Both Italy (top flag) and Switzerland (bottom flag) have rejected the Tibetans, as well as Sweden in a much earlier ruling in June 2016. Which country will the Tibetans next face rejection from? As the years pass by, it becomes increasingly harder for the Tibetans to travel, with fewer and fewer countries willing to risk their economic relationships with China for the sake of the Tibetan community.
By: Kay Beswick
One by one, the world’s nations are dissociating with the Tibetan leadership. On June 28, 2016 Swedish authorities announced a change in regulations, saying that they no longer accepted the Tibetan Identity Certificate as a valid identification document. The Identity Certificate, popularly known as the Yellow Book thanks to its cover, is issued by the Indian government. It identifies the bearer as a Tibetan refugee and protectorate of India, and requests immigration at the traveler’s destination to allow the bearer to enter the country.
This news came as a shock to the Tibetan community because without the Identity Certificate, and without any other identification documentation, they would not be allowed to apply for a visa to enter Sweden. This was swiftly followed by Switzerland’s announcement in July 2016 that they had revised their immigration policy, and that Switzerland no longer recognized “Tibetan” as a valid nationality. The ruling specifically concerned the Yellow Book, which Switzerland also announced would no longer be accepted as a valid identification document. Tibetans in Switzerland were also asked to change their nationality to “Chinese”. With more than 4,000 Tibetans living in Switzerland, they are the largest exile community in Europe so Switzerland’s change in policy was a real blow.
The infographic used by the Voice of America to announce that Sweden no longer accepted the Yellow Book as a valid form of identification that can be used during the visa application process.
Later in the same year, in December 2016, news came that Mongolia had banned the Dalai Lama, after a highly publicized but unpopular visit to the Buddhist nation. And now the latest news is that on May 18, 2017, Italy has followed in Sweden and Switzerland’s footsteps. After the Italian Consulate in Mumbai, India stopped accepting applications from Tibetans for an Italian visa, it was swiftly followed by the consulate in Delhi stopping too. Both consulates had done so upon orders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, Italy. Just like Sweden and Switzerland, Italy has stopped accepting the Yellow Book as a valid identity document.
Even India themselves, do not appear to be interested in applying effort to maintain the refugee privileges of carrying a Yellow Book. This is hardly surprising considering India does not benefit in any way for sticking up for the Tibetan Yellow Book. Given the current climate, it seems logical that in order for Tibetans to have unrestricted freedom to travel, the best would be for them to get an Indian passport. Yet, a recent court ruling decreed that any Tibetan who wants an Indian passport, must give up their Yellow Book (i.e. their Tibetan citizenship) because it is illegal in Indian law to have dual citizenship. Tibetans wishing to get an Indian passport must also move out of the Tibetan settlements since they will no longer be considered a refugee.
Lobsang Wangyal, a Tibetan journalist and social entrepreneur, was the first Tibetan to get an Indian passport, having met the requirements set by the Indian government.
If the Yellow Book were that precious, and if the Indian government was that interested in maintaining the Yellow Book, they could have made some sort of exception for the Tibetan refugees to carry both. Yet the Indian government have created a situation whereby, over time and frustrated by their lack of ability to travel, Tibetans will be forced to give up their Tibetan citizenship, carry an Indian passport and assimilate into the general population in India.
And so now we come to this point on the road – Sweden, Switzerland and Italy have stopped recognizing the Yellow Book as valid identification, and India is pressing for Tibetans to give it up.
It is indeed strange that after 30 years, Switzerland and Italy have both suddenly stopped recognizing the Yellow Book’s validity. Both countries have traditionally had a good relationship with Tibetan refugees; as noted, Switzerland has the largest exile community in Europe, while Italy is home to many lamas and masters who have their Buddhist organizations and centres headquartered there. So what changed in the last 30 years that led to this outcome?
The only logical answer is the rise of China, and its ongoing dominance as a global economic and political powerhouse. As an increasing number of countries come to this realization, only time will tell what Tibetans will decide to do. History has shown that nations have not erred on the side of Tibet, preferring instead to work with China for the benefit of their own economies. Indeed the news of Italy rejecting the Yellow Book could not come at a worse time for the Tibetan leadership who now not only have to deal with a fallout with the US, but now with Europe too.
Over in the US, President Donald Trump has slashed the amount of financial aid to the Tibetan leadership to zero. While Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and various other media personalities campaign to reverse this, over in Europe the European Central Bank (ECB) has converted a part of their US dollar reserves to the Chinese yuan. It is a move that economic analysts have said indicates the ECB’s faith in the Chinese economy as well as their dependency on it.
Then at a grassroots level, Chinese citizens continue to gain visa-free travel to an increasing list of countries. Visa-free travel suggests that these nations are very keen to attract Chinese tourists and foreign currency, and they want to make it as easy as possible for the Chinese to visit their countries. In the meantime, Tibetans find that their freedom to travel on the Yellow Book is slowly being eroded, even by India herself. Unlike the Chinese passport which is gaining in value, the Tibetan passport (a.k.a. the Yellow Book) is rapidly declining in value.
After years and years of corruption, money laundering, visa-for-money schemes, double standards, embezzlement, financial mismanagement, wasted foreign aid, suppression of free speech, prejudice against the Jonangpas, silence over the troubles faced by the Kagyus (like the Karmapa issue and the associated violence), abuse of donors’ funds, unethical elections, intimidation of political opponents, as well as rejecting Dorje Shugden practitioners, ostracizing them and violently discriminating against them, it unfortunately appears that the Tibetan leadership’s karma is swiftly catching up. Which country is next? Who will next step up and say they no longer accept “Tibetan” as a valid nationality, and the Yellow Book as a valid identification document? If this trend continues, and if the Tibetan leadership do not wake up soon, it will not be long before they find that they are banging on closed doors which will never open for them ever again.
The Petition Calling for the Italian Government to Accept Tibetan Applicants for Italian Visas
The petition that has been started to pressure the Italian Embassy in Mumbai to reverse their decision. Click to enlarge.
Related articles:
- Australian PM has no plans to meet Dalai Lama 2017
- Switzerland rejects the Tibetans again
- It’s Bad to Be Seen With Tibetan Leaders
- Tibetans rejected by Bhutan
- Tibetans rejected by Nepal
- Tibetans rejected by Pakistan
- Switzerland is on China’s side
- Mongolia Bans the Dalai Lama
- 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
English
Indonesia
Tibetan
Carole McQuirre
July 29, 2017
The reason for this is because the Italian government totally lost confidence in the Tibetan leadership of Dharamsala.
The Italian government have lost their respect for Tibetan leadership (CTA) otherwise why would they do this after 60 years of campaigning and there is no success for free Tibet or Tibetan autonomy? Yet Italy is insisting Tibetans are a part of the Chinese nation now and they make the world know their stance. Tibet is a part of China according to Italy and many other nations. No matter what others say, Tibet will remain a part of China because no nation on this planet will support diplomatically or by military force to get Tibet back. No nation will truly in action support Tibet. Tibetans better make friends with Chinese as that is their best hope. Since Tibet is under China, they better be friends with the Chinese government to improve their situation. Stop antagonizing China. The CTA and Tibetan leadership’s corruption and bad governance is catching up. Too bad.
Many Tibetans buy Nepalese and Indian passports. They are easy to purchase and they can get to Italy using these passports. So no point crying over this matter.
Tara
July 29, 2017
Well this is somewhat of a surprise and simultaneously is not. I am surprised that it was Italy who took this step because they’ve had an active Free Tibet network over the last few decades. But then again, after neutral Switzerland decided to NOT be neutral about Tibet, why should I be surprised Italy has followed suit?
I don’t think the Italian Free Tibet supporters will be able to do much to reverse the decision because I’ve never gotten the sense that the Italian government likes the Tibetans (even if the Italian people themselves like them). How much support they’ll get from the Holy See is also questionable. My guess is, not much since Pope Francis hasn’t exactly been rushing to meet with the Dalai Lama. He hasn’t indicated the same level of interest with connecting with the Tibetans as Pope John Paul did.
Ngawang Tsering
July 29, 2017
HAIKU FOR ITALY
A transition to
and from where we do not know
This is our bardo.
To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, you do not know the sufferings of our Tibetan people. But you keep us trapped when we cannot return to the place our heart calls home.
You chip away at the jewel of our freedom but offer nothing in repose. Will you speak for Tibet? Or will you let human rights die with you, crafted by the hands of a New Mussolini?
Bhod gyalo!
Chokey
July 30, 2017
Sometimes I pity the Tibetan in exile. They all have a goal to preserve the Tibetan culture but they believe in the wrong administration/management. They chose to believe a group of highly corrupted people who only care for their own benefits. They ask the Tibetans to stay as refugee but many of the high ranking officials including Lobsang Sangey hold foreign passports, and when the sinking ship CTA finally sinks, they have a better place to go, leaving all the Tibetan in exile drowned.
I think this is a gone case, the Tibetan In exile need to act fast before they lose out even more. It is not the fault of their, but the fault of CTA.
Tenzin K
July 30, 2017
The ineffectiveness of CTA has brought the situation into this now. The small thinking of the leadership that just harping on donation from the world with their sympathy card and doesn’t do anything to further to improve the situation of the Tibetan for 60 years is taking effects now. What make situation even worst is that their own leaders even discriminate and impose violence to their own people just due to different belief in their religious practice and shut down and potential people that willing to make a positive change in the exile. The Tibetan leadership just want to live in their own world with their old mind set hoping for the change drop from the sky.
China influence on global economy is huge and due to this no countries will want to go against him and for CTA to keep irritate this giant will serve no value. At one point I have been thinking that what positive thing that has CTA done that the world would stand up for them for their cause?
The rejection from various countries on the yellow book is already a sign that other leaders no longer support CTA not because of the cause but looking at how CTA operate is totally ineffective.
Time is running out for Tibetan leadership and will see more rejection from other countries on this yellow book.
Mui Mui
July 30, 2017
I would like to say “Welcome home to China, my Tibetan friends. Your Yellow Book is not recognised and is becoming obsolete. But it is alright for is time now to changeover to the Chinese passport which is more powerful and versatile; adopt what is good and beneficial for you.
It is a matter of time the Lamas teaching around the globe will have to adopt a more flexible approach choosing a passport in order to travel around the world to spread Buddhism since the Yellow Book is becoming obsolete.
As the Yellow Book is wrecking up; the ban on the Protector is dissolving. And may the teaching of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden go forth to light up every corner of Earth. The sleeping Dragon has risen so must you to ride on the tidal of success.
Sujatha
July 30, 2017
Italy is currently struggling to deal with its refugee migration issues amidst its economic and political challenges in the country. More than half-a-million of refugees have now arrived in Italy over a three year period – more than the entire population of Tuscan capital Florence. The government has heightened its effort to deport economic refugees since the beginning of this year.
Italy also faces the challenge that French police are still refusing entry to hundreds of migrants camped out in Ventimiglia, on the Italian side of the border. France is far from meeting the quota of refugees agreed under an EU relocation scheme in 2015 and Paris will not allow French vessels carrying migrants rescued in the Mediterranean Sea to dock in its ports. The boats dock in Italian ones instead.
Tibetans who holds the Yellow Book IC is considered stateless ie refugee. With all the current refugee problems Italy is facing it’s not a surprise that such a sudden directive was issued recently to refuse visas for Tibetans to travel to Italy.
Then the question now is why do Tibetans still want to remain “stateless” ? Those who have fled from Tibet should take up the local residential status if the country of residence offers it to them e.g Tibetans in India should take up the status to be an Indian national of Tibetan descent. That would make it so much simpler and accountable. By remaining stubborn to be stateless the last 60 years have not helped Tibetans a single bit. There has not been any progress whatsoever in getting autonomy from China and clearly not in the future too. So there is really no point to be stubborn and continue to be enemies with China. Many Tibetans suffer with this “enemy” status of things.
Be proud to be Tibetan descendants wherever you may be in the world. You can be a Swiss national of Tibetan descendant, a Swedish national of Tibetan descendant, an American of Tibetan descendant etc etc…….
Move on with the times. You don’t need a non-progressive leadership like CTA. Tibetans only need to continue to learn and practice the Buddha’s teachings to show the world that the essence of the Buddha’s teachings are all you need to always remain “Tibetan” forever.
ET
July 30, 2017
It is indeed a double whammy for Tibetans after US removed their support for Tibetans and now Europe is declining and not recognising Tibet as a Official country.
Giving the Tibetans a hard time to gain entry.. forcing them to either become Chinese or Indian and assimilating into the country and culture.. I won’t exactly say it is a wrong move or a waste.. since many other nationalities had been able to preserve their culture even though their national ity had change.
Of course it is quite upsetting to lose Tibet as a nation.. but I believe culture and religion will be preserved. And of course.. CTA should wake up and not be corrupted any more and guide the people to true leadership!
SabrinaS
July 30, 2017
Shunning the Tibetans In Exile will be a growing trend as China grows more in power politically and economically. Enticing trade agreements that bolster the countries’ economies will be too much of a temptation to overlook. What more when the Tibetans in Exile has been in exile for 60 years and no solution is in sight for years to come. Especially with all the blunders or self serving policies of the leaders, headed by Sikyong Lobsang Sangay. The leaders are so practiced in handouts from kind sponsors that they had not seen the need to change to people centric policies
What grabs me was the article on change.org who used “only non-violent people on this earth”. Wow! Had they been blind to the abuses or violence towards the Dorje Shugden practitioners whom they considered as Anti-Dalai Lama. No doubt the majority of Tibetans are non-violent but the Governmental Ministers had been known throughout the ages to be quite violent in their dealings with “supposed” enemies. The statement is just bias stereotyping to influence the goodwill of Italian authorities. Its sad that the ordinary Tibetans In Exile placed their trusts in the current government who had been comfortably living in the tradition of sponging the sponsors. Instead of putting the monies towards the improvement of their people’s welfare, work skills, business development, etc. that would have safeguarded their future without handouts, the government had wasted it on propaganda against China and Dorje Shugden practitioners, as well as fattening their own pockets. Innocently the protector practice of Dorje Shugden was ban to divert focus from the government’s failures of returning their people home to Tibet. The Sikyong should just buckle up and stop their downhill spirally policies and work towards cooperation with China and the Dorje Shugden people. Don’t misplace the trusts of your people anymore and address the problems in status of Tibetans In Exile.
Tenzin Peljor
July 30, 2017
By siding with the Dalai Lama and Tibetans, what does anyone get? Of course Italy will not side with Tibetans. Better to side with China.
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.
Dondrup Shugden
August 6, 2017
Come to think of it, someone should influence the Tibetans in exile that whatever they are promised by the Dalai Lama and CTA will not happen and will not be fulfilled.
Tibetans in exile had lived in a proclaimed democracy for the past 60 years and yet they are just as inept as their leaders.
Do something before you become victims to be used by CTA, go get yourself a Indian passport or see how to become a Chinese by your own accord.
After all the Tibetans in Switzerland were changed to be Chinese.
Dharmaholder
August 15, 2017
My heart goes out to the Tibetan refugees in India. Soon, they will have to decide whether to remain in India as Indian citizens or return to Tibet and become Chinese nationals or migrate to another country. It is not an easy choice to make. I feel that they must follow their heart. Younger Tibetans born in India and those who have come to regard India as their home may opt to stay in India. Usually those born in the country will feel they belong to that country and have a right to be citizens. But I think Tibetans in India may have a different experience due to the political set-up. So, they need to follow their heart as it is a major decision that involves their future and the future of their children.
Pema Norbu
September 15, 2017
Must watch, this clear video of His Holiness the Dalai Lama asking the monasteries to expel monks that practice Dorje Shugden. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgYWidYw3U
Tsering Gonkatsang
September 30, 2017
Member of Parliament Tenpa Yarphel is a hero. He is speaking up for free speech and freedom of expression. He is exercising his rights, he is standing up for logical democracy which is the only way forward and not having to contact spirits like Nechung via oracles to make decisions that impact people’s lives. But look how people speak about him in the comments, so rude and nasty. It really represents the Dalai Lama badly as they are supporting Dalai Lama beings so rude: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8
They say we need to believe in Nechung and follow what he says. But in 2009 Nechung said the Dalai Lama would go back to Tibet and that everyone would be happy. A monk from Nechung Monastery is the one that told everyone about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8. But Nechung was wrong. It has been eight years and this has not happened. The Dalai Lama did not return to Tibet. Nechung being consulted by Tibetan government in exile is backwards. No governments do this in the civilized world.
When people like Tenpa Yarphel speak up and are real patriots of the Tibetan people, they are attacked by other people. In fact people even protest like this man who shaves his hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA. People like these are actually protesting against Tenpa Yarphel’s democratic rights and freedom of speech. Tibetans by criticizing Tenpa Yarphel shows they are far from democracy. Besides many of the other Kagyu leaders such as Drigung Chetsang Rinpoche, Drukchen Rinpoche, Karmapa Thaye Dorje all did not say anything against Tenpa Yarphel that represents the Kagyus.
Dalai Lama had said that is his minister of cabinet in the government. Even though it is clear that Nechung is unreliable and a spirit, the Dalai Lama continues to rely heavily on Nechung and other oracles who take trance of spirits. He invites Nechung to all his events and allow him to take trance in centre stage always. In fact the Dalai Lama even calls the oracles to his own private bedroom: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x62ocw1.
These practices show how Tibetan government is run.
Lovett
October 14, 2017
Within the Tibetan communities in India, there is no free speech and how Tibetans insult each other and would even insult foreigners by calling them Chinese agents just because you speak up and this is suppose to silence you. All of this began with the Tibetan CTA. Nonetheless, there are a handful of Tibetans who had enough and they dare to speak the truth and in this case, Tenpa Yarphel speaks against Nechung and veiled statements about the Shugden ban – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
And then there are people who would oppose his view by shaving his head. Very silly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
Lhakpa
October 17, 2017
Chokyong Nechung is wrong! Nechung in this video said that Dalai Lama is going back to China and that was five years ago? What happened? Why are we even listening to him ever again. He always make mistakes. 😱
🌎 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
Lobsang Sangay
October 17, 2017
Let’s face it… there is NO REAL FREEDOM of SPEECH for us Tibetans living under the ruling of the CTA and Dalai Lama. The Tibetan communities in India all sufer this fate and we live in lies and deception of a FAKE DEMOCRACY.
Just watch how Tibetans insult and backstab each other and would even dare insult people they do not know, calling them Chinese dogs/Chinese spies is the only thing they can say and the label they give you the moment you dare to speak up. This is done to shut you up and to indicate to other Tibetans to attack you because they make you sound like you are a traitor and this is how they get all to turn against you. This is how the Tibetan CTA deals with people they feel threatened. All because of power and position.
However, there are a few brave Tibetans who basically had enough of their deception and begin to speak up, to tell the truth. A good example is Tenpa Yarphel who bravely stood up and talked about Nechung and the inconsistency and FAILED prophesies… also the ridiculous heavy reliance on him for everything. Where on earth do you ever see any government relying on “mystical Gods” to help them make state decisions? Even if they did, they would not dare tell anyone because this is 2017 not the medieval times. Just watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
Then you have the small-minded, sheep like followers, shaving their hair – like WOW big deal, to protest against Tenpa Yarphel. Lololol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
Jamyang
October 17, 2017
Question to Tibetan exile government, Central Tibetan Administration – CTA: Hey this Geshe Dorje interprets Nechung’s prophecy saying the Dalai Lama will go back to Tibet five years ago, but look, Dalai Lama still cannot go back. Watch… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
Not only that, there is still NO sign of even creating a good relationship for a chance to go back! So we are all stuck and still nowhere near going back to Tibet. So why on earth are we still listening to this spirit Nechung who always makes mistakes and give wrong prophecies? Nechung even killed the 13th Dalai Lama by giving him the wrong medicine. So WHY are we still listening to him for? Why are we Buddhist following what a spirit says? If we can follow Nechung spirit so why condemn Dogyal? This is weird and wrong!
Pema Schneider
October 19, 2017
Lobsang Sangay at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Tibetan Settlement Office, Dharamsala: https://youtu.be/eInTi-E9na8
Losang Sangay said recently (October, 2017) in Dharamsala that Tibetans have two enemies: the outer and inner enemy. The outer enemy is the Chinese government and Dorje Shugden people. The inner enemy is the people who speak against about our Tibetan affairs like regional differences and religious differences. (He didn’t say this directly but he means people like Tenpa Yarphel who spoke up in the Parliament) He said out of the two enemies, the worse one is the inner enemy.
Now the Tibetans have started a new Facebook page specifically against Tenpa Yarphel. Tibetans are protesting against him: http://bit.ly/2ysowTH
And there is a video of Tibetans with Tenpa Yarphel’s name on the paper against him and asking him to resign: http://bit.ly/2zAH2af
Matteo
October 19, 2017
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a a dedicated advocate for the principles of democracy. In September this year, Tibetans in India celebrated the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the democratic path in the running of the Tibetan people’s political system. Sadly, it’s all lip service.
Look at the recent incident of MP Tenpa Yarphel speaking up. Tenpa Yarphel has the right to speak and express his opinion, especially because he is a representative of the people, a Member of Parliament. He was criticized for issuing irresponsible statements, watch this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
What is absurd is that there are even people protesting against his opinion, and shaving their hair in protest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
Tenpa Yarphel was accused of being sectarian, but the reality is that because of Nechung’s advice, Dorje Shugden practitioners were segregated, discriminated and ostracized from the Tibetan community in general all around the world. This MP is perhaps tired of seeing the separation and found the courage to speak up for the unity of the Tibetan people in exile.
Lukar Jam supporter
October 19, 2017
Nechung oracle is not reliable. Many times his predictions wrong.
He didn’t help when british invaded tibet in 1904. he gave wrong medicine to 13th dalai lama which caused His holiness’s death. he said in the past Tibetans going back to Tibet soon. In 2009, this Geshe Dorje read out what Nechung oracle said. How many years passed, negotiation talk never resume after Lobsang Sangay become Sikyong. That is why now Kagyu Member of Parliament Tenpa Yarphel speaking up about Nechung.
Why we still believe Nechung? Watch this short video, see how confident this Geshe was explaining, but it never came true:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
Tashi, Delhi
October 20, 2017
What is the CTA for a club? Going around pretending to be a democracy and only because of HH Dalai Lama they can make some foreign people believe it but it seems that karma is coming back.
The CTA is suppressing their own people and having a good life with the money originally meant for the Tibetan people. On top, their elections are a farce!
Listen here to Tenpa Yarphel who questions about the reliance of the Tibetan Government to Nechung, an oracle, which is understandable already but on top Nechung’s predictions seem to create more problems than anything else. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
What happens to Tenpa Yarphel now that he speaks up? Tibetans have started a Facebook page against him and protest against him: http://bit.ly/2ysowTH. They even ask Tenpa Yarphel to resign: http://bit.ly/2zAH2af
So much for the “Democracy” in the Tibetan Government!!
ashrao
October 29, 2017
Unfortunately, the dream of Tibetan democracy is nothing but that. Look at this brave Tenpa Yarphel speaking up against the spirit Nechung (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A). He brings up a good point, the Tibetans rely more on a spirit than they do on democratic principles and their own intelligence and care for their own people.
But these Tibetans themselves are so enamored with the spirit that they protest against Tenpa Yarphel, lame protests, but protests nonetheless, like this man who cut off his hair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA). I really don’t understand how this is a protest, but each to their own I guess.
Personally, I don’t really think much of the Tibetans who follow their lame government. I’ve seen first-hand just how much the average Tibetan suffers under their current leadership and this just goes to show that their government is ineffective and schismatic. But one thing about this whole situation is somewhat promising, there is a silver lining, and that is the point was raised by a Tibetan MP within their parliament. He wouldn’t have done so if other people in the Tibetan community did not feel the same way. It is time for Tibetan to free themselves of a superstitious, money-grabbing, self-serving, and impotent government.
Dawa Lhamo
October 29, 2017
Tibetan government are useless, they rely on Nechung https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
Any you know what, their supporters even cut their hair off because they don’t agree with MP. This guy funny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
What this going to change?
ashrao
October 29, 2017
The Tibetan government keep relying on Nechung for everything, though all his predictions and advice cause more damage than harm. Is it even wise to follow his advice, I mean he was wrong about His Holiness the Dalai Lama returning to Tibet in five years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
That was in 2009, we are now in 2017, which was 8 years ago. Is his advice really trust worthy? I wonder why the Tibetan government even continue to listen to him. Perhaps they get something out of it?
Tashi Gonkatsang
October 29, 2017
This ashrao posted this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
What he said is true. I couldn’t believe it at first, because I never heard my parents or relatives tell much such things before. But when I asked my uncle who is a monk, he told me it is true. He said that Nechung gave bad advice and has continued to give bad advice. My uncle said that even many of the monks and high lamas don’t even believe in anything Nechung says. Better to say no rather than listening to his advice from now on. My parents were shocked. They used to go and see Nechung oracle when they were in India, but luckily I was able to move them to the USA. Now we better off. I can’t believe that the government still listen to the Nechung.
Hi I'm Lobsang Sangye I'm a liar
October 29, 2017
It’s quite refreshing to have someone from the parliament speaking up and raising questions about the unjustness that’s been happening within its own “government”. Tenpa Yarphel is extremely brave to speak up like that, Tibetans HAVE TO WATCH IT! 👍
1. Tibetan shaves off his hair in protest against MP Tenpa Yarphel 2017 Sept
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
2. Tibetan Parliament member representing Kagyu School Ven. Tenpa Yarphel speaks against Nechung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8
Then of course, we have some intelligent individuals such as Geshe Dorje himself, who just wants attention, talks big but does nothing else 🙄 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
TseringD, Delhi
October 29, 2017
I m think Nechung is one of d best when I m watch to dis video By Geshe Dorjee la but now I m think is not d truth n he is lie to Tibet people we are not back to Tibet yet 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
ZUMA 👎
Why CTA Why
October 30, 2017
Watch when Geshe Dorje interprets Nechung’s prophecies! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
After the Nechung oracle takes trance, his answers are interpreted and explained by Geshe Dorje, a Buddhist master from Nechung Monastery.
This video from 2009 proves that Nechung is wrong again! Why rely on Nechung when all his prophecies are wrong?? Someone with a hidden agenda maybe?!!
Michaela Smith
October 30, 2017
Only the CTA relies on the Nechung and made the spirit who gave so many false advice so much privileges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
Namdrol
October 30, 2017
MP Tenpa Yarphel is very brave to questioned the validity and accuracy of the spirit Nechung who the Dalai Lama always consulted, apparently Nechung has been giving highly inaccurate prophecies, but people still keep using him because Dalai Lama keeps using him and nobody dare to say otherwise, although Nechung is full of mistake, no wonder Tibetans did not get back their country even after 60 years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKOjcpLH8A
Look at this guy’s way of protest against MP Tenpa Yarphel and you know why the Tibetans will never get back their country:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
Amber Sonam
October 30, 2017
Bravo to MP Tenpa Yarphel for speaking up so bravely! CTA has a lot of dodgy business going on even it’s own MP cannot keep quiet anymore. Watch what is being said here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8
Yet, those in denial continue to support the corruptions within the CTA by shaving off his hair in protest against MP Tenpa Yarphel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
He is also supported by Geshe Dorje himself who is riding on the Nechung issue giving no concrete proof as usual https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8
Michaela Smith
October 30, 2017
I would like to share with you about this courageous Tibetan parliament MP who is speaking up against Nechung. He received a lot of backlash due to his bravery, but I hope it won’t deter him to speak up in the future. There are many people who actually agree with him
1. Tibetan Parliament member representing Kagyu School, speak up about Nechung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8
2. Tibetan shaves off his hair in protest against MP Tenpa Yarphel 2017 Sept
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30NL4hG8oA
Tenzin Ngawang
November 17, 2017
China displayed the prestige of a great nation during President Trump recent visit
https://youtu.be/Na3lcejmqZ4
What would the Dharamsala have done in the same situation
Ngodup Tsering
November 18, 2017
HOT NEWS from the CTA
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 12, 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 17, 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.
Vardaniya
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.