Diaspora Tibetans call ourselves вЂњin exile,вЂќ because the vast majority of us are unable to actually get a visa to return. It would be a game-changing event if the Dalai Lama was able to safely return to Tibet. But he will probably not think to explain what is obvious to me, though perhaps not to others who cycle through headlines and donвЂ™t know (and perhaps donвЂ™t even care) about the reality this 84 year old refugee comes from. Regarding his most recent statements on the current refugee crisis, the Dalai Lama will likely issue remarks clarifying his opinion. No, unfortunately, the material world matters.

Tibetan would not at risk of becoming an endangered language in its own land. Tibetan refugees in Nepal would not be denied identity documents over the last two decades. If whatвЂ™s on the inside is what was most important, Tibet would have genuine autonomy instead of a security checkpoint network imposed over several hundred thousand square miles. These are age-old Tibetan sayings, and I can see his mind switch to a philosophical mode when BBC interviewer Rajini Vaidyanathan asks, вЂњIsnвЂ™t whatвЂ™s inside more important?вЂќ When he answers вЂњboth,вЂќ he isnвЂ™t taking a moral position on character versus looks, but is rather thinking about how the onus is, at a practical level, always on the individual (or oppressed group) to make a case for themselves. Be as clean as you can in your attire, adopt a good mood and easy manner so that others will feel happy in your presence. It is a common refrain among Tibetan parents to cultivate a compassionate heart, to not be jealous or speak ill of others, to engage in right conduct and intention, and that even with all of this, the inner goodness wonвЂ™t be seen if you donвЂ™t tend to your presentation. Related: The Rising Generation of Female Tibetan Buddhist Leaders Every refugee knows this, and the Dalai Lama is no different. A refugeeвЂ™s welcome can be revoked at any time. He does everything with genuine sincerity and compassion, and he also (in my opinion) embodies that trait common to all refugeesвЂЉ-вЂЉhe tries to please his host, to set others at ease. Since his youth, he has learned the welfare of his people rely on the good graces of others. This is where itвЂ™s helpful to keep in mind that not only is the Dalai Lama a non-native English speaker, he is a refugee. He looks slightly mystified and like he doesnвЂ™t quite follow the beats of the conversation. But no, she is asking him to reconsider his words. He thinks heвЂ™s being asked to repeat the joke, to engage in something lighthearted. Next, I could see him misunderstand why the journalist brought it up.

The Dalai Lama should clarify his remarks and apologize for their problematic nature.

The mention of make-up shows how ignorant and unaware the Dalai Lama is of the social pressures on women. Self-deprecatingly pointing to his face, he unsuccessfully tries to convey how any female Dalai Lama would be, вЂњmust beвЂќ attractive in comparison.ДЇirst, it is not appropriate for anyone to be discussing the appearance of a woman or any person as a barometer of performance. I could see him struggle through an improper delivery, in which he is trying to make himself the butt of a joke about being ugly. I see a refugee and an elder, with everyday imperfections.ДЄs a Tibetan familiar with the format of jokes in my community and how different they sound in English, I immediately knew what the Dalai Lama was saying in his 2015 interview. Someone with limited fluency in English and its nuances, who is a permanent guest in a foreign land (India). I see someone with a deep spiritual understanding who does not accept compensation for any of his talks or appearances. Someone who is denied entry into countries such as South Africa, Thailand, and South Korea, because they want to avoid offending one of the most powerful nations in the world (China). I see someone who, as an adolescent, was given the responsibility to lead his people through foreign invasion and decades of ongoing colonialism. HeвЂ™s the same age as my grandmother, and when I look at him I donвЂ™t see a Nobel Peace Prize laureate or a celebrity. In it, he repeats a joke he made in 2015 that a future female Dalai Lama вЂњmust be very attractive, otherwise not much use.вЂќ As a Tibetan born to refugees in India who werenвЂ™t formally educated past high school and as a transgender person familiar with the violence of misogyny and gender stereotypesвЂЉ, I want to share what went through my mind as I watched him make this joke.Д®ver since I started learning to read and write in English, I have been watchful of the Dalai LamaвЂ™s remarks. The Internet is buzzing with an excerpt from a BBC interview with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Strange story tibet mystifies