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Breaking News - Army troops confiscate holy instruments in Temple of Ngawa as evidence

The largest monastery of Ngawa county in Sichuan, Kyidi Temple was raided by police in the early hours of March 30th. Army troops confiscated delicate holy instruments from the shrine, such as Tibetan knives, swords and bows, to use as levy for “evidence” of the monks’ resistance.

According to the secretary of the Taiwanese Dalai Lama Foundation, Mr Sonam Dorje , military forces surrounded Kyidi temple on the 29th. On the morning of March 30th, military officers entered the temple, and searched every room in which the monks resided. Subsequently, the officers began to search the Fa Guardian shrine, and confiscated the collection of delicate holy instruments donated by religious followers.

Sonam Dorje said, The Fa Guardian shrine is an important and essential component of a traditional Tibetan monastery. It is a holy and mysterious place where ordinary people are forbidden from entry, it is where the most delicate holy instruments are presented to the Gods.

Mr Sonam Dorje also indicated that, items held by the statues of Fa Guardians such as bows and swords, were traditional instruments which have been passed down for generations for use in holy ceremonies. These items can be seen in every Fa Guardian shrine, and were delicately made by religious believers in prayer. However, the Chinese Communist military officers have no understanding of such principals, and lack all respect for Tibetan religious practices. They had confiscated these items as “evidence” levy, and claimed the monks’ had used them in resistance against the military.

Sonam Dorje also revealed, many monks arrested by Chinese Communist military forces on the 25th and 26th of April have been transferred inland via train, for further detention.

The above was brought to you by Qianwen and Chris Thomas for Breaking News on The SOH Radio Network.