"The riots (in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) were staged by separatists. A small number of lamas also participated in the riots, and I was very sad about this." Those were the words of Jamyang Losang Jigme Tubdain Qoigyi Nyima, a living Buddha of the Labrang Monastery, speaking to Chinese and foreign reporters on April 9.

Labrang Monastery is located in Xiahe County in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Built in 1709, the monastery is one of the six most important lamaseries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Now, the monastery houses more than 1,000 lamas, 80 percent of whom are young persons, and stores 60,000 volumes of Buddhist scriptures. The monastery is the largest Buddhism and cultural center in the three provinces in northwest China, namely, Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan provinces. Worshippers stream to the monastery to pay homage all year round.

The top priority for lamas

Recently, Tibetan separatists disrupted the Olympic torch relay held overseas and caused a stir. Jamyang Losang Jigme Tubdain Qoigyi Nyima expressed his views on these incidents. "No matter where the Olympic Games is to be held, attempts to tamper with the Games are doomed to be unpopular. The people of the world will see through the ill intentions of those disrupting the Olympics."

He also mentioned that the lamas in Labrang Monastery used to be greatly respected by the local residents, yet after a small number of lamas participated in the riots, the image of lamas was damaged, because many people now associate the image of lamas with violent crimes.

As to how to repair the tainted image, he replied, "We must follow the teachings of Buddha, who was opposed to killing." He stressed that, "The top priority of lamas is to study Buddhist scriptures well."

He noted that elder lamas felt sad about the fact that a small number of lamas participated in the riot, and are now volunteering to educate younger lamas to focus on Buddhist teachings. "Most of the lamas cherish the good life they are enjoying now, and wish to continue to live a peaceful life," he added.

Education is key

"There are 225 lamas in our monastery, and none took part in the riot," said Gartsang Chinleg, 81, who is the highest-ranking living Buddha in Xiaxiu Monastery, Mainrigma Village of Maqu County in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He said Buddhism opposes killing or hurting people, advocates benevolence and prohibits evil. The rioters committed murders and damaged property, which is irrational and illegal. These are things that worshippers of Buddhism should not do, and Tibetans should not do. "Some lamas got involved in the riots because they were ignorant and were easily abetted by others," he analyzed.

He believes that as the social economic development in some pasture areas in the autonomous prefecture was underdeveloped, education is a pressing issue. In his eyes language and cultural education are crucial to the survival of an ethnic group. For decades, he has been dedicated to studying Tibetan culture and promoting education among Tibetans.

In the early 1980s, he noticed that some herdsmen were reluctant to send their children to school and was anxious. He visited herdsmen from door to door, persuading parents to let their children receive education. Some pasture villages did not have any schools, but now many places have nine-year boarding schools. With the efforts of Gartsang Chinleg, enrollment in the Mainrigma Village Primary School has soared from 70 to 500. He still holds the position of honorary president of a nine-year boarding school in Mainrigma Village.

Gartsang Chinleg also believed that it is important for Tibetan students to study Mandarin Chinese. In 2002, a bilingual class was piloted in the local primary school. Then Gartsang Chinleg had a bold idea-to transfer the students in the bilingual class into schools outside of the prefecture.

In the autumn of 2003, 24 Tibetan students in Maqu County became the first benefactors of the school transfer program. In 2004, Maqu County reached an agreement with Huining County in central Gansu Province, a county known for its high quality education. Under the agreement, Huining is to train 20 Tibetan students each year from Maqu, for a period of 15 years.

"Improving education will bring real benefits to Tibetans, " said Gartsang Chinleg.

In addition to promoting education for Tibetans, he has also devoted great effort to managing the monastery. When asked why none of the 225 lamas in Xiaxiu Monastery participated in the riots, he explained, "If a lama adheres to Buddhism teaching, he cannot break the law."