Indeed you are right.

I generalized Tibetan people with Buddhist monks. Faux pas from my side. I am aware of the plea of Dalai Lama of not using hides. This particular fashion is not so much in vogue today; though till very recently it was rampant.

Interestingly, the Chinese authorities, with their strong anti Dalai Lama bias are still encouraging and at times coercing the Tibetans into keeping up with this tradition.

The mud indeed gets murkier.