Two experts on Tibetan studies have lashed out at the Dalai clique, saying it should be responsible for the disorder of Tibetan Buddhism.
"The Lhasa riot, which involved beating, smashing, ransacking and arson, have claimed innocent people's lives and caused great loss of property. This is totally against the value worshipped by Tibetan Buddhists," Guangming Daily quoted on Sunday Dr. Dawa Cering, a research fellow with the China Tibetology Research Center (CTRC), as saying.
"It is a long-held view by the Tibetan Buddhists that man's life is of paramount importance," the scholar said.
"It is a groundless accusation by the Dalai clique and some foreign anti-China powers that the Tibetans have no freedom of religious belief. Quite the contrary, we have ample evidence in our investigation and research to prove that the religious undertakings in Tibet are witnessing the most prosperous period ever," said Doga Cering, deputy director of Institute for Religious Studies under the CTRC.
"The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the central government have expressed special concerns toward Tibetan Buddhism as conferences and seminars are regularly held to solicit opinions from Tibetan Buddhists," he said.
"The government has invested more than 1.1 billion yuan (about 154 million U.S. dollars) to renovate and rebuild temples in Tibet since 1979. From 1989 to 1994, the central government allocated an unprecedented amount of money for cultural relics renovation -- more than 55 million yuan and construction materials including gold and silver -- to furnish the Potala Palace," said Doga Cering.
The country has also put huge investment into the collection and publication of Tibetan Buddhism classics. The government invested more than 35 million yuan to the publication of the Tibetan Tripitaka, he added. "The Dalai clique and their supporters are those who undermining the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism," the expert said.
"The Dalai clique is the real secessionists who constantly interrupt religious ceremonies with riots and turbulence, and even attempted to crown an unqualified living Buddha at their own will." He said it is more convenient for Tibetans to carry out their religious practice today as their living standards have greatly improved.
"For example, the Qinghai-Tibet railway has facilitated the Tibetans in their religious worship," said Dr. Dawa Cering. "My family can spend their new year in Lhasa, while worshipping the Buddha at the same time. The Tibetans from the plateau now spend less time traveling to Buddhist holy lands in other provinces such as Wutai Mountain and Putuo Mountain."
"The riot masterminded by the Dalai clique and its supporters has ruined the fundamental interests of the Tibetan people. I believe most Tibetans would not follow them blindly," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2008)