The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has firmly addressed recent speculation linking the Tibetan spiritual leader to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of additional documents by the US Department of Justice in early 2026.
On February 8, 2026, the office issued an official press statement denying any personal connection. The statement reads: “Some recent media reports and social media posts concerning the ‘Epstein files’ are attempting to link His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Jeffrey Epstein. 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 remarks came in response to widespread online discussion and media coverage after the Dalai Lama’s name appeared frequently—over 150 times, with some reports citing up to 169 mentions—in the unsealed Epstein-related files. These documents include emails, indexes, and other records from Epstein’s communications.
The references primarily consist of third-party mentions or Epstein’s own attempts to arrange encounters with prominent figures. For example, in emails from May 2015, Epstein discussed the possibility of a “fun dinner” involving the Dalai Lama alongside individuals such as Woody Allen and Noam Chomsky. In one message, Epstein wrote: “fun dinner would be dali lama. woody allen chomsky? lets do it.” In a follow-up, he noted: “I’m working on the dalai lama for dinner.” Other correspondence from 2012 referenced public events or teachings where the Dalai Lama was scheduled to appear, including one on an unnamed island, but these were not private meetings and appear to reflect Epstein’s efforts to leverage connections rather than any realized interaction.
Analyses of the files, including reviews by independent sources and the Central Tibetan Administration, emphasize that no evidence exists of any actual meeting, dinner, or direct contact between the Dalai Lama and Epstein. The mentions align with a broader pattern in the Epstein documents, where many high-profile names surface in passing—often through name-dropping or unsuccessful pursuit of associations—without implying involvement or wrongdoing.
The Dalai Lama’s office and supporters have described the speculation as misinformation, with some outlets noting the context of geopolitical sensitivities in coverage from certain state-affiliated media. No accusations of misconduct have been leveled against His Holiness in relation to these files.
This clarification underscores the absence of any substantive link, reaffirming that the references stem from Epstein’s unilateral pursuits rather than mutual engagement. The statement serves as a definitive rebuttal to viral claims that circulated following the document release.
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