Free Tibet | 7 October 2020 | Read the news here

The CCP targets monks in their campaign for Party loyalty.

The Management Committees in at least two monasteries in Tibet have organised seminars for monks to learn the Seventh Central Tibet Work Forum, according to Tibet Watch, Free Tibet’s research partner. Both monasteries are located in the part of Tibet governed as the Tibet Autonomous Region.

On September 8, the Management Committee of Nyima Ling Monastery in Nagchu organised such a seminar, overseen by the director of the monastery’s management committee, Namkha Wangdu.

On September 25, the management committee of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse followed suit. Tashi Lhunpo is historically the seat of the Panchen Lama. The preaching meeting was presided over by Tsongka Adan, the Executive Deputy Director of the Monastic Management Committee.

Tsongka Adan is reported to have said:

“We must adhere to the direction of sinicisation of our country’s religions and manage religious affairs in accordance with the law”.

Around 300 monks of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery were reported to have attended.

Monks across Tibet have been particularly targeted in the CCP’s “fight against separatism”, due to their devotion to the Buddhist religion and the Dalai Lama. They have been pushed to further strengthen the rule of law and national unity instead.