Religious Freedom Today (1945-1953)

Following the founding of to people's Republic of China in 1949, the broad masses of Tibetans and partriotic members of the region's upper-class people called of the Central People's Government to immdiately expel imperialist forces and liberate Tibet. In January 1950, the Bainqen Kampus Assembly cabled Chairman Mao Zedong and Commander-in-Chief Zhu De saying: "The fact that Tibet is an integral part of Chinese territory is known to the world. All Tibetans regard themselves as members of the Chinese nation....Speaking with the greatest respect on behalf of the Tibetan people, we request that you dispatch troops to liberat Tibet, eliminate reactionaries and drive out imperialist forces, consolidate national defense in southwest China, and emancipate the Tibetan people." Famous patriot Yexei Cuchim presented a speech in Xining condemning the imperialists for perpetrating crimes such as invading Tibet and inciting pro-imperialist elements to murder patriotic Razheng. He demanded that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) be sent to Tibet. The Living Buddha Geda went to Lhasa to expound the respect of the Central Government and PLA for religious belief. Unfortunately, the patriotic Living Buddha was mudered by the British imperialists plotting "Tibetan independence." Their pervasive act touched off strong condemnation throughtout China.

The 10th Bainqen Erdeni presents a hada (auspicous silk scarf) to Chairman Mao

Soon after the 14th Dalai Lama came to power, he dispatched, on January 27, 1951, emissaries to the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, India, asking the embassy to deliver a letter to the Central Government. They explained the Dalai's emergence to power and, at the same time, expressed the Dalai's willingness to enter into peace negotiations with the Central Government. On February 28, the Dalai Lama dispatched Ngapoi Ngawang Jigmei and four other delegates to Beijing for negotiations. The 17-Article Agreement of the Central Government and the local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet was signed on May 23, 1951.

Following the signing of the 17-Article Agreement, the Dalai Lama cabled Chairman Mao Zedong. He stressed that the local government of Tibet and all Tibetan people, monks and laymen would unanimously support the May 23, 1951 agreement signed by representatives of the Central Government and the local government of Tibet on the basis of friendship. "We will actively assist the People's Liberation Army entry into Tibet to consolidate national defense, drive imperialist forces out of Tibet, and safeguard the unified state territory and soveeignty under the leadership of Chairman Mao and the Central Government." While Tibet had suffered from inperialist invasions for close to half a century, all plots to tear Tibet from the motherland suffered ignominious defeat.

On the eve fo the founding of New China, the Central Government, which carefully considered the customs of various nationalities and religions, endorsed the Common Program of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The said document was held as the temorpary Constitution of China. Article 53 in Chapter Six stipulates, "Various minority nationalities enjoy freedom for developing their own language and writing, maintaining and reforming their customs and habits, and developing their respective religious beliefs."

Article 7 of the 17-Article Agreement signed on may 23, 1951, includes the clause "The policy of freedom of religious belief laid down in the Common Program of the Chinese People's Political Consulattive Conference shall be carried out. The religious beliefs, customs and habits of the Tibetan people shall be respected, and lama monasteries shall be protected. The central authorities will not effect a change in the income of the monasteries." On the afternoon of May 23, Chairman Mao Zedong listened to a report on the negotiatins and advised that representatives be sent to Tibet with the instructions:"Representatives must always bear in mind nationality and religion issues when carrying their duties in Tibet."

Acting in accordance with the Common Program, the 17-Article Agreement and the instructions of Chairman Mao Zedong, the PLA forces and workers sent to Tibet strictly implemented the Central Government policy the religious freedom enjoyed by the Tibetan people, and respecting and protecting the belies and traditions of various Tibetan Buddhist sects. The PLA formulated Manuals for Work in Tibet prior to dispatching its troops. The Manuals included clauses for protecting the religious freedom enjoyed by the Tibetans and protecting lamaseries. it strictly banned touching religious objects out of curiously, speaking against the superstitions of the masses, or curiosity, speaking against the superstitions of the masses, or expressing discontent over religion. No one was allowed to live in monasteries or sutra halls without special permission. Even during wartime, the PLA strictly prohibited from stationing troops in monasteries or to permit visits to lamaseries. Advanced arrangements were required prior to any visits to monasteries, teries, with visitors prohibited from touching statues of Buddha at will, spitting or various other common acts. The PLA troops were required to follow the Manuals for Work in Tibet to the letter during the journey to the region. No one was allowed to live in monasteries, even during the bitterly cold winters. Troops approaching Mani stone mounds were required to follow the local tradition of turning left, and no one was allowed to shoot birds or animals Tibetans consider holy.

One particular night, the PLA troops established camp outside a remote monastery in the wilderness. The rain fell in orrents and the cold and shivering troops were soaked to the bone. Nonetherless, no one sought shelter in the monastery. Lamas in the monastery were deeply touched, and offered hot tea and invited the wounded and sick into the monastery. The PLA troops finally arrived in Tibet, with commanders Zhang Jingwu and Zhang Guohua arranging talks with upper-class lamas in the Zhaibung, Sera, Gandain and Jokhang monasteries. On October 18, 1951, they issued alms to the three major monasteries, as well as the Jokhang and Ramoge monasteries and the Upper and Lower Tantric Seminaries. They also issued alms to all lamas attending the Grand Summons Ceremony in 1952.

The broad masses of lamas and laymen in Tibet spoke highly of the behavior of the PLA troops and workers, fondly referring to them as "soldiers sent by Buddha."

1. Preface (Brief Introduction)
2. Formation of Tibetan Buddhism
3. Buddhist Sects and Characteristics
4. The Reincarnation of the Living Buddhas
5. Religious Freedom Today (1945-1953)
6. Religious Freedom Today (1954-1960s )
7. Religious Freedom Today ("cultural revolution" - 1980s )
8. Religious Freedom Today (after 1990s )