In Tibet, religious freedom with Chinese characteristics

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Pilgrims spin their prayer wheels outside the Jokhang Temple in the regional capital Lhasa, in China's Tibet Autonomous Region (AFP Photo/Johannes Eisele)

Ludovic Ehret • September 22, 2016

The sun has yet to rise over Lhasa, but dozens of colourfully dressed pilgrims are already gathered and reciting prayers at the entrance to Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism.

Many of those gathered -- Tibetans and Han Chinese visitors -- say religion is flourishing under Beijing's rule, with adherents enjoying the freedoms they need to follow their faith.

But this sense of freedom does not extend to the men who live inside the monasteries, analysts and monks say.

Their lives and their movements are heavily regulated by a government eager to avoid any hint of disobedience in the restive region which, although technically autonomous, is tightly controlled by Beijing.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tibet-religious-freedom-chinese-characteristics-051109124.html