China has released a new white paper highlighting how religious freedom is effectively safeguarded in the Xizang Autonomous Region, according to the State Council Information Office. The document outlines measures taken to protect lawful religious activities and satisfy the spiritual needs of believers in the southwestern region.
The white paper, titled “Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era,” notes that the region is home to approximately 46,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, 12,000 native Muslims, and over 700 Catholic believers. Many ordinary believers have a scripture room or a Buddhist shrine at home, reflecting the integration of faith into daily life.
Traditional religious practices are thriving in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Activities such as learning scriptures, debating, initiation ceremonies for monks and nuns, empowerment rituals like abhisheka, and self-cultivation are regularly conducted. Monasteries also hold examinations and promote academic degrees among the clergy.
Religious and cultural festivals, including the Shoton Festival, Butter Lamp Festival, and Saga Dawa Festival, continue to be celebrated as customary. These events often involve religious walks around lakes and mountains, drawing participants from various communities.
The government emphasizes respect for the tradition of reincarnation of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. Strict adherence to the “Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism” ensures that the process is managed according to law.
Infrastructure development has greatly benefited religious sites, with over 98 percent of monasteries and temples now enjoying access to roads, telecommunications, electricity, water, radio, and television. The government allocates over 26 million yuan (about $3.6 million) annually to cover medical insurance, pensions, subsistence allowances, accident insurance, and health checks for registered monks and nuns.
Significant investments have been made in religious education, with nine Tibetan Buddhism colleges, including the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China and the Xizang Tibetan Buddhist Institute, constructed at a cost of 920 million yuan.
The white paper details remarkable progress in human rights across various fields in Xizang. The region enjoys political stability, ethnic unity, economic development, social harmony, and amity among different religions, according to the document.
Looking ahead to the 60th founding anniversary of the Xizang Autonomous Region in 2025, regional government chairman Gama Cedain reflected on the human rights developments over the past six decades. He credited the leadership of the Communist Party for providing a fundamental guarantee for lasting stability and high-quality development in the region.
People of all ethnic groups in Xizang have achieved historic advancements in their rights to subsistence and development, reaffirming the region’s commitment to safeguarding human rights and religious freedom.
