Washington: A 2023 report by the United States Department of State has presented a damning assessment of China's continued repression of religious freedom in Tibet. This comprehensive review highlights the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) ongoing efforts to control and manipulate Tibetan Buddhism, severely impacting the spiritual and cultural life of the Tibetan people.

At the core of China's repressive policy is an aggressive campaign of "Sinicization," aimed at erasing Tibetan identity and reshaping Tibetan Buddhism to fit a CCP-approved version of Chinese culture. This strategy is not merely cultural imperialism; it is a calculated effort to neutralize what Beijing perceives as a threat to its authority and to mold Tibetan Buddhism to align with the CCP's ideology.

The report, released on June 26, underscores the CCP's 2019-2023 five-year plan to Sinicize Buddhism in China, with a particular focus on Tibetan Buddhism. Far from being a benign cultural initiative, this plan is a blueprint for ideological control. It demands unwavering loyalty to the CCP and the state, effectively attempting to replace spiritual devotion with political allegiance.

A significant aspect of this process is the involvement of the state-owned Buddhist Association of China (BAC), which serves to align religious organizations with the CCP's political agenda. The report details the disturbing extent of the CCP's interference in Tibetan Buddhist traditions. The United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the CCP, has assumed control over the selection of Tibetan religious leaders, including the recognition of reincarnated lamas. This is a profound violation of religious freedom, aiming to control the spiritual lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

The regulations stipulate that reincarnated lamas must be born within China, and no foreign organization or individual can influence their selection. These rules are designed to prevent the exiled Dalai Lama from playing any role in recognizing his successor, thereby severing the spiritual ties between Tibetans in Tibet and their exiled leaders and ensuring future religious leaders comply with CCP directives.

The report also highlights the continued disappearance of Gadhun Choeki Nyima, recognized by the Dalai Lama and most Tibetan Buddhists as the 11th Panchen Lama. He was abducted in 1995 at the age of six, and his whereabouts remain unknown nearly three decades later. This act of state-sponsored kidnapping not only violates basic human rights but also directly attacks the religious traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Furthermore, the Chinese government is actively eradicating Tibetan language and culture. Monasteries have been forced to translate religious texts from Tibetan into Mandarin, a move observers view as an attempt to weaken the Tibetan language. Forcibly replacing images of the Dalai Lama and other revered lamas with images of CCP leaders in monasteries and private homes is a particularly egregious form of cultural violence that undermines Tibetan spiritual practice.

The ban on displaying images of the Dalai Lama, enforced with harsh consequences for those who defy it, is a clear violation of religious freedom and personal expression. It underscores the CCP's fear of the Dalai Lama's influence and its determination to eradicate any loyalty to him among the Tibetan people.

The report also highlights the repression around politically sensitive events, religious anniversaries, and cultural activities with religious components. The cancellation or reduction of public attendance at even officially sanctioned religious events reflects the arbitrary nature of CCP control and the ongoing uncertainty over Tibetan Buddhists' ability to practice their religion freely.

The role of the United Front Work Department in managing religious affairs through the State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) demonstrates that religion in Tibet is treated as a political issue rather than a spiritual one. The CCP's claim to refuse the recognition of high lamas with "particularly great influence" indicates its fear of charismatic religious leaders who might challenge its authority.

Regulations permitting citizens to participate only in officially sanctioned religious practices are a direct assault on religious freedom. The CCP controls all aspects of religious activity, including religious sites, groups, staff, and schools. In effect, the Chinese government is attempting to turn Tibetan Buddhism into a state-controlled institution devoid of its spiritual essence. This control extends to minute details of daily religious life, including maintaining a registry of officially recognized reincarnated lamas and requiring local governments in Tibetan areas to oversee monasteries and nunneries, leading to constant scrutiny and potential interference.

The requirement for monasteries to obtain official permission for large-scale religious events or ceremonies further restricts religious freedom. This micromanagement of religious activities not only inhibits free expression of faith but also allows the CCP to monitor and control gatherings of Tibetan Buddhists, potentially stifling opposition to Chinese rule.

Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, emphasized that the suppression of religious freedom in Tibet, including attempts to control the Dalai Lama's successor, is a critical issue for the survival and future of Tibetan civilization. The report calls on the international community to hold China accountable for these severe violations of religious freedom and human rights.

China's policies in Tibet represent an attempt to fundamentally alter Tibetan spiritual practices to serve state interests, posing a grave danger to the preservation of Tibetan culture and spirituality. The international community must continue to expose these abuses and apply pressure to ensure the protection of the unique religious and cultural heritage of the Tibetan people.