By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, April 22: Chinese authorities have detained a group of Tibetan monks including a senior religious leader in Pashoe in Chamdo Prefecture in the traditional Tibetan province of Kham for contributing money for a long life prayer for Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in March, reported the Radio Free Asia.
Lobsang Tenzin, a lama of Pashoe monastery in Chamdo, along with “six or seven” other monks were arrested from their monastery in March, the RFA reported citing a local source. One of the monks was later released, according to the RFA source. However, the current condition and whereabouts of the detained monks remain unknown.
The Tibetans had sent monetary contributions for the long life prayer ceremony (Tenshug) for the Dalai Lama organized by exile Tibetans from Tsawa region of Tibet at Tsuglakhang, Dharamshala on March 16 coinciding with the Great Prayer Festival (Monlam Chenmo).
Pictures and audio recordings of the Dalai Lama have been reportedly found during a raid on the monastic quarter of Lobsang Tenzin, who was also accused of presiding over a parallel long life prayer for the exiled Tibetan leader at Pashoe Monastery.
131 Tibetans have expressed their protest against the Chinese government and desire for the exile Tibetan leader’s return by setting themselves ablaze since 2009.
