China’s sinicization of Buddhism in Tibet is a policy aimed at bringing Tibetan Buddhism under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This process involves integrating Chinese cultural elements and political ideologies into Tibetan Buddhism, often at the expense of traditional Tibetan practices and beliefs. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s 2024 annual report highlights the deterioration of religious freedom in Tibet due to this intensified suppression. The report notes increased surveillance and security measures on Tibetan Buddhist practices, as well as efforts to control the selection of religious leaders.
It’s a complex and sensitive issue, reflecting broader tensions between cultural preservation and political control. This policy involves increased monitoring and security measures on Tibetan Buddhists, leading to restrictions on their religious activities. Over one million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and placed in state-run boarding schools to assimilate them into Chinese culture. The CCP controls the ordination of Tibetan monks and has increased mandatory indoctrination training sessions in monasteries and nunneries. The Chinese government has expressed its intent to interfere in the reincarnation process of the Dalai Lama and appoint his successor. These actions are part of a broader strategy to integrate Tibetan Buddhism into the CCP’s ideology of “socialism with Chinese characteristics”.
Recent developments in the Sinicization of Tibetan-inhabited regions in China have been quite concerning. A marked increase in the visit to these areas by Central leaders has been noticed. A member of the Politburo of the CCP and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Chen Wenqing visited Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and Tibetan inhabited Prefectures of Sichuan Province over September 10-13, 2024. The purpose was to convey to the security forces to resolutely ‘crack down on separatist and destructive activities’ and to ‘manage religious affairs’ in accordance with the law. Earlier, Party Secretary and Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Ying Yong and President of Supreme People’s Court, Zhang Jun visited Tibet during September 3-4 and September 11-12, respectively.
The Chinese authorities have been intensifying their crackdown on Tibetan Buddhists. Along with reports indicating that traditional Tibetan monasteries and schools are being shut down, and children being placed in colonial-style boarding schools, Buddhist monks are being subjected to harsh sentencing and increased restrictions on religious practices. For instance, the Tengdro Monastery has faced severe restrictions and its monks have been harshly sentenced. The Chinese Communist Party views Tibetan monks as “troublemakers” and has been implementing strategies to consolidate control over Tibet by sinicizing Tibetan Buddhism.
Other Central leaders have also been visiting TAR to propagate the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy for governing Tibet. In June State Councillor, Chen Yiqin visited Lhasa and Nyingchi, where she stressed on creating a strong sense of community of the Chinese nation. In July the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Wang Huning went to Sichuan Province. During the visit, he pressed on the need for enhancing people’s identification with the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Party, and to adapt Tibetan Buddhism to socialist society.
The Chinese government has implemented regulations that require the approval of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the recognition of reincarnated Tibetan Living Buddhas, including the Panchen Lamas and the Dalai Lamas. This policy is outlined in the State Religious Affairs Bureau Order No. 5, which was passed in 2007. According to this order, all Buddhist temples in China must file a Reincarnation Application before they can recognize individuals as tulkus (reincarnated teachers).
The Buddhist Association of China plays a significant role in this process, working to control and reshape Tibetan Buddhism to align with the CCP’s objectives, and is part of a broader strategy to sinicize Tibetan Buddhism and assert the CCP’s authority over religious practices in the region. For instance on September 3rd Buddhist Association of China (BAC) held a seminar to discuss the historical customs, policies, and regulations surrounding the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. The seminar emphasised the importance of government approval in recognizing reincarnated Tibetan religious leaders. This aligns with the broader efforts of the Chinese government to control and sinicize Tibetan Buddhism.
Pan Yue, the director of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission (NEAC), recently spoke at a meeting in Beijing on September 19th about ‘Counterpart Support for Tibet and Xinjiang.’ In his speech, Pan Yue emphasised the importance of integrating Tibetan and Xinjiang cultures with Chinese culture, countering what he described as a baseless narrative that separates them. He highlighted the need for support and development in these regions, aligning with the broader goals of the Chinese government to promote unity and stability.
In line with this policy on July 12, 2024, Chinese authorities ordered the closure of the Jigme Gyaltsen Nationalities Vocational School in Golog, Qinghai. This school had a strong focus on Tibetan language and culture and had been operating successfully for three decades. The closure is part of a broader government campaign to shut down private Tibetan schools. The Chinese government has been implementing policies that require young Tibetans to learn Mandarin under the banner of the ‘National Common Language.’ This is part of a broader effort to assimilate Tibetan culture into the dominant Han Chinese culture. As stated earlier, reports indicate that around a million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and placed into government-run boarding schools, where they are taught primarily in Mandarin.
The Chinese government has also been accelerating the forced urbanisation of rural Tibetans., China has been expanding its military infrastructure in the TAR, including the construction of high-altitude heliports. This expansion is seen as a strategic move to strengthen China’s control over the region and poses a potential threat to neighbouring countries like India. Tibet’s geographical location makes it strategically important for China. By maintaining tight control over the region, China can secure its borders and project power in South Asia
In a significant step in China’s strategy to dominate the global conversation with its propagandistic narrative, the Tibet International Communication Center was launched in Lhasa on September 2, 2024. This new propaganda centre is part of China’s ongoing efforts to control the narrative on Tibet and reshape international public opinion. The centre aims to promote China’s perspective and tell a “good Chinese story” about Tibet. With the 6th World Buddhist Forum scheduled to be held from October 15-17, 2024 in Mount Xuedou, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, more propaganda efforts on Sinicization would be undertaken by China in the coming days. China would use the Forum to propagate its policies and try to win over Buddhist participants from neighbouring countries, urging them to publicise Chinese policies amongst the Buddhist community in their respective countries.
China’s insistence on controlling the reincarnation process of the Dalai Lama underscores its ongoing concerns about stability in Tibetan-inhabited regions. By asserting the CCP’s role in this deeply spiritual and cultural matter, China aims to ensure that any future Dalai Lama aligns with its political agenda and does not become a symbol of resistance or a rallying point for Tibetan independence.
These moves are part of a broader strategy to maintain tight control over Tibet and its people, reflecting the CCP’s desire to integrate Tibetan Buddhism into the framework of Chinese governance. The Chinese government’s efforts to assimilate Tibetan culture and identity into the larger Chinese society continue to be a significant issue, drawing international criticism and concern.