Buddhism revived in Tibet

After years of living under political repression, Buddhism in Tibet is undergoing a revival.

Forty years ago, during China's Cultural Revolution, red guards rampaged across the country, smashing Buddhist statues, destroying temples and attacking monks.

Today though at the sprawling Sakya Monastery in the western part of the country, workers are busy restoring the old temple to its former glory.

Tibet boasts more than 1,700 religious sites with more than 40,000 Buddhist monks and nuns.

Despite its more relaxed attitude, China has recently announced tighter controls of Tibetan Buddhism, demanding that those people deemed to be "living Buddhas" must first get government approval.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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