Is His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama still twittering?

Davey Winder
Wednesday, 11 February 2009 18:58

IT Industry - Market

There is a Buddhist saying that "Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise" which certainly appears to fit the strange case of the Twittering Dalai Lama.

Twitter has some very famous fans. From US President Bouncing Barack Obama to Stephen 'stuck in a halibut' Fry, and who could forget Britney 'four foot vagina' Spears?

However, when it became apparent that His Holiness the Dalai Lama had started a Twitter account, well it quite simply took everyone by surprise. Indeed, it quickly managed to hook more than 20,000 followers.

The first message posted said "Welcome to the official Twitter page of His Holiness the Dalai Lama -- administered by The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama."

This was quickly followed by others proclaiming that "His Holiness thought it was prudent to make his office open and assessable to a more youth and technologically advancing audience." And also "I'm sure HH will be just as inquisitive about technology as he has been over the past 14 reincarnations."

Of course, the inevitable "Our office is currently overwhelmed by responses from our first day on Twitter. We will make every effort to answer your questions in time" also appeared.

As did the equally inevitable official response from Twitter boss Biz Stone who wrote "Is there some meaning, therefore, in the sudden disappearance of a Twitter account thought to be the official account of The Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama?"

Apparently not, other than "There may be a higher meaning if you meditate enough but the account was suspended because it violated our Terms of Use regarding impersonation. Using Twitter to impersonate others in a manner that does or is intended to mislead, confuse, or deceive others is also cited in the Twitter Rules."

500 people are currently following DalaiLama on Twitter, while 1600 follow HisHoliness although neither are the real thing. That said, the offending Dalai Lama page is back on Twitter but with a clear statement that it is not an official thing. It has just under 20,000 followers now.

Last year someone called Hiroko Yoda found themselves booted of Facebook for impersonating, err, Yoda. The decision was, however, reversed when the person managed prove they were the real Yoda .

Biz Stone has made it clear that the real Dalai Lama will not only be welcome on Twitter, but that he will follow him if he does make an appearance.