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Repression of religious freedom

In recent years, the Chinese government has tightened its control of Tibetan Buddhism, which it sees as a threat to the Chinese state because it is an expression of a distinct Tibetan identity, and because Buddhist institutions have the potential to unify and empower individuals outside the Party state.

Under President Xi Jinping in particular, Tibetan Buddhism has been the main target of proactive policies aimed at “Sinicizing” religion, meaning to shape religion to the diktats of the Chinese Communist Party for political purposes. To do so, the Chinese government has created an authorised catalogue of verified ‘living Buddhas’, halved the 10,000 resident population of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, increased “political re-education” campaigns for monks and nuns, and formal training for Tibetan Buddhist teachers and cadres posted to monasteries. In addition, the authorities have adopted a number of laws and measures equating ‘terrorism’ with an undefined ‘extremism’ linked to religion, thereby creating a more dangerous political environment for monks, nuns and lay Buddhists.

A Tibetan monk in front of the gates of his monastery in Barkham (in Chinese: Ma’erkang), in Sichuan province. He is surrounded by propaganda posters: on his right Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin; on his left, Hu Jinatao surrounded by Tibetan women in front of the Potala Palace in Lassa. (© Gilles Sabrié)

At the same time, small acts of religious freedom – including worship of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama – are still criminalized in most parts of Tibet. Restrictions on religious practices have been placed on government workers, with many threatened with losing their identity cards, social benefits and jobs, and controls on children participating in religious activities have been strengthened. As part of its objective to contain and control Tibetan Buddhism, the Chinese state has also indicated plans to appoint its own reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama, in total contravention to Buddhist religious tradition and the fundamental right of Tibetan Buddhist communities to follow their own spiritual process without government interference.

Related news and resources

Demolition of Buddha statues follows tightened control under “law-based governance”

April 21, 2022 ・ International Campaign for TibetNews

Demolition of Buddha statues follows tightened control under “law-based governance”

The Chinese Communist Party ordered a series of demolitions of structures of religious significance and detentions of Tibetans resisting it in Draggo County in eastern Tibet.

Containing the “eastward movement of Tibetan mysticism”: Targeting Chinese Buddhist practitioners at Larung Gar Academy

January 20, 2022 ・ International Campaign for TibetNews

Containing the “eastward movement of Tibetan mysticism”: Targeting Chinese Buddhist practitioners at Larung Gar Academy

The CCP’s current strategy aims to curb the influence of the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism and the Tibetan religious teachers in the mainland Han Chinese Buddhist community.

China renews attacks on remaining Tibetan-language schools

November 30, 2021 ・ International Campaign for TibetNews

China renews attacks on remaining Tibetan-language schools

In the eastern Tibetan areas of Amdo and Kham (incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu), where over half the Tibetan population live, numerous reports have emerged of attacks on Tibetan language and Buddhist study.

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The Tibet Brief

A newsletter providing concise information and perspectives on the political, economic and human rights situation in Tibet

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The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) is an international NGO working to promote democratic freedoms for Tibetans, ensure their human rights and protect the Tibetan culture and environment.

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