Hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries renovated in Qinghai
According to news from Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in northwest China's Qinghai Province, the province will allocate 20 million yuan (3 million US dollars) for renovation of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples in the year 2017, following an investment of 40 million yuan (6 million US dollars) over the last two years.
Thus far, the aforementioned renovation plan will cover about half of the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples located in Qinghai, including the 200 having been repaired in the last two years.
"In the past, some monasteries and temples were in a dilapidated condition over years, with ceilings and beams eroded and damaged by insects, walls cracked, and foundation starting to sink," a project leader said.
"After being renovated, the lives and safety of monks, nuns, and devotees can be guaranteed."
In addition, Qinghai is allocating funds to repair 15,000 living quarters for monastery personnel, in which 10,000 have already been repaired, with the remainder to be completed within this year.
In recent years, Qinghai has spent billions of yuan on monastery infrastructure and benefits of religious personnel such as social security and others. The coverage of pension for monks and nuns has reached 96.8 percent, and the health insurance rate for monks and nuns has reached 100 percent.