The fifth Gedar Tulku of Beri Monastery in Garze risked his life for the peaceful liberation of Tibet and was killed by separatists in 1950.
The democratic reform of the 1950s in Tibet and neighboring Tibetan-inhabited areas completely overturned the backward and theocratic feudal serf system, much to the displeasure of the monks and aristocrats in the upper class who lost land, serfs and political privileges in the process.
"Thereby, they attempted to split China and rule over Tibet again, a dream that has repeatedly been proven impossible to realize in over the past half a century," Zhang wrote in the article.
However, some religious people remain nostalgic for the old regime, which offered them many privileges through the combined powers of the monastery and the state, he said.
Some young monks and nuns are still in their childhoods and lack the awareness of laws and citizenship. They also lack the consciousness to abide by Buddhist precepts and self-restraint, so they have become easy prey for instigators.
"Besides the mastermind behind the self-immolations, the instigation by some overseas organizations, press and media institutions, the living Buddha and politicians also played a part," Zhang wrote.
The so-called Tibetan "government-in-exile" is anxious about its failing efforts to split China; therefore, it has taken advantage of the lives of young monks and nuns to put pressure on the Chinese government -- a move that has brought humiliation to Tibetan Buddhism, he wrote.
China has achieved rapid development and advances in people's living standards in recent years, and the central government is also addressing some difficulties the Tibetan people are facing, the article read.
In a keynote meeting on Tibet's development last year, the Chinese government organized several projects concerning people's livelihoods in Tibet and neighboring Tibetan-inhabited areas, such as providing electricity and water, building roads for monasteries, and including religious people in the coverage of social security.
The government has been giving policy support to young monks and nuns, as well as maintaining historical monasteries, sorting out and publishing Buddhist classics, and protecting and promoting traditional Tibetan culture.
In the meantime, many high-ranking religious figures are actively promoting their fine traditions of loving the nation and Buddhism, playing positive roles in maintaining stability in Tibetan-inhabited areas and developing traditional Tibetan culture.
The series of self-immolations were meant to ruin the present situation and the people's aspirations for stability, peace and welfare, Zhang wrote.
"The monks will not be monks if they do not abide by Buddhist precepts, and monasteries will not be monasteries if they interfere with politics. Tibetan Buddhism is worried about whether it has been tarnished by these people," he said.
