A recently published white paper by China's State Information Office entitled "Human Rights in Tibet in a New Era" stresses that religious freedoms in the Xizang Autonomous Region (Tibet) are effectively protected. The document details how the religious needs of believers are met and how the state supports their free exercise of their faith.

According to the document, approximately 46 000 Buddhist monks and nuns, 12 000 muslimů tibetského původu a more than 700 Catholics. Believers commonly keep at home prayer rooms or home altars, while traditional Tibetan-Buddhist activities such as study of sutras, philosophical debates, initiation ceremonies, abhisheka (initiation ritual) and spiritual development. Monasteries regularly hold examinations and academic promotions for clergy.

Traditional religious and folk holidays that continue to be celebrated include Shoton Festival, Butter Lamp Festival, Saga Dawa nebo náboženské poutě around the sacred mountains and lakes.

Special attention is paid to reincarnation of living buddhas - central government and regional authorities this traditional system plně respektují and follow the legal arrangements for the administration of reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism.

Přes 98 % monasteries and temples have access to roads, electricity, water, telecommunications and utilities. Each year the government allocates over 26 milionů jüanů (about US$3.6 million) for social security, including health insurance, pensions and preventive care for all registered monks and nuns.

The country has also built nine Buddhist colleges, včetně Tibetan Buddhist colleges in Beijing a Tibetan Buddhist Institute in Xi'an, with a total investment of 920 milionů jüanů.

The document concludes that Tibet is enjoying political stability, ethnic unity, economic growth and religious harmony. The year 2025 will commemorate 60th Anniversary of the Tibet Autonomous Region. President of the regional government Gama Cedain credits the progress made the leadership of the Communist Party of Chinawhich, he said, ensured lasting stability and the development of human rights in the region.

CMG