Religious Freedom Today ("cultural revolution" - 1980s )

Just like other parts of China, Tibet reeled from the impact of the chaotic "cultural revolution" which lasted from 1966 to 1976. Following the ordeal, the Chinese Government moved to correct mistakes and set about implementing various policies including the policy for religious freedom.

As part of an effort to recoup losses resulting from the "cultural revolution" and despite being faced with financial problems, the Central Government has since 1980 earmarked more than 200 million yuan (US $24 million) for the repair of Tibetan monasteries, holy stupas and memorial halls. The three major monasteries in Lhasa, as well as the Tahihungpo, Sagya, Jokhang, Samye and Xalhu monasteries, and various other facilities, which were either damaged or had been in disrepair for years, were refurbished to varying degrees. In 1985, the Central Government allocated more than 6.7 million yuan (US $810,000), 108.85 kg of gold, 1,000 kg of silver and 665 kg of mercury to repair the holy stupa for the 5th-9th Bainqen Erdenis. Construction of the Zhaxi Namgyal Holy Stupa for the Bainqen was completed in the Tashihungpo Monastery in 1988. The 10th Bainqen Erdeni presided over the consecration ceremony for the holy stupa and the memorial hall, which stands 33.17 meters in height and covers 1,9333 square meters. In June 1990, shortly after the death of the 10th Bainqen Erdeni, the State Council approved the construction of a holy stupa and a memorial hall for the late master in the Tahihungpo Monastery. The Central Government earmarked over 64 million yuan (US $7.71 million) and various materials for the project, including more than 600 kg of gold and over 500 kg of silver. The construction project was completed in three years and a consecration ceremony was held in the Tahihungpo Monastery on September 4, 1993. The actions truly reveal the Central Government's great respect for outstanding leaders of Tibetan Buddhism.

In October 1988, the State announced its decision to provide funding to repair the Potala Palace, a massive complex consisting of Tibetan monasteries, places of historical interest and ancient palaces. The massive 53 million yuan (US $6.39 million) project, the most expensive repair project in the history of the People's Republic of China, got underway with the establishment of a leading group consisting of specialists and religious figures. The five-year repair project was carried out under the principle of respecting science, tradition, national style and religion, with efforts centering on preserving the original appearance of the complex. The resplendent Potala Palace now shines brightly on the Roof of the World. In 1994, the Central Government annouced its decision to allocate 20 million yuan (US $2.41 million) for ongoing repairs to the Gandain Monastery, the most extensively damaged monastery in Tibet.

Over 1,400 monasteries and other religious centers are now open to the public, with the number of resident monks and nuns approaching 34,000. As part of an effort to guarantee normal religious activities, religious affairs departments of the people's government of Tibet Autonomous Region and the Tibet's Branch of the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) are attempting to recover gold and silver statues of Buddha, religious objects, jewelry, tangka paintings and scrolls, and Buddhist scriptures removed from monasteries during the chaotic "cultural revolution." Thus far, some 30,000 bronze statues of Buddha and various other religious objects weighing well over 370 tons have been recovered and returned to appropriate monasteries. In addition, 526 sets of sutras, including the Ganyur written in the Tibetan language in gold dust, have been returned to their rightful home in the Gandain Monastery. Efforts have also been made to collect and collate Buddhist scriptures belonging to the Potala Palace. Folk calligraphers have been organized to copy the Dangyur on high paper with ink prepared from gold, silver, copper, iron, jade, coral, white conch shell and pearl powder.

Various monasteries have joined government efforts and are currently restoring statues of Buddha, copying tangka paintings and scrolls, and printing Buddhist scriptures. In 1984, the people's government of the Tibet Autonomous Region earmarked 500,000 yuan to finance the establishment of Lhasa Sutra Printing House of the Tibet Branch of the BAC. In the last few years since its establishment, the printing house has printed more than 1,000 volumes of the Gangyur in the Tibetan for lamas in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries both inside and outside the Tibet Autonomous Region.

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 )