La Chine démantèle une partie de Larung Gar, incomparable institut du bouddhisme

Les autorités veulent encadrer ce lieu d’enseignement et de pratique bouddhistes. Explications et entretien avec le tibétologue Robbie Barnett.

Sabine Verhest
***EXCLUSIVE*** LARUNG GAR, TIBET - UNDATED: The sprawling hillside settlement of Larung Gar, home to Serthar Buddhist Institute, in the traditional Tibetan region of Kham. THOUSANDS of tiny homes sprawl up a mountainside forming one of the world's largest Buddhist Institutes. The remote settlement in the Larung Valley, Serthar County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China, found at an elevation of around 12,500ft, is home to over 40,000 monks, nuns and buddhist students. Located in a valley, the town allegedly sprung up from a handful of settlers into the sprawling town that now occupies vast areas of hilly terrain. At the focal point is a giant monastery - with a huge wall separating the monks from the nuns. The homes are predominantly made out of wood. Each one is built so close to the next that they all begin to merge into rows of homes. But the one to three roomed swellings do not have their own toilets - instead communal ones have been built for the 40,000 plus residents. PHOTOGRAPH BY Shinya Itahana / Barcroft India UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 796 2458 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 11 4053 2429 W www.barcroftindia.com Reporters / Barcroft *** Local Caption *** 01488938
***EXCLUSIVE*** LARUNG GAR, TIBET - UNDATED: The sprawling hillside settlement of Larung Gar, home to Serthar Buddhist Institute, in the traditional Tibetan region of Kham. THOUSANDS of tiny homes sprawl up a mountainside forming one of the world's largest Buddhist Institutes. The remote settlement in the Larung Valley, Serthar County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China, found at an elevation of around 12,500ft, is home to over 40,000 monks, nuns and buddhist students. Located in a valley, the town allegedly sprung up from a handful of settlers into the sprawling town that now occupies vast areas of hilly terrain. At the focal point is a giant monastery - with a huge wall separating the monks from the nuns. The homes are predominantly made out of wood. Each one is built so close to the next that they all begin to merge into rows of homes. But the one to three roomed swellings do not have their own toilets - instead communal ones have been built for the 40,000 plus residents. PHOTOGRAPH BY Shinya Itahana / Barcroft India UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 796 2458 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 11 4053 2429 W www.barcroftindia.com Reporters / Barcroft *** Local Caption *** 01488938 ©Reporters / Barcroft

Les cahutes rouge sombre, serrées les unes contre les autres, ont remonté le flanc des collines, conférant à cette vallée du Sichuan une allure tout à fait spectaculaire. Si ses détracteurs y voient un bidonville à assainir, Larung Gar est surtout un incomparable institut d’enseignement du bouddhisme tibétain. Cet endroit, inédit par son ampleur, en déplace, des foules : des laïcs, des nonnes et des moines; des Tibétains, des Chinois et des étrangers. Tous attirés par les enseignements dispensés dans cette vallée reculée située à 4 000 mètres d’altitude. Entre 8 000 et 20 000 personnes y vivraient - leur nombre fluctue et les évaluations varient. Ce campement offre à ses adeptes la possibilité de pratiquer librement, dans un contexte de contrôle accru, voire de répression, de la religion en Chine.

Pour accéder à cet article, veuillez vous connecter au réseau internet.
Vous êtes hors-ligne
Connexion rétablie...