It has emerged that Pope Francis has snubbed the offer of a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
By: Kay Beswick
The popularity of the Dalai Lama among world leaders is dropping. People would like to say immediately that everyone is afraid of China. Perhaps they should rephrase by saying many nations respect the sentiments of China. The Dalai Lama would do much better if he would extend his efforts to making friends with the Chinese leaders. No leader from another country can influence or force China to do what she doesn’t want to do. By the Dalai Lama meeting foreign leaders and always talking about China taking over Tibet will not help the situation. The Dalai Lama says he has relinquished political control, but his actions do not show this. Be it so, but the fact remains Tibet is a part of China and will remain so. For the Tibetans inside of China to have a better life, it would make sense for the Dalai Lama to be friends with Beijing. It’s been over 50 years since the Dalai Lama has left Tibet and fighting for Tibetan independence now watered down to autonomy has failed miserably. None of his plans or strategies worked to a free or independent Tibet. It’s time to sit back and take stock of the failure and do not blame the issue on anyone including Dorje Shugden. Tibet is still part of China. The Dalai Lama is already 79 years old and how many years does he think he has left?
The Dalai Lama is consulting the spirit Nechung who has entered a monk medium and giving advice. The Dalai Lama will regularly rely on the advice of this spirit.
For a time the Dalai Lama and the CTA said the worship of Shugden is detrimental to the Tibetan movement for independence. That this deity ‘blocked’ Tibet’s independence. Everyone should give up this deity and from this the ban and segregation against Shugden followers began till now creating untold suffering to millions. The Dalai Lama said Nechung also backed this up. Nechung is a protective deity of Tibet who takes trance of a monk medium and speaks from a trance like state. The Dalai Lama often seeks this medium’s advice. Many of the Dalai Lama’s important decisions are consulted to Nechung. Many Tibetans have criticized heavily the Dalai Lama’s reliance on Nechung and banning Shugden, but much work is done to silence the opposition. The Dalai Lama and his exiled ministers (CTA) do their utmost to silence any opposition on any subject both political and spiritual. There is a façade of democracy under the Dalai Lama but it is far from it. People live in fear to oppose.
It would be a good move for the Dalai Lama to stop meeting all the leaders of various countries and focus on making China happy. China is in charge, has the power and economically everyone wants a relationship with China. Who would pick the Dalai Lama over China in today’s economic race to prosper? Even if they pick the Dalai Lama, what will they gain in return? No economic benefits whatsoever. In fact people have to donate and sustain the Dalai Lama and his CTA regime in Dharamsala. The Dalai Lama and his cronies live on handouts due to the kindness of many individuals and governments around the world.
The Dalai Lama should not be divisive which China has accused him of being. Whether he is or not is not the point, but it appears that way to China. China must be placated as the aging Dalai Lama does not have many years left. As Tibetans prophesize this is the last Dalai Lama. Time to make China happy before it’s too late.
Pope Francis snubs the Dalai Lama at Nobel Peace Prize event
Pontiff, who has sought to build relations with other faiths. will not meet the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people amid fears of displeasing Beijing
By Nick Squires, Rome | 5:40PM GMT 11 Dec 2014
They are two of the most admired religious leaders in the world but Pope Francis has chosen not to meet the Dalai Lama in Rome this weekend when the Tibetan exile attends a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners.
The decision reflects an acute diplomatic dilemma for the Pope, at a time when the Vatican is attempting to improve its relations with Beijing and wants to avoid upsetting the Chinese authorities for fear of provoking trouble for the country’s Catholic community.
The snub is hardly in keeping with the Argentinean pontiff’s enthusiasm for dialogue with other religions, an agenda he has pursued in recent months on trips to Turkey, Albania and the Holy Land.
He will pick up the theme next month when he travels to Sri Lanka, where he will meet the island’s Buddhist leaders.
“This time I won’t meet Pope Francis,” the Dalai Lama on Wednesday after arriving in Rome, adding that he would have been “very happy” to do so.
“The Vatican administration says it’s not possible because it could cause inconveniences.”
The Vatican confirmed that the two men, whose shared concern for the poor and the down-trodden give them much common ground, would not meet.
“Pope Francis obviously holds the Dalai Lama in very high regard but he will not be meeting any of the Nobel laureates,” a spokesman said.
Instead the South American pontiff will send a video message to the conference of Nobel Peace Prize winners.
The event was originally due to be held in South Africa but had to be moved after the Pretoria government refused to issue the Tibetan spiritual leader a visa, fearing repercussions from Beijing.
Under Pope Francis, the Holy See is trying to improve its previously fraught relations with China.
When he visited South Korea in August, he became the first pontiff ever to be allowed to fly through Chinese air space.
In a radio message he sent his “best wishes” to Xi Jinping, the Chinese president – it is customary for the Pope to send greetings to every country that he flies over when travelling abroad.
His greeting, however, came during one of the most intense campaigns of repression for Chinese Christians, with authorities destroying churches or removing their crosses.
The Dalai Lama is often snubbed by leaders anxious not to offend Beijing. The last time he was granted a papal audience was with Benedict XVI in 2006.
There are an estimated 12 million practising Catholics in China.
Half of them belong to a state-sanctioned Church while the other half attends clandestine churches which swear allegiance to the Vatican.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/the-pope/11288342/Pope-Francis-snubs-the-Dalai-Lama-at-Nobel-Peace-Prize-event.html
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Kris
December 13, 2014
It is indeed complicated when the spiritual leaders are also the political leaders…
Sandra Ng
December 13, 2014
I agreed that Dalai Lama should make friend with China before too late. Dalai Lama has been meeting with various leaders for the past years. However, the results is not so positive. Not much help in seeking Tibet independent. And also I did not see any connection with the Shugden ban. Why not take other method to make friend with China and at the same time remove the Shugden ban. This is a way to make Tibetan community be united. By the time maybe stand a better chance to have a peaceful negotiation with China.
Bob
December 14, 2014
So now the CTA is going to say that China is funding the Vatican?
Dondrup Shugden
December 18, 2014
I like Bob’s comment. How appropriate but yet sadly hilarious.
Doreen Park
December 20, 2014
The Pope fears reprisal, by the Chinese government, on the Catholic Church in China and its followers, should he go ahead and meet the Dalai Lama.
Yet, for whatever reasons , country after country has turned down invitations to meet with the Dalai Lama. China, as an increasingly formidable economic powerhouse, is increasingly calling the shots when it comes to a meeting with the Dalai Lama.Countries court China for investments, as a market and for other economic reasons.
Hence it is time, the Dalai Lama change his stance and start working towards a viable relationship with China, for the sake of the Tibetans in exile and those who never left Tibet. Who knows but India itself may one day tell the Tibetans to leave India, out of fear of offending the Chinese! Or should the Dalai Lama wait until the Chinese issue an ultimatum to India about removing the Tibetans or face China’s displeasure!.What a fearful thought!
Dharmacrazy
December 22, 2014
It is saddening to read about the loss of stature His Holiness and Buddhadharma internationally due to a political decision. It just makes me think: this is why, since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, the first Dalai Lama who was bestowed a political role, there were High Lamas who advised against the mixing of religion and politics.
The stigma of religion and politics is widespread today where, even at a young age, I was told, top topics to avoid: religion, politics and race.
It is most unfortunate that the 14th Dalai Lama, an international spiritual icon, has become an embodiment of all these stigmas. The ban against Dorje Shugden is religious, political and racist.
1) Political: One of the accusations anti-Shugden groups hold against Dorje Shugden practitioners is that they are funded by China and must therefore be Chinese spies. In respond, the torture and deprivation afflicted upon Dorje Shugden practitioners are are a direct effort to attack China.
2) Religious: there is nothing wrong with religion, but when leaders use religion as an excuse to impose unfair treatment and mis-use of power, religious becomes something people shy away from. The injustice captured on video, images and reported in the news tarnish the Buddhist religion and proves the stigma on religion “right”.
3) The discrimination against Dorje Shugden because of their practice is not exactly racism but the come form is the same. A group of people are forbidden access to basic resources simply because of their faith.
The Dalai Lama’s actions has gone to a level that all goodwill accumulated or the Nobel Prize cannot cover or hide the truth anymore. Time is short and, while corrective action is still possible, His Holiness has to think bigger beyond Tibet and his own lifespan. It is time to practice what he preaches and establish a harmonious relationship with China for the benefit of all sentient beings through Dharma.
Suritta
December 24, 2014
Leaders and other people around the world must also feel the uncertainty of the future of Tibetans and their homeland. It has been more then 50 years now since Tibetans “lost” their independence of their country. Many have supported the CTA and HHDL from onset of this issue, but as time passes by nothing concrete seems to have evolved from any negotiations between Tibetan government and China. That is rather sad. The new generation of Tibetans are also treading further and further away from the original cause and in fact they have assimilated very well into their new China home and culture.
I think it is just best to make peace and have dialogue with China and take this to a new level of progress.
Similarly, stop creating conflict with Shugdenpas and let us all make peace and focus on our true practice.
bond
December 27, 2014
What is the point of having Independence when there is no unity, no harmony & prosperity among the countrymen & women of Tibet? That is exactly how is going to be for Tibet if ever she gain independent from China. The CTA having created 2 factions of people, the DS & Non-DS practitioners, there will still be political instability & disunity in Tibet after independence. Furthermore, without the economical connection & powerful influence from China, there will be little or no economical progress in Tibet. As seen among the leaders of the world, having a close relationship & maintain a good sentiment with China is one of the most important aspects in order to gain economical prosperity for the citizens of the world.
If only the CTA can see these with their clear mind but rather the deluded mind clouded with ego & selfish reasons that has brought nothing but much suffering to millions of Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world. It is never too late to be friend with the Chinese authorities, to start afresh a healthy & productive dialogues that will bring unity, harmony & economical progress to Tibet. Ultimately, lift the ban & grant all Dorje Shugden practitioners the equal rights & freedom of like every Tibetan citizen.
The time is now before it is too late.
MoMo
January 3, 2015
With the all these years of Chinese government firm grip on Tibetan’s soil and constant investment on both economic and education for its local inhabitant. What resources the CTA had in hand to match the Chinese? It would be wiser if His Holiness focus on uniting his people and befriend the world rather than be “enemy” of many on both internal and external sector. What if the Chinese withdraw fully from Tibet, who will take up the vacuum left over? The Indian Government perhaps?
Rinchen
February 24, 2015
I too agree that the Dalai Lama should start making connections with China again, not just the other countries.
There should be peace and compassion that is being practiced. It would be good if the Dalai Lama and the CTA gave in to China. There are still Tibetans that are in Tibet residing. I believe that would the only best way to then gain back Tibet and have their own independence again.
With the Pope not meeting the Dalai Lama, I hope that there would be changes for the Dalai Lama’s ban towards the practice of Dorje Shugden and also about this great protector.
SabrinaS
September 10, 2016
It is quite clear that as China grows in power, politically and commercially, more leaders will look to China for ludicrous trade and political agreements. On the other hand, what does the Dalai Lama and CTA has to offer? So it is not surprising that the leaders will gravitate towards pleasing Chinese’s wishes to disassociate themselves with the Dalai Lama who although presents himself as the religious figurehead, is still very much the political force. CTA certainly does not hold any power at all except in their little world within the Tibetans-In-Exile and even then, they do not have any respect from their own people. It is certainly time for the Dalai Lama and CTA to change their tune to making China their ally instead of their enemy.
The comment from bond makes sense. Why would the Tibetans seek independence from China just to go back to the feudal state of affairs under the rule of the Dalai Lama and CTA? Did they really enjoyed the near slavery status where most everything are owned by the State. They should really contemplate on this, especially when China is so supportive of the tradition of Tibetans and given them the economic freedom with ownership.
Carole McQuirre
July 30, 2017
Pope Francis does not care to look good by meeting the Dalai Lama as past popes have because his flock and the vatican does not get any benefits from him meeting the Dalai Lama. There are many Catholics in China. The pope is hoping to visit China to see the Catholics there. If he was to meet the Dalai Lama then all hopes of visiting China is finished. So definitely he will not meet the Dalai Lama because the Dalai Lama constantly speaks against China. That is not a good method to make China and Tibet friends. The Dalai Lama has not succeeded in Tibetan autonomy or Free Tibet in 60 years so it’s time to change his tact. He needs to make friends with China and not the west.
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. This includes meeting leaders. Must be considerate.
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.
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.
What does the pope get from meeting the Dalai Lama? The pope can bless himself.
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?
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.