China Focus: Legal education at Tibetan monasteries bears fruits

Source: Xinhua | 03-10-2009 09:03

LHASA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Tibet has reported success in a year-long legal education at its monasteries, where monks have been told to abide by laws and regulations in religious practice, rallies and parades, officials in charge of religious affairs said Monday.

More than 2,300 officials were sent to Tibet's 505 monasteries after the deadly riots of March 14 last year to promote the legal awareness of monks and nuns and dissuade them from being duped by separatist forces and ensure the normal practice of Buddhism, said Soinam Renzin, deputy chief of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Tibet Regional Committee.

"Step by step, these officials have built up trust with members of the monasteries' management committees, who helped explain to the monks laws and regulations, the nature of last year's violence and China's religious policy," he said.

They have eventually won the monks' trust by helping them solve diverse problems, said Soinam Renzin.

"We paid more than 200 visits to the ailing and elderly monks over the past year, and ensured they got timely and adequate medication," said Losang Jigme, Tibet's top official in charge of religious affairs.

Losang is heading a legal education team at Drepung Monastery on the outskirts of Lhasa.

Arthritis and nephritis are the most common diseases among the monks, as result of their prolonged sitting, lack of exercise and inadequate clothing -- their robes did little to fend off the bitter cold in winter.

"We invited experts to give a series of lectures on health care, which received a warm welcome at the monastery," said Losang.

At 82, Shilok Qoi'guai was in poor health and was sent to hospital three times by Losang Jigme and his team last year.

"Three times, they saved my uncle's life," said Puncog Gunleg, whose mother is Shilok's sister. "My whole family feels grateful. My mother told me to abide by laws and repay these people's kindness."