Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, March 15: The Chief State Oracle of Tibet, Nechung has issued a prophetic message to the President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Penpa Tsering, advising patience regarding the aid and funding from external parties. Delivered on the 10th day of the first Tibetan lunar month (Tse-chu), the prophecy emphasized that clarity will gradually emerge if patience is maintained.
In an official announcement released by the CTA, the oracle’s message stated, “The political leader of the Land of Snow should keep the nectar of teachings from my master, the venerable Tongwa Donden, in their heart and, without losing patience in any undertaking, strive toward the fundamental cause. Regarding external funding for the Central Tibetan Administration, be patient for a while, and gradually clarity will emerge. Have no doubts.”
To support this process, the oracle prescribed several ritual practices, including the offering of three golden ritual items, the recitation of the Vajra Claw Sutra, fulfilment offerings to the Goddess of Desire Realm, a thousand recitations of confession, the Golden Light Drum Sound, the consecration of white statues at stupas in the four cardinal directions, and supplication prayers to Urgyen of the Four Elements Goddess. The prophecy further urged efforts to dispel darkness in all directions, with an assurance of divine support.
This prophecy follows the announcement of a major funding cut by the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump, which has suspended all USAID funding to Tibetan refugees and the CTA. However, the U.S. State Department has retained a $2 million allocation for population, refugee, and migration-related programs (PRM).
CTA President Penpa Tsering publicly disclosed the aid termination at a gathering in Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement on the second day of Losar (Tibetan New Year), stating that the U.S. government had formally notified the CTA of the decision on March 27. The U.S. administration has justified the move by emphasizing that its foreign aid policies must align with American interests.
In response, President Tsering reaffirmed that U.S. support for Tibet aligns with its strategic interests. During a recent Tibetan New Year celebration at the U.S. State Department, an official representative acknowledged that backing the Tibetan cause is in the United States’ national interest.
Diplomatic efforts to address the situation are ongoing. On February 27, President Tsering sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Acting USAID Director Peter Marocco. Senator Rubio responded on March 10, stating that there is “no change in the U.S. government’s stance on Tibet” and reaffirming “continued support for the Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom and justice.” Despite this, the status of U.S. aid to the CTA remains uncertain at the moment.
