by Kalden Dingtsa, Colorado USA
It is baffling to fathom the glittery lists of Who’s Who in Tibetan politics so-called ex-Kalon Tripa, Kalons, Chitues, Tsok-surs, POWs, directors & presidents of NGOs endorsing Kunyo Dongchung Nyodup for Sikyong candidacy. The guy has clearly stated that he does not intend to run but is reluctantly staying in contention out of respect for all the endorsees. This reminds me of a recent assertion by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche in one of his interviews or TV appearance where he said that those running for public office or for that matter Sikyong does not necessarily mean he or she is doing so in total devotion for selfless service but could be doing so for personal ambitions such as fame, glory or other self-interest. Rinpoche uses the analogy of a Tibetan story of ‘Ro Ngyodrup Dorjee’ where the real Ro Nyodrup shies away and the fake ones come forward claiming to be the real one, a subtle swipe at current Sikyong. This analogy perfectly fits with the current candidacy of Kunyo Dongchung Nyodup for Sikyong.
The myth, thinking, rationale behind support for Kunyo Dongshung is perhaps based on the belief that CTA is in safe hands with him at the helm. They tend to believe and also many have openly advocated that as long as His Holiness The Dalai Lama is living we have nothing to worry about; foreign Govt support for Tibet issues as well as foreign aids all will continue to flow. These very same folks are the ones who indulge in the most egregious politics of misusing the name of His Holiness by trying to set a contest of sorts for a competing loyalty. Of course, His Holiness as the embodiment of Chenresig and world icon for peace will continue to grace and bless all Tibetans and all sentient beings for eternity.
Tibetans, by far & large are fully aware & appreciative of the revolutionary changes & developments that have taken place under the current Sikyong Lobsang Senge and his Kashag. They have not only rescued CTA finances from the near brink of bankruptcy but instead increased it by manyfold. Invested heavily in improving our education, sustainability of Tibetan Settlements, initiated and launched landmark Tibet Corps & 5/50 Tibet Forum, Tibet TV, a full-fledged media house reaching out to Tibetans in the diaspora as well as others interested in Tibet issues. These initiatives have brought Tibetans in the diaspora closer to CTA Administration particularly the youth. Sikyong has also represented Tibet & the Tibetans on the world stage with such grace & dignity making us all so proud.
The need of the hour is for new leadership that will not only give continuity to policies initiated under current Sikyong but who will go further and give our movement a new direction & impetus. Clearly, Kaydor Aukatsang is the best and the right candidate for Sikyong who has a meticulously thought-out vision and plan & a strategy to implement them. Kaydor la is calling for fundamental changes & direction to our movement such as ‘Less administration & more movement’, empowering & harnessing youth energy and power, transforming CTA into a 21st-century entity.
I am a pure U-Tsang as it can get and a proud Toepa. It gives me immense pride to see some of our own sons rising high up in the echelons of power such as Kunyo Dongchung Nyodup la & will be proud to see him as our Sikyong. However, this election is so much larger than my affiliation to a community, Cholkha, a religious group. We cannot settle for a status quo going back to the pre-2011 CTA era.
I may not be able to persuade anyone to vote for Kaydorla but at least I do not have to live with the regrets of not trying. Bod Gyalo.
No comments:
Post a Comment