New Restrictions Reported On Tibetan Buddhist Monastaries

Radio Free Asia reported Friday that Chinese officials are imposing new restrictions on Buddhists in the Tibet Autonomous Region, at the same time they have recruited 140 Tibetan young people to perform traditional dances at the upcoming Beijing Olympics. The dancers are being trained to demonstrate that Tibetans are happy under Chinese rule. The new restrictions are particularly aimed at Buddhist monasteries, believed to be the main forces that are perpetuating a separate Tibetan identity. Novice monks are no longer allowed to replace monks who die, and monks are not allowed to conduct prayer sessions in temples. Tibetan government officials are banned from wearing traditional Tibetan dress and maintaining prayer rooms or altars in their homes. The Tibet Autonomous Region Political Consultative Committee is discussing plans to employ senior lamas to convince the people that the Dalai Lama is bent on dividing China.