Woekar Chen
BYLAKUPPE, India, 24 September 2020
Penpa Tsering, born to an ordinary Tibetan family and schooled at CST Bylakuppe settlement, was recognized as a distinguished student in his class. He was also a self-disciplined child who used to take up responsibilities for farming and other domestic chores during morning and evening, along with his regular schooling during the day.
For three years since 9th grade, he served responsibly as school captain. In addition, he also took and assisted the responsibilities pertaining to class administrative outstandingly. The then principal of the school, Madan Tharlam, commended him, saying she has never seen as able and competent a captain in her more than 37-year career, which establishes that Penpa Tsering was an intelligent person with high leadership skills since childhood.
The best all-India Tibetan student award was given to Penpa Tsering when he was in class XII. And accordingly, he won the scholarship for college from the Department of Education (DoE) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). He studied economics honours for his college degree. The current practicing account system of the CTA was initially formulated by Penpa Tsering.
Along with his regular studies at Madras university, he helped local Tibetan sweater traders to do their business better. He successfully managed to cover the financial shortage of his education by working at a restaurant from 7 to 11 in the evenings after class. Those days a Tibetan attending class during day and working at night time was quite rare. By doing such a self-reliant approach, PT instilled new hope in his parents. Seeing that, with great expectation, his father said, “In future, after the completion of your studies, you should go and serve in the CTA under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and lead the new Tibetan generation.”
For a few years after completion of his studies, he did business to support his family. Then came 1994 when he turned towards the ranges of Dharamshala where His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides, keeping in mind the words of his father. Penpa Tsering was at that time just an ordinary son of an ordinary family. He had no influential backing from any politically and socially authoritative officials. Nor did he hold any authoritative family titles with high social status that could have any special impacts. Starting to serve politically with such an ordinary background in the prevailing political environment of the time is understandably challenging.
Then coincidentally, at an annual audit meeting of the Domey General Committee, he solved an account-related problem the committee was facing, which impressed everyone around. He was instantly appointed Secretary of Domey General Committee, which he served for two years. After that, as hoped by the Domey public, he was elected to the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th terms of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, scoring even the highest votes on some terms.
In 2008, the assembly elected him as Speaker, and he outstandingly accomplished the responsibility. Even then Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche recommended him for Kalon nominee. In the 2016 general election, people from all three provinces supported him with high voting numbers, although he lost to the incumbent Lobsang Sangay.
In 2016, as recommended by His Holiness, President Dr Lobsang Sangay appointed Penpa Tsering the North America Chief Representative. At an occasion during an auspicious function in America, His Holiness in front of some high ranking officials said: “he [indicating Penpa Tsering with a tapping on his shoulder] is a man with good modern education and any support to him would be highly appreciated.” Such a remark from His Holiness is indeed a priceless and historic acknowledgement.
During PT’s short tenure as Chief Representative of North America, he managed to host the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday on Capitol Hill, with more than 300 high-ranking politicians and officials present. Not only that, his initiation led to a team of eight from both Democrat and Republican parties, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visiting His Holiness in Dharamshala, demonstrating the unwavering support of the American public and the government to Tibet. Such are indeed unprecedented accomplishments.
Another significant accomplishment is that within a short period of one year and two months, he managed to lead the Tibetan public of North America (from all three provinces) on the path of unity. For instance, two collaborative general meetings among the various Tibetan Associations scattered across North America were held to promote unity and integrity among Tibetans. Also, he effectively coordinated with many non-sectarian Tibetan Buddhist dharma centres to promote religious and cultural values of Tibetan Buddhism through collective efforts.
Two general meetings to review the syllabus of Tibetan language class, a weekend programme in North America, were held for refining the contents to suit the students’ needs better and more effectively. An All-Associations-Collaborative nationwide programme to raise and promote the Tibet issue was formulated in the December of same year, but due to his unexpected early termination he was not able to execute the same. While leaving the office, he appealed to the public to carry forward and execute the programme as planned, from which we all can understand what kind of responsible and public-spirited man he is; and how much Tibetan society has lost due to his early termination, and how much benefit society can gain from his service if we choose to elect him to power this time.
So these are some accounts of his contributions and accomplishment in the past, for which he has received considerable acknowledgement, recognition, expectation, and respect, from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, Tibetan Parliament, and the general public, which give indisputable evidence of his ability to lead us in the future.
Let us have a look at some of his works in the areas of: (A) foreign policy and (B) administration.
(A) Foreign Policy:
- Within one year of serving as director of the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC), PT successfully revived, in 2001, the Indian Parliamentary Representative for Tibet Support Group.
- Experience: He participated in the 3rd and 4th general body meetings of the International Tibet Support Group, which strengthened lasting ties.
- Method: As house speaker of the 13th Assembly of Tibetan People Parliament, PT successfully revived and resumed the International Tibet Support Group General Meetings, which hadn’t been held for eight years.
(B) Administration:
- Formulation of Rules and Regulations: After being elected in 1997, with highest vote score, to the 12th Assembly Commission of the Tibetan Parliament, he raised for the first time in parliament session the requirement to revise and reformulate the basic foundation of CTA accounting practice with convincing reasons. However, though this was impressive and appreciated, no concrete result was achieved at that time.
- With the election of Prof Samdhong Rinpoche to Kalon Tripa at 13th Assembly Commission, the Prof Samdhong Rinpoche who was chairing the committee endorsed a model prepared and presented by Penpa Tsering and conferred legal recognition for execution.
- Awareness on Democracy: Visited different settlement locations for years, ever since the adoption of constitution in 1991, to conduct around 36 workshops to promote awareness of democracy among the public, achieving considerable success in local administration system and democratic progress overall.
- Relation between New Generation and CTA: Organized annual tour to Dharamshala for students of 11th grade from 17 schools and other college-going students, conducting workshops wherein all the ministerial departments of CTA were introduced one by one, which helped ignite awareness, aspiration, and development of public spirit to serve CTA.
- Locations Visit by Parliamentary Representatives: With the election to House Speaker, in 2003 passed resolution of house representative visit (to India, Nepal, Bhutan), a long-pending programme was effectively implemented, with 17 settlements (in India, Nepal and Bhutan) receiving representatives visit which enabled the locals to address their problems and challenges. That helped in building people’s confidence in the system.
Four great strategies and other policies he professed in his manifestos of 2016 Sikyong candidate cover in great detail administration, economy, culture and education and Tibet-Sino dialogue. His basic principle is to never give up however challenging the circumstances.
All the above are based on Penpa Tsering’s speeches of past and recent times, after careful and thorough research. In case there is any factual error or inaccuracy, kindly pardon me for the same and I invite your kind correction wherever required. Thank you!
Translated from Tibetan to English by Kunchok Gyatso, LLM, Sr Legal Associate, Exigent Group Limited, Bangalore, India.
About the author
The author is a monk studying Buddhist philosophy in Hardong Khangtsen of Sera Je Monastary (University), Bylakuppe, Karnataka, South India.
@dhundup, Paris. It is my understanding that PT has quit alcohol since about three years back. He is now ready to carry the baton in the spirit of ikigai in reaching the promised land. Yes, together we all shall endeavor. It doesn’t matter from which region the yak (dri) comes from, so long as it gives milk.
Ajo Che (aka Ajo Rangwang)
All Tibetans will never regret rather would be happy to appoint PT as Sikyong. I guarantee.
No Tibetans will regret upon appointing him, I guarantee.
OK but the above phrases are common in Chinese literature and propaganda.
As a Tibetan Buddhist: what karmic power do you have to promise or guarantee the future?
We know the Chinese chose not to translate the logic or rational thinking aspect of Kagyur and Tengyur.
Do we see the reason why Chinese would make promises not guaranteed by reason?
Instead of policies and principles we have slander against opponents and “I guarantee” my choice is the best.
Service in CTA is a gentle way of saying he got job there to raise his family. Outside CTA, what credentials does Penpa Tsering have to compete in the Indian job market?
There are teachers in CST schools like in Paonta where teachers of class 10 holds PhD degrees. There are engineers and doctors applying for office peon jobs or street cleaner jobs. India is too educated and there are too many people.
PT should consider himself lucky he got a job in Tibetan govt. these days youngsters much more qualified than PT can’t get a job in CTA.
I heard Penpa Tsering is seeking asylum in Toronto and receiving a destitute stipend of $2,0000 cad monthly whirl awaiting decision. Tell me, what job will pt get in Canada in Canadian job market? There are Indian doctors and engineers driving taxis in New York and Toronto.
PT’s employment can only be deemed service if he took a bare mo I’m in salary to survive or volunteered or had given up a more financially secure precious job as lobsang sangay did. Otherwise it is a job. And finding job is hard. Unemployment in Tibetan community is as high as 40%.
Oh wow! I am enriched with learning a distinguished and the most exemplified life characters whose struggle & tremendous achievements is one of a kind. PT is ideal for many positive aspects entailing honest, down-to-earth yet highly sophisticated with modern ideology cum deep-rooted knowledge on Tibet’s political history and CTA protocols. The clearest vision & constructive strategy with his Sikyong campaign manifesto. To be very honest, he has fought to the nose while naming individuals who defame HH the Dalai Lama that no leader has ever done so far. Why not PT for Sikyong 2021? All Tibetans will never regret rather would be happy to appoint PT as Sikyong. I guarantee.
Here we go again. The debate about Penpa Tsering la. Alleged or rumored, whatever the case may be, Sikyong 2021 should elect new faces. No doubt PT has many accomplishments, and he would make a fine diplomat but electing him Sikyong would drag the nascent Tibetan Democracy through another five years of controversies, name-calling and innuendos etc, etc. Do we have that kind of time to waste? Our people in Tibet are facing horrendous difficulties and we in exile can’t keep our priorities straight.
The article tells about how PT has emerged, received education, bestowed profound experience as a great leader & the achievements, as a kind. It shouldn’t be stopped on it, but needs to portrays his sincerest & purest dedication to sacrifice his entire life towards serving for Tibet’s cause and diligently & tirelessly working hard to fulfill vision’s of HH the Dalia Lama. It is our fortune and the last chance before us to have choice to appoint leader like PT. The most honest, purest-dedicated, deep rooted historic knowledge of Tibet cum modern sophisticated as well as pragmatic and intelligent. No Tibetans will regret upon appointing him, I guarantee.
Wow, what a list of accomplishment. If I were Penpa Tsering I would be too embarrassed by the list. Penpa has no accomplishment beyond working at CTA to feed his stomach. You can see without CTA he can not even find a job to feed himself. The real question is after CTA what can we do, nothing! Where are his wife and child? Do you want a drunk, moody and temperamental person like Penpa Tsering as a Sikong? The answer is definitely NO. We Tibetans deserve better.
If PT’s list of accomplished service for more than 30 years is nothing, then what do we say about Kaydor? Kaydor only real service is the 9 years under LS. Before that he had no real service to show from any foreign office in the US. During his time in the US, he worked as a junior staff in International Campaign for Tibet and few years as President of Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC).
People gave LS a chance before as he was a fresh candidate. But people know who Kaydor is and it will be difficult to convince the voters except from LS’ vote bank.
Dear Tenzin Dorjee la, it is very shameful to write that all CTA staff are there to feed their stomach. I have great respect who work for CTA. They are true public servants. Tenzin, you are one who went to Canada to feed your stomach.
If you really believe that people who are working at CTA feed their stomach, you are the most dumbest person ever. If Penpa Tsering think about his stomach, why he is here in India unlike you and other countless. Think before vomit. Of course he deserves to be our leader. No doubt and no question. So calm down and prepare to vote for him. Hahah
But many consider Kungo Penpa Tsering la quite flawed in some ways. They say he’s an alcoholic and allegedly hit a Whisky bottle on Amdo chitu Gyari Thar. That time, a junior chef assistant intervened, and stopped the fight.
Then there is another rumour that Penpa Tsering la was accused by many of being involved in a mysterious death of Kata Tulku in Majnukatilla, Delhi.
The above article of PT is correct. Everyone should offer a chance to PT for Skiyong and that will motivate all the younger generation who born, grow and study in India that one day they can become the highest offial of CTA. PT will bring Unity to our nation.
thanks
Penned down the history of Penpa Tsering la very precisely and intelligently. Thank you Woekar Chen la and Tibetsun for this wonderful job ???? Feel proud and blessed being a supporter of him . He is just unmatchable and way better than any other candidates!