Monks Forced to Leave Monastic School for Government School

Over 300 young monks from Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery in Dzoge County were forced to disrobe and join government schools, risking the closure of their monastic school this fall. Authorities plan to shut down the school by September, citing Chinese laws on the protection of minors. Parents had to agree not to re-enroll their children in the monastery until age 18. This decision follows the denial of parents' requests to continue monastic education, with accusations of brainwashing by county officials. The monastery currently still hosts around 200 monks who are not minors.