Shak Rongpo monastery in Nagchu
photo: Phayul
The Chinese government has shut down a Tibetan monastery in eastern Tibet. The Gaden Dhargyeling monastery based in Shak Rongpo, situated within Nagchu County, has been forced to close after alleged links to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Hundreds of Chinese police have been drafted to the area compelling the local Tibetan monks to seek shelter elsewhere.
Chinese Security Personnel at Shak Rongpo monastery
photo: Phayul, obtained at source
Political crackdowns started at the Gaden monastery in 2010 after it was alleged that the monks at the holy site conspired with the Dalai Lama about reinstatement of its spiritual head, Rongpo Choejey Rinpoche.
The Lama Dawa, as the spiritual leader at the monastery is also known, was arrested that year under false charges and sentenced to seven years in prison. A source close to the monastery stated: “Lama Dawa is currently 78 years old and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Lhasa. The Chinese government continues to keep a close watch on his movements by deploying plainclothes policemen around him”.
For a hundred years or more the The Gaden Dhargyeling monastery has been welcoming Buddhist monks from across the region, including some of the highest lamas in the land. This recent closure is adding to fears within the local community that the Tibetan culture is being slowly eradicated by Chinese influence and their heavy-handed approach.
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