Oppression of Tibetan Buddhism - Religion Blog 1

By Robert Sweeney

Religious tensions between China and Tibet are obviously due to the sharp difference in their religious beliefs.  Tibet is considered the most spiritual place in the world, while China, being a communist nation, is an atheist state.  However, the tensions that result are not simply due to intolerance of each region’s respective religion, but from China’s condemnation of religion as a poison and its desire to eradicate it within Tibet.  China’s condemnation and oppression of Buddhism is a result of Marxist ideas put into action and the manipulative use of religion by the upper class in Chinese history.

Marx’s idea of communism, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “the final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably.” (Definition of Communism).  Marx believed that to get to this point, there must be class warfare between the rich and the working class.  Upon the end of this struggle, the working class would assume power and create a wage less economic society.  However, religion makes this impossible.  Mason, a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain, says, “…true Christianity, and pacifism lulls into inactivity the best fighting elements of the working class, thereby leaving them entirely at the mercy of the capitalist class, without the will or the means of resistance.” (Mason 1).  In other words, religion is incompatible with communism because it rejects the struggle between classes.  In addition to this idea, China views religion as “a remnant of old China used by the ruling classes to keep power.” (Han 78).  This statement refers to Confucianism and its role in government for nearly all of Chinese history since its introduction to the Cultural Revolution.  Confucianism taught that the ideal human was a human who had attained knowledge and taught that those with knowledge should be revered.  Using this idea, the upper class, which had the money to afford education, used it to legitimize their rule and keep the lower classes at bay.  Therefore, China abhors religion due to the communist idea as well as its manipulative uses in China’s history.

With the understanding of why the Chinese condemn religion, the reason for their oppression of Tibetan Buddhism is clear.  China wants to increase its strength as a nation.  Thus, it wants Tibet as Chinese territory.  China sees potential in Tibet as an economic powerhouse.  However, China views the intense Tibetan spirituality as weakness.  China is aware of the dangers that religion poses, both to the ultimate Marxist goal and to the people of Tibet in regards to oppression.  Thus, China wants to mold Tibet into a powerful Chinese territory; however, the only way to do so, in Chinese eyes, is to eradicate religion.

"Definition of Communism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 15 May 2012. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communism>.

Han, I. A Study of Tibetan-Chinese Political Relations 1950-2008. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://total05.enetworks.jp/assets/files/d-kiyou/01-han.pdf>.

Mason, Leslie. "Marxist Internet Archive." The Conflict Between Communism and Religion. Communist Party of Great Britain. Web. 15 May 2012. <http://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/sections/britain/periodicals/communist_review/1924/02/mason.htm>.