On 19 October 2017, one year on from the International Day of Action for Larung Gar, Tibet Watch and Free Tibet released a joint report showing the huge scale of destruction at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy captured via satellite images.
You can read our full report below or download a pdf copy from the link on the right. “In July 2016, Larung Gar was transformed from a place of quiet religious contemplation and study into a scene of devastation. Since then, each person forced from their home, each house torn down has been another scar that its residents have been forced to live with. Beijing’s attempts to reduce this important site to a mere tourist destination make this destruction even more heart-breaking. Larung Gar’s residents understand and appreciate the significance of this site in a way that the Chinese Communist Party never could. They must be spared any further harassment and allowed to live , study and practice their religion in peace." |
Those whose homes were destroyed had been promised compensation for the destroyed houses, although according to the same resident, nobody they knew had at that point received any money.[33] According to this source, households had been offered compensation of RMB 30,000 (£3,500 or USD $4,300) to share between residents of the building, significantly less than the value of each home, which they put at around 70,000 – RMB 80,000 RMB (£8,000 - £9,200, or USD $10,000 - $16,000).[34] One nun spoken to by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) confirmed that she had received RMB 30,000 (£3,500 or USD $4,500) after her two-storey home was destroyed. The home had cost her and her family RMB 150,000 (£17,000 or USD $22,700) to build. The nun, who came to Larung Gar from Drango County in Kardze nearly three decades ago, said she was now living in a borrowed house in the valley. She had been ordered to leave after the demolition of her home and feared that she would be returned to Drango County or arrested if caught.[35]
Administrative changes were also implemented. In August 2017, state media announced that CCP members had been incorporated into Larung Gar's management. Three CCP officials, Dhakpa, Dhondup Tashi and Lokhang Pun, were assigned to manage Larung Gar Buddhist Institute, while Dhargay Tashi Tsering, Sonam Choephel and Sonam Yangzom, were appointed to head the Larung Gar Monastery Management Committee (MMC). The appointment of the party members was in line with the June 2016 order,[36] section 7.4 of which stated: "In terms of management, the monastery needs to be managed by both lay officials and monks, while the institute’s management style needs to be in conformity with the management of a government-run school. A management committee with both monks and officials must be established. In the manner of taking seven steps forward, a 2+3 management approach should be practically implemented."[37] |