Chinese Oppression of Tibetan Religion- Religion Blog 4

by Victoria Rosenthal

As a communist nation, China is one of the strongest powers in the world. Its communist ideals have been imposed since the Chinese Communist Party began to control China in 1948 although it has adapted to the modern world during the many long years of its rule. This is seen in the State Council’s new Regulations on Religious Freedoms ratified in 2005. Despite these modifications to Chinese law that have reduced some of the CCP’s restrictions on human rights and religious freedoms, many of these restrictions remain, especially within Tibet. The CCP’s fear of groups rising against their traditional atheist ideologies has led the CCP to restrict religious freedoms within Tibet although within the Chinese constitution it clearly states in “Article 36 that Chinese citizens ‘enjoy freedom of religious beliefs’” ( Religion In China, Bhattacharji).

            The numerous religious demonstrations and uprisings during the years of Chinese occupation within Tibet have intensified the many restrictions on this country’s religious freedoms and the CCP’s fears of opposition from its citizens. Tibetan monks and nuns have gone as far as setting themselves on fire in order to demonstrate their pain and oppression under Chinese control. According to CNN journalist Costica Bradatan, “since March 2011, about 29 Tibetans, mostly Tibetan monks and nuns, have self-immolated in Tibetan parts of China. In March 2012 alone, seven people self-immolated, and Tibetan exiles in India have set themselves on fire” (The Politics of Tibetan Self Immolations). One of the most well-known uprisings led by Tibetan monks occurred in 2008 within the months leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. These riots killed nineteen people, many of which were Han Chinese migrants. Many of the Tibetan protesters were arrested; some were killed while in custody (LaFraniere, More Monks Die by Fire in Protest of Beijing). In response to these uprisings and demonstrations, the Chinese Communist Party has imposed stronger restrictions on religious freedoms within Tibet in order to suppress citizens’ disagreement with the Chinese government and their restricting laws. The CCP does this by promoting a negative of view of the Tibetan leader-in-exile, the Dalai Lama. Also, “the state monitors daily operations of major monasteries and it reserves the right to disapprove any individual's application to take up religious orders” (Religion in China, Bhattacharji).

            China’s growing fear of rebellion from the Tibetans stems from religion’s incompatibility with communism. This is based on the communist ideology that citizens’ strong adherence to religion undermines the authority of the communist government over the nation. These religious citizens are more inclined to follow the laws and beliefs of their religion rather than those of the nation they reside in. Therefore, these citizens will find it unnecessary to respect the authority of their government and will possibly oust the government. In response, other nations will view the government as a weak power whose country could be easily seized and exploited as a territory of their own. This ideology applies to China’s oppression of Tibetan religion; China oppresses Tibetan religion to maintain their authority over territory they view as their own, to uphold their reputation as a strong nation, and to prevent foreign invasion. As long as this fear remains embedded in the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, oppression of Tibetan religion will continue.

Works Cited

Bradatan, Costica, and The Opinions Expressed in This Commentary Are Solely Those of                            Costica Bradatan. "The Politics of Tibetan Self-immolations - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 20 May 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/28/opinion/bradatan-self-immolation/index.html>.

Bhattacharji, Preeti. "Religion in China." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 16 May 2008. Web. 20 May 2012. <http://www.cfr.org/china/religion-china/p16272>.

Research., Sharon Lafraniere; Li Bibo Contributed. "More Monks Die by Fire In Protest Of Beijing." The New York Times. The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 May 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/world/asia/3-monks-deaths-show-rise-of-self-immolation-among-tibetans.html>.