The latest blow in the campaign to erase Tibetan religion and identity shutters one of Golog’s few independent Tibetan-language schools.
by Lopsang Gurung
On December 4, Chinese authorities detained Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, a highly respected Tibetan educationist and head of Minthang Monastery Osel Thegchog Ling and the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a part of Tibet incorporated by Beijing into its Qinghai Province.
Born in 1967 in Minthang, Dorje Tenzin studied Buddhist philosophy under prominent teachers, including His Holiness the 7th Choje Dhampa Yeshin Norbu. He later earned the title of Khenpo (doctor of Buddhist studies) at the Larung Gar Five Sciences Buddhist Academy in Sertar, specializing in the three baskets of Buddhist teachings. His dual role as a religious teacher and educationist made him a powerful advocate for cultural preservation—precisely the kind of figure Beijing seeks to neutralize
According to the independent broadcaster Voice of Tibet (VoT), the arrest was carried out without transparency: it remains unclear whether police, secret police, or state security agents were responsible, and no official explanation has been provided. His current whereabouts are unknown
Dorje Tenzin’s school was unique in the region. Established in 2007 with official approval from the Golog Prefecture People’s Government, the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School opened its doors in 2010, offering a rare curriculum that combined Tibetan-language education with vocational training. Students studied Tibetan and Chinese languages, mathematics, English, calligraphy, politics, and physical education, alongside specialized courses in Tibetan medicine, tailoring, thangka painting, song and dance, and tourism guiding. Between 2015 and 2018, the school became a recognized hub for cultural and professional training.
This emphasis on Tibetan culture and language, however, placed the institution at odds with Beijing’s assimilationist agenda. Authorities have long viewed independent Tibetan schools with suspicion, especially as the state pushes mandatory boarding schools where Tibetan children are separated from their families and immersed in Mandarin-only education. Following Dorje Tenzin’s detention, students were sent home and the school was forced to close, with officials pressuring them to transfer to government-run institutions.
The detention of Dorje Tenzin is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern. Chinese authorities have systematically dismantled Tibetan-language schools, closed monasteries, and criminalized cultural leaders under the guise of “development” and “security.” The closure of Minthang School echoes similar crackdowns across Tibet, where education has become a frontline in the struggle against cultural erasure.
By forcing Tibetan children into state-run boarding schools, Beijing ensures that the next generation grows up estranged from their language, traditions, and religious heritage. The detention of educators like Dorje Tenzin sends a clear message: any attempt to preserve Tibetan identity outside state control will be punished.
Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin’s disappearance is emblematic of China’s ongoing repression of Tibetan Buddhists. His school was a lifeline for cultural survival in Golog. Its closure, and his detention, mark yet another step in Beijing’s relentless campaign to assimilate Tibetans and extinguish their distinct identity.
Uses a pseudonym for security reasons.
