LEH, July 23, 2025 – Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has accused China of attempting to control and suppress Tibetan spiritual traditions, in addition to denying political rights to the Tibetan people.
Speaking during his visit to Karsha Monastery in Zanskar, located in the Kargil district, the Dalai Lama said,
“The Chinese Communists have taken away not only our political rights; they have also sought control of our spiritual traditions.”
Reflecting on his 1954 visit to Beijing, he recalled a telling conversation with Mao Zedong:
“Mao once told me that religion is poison. I believe he was sincere in his own thinking. Although I said nothing at the time, I realised in my heart that he was deeply hostile to the Dharma.”
He further criticized the Chinese Communist Party’s stance on religion, stating that it views spiritual practices as blind faith and seeks to eliminate them.
“However, the teachings of the Buddha emphasize study, reflection, and meditation. The logical and philosophical approach of Tibetan Buddhism is truly remarkable,” he added.
The Dalai Lama highlighted the value of logic and reasoning in Buddhist teachings, saying they can enrich understanding across various disciplines.
“Unlike some other religions that rely more heavily on faith, our tradition places strong emphasis on critical thinking. These tools are incredibly valuable.”
His visit to Zanskar was delayed by two days due to poor weather conditions affecting travel between Leh and Padum. He finally arrived by helicopter on Monday and will remain in the region for five days.
The remarks come just days after the Dalai Lama commented on the “unstable political situation” in China, adding weight to growing global concern over Beijing’s policies in Tibet.
