E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, DEC 04 - National Intelligence Department (NID) has listed 24 Buddhist monasteries in the Kathmandu Valley as sensitive for their involvement in the Free Tibet movement and anti-China activities. The national spy agency has placed seven of them on the ‘very sensitive’ list from the security point of view. It has suggested the Home Ministry to keep tabs on altogether 43 monasteries in the capital, out of 59 it studied.

In its secret report submitted to the Home Ministry, NID assessed that 19 monasteries have, in one way or the other, supported the Free Tibet movement or can back up it. According to Spokesperson at the Home Ministry Jaya Mukunda Khanal, some of them have been kept under close observation.

According to him, the administration is on high vigil--anticipating demonstrations in Kathmandu on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the Dalai Lama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Anti-China demonstrations are staged in Nepal during the Tibetan festivals.

The intelligence report has suspected that Free Tibet activists have been operating from and some weapons have been stored at Nongak Chholing Monastery in Sheshnarayan VDC on the outskirts of Kathamndu. The monastery has been placed on the ‘highly sensitive’ list.

It has been reported that Tibetan fugitives mostly take shelter at the Phurphaling Monastery in Dakshinkali. The report has pointed out that the activities there should be regularly monitored. The report has mentioned that the Tibetans sketch out the strategy for their demonstrations in Hisinamdo Monastery near Dakshinkali.

Likewise, NID report has asserted that Tibetans have been carrying out political activities from the Bouddha-based Samdeling Monastery and the Kapan Monastery at Kapan.

General Secretary of Nepal Buddhist Federation (NBF) Thubden Jigdol, who is also a member of the Kapan Monastery executive committee, said that though celebrations are done for four or five days during Losar for years no activities have been launched against China from the monastery. He said it was not possible to know what individuals do, adding, “But Nepali Buddhists are committed to the One China Policy.”

According to the report, the Kaning Sedupling Monastery (Seto Gumba) at Boudhha is involved in the Free Tibet movement. It has said cache of Khukris, sword, spears and other weapons have been hidden in Regan Tashi Monastery and Shakya Thare Monastery in Sheshnarayan VDC, when they were constructed.

According to Nima Dorje Lama who chairs the committee on management of Buddhist monasteries under the Ministry of Local Development, there is a tradition of burying weapons during monastery construction to ‘shoo off’ evil spirits. He, however, accepted that some Free Tibet activities are being held in some monasteries. “Such activities have happened on the monasteries where the Tibetan Lamas are chief priests,” he said, adding that such monasteries are being run on certain temptation.

According to him, there are at least 50 monasteries that are headed by Tibetan Lamas. “Tibetans have started getting Nepali citizenship. We can easily distinguish Tibetans from Nepalis. But the administration is not cooperating with us.”

NBJ General Secretary Jigdol remarked that ‘some elements’ are involved in anti-China activities. The Dalai Lama himself is saying nothing is going to happen with a few people launching protests in Nepal, he said, “Some elements are lured into temptation and are trying to affect the relationship between the two countries.”

Likewise, NBJ Secretary Norbu Sherpa claimed that the government has overlooked the demands to properly manage the Buddhist monasteries.

The NID report has said that most of the monasteries prohibit entrance to the outsiders. “They don’t let us go inside, and we cannot intimidate,” said Karna Bahadur Ghale of the committee on management of Buddhist monasteries. “What is more, we are deputed to supervise the situation of monasteries,” he said, “The administration should look after the matters related to the security.”

Highly Sensitive Monasteries

Dongak Choling, Hisinambdo, Sambdeling, Kaning Sedupaling (Seto Gumba), Sechen Monastery (Bhutan Gumba) and Kapan Monastery.

Sensitive Monasteries

Nenda Tashi Choling, Regan Tashi CHoling, Shakya Thare Gumba, Karma Samtenaling, Kneghon Hodashaling Buddha Bihar, Kedong Thuwanchi Choling Aani, Dhilya Bhathapsang, Yaring, Tharmal Sangam Namgyaling Shakya Dharma Bihar, Nenang, urgen Choleng, Chupsang, Karmapa Thupten Choling (Bishwo Shanti Seto Gumba), Shyangkar, Chewang Gyang Chyub Gacha Naling, Pulahari (Pollari) and Copan Khanchayau Khaling Aani Gumba.

Monasteries that need monitoring:

Chunghon Knangki Thonsaling Knagi, Lhundup Choling, Knamkha Chunjong, Samya Memorial Buddhist Bihar, Ugheren Ghamling Terma, Aryatara Aani, Pal Gheten Sadme Pema Choling, Karma Samdenling, Yanglasi, Pema Hosaling, Ugren Dorjecholing, Triten Knobumche Bonbo, Dhang Tashi Choling, Bouddha Dhyang Guthi, Mahayana Prakash Paldul Dharmalaya, Ghong Monastry Gumba, Choling Tashi Tamang, Sherpa Sewa Kendra (Sherpa Gumba) and Sangthok Palri Mingma Gumba. 

Source: NID report

 

Posted on: 2009-12-05 02:46

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