Lobsang Wangyal
KOH PHANGAN, Thailand, 31 January 2019
Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, in his New Year message to millions of his followers around the world, wished them good health, peace, and contentment. “I pray that in the year ahead we will all strive together in harmony and unity for the welfare of the earth and for the sake of all sentient beings,” he said. He released this message from Germany, although he is now based mostly in the US.
In March last year, he obtained citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica, an island country in the Caribbean (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, a different country also in the Caribbean near Haiti.) Since acquiring his new citizenship, he travels without restrictions, and meets with anybody who comes to see him.
Before coming to the US in May 2017, the Karmapa’s every move was watched by Indian security agencies, and he was living under virtual house arrest. India held that he was a Chinese spy. A cash seizure was made from his office in Dharamshala in 2011, and the fact that Chinese Yuan were among the currencies found was used to substantiate India’s claim. There were currencies of 25 countries which had been offered to the Karmapa by his devotees over the years, totalling 6.5 crore (65,000,000) Indian rupees (approx 915,000 US dollars). His office was unable to deposit any of it in the bank due to the refusal of the Indian government to issue a Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) certificate for him. This seized money was never returned to him.
The Karmapa’s dramatic flight in 2000 from Chinese-occupied Tibet to India captured the world’s attention, and was a massive slap in the face for China. He said that the reason for his escape was to prevent China using him against the Dalai Lama.
Enthronement of the 17th Karmapa
When the current 14th Dalai Lama was enthroned in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa in 1950, China did not dispute this. But it wasn’t China who had the authority to recognise the Dalai Lama. The process of recognising the lamas is a traditional one, conducted by his followers, not by non-believers or foreign governments.
In 1992, Tai Situ Lama, the head of the search party for the new Karmapa, following instructions given to him by the previous Karmapa, located “Apo Gaga” (the child who was the reincarnation the 17th Karmapa) in eastern Tibet. Feeling certain he had found the new Karmapa, he informed the Dalai Lama, who confirmed and endorsed Apo Gaga as the 17th Karmapa. Apo Gaga was then enthroned as the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje at Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet, the traditional seat of the Karmapa, when he was seven years old.
Apo Gaga himself did not claim to be a Karmapa. He was recognised to be the Karmapa by the authorities in his lineage. As with the Dalai Lama, his enthronement was also not disputed by the Chinese government. It is absurd that he is called a “claimant” by those who only have vested interests, but lack even the most basic awareness about the Tibetan culture and issues.
Constitution says India is a secular country
The recent statement by an unnamed “source” in Indian government quoted in Indian media, that the Government of India doesn’t recognise Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Karmapa, is in essence immature and senseless. Does India have the mandate to install a lama? Is it even constitutional to proclaim who is, and isn’t a religious leader? Could the Government of India decide who could be a baba (guru) or not? By this logic, then would the Pope need Indian government’s recognition in the future? For the unnamed “source” to give his verdict when the matter is sub-judice in Indian court is a matter of contempt of court. These are some issues, but now they are almost irrelevant given that the Karmapa doesn’t live in India anymore.
Having been born in China-occupied Tibet, and accepted by Beijing as the 17th Karmapa, wouldn’t India be interfering in China’s internal affairs (after all, India recognises Tibet as a part of China) by questioning his position as the Karmapa? Ogyen Trinley Dorje is now a citizen of Dominica. Could India decide the future of the citizens of another country? These are some other issues the “source” quoted by the Indian media has no awareness of.
Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been recognised as the 17th Karmapa by the Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, by the Central Tibetan Administration, and by 99% of the Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet. He doesn’t need any other or more recognition. He is the legitimate throne holder of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetans in exile welcomed him with full reverence as he joined them in their quest for a free Tibet. Since then it has been he as the Karmapa who has participated in official functions, NGO events, media interviews, or personal guidance of the majority of Tibetans in exile.
By seeking citizenship of Dominica, the Karmapa has clearly shown that he has no interest in gaining control of Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, which again much of the Indian media seemed to think to be the traditional seat of the Karmapas. It is not. Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet is. It was built by the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa in 1159, becoming the original headquarters and the traditional seat.
Rumtek monastery in Sikkim (which is close to an old monastery built in the 1700s under the direction of the 12th Karmapa Changchub Dorje) became the exile seat of the 16th Karmapa in 1966 after he fled to India from Tibet via Bhutan. For this reason, Rumtek Monastery has great historical significance, particularly given the fact that it was once under independent Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim (later to become an Indian state in 1975). The Indian court is now free to decide about the future of Rumtek monastery, as Ogyen Trinley Dorje has left India.
Tibetan refugees in India
The Karmapa’s decision to get a travel document needs to be read in the context of the life of Tibetan refugees in India. In a statement in November to his devotees, the Karmapa said that he had sought citizenship of Dominica to make it easier to travel. He travelled out of India with a document called Identity Certificate, (popularly known as the Yellow Book, because of the colour of the cover of that document). This document enables a Tibetan living in India to travel abroad. What the officials, like the “source” and the Indian media, don’t seem to know is the enormous difficulties associated with travelling on this document, as well as many other problems such as land-grabbing by local Indians of land allocated to Tibetans, discrimination against Tibetans by locals, increasing resentment towards Tibetans, unemployment among Tibetans, and more.
A Yellow Book is issued to a Tibetan if that person is holding a Registration Certificate (RC), another document which is the stay permit for Tibetan refugees in India. The problem is that it takes at least a year, or years in some cases, to get the Yellow Book. Once it is processed, the holder needs an “exit permit” to leave the country. To process this may take weeks to months, and often involves shelling out thousands of rupees to Indian officials. Then, there is the need for a “return visa”, which follows the same procedure as the “exit permit”, and again involves wasting a lot of time and shelling out thousands of rupees.
The hardships related to the Yellow Book don’t end here. Even the Indian immigration officials often have no clue what is the Identity Certificate, let alone officials of other countries. Facing harassment is common at the immigration in Delhi. Overseas, a Yellow Book holder is brought out of the queue, causing embarrassment and discomfort in front of other travellers at the immigration gate. The holder is usually released after some questioning and confirmation. Many have wished that the Government of India change the name of “Identity Certificate” to “Travel Document”, which would make a lot more sense. But that hasn’t been done, and may never happen. For the officials concerned, it’s not their problem, and they don’t care.
Tibetans prefer to get the job done with the rupees rather than complain, as there is nowhere to bring this issue up, nor are any officials dealing with Tibetans at all interested (or who even try to understand the matter). Officials like this “source” who think they know the Tibetan issues and problems well, may not have any knowledge about such matters, or, again, would not be interested in understanding these issues. They must surely know that there are now only about 60,000 Tibetans living in India as compared to 90,000 according to the 2009 census of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). This number would gradually shrink as the exile community naturally disintegrates against such odds and existential threats. They don’t know the real reason why. The Karmapa’s statement that he sought passport of Dominica to ease travelling problems could be used by the Government of India to reassess the situation of Tibetans in India.
Making travelling easier was indeed a good reason by the Karmapa to leave India — but could it also be the distress he felt for all these years with a “Chinese spy” tag, restrictions in travelling and meeting people, being confined to a two-room accommodation? It well could be all these causing him suffocation that led him to decide to leave India.
Benefits of spying for China
If the Karmapa was truly a Chinese spy, that would make the CTA, the Dalai Lama, and all the Tibetans who revered him complicit in this spying, as they recognize and support him to be the Karmapa. After 18 years, India, without any speck of evidence, didn’t change its position. But what the “source”, Indian intelligence, think tank, and the media do not explain is, what and how much could China pay the Karmapa to spy for them? What doesn’t he already have that China could give for working as a Chinese spy, putting his own life at risk? And what information could he possibly “spy” that could be of any use to China at all?
What Tibetans would say is, the “source” is shooting from the shoulders of the media. And to borrow Donald Trump’s favourite catch phrase “fake news”, the “source” is spreading fake news and misinformation when he says that the Karmapa didn’t apply for a visa. When the Karmapa clarified that he did apply, then the “source” changes his statement, saying the application was not complete. Should the government of India afford to keep such mediocre officials, when the matter concerns the important issue of India-Tibet-China.
The offer to the Karmapa of land in Delhi by the Government of India sounded like a desperate act to woo him back to India. But why would Karmapa want to build his centre in Delhi? Given the choice, he surely would like to be close to the Dalai Lama, and the main Tibetan hub McLeod Ganj, in Himachal Pradesh. Another indication of non-thinking on the part of the Government of India, was the refusal to accept the surrender of his Yellow Book when it was brought to the Indian mission in New York City in October. It is clearly mentioned on the Yellow Book itself that once a holder of the Yellow Book obtains any other travel document, it ceases to be valid, and must be surrendered to the nearest Indian passport-issuing authority.
In a new statement last week, the Karmapa clarified that attempts to surrender his Yellow Book to the Indian Mission in New York City were unsuccessful, with the chief official at the Mission saying that he needs to seek advice from Delhi. His India visa application was also not processed. The Karmapa further stated that there was some discussion between him and the chief. Learning about the situation, Tibet Sun reported on the same in November. It has now been learned that the chief insisted that the Karmapa withdraw from surrendering his Yellow Book, and that he should continue to travel on the same document, despite the fact that this would be against the rule enacted by the Government of India itself.
Copy of Identity Certificate showing the purpose and the rules.
It should be known that the Karmapa is needed by Tibetans in the US, Canada, and European countries, as much as he is needed by Tibetans in India. Such frequent travels are extremely challenging and almost impossible on the Yellow Book. He has been busy attending Tibetan events in these countries since moving to the US in May 2017. Since then he has been able to perform his duties as the Karmapa without any restrictions. He is free to travel anywhere he wants, and meet with anyone he chooses to. He even met with the claimant-Karmapa Thinley Thaye Dorje in France, stunning all the stakeholders — something that would have never been possible to do in India.
Shooting from the shoulders of media
The Karmapa has made his choice clear, and gotten himself a citizenship (which more or less, just a travel document), and wants to live outside India. He has made the right choice, one that anybody would choose if they were in his situation. India could choose whether it wanted to issue him a visa or not. But resorting to the usual cheap tactic of shooting from the shoulders of media without any clarity, let alone the name of the “source” shows a sense of confusion, desperation, mismanagement, as well as lack of sophistication and professionalism, by the handlers of the issue of Karmapa in the Government of India. In all earnestness, the Government of India should come out with an official statement through a spokesperson or even a press release to confirm the official position on the Karmapa, rather than giving silly comments such as that he had not applied for the visa, then later changing to the effect that he has not completed his visa application. Ogyen Trinley Dorje is the head of a global network of spiritual centres. He has top class people working for him. To say that his visa application was incomplete strikes as nothing less than ludicrous.
Indian officials shooting through media’s shoulder is counter-productive and the media mess confuses the situation further. It only prove India’s heavy-handed big brotherly strategy, especially without any sensitivity when dealing with religious minorities. Karmapa will have to clarify the fake news, and that would not reflect well on the image of the Government of India. Instead, if the officials could try to understand, they will see that the Karmapa had taken the passport of Dominica, not US Green Card. With his stature and circumstances, he could have easily sought asylum in any developed country of his choice (the US, Canada or Switzerland) within months. He didn’t because he did not want to complicate matters further, and it was not his goal to be exiled for the second time. All he needed was a travel document, and that is what he got.
Fair deal for possible return
If India wants him back, it should drop the “Chinese spy” tag, let him set up a centre according to his choice, lift all travel restrictions, and let him meet his followers, including the Chinese, without any paranoia. Indian government needs to move from being an arrogant big brother to be a wise elder brother and stop using the media as a manipulation tactic to control him. A proper diplomacy and dialogue, with some time and space, could easily bring a breakthrough. Or else, he is free now, and it wouldn’t make sense to go back to India to live where it suffocates him and face the security and media tamasha all over again. But if New Delhi’s plan is to keep the Karmapa away from India, then it is clearly succeeding!
About the author
Lobsang Wangyal lives in McLeod Ganj, India, with some travelling overseas, and edits the Tibet Sun website.
His Holiness Karmapa informs CTA and takes decisions. Why are blaming India. CTA Should have guided Karmapa.
Recently there as been scandal about HH Karmapa in Taiwan news media. It would have been good if there was statement given by HH Dalai lama and Karmapa about this.
Poor handling by petty and arrogant Indian diplomats. The issue of Karmapa is a very very serious matter. India repeating the same silly mistakes they did before 1959 and subsequent to HH Dalai Lama’s escape into India. No lessons learnt. What a sorry state of affairs.
The Kagyu Lineage has a deep mind obstacle. You are Tibetan — you know this. We can’t just blame India or even China. Orgyen Trinley Dorje made a lot of decisions — some of it maybe he couldn’t get out of. The political problems will be swept away when and if the mind/lineage/lung dissonance is purified. It is up to him to be Karmapa. It’s not just India, China, the Ho Foundation or the Ivy League (all though I think they do bear a heavier load of blame) — or even all the BS publishers and “Buddhist” magazines.
We have all gotten ourselves into this through selling Dharma for personal prestige, profit, and mundane fame — and this is the result of our collective karma. There is a demonic lung,/i> in the Lineage. This lung dissonance is experienced in mind. This dissonance arose because of all our self-important bullshit. The more we sell Dharma — well the opportunity to experience the mind of what we call Karmapa is diminished and the tulkus manifest as “stupid” “crazy” “incoherent” — lacking judgment and devotion or even interest in Dharma. We caused this problem. We thought it was ok to make a living with Dharma — it’s ok to promote ourselves with authentic realization of past Lineage Masters. Well, it isn’t — the Lineage leaders and political conditions and obstacles are simply arising in accord with our hidden agendas.
It is indeed absurd for the secular Government of India to state that they do not recognize HH Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the Karmapa, would be like the Muslim Iranian government not recognizing the Pope as the head of the Catholics. Isn’t it ridiculous.
Clearly the GOI wants HH to be within their sphere of influence, particularly to be used as a political instrument in dealing with China. But due to the way they treated HH they have lost this chance.
I think they should now recognize that HH belongs to all Buddhists worldwide and to permit him to travel in India [would be good for India].
HH Karmapa’s case shows the vulnerable situations of Tibetan exiles in India. India denies passport to them, and as stateless people, they are extremely weak. HH Karmapa is forced to take citizenship of another country due to the yellowbook, or identity certificate.
No wonder, Tibetans feel insecure in India.
PS Kudos to Lobsang Wangyal for allowing all comments. They say Tibetan Review is censoring comments, which isn’t cool.
Good article by Lobsang Wangyal of Tibet Sun. The facts and reasoning are clear and objective.
Nice piece of writing although he should have mentioned the existence of other Karmapa. The author is right in saying the Indian government has no right in recognising him as the Karmapa just like the Chinese government’s recognition of him as Living Buddha doesn’t carry any weightage. It is purely a religious affairs that should determine the authenticity of the reincarnated lama.
Having said that, although the Indian government might have a genuine reason to believe he is a Chinese spy, they shouldn’t leave the public in a dark, rather they should clarify why they hold him with distrust so that the public won’t blame the Indian government for mistreating him.
Both Karmapas are legitimate Karmapas as they are both recognised by Kagyu Lamas. The involvement of Dalai Lama is purely political and should be discarded.
What is political about it? Kagyupa themselves asked for his involvement. His Holiness made it very clear from the beginning itself that he should not be asked to recognize any Lamas but fate of the Tibetan lamas are such that they should always insist on his recognition. Looking at Orgyen Trinley Dorje’s situation, Situ Rinpoche did the right thing.
These days the lamas ask for the Dalai Lama’s endorsement. It is all for political and popularity motives. As with the Karmapas, HH Dalai Lama should not have taken sides. He should have remained non-partisan.
To be honest in the end who are we all to judge the happenings in and around His Holiness the Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje! When I first saw Him in Dharamshala many years ago with my late Amala, I was so sure that he is a true reincarnation and my faith in this extra ordinary phenomena of reincarnation got even stronger! Whether the Indian Government gives him visa is purely based on dirty politics of certain individuals connected to late Shamar Rinpoche’s India-Connection! I request the Indian government to look carefully in this matter! Karmapa Ugyen Trinley matters a lot to us Tibetans!
Is incarnation only possible in a Tibetan family? Why only the incarnation in the Tibetan family is recognised. Do they hold the copyright for incarnation? When the whole world supports Tibet and Tibetans, the Tibetans prove their existence only for themselves (kyiduh). Why is the Tibetan Youth Committee (TYC) seen only conducting rallies for Tibet and promoting self-immolation, they are never involved in any relief or fund-raising for disasters, accidents, or any social cause.
Excellent writing with precise details of events leading to HH applying for a passport of a foreign country and thereafter. If a person of such stature can go through hell traveling with the IC, imagine the plight of the ordinary Tibetans.
Can this get published in any Indian newspapers?
No way! Indian media are just playthings of the government.
This is a fair and clear analysis in my opinion. Really appreciate it. We in Woodstock, NY, Karmapa’s North American seat, rejoice to see any step towards freedom for one of the world’s Great hopes and a true leader. How can a leader, protector and liberator fully serve the world— he has always found a way; even while a virtual prisoner, this great heart and mind finds a way. And yet it seems that USA is one of his true homes and it must be heartbreaking to be estranged from Tibet and his family here and now India! He is a human as well as a lineage holder, and as a mom of a child his same age, my heart does ache over the injustice.
Written very well and courageously. I got the same opinion. India’s government should really remember brotherhood. And put all these allegations on file — please bear in mind that you’re on a world stage. We all watch and are witnesses of this time! And you carry a great legacy that you do not own, but under your care! Thanks and Hope the Best for India-Tibetan People cohabitation!
??????
I feel sorry for HH Karmapa. He came to India at 14. But he really didn’t get to do much in the span of almost two decades. On a human level, one cay say Karmapa might even be slightly depressed! and yes, with how much hope and positivity did he say goodbye to his parents and comfort zone in Tibet!
I love you The Karmapa. All of Himalayan people of India such as Ladakhee, Sikkimese, Arunachalie and Lahul Spiti of Himachal [love you] because we are same religion, culture and language as well. Our government of India could be more careful about this issue.
Long live The Dalai Lama!
Jay Barat
Jay Hindh
Tashi Delek
The Central Tibet Administration also has to take responsibility for the Karmapa’s ‘suffocation’. It seems he did apply for a US passport while in the US but they withdrew the compulsory letter of support from Dharamsala after it had been given by their representative in New York.
There is much more to this story but this comment should suffice to alert the CTA that their actions are also anti-dharma and unworthy of their position.
Wrong information. To quote Donald Trump, “fake news”.
CTA didn’t do anything for His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa when his office was raided in Dharamshala, and thereafter in assisting anything possible for his assistance officially. And now knowing CTA representative office in USA withdrawal of support letter for Karmapa in process of getting asylum or citizenship in the USA is utterly disgusting and unexpected. Something serious politics is brewing within. We shall unearth every possible act of [dis]loyalty and betrayal. What a shame, if such a statement is true!
What? Is that true? Please elaborate, we all want to know what exactly happened? Kindly throw some light.
india should throw out all tibetans. they dont pay taxes and want all facilities. we are making an enemy out of chna becausee of these tibetan ‘monks’ who are regularly seen in 5 star hotels and expensive shops.
throw them out and china will withdraw from kashmir and arunachal. these ungrateful tibetans arent worth the trouble.
Arun, but India won’t do that. Because Indian govt is not a fool like you. Indian Govt understand the diplomacy significant of Tibetan presence in India. Indian govt understand the soft power, out of Tibetan presence, that India enjoys on many international platforms, especially UN. India understand the cultural exchange benefits that India draws from the presence of Tibetans in India.
You sounds a well frog suffering from some psychopathic disorder. You need to educate some more, especially politically.
Check SFF Special Frontier Force, Tibetan soldiers who are still serving in Indian army and guarding those tough info Chinese borders. Have you ever been to minus 50 degree glacier on frontline? If No than ask any Tibetan Army who are still guarding Indian border in these chilling minus temperatures and keeping you safe and warm in Delhi.
Wake up and learn that China is a greedy Dog and will stay greedy at any cost. It’s not Tibet but China ?? is against India. It’s their strategy to demolished their neighbouring countries just to keep their power in place.
Sri Lanka ?? Pakistan ?? Nepal ?? are all under the grief of bloody China because of their dirty politics and not because of TIBET.
Wake up and ask for more general knowledge.. Jai Bharat
What??? Do you think just by harming Tibetans Greedy China will give you AKSAI CHIN and Arumachal …. ha ha ha
For your kind knowledge thousands of Tibetan men and women are employed in Indian army in the name of SFF (special frontier force) and are still serving for mother INDIA ??. Have you ever been to minus degree Glacier border post? Our Tibetan brothers and sisters are still guarding Indian boarder in northern parts of India LOC.
The Tibetan Army has served in 1971 India-Bangla war where India got the victory and Our lay Tibetan people pay TAXES and does small scale business in India.
We have found a second homeland called INDIA ?? and you type of ignorance are posoining the good relationship and brotherhood among us.
God give you some peace and general knowledge
Jai Hind
I paid taxes for the years I was working there, now left India and paying taxes in America. Do not get the wrong ideas please.
Actually, we Tibetans pay taxes to the Indian government.
You don’t need to kick Tibetans out of India, Tibetans are already leaving India in masses. As per recent report only about 60,000 to 70,000 Tibetans remain in India. These numbers would further plunge considering that many more will leave India, coupled with low fertility amongst Tibetan women. The problem with China is historical and political, not social. Even if Tibetans cease to exist in India the relationship between Tibetans with China will still remain complicated.
u r an idiot if you think that chinese hate us merely for our support for Tibetans, a bigger moron if you think that chineese would return Aksai Chin if we ask Tibetans to leave. We could never ask Tibetans to leave, never trust China. look what they have done to all their ‘friends’ Sri Lanka (debt trap diplomacy), Pakis would soon feel the heat as well. most probably u r a chinese writing under an asumed Indian name.
Who gave the “Chinese agent” tag to the Karmapa? Is there any role by the Sikkim government?
There is a Trust in the core of Karmapa imbroglio. It is duly registered under Indian Law by HH the 16th Karmapa in the sixties soon after establishing himself in Sikkim. The matter was complicated by emergence of two rival pretenders under a very contentious situation to the holy throne.
To us who are neutral to the issue one looked obviously China-sponsored and the other India-sponsored. In between the Trust is squeezed. The warring parties avoid taking the name of the Trust which represented the will of the 16th one.
Fantastic piece by Lobsang Wangyal! It clears the haze on many of the issues that surround the circumstances in which Karmapa left India. It is perhaps the first detailed response from the Tibetan exile community. I have been writing in Hardnews Magazine (www.hardnewsmedia.com) about how shoddily Karmapa has been treated by the Indian authorities.
Very well written.
Thank you so much for this fairly-judged and well-presented article, Lobsang. I hope your message reaches out to the whole world. People need to understand the suffering of Tibetans around the world. The Karmapa is a highly-respected master and has so many followers — the Indian government must act sensibly towards this case and leave such absurd political conflicts aside. This is a humanitarian case and must be handled with civilization.
Thank you for this well-written and balanced view. I wish more Indians are aware of the situation of Tibetans living in India, and sincerely hope good sense prevails among the government and bureaucrats to bring Karmapa back. It will only enrich this lovely diverse country.
Lobsang Wangyal deserves to be appreciated for presenting the other perspective in the light of thoughtless handling of Karma Pa issue by some petty (minded) MEA officials. I wish MEA Mrs Sushma Swaraj would handle this issue directly before it is too late. India has already paid very heavily for insensitive and poor performance of its MEA and intelligence network in sensitive neighbouring countries like China, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangla Desh, Maldives. Karma Pa’s institution is too important and sensitive in matters related to China and Bhutan in addition to India’s own Himalayan belt.
Vijay Kranti
Thank You Lobsang Wangyal. You have articulated it very well. The Indian govt. can derecognize HH Karmapa all they want its not going to have any bearing on HH Karmapa’s prestige and standing within the Tibetan community and around the world. The ebb and flow of politics will go on with fake news and noises but we can rest assured that Truth will prevail. The so called “source” of fake news – there may be many. My grandfather always used to say if you become a great person there will be many who will love you for your greatness but equally there will be many who want to take you down. Also, we now live in a turbulent time of great upheavals and confusion. Right will be wrong and wrong will be right. It is going to be one hell of a ride for many not grounded but also one of great possibilities.
Lobsang, you have hit the nail on the head. What you have said makes absolute sense. India have no idea what it is doing as far as the Tibetan situation is concerned. They cannot use Tibet in their geopolitical games without being held responsible for their policies on the Tibetan people.
Brilliant exposition of Indian hamhandedness in dealing with the Karmapa. This is what happens when intelligence officials are left to deal with matters of sensitive diplomacy. And the author is bang on about Indian media being used almost as a stenographer of the establishment. Superb. Well done!
My compliments to Lobsang Wangyal for forthrightly stating what’s needed to be said. Let’s hope this unnamed source who made thoughtless comments and others who have a say in matters concerning the Karmapa and Tibetans by and large read this article carefully and heed the advice offered rather than let petty egos come in the way of wise decisions.
Amitabh Mathur