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>>The Cultural Revolution in Tibet & it's Aftermath

The Cultural Revolution:

Shortly after the Lhasa uprising in March 1959, China began to discourage religion in Tibet. Tibetans were banned from donating food to the monasteries, which had traditionally relied on alms and donations. Many monks were tortured, and Buddhist scriptures were bunt or used as toilet paper. However, worse was to come; the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution began, and for Tibetans, 'the sky fell to the Earth'. The first rally of the Cultural Revolution began in September 1966- Chinese indoctrinated Tibetan youths ransacked the Jokhang. The Cultural Revolution in the People's Republic of China was a revolutionary upsurge by Chinese students and workers against the bureaucrats of the Chinese Communist Party. It was launched by Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong in 1966 to secure Maoism (known domestically as Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought) in China as the state's dominant ideology and eliminate political opposition. Though Mao himself officially declared the Cultural Revolution to have ended in 1969, realisticaly, the revolution continued until 1976, after death of Zhonu Enlai, then Mao, and finally the arrest of the ‘Gang of Four’. The Cultural revolution was particularly devastating for minority cultures in China. This supposedly stemmed from Jaing Qing’s (Mao’s wife) animosity towards, and contempt for ethnic minorities. "The centrality of the Han ethnic group" was a major theme throughout this period. By the end of the Cultural Revolution, every religious monument in Tibet had suffered. Siddharta Gautama, the Buddha, born in the 5th Century, was accused of being a reactionary. Merrymaking in Tibet was declared illegal, and all Tibetan women were told to give over their jewellery. Many other actions were taken by the Red Guards, who arrested and tortured anyone who protested. Lastly, the Dalai Lama was declared the Number One Enemy of the Chinese Socialist State. 6254 Monasteries were closed down and destroyed, and over 1.2 million had already been killed, with 100,00 more in concentration camps since the Chinese invasion (according to an allowed fact-finding mission by the Dalai Lama’s representatives in the 1970s). Two thirds of Tibet were no longer even classed as 'Tibet'- including the large Qianghai region.

The Aftermath:

In 1976, Mao died, and there were numerous Tibetan revolts against China, and China was spending huge amounts preventing Civil war. Despite a lessening of restrictions on the Tibetan people, and the post Mao government inviting the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government in exile and all other refugees back to Tibet. In 1980, Deng Hu Yaobang, the second Chinese president since Mao’s death, allowed greater private freedoms and improved living conditions according to a 6-point plan. Monasteries, which hadn’t been destroyed, were also opened. However, people who openly practiced their religion were still at odds with the Chinese authorities, which saw it still as a crime. During Deng’s years of control, one of the worst policies came into effect- a policy of encouraged Han immigration. The Han people of China were enticed by money, and 1984 saw 100,000 Han people arrive. In 1986, tourists were allowed into Tibet for the first time. In September 1987, large protests took place around the Jokhang, with monks circumambulating the holiest temple in Tibet crying out for ‘Independence for Tibet’ and praising the Dalai Lama. However, these monks were publicly beaten and detained by the Chinese police, causing protests from nearby Tibetan people, who began to riot. These Tibetans were the indiscriminately shot at, all in vie of Western tourists. Further protests followed throughout the year and in 1988.

As the Tibetan political and spiritual leader, of course the Dalai Lama campaigned for Tibet’s freedom, despite himself being Chinese born. As a consequence of his visits to America, the US officially condemned China’s occupation. Contrary to the comments made by both former President Bill Clinton and his successor and present President, George W. Bush, the US congress still recognises Tibet as an independent, illegally occupied sovereign state, as stated in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993, Pub. L. No. 102-138, § 355, 105 Stat. 647, 713 (1991) and yet to be officially contradicted. “It is the sense of the Congress that . . . Tibet . . . is an occupied country under the established principles of international law [and] Tibet’s true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile as recognized by the Tibetan people . . . ." . Currently, the Dalai Lama continues to campaign, but now campaigns for increased human rights, religious and democratic freedom for Tibetans, along with protection of Tibetan national heritage, natural environment (especially pointing out that China are dumping hazardous nuclear and toxic waste in his country). However, in 1988, the Dalai Lama admitted defeat to an extent, and dropped his calls for an independent Tibet, instead asking for the aforementioned rights. In 1989, as violence and its repercussions were maintained in Tibet, the Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize. Although he has received condemnation from some Tibetan groups for no longer campaigning for independence, many Tibetans, and certainly the Chinese government, believe this is his ultifmate aim. However, as recently as October 2004, the Dalai Lama stated that Tibet is better off within China. However, with impending talks about the Dalai lama’s re-entry into Tibet due to take place, some sceptics think he was saying that with the hope of opening up a dialogue with China.

The current situation in Tibet is difficult to tell. Although Tibetans still do not like the Chinese presence, there are far less uprisings than in the late 1980s, as China has increased it’s foothold (stranglehold) through increased police presence. Furthermore, the policy of Han migration has paid off from China’s point of view, and Lhasa is currently overrun by Chinese sweet shops, bakeries and Supermarkets. To further the cheapening of this once holiest of all cities, there is now a large stall selling scratch cards at the foot of the Potala. Although Chinese government figures state that in Lhasa, there are 3 Tibetans to every 1 Chinese person, any visitor can see (and any local would admit) that this is not true, with at least 1 Chinese person for every 1 Tibetan person. This is the same throughout most of Tibet’s major towns, such as Shigatse, where it would be surprising to find a shop sign in Tibetan.

It must be said that Tibetans have now been granted back many of their religious freedoms- they are now allowed into the Potala and Jokhang on a regular basis, and people can be seen prostrating in front of the Potala all day every day. In addition to this, there are now 200 functioning monasteries in Tibet. However, monks and nuns are still treated with great suspicion, and are regularly beaten or detained. Recently, 1 important monk was shot after asking the local chief of police for money for his ruined robes after he was subjected to a beating at the hands of the police. During the 1990’s, nearly 130 independence protests were held. As some Tibetans have become increasingly desperate, and deeming the Dalai Lama’s campaigning to be ineffective, have resorted to violence, and several incidents of bombing have occurred. This is undoubtedly not associated with the monastic order of Tibet, but Chinese authorities have seized on the opportunity to detain and execute some very high ranking Tibetan monks, and the case of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche is a much publicised one. Accused of conspiring to set off bombs, he has been sentenced to death, and may be executed on December 2nd, despite lack of any evidence to convict him. In this case, 16 people have either been detained, executed or disappeared under a shroud of secrecy, resulting in many pressure groups worldwide drawing attention to it and using it as an example of China’s awful human rights record. It should be noted that Tenzin Delek Rinpoche is a septuagenarian, who is now blind and deaf..

Although it is true that Tibet has developed significantly since China’s invasion, it has come at a great cost, and has benefited only China, not the Tibetan people. China is further trying to assimilate Tibet into China, and with Han immigration, there is a risk of Tibetans becoming a minority in Tibet. However, unless the Western countries act, which they have so far failed to do (firstly in fear of China, secondly due to not wanting to alienate China as a business partner), there is little chance of change in the short term, especially as China’s global economic clout increases. Freedom for Tibet may only be a dream, at least for now.

Potala viewed from the roof of the Jokhang

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