Tibet, Beijing prohibits religious rituals
Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - The Chinese central government first prohibited and then altogether stopped Nyung Ne (the ritual of fasting observed by the Buddhists in the month of Saka Dawa) for the monks and the faithful of the Drepung Monastery, one of the "big three" places of worship in Tibet. The authorities have been fighting against the monastery for months, where meetings of anyone who does not want Communist domination of the region are held. Up to now, however, they had allowed religious practices.
Saka Dawa is the most important period for the followers of Tibetan Buddhism, because it commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Throughout the month, 15 days of total starvation are observed and monks, nuns and other faithful spend time together, reading the sacred texts and discussing religion. Stopped for the first time during the popular uprising of 2008, Nyung Ne was celebrated - although to a lesser extent - in recent years.
This year, the monastery repeatedly called on the regional government to allow the usual celebrations, and to allow the resumption of daily life in the region. Having received no response, a good number of faithful on 30 May approached the monastery where the monks were preparing the first celebrations. Almost immediately, as reported today by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, the local police arrived at the monastery and stopped everything.
The officials identified the faithful and then sent them home, although they were mostly elderly people who had faced a long journey to celebrate Nyung Ne. The monks have closed their doors in protest, and now - fearing possible protests - the authorities have deployed about 60 officers in riot gear.
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