China increases military presence and tightens control over Larung Gar Buddhist Academy

China has deployed about 400 military personnel to the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Serthar County in eastern Tibet as part of a broader strategy to tighten control over the area, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said, citing reports from Tibet.

The CTA said helicopter surveillance will begin with the arrival of troops on December 20, 2024, signaling increased security measures at the world’s largest center for Tibetan Buddhist studies.

Larung Gar, established in 1980, has long been a center for Buddhist monks and nuns wishing to deepen their spiritual education. However, it has faced increasing restrictions from the Chinese government, which views the academy as central to Tibetan identity and autonomy.

In previous crackdowns, particularly in 2016–2017, thousands of monastic residences were demolished, and many practitioners were forcibly evicted. As a result, the population of Larung Gar has halved, numbering significantly less than about 10,000.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said reports indicate that China plans to impose new rules in Larung Gar, including limiting the length of stay of residents to a maximum of 15 years.

Additionally, all monks and nuns will be required to register with the authorities, and the total number of religious practitioners is expected to be reduced. Chinese students are reportedly being asked to leave the academy, indicating a targeted effort to further reduce the academy’s population.

These measures represent a continuing effort by the Chinese government to exert greater control over Tibetan Buddhist institutions. The new rules are part of a broader campaign to restrict religious freedom in Tibet, where traditional Buddhist practices are coming under increasing pressure.

The Larung Gar Academy, once a symbol of Tibetan Buddhist scholarship, now faces increased state surveillance and restrictions, reflecting a broader trend of declining religious autonomy in the region.

The increased military presence and strict regulations in Larung Gar reflect China’s ongoing efforts to control Tibetan Buddhism and restrict religious freedom in Tibet. These measures are part of a broader strategy to reduce Tibetan cultural and religious autonomy, further strengthening state control over the region’s spiritual institutions.