On August 23rd, China's State Administration on Religious Affairs passed Order No. 5, a new law containing 14 articles on Management Measures for the Reincarnation of 'Living Buddhas' in Tibetan Buddhism. This new law requires that all Tibetan Buddhist teachers receive approval from the central government before they can be reincarnated. Order No. 5 came into effect on September 1st, 2007, laying out China's "application and approval procedures" for reincarnated lamas. Click here to read the English tranlation.

Tibetans and their supporters around the world have taken action to protest this unjust law, which is designed to weaken the authority of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's highest spiritual leader, and to increase China's control over Tibetans' religion and culture. Click here to read the Tibetan Government-in-Exile's statement repudiating Order No. 5.

Since China occupied Tibet in 1949, religious persecution has been widespread and the Chinese government has systematically tried to undermine Tibetan Buddhist traditions and structures in an attempt to exert greater control over the region. 

In 1995, Chinese authorities abducted Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, a six year-old boy, recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, one of Tibet's most important spiritual leaders. China's leadership replaced him with another young boy, asserting that only they had the authority to appoint his reincarnation. Tibetans and their supporters continue to appeal for his release. This is but one example of China's state sponsored religious repression in Tibet.

Please take action now for religious freedom in Tibet. In addition to signing the petition to Ye Xiaowen, Director of China's State Bureau of Religious Affairs, please also take a moment to phone the Bureau (Tel: 86-10-6409-5092 or 86-10-6409-5157) to express your opposition to Order No. 5 and China's religious repression in Tibet.