China Focus

Authorities destroy more than 30 meters high Buddha statue

Authorities in Dragko in eastern Tibet have torn down a bronze Buddha statue that was over 30 m high and was erected only 6 years ago. 45 prayer wheels and numerous prayer flags attached nearby were also destroyed.

The statue was erected in 2015 to ward off earthquakes like the one that hit the region in 1973. The cost of erecting the statue came to the equivalent of around CHF 6 million and is said to have been borne by donations from the local population. The value of the destroyed prayer wheels is put at around CHF 260.

Allegedly, the statue was erected at the time with the approval of the local authorities. In the past three years, inspectors have appeared and criticized the size of the statue. The demolition took place after the approval was revoked, now on the grounds that the statue was too big. The destruction of the prayer wheels still seems arbitrary.

The Gaden Rabten Namgyaling School at the same location was only demolished in November by order of the authorities. The building has violated a law that does not allow schools to be built in this zone. The school management was asked to do the demolition itself within 3 days, otherwise the school would be demolished by the government and all inventory confiscated.

The school was run by the Dragko Monastery and offered students training in Tibetan culture and religion. The building was renovated between 2014 and 2018.

Pictures of the statue: https://tibet.net/cultural-revolution-like-crackdown-china-demolished-a-sky-high-buddha-statue-and-45-huge-prayer-wheels-in-drakgo-tibet/, Report in tibet.net from December 28, 2021 // dr. Uwe Meya

Photo: Central Tibetan Administration

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