China’s War on Faith: Chronology of Repression, Persecution and Cultural Erasure of Tibetan Buddhism

 

China’s policy toward religion has increasingly come to resemble a wide and systematic war on faith, driven by strict state control, surveillance, and the suppression of spiritual expression. Although China’s constitution claims to grant freedom of belief, the government itself is officially atheist and operates under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. As a result, only state approved patriotic religious associations are permitted, and members of the clergy are required to demonstrate loyalty to the Party and follow government promoted Sinicisation of religion.

 

The state imposes severe restrictions on religious practice, especially on groups not registered with the government or those that fail to align with its expectations. Regulations limit the activities of religious institutions, while religious leaders face imprisonment, surveillance, and bans on engaging with the public. Children are prohibited from attending religious events.

 

At the centre of China’s approach lies the belief that loyalty to the Communist Party must override all other identities, including spiritual and cultural ones. This has led to widespread restrictions on Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and even traditional Chinese spiritual communities. Churches are demolished or stripped of crosses, mosques are closely monitored, temples are regulated, and religious leaders must pledge allegiance to the state. Independent religious activity, such as gathering, teaching, or worshipping outside official structures, is treated almost as a threat to national security.

 

 

Across the last sixteen years, China has intensified its crackdown on Tibetan Buddhism and prominent spiritual leaders across Tibet and other ethnic minority regions. Enforced disappearances, secret trials, demolition of monasteries, and the criminalisation of religious identity reflect a consistent campaign aimed at reshaping Tibetan culture into a form approved by the Communist Party.

 

This report presents a detailed chronology of Beijing’s expanding assault on monks, monasteries, and the spiritual heritage of Tibet.

 

 

 

 

Chinese authorities approved the arrest of former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin, accusing him of embezzlement, misappropriation of temple funds, and accepting bribes. Beijing cancelled his ordination and claimed his actions had harmed the Buddhist community.

 

 

 

Abbot Jamyang Lekshay, arrested in February 2024 for peacefully opposing China’s Kamtok Dam project, was secretly sentenced to four years in prison. Footage showed him pleading with officials as ancient monasteries faced submersion. Authorities conducted re education drives and imposed harsh reprisals on monks.

 

 

 

Kunchok Choedak, acting head of Hor Tsang Kirti Monastery, disappeared following his 2014 arrest. His home was raided, monastery documents seized, and Beijing has not revealed his location or health.

 

 

 

Lobsang Gephel was arrested for celebrating the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. Held incommunicado for nearly a year, he was later sentenced in 2016. UN experts condemned China for targeting him.

 

 

 

Zega Gyatso, aged 48, was detained in Xining while seeking medical care and has been held incommunicado for two months. Authorities accused him of sending funds to India, a charge his family dismissed as politically motivated.

 

 

 

Respected monk Geshe Shersang Gyatso died by suicide to protest continued surveillance, raids, and expulsions around the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday.

 

 

 

Over 300 stupas and sacred statues, including those of Guru Padmasambhava, were demolished. Public gatherings were banned and an information blackout imposed.

 

 

 

 

Heavy security forces prevented believers from approaching sacred butter sculptures at Kumbum Monastery, and Tibetans were compelled to sign anti religion pledges.

 

 

 

The 2024 regulation requires ideological loyalty, effectively turning monasteries into political outposts of the Communist Party.

 

 

 

More than one thousand monks were expelled under residency related pretexts, continuing a long pattern of demolitions and ideological policing.

 

 

 

More than 500 monks were removed from Taktsang Lhamo Monastic School and placed in state run boarding institutions.

 

 

 

Longyang took his life after being removed from the monastery under rules barring monks under the age of 18, which caused extreme psychological pressure.

 

 

 

 

China used soft power by funding Buddhist sites abroad and promoting the China Buddhist Association to present itself as the global centre of Buddhism, while marginalising Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

 

 

 

At Athi Monastery, authorities demolished tents, destroyed the sand mandala, and expelled devotees, despite earlier approval.

 

 

 

Authorities labelled Tibetan monks as providers of illegal missionary activity and encouraged temples to report any visiting Tibetan monk.

 

 

 

 

Rachung Gendun received a three year sentence for sending offerings to the Dalai Lama.

 

 

 

Monks and nuns were forced to adopt three consciousnesses and condemn traditional practices such as Saka Dawa fasting and animal liberation.

 

 

 

Monks aged between 11 and 15 were expelled from several monasteries.

 

 

 

China introduced a law banning all unlicensed religious content online, directly targeting Tibetan monks and writers.

 

 

 

 

More than 4,820 monks and nuns were expelled and over 7,000 structures demolished.

 

 

 

Authorities evaluated monks on national security laws, which effectively served as political loyalty tests.

 

 

 

Strict entry and exit controls were introduced, and surveillance walls were erected around the area.

 

 

 

Between 5,000 and 6,000 monks and nuns were forcibly removed.

 

 

 

Teenage monks from Sershul County were forcibly moved to secular schools.

 

 

 

Monks were recruited as Buddhist facilitators to promote Party ideology.

 

 

 

Authorities deployed police, expanded online censorship, and detained individuals across Tibetan regions.

 

 

 

Monks trained in India were blacklisted unless they passed Communist Party loyalty exams.

 

 

 

 

Monks were pressured to align Buddhist teachings with socialist values.

 

 

 

Monks and nuns were forcibly removed and the population of the academy was significantly reduced.

 

 

 

Authorities banned public gatherings and displays of his image, and organisers were detained.

 

 

 

Monasteries were ordered to display national flags and undergo patriotism assessments.

 

 

 

Officials used threats of withdrawal of aid to force families to bring home monks studying in Buddhist academies.

 

 

 

Vehicles were searched, photos confiscated, and civilians beaten and detained.

 

 

 

More than 300 monks were detained during a siege on a monastery in Sichuan.

 

 

 

 

Monks from Lutsang Monastery were detained for political education after they held a vigil for victims of the 2008 crackdown.

 

 

China’s sustained actions show a clear effort to weaken Tibetan Buddhism and reshape it under state control. This long timeline shows deep harm to monks, monasteries and the cultural life of Tibet.