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[–] Zardoz ago 

I haven't heard of Maoist Rebels (whatever that would mean) blowing up train lines or highways. I have heard of Buddhist Monks burning themselves to death (real delightful stuff for the kids in town to watch and smell btw, delightful beyond measure) however..

.. I can't figure out if you are saying you are an old dude now but this is what was happening some 50 years ago?

When were you in Tibet?

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[–] guinness2 ago  (edited ago)

I haven't visited Tibet since October 2002, but this is what I know based on what I've been told about the religion: when I was last there, Chinese television was reporting that that various bridges and roads were "blown up" by Maoist rebels. I was told that Moaist rebels smuggle weapons between Tibet and Nepal and occupy the forested areas at the Kodari border crossing (where I always cross from Tibet into Nepal).

I did a few google searches but came up with nothing specific, other than references to Maoist rebels holding Tibetans hostage and their weapon smuggling out of China.

That's all I know. I suppose it could have been Chinese propaganda, however there are two very heavily armoured machine gun nests on at the Kodari border, with the forest immediately behind them, that you need to walk between... and I've always assumed they are there for a reason.

I've heard rumours that some people have seen armed Maoist rebels riding the train lines in Tibet, but I've never seen them... I've never used the trains in Tibet mainly because the Friendship Railway wasn't finished being built when I was last there.

That's about all I know.

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[–] Zardoz ago 

I'm not that far from Tibet but I sure have a lot of friends coming and going. Tibet is a province of China and has been for quite a long time. I don't know where Maoist Rebels would fit into things but its true China and Tibet are 'Maoists'. which is to say Communists. CCP as is all the Peoples Republic of China.

Tibetans aren't really some unique race of people. I mean not much than 100 other ethnicities in China from region to region but then overwhelmed with Han Chinese but basically people from Tibet come here and you wouldn't really know they weren't Any-China Chinese/Han Chinese. Chances are they are anyways.

But as for Buddhism. Tibetans may be garden variety Folk religions, Buddhism, Daoist, Mao Atheists. Just as many or even most of Chinese from any province are. Like just Yulin or Henan or anywhere is where most of those trains to Lhasa come from. Just adherents or like a pilgrimage.

I do believe things have changed yes because they are still diligently upgrading and rebuilding much of Lhasa and of course the trains and transport there plus masses of Chinese from other provinces moving in. The downside might be the authentic old school world isn't the same but its also safer and newer too. well.. we hope safer