24. Jul 2009
Disciplinary head of monastery expelled
(TCHRD) The disciplinary head (Tib: gekoe) of Amdo Jaqung monastery in Bayan county, Tsoshar (Chin: Haidong) Prefecture, Qinghai province has been expelled in connection with a failed 'patriotic education' campaign, according to TCHRD. On 27 June 2009, a team of officials from the local Religious Affairs Bureau and Public Security Bureau (PSB) arrived at Amdo Jaqung Monastery to carry out "legal education". According to TCHRD, the officials ordered the disciplinary head of Amdo Jaqung monastery, Lobsang Tsultrim, to call for the 400 monks of the monastery to assemble. Because every one of the monks refused to comply, Lobsang Tsultrim was held responsible for the lack of discipline in the monastery and his failure to properly "educate" the monks. He was sacked from his position as disciplinary head, stripped of any privilege his position entitled him to and expelled from Amdo Jaqung monastery. He has also been told that he has been banned from joining any other monasteries.