| 88£®Q: Are there any restrictions in monasteries for local inhabitants to become lamas and nuns in Tibet? | |
A: Data indicates that during the 1950s Tibet had 2,711 monasteries with a total of 114,103 monks and nuns. During the "cultural revolution" (1966-176), like other areas in the country, religious work in Tibet was also seriously disturbed. After China's reform and opening up, the policies on religion were gradually implemented in Tibet. In 1982 there were only 64 monasteries and religious centers in Tibet. By 1987 this number had increased to 978, and in 1990, it stood at 1,353. The number of monks and nuns was 1,288 in 1982, 14,230 in 1987 and 42,190 in 1990. By the end of August 1994, Tibet had 1,787 active monasteries and religious centers housing 46,380 monks and nuns.
The above figures record a decrease in the number of monasteries, monks and nuns, in comparison with those of 1959. The main reasons are as follows:
First, monasteries and religious centers were opened to the public after having been renovated, and monks and nuns residing in these religious centers were able to meet the local demands in conducting normal religious activities.
Second, rapid economic growth over the past few years in Tibet has provided mores employment opportunities for Tibetans, especially for young people. As a result, locals who choose to be clerics have decreased.
Third, since the 1990s, the state has implemented a special preferential policy on education in Tibet, thereby instituting a comprehensive modern education system. Most young Tibetans prefer to study science or humanities at school than to become monks or nuns in monasteries.
At present, the number of monks and nuns in Tibet makes up 2 percent of the total population of Tibet. |
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