Corruption is Everywhere - But in the Selection of the Next Dalai Lama?

Man allegedly tries to RIG next Dalai Lama selection

by bribing 100 Tibetan monks with cash

FILE PHOTO: Buddhist monks gather for the opening ceremony for a series of teachings by the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya, India. © AFP/ January 2020. STR

Indian authorities believe that a suspect detained for money laundering was also running a secret operation to meddle in the next Dalai Lama selection process, reports say.

Chinese national Charlie Peng may have bribed around 100 monks over the past two years to garner support for a "Chinese candidate" to succeed the Dalai Lama, Indian government sources told News18. The payments were reportedly made in cash, as well as by wire transfers.

During the probe, authorities questioned monks in two monasteries in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh States about the funds they received.

According to local media, earlier this month Indian tax authorities accused Peng of money laundering and of paying monks between $2,700 and $4,000 to spy on the Dalai Lama and "infiltrate" his inner circle.

Peng was described as a businessman with interests in Bengaluru. He was previously detained in 2018 for holding a fake Indian passport. Authorities have also identified a Delhi-based accountant who is believed to be Peng's accomplice.

A new Dalai Lama is considered to be the reincarnation of a previous one. The search for a young boy who is declared the successor is done by lamas, high-ranking Tibetan priests. The selection process can take several years.

The current Dalai Lama, 85, has been living in India since 1959 after fleeing Tibet during a conflict with the Chinese authorities.

Dalai Lama Warns ‘Keep Europe for Europeans’ as He Calls For ‘Muslim and African’ Migrants to be Returned Home

Christy Cooney
The Sun

THE Dalai Lama has sparked controversy by saying that Europe should be kept for Europeans, with migrants from Africa or Muslim countries eventually being returned home.

The 83-year-old was speaking at his home in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, where he has lived since fleeing Tibet in 1959.

The Tibetan leader was speaking at his home in the northern India, where he has lived since fleeing Tibet in 1959

In an interview with the BBC, he said that "European countries should take these refugees and give them education and training.

"And then aiming is... return to their own land".

Asked whether refugees should be allowed to stay in Europe if that's what they would prefer, he added: "Limited number... OK. But whole Europe eventually become Muslim country? Impossible.

"Or African country? Also impossible."

He was responding to questions about comments he'd made previously that had been used by the Leave campaign before Britain's referendum on its membership of the European Union.

He had said: "The goal should be that migrants return and help rebuild their countries."

"You have to be practical. It's impossible for everyone to come."

Reminded by interviewer Rajini Vaidyanathan that he was himself a refugee, the Dalai Lama responded: "They themselves [the refugees], I think better in their own land.

"Better. Keep Europe for Europeans."

Of course, the Dalai Lama does not have the choice to return to Tibet. He would be arrested and disappear.

He added he thought Donald Trump, who has campaigned on a platform of reducing the number of migrants and refugees coming to the US, had a "lack of moral principle", and that the president's America First platform was "wrong".

"America, they should take the global responsibility," he said.

Global responsibility as opposed to global bullying?

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising by guerrillas opposed to control of Tibet by China, which had been in force since 1951.

He has lived in India ever since.

Beginning in the summer of 2015, a large number of asylum seekers and economic migrants began arriving on the European continent from the Middle East and Africa.

The influx sparked debate in Europe, with many saying the migrants should be allowed to come, others arguing the continent was not well-equipped to cope with such a large number of arrivals.

At a conference on Wednesday in the Swedish city of Malmo, itself home to a large immigrant population, the Dalai Lama said that Europe was "morally responsible" for helping "a refugee really facing danger against their life".

Asked what he thought of Britain's decision to leave the EU, he said: "I am one admirer of [the] spirit of [the] European Union.

"I'm outsider but I feel better [to] remain in the union."