By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, August 18: The annual 10-day ceremonies at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy have been banned by the Chinese authorities owing to the fear of huge gathering at the vicinity of the ongoing demolition site, reported RFA.
According to a source, the ceremonies have been moved to Shoru Monastery and were only allowed to conduct it for a day on August 15.
“These ceremonies meant to dispel obstacles used to be performed for ten days at Larung Gar, but have been banned there this year due to the ongoing demolitions and related tensions in the area,” the source said.
The source also added that as soon as the ceremonies were finished, the monks and nuns were ordered to return to Larung Gar, which according to new videos surfacing on social media is still being demolished.
The demolition drive is aimed at cutting the academy’s strength to 5,000 from 10,000 by 2017.
Tibetans living in Nubsur Township, less than a kilometer away from the institution, are being force to sell their lands in exchange for a token compensation.
“Tibetans were not willing to sell their land, but were forced to part with it and were then evicted from the area,” the source said adding that they have plans to build a tourist complex on the confiscated land.
However, businesses of these planned hotels and restaurants can be availed only by Han Chinese, not Tibetans.
