Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Aug: 1: Telo Tulku Rinpoche, the former head of Buddhists of the Republic of Kalmykia and the Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Russia, Mongolia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS countries), has issued a stark warning about China’s expanding religious interference, saying that Mongolia has become a “testing ground” for Beijing’s campaign to control the sacred Buddhist institution of reincarnation.
In an interview with Global Order, Rinpoche revealed that the Chinese government’s influence has obstructed Mongolia’s ability to move forward with the traditional recognition and enthronement of the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dampa, also known as the 10th Bogd, Mongolia’s most revered spiritual figure.
The boy, born in the United States to Mongolian parents and holding dual U.S.-Mongolian citizenship, was formally recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a teaching to a gathering of 5,000 Buddhists and 600 Mongolians in Dharamshala, India on March 8, 2023. Since then, however, Mongolia has made no official acknowledgement, nor has it organised an enthronement and actions typically required to raise a reincarnated lama.
“Mongolia is pretty much under control of China politically, economically, and now we can say spiritually as well,” Rinpoche stated. “They have a very strong influence to silence the Mongolian authorities, which they have succeeded in.”
He explained that the young reincarnate lama’s case is closely watched internationally, not only by Mongolia and Tibetans, but also by India and the United States. “Because he was born in America, you know, he’s an American citizen,” Rinpoche noted. “Because he’s Mongolian and also being identified as the reincarnation of the 10th… everybody’s interested.”
The situation is of such geopolitical weight, Rinpoche said, adding that it should be seen in the wider context of the looming succession of the next Dalai Lama. “This is what I call a testing ground for the 15th Dalai Lama,” he said.
Despite intentions to educate the 10th Bogd in India, Rinpoche stated that “it seems that is likely not to happen in the near future because of China’s pressure.” He further stated that the child has already visited India “on several occasions under much secrecy,” but added, “If the boy goes to India to obtain his spiritual education, Mongolia will be sanctioned… That’s a national security threat.”
Rinpoche described the situation bluntly: “Where’s freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of movement, and freedom of travelling? All of those are taken away. And they come in the name of national security.”
Beijing’s retaliation against Mongolia dates back to the Dalai Lama’s 2016 visit, when the Tibetan spiritual leader hinted that the new Jetsun Dampa had been born in Mongolia. China responded with economic sanctions and froze trade channels, warning Mongolia not to engage further with the Tibetan spiritual leader. Mongolia backed down and has since avoided any open contact.
Despite constitutional guarantees of separation between religion and state in Mongolia, Rinpoche said that principle is not being upheld. “This is a spiritual matter by constitution… It says church and state are separate, and they should be separated… It should not only be separated, but it should be recognised. Not only recognised, it should be practiced.”
The case of the 10th Jetsun Dampa, Rinpoche warned, is not an isolated story, it’s a sign of what’s coming. “We already assume and predict that there are going to be two Dalai Lamas,” he said. “Luckily for Mongolia, we only have one. But still, how are we going to counterattack the Chinese propaganda, their claim of reincarnation?”
“Many matters like this—even the Tibetans don’t even know that’s happening,” he said. “You want to protect the 15th Dalai Lama? Then learn and see what’s happening now.”
One Response
The Chinese communists will do their utmost to arbitrarily impose their illegal and shameless acts that has actually no place in a anti-religious ideology. However, they have no conviction in their ideology. They killed thousands in the name of anti-capitalism campaigns. The Panchen Lama was branded as a “capitalist roader” and imprisoned for years! Yet, today it’s the worst capitalist in the world! Communism doesn’t allow to own private property. Again they killed millions accusing rich people from all walks of life as being the “leeches which sucked the people’s blood” The monk and nun community and land lords bore the brunt of the ire of communist thuggery! Millions were slaughtered for supposedly exploiting the masses! Today, the Chinese communist leaders are the richest in the world by accepting bribes in the millions including beautiful women for their hedonic fornicating pleasures! The so called Chinese communist official of the Shaolin Temple (Shaolin CEO Shi Yongxin) had 51 mistresses and 174 fathered children! This is just the tip of the iceberg. If a supposed “monk” could have so many mistresses, imagine the lecherous communist leaders how many they would have! This includes both male and female! The CCP is a totally corrupt system dogged by scandals. For such an immoral cesspool of scum, it has no moral authority nor legitimacy to interfere in divine acts of reincarnation and even if they do, there will be few takers if any. Most countries are believers in their own religion, be it Christianity, Hindu, Islam, Buddhism etc. So, they know fully well that the Chinese communists treat religion as a poison and destroy holy sites and holy religious figures without batting an eyelid! Their callous disregard for the sentiment of their population appals many countries. When such an anti-religious entity comes up with religious designations and pretence, they may not openly accuse the CCP of hypocrisy but they will be laughing their heads off at the back of the infidel Chinese tyrants! In the long run, they will not succeed. Faith is not something that can be forced down the throat of the faithful by force! It is much more than the “power flows from the barrel of a gun”, which is the motto of the CCP! Guru Tegh Bahadur was given the choice by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb- either he convert to Islam or face beheading! The Guru chose to be beheaded! This is the power of religion! TIBETANS WOULD CHOOSE TO DIE THAN BE A PARTY TO THE CCP’S GRAND DESIGN TO DECEIVE THE FAITHFUL BY TRUMPETING FAKE LAMAS!