Why are these Tibetans successful without the CTA?
Sporting braided locks and a clean-shaven face, boyish Tibetan Zhaxipingcuo has just made it into the final of Sing! China, a ratings runaway success in China with billions of online views.
The Tibetan Jampa Rigzin (Justin Qiangbarenzeng) was signed by the Boston Red Sox baseball team after graduating from China’s Major League Baseball development center
On the other side of the world, lanky 16-year-old, six-foot, 185-pound catcher Justin Qiangbarenzeng (Jampa Ringzin) becomes the first Tibetan to sign with a major league team in the USA, July this year. He is a product of China’s Major League Baseball development centre.
What do these two have in common? The short answer – opportunity and choice.
The United Nations Development Programme (“UNDP”) defines human development beautifully – it is about expanding the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live. It is an approach focused on people and their opportunities and choices.
It was not long ago that Tibetans like Zhaxipingcuo and Justin Qiangbarenzeng would neither have the opportunity nor choice to fulfil their dreams as they have today. Tibet was a desolated, isolated and poor but an “independent” state where life expectancy was 36 years and the literacy rate was 5%. The vast majority of the population, around 95%, were born into hereditary indentured labour with little to no hope of upward social mobility. Lamas and noblemen enriched themselves on the backs of poor peasants and needless to say, corruption and crime were endemic. It was a place where bandits roamed the countryside and where very basic items such as salt, tea, barley, cloth and yak butter were used as a means of exchange. Up until even the 1960s most Tibetans did not have matches, gunpowder or wheels.
Today, life is very different, “a giant leap for mankind” to borrow the words of astronaut Neil Armstrong. Tibetans have much more freedom to develop their abilities and opportunity to use them to their fullest. For example, Jampa Ringzin who certainly has the talent for sports, has had the opportunity to develop his baseball skills and as importantly, has been able to access the job he has now been recruited into, at a world class level. Under the old structure in Tibet, he would not have these similar opportunities or choice. This is really human development.
Duobujie, a Tibetan athlete who is aiming for olympic gold medal.
As these videos below demonstrate, he and many others are very important examples of people who encompass what the New Tibet is today – a place full of potential to live a long, healthy and creative life, to be knowledgeable, and to have access to resources needed for a decent standard of living. And there is better news. Once these ABCs of human development are there, they open up opportunities for progress in other aspects of life.
We all know that no one can guarantee human happiness, and the choices people make are pretty much their own concern. But the process of human development, at its most basic, should create an environment for people, individually and collectively, to develop to their full potential and to have a reasonable chance of leading productive and creative lives that they value. This, the New Tibet provides. A new Tibet for Tibetans without the failing Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan refugee governing body) in Dharamsala, North India.
Dowa Tsekyi, a Tibetan singer and actress who has found success throughout China
A critical mass
One may argue that Tibetans who have migrated to (mostly) Western countries would have similar or even better opportunities than Zhaxipingcuo or Jampa Rigzin. But herein lies a win-win for Tibetans in China today – in addition to all the opportunities and choices, with a critical mass of 6.3 million or so peoples, they are the ones who have the ability to preserve, develop and perpetuate their language, culture, spirituality and identity. There is no other place on earth to do this.
We see Tibetans in Western countries lose their identities very quickly due to a lack of critical mass. Even in India, where most of the Tibetans who fled the Chinese ended up, there is maybe 100,000 ethnic Tibetans or so who are spread around various geographical locations. In other countries, such the United States and Switzerland, the numbers are even smaller and they get overwhelmed by the primary culture of that host country.
In such small numbers, Tibetans are bound to lose their identity, language and culture over time as they assimilate into their new environments. Over time, as they progress through the generations, races mix and cultures mix, but the cultural mentality of the new country they live in remains the strongest. Given this situation it is striking to note that Tibetans still living in Tibet are given the means to be successful in living their lives they want. They have access to the infrastructure to make themselves successful, in their own environment. Tibetans who remain refugees outside of Tibet however, primarily due to a lack of critical mass, and perhaps even poor leadership and lack of preparation, training or infrastructure do not seem to be doing as well.
Han Hong, also known as Yangchen Drolma, is a hugely popular singer in China who was born in Chamdo
Stigma
Within the Tibetan population outside of Tibet, especially in India, many people still class themselves as refugees. On the whole this attitude and stigma restricts them from being successful. Even though they have access to what is needed to achieve success in those countries, when they think as and remain as refugees, they isolate themselves from the opportunity to better their lives. After 60 years of being refugees they have accomplished nothing much, but their brothers and sisters who remained in Tibet are living the lives they want. Why remain in a situation in which you cannot be successful when there are greener pastures available? Moving on from a refugee mentality will most likely make you successful like those Tibetans who are in China are turning out to be.
Talent is talent, no matter where you are. But in order for talent to transform into success, the environment must be a conducive one. Unfortunately those who remain refugees or are forced to remain refuges will not be successful. Meanwhile, those who take up citizenship in other countries have the environment to foster success, but run the risk of losing their Tibetan identity when they assimilate into that foreign environment. Those who remain in Tibet however, are not refugees, and have an environment to make themselves successful, as seen in the videos below. You will not see Tibetans singing in their own language on national TV in countries such as the United States, but you will see them singing in Tibetan on national TV in China. It is there that they have a critical mass; Tibet is their homeland after all. But more than that, they have the environment for success free from the self-defeating stigma of being a refugee.
Conclusion
These videos are telling for they give a glimpse of the opportunities and choices Tibetans have today whilst maintaining their distinct cultural identity. It is not a bad place to be when compared with the recent past and an area in which we are bound to see them leap to success. Creating role models to inspire their people, Tibetans who are free from the stigma of being refugees will eventually outshine those who remain under the tyranny of a restricted way of living. The CTA, also known as the Central Tibetan Administration who are the governing body of the Tibetans in exile, do not allow their people the freedom to live their lives and be successful. Rather, their limited and outdated policies keeps the Tibetans downtrodden, and any opportunities that Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal may have are sabotaged by their own leadership. For their exiled Tibetans to remain as ‘refugees’ after 60 years helps the CTA to collect more aid money and refugee kickbacks in India itself. Shrewd, cunning and indeed sad at the expense of their own people. The lack of world-famous Tibetans in any secular field is a reflection of the poor education, minimal exposure and the extremely short-sighted policies of this governing body. It is impossible that in 60 years, out of 150,000 refugees in India and Nepal, no one from the refugee community rises up as an expert or renowned in any fields, unlike their brothers and sisters in Tibet. Tibetans it seems cannot be successful under their own government in exile which is the CTA, but can be successful elsewhere. So it is easy to conclude that the majority of Tibetans who are successful in the secular field is because they are not under the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamsala, North India.
Choong Liang Seow and Tsem Rinpoche
Videos
Dowa Tsekyi: Singer
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DowaTsekyiSinging.mp4
Dowa Tsekyi, a multi-talented singer who composes and performs her own songs. She has written nearly a hundred songs and has participated in numerous singing competitions, and has even starred in several movies in mainland China. She is very successful in her singing career, having won many accolades. Dawa Tsekyi was awarded the first runner-up for the Star of Outlook Talent Competition in 2002. She has also produced an album titled Prayer Under the Moonlight.
Sonam Dhargye: Tibetan Boxer
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TibetanBoxer.mp4
Sonam Dhargye, a successful martial artist, is just 21 years old this year. He has been actively participating in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) scene in China since 2016. Out of five fights, he has won four matches, a promising start for his fledgling career as a martial artist. He is considered by many as one of the upcoming fighters to watch. Many Tibetans are inspired by him and are proud to share the same race and background with him.
Benchung: Artist
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/BenchungArtist.mp4
Benchung is an artist based in Lhasa, Tibet. He received his formal education in China, Tibet, and Norway. His stylised works examine concepts of cultural networks, focusing on how people from varying places come into contact with one another. His success as an artist is evident in his solo art exhibitions, with his first in 2009. His unique and innovative style blends traditional Tibetan imagery into Western contemporary art techniques such as paintings, sculptures, video and art installations.
Han Hong: Singer
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/HanHongSinger.mp4
Han Hong, who is also known as Yangchen Drolma, is a singer and songwriter of mixed Han Chinese and Tibetan ethnicity. She was born in Chamdo and like her mother who is also a singer, she is known for her powerful vocal range (which is shown in the video above). Today, Han Hong is one of the most popular singers in China. Her talent is so widely recognised and her artist opinion respected, that she has produced a number of talent shows on which she has presided on the panel of judges.
Deluoye: Singer
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/NewTibetanSong2017(2).mp4
26-year old Deluoye is a Tibet-born singer who has performed all over China. He has competed and performed in several singing competitions including Xing Guang Da Dao, a talent show on the Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television ( CCTV). Deluoye’s talent extends to acting, and he has starred in a few blockbuster movies with several other famous movie stars. In 2013, he released an album of his own, titled Deng Dai (Waiting). The album comprises of 12 songs including 10 Tibetan songs and two Chinese songs; three of the songs was composed by Deluoye himself. On the day his album was released, he became the first Tibetan candidate to receive the title of ‘Love Ambassador’ for Aid to Tibet, a program that aims to empower Tibetans in their own homeland.
Wangdu: Antiques Dealer
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TibetanAntiqueShop.mp4
Former herdsman Wangdu is now a successful Tibetan antiques dealer based on the famous Barkhor Street in the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa. His commercial success is more than just about making money. It is his attempt to preserve and promote Tibetan culture to the world.
Tashi Phuntsok: Singer
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TashiPhuntsok.mp4
Tashi Phuntsok was born in 1986 in Shigatse, Tibet. He had been teaching mathematics until recently when he participated in a singing competition in China called Sing! China: Season 2. During the competition, he sung very beautiful renditions of Tibetan songs and subsequently made it through to the finals. The former mathematics teacher became a China-wide phenomenon when he won the place of first runner-up. It was a victory that made his fellow Tibetans proud as he is the first Tibetan to have won an award in this competition.
Below are some other videos of Tibetans who have found success internationally:
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/JampaChoedakSinging.mp4
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/NewTibetanSong2017(1).mp4
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PlateauMusicWorld1.mp4
A sassy and modern Tibetan singer with a great Tibetan guitarist.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PlateauMusicWorld2.mp4
A modern ad for make-up by a Tibetan woman
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TibetanMakeupTutorial.mp4
References:
- http://tibetdata.org/projects/population/
For more interesting information:
- Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel Speaks Up Against Nechung | 西藏流亡政府人民议会议员丹巴雅培发表反对乃琼护法的谈话
- Should there be a separate autonomous Dorje Shugden state? Part 1
- Should there be a separate autonomous Dorje Shugden state? Part 2
- To Sum It Up
- Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche
- Thank You For The Positivity
- My plea to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- Appeal to H.H. the Dalai Lama
- Jack Ma the Alibaba
- Training shouldn’t be optional
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Apparently we can see the Tibetan out form CTA controlled has more opportunity to excel compare to the Tibetan living under the CTA. Obvious reason for this is that Tibetan living away from CTA has better opportunity to improve themselves in the way they want and they have their freedom to live their life but in return they will slowly lose their identity, language and culture over time due to the influence of the environment. So the Tibetans need to choose their way of living. Whether they want to live under the CTA who is corrupted, taking advantage of their people and willing to scarifies their own people just for their self-benefit. We can obviously see the result of the 60 years how Tibetans live their live in India, China and other countries. I think those who living in India has the worse livelihood compare to the rest. Even the Chinese is investing in development of Tibet and giving much more opportunity for the Tibetan to improve their welfare and livelihood.
The Tibetan leadership should stop their selfish act and really do what they supposed to do at their position to really secure and protect the Tibetan interest and work hard and smart for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans to return to Tibet.
Oh My Buddha! I’ve read this article once. However, this time, the name Han Hong caught my attention to read this article again. Yes, Han Hong achieved a huge success in China (it’s really huge!) and almost everyone knows her name. I really didn’t know that she’s a Tibetan.
Despite Han Hong, there’s few more Tibetans who have made their name in their own right. Rather than indulging in self-pity or still having the mindset as being a “refugee”, they’ve made their own success. It’s a great shame on CTA actually, who still needing fund from others. Dorje Shugden practitioners are always being mocked as Chinese spies, maybe we should call those CTA members or those related as American spies or American dog?
It’s well-known that they continuously collect fund from this big power! Although, on the other hand, there’s not a single, concrete proof that DS practitioners received fund from China, what’s more the wish to harm others. The CTA should have realised this by now but it’s “EGO” that pulls them down. I’ve read what Martin has written about Mr.Lobsang Sangay and the multiple passports that he is holding. I strongly urge that it’s about time that he should come clean by now
It is really encouraging to read about Tibetans who made it in life and became successful. One thing in common about all of them is that they are not a subject under the leadership of Dalai Lama and CTA. It is not surprising because Dalai Lama and CTA rule with fear and oppression. For example, policies that discriminate against Dorje Shugden people; which include depriving them from public school, public medical aid, and positions in public office. With so many oppression and restriction to move ahead in life, it is no wonder that the Tibetans living under the leadership of Dalai Lama and CTA can hardly make it.
Tibetans should not always have the crutch that they are stateless, having a country or not is a label like any other labels. Lables can be overcome and transcended.
Many Tibetans outside the shadow of the Central Tibetan Administration(CTA) have made success without needing to rely on CTA. I can’t help but notice most of the successful Tibetan are within the borders of China. There is a lot less outstanding individuals from the Tibetans in India.
Mathematics cannot lie. Perhaps this is the sort of paradigm shift that Tibetans need to take to make their lives better. Perhaps even to consider to returning to China.
Its really a nice surprise to read about the success of these Tibetans as they completely defy what I thought of Tibetans especially those living in China itself. Such an image completely defy what the West have portrayed of a group of people that are more famous as refugees and victims of human rights abuses than success. I like how all these examples continue to defy preconceived notions and stereotypes.
However, this is a far cry and a huge disparity between the young Tibetans within CTA in India and that of China. In India, there is a general refugee mentality that shapes the next generation. Hence, you will find more young people protesting and selling sweaters than doing anything else. This goes to show that the CTA in India is doing next to nothing to nurture the next generation of Tibetans.
The disparity shows the policies and general mentality that both ‘governments’ have in shaping the next generation of TIbetans. Maintaining a refugee mentality does not really help the ordinary Tibetan but it does serve to maintain some sort of control over the population.
Thank you Rinpoche and Choong for this write up, highlighting the most current scenario of the lives of some of the Tibetans who are residing in China.
The soreness from the takeover by China over Tibet may still linger on in most Tibetan’s hearts, but the practicality or survivor instincts will make most Tibetans move on in the best possible way, given the actual conditions of things in Tibet. The older generation may have more vivid painful memories of the invasion; but for the younger generation mostly remains as a “story” they hear from the elderly. They would not truly know how bad it was, all they can relate to is growing up in Tibet when the ruler are the Chinese. For the young they just adapt naturally to that environment of Tibet being a part of China. This is actually a good course of action by the younger generation. They can just focus to excel in that given environment and not be held back by the past which cannot be changed.
As for the CTA they chose not to move on. They chose to “fight on”, but the battle is a losing one so far, given there’s no result worth mentioning that can benefit the Tibetans or their future. CTA will soon become “passe”.
This article has highlighted the positive outcome of the younger Tibetans who chose to excel in the given “tough” environment. This reminds me of the teaching from Rinpoche https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/its-an-instant-choice.html
Its an Instant Choice – do we want to hang on to the poor me situation or instead thrive and make the best of the situation. Great to see some younger Tibetans chose to excel and have done really well for themselves. Tibet and Tibetans should all be very proud of them !!
There are so many talented singers. , songwriter, antiques dealer, martial artist ,to name a few. Well clearly show that the Tibetan could be better off ,having opportunities and choices still maintaining their distinct cultural identity. Many Tibetans have found success internationally. They have not much before living as refugees which is a restricted way of living under CTA, with no freedom and limited movement to be successful in whatever they wanted. For the past 60 years under CTA , the Tibetan were not given much help and opportunities to explore and be successful. Those Tibetan who are successful were helped by the countries they choose and of their choice to learn. China was one that opened the doors to those Tibetans and has improved the lives of many.
Thank you Rinpoche and Choong Liang Seow for sharing these interesting article.
It just happened that day when Zhaxipingcuo was in the final of Sing! China, and he really captured the heart of many. On one hand, I am so happy to see China has helped Tibet in so many ways, and the people’s lives have improved tremendously. Another poor state in China, Gui Zhou, who has suffered poverty for many years, and China also did their best to help.
CTA has been in exile for almost 60 years in India. Under the leadership of CTA and after almost 60 years of taking and receiving from other countries, there hardly anyone who contribute to the world. No sports achievements, no contribution to science, etc. Even those Tibetans who make their names, are outside of CTA. My opinion is that CTA purposely make their people naive and ignorant so that they are easier to control for their personal benefits. And now CTA is not performing, and now they blame Dorje Shugden as a way to cover their own incompetence. But unfortunately, people are not stupid and with the internet and all, younger Tibetans in exile are more knowledgable and started to voice their own opinions.
I wish more Tibetans can make their name on the world stage, because Tibetans have really special culture to share with the world.
It is very sad for the Tibetan in exile that after 60 years they are still refugees and not able to have a good environment to develop in any sense. The question is why isn’t the governing body (Central Tibetan Administration) whom has been receiving helps from other countries been able to help the Tibetan in exile in getting good education and get them out of the vicious cycle ? Above article clearly shows that Tibetan living in other countries were given the opportunity to learn and freedom to develop ones talent. I hope the Tibetan in exile understand their position and stand up to fight for their rights and freedom.
It is heartwarming to see Tibetans in China are given a chance to excel in their field. This is a powerful eye opener of an article that should be shared especially with the Tibetans-in-exile, who are under CTA, but are still refugees. Up until now, CTA has been feeding the all kinds of false negative information about the oppression and suffering of the Tibetans in Tibet. Thank you Rinpoche and Choong for this positive and inspiring article.??
Thank you Rinpoche and Choong .This post(which moved me tremendously when I read it) is a powerful eye opener of an article that should be shared especially with the Tibetans-in-exile, who are under CTA, but are still refugees. Up until now, CTA has been feeding the all kinds of false negative information about the oppression and suffering of the Tibetans in Tibet.
Every successful Tibetan showcased here is most inspiring , because as they successfully pursue their dreams, they are still firmly rooted in their Tibetan cultural and language background. There are also Tibetans,like Wangdu the former herdsman, now a successful antiques dealer, whose dream is to set up a little Tibetan museum to preserve and promote Tibetan culture.!
Back in the old days when Tibet was under Tibetan rule following an archaic feudal system, there had been much oppression too of the masses who remained impoverished, with no access to education and upward social and economic mobility. There are remnants of this group, especially among the nomads,who still remain trapped in poverty because of lack of exposure and perhaps because of a stubborn clinging to ‘medieval’ ways and tradition.
As this article clearly shows, Tibetans living in Tibet(as well as those living elsewhere, outside CTA’s sphere of influence) are enjoying such freedom as to be able to realise their talents and potentials and their dreams. Furthermore, Tibetan culture, language and religion are still being preserved in Tibet better than it can ever be in a foreign country.Such a vast contrast to the dire situation among Tibetans in exile who are under the governance and control of CTA in India!
Tibetans who are still buying into the distorted stories fed you by CTA, who are only bent on self-aggrandisement and nothing else, please wake up to the reality and take ownership of your future!
Clearly, there is a vast difference between the Central Tibetan Administration’s [very successful] propaganda and reality. Until today, the most common narrative is that the Tibetans are victims of an oppressive China and the CTA has been trying to ‘free’ its people who are ‘suffering’ under a communist regime.
Regardless of whether Tibet was historically under Chinese sovereignty or otherwise, the simple fact is, Tibetans are clearly better off under China than the CTA. In fact, they are even better off on their own that relying on the CTA.
Broadly speaking, we can group Tibetans in general under (i) Tibetans living under China’s governance (in the Tibet Autonomous Region); Tibetans living in the refugee settlements and who are still within the CTA’s striking range; and Tibetans living abroad in countries such America, Canada, Switzerland and Europe. A picture quickly forms which is, the Tibetans under the CTA have the least opportunities, are the most locked into a communal culture closest to feudalistic Tibet, have the lowest standard of living and least potential of steering the course of their own lives.
For instance, a significant percentage of Tibetans in exile today qualify for Indian citizenship which is an immediate step-up from their hopeless refugee status and yet the uptake of Indian citizenship is hampered by the stigma perpetuated by the CTA – that to do so would make the said Tibetan a traitor. And all this time, those in power such as the Tibetan ‘prime minister’ Lobsang Sangay do not practice the same loyalty to the Tibetan cause as that which they impose on those who depend on them. Lobsang Sangay is well-known to hold multiple passports or equivalent travel papers. His family is reportedly doing well in Boston, many thousands of miles away from the streets of Dharamsala, India. And Lobsang Sangay is not alone and many Tibetan officials have citizenships and permanent residence in other countries.
It is not a stretch to grasp the reason why Tibetans who are living in China are better off than those under the CTA. China consists of many different ethnic groups and tribes. So in order for the government of China to keep things under control and harmonious, the people of China across the board must see and experience progress and advancements, which take expression as higher standards of living for China’s citizens, including the Tibetans. China has learned from the Mao years as well as Tiananmen. The Chinese government’s survival depends on all its citizens doing well.
In the meantime, the CTA’s own reason for existence necessitates the Tibetans under their governance to remain stateless and futureless refugees and so the CTA does everything it can to compel its own people to perpetuate their own affliction. It is therefore not a difficult to see what is truly the Tibetan people’s greatest stumbling block.
For the past 60 years, the Central Tibetan Administration aka CTA failed to create better living standard for their people. CTA do not grant freedom to their people. Tibetan under the governed of CTA who remains as refugees has poor education and minimal exposure to the world. The CTA do not show a sign that they are interested in supporting the welfare of their own people. If CTA does nurture their people and working towards a better future, they were no longer remain as refugees for decades.
Whereas for Tibetans who take up others citizenship in other countries, they have better environment to be successful. In the same time they are facing the risk of losing their Tibetan identity when they take in the cultures of that foreign environment.
The majority of Tibetan is still in their homeland Tibet, China. Although Tibetan people do not achieve independent from China, they have the environment and conditions to be successful and not affecting their cultures and identity. It is very clear cut that it will be good for the Tibetan refugee to return to their homeland Tibet in China.
It is heartwarming to see Tibetans in China are given a chance to excel in their field. Unlike Tibetans under CTA they are not only being suppressed but also being used by CTA to derive donations for their own pockets while neglecting their people’s welfare. CTA have taken their people for a ride during this 60 years in exile and making Dorje Shugden a scapegoat to divert their failure of securing Tibetan independence.
Isn’t it time Tibetan refugees seriously consider their future? As I see it their future will be better off if Tibetan refugees return to their homeland and become citizens of China. China is an ambitious and progressive nation. Being her citizens Tibetans can ride on China’s success and growth and enjoy in her economic and social progress.
These young Tibetans are finding fame and fortune but more importantly, doing it while maintaining their culture and history. The herdsman dealing in antiques and sharing his knowledge or history and traditions with the world, the young singer given the title ‘Love Ambassador’ for Aid to Tibet, a program that aims to empower Tibetans in their own homeland and Tashi Phuntsok who rose to fame singing a song written by his brother, in Tibetan about their mother. In fact, they are a beacon for Tibetans by homing in on their culture, language and traditions despite being in “occupied” Tibet. Beautiful.
At the end of the day, it is about what the government can do to better the lot of their people while preserving history, language and culture. It is about empowering the people.