Reported by Pema Tso
Translated by TenGyal
Edited by Pema Tso
The Chinese government has yet again forcibly demolished over 300 stupas and a statue of Guru Padmasambhava near Jangang monastery in Drago county in Kardze,Tibet. Furthermore, the area continues to be placed under strict restrictions.
According to a news report published on the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Chinese authorities in June this year forcibly demolished more than 300 medium-sized Buddhist stupas and three large stupas on Lung Rab Zang Ri, near Jangang Monastery in Drago County, Kardze (Garze/Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Citing allegations of illegal construction on government land, the destruction was carried out in full. In an effort to prevent the spread of information, Chinese authorities have imposed strict restrictions, prohibiting anyone from visiting the site.
Even though, currently there are no available photos of the stupas and the actual site of destruction, any local Tibetan resident attempting to share information and even talk about the destruction with the outside world faces immediate detention on charges of “leaking state secrets.” It is also reported that a statue of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok and a statue of Guru Rinpoche at the stupa site also suffered damages.
According to information published on the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) website, following the issuance of Decree No. 22 by China’s National Religious Affairs Bureau on December 1, 2024, the monastery came under even tighter restrictions. Subsequently, on January 1, 2025, Chinese authorities issued further directives mandating that all monastic affairs and religious activities be fully regulated by the National Religious Affairs Bureau, in accordance with the implementation of Article 43 of the Monastery Management Regulations.
On November 3rd 2021, the local communist officials from Drago County forcibly shut down the Drago Gaden Namgyal Ling Monastery school claiming that the monastic administration had been operating the school without proper documentation. In December of the same year, Chinese authorities demolished approximately 45 Mani prayer wheels and a 99-meter-tall Buddha statue situated near Drago Monastery, effectively destroying a significant site of Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage. This sacred site was regularly visited by local Tibetans for daily prostrations, circumambulations, and prayer recitations. In addition, Mani prayer flags and symbolic door scarves were forcibly removed and burned. Numerous lay and monastic Tibetans were also reportedly arrested in connection with these events.
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