THE SNOW LION NEWSLETTER

China Blacklists Tibetan Lamas Recognized by Dalai Lama

WorldTibet Network News
WASHINGTON, Thursday, November 17, 2005 (RFA)

Chinese authorities in Tibet have begun a campaign to blacklist key religious figures close to the exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The campaign began October 26 in Tibet's Chamdo prefecture and focused heavily on the banning of the prominent Oser Lama from returning to his homeland. Oser, who now lives in southern India, is head of a key Kham monastery of the same name that forms part of the Dalai Lama's political and religious heartland. He also supervises 22 smaller monasteries in Chamdo prefecture.

"Oser Lama, who is recognized by the Dalai Lama, will not be recognized by the Chinese government," a source in Markham county told RFA's Tibetan service. "He is not allowed to come back to Tibet and no one is allowed to have any contact with him."

The Dalai Lama has accused the Chinese authorities of carrying out "cultural genocide" in the Himalayan region, and many Tibetans complain of ethnic discrimination following the mass migration of Han Chinese to the region amid growing economic development. The Markham source said many in the county simply refused to turn up for the campaign against Oser Rinpoche and other lamas recognized by the Dalai Lama.

"All the monks of Oser Monastery in Markham county were called, but no one attended the meeting," the source said. "When local officials went to check at the monastery they found it completely deserted."

Oser Lama, currently living in Bylakuppe, India, has a significant following in the county. The prefecture is home to 536 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, with 52 monasteries in Markham county alone.

Chinese religious affairs officials confirmed the campaign had begun. "We visited about 100 monasteries close to the main road in Kham prefecture and informed them that all those lamas recognized by the Dalai Lama are not recognized by the Chinese government," Markham County religious affairs bureau chairman Rinchen Phuntsok said in an interview. "In Markham county, it was announced that Oser Rinpoche is not recognized by the Chinese government and that he is not allowed to return to Tibet," Rinchen Phuntsok said.

Speaking from Bylakuppe, southern India, Oser Rinpoche said he too had heard the news. "It is difficult for me to understand," Oser said. "It was also announced that I would not be allowed to return and that others cannot contact me. The Chinese do not recognize lamas. But the Dalai Lama recognized these lamas according to Buddhist traditions." "This very much goes against the official Chinese line, which invites and welcomes all brethren who live abroad to return to Tibet. So it is disappointing and frustrating," he said.

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