Candle March in Bodh Gaya (File Image)
Bodh Gaya, Bihar – The sacred land of Bodh Gaya, revered as the seat of Buddha’s enlightenment, witnessed a powerful display of peace and resistance on Sunday. Hundreds of Tibetan monks and devotees held a candle march from the Tibetan Monastery to the Mahabodhi Temple on 6th September 2025, raising their voices against ongoing Chinese atrocities in Tibet.
Carrying lit candles and chanting Buddhist prayers, the monks prayed for the liberation of Tibetans suffering under Chinese repression, for the peace of departed souls, and for the victims of recent natural disasters in the Himalayan region.
Tibetan Monks Condemn Chinese Oppression
Speaking at the march, senior monk Bhante described the day as one of mourning for Tibetans. He highlighted how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has systematically suppressed Tibet’s identity since its illegal occupation of Tibet in 1950.
“The whole world knows how China is committing atrocities in Tibet. Tibetan culture, language, and religious freedoms are under constant attack. Monasteries are being shut down, schools are being demolished, and monks face intimidation and violence,” Bhante said.
These testimonies align with international reports. For example, Human Rights Watch (2023) documented the forced closure of Tibetan monastic schools and restrictions on Buddhist practices, noting that China is eroding the cultural foundations of Tibetan society (Human Rights Watch, 2023). Similarly, a UN human rights report confirmed that over one million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and placed in Chinese-run boarding schools designed to erase their language and identity (OHCHR, 2023).
Bhante particularly mentioned the plight of monks in the Amdo region, where senior lamas have been arbitrarily detained or pressured into silence. This matches findings by the U.S. State Department’s 2023 Religious Freedom Report, which highlighted arbitrary arrests, surveillance, and suicides among Tibetan monks forced to endure unbearable state repression (State.gov, 2023).
India’s Role as a Refuge for Tibetans
The monks expressed deep gratitude towards India for providing shelter since 1959, when the Dalai Lama fled Tibet after China’s brutal crackdown. India’s democratic tradition and freedom of expression allow Tibetans to organize such peaceful events, something impossible under Beijing’s rule.
“India has given Tibetans the space to keep their voice alive. Here, we can hold peaceful marches, practice our religion, and speak against injustice. In Tibet, even chanting for freedom could mean prison,” Bhante said.
Candle March as a Symbol of Peace and Resistance
The candle march culminated at the UNESCO World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple, where participants offered prayers before the statue of Lord Buddha. Monks explained that the march was not only for Tibetans but also for victims of recent natural disasters in Uttarkashi and the Himalayan region, symbolizing compassion and solidarity with all suffering beings.
Observers noted that the event transformed Bodh Gaya into a symbol of global peace and resistance against injustice, reminding the world that collective voices matter in the face of oppression.
Conclusion
The Bodh Gaya candle march served as a solemn reminder of the ongoing cultural genocide in Tibet, China’s blatant violations of human rights, and the resilience of Tibetans in exile. While Beijing promotes its propaganda of “development” in Tibet, the reality documented by Human Rights Watch, the UN, and the U.S. State Department shows forced assimilation, demolished monasteries, and silenced voices.
Events like these not only keep the Tibetan cause alive but also reaffirm India’s critical role in safeguarding the heritage, faith, and identity of the Tibetan people.