OPED By Air Marshal Anil Khosla (R)
Recent reports indicate a significant increase in Chinese military presence at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, the world’s largest Tibetan Buddhist study center in Serthar County, Karze, within Tibet’s traditional Kham province, now part of Sichuan Province.
On December 20, approximately 400 Chinese military personnel were deployed to the academy, accompanied by helicopter surveillance, signaling intensified monitoring of the religious site.
In addition to the military deployment, Chinese authorities reportedly plan to implement new regulations at Larung Gar in 2025. These measures include limiting residency for monks and nuns to 15 years, a significant departure from the traditional lifelong commitment to religious practice, and requiring mandatory registration for all religious practitioners.
This move could potentially lead to increased surveillance and control over the religious community. There are also plans to reduce the number of residents.
Larung Gar had previously faced crackdowns, notably in 2001 and between 2016 and 2017, when thousands of residential structures were demolished, and numerous practitioners were forcibly evicted.
These actions significantly reduced the academy’s population. The recent military deployment and impending regulations have raised concerns among Tibetan communities and human rights organizations, who view these actions as part of a broader strategy to suppress religious freedom and Tibetan cultural identity.
This strategy, which includes measures such as mass demolitions, forced evictions, and increased surveillance, is seen as an attempt to weaken the influence of Tibetan Buddhism and promote the dominance of the Chinese state. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for protecting religious freedoms and preserving Tibetan cultural heritage.
Historical Significance Of Larung Gar
Tibet, often called the “Roof of the World,” is unique in global spiritual and cultural heritage. Its monasteries, prayer flags, and serene landscapes symbolize centuries of spiritual devotion and resilience.
Among these sacred sites, Larung Gar, a sprawling Buddhist monastic community nestled in the remote Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, has emerged as a beacon of Tibetan culture and religious practice.
Founded in 1980 by the late Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, Larung Gar was established as a center for Tibetan Buddhist education and meditation. Unlike traditional monasteries, it welcomed monks, nuns, and lay practitioners from diverse backgrounds, fostering a unique blend of inclusivity and scholastic rigor that is now under threat.
Over the decades, Larung Gar grew into the world’s largest Buddhist institute, with thousands of residents and visitors drawn to its spiritual teachings.
For Tibetans, Larung Gar is more than just a religious site; it symbolizes cultural identity and resilience. The institute has played a crucial role in preserving the Tibetan language, traditions, and spiritual practices amidst external pressures, and the potential loss of this cultural heritage is deeply felt.
Its vibrant community and serene surroundings embody the harmonious coexistence of spirituality and daily life.
Sinification As Chinese Statecraft
Sinification, the process of assimilating non-Han ethnic groups into Chinese cultural and political life, is a core component of China’s statecraft. Historically, this policy has been employed to consolidate power, integrate peripheral regions, and create a unified national identity.
At its heart, Sinification seeks to promote the dominance of Han Chinese culture, language, and values across the diverse ethnic mosaic of China.
Historical Perspective: The concept of Sinification is rooted in China’s imperial history. Emperors of the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BCE–220 CE) expanded China’s borders to include non-Han territories, such as Tibet, Mongolia, and Xinjiang, often through military conquest and colonization. As these regions were integrated into the Chinese empire, local populations were encouraged or forced to adopt Chinese customs, language, and governance.
Revival: In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has revitalized Sinification as a statecraft strategy. Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, the policy has attained renewed urgency, particularly in ethnically distinct regions like Tibet and Xinjiang. The CCP’s current approach is multifaceted, involving economic development, cultural integration, and political control to align minority populations with mainstream Chinese (Han) identity.
Forced Assimilation: Sinification is often framed as a means of fostering national unity and economic development. By promoting the Chinese language and culture, the state aims to create a shared sense of belonging and erase historical divisions between Han and non-Han groups.
This is evident in the promotion of Mandarin Chinese as the lingua franca and the construction of Chinese schools and cultural institutions in minority regions. China claims these measures are essential for cohesion and stability in a country with diverse ethnic and religious groups.
Identity Erasure and Assertion: However, the policy also raises profound questions about identity. For many non-Han groups, Sinification is perceived as a form of cultural erasure, undermining indigenous languages, traditions, and religious practices.
The process often includes the relocation of Han Chinese citizens into minority areas, the suppression of native languages, and the promotion of Chinese cultural norms. In this context, Sinification becomes a tool not just for integration but for asserting Han Chinese dominance and defining what it means to be “Chinese.”
Rights Violation: For many minority communities, particularly Tibetans, Uighurs, and Mongols, this form of assimilation is seen as a violation of their cultural and religious rights. In Tibet, the destruction of monasteries, the restriction on Buddhist practices, and the imposition of the Chinese language in schools are all part of efforts to assimilate the population.
Similarly, in Xinjiang, the Uighur Muslim population faces forced labor, mass surveillance, and the imposition of Chinese cultural norms, all of which threaten their distinct identity.
Resistance: Resistance to Sinification is a defining feature of its history. For many ethnic minorities, the push to preserve their cultural autonomy is seen as a response to the state’s encroachment on their way of life.
In Tibet and Xinjiang, protests, both violent and nonviolent, have occurred in opposition to the erosion of religious and cultural practices. Tibetan Buddhist monks, Uighur Muslims, and other ethnic minorities continue to advocate for greater autonomy and the right to preserve their heritage.
China’s Policy In Tibet & Militarisation Of Larung Gar
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has maintained a contentious relationship with Tibet since its annexation in 1950. Framing Tibet as an integral part of Chinese territory, the PRC has implemented policies aimed at assimilation and control.
These measures include restrictions on religious practices, promoting Mandarin over Tibetan, and infrastructural projects that often undermine local traditions.
Beijing views Tibet’s governance as a territorial and ideological issue. The region’s strategic location, rich natural resources, and potential as a geopolitical buffer make it a priority. However, the persistence of Tibetan resistance within and outside Tibet challenges the PRC’s narrative of harmonious integration.
The growing military presence in Larung Gar is a microcosm of broader trends in Tibet. Over the past decade, Chinese authorities have intensified their control over religious institutions, citing concerns about separatism and social stability. In Larung Gar, this has manifested through mass demolitions, forced evictions, surveillance, and military deployments.
Mass Demolitions and Forced Evictions: In 2016, Chinese authorities launched a large-scale campaign to downsize Larung Gar, citing overcrowding and safety concerns. Bulldozers razed thousands of homes, displacing monks, nuns, and lay practitioners.
Estimates suggest that over 4,000 residents were forced to leave, with many relocated to distant areas under strict surveillance. For those evicted, the loss was not merely physical but deeply emotional and spiritual. Larung Gar had been a sanctuary for many, where they could pursue spiritual growth and community. The demolitions disrupted this ecosystem, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Surveillance And Military Presence
In addition to physical restructuring, the Chinese government has ramped up surveillance in Larung Gar. High-tech cameras, facial recognition systems, and checkpoints have transformed the area into a heavily monitored zone. Military personnel conduct regular patrols, further intimidating the remaining residents.
This militarisation reflects Beijing’s broader strategy in Tibet, where technological and physical control mechanisms are used to suppress dissent and enforce ideological conformity. Larung Gar, once a hub of spiritual freedom, now operates under constant scrutiny.
Implications
The Chinese government’s actions in Larung Gar profoundly affect Tibetan culture and religion. Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasizes non-violence, compassion, and self-realization, starkly contrasts the state’s authoritarian approach. By targeting Larung Gar, Beijing is not only undermining a religious institution but also eroding a cornerstone of Tibetan identity.
Loss of Autonomy: Larung Gar’s forced restructuring represents a direct assault on the autonomy of Tibetan religious institutions. Decisions about monastic administration, community size, and daily activities are now subject to government approval, stripping the institute of its independence.
Cultural Assimilation: The destruction of homes and the dispersal of residents disrupt the transmission of Tibetan cultural and religious knowledge. Monastic education, which relies heavily on the community’s cohesion, has been severely impacted. Furthermore, the promotion of Mandarin and state-approved curricula over traditional Tibetan teachings accelerates cultural assimilation.
Psychological Impact: For many Tibetans, the militarisation of Larung Gar is a source of profound psychological distress. The presence of armed personnel in a sacred space symbolizes the state’s disregard for their spiritual values. The fear of surveillance and the loss of communal bonds compounds this emotional toll.
Geopolitical Dimensions: The situation in Larung Gar has not gone unnoticed globally. Tibet’s plight is a flashpoint in international human rights discourse, drawing attention from governments, NGOs, and advocacy groups. However, geopolitical considerations often complicate responses.
International Reactions: Countries such as the United States and members of the European Union have expressed concerns about human rights violations in Tibet, including the militarization of Larung Gar. However, their responses are often tempered by economic and strategic interests in maintaining relations with China.
Strategic Implications For China: The militarization of Larung Gar aligns with Beijing’s broader efforts to secure its western borders. By tightening control over Tibet, China aims to prevent unrest that could spill over into other regions or embolden separatist movements. However, this strategy risks fuelling further resentment and international criticism.
Conclusion
The growing military presence in Larung Gar represents a critical juncture for Tibet’s cultural and spiritual heritage. As the Chinese government tightens its grip, the world must grapple with the implications of this erosion of a sacred space.
By standing in solidarity with Tibetan communities and advocating for their rights, we can honor the resilience of a people whose spirit continues to inspire across borders and generations.
- Air Marshal Anil Khosla PVSM, AVSM, VM, is a former Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force and AOC in C of Eastern Air Command.
- VIEWS PERSONAL OF THE AUTHOR
- He tweets at: @AnilKhosla16
