Obama snubs Dalai Lama, says "go speak to China".

[Ringo Starr]

So is the Dalai Lama still going to blame enlightened protector Dorje Shugden for the mess the CTA has created? Even President Obama is sending him to China!

"US President Barack Obama has met the Dalai Lama in private and told him he encourages dialogue with China, the White House has said."

"Tibet, per US policy, is considered part of the People's Republic of China, and the United States has not articulated our support for Tibetan independence,'' said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36537300

[grandmapele]

Whoosh...President Obama is really sticking it to the Dalai Lama in a very polite way. Obama's good.

Now that China is not overtly communist, there's no more reason to play the game that was played by previous presidents. Unfortunately, the Dalai Lama might still be funded by covert sources, though.

The CTA's real interest might not be pure politics but more for funds to keep their pockets warm. Just reading about the embezzlements give me a headache and nausea.

Hopefully, this pointer by President Obama will set the Dalai Lama on the right direction.

http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/dalai-lamas-associate-in-money-laundering-scandal/

[SabS]

My, my! That's telling it to the Dalai Lama. Finally it has come to this that the US is no longer interested in his Tibetan cause as compared to promising valuable trade agreements with China. I won't be surprised...after the way CTA had handled themselves and mishandling the sponsorship/donations of US government.

For over 50 years the US government had been a big sponsor of the Dalai Lama and Tibetans-In-Exile as refugees escaping persecution. Yet, even with the millions given, not much progress had been made on the real refugees' status nor their living condition. Any caring or concern government would have been able to lift the standard of living of their people to be on par with developing countries with the monies received and yet CTA had failed miserably on this. On top of that, the Dalai Lama impose a ban on the enlightened Protector Dorje Shugden whilst CTA instigates and encourages persecution of Shugden practitioners without impunity. All I can say is they had it coming to them. Its Karma coming to bite them three times as hard!!!

May the Dalai Lama manifest his senses and true nature to swiftly remove the ban on Dorje Shugden and to purge all unsavoury rules against the Shugden practitioners.

[Tenzin Malgyur]

Yes, it is very clear that the Western world is getting tired of the CTA's reasons for putting a ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden. After much amount of funds going into the coffers of the CTA and all the long years, it is disheartening to see the Tibetans splitting and fighting amongst themselves. After losing their beloved Tibet, they are now losing their religious freedom.

How can another nation be capable of helping the Tibetan cause when the Tibetan government themselves are separating and creating hate among their own citizens? They should prioritize to get themselves together before even thinking of talking to China.

[grandmapele]

Another thing i noticed is that BBC news was the only channel that reported this. All other were talking very mundane nice nice stuff.  Are some quarters finally waking up and will this have a domino effect that will wake the world up? Very interesting indeed.

[michaela]

I think the fact that the American President stated to the Dalai Lama to speak to China, although conveyed in a friendly manner, is a sign that the American support toward Tibetan government in exile is nearing its end.  American donors are among CTA's biggest donors.  Now I think the US government are changing its policy and it may results in the reduction of aids towards Tibetan Government in exile. 

The consequences of this may be harsh for CTA who is known to be corrupt.  Without the necessary fund to run its government, the Tibetans in exile will be forced to either assimilate with their home country or go back to Tibet governed by China.

The reality is getting harsher and harsher for CTA.

[Vajraprotector]

I think what Obama said is very practical, to engage in dialogue with China. The only country that can help Tibet's situation is China, so why go to other countries to ask for help when China is the one that Tibetan in exile leadership should speak with?

In 2008, European Union leader José Manuel Barroso stated that the EU recognized Tibet as integral part of China.  President Obama has also mentioned in 2014 that "We recognize Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We are not in favor of independence." Even His Holiness has been talking about autonomy for ages and not independence, so definitely the question of independence is out.

Since all parties, including His Holiness is on the same page about autonomy and not independence, I really do think the Tibetan leadership should try to initiate dialogue and discussion.  The challenge is that China, for years now, insists that Dalai Lama’s proposal for genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the People’s Republic of China as “disguised independence”, and still His Holiness is called a splitist. 

[Celia]

Such is the fickleness of politics, the human right atrocities caused by the Dorje Shugden ban were something conveniently “ignored” and not looked into (despite America being the forefront of democracy and human rights) when it served the interest to exploit Tibet’s position as a political thorn in China’s side, but the minute China became an economic powerhouse, suddenly there is a need to “advise” the Dalai Lama to address differences with China. It is not that America can claim no knowledge until recently, such justification rings hollow in light of the spread of information over internet and the diligence as well as role of the American intelligence. Further, whilst it appears that by still continuing to meet Dalai Lama behind closed doors, President Obama is implicitly continuing to acknowledge Dalai Lama as the Tibet’s spiritual leadership, it also apparent that all steps (PR wise) have been painstakingly taken to “assure” China that America has not accorded the Dalai Lama, a head-of-state status and the (over) emphasis on the nature of the official visit as personal so as not to further provoke China. That coupled with the “suggestion” to speak to China is actually reflective of the shift in support by most the Western governments in recent times which would not bear well for CTA or the Tibetan cause for that matter.

[Q]

The States have made it very clear that Tibet is part of China, at least officially. While Obama may appear to 'snub' the Dalai Lama, itis just a show for China. At the same time, by meeting the Dalai Lama, Obama looks like he's making a stand that he does not fear China.

No matter how I look at it, the Dalai Lama is just a chess piece on the board played between the two power house. But of course the Dalai Lama will happily milk this opportunity as meeting the President of USA will certainly help his cause.

Politics... it's a jungle in there.

[grandmapele]

Q, i agree with you that it is just politics and a chess game. But, the Dalai Lama now has to realize that the US is not solidly behind him anymore. The game is changing and US is, in a way, sitting on the fence now. So, the Dalai Lama better be careful and tell the CTA to pull up their socks.

Too many infringements on human rights, financial scandals and creating damages to the spread of a peaceful religion and philosophy.

[Shugdener]

The President of the United States, Barack Obama is clearly being very kind and polite trying to "deliver" a message that the Dalai Lama that he should open dialogues with China.

Under US policy, Tibet is part of China and after the mess created by the CTA, the US would definitely be even less interested now with the valuable deals made between the US and China.

China has come a long way from being a communist country and the Dalai Lama and the CTA need to wake up and realize that if they really want to progress towards being independent one day, they need to be on the same side as China first 

[dharmacrazy79]

China has risen above political and economical pressure from other nations. In fact, China is in the position to apply pressure on even USA and UK.

It is logical for the Dalai Lama to speak to China about Tibet because China is the "involved" party. It seems childish that tibetan leadership would beat around the bush on to such important national matter. It is like delay-tactic. As many suspect: could this be the CTA's strategy to milk money from international supporters of a free Tibet?  From the looks of recent evidence and questions raised by various international voices, it seems very likely.

[grandmapele]

dharmacrazy79, it IS a delaying tactic by the CTA. Afterall, no one lives forever. They just want to make sure that the going remains good while they are alive and kicking to enjoy the benefits of having lots of money. They don't care what happens to the community of Tibetans in exile once they are gone.

It takes a real compassionate being to look beyond the trappings of wealth and do what need to be done for the wellbeing of all future Tibetans not any single group of Tibetans. That is just the mundane view. To look further, the Tibetans, especially those in exile, need spiritual guidance. If not, they will be lost. Just look at the behavior of the bunch of followers of the Dalai Lama showing vulgar sign language and mouthing and penning vulgarities all over the internet. There has been threats of violence and violence committed under this guise of  protecting the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama needs no protection, he is heavily guarded by very many personages. He has a whole office dedicated to dissemination of information.

If they had bothered to learn the dharma, I doubt any of them would want to threaten violence against monks or even be rude to any person.

So, bottomline, delay and distract as long as they can so that the leaders of CTA can continue sacking the treasury of donated funds, without having to wrok very hard for it.