How Tibet’s Religious and Cultural Policies Have Affected Tibetan’s Identity Since China’s Reform and Opening Up?
Abstract
The mysterious Tibet is often veiled, and the reason is its complex religions. Since China’s economic reform, Tibetan people often feel confused about their identity in the society because of the mysterious Tibetan religions, which include many types - such as Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelugpa. And this contributes to the difficulties for Tibetan people in their processes of finding their own identities. Identity refers to one’s own perception of and description of oneself in the society. This paper first introduces the religious culture of Tibet after China’s reform and opening up, then gives two case studies of Tibetan people’s gradual search for their own identity. Finally, this article analyzes how the behavior of these people affects their identity and whether it makes them perceive Sino-Tibetan relations to be closer. This paper finds that through various governmental policies and programs, together with mainland people’s voluntary participation in these programs, Tibetan people have gradually found their identity in today’s Chinese society. The relationship between mainlanders and Tibetan people has also been strengthened.
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