The Dalai Lama works for the CIA?

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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SarathW
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The Dalai Lama works for the CIA?

Post by SarathW »

“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
santa100
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Re: The Dalai Lama works for the CIA?

Post by santa100 »

SarathW wrote: Fri Jun 10, 2022 2:02 am The Dalai Lama works for the CIA?

https://www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/sma ... tp#image=2
Considering all the wonderful things China did to his country like the complete removal of its name off the world map, human rights abuses of unimaginable scale, annihilation of Tibetan culture, etc. I'm surprised His Holiness only worked with the CIA. He should've also worked with Mossad, BND, MI6, DGSE, and many other intelligence agencies around the world. Maybe that would've stopped China from turning your country into one of its vassal states in a near future due to its colossal debts to China.
Last edited by santa100 on Fri Jun 10, 2022 2:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
SarathW
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Re: The Dalai Lama works for the CIA?

Post by SarathW »

Dalai Lama is not invited to visit Sri Lanka due to the political pressure by China.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Padmist
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Re: The Dalai Lama works for the CIA?

Post by Padmist »

The Dalai Lama worked (past tense) with the CIA in the 1960s.

The role of the Dalai Lama at the time was political unlike how it is today which is solely religious. The Tibetan government in exile abandoned its previous form of government to become democratic. Then Dalai Lama resigned from his government job over 10 years ago.

Given the situation in the 60s, whoever was the head of the Tibetan government would have to work with the CIA. It just happened to be the Dalai Lama. initially, they tried to work with the Tibetan freedom fighters behind the Dalai Lamas back through his brother. The CIA probably thought it would be easier to work with a secular Tibetan nationalists than the religious leader.

In hindsight, it seems that the US was merely using the Tibetans as bargaining chips in the negotiating table with the Chinese. As soon as things switched to the US favor, they abandoned the project.

The Dalai Lama for his part did his best with the situation and at one time stopping the Tibetan forces from their deadly insurrection plan against the Communist forces. He also used the CIA support in ways he can through non-violent advocacy of Tibetan Buddhism. A wise choice given that he could have used the support on more nationalistic and even militaristic projects which were always available to him.
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retrofuturist
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Re: The Dalai Lama works for the CIA?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

We gave it some time, but no connection to Theravada has been established. This topic will be closed.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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