China issues demolition order on world’s largest religious town in Tibet

Re:China issues demolition order on world’s largest religiou... by kafkaesq on Saturday June 18, 2016 @04:31PM (#11930478)

I had a Tibetan drinking buddy once also, not too long - someone who until shortly before was at the (lower rungs) of the 'theocracy' you're talking about - and have heard stories that are probably similar to what you've heard.

However, none of this seems to bring any "perspective" to what seems to be in store for the community and Larung Gar. It's really, really hard not to see this program as anything other than blatant cultural genocide - and a huge step backward for both China, and human civilization generally.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:China issues demolition order on world’s largest religiou... by huahaiy on Saturday June 18, 2016 @04:49PM (#11930533)

Nah, if Tibetan Buddhism is willing to reform itself, or reforms under pressure (like Catholics did in the face of Protestant), it will still be there for thousands of years. In that land, it is just hard not to believe in something supernatural.

On the other hand, theocracy is never a good thing. Separation of state and religion is.

[ Parent | on HN ]