Repression of Tibet destroys religious beliefs

Religion has always been a most important aspect of Tibet and people of Tibet. Their whole community is based on their beliefs and their religion. As a consequence of China’s occupation, both before and during the Cultural Revolution, 6000 monasteries and nunneries were destroyed in Tibet and religious leaders, monks and nuns persecuted. The repression of Tibet's culture and religion continues today with 80% of political prisoners being monks.  Before, and especially during, the Cultural Revolution, all but eight of six thousand monasteries and nunneries were destroyed, religious artifacts and scripts burned, monks and religious leaders imprisoned and tortured.