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China 'annihilating Tibetan Buddhism'
Associated Press - March 11, 2010
Dharamshala – The Dalai Lama has lashed out at Chinese authorities, accusing them of trying to "annihilate Buddhism" in Tibet as he commemorated a failed uprising against China's rule over the region.
The Tibetan spiritual leader's remarks show his frustration with fruitless attempts to negotiate a compromise with China. But he said he would not abandon talks.
In his annual address from exile in India, marking the 51st anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising against China, the Dalai Lama said Chinese authorities were conducting a campaign of "patriotic re-education" in monasteries in Tibet.
"They are putting the monks and nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practise in peace," he said, accusing authorities of working to "deliberately annihilate Buddhism".
"Whether the Chinese government acknowledges it or not, there is a serious problem in Tibet," he said, adding that attempts to talk to the Chinese leadership about granting limited autonomy to the Tibetan people had failed.
"Judging by the attitude of the present Chinese leadership, there is little hope that a result will be achieved soon. Nevertheless, our stand to continue with the dialogue remains unchanged."
His comments came at a tumultuous point in relations with China. In January Beijing reopened talks with his envoys for the first time in 15 months, but in February the regime was incensed when the Dalai Lama met Barack Obama in the US.
In Nepal about 1000 Tibetan exiles chanted anti-China slogans at a temple on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Riot police kept protesters from marching in the streets.
The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet after the failed uprising, leads his government in exile from Dharamshala in India.
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