Times Now, disturbing indeed

A child in Gangtok walks with candles in support of the Karmapa

RESPONDING TO A PANEL DISCUSSION AIRED ON TIMES NOW

TASHI WANGYAL, a Gangtok resident, reviews a panel discussion broadcast by Times Now [a national TV news channel] on Monday evening, cuts through the poorly informed speculation of supposed experts on the Karmapa issue and shares his disconcertion over how casually superficial journalism is casting aspersions suggesting that the country’s Buddhists residing along the border with Tibet could be co-opted to serve Chinese interests….

Last evening [31 January, 2011], Times Now, a TV news channel, aired a panel discussion in its 9:30 p.m. slot on the subject of Chinese designs on India. The pael comprised of 2 Defence experts, 2 Tibetans, one Chinese gentleman from Hong Kong and a European. The discussion was conducted by Arnab Goswami.

From the discussions what could be understood is:

1) The experts feel that the Chinese were trying to create trouble in the North East and the border regions of India [with China] which were populated by Buddhists.

2) They [the ‘experts’] were trying to link the Karmapa issue with the happenings in the North East.

3) They were casting suspicions on the Karmapa being a spy because of the money found in the [Sidhbari] monastery.

4) They were implying that the Karmapa’s position as the Karmapa was disputed because of other claimants.

5) The Tibetans were denying that the Karmapa was a spy.

6) The money found in the monastery was from donations, they [the Tibetan panelists] insisted.

7) That they were grateful to India for giving them refuge and agreed that the law of the land was to be followed.

8) The Chinese denied any ill intentions towards India.

9) The European was not too involved in the discussion.

Now I, as an Indian Buddhist, watching this telecast felt that all Buddhists of India were being viewed suspiciously, especially us who live in the border regions of Ladakh, Himachal, Sikkim, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh.

This is a total lack of understanding of us Buddhists by the rest of the country.

The experts should realize that it was the Chinese who destroyed monasteries, burned and destroyed our religious books and statues. In recent times, they have tortured and killed nuns and monks and are trying to wipe out Buddhism and the Tibetan culture, language and traditions. Which Buddhist, Tibetan, Indian or others, in their right mind, would collaborate with the Chinese and participate in the destruction of their own religion and culture?

Further, I would like the experts to note that the regions of India which have sizeable Buddhist populations, are the only places in the country which are still peaceful. Where in these regions have there ever been any anti-India activities, as the experts suggest. To cast suspicions on us Buddhists is a great harm being subjected to us and to India.

To suggest that the Karmapa’s position is disputed is also wrong.

All the religious leaders except one and 99.9% of the Buddhists have accepted this. Some national papers have reported the supposed intentions of the Government to place another candidate as the Karmapa. The experts also by their implication in this matter were towing this line. If this does happen, then Buddhists of India would feel alienated and let down by their Government as this would be no better that what the Chinese did with the Panchen Lama.

No amount of state help to the other candidates will help change the beliefs of the people; it is a question of faith and faith cannot be bought, coerced or tricked.

We Buddhists know how offerings are made to Lamas, so for us it is not surprising that money was found in the Monastery. As in Hinduism, Islam or Christianity, the followers of Buddhism are from different communities and origins. There are Indian, Tibetan, American, British, Chinese, Malaysians, Taiwanese etc. Buddhists and they all make offerings, some in their respective currencies, so it is not surprising that money was found. The investigations, if conducted fairly, will prove there is nothing to this.

After listening to the discussion, I find that the experts have based their opinion on a report prepared by KS Rao, the former Chief Secretary of Sikkim. His report is flawed and factually incorrect, one-sided and could have been influenced by certain parties with vested interests. It is to be noted here that the report, which was supposed to be a top secret document, was reproduced in its entirety by Eric D Curren in his book, “Buddha not Smiling”. One can draw his/her own conclusions.

The comments of the Chinese gentleman [in the Times Now panel discussion] were designed to make us more confused.

One question that Arnab put enquired why the Karmapa went to Hong Kong to meet Chinese officials in 2009. The only time, since the Karmapa came to India in 2000, that he was allowed to travel out was when he went to USA, that too under tight control and supervision of the Indian and Tibetan Governments. I don’t think he has ever been outside India other than this one time. Yes, one of the other candidates and his mentor have been travelling freely throughout the world and even to Hong Kong and we understand, collecting funds without any restrictions or supervision. Arnab should verify this.

However, as the Tibetan gentleman said in the discussion, there is no doubt that the Chinese have evil designs on India and we have to be wary of them. They have supported anti-Indian groups in the past and will do so in the future as well, but as far as the question of suspicion on the Karmapa is concerned, we are barking up the wrong tree. In fact, by doing this, we are playing into the hands of the Chinese. I can picture them having a good laugh at us.

Further, I agree with the Tibetan who said that India should help the Tibetans in throwing out the Chinese from Tibet. The first step would be to declare Tibet independent and then to issue stapled visas to people like the Uighurs, Chinese Mongolians and Tibetans.

My appeal to my fellow countrymen, Media and Government is to have confidence and faith in us Buddhists. We are also part of the Indian society and know what happens in China to our fellow Buddhists. We are not blind and foolish.

Jai Hind.

Tashi Wangyal,

Below West Point School, Upper Tathangchen, Gangtok