China Asserts Authority Over Buddhists

Buddhists in Tibet face new religious oppression from mainland China. On Friday, the Chinese government’s State Administration for Religious Affairs declared jurisdiction over naming living Buddhas, the reincarnations of lamas, inciting the Tibetan people to protest. Traditionally, the Dalai Lama names living Buddhas after searching amongst candidates.

Despite recently becoming law, the Chinese government previously intervened in the naming of the Panchen Lama when he mysteriously disappeared in 1995 after being named by the Dalai Lama. For the past decade, the disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima has fueled the politics of human rights organizations against the Chinese.