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INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET
munity, appears to be aimed at gathering intelligence on the remaining monks at
Labrang and identifying potential “troublemakers.” According to a June 20 report in
Tibet Times, an exile newspaper published in India in Tibetan, one of the questions asks
“This year [a] few monks and nuns have carried out activities of smashing, looting,
and burning. Do you think these actions go against the Buddhist teachings?” Another
question asks simply “Were you present at a mass public gathering? Yes or No.” Monks
are also asked about their main communication method with foreign countries, indicating
the authorities’ strong concern about Tibetans passing on information to
the outside world. According to the source who obtained the questionnaire, many
monks returned the sheet without answering questions, while a few only wrote comments
on the side. A translation of the questionnaire, which was published in Tibetan
in Tibet Times, is enclosed below.
Questionnaire
The purpose of this questionnaire is to understand the purpose of staying at a Tibetan
Buddhist monastery in our country. You do not have to provide your name
and your answers’ confidentiality will be kept. We request you to be truthful and
choose the option that is true to the best of your knowledge. You can write suggestions
on above the line. We thank you for your support.
1. Why did you join the monastery?
■ Your own wish ■ Your parents, relatives or friends asked you to ■ Other
2. What is the most important issue that has been overcome
[since your admittance] to the monastery?
■ The issue of getting an education ■ The issue of finding a livelihood
■ The issue of finding a profession ■ Other
3. Who influenced [you] the most in the monastery?
■ Your teacher ■ The reincarnate lama of your monastery
■ Your monk mate ■ Head of management committee
4. Who do you regularly communicate with?
■ Your family ■ Your teacher ■ Your religious mate ■ Other
5. Were you present at a mass public gathering? Yes or no.
■ If yes, once a month ■ Once [every] six months ■ Once a year
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