The Chinese Communist Party is continuing its Tibetans and Tibetan culture. From monasteries, to temples, to Tibetan prayer flags, China’s campaign of destruction against Tibetan Buddhism and has targeted precious monuments once again.
HIC-HLRN has learned that, on last 21 December, the Chinese Communist Party destroyed a 99-foot tall Buddha statue, a three-story high Jampa (or future Buddha) statue and 45 Buddhist prayer wheels at prominent monastery in Drango [Chinese: Luhuo] county in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Kham province. Additionally, at least six monks were arbitrarily detained over suspicion that they informed the outside world about the demolition, a gross violation of freedom of speech. Chinese occupation authorities have imposed restrictions to prevent the demolition sites from being photographed, while online platforms are being closely monitored to prevent news and media of the demolition from being shared outside Drango.
According to the Chinese government, these symbols of Buddhism were destroyed, because the height of the statues violated local building codes. But we know this is a flimsy and insulting excuse to cover up China’s true intentions: the erasure of all that is sacred to Tibetans.
Regardless of belief, religious monuments and icons such as these statues should be unharmed, protected by the basic human right of religious freedom. The Buddha statue was funded by locals and built in 2015 to ward off natural calamities, as is the tradition among Tibetans, and statues of the Buddha are an important part of the Tibetan belief system overall.
Since Drango is in an earthquake-prone region, in October 2015, the local people contributed money to install the Buddha statue, with the knowledge of the authorities, to ward off natural calamities.
But China’s officials persist in flouting basic human rights when it comes to Tibet—particularly the Drango county Communist Party secretary Wang Dongsheng, the man behind this latest demolition. He was appointed to the post in October 2021 and within a month had ordered the demolition of a monastic school in the county before ordering the demolition of the Buddha statues in the middle of last month.
In 2016, Wang was serving as the deputy party secretary of Serthar (Seda) county when thousands of monastic dwellings were demolished and the expulsion of monks, nuns and lay practitioners at Serthar Larung Gar Buddhist Institute took place. Prior to Serthar, Wang also served in Lithang and Tawu (Daofu), which have seen heavy clampdowns by authorities on the local Tibetans.
Six years ago, Wang also oversaw the destruction of thousands of monastic dwellings at Larung Gar in eastern Tibet, and the mass expulsion of monks and nuns who were studying there peacefully.
The authorities also arbitrarily detained at least six Tibetan monks over suspicion that they informed the outside world about the demolition. Statues of the Buddha are of particular significance to Tibetan Buddhists and are an important part of Buddhist beliefs.
ICT calls on the Chinese authorities to respect the religious freedom and cultural rights of the Tibetan people, including those of Drango. Those detained should be immediately released, as they have been detained solely for disseminating information on the incident.
The destruction of these statues has caused deep anguish to Tibetans in the region. International Campaign for Tibet’s Interim President Bhuchung K. Tsering said, “The demolitions are a direct assault on the religious freedom of the Tibetan Buddhists and an attempt to wipe out their history in the region. They contradict Chinese claims of protecting Tibetan cultural and religious heritage.” Mr. Tsering added, “We remain dedicated to telling the world the truth about what China is doing in Tibet—and working towards a day when the Tibetan people can safely and freely practice their religion in peace.”
Photo: China heightens restrictions after demolishing giant Buddha statue and Buddhist school. Source: Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.
| Themes |
| • Cultural Heritage • Demographic manipulation • Destruction of habitat • ESC rights • Indigenous peoples • National • People under occupation • Population transfers • Public policies • Regional |
