Reported By Palden
Translated By TenGyal
In addition to beginning the actual demolition of monastic residences in Larung Gar, Serta, Tibet, the Chinese government continues to impose heavy restrictions in the area.
Since July 13, the Chinese government has been demolishing residences at Larung Gar, citing safety risks caused by overcrowding and an excessive number of monastics. Alongside current plans to destroy 1,060 monastic residences at the major religious centre, severe restrictions continue to be imposed on local monastics and lay residents, leaving the precise situation of those already evicted unclear.
According to a reliable Tibet Times source, “Under the pretext of security risks posed by an excess of monastic quarters, the Chinese government began demolishing the residences. Even today, July 21, monastic quarters continue to be razed. Irrespective of whether the monks and nuns agree, any quarters falling within the boundary line previously set by the government are immediately being torn down.”
The same source went on to state, “Even as residences of monks and nuns continue to be demolished, there is no clear information regarding how many have been destroyed so far. As these monastic residences are being razed after being cordoned off with perimeter fencing, Chinese authorities are spraying water to suppress the rising dust. Similarly, the movements of the monastics remain under strict surveillance and regulation. Chinese authorities have also issued strict directives prohibiting the monastics from sharing images and videos of the ongoing demolitions.” Meanwhile, the International Campaign for Tibet reported that six monastic quarters had already been demolished by July 15.
Yet another related source explained, “The current demolition of monastic quarters at Larung Gar, Serta, is not a sudden development. Announcements to this effect were made several years ago, and they are only now being actively implemented. Even now, there is no clear information regarding the condition of those evicted monastics. Furthermore, pilgrims and visitors from other regions are being restricted and barred from entering the area.”
In 2001, 2016, and 2019, the Chinese government demolished numerous monastic residences at Larung Gar under the pretexts of overcrowding and lack of legal documentation. Alongside repeated efforts to restrict the number of monks and nuns and forcibly return those from other regions to their hometowns, reports emerged in 2019 that during a wave of demolitions, a nun named Tsering Dolma took her own life—leaving behind a final note protesting the unbearable oppression of the Chinese government’s unlawful actions.
