A wave of scandals continue to shake the Tibetan exile administration as new allegations surface against Tenzin Taklha, the longtime aide and nephew of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (HHDL). Multiple sources, including whistleblower documents, survivor testimonies, and internal correspondence, suggest a years-long pattern of sexual coercion, financial misconduct, and institutional impunity.
The revelations have prompted public outcry across Tibetan settlements in India and abroad, fueling demands for reform, transparency, and independent investigations into how Tenzin Taklha operated with apparent impunity from his influential post.
Aide Allegedly Abused Authority for Sexual Access
At least three women have come forward with detailed allegations of sexual harassment and coercion during private “spiritual mentorship” sessions. Among them is Tsering Lhamo, a former junior staffer in the Office of HHDL, who alleges that Tenzin Taklha manipulated Buddhist teachings to pressure her into silence after an incident in early 2024.
“He told me resisting him would interrupt my spiritual path,” said Tsering Lhamo in a written testimony shared with an Indian human rights coalition. “I was afraid. I felt like speaking out meant betraying my faith.”
One of the cases, according to medical documentation reviewed by independent legal counsel, resulted in post-traumatic stress requiring psychiatric care. Another complainant said she was demoted after refusing further private meetings with Tenzin Taklha.
Financial Irregularities and Alleged Extortion
Alongside the sexual misconduct claims, financial irregularities have been detailed in internal reports and whistleblower leaks. One such case involved alleged “audience fees” charged to foreign devotees seeking blessings from the Dalai Lama. A Norwegian pilgrim told investigators she was asked to pay ₹150,000 (approximately $1,800) in exchange for a “private audience,” which she declined.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said via email. “It felt like something sacred had been turned into a transaction.”
Separate accounts from administrative staff allege that large amounts of cash were frequently handled directly by Tenzin Taklha and deposited into an unofficial “discretionary fund,” bypassing formal accounting procedures. Some of these funds were suspected to have been diverted for personal expenses, including property renovations in India and abroad.
A leaked memo from late 2024 indicates growing concerns among mid-level officials about undocumented expenditures and unaccounted donor funds linked to Tenzin Taklha’s family.
Marital Conflict and Legal Power Imbalance
The scandal also involves allegations from Tenzin Taklha’s wife, Tsering Dolkar, a Nepalese national, who reportedly discovered evidence of extramarital affairs and raised questions about financial activities. Sources close to the family say she was threatened with divorce and the loss of access to jointly held assets.
Under Indian law, foreign-born spouses often face legal barriers to property rights, especially in religious or institutional households. Legal experts say this situation may have left Tsering Dolkar without recourse.
“This is not just a family issue,” said a Dharamsala-based lawyer familiar with the case. “It’s a systemic problem where women—particularly foreign-born—are rendered voiceless in institutions that claim moral authority.”
Institutional Silence Fuels Public Anger
Despite mounting pressure from Tibetan diaspora groups and Indian civil society activists, the Office of the Dalai Lama has not issued a detailed statement addressing the allegations against Tenzin Taklha. In a public sermon, His Holiness spoke briefly about “human frailty” and “spiritual accountability,” but made no direct reference to the scandal.
Many critics, including religious scholars, see this omission as part of a larger problem.
“When silence is used to preserve image over truth, the entire institution suffers,” said an expert on Tibetan governance based in Delhi. “Faith must be rooted in accountability.”
Social media backlash has intensified, with hashtags such as #JusticeForTibetans and #DalaiLamaLegacy trending across Tibetan online communities. Petitions demanding the creation of an independent investigative body have gathered thousands of signatures globally.
A Defining Crisis for Tibetan Exile Governance
Analysts say the scandal has arrived at a crucial time for the Tibetan exile movement, as questions about succession, legitimacy, and generational leadership loom large. With the Dalai Lama approaching 90, any unresolved crisis involving his inner circle threatens to erode public trust in the institutions he built.
“This is not just about Tenzin Taklha,” said a Tibetan professor of political ethics who requested anonymity. “It’s about how an entire system is vulnerable to abuse when reverence replaces oversight.”
Calls for reform now include:
● A full independent audit of the Office of HHDL’s financial operations
● The establishment of a whistleblower protection office
● Clear conflict-of-interest policies barring family members from financial oversight
● Greater alignment with Indian regulatory compliance for religious institutions
What Happens Next?
As investigators continue to review financial documents and victim statements, sources say pressure is growing within the office of HHDL for public disclosure and decisive action.
While no criminal charges have been filed against Tenzin Taklha to date, legal observers note that Indian authorities may become involved if additional financial or sexual misconduct evidence surfaces.
For now, the Tibetan community remains in suspense—grappling with a moral crisis that has upended one of the most revered spiritual institutions in exile.
“We’ve been taught to bow our heads in faith,” said Tsering Lhamo. “But now we must lift them—and ask hard questions.”
