#1: Author: GesheAtukTseten, Posted: 2026-6-08 01:32

Supporting Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten Is Extremely Important







Tashi Delek to my fellow Tibetan brothers and sisters,



I am writing this from Dharamsala, our home in exile. As a middle-aged Tibetan, a lifelong practitioner who takes daily refuge in the Three Jewels, and someone who profoundly respects our ancient heritage, my heart is heavy. I feel compelled to speak out on a matter that strikes at the very root of our future as a free, self-governing people.



 The Historical Crossroads We Face

We stand at a critical juncture where the sacred boundary between religious devotion and modern democratic governance has been violently blurred. I refer specifically to the targeted political exile and administrative expulsion of our elected legislator, Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten.



In late 2025, a deeply troubling event unfolded. During a traditional trance, the State Oracle Nechung publicly and directly singled out Geshe Atuk Tseten, accusing him of making "separatist remarks."



As mature, educated citizens who revere our protective deities and honor our history, we must ask ourselves a fundamental question:



Should the freedom of speech of an elected legislator¡ªchosen by the people through democratic ballots¡ªbe subject to the judgment of mystical religious forces?



 Core Issues at Stake



1. Freedom of Speech in a Democratic Parliament  

Geshe Atuk Tseten is not merely a high-ranking Buddhist scholar who holds the prestigious Geshe Lharampa degree. He is a representative of the people in the 17th Parliament-in-Exile. He is accountable to the law, to the Charter of the Tibetans in Exile, and to his constituents ¡ª not to an oracle.  



When traditional monastic forces and the official administration weaponize a spiritual institution to bypass the Charter, democracy becomes a mere shadow. If an elected Member of Parliament cannot speak freely inside the parliament without fear of a "divine" decree removing him from office, then no Tibetan citizen is truly safe.



2. The Undermining of the Secular Democratic Charter  

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has spent decades carefully guiding us toward a secular, democratic system. The use of the Oracle to purge an elected leader directly dismantles this hard-won democratic legacy. Instead of resolving disagreements through legislative debate, democratic consensus, or legal inquiry, theocratic authority clashed with our modern parliamentary system.



3. The Events of March 2026  

During the parliamentary session in March 2026, Geshe Atuk Tseten exercised his lawful right to free speech. He publicly challenged the authenticity of the Nechung Oracle¡¯s pronouncements regarding his political stance, describing them as "false and unacceptable."  



Rather than engaging with his arguments substantively, a coordinated campaign was unleashed against him. This culminated in his expulsion on both physical and administrative grounds. This was not a resolution through dialogue or due process ¡ª it was a regression to theocratic enforcement.



 Why This Matters for Our Future

- Loss of Freedom of Speech: Silencing an elected representative through religious pronouncement sets a dangerous precedent.

- Erosion of Democratic Institutions: It weakens the very system we present to the world as evidence that we are ready for self-governance.

- International Credibility: If we want the global community to take our struggle for freedom seriously, we must demonstrate that we respect and uphold our own democratic institutions.



This fight is not a rejection of Buddhism. On the contrary, it is a defense of justice, the rule of law, and the purity of the Dharma, which should never be corrupted by administrative power plays.



 My Call to Action

We cannot remain silent while administrative bodies of the Central Tibetan Administration allow democratic processes to be overridden by theocratic dictates.



I urge every Tibetan in the diaspora and everyone who supports genuine democracy and religious freedom to stand firmly behind Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten.



Please take action today:  

Visit www.change.org and cast your vote in support of Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten.  



Let your voice echo through the hills of Dharamsala and across the global Tibetan community:  

Our faith belongs to the Buddhas, but our votes and our laws belong to the people.



Bod Gyalo! (Victory to Tibet!)