Akong Rinpoche - Relations With The Regime of Mainland China

Relations With The Regime of Mainland China

Although being a refugee from the Chinese occupation of Tibet, Akong Rinpoche maintains close political contacts to high-ranking members of the Communist Chinese Government. The Chinese had even proclaimed Akong to be a "Living Buddha", a title the government used for Tibetan lamas who cooperate with the Communist regime. In an attempt to woo back some Tibetan exiles, Beijing began allowing exile government "fact-finding" missions and private visits. After trips to both Tibet and China's capital, Akong launched a series of humanitarian projects under his charity, Rokpa. According to his followers, Akong Rinpoche is obliged to maintain these contacts due to the humanitarian activies of this organisation, in Tibet. It claims to be the largest NGO preserving Tibetan language, culture and religion on the Tibetan plateau. In October 2006 in London, he met with Jia Qinglin, number four in the Chinese regime and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and member of the Politburo Standing Committee. In August 2011 Akong Rinpoche was among the honored guests in Lhasa at the invitation of the Communist Chinese during the 60th anniversary of the "Peaceful Liberation" of Tibet. In a video posted to YouTube of the celebrations, Akong Rinpoche is shown together with other "Patriotic Tibetans" such as Gangchen Tulku.