The row over China’s list of “living Buddhas” is escalating with claims of corruption in the South China Morning Post.
The Chinese government has compiled a database of 870 “verified” living Buddhas, saying that anybody claiming to be a living Buddha who is not on the list should be considered a fake. They also claim the right to verify any future incarnations of lamas. The list, which was published earlier this year on the website of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, does not include His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Chinese government says it is the first database that can be accessed and searched by members of the public.
Now the overseas Chinese website BowenPress has said that Zhu Weiqun, a senior official known for his harsh criticisms of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is under investigation for allegedly granting the status of “living Buddha” in exchange for cash.
Zhu has denied accusations that he received huge bribes, dismissing the claims as a “vulgar smear”. He told the Chinese state-run Global Times newspaper he had no idea who was behind the smears, but he believed the accusations were targeted at his “long-term battle with the splittist Dalai clique”, which only made him “proud” of his work. He is known to assert that the Chinese government has sole authority to decide on the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
Zhu told state media that fake living Buddhas have posed a threat to national security as they use money they collect to sponsor illegal and separatist activities in Tibet.
Zhu has been China’s chief official on Tibetan issues and chairman of the ethnic and religious affairs committee of the government’s top political advisory body.
Print
Email