The Dalai Lama’s office has issued a clarification after reports claimed his name appeared in documents linked to convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement released from Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, the office said there was no truth to suggestions of any association.
“We can unequivocally confirm that His Holiness has never met Jeffrey Epstein or authorised any meeting or interaction with him by anyone on His Holiness’s behalf,” the statement said.
Why the Dalai Lama’s name appeared in the Epstein files
The clarification follows “recent media reports and social media posts concerning the ‘Epstein files’” that attempted to link the 14th Dalai Lama to Epstein. Some outlets, including Chinese state-controlled media, claimed his name appeared “169 times” in the files.
The office noted that these claims lacked context and risked misleading readers about the nature of the references.
Epstein files mentions do not indicate wrongdoing
Activists and legal observers have stressed that mentions in Epstein-related documents do not, on their own, constitute evidence of misconduct. The files, released by the US Department of Justice under a court order, include thousands of emails, schedules and third-party communications, many of which are incidental or self-referential.
Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019, had connections across politics, business, academia and philanthropy. Being named in his records does not imply participation in criminal activity.
Tibetan activists reject allegations against the Dalai Lama
The Tibet Rights Collective, a Delhi-based advocacy group, said none of the released material points to any illegal or unethical conduct by the Dalai Lama.
“In the case of the Dalai Lama, none of the released materials indicate illegal behavior, financial exchange, or personal misconduct,” the group said. It added that most references relate to public events, academic initiatives or third-party discussions, often written by Epstein himself or intermediaries seeking credibility.
No evidence of personal or financial ties to Epstein
The group further stated that there is no evidence the Dalai Lama maintained a personal relationship with Epstein, accepted funding from him, or was aware of his criminal activities, many of which became public years later.
It also noted that the renewed scrutiny coincides with a period of heightened global visibility for the Dalai Lama, including his recent Grammy Award win.
Tibetan activists said the timing and tone of the allegations warrant attention, as they come amid ongoing tensions between China and the Dalai Lama over Tibet’s political future. China’s foreign ministry has previously criticised international recognition of the Tibetan leader, including cultural awards.
Who is the Dalai Lama?
Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama and was the head of the Tibetan government-in-exile until his retirement from political life in 2011. He fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese Communist forces.
He has lived in exile in India since then, establishing the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala and continuing his advocacy for Tibetan culture, autonomy and non-violence.