Dalai Lama Says Beijing Out to Annihilate Buddhism

(March 10) -- The Dalai Lama angrily accused Chinese authorities of trying to "deliberately annihilate Buddhism" today on the anniversary of a deadly but failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against Beijing.

Tibet's spiritual leader said the Chinese government is "putting the monks and nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practice in peace."

Beijing responded through the state-owned Xinhua news agency, quoting officials as saying the Dalai Lama had "ulterior political motives" and was confounding "black with white."

Nepalese police try to stop exiled Tibetans from protesting against the Chinese government in Katmandu on March 10, 2010.

Binod Joshi, AP

Police try to stop exiled Tibetans from protesting against the Chinese government in Katmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, said China mistreats Buddhists and is trying to kill the religion.

The Dalai Lama fled to India after the 1959 revolt and has since been an outspoken proponent of Tibetans' rights. But today's remarks seemed to step up the tone of his opposition to Beijing's rule since its troops seized control in 1951, reflecting his frustration at a failure to bring some resolution to the dispute.

Chinese troops have stepped up their presence in Lhasa, and news reports today said they were seen guarding intersections.
Two years ago, at least 19 people were killed in a protest in Lhasa, Tibet's capital, although Tibet's government in exile put the death toll at about 200.

China has accused the Dalai Lama of fomenting violence by pushing for independence in what it regards as part of its territory. He, in turn, says he is only seeking the regional autonomy that is outlined in the Chinese constitution.

In his remarks, made in Dharamshala, India, he said that "whether the Chinese government acknowledges it or not, there is a serious problem in Tibet," the Associated Press reported, adding that attempts to talk to the Chinese leadership were at a standstill.

"Judging by the attitude of the present Chinese leadership, there is little hope that a result will be achieved soon," he added. "Nevertheless, our stand to continue with the dialogue remains unchanged."

The Dalai Lama accused China of deploying large numbers of troops across the region and restricting people's ability to travel, the BBC reported.

In his remarks on the monasteries, he said, "The Chinese authorities are conducting various political campaigns, including a campaign of patriotic re-education, in many monasteries in Tibet.

"These conditions make the monasteries function more like museums and are intended to deliberately annihilate Buddhism."