XPost: hk.politics, soc.culture.china, soc.culture.indian
XPost: soc.culture.usa, talk.politics.tibet
China to displace 5,000 Tibetan Buddhist monastics; Opposing petition gains traction
BY LILLY GREENBLATT| JUNE 27, 2016
China says the iconic monastery needs “ideological guidance.” 5,000 monks and nuns face eviction. A petition to prevent the destruction of Larung Gar
can be signed on:
https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-human-rights-council-save-larung-gar-world-s-largest-buddhist-monastery-home-to-10-000-facing-demolition
or:
The Chinese government has demanded the removal of more than 5,000 monks
and nuns from Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, and plans to demolish 50 percent
of residences at the historic monastery.
Update: A petition on change.org is collecting signatures to prevent the ordered demolition and evictions at Larung Gar.
According to Free Tibet, some residences have already been destroyed, and
the government has threatened to demolish the entire monastery if Larung Gar’s religious authorities don’t comply with the demands.
The school is the largest Tibetan Buddhist institute in the world, situated
in the remote Gharze Prefecture of China’s Sichuan Province. There
are currently over 10,000 residents at the monastery, and the government’s order demands the population be reduced to 5,000. The monastery has been
given a deadline of September 30, 2017 to reduce the population — demands that come as part of a strict crackdown on religious freedom in Tibet.
The only direct reason given for the orders is that the community is in
need of “ideological guidance.” According to Human Rights Watch, the proposed restrictions are thought to stem from concerns about the growing population size at the monastery and the subsequent fire risks. Other
demands include installing camera surveillance and screening procedures
and for the monastery to accept joint management with government officials.
In 2001, local authorities evicted thousands of monks and nuns and
bulldozed over 1,000 residences at Larung Gar. After much public backlash,
the community was largely left alone and allowed to grow again.
Earlier this month, Britain’s Daily Mail re–published a series of photographs of the monastery, showcasing the incredible visuals of the densely-packed cabin residences at Larung Gar.
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