By: Shashi Kei
The Mongolian people are hurting. In a few relatively short years, the mineral-rich country has gone from being Asia’s next golden child to an awkward binge drinking and debt-ridden teenager with behavioral issues. The government does not have enough money to pay its own staff and the proud Mongolian people are resorting to all manner of ways to pay for goods and services including antiquated barter. And all this is before a public debt and fiscal commitments totaling $4.3 billion become due in 2017. A bailout was imminent to stop the Mongolian economy from disintegrating and the government was in the midst of negotiations with China, who is the biggest buyer of Mongolia’s commodities and its main investor. This Asian tiger was also the provider of a $2.3 billion currency swap in 2009 that staved off Mongolia’s economic meltdown then. Clearly China is important to Mongolia and has been a friend to the landlocked nation. But His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s recent visit to Mongolia forced a change and dampened hopes of big brother China coming to Mongolia’s aid again. What is curious is why the Mongolian people would invite the nemesis of the Chinese government for a visit precisely at a time when they have to be extra friendly with the economic juggernaut that is China. What is even more telling is why the Dalai Lama would agree to be hosted at such a time when he was fully aware that his visit would impair the very pivot that the Mongolians desperately need to turn their economy around. A week after Ulaanbaatar welcomed the Dalai Lama, China imposed what is essentially a blockade preventing Mongolian trucks from crossing over its borders. Things are now bleaker than ever for Mongolia. The Dalai Lama’s visit as it turned out was neither kind nor wise. Again we witness what many nations of the world have realized for some time now – there is only ruin in the wake of supporting the Tibetan ’cause’, especially now, namely because overt friendship with the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is seen by China as taking the side of what China regards as a ‘separatist’. Also because as Ugyen Gyalpo, the regular columnist of The Tibetan Sun notes, Tibetan politicians are only interested in seeking out what benefits themwithout further calculating much else. So it didn’t matter if the Dalai Lama’s visit plunged the Mongolians deeper into despair as it was never their concern. This would also explain the recent assertion by the CTA’s Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, that India should prioritize the Tibet issue above India’s own national interest and cross-border issues matters with China.
Ultimately, the Tibetan government’s self-seeking ways have backfired. As China lodged their complaints over the Dalai Lama’s visit to Mongolia, the Mongolians reacted by banning the Dalai Lama from ever visiting the country again. The Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsend Munkh-Orgil confirmed in an official statement picked up by news agencies around the world that the Dalai Lama will henceforth be barred from entering Mongolia even if the purpose of the visit is purely spiritual in nature. In particular, the Minister stressed that all recognitions and enthronements of Mongolian lamas, especially that of His Holiness the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa, the highest ranking Gelugpa lama in Mongolia, should be purely a Mongolian affair and without the interference of the Dalai Lama. And with that, another door closes to the Dalai Lama not only as a figurehead for the Tibetan struggle but also with the Dalai Lama as the main influence of Buddhism in Mongolia. Ironically, as a result of the Dalai Lama’s visit to their country, the nation most associated with the rise and sovereignty of the Dalai Lamas has joined the increasingly loud chorus of nations that have picked China over the Dalai Lama. After 57 years of struggle the ‘Tibetan Cause’ is no more than a romantic notion and a simple and facile way for liberal governments to boost their public relations image. The reality is none of the governments, including India, that appear to be in support of the Dalai Lama has ever denied that Tibet is a part of China. After all, the liberal West countries that seem to be behind the Tibetan struggle to gain independence were not always benevolent masters, and have built their nation’s wealth and status on the backs of natives who had their homelands brutally annexed and their people treated as savages, to be denied their own identity, culture and religion. Even today those who condemn China’s human rights record have much of their own unresolved atrocities to explain away. Who would dare now to brazenly accuse China of the same acts, especially in light of the fact Tibetans in exile have little (if anything at all) to benefit its supporters? An honest examination will lead anybody to conclude that there is little to benefit from a close relationship with the Tibetan leadership, whether economically, politically or ethically. The Dalai Lama’s government (the CTA) has over-played the sympathy card which they exploited for over half a century. In the same time, China rose from the ashes of Mao’s destructive rule and became not merely an economic superpower but also a competent ally in a complicated and globalized world. And if the Dalai Lama and his exiled government’s eyes have been trained on seeking out opportunities that benefit only themselves, how then can they begrudge anyone from doing something similar in seeking China’s friendship to advance their own well-being? With Mongolia’s announcement that they recognise a One China policy, and they have banned the Dalai Lama from further visits to their country, Tibetans in exile are today left with few competent friends. These few remaining friends are now vital given the CTA’s gross ineptitude to manage its own affairs in a time frame within which many nations have won independence. The Dalai Lama should now realize that he is left with only one card to play: to reunite all Tibetans he had previously disenfranchised, for example the Jonangpas or the Karma Kagyu practitioners who are in support of the Karmapa Thaye Dorje, as well as Dorje Shugden lamas who before his religious apartheid, were spiritual powerhouses. They remain influential and are bound tighter by the common religious oppression they face. In the 20 years since the Dalai Lama’s ban on the Dorje Shugden practice, these lamas have spread around the world and have built impressive networks of followers transcending politics, borders and socioeconomic stratum. The most prominent Tibetan Buddhist centers in the world today are built by Shugden lamas and most are still managed by lamas who have kept their faith in the deity the Dalai Lama prohibited and in so doing, weakened the Tibetan state immeasurably. There are 4 million Shugden practitioners in the world that the Dalai Lama and CTA can tap into, to be goodwill ambassadors of the Tibetan issue. And as doors close to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader must now call for the repair of bridges necessary for all Tibetans to be reconciled but to do that, he must first abolish this woeful religious ban.
Global Media Coverage
December 18 to 21, 2016
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Ц.Мөнх-Оргил Хятадаас уучлалт гуйж, Далай ламыг дахин урихгүй гэдгээ амлажээ
Fox News World
Mongolia says Dalai Lama will not be allowed future visits
The New York Times
Mongolia Says Dalai Lama Will Not Be Allowed Future Visits
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/12/21/world/asia/ap-as-mongolia-china-dalai-lama.html?_r=0
CCTV
Mongolian FM: Firmly supports One-China principle
http://english.cctv.com/2016/12/21/VIDE9NWKYybs7Kme0hNbIvwz161221.shtml
Bloomberg
Mongolia Vows No More Dalai Lama Visits After China Turns Screws
The Indian Express
Will never let in Dalai Lama again: Mongolia
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/will-never-let-in-dalai-lama-again-mongolia-4438654/
Global Times
Mongolia not to allow future visit by Dalai Lama
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1024836.shtml
Global Times
Mongolia government expresses regret over Dalai Lama’s visit
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1024909.shtml
The UB Post
The controversy surrounding the Dalai Lama’s visit
http://theubpost.mn/2016/12/18/the-controversy-surrounding-the-dalai-lamas-visit/
Greater Kashmir
After inviting Beijing’s wrath, Mongolia says will never let in Dalai Lama again
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/world/story/236721.html
Star Tribune
Mongolia says Dalai Lama will not be allowed future visits
http://www.startribune.com/mongolia-says-dalai-lama-will-not-be-allowed-future-visits/407717326/
Phayul
Mongolia concedes to China’s pressure, vows not to invite Dalai Lama again
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=38463&t=1
CNBC
Mongolia may default in 2017 without urgent foreign funding, warns Eurasia
- It’s Bad to Be Seen With Tibetan Leaders
- Tibetans rejected by Bhutan
- Tibetans rejected by Nepal
- Tibetans rejected by Pakistan
- Tibetans rejected by Italy
- Switzerland is on China’s side
- Give up the Tibetan cause, get an Indian passport
- Pope Francis snubs the Dalai Lama – 2014
- Switzerland insists Tibetans are Chinese
- Dalai Lama Rejected from Taiwan
- Tibetans rejected by Sweden
- No South African visa for the Dalai Lama
Harold Musetescu
December 21, 2016
The Dalai Lama’s karma continues.
Pema
December 21, 2016
The Dalai Lama’s image is heavily damaged because of the recent visit to Mongolia. Mongolia was in heavy difficulties already before the Dalai Lama’s visit and was in negotiations for a $4.2 Billion loan from China. Since the Dalai Lama’s recent visit all negotiations were stopped. I guess this was the only way to keep the discussions open.
May this be the turning point for the Dorje Shugden ban to come down. The Tibetans should be united instead of fighting against each other!
James P
December 22, 2016
On one hand, it is sad that HH Dalai Lama can’t visit Mongolia in future to spread Dharma and give initiations. But on the other hand, the relevant parties who get involved in “pushing” HH Dalai Lama to go into Mongolia is not very smart because it has triggered some very bad consequences.
I am not praising China, but China has the power to twist the arm of Mongolia into something like this, and Mongolia can only blame himself for getting into this s**t.
On the other hand, CTA is not sending any support to Mongolia for getting them into this trouble. Just as CTA has done in the pass, they only care for themselves, and no one else. Such a bad example set by an administration who claimed to have strong base in Buddhism.
Sascha
December 22, 2016
HHDL and CTA only take care of themself and their people and culture that is wisdom and compassion, the faults and karma of others are not the fault and karma of HHDL and CTA.
Because conciousness is wisdom and compassion, by cultivating wisdom and compassion or conciousness (dignity/dharma) all nations like mongolia have the chance to cause and effect freedom and wellbeing for themself that is also benificial for all other nations around the world.
When we look at all nations around the world that don’t cultivate wisdom and compasion we not only can see alot more problems and criminality but unfortuneately also extremism, terror and war and this is not only a problem for those nations itself but also for all other nations as well because everything is interdependent. Just look at the situation in syria and how bad it effects also other nations because everything is interdependent.
So it is important to cultivate wisdom and compassion not only for yourself but also for all other people/nations around the world.
All nations that cultivate wisdom and compassion are very benificial for all other nations because wisdom and compassion can’t effect other nations in a harmful way at all. So we can and should protect all nations that have cultivated wisdom and compassion. We can learn alot of nations that have cultivated wisdom and compassion!
To be clear, to fight against wisdom and compassion cultures like tibet, like socialists did and do, is a support for criminality, extremism, terror and war because only with wisdom and compassion we can prevent and overcome causes of criminality, extremism, terror and war that is rooted in ignoring non-duality.
HHDL and CTA only want to continue with cultivating wisdom and compassion for the tibetan people and all people of all nations around the world, so they are not only thinking in a wise way for themself but also for all other nations around the world of the present and future.
HHDL and CTA also want to cause and effect freedom and wellbeing for mongolia and want to help mongolia to cultivate wisdom and compassion for the freedom and wellbeing of mongolia.
We have conciousness, we have dignity, we can use this to prevent and overcome crimiality, extremism, terror and war for ourself and all other nations, we can prevent and overcome suffering and causes of suffering. We all can do this because we all have conciousness/dignity that is wisdom and compassion.
So china can and should support HHDL and CTA to cultivate dignity/wisdom and compassion, this is very helpful and benificial for china itself and all other nations around the world.
Hitler was fighting against dignity, chinese socialists also fight against dignity. Left socialists only support right socialists with their fight for socialism and against dignity, just think about it that by fighting against dignity/wisdom and compassion you are also responsible for criminality, extremism, terror and war in the world because everything is interdependent!
So please don’t practice socialism but cutlivate your identity that is wisdom and compassion.
May mongolia be blessed with wisdom and compassion and the teachings of non-duality spread in mongolia in all directions for the benifit of mongolia and all nations around the world.
Sukhbatar
December 22, 2016
Will Tibetan in exile of Dharamsala help Mongolia now? Will Lobsang Singi help Mongolia now? Or just keep silent and not care?
Carol McQuirree
December 22, 2016
Because of the Dalai Lama’s visit, so much problems arose for Mongolia. Mongolia is really suffering now. What happens now? Sounds self defeating. Is the Dalai Lama going to speak up and help Mongolia now?
SabrinaS
December 24, 2016
It is indeed sad that the famous “Holy Man” who epitomises Compassion is brought down to such low state of affairs. However after 60 years in exile, the Tibetans refugees are still no closer to going home to Tibet/China. During their exile, the world had been more than generous towards them, with India giving them use of land for 99 years without interference in CTA rule, the US given sponsorship of millions per year (last I know was USD19 millions), etc. If the Dalai Lama and CTA had been politically savvy, instead of clinging on to their outdated feudal system, they could have had strongly negotiated with China when they were the “darlings” of the Western world and had their strong support. CTA should have converted their rule to one that care for their people secularly rather than depend just on their religious loyalty. The mistakes that CTA makes are illogical and unbelievable especially when it has been lead by Western educated Sikyongs, the latest being Dr. Lobsang Sangay, a Harvard graduate.
By declaring a ban on the Protector Dorje Shugden practice, the Dalai Lama and CTA effectively reduced their support base. True Shugden Lamas and practitioners will not be giving up this 400 years old practice given by their Gurus as it will mean breaking samaya with their Gurus, irregardless if they are alive or passed on. Keeping a clean samaya with the Guru is the very foundation of Tibetan Buddhism. If the Dalai Lama and CTA had thought to seal their power with the ban, thinking this diminishes the roles of prominent and influential Shugden Lamas, then they are very wrong. With the ban, Shugden Lamas who had faced abuses and threats on their lives, moved away to other parts of the world, thus creating new Buddhist Centres/Monastries and spreading the lineage teachings including that of Dorje Shugden. These Lamas taught without being involved in political activities except to request for the ban removal. Now the Dalai Lama/CTA followers are the minority as Shugden practitioners increases worldwide. And on top of everything, the Shugden Lamas are on good terms with China as they are non-political and not considered threats.
Now with the latest consequential negative effects faced by Mongolia due to the Dalai Lama’s visit and subsequent ban on any future visit to pacify China’s ire, the world will take this as lesson learnt. I am quite certain that many countries will be leery of allowing the Dalai Lama’s visit to their countries as most are looking to working with China due to the potential ludicrous trade agreements. CTA is loosing their only trump card “the Dalai Lama”‘. CTA should have been smart and be less arrogant in assuming their darling status will remain. Being Buddhists, they now understand impermanence, at least I hope so. With President elect, Donald Trump stepping into office in January, 2017, will the sponsorship status remain the same. How will CTA survive if he cuts their sponsorship?
CTA really need to play smart now more than ever, to stop all the propaganda, overt or otherwise, against China and reunite all Tibetans with the lifting of ban on Dorje Shugden practice. Having 4 million Shugden practitioners behind you and powerful Shugden Lamas who are friends with China will certainly help you in your quest for dialogue with China. I am sure sponsorship from China can’t be any less than that of the US and the “cherry on the icing”, you may be allowed back into Tibet/China. Isn’t this a more attractive option? Be wise, CTA. Be indecisive any longer and you may lose this opportunity as well.
loden
January 2, 2017
don’t hurt the fame of the dalai lama
jean-jacques Lauture
January 3, 2017
I think the ban of Dorje Shugden has not been fair.
Gautama, the spirit continutation of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokitevara, Chenretzig would never have perpetrated such ban, or commit such mistake occurring on its 14th HHDL incarnation.
Buddha mind is a spirit of compassion, truth and continuity. If there is something we have to believe, the minimum is to believe in that continuity in all life and universe as well as the capacity to go beyond the human contingencies.
The HHDL escape has been helped by the Dorje Shudgen empowered clairvoyants, Is it a fair way for recognition of what belong to whom, what are the real power of the awakened incarnated, and how karma can be sublimated?
This is also true that China is the country with the most numerous Buddhist in the world and if these Buddhist are not of the HHDL freedom of belief is increasing and therefore all Buddhist schools should have their place to reflect all Buddha faces, with cannot anymore be only limited with only one face representing East, South, and now also West and North.
Alexandra
January 4, 2017
Stop claiming Dorje Shugden people is Chinese spies and taking money from China. CCP money is what EVERYONE wants.
Maybe it’s time CTA wakes up and realize that every country in the world is “kow tow-ing” to China these days. Your cries for Free Tibet is soon to be a dream that remains a dream. The best thing to do is make friends with CHINA already.
Camillia
January 9, 2017
Good question! Why would the Mongolian government agreed to host Dalai Lama knowing very well it will not goes well with China and why would Dalai Lama agreed to visit considering he is fully aware that his presence will pivot the trade talk between Mongolia and China. A plausible explanation could be that Dalai Lama is using his last ounces of influence to test water with China. Which mean that there is possibility of further alignment between Dharamsala and Beijing. It will be a win-win for both; the Dharamsala government is stateless, penniless and lacking in global support; the Beijing is ambitious to put the One China puzzle together and show a good human-rights-happy-family picture. Each has a prize to gain for getting back together, for a lack of better words. Let’s just do it amicably, instead of dragging it till world’s end.
Tenzin Sukmey
January 28, 2017
Dalai Lama middle way never working but he still have no solution whole tibet poeple suffer
Tenzin Paljor
January 28, 2017
The Shugden groups can dare defy the Dalai Lama because they don’t have a country. The Tibetans are scattered all over the world and they have their various power basis from their various countries. I’ve spoken to Ms. Dhardon Sharling about this. If all the Tibetans were back in Tibet, they would have no chance to defy the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama’s government would crush them into silence. How dare they defy the Dalai Lama. Democracy is not for the backwards and illiterate Tibetans. They need a strong, smart and able ruler like the Dalai Lama and his ministers to tell them what is good or bad for them. The Dorje Shugden practice should be banned completely from the Tibetans and Tibetan nation because it is a harmful practice. And no religious freedom should be allowed to let this Dorje Shugden religion arise. In history, many other harmful religions were suppressed for the good of mankind. Shugden should be suppressed and all people who practice him should be forced to give up the practice.
Tenzin Paljor
January 28, 2017
Everyone should go and take a picture with the Dalai Lama and post it. It will boost ‘business’. It’s made me look really valid and more people trust what I am saying simply because I have my picture taken with the Dalai Lama. I’ve roped in Carole MccQuirre and gang to do the same things. You see because I am from East Germany and we don’t believe in any sort of religious freedom. Whatever the regime in the past told you to do, you do it without question. The Shugden groups should not be allowed to practice their religion because the Dalai lama says so. We shouldn’t question the Dalai Lama or defy him. After all he is not human but a god. So if Dalai Lama says don’t practice Dorje Shugden, just follow along without question because why should there be religious freedom. The populace are too stupid to see what religion is good and what is harmful.
Carol McQuirre
January 28, 2017
I agree with you Paljor. The Tibetans do not need democracy, but a strong firm hand to tell them what to do. They are not like we educated English people who can handle and know what to do with democracy. The fact that Tibetans have no real elected leaders and the leader is really the Dalai Lama for the last 60 years is good news. Tibetans cannot elect their own leaders. When the Dalai Lama dies, we wait for him to reincarnate back and take over again because he is the only leader that can handle Tibetans.
Sherabz
February 1, 2017
Dorje Shugden ban for over 20 years is seemed like an ideal opportunity for the lamas to spread the dharma around the world. The implementation of Shugden ban has raised awareness about unfairness and inequality towards the Shugden practitioners and many others that have the relation with Shugden.
Now, HH Dalai Lama is being barred from entering Mongolia even for the purpose of spirituality for the future. In addition, all recognitions and enthronements of Mongolian lamas would be carried on without the interference of HH Dalai Lama. From this instance, I personally believe there are more countries will follow the same like Mongolia’s practice. And this is the right time for CTA to consider the Tibetan issue about the ban of Dorje Shugden.
Elibuchen
March 19, 2017
The Dorje Shugden ban, has split the Tibetan for the longest times,splitting Tibetan strength and unity. Some of the biggest Buddhist organisations are of Gelug order and they relied strongly on Dorje Shugden.
Hope the Dalai Lama and CTA will make the right choices, as options and choices are getting limited for them day by day. As shown by Mongolia and many other nations across the world, who have trade relations with China, they have turn their backs on the Dalai Lama, more will do so in the coming days with China growing in strength day by day.
Sierra
April 21, 2017
May the Dalai Lama, in all his wisdom practice the Middle Way, as taught by Buddha Shakyamuni and resolve this great divide within the Tibetan community. May there be peace for the 2 Karmapas, the lifting of the ban of Dorje Shugden and the acceptance of the 11th Panchen Lama. Let not the Dalai Lama be shamed by being shunned or banned by more and more countries due to political and economic reasons.
Dondrup Shugden
July 10, 2017
If the Dalai Lama’s visit to Mongolia is based on the fact that His Holiness and CTA only look out for opportunities that only benefit them then the visit to Mongolia is a sure case of miscalculation.
Result had been a belittling of the status of His Holiness for Mongolia to ban His further visits is and a slap on CTA’s face. Mongolia throughout the historical relationship with Tibet had been such that the Mongol rulers designed and supported the designation of the Dalai Lama.
Now everything is over. As suggested by the writer, the next best thing is for the Dalai Lama and CTA to reunite all Tibetans, reasons are very clearly stated.
To lift the ban on Dorje Shugden and reinstate the disenfranchised members of the Karma Kagyu sect who support Karmapa Thaye Dorje. It is really that simple.
United we stand, divided we fall!!!!!!
Sunita Khabir
July 30, 2017
Mongolia’s time to wake up. By siding with the Dalai Lama and Tibetans, what does anyone get? Of course Mongolia will lose out. They will not side with Tibetans anymore. Better to side with China. Swallow your Mongol pride as you need China but China does not need you. Better be good to China. You can’t wrestle out of this one.
Pattie S.
July 31, 2017
The Dalai Lama should not travel to countries that he knows will damage that country’s relations with China. China is a chief economic power and many countries would benefit from a relationship with China. If Dalai Lama knowingly travels those country at the expense of their economic benefit with China, that would not be very shrewd as it will backfire. Eventually that country will have repercussions with China and ban the Dalai Lama anyways. Dalai Lama should consider carefully where he travels in order to not damage the country’s economic relationship with powerhouse China.
Dalai Lama should do his best to extend the olive branch to China and become friends. Dalai Lama should not antagonize China in any way for the sake of his people. Mongolia really suffered tremendously after the visit of the Dalai Lama. CTA never reached out to help Mongolia.
Ida Russo
August 3, 2017
Tibetans always make trouble wherever they live. They will not live quietly and appreciate the bigger economic goals of their host country. Many countries have a economic need to be friends with China as the cold war with China is thawing out. But Tibetans will never understand this. The needs of the 6 million Tibetans to them outweigh the needs of the rest of the 7 billion persons on this planet.
When the Mongolians suffered from their economic troubles, not a word, help or responsibility taken by Tibetan leadership. They just use you.
TseringD, Delhi
October 29, 2017
Nechung is ZUMA 👎 before I m think he is one of d best when I m watch dis video By Geshe Dorjee la but now I m think is not d truth n he is lie to Tibet people we r not back to Tibet yt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8 Chithue Tenpa Yarphel la tq for talk about truth of Nechung . I m watch to this video many time la https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8 n after I hear you talk I m not belief to Nechung
Nima Sangpo
March 6, 2018
An increasing number of countries in the world are choosing to align themselves with China and establish good relationships, the latest being the Central American country of Panama. With the promise of Chinese business, investments and infrastructure projects, world leaders will not be hesitant when it comes to starting positive relationships with China. The choice is obvious when the benefits are so many.
Nima Sangpo
March 27, 2018
In Nepal, the former Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba may soon be ousted as party chief and one of the reasons being cited is his sharing of the stage with Lobsang Sangay i.e. he supports the CTA and Tibetans. This follows the recent example of India, whose Foreign Secretary issued a directive stating all Indian officials should not attend CTA-hosted events in conjunction with their “Thank You India” campaign. After the Dalai Lama’s most recent trip to Mongolia, the backlash against the Mongolian President was so strong, he was forced to ban the Dalai Lama from Mongolia.
Never mind China sanctioning them, or expressing displeasure on an international level. What these politicians are facing even domestically are internal sanctions for expressing support for the CTA. The message is clear and that is, it is bad news to be seen with the CTA.
If politicians are being discouraged on all levels from supporting the CTA, it is only a matter of time before the Tibetans find themselves on the very lonely, losing end of their fight against China.
Sonam
April 4, 2018
It pays to make good relations with China. After the Dalai Lama cancelled his visit to Botswana, China responded immediately with encouraging news that bilateral relations with Botswana will progress.
There is no way to deny China’s economic prowess, and many countries, including India, the host of the exiled Tibetans for the past 60 years know that it is not worth to risk bilateral ties with China for the Tibetan cause. After snubbing the Tibetan leadership and cancellation of key Tibetan events in Delhi recently, India receive the quid pro quo from China of signed commercial deals worth nearly $2.36 billion. Mongolia, who has banned the Dalai Lama from entering the country is now welcomed to carry out cross-border trade with China’s Bohai Commodity Exchange to help Mongolian agricultural products enter the Chinese market. Switzerland was the top recipient of Chinese investment in 2017 with a combined value of US$44.6bn, who since 2015 has automatically reassigned the nationality of Tibetan refugees as Chinese nationals in their residence permits.
More and more countries have jumped on the bandwagon to reject the Tibetan leadership, including Australia, Bhutan, The Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, Sweden, with the Central American country of Panama being the latest addition, and the list is expected to grow. Why would any country want to risk their economic prosperity for a lost cause like that of the Tibetan cause?
Lhakpa Dhendup
August 11, 2018
What will the all the people around the world and in Tibet do now? Dalai Lama says he is happy that Tibet is a part of China and should remain a part of China. So many Tibetans self-immolated for Tibet to be independent and now Dalai Lama did a 360 degree turn and says he wants to go back to Tibet and China and Tibet should be a part of China. So unbelievable. So many are angry and disappointed.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 13, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.
Ayana
August 16, 2018
Why doesn’t the United States and its allies end Refugee Status for the useless Tibetans? They have been refugees for 60 years now and don’t tell me they still cannot get their lives back in order?
Tibetans really know how to put on a good show and use people, take their money and do nothing in return.
Ojas
August 18, 2018
Supreme Court of India JUSTICE Mr. MARKANDEY KATJU (RETD) writes that Tibet is much better under the Chinese than it was under the lamas who only wanted to make the populace slaves. It was feudal and it will never return to the backwardness again.
Yoezer
August 19, 2018
While the government of Nepal has framed a policy to tighten the noose around non-governmental organisations, they have welcomed 30 Chinese NGOs to enter the country. These NGOs will penetrate the country’s social sector at the grassroots level. This is the first time such a large number of Chinese NGOs have entered Nepal at one time. Nepal is increasingly open to Chinese influence, a sign that ties between both countries are strengthening, while India’s influence is being reduced. The time has passed for India’s monopoly to remain uninterrupted in Nepal as opportunities to engage with China are being welcomed.
v
August 24, 2018
The cracks in Tibetan society are starting to show, and it is now coming to the attention of local Indians who have all but identified the Tibetan leadership as the source of the divisions. According to this author, disunity amongst the Tibetans is now creating problems for Indian law enforcement agencies, and this disunity may culminate in young Tibetans holding silent grudges against their host country. It is incredible that after six decades of generosity from India, Indians are now facing the very real possibility Tibetans can be ungrateful towards India. The Tibetan leadership totally failed to impart positive values upon their exiled community, like gratitude for those kindest to them and the need to repay these kindnesses with real, tangible results. It’s also very unlikely that the Tibetan leadership will now start to do this, after six decades of failing to do so. Indians need to realise this, and see that there is no benefit for their nation to align themselves with the Tibetan leadership, and there never will be.
Maya
August 24, 2018
Although the Dalai Lama has offered an apology, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) still expressed their disappointment over his controversial comment on Nehru, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Dalai Lama called Nehru self-centred.
The Congress said Dalai Lama being a foreigner should shun and refrain from interfering in the internal as well as external affairs of India.