China Expels Over 1,000 Monastics from Larung Gar Academy

Chinese authorities have expelled over 1,000 monks and nuns from the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Sichuan Province, aiming to reduce the resident population from approximately 6,000 to 5,000 due to alleged issues with residency documentation. This recent action follows a historical trend of crackdowns on the academy, which once housed around 40,000 monastics before significant demolitions in 2016-2017. With about 400 troops deployed for surveillance, the authorities have enforced strict controls on movement within the academy, barring photography and restricting access for tourists. Reports indicate that many of the expelled clergy have left voluntarily under pressure, while plans are in place for further demolitions of living quarters amid road construction efforts. Concerns persist regarding the future of the remaining monastic community as new residency registrations have been halted. The ongoing restrictions reflect a broader strategy by Beijing to limit Tibetan Buddhist practices and reduce the influence of monastic institutions.