies across the country to find out the identity details of five suspects they have found from the CCTV video footage. While the pictures of the five suspects are being circulated among the agencies by Gaya police, an officer informed that one of the suspects appears to be of Nepali origin.
    “The officer, who requested anonymity, said that one of the five suspects appeared to be of Nepali origin. Their movements have been traced with the help of CCTVs. One of the suspects abandoned a bag containing explosives near gate number four of the temple. Another bomb was planted near the Tibetan monastery.” said the report in the Telegraph.
    According to the investigations, JMB could have activated a module in Bihar to carry out the attack, suggesting that the attack was controlled from West Bengal. There is a call made from Bihar to West Bengal after planting the three bombs in Bodh Gaya is what has led the investigators to believe that the JMB could be behind the incident.
    “The officer said the evidence strongly indicates JMB’s involvement in the failed terror attack, which had aimed to kill Buddhist monks and foreigners present in Bodh Gaya to listen to the sermons of Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. ” said the report in Times of India.
    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2018/01/29/suspects-bodhgaya-blast-appear-nepali-origin/

    One Suspect of Bodhgaya Blast Appear

  49. In a letter by the Dalai Lama’s translator, Thupten Jinpa, he had said that The Dalai Lama Trust was “slowly getting caught in unnecessary distractions”. Here is an excerpt from the letter:

    “For someone who have [sic] had the honor and good fortune to serve His Holiness for over three decades, it had been painful to see how His Holiness’ name and legacy was slowly getting caught in unnecessary distractions (Albany-based NXIVM) and discordant messages (of rich and celebrity orientation). Especially, for the Trust, which is effectively His Holiness’ principal charitable foundation for the outside world, the last two years’ record has been, to put it mildly, quite embarrassing. The Trust has alienated most of its inter-organizational relationships, almost destroyed its infrastructure of the Tibetan graduate scholarship program with a majority of the independent reviewers resigning, and failed to support those international organizations that were actively inspired by His Holiness’ vision for the world and were undertaking high profile initiatives furthering His Holiness’ vision. Most sadly, the Trust has unfortunately acquired a reputation of being authoritarian, confrontational, petty, and uncaring, characteristics so far removed from His Holiness’ personal ethics. In particular, for those organizations and individuals who had been the recipients of grants from the Trust, frankly, the behavior of the Trust can be best characterized as that of bullying. If ever, some of the email communications from the Trust during this period were to come to light within the public domain, it would be a source of embarrassment for everyone connected with the Trust.”

    The Dalai Lama’s office had also called for investigations and the eventual of any wrong doings by the organisation.

    http://www.tibetanjournal.com/index.php/2018/01/30/daily-mails-article-dalai-lama-one-short-attempt-sensationalism/

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.…Instead of turning away people who practise Dorje Shugden, we should be kind to them. Give them logic and wisdom without fear, then in time they give up the ‘wrong’ practice. Actually Shugden practitioners are not doing anything wrong. But hypothetically, if they are, wouldn’t it be more Buddhistic to be accepting? So those who have views against Dorje Shugden should contemplate this. Those practicing Dorje Shugden should forbear with extreme patience, fortitude and keep your commitments. The time will come as predicted that Dorje Shugden’s practice and it’s terrific quick benefits will be embraced by the world and it will be a practice of many beings.

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