China Orders Displaced Larung Gar Monastics to Return Home

Authorities have ordered monks and nuns displaced by demolitions at Serthar Larung Gar to return to their hometowns or native monasteries, according to a Tibet Times report. Since July 13, officials have been demolishing monastic residences, citing overcrowding and safety concerns. The current plan targets 1,060 residences. Monastics whose quarters have been demolished are barred from remaining at Larung Gar, while some are being forcibly taken back to their home areas. Restrictions have also been placed on local residents, monastics, and pilgrims. Similar demolitions and residency limits were imposed at Larung Gar in 2001, 2016, and 2019.