Reported By Palden
Edited By Pema Tso
Translated By TenGyal
Current reports indicate that Tibetan employees of the Chinese government are not even allowed to participate in the rituals and mourning activities of their departed household members.
As the Chinese government intensifies its usual crackdown and surveillance across Tibetan areas during the annual Tibetan New Year (Losar), a reliable source residing in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa provided credible information to our correspondent. According to the report, during this year’s Losar, the Chinese government deployed a large number of troops in the Lhasa area, imposing strict controls and rigorous inspections on Tibetans visiting the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace for pilgrimage. Furthermore, while Tibetan government employees are permitted to visit monasteries for sightseeing or leisure, they are strictly prohibited from engaging in religious practices such as making offerings or prostrating. Warnings have been issued stating that if any government official is found practicing their faith, it will be considered a violation of Communist Party discipline and regulations.
The same Tibetan source further informed our correspondent: “Needless to say, Chinese government employees are prohibited from participating in any religious activities. Even when a family member passes away, they are not allowed to join the weekly prayer services or funeral rites. They are even forbidden from participating when the body is being cremated or during the final funeral rites at monasteries and other locations.”
Under the repressive policies of the Chinese Communist government, Tibetans inside Tibet have shared many Losar (New Year) greetings across their private social media platforms. Among these, images were posted showing thousands of Tibetans gathered in the Barkhor and in front of the Potala Palace in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, with the caption: “May our ancestral lands be peaceful and happy!” Our correspondent also obtained a post featuring a photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with his palms pressed together in prayer, accompanied by the text: “May the sparks of the Tibetan language spread to the four directions, and may the life of the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel be long!” However, for the safety of the Tibetans inside Tibet, these original posts have not been published here.
Over the last few years, the Chinese government has continued to implement restrictive policies prohibiting current and retired officials, students, school staff, and those on political blacklists from visiting the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, and monasteries in general. These measures are so stringent that such individuals are even forbidden from wearing religious protection cords around their necks or displaying portraits of their root lamas within their own homes.
Regarding this matter, a person who worked as a tour guide in Lhasa for a long time in 2023 told a Tibet Timescorrespondent: “Generally, when Tibetan officials join government service or enter the Communist Party, they are required to take a solemn oath to strictly abide by Party discipline and regulations. Consequently, visiting the Potala Palace or the Jokhang Temple for pilgrimage is considered a violation of these rules and laws. However, many Tibetan officials find themselves forced to travel quietly to other locations in secret to go on pilgrimages and perform religious offerings.”
At the time of Losar (Tibetan New year) in 2016, the Chinese Central Commission for Discipline Inspection issued a decree known as the “Eight Prohibitions,” which forbids party members and officials from participating in gatherings such as hometown reunions or alumni meetings. The eight things Communist Party officials are strictly prohibited from doing during the New Year are:
1. They are strictly forbidden from violating regulations by using public funds for dining, tourism, or high-end consumer entertainment and fitness activities.
2.They are strictly forbidden from using public funds to purchase New Year goods, such as greeting cards or firecrackers.
3. They are strictly forbidden from using public funds for unofficial activities such as hospitality visits or tours.
4. They are strictly forbidden from using official vehicles for private use or maintaining private vehicles with public funds.
5. They are strictly forbidden from violating regulations by accepting gifts, money, or consumer gift cards.
6. They are strictly forbidden from entering private entertainment clubs.
7.They are strictly forbidden from violating regulations by using occasions such as weddings or funerals as a pretext to accumulate wealth.
8. They are strictly forbidden from participating in hometown reunions, alumni gatherings, or veteran associations.
