In the recent uproar over a remark by a senior Tibetan lama against His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s virtual teachings, Kashag, the cabinet of Central Tibetan Administration, issued a statement condemning the remark. The senior lama accused the virtual teachings being carried out by Tibetan spiritual masters as a sign of degrading religious values.
Tulku Ugen Topgyal, a former member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile has accused that Buddhist spiritual leaders opting to virtual teachings is a sign of beginning to degrade the religious values. In the statement which is doing around on the social media, he protested against His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s upcoming two-day Avalokiteshvara Empowerment (chenresig wang) to be conferred online.
While it has created a huge controversy in the Tibetan community, Kalon Ven. Yuthok Karma Gelek, Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration published a statement on the matter. However, his statement which was not clearly condemning Tulku Topgyal’s remark, created added to the controversy and many Tibetans started campaigning on the social media for his resignation.
Dr. Lobsang Sangay led Kashag of Central Tibetan Administration on Wednesday issued a statement rebuking the senior lama’s statement. The statement expresses the cabinet’s disappointment over the remark against His Holiness the Dalai Lama and it further adds that it sees the action completely wrong.
With the spread of the Coronavirus, the world has come to stand still. People across the world has been advised to remain inside their homes and the transports have stopped with the most of countries imposing lock downs. During such time of crisis, devotees reach for their spiritual gurus. On request of followers across the world, His Holiness the Dalai Lama carried out virtual teachings in order to be able to help the devotees spiritually when they needed the most.