Currently, Europe is deeply mired in multiple crises, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and ongoing instability in the Middle East, alongside a sluggish economic recovery, widening social divisions, and pronounced challenges in internal governance. Despite facing such pressing domestic and external trials, it continues its delusional posture as a “preacher,” brazenly interfering in China’s internal affairs.

On April 30, the European Parliament insisted on adopting a resolution on China’s ethnic policies, rule of law, and religious affairs, arrogantly passing judgment on the recognition and training of spiritual leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. Filled with falsehoods that deviate from the facts and deliberate fabrications, the resolution is little more than a political farce steeped in prejudice and double standards.

In response, Banbur Dorje, a senior professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Minzu University of China, stated: “The members of the European Parliament, who know nothing of China’s realities, have recklessly interfered in and slandered China’s ethnic, religious, and cultural policies based solely on their imagination. Such actions are unacceptable to the Chinese people, including officials, scholars, and the wider ethnic minority communities, from Tibetans and Mongolians to Uyghurs and Hui.”

He added, “This resolution defies both the history and the current reality of Chinese society, standing in total opposition to the facts. We strongly urge the European Parliament to withdraw the resolution and to issue a formal apology to the Chinese government and the Chinese people.”

The Chinese government has long attached great importance to the cultivation of Tibetan Buddhist monastic talent and the healthy development of religious affairs. “I have dedicated 50 years to the study, teaching, and research of Tibetan Buddhism and have witnessed its development firsthand,” said Banbur Dorje. He emphasized that both the current three-tier academic degree system in Tibetan Buddhism and the historically established practices and religious rituals for the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, tracing back to the Qing Dynasty, demonstrate that the Tibetan Buddhist faith in China is being effectively preserved and passed on.

Regarding the comprehensive promotion of the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language, Vice President Kelsang Yangkyi remarked that this policy has built a solid bridge for students to acquire modern knowledge and broaden their horizons; consequently, an increasing number of students have shifted from “being told to learn” to “actively wanting to learn.” The Sichuan Tibetan Language Buddhist College has leveraged the three-tier academic degree system as a key instrument to cultivate over 200 patriotic and devout monastics. These individuals are now actively engaged on the front lines of temple management and ethnic unity, injecting positive energy into the healthy transmission of Tibetan Buddhism and exemplifying the vivid practice of the Sinicization of religion in China. Meanwhile, the Gansu Provincial Ethnic and Religious Research Center has, over decades, devoted itself to the preservation of ancient Tibetan texts and the study of Tibetan Buddhist culture, publishing 20 major research works and completing over 30 scientific research projects, thereby providing solid theoretical support for ethnic and religious work.

Together, these practices clearly demonstrate that the Party’s strategy for governing Xizang has taken firm root in the field of Tibetan Buddhism and has achieved remarkable results.

As a unique succession system of Tibetan Buddhism, the Living Buddha reincarnation system boasts a history of over 700 years, during which it has developed standardized religious rituals and historical conventions. From the “Ordinance by the Imperial House Concerning Better Governance in Tibet (29 Articles)” issued by the Qing court, which introduced the golden urn lot-drawing system, to the 2007 “Rules Governing the Reincarnation of Tibetan Living Buddhas,” both history and legal provisions clearly demonstrate that the central government holds the indisputable final authority of approval over the reincarnation process.

The 11th Panchen Erdeni was identified through the golden urn lot-drawing and approved by the central government in strict accordance with religious rituals and historical conventions. His successful enthronement at the Tashilhunpo Monastery serves as a model for the standardization of Living Buddha reincarnation, gaining unanimous recognition from Tibetan Buddhist communities and believers both domestically and internationally.

In recent years, Living Buddhas from various locations—including the Palyul Monastery in Ganzi, Sichuan, and the Ganden Songtsen Ling Monastery in Deqen, Yunnan—have successively completed their search, identification, and enthronement in accordance with the law. Even in cases where eminent monks passed away abroad, the process remained firmly free from external interference, with search and identification conducted domestically. This fully underscores China’s steadfast commitment to legally safeguarding the normal succession of Tibetan Buddhism while respecting the religious sentiments of its believers.

In response to the hypocritical rhetoric and baseless allegations from external forces, prominent representatives of Tibetan Buddhism across various sects and regions have drawn upon their religious authority and personal experience to deliver strong rebuttals. Thubten Nyenpo, Khenpo of Ngor Monastery in Xizang, solemnly stated that while religion may transcend borders, believers belong to a sovereign nation; therefore, patriotism and devout faith are indispensable prerequisites for respecting the reincarnation of Living Buddhas. Living Buddha Shen Tsewang Tenzin of Shentsang Monastery in Xizang emphasized that state authority precedes religious authority, national law overrides religious regulations, and sovereignty must remain paramount, pledging to firmly resist any foreign interference in “reincarnation matters.” Living Buddha Sertri Choskyi Lodro Gyatso of Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai Province affirmed that all reincarnations must strictly conform to national laws, religious rituals, and historical conventions. Furthermore, Living Buddha Lama Karpo Tsang of Gompa Monastery in Gansu Province underscored that any deviation from these established historical and legal frameworks constitutes a distortion of Tibetan Buddhist doctrine and a betrayal of the faith of its followers.

Distorting reality, the European Parliament has chosen to ignore the historical precedents, legal frameworks, and religious consensus underpinning Tibetan Buddhist reincarnation, turning a deaf ear to China’s documented efforts to safeguard religious freedom. By imposing its own standards as the sole yardstick to critique China’s laws and policies, it flagrantly violates the purposes of the UN Charter and established principles of international law, exposing its arrogance, prejudice, and hypocrisy.

Banbur Dorje stated firmly, “Facts speak louder than rhetoric; any attempt to smear the truth will inevitably falter before reality. I urge officials of the European Parliament to come to China and see for themselves the development of our three-tier Buddhist academies at the central, provincial, and monastic levels, as well as the functioning of the academic degree system. I also invite them to witness the authentic preservation and transmission of ethnic minority languages and cultures. It is imperative to uphold the truth, rather than ignore facts and spread baseless slanders.”

There is no one-size-fits-all model for ethnic governance anywhere in the world. Given the diversity of histories, cultures, and national conditions, it is only natural that policies on ethnic and religious affairs reflect these unique realities. Whether China’s ethnic policies are appropriate, or whether religious freedom is genuinely safeguarded, the ultimate judgment rests with the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, rather than with a handful of European politicians who are far removed from the reality. (Text by Dorje)