DATE: Thursday, September 18, 1997          TAG: 9709180353

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ADAM BERNSTEIN, STAFF WRITER

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   35 lines

TIBETAN MONKS GIVE EXAMPLES OF ABUSE AGAINST BUDDHISTS

The May 1996 kidnapping of the 8-year-old Panchen Lama - the second-highest Tibetan Buddhist spiritual master - allegedly by Chinese forces, was one of many examples of religious repression a visiting band of Tibetan monks discussed Wednesday night.

The talk came in a series of Tibetan-twinged events in Portsmouth this week.

The discussion was co-sponsored by St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Churchland and Trinity Episcopal Church, which also held the hour-long event.

An intricate sand painting and other Tibetan fine arts are on display at Portsmouth Art Center. Sacred music and dancing will occur Friday at Willett Hall.

The Venerable Ngawang Tashi, 29, of Drepung Loseling monastery in Southern India, addressed the receptive 50-member audience Wednesday.

He said the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist's top spiritual leader, wants his people to reclaim their nation from China ``through peace, love and compassion.''

``We don't need militaries for the future of Tibet,'' Tashi said. ``We don't want to compete with any other nation. That way, we can give an illustration to the world. . . based on love and compassion.''

Tashi said he does not intend the current 100-city North American tour to be about conversion.

``I believe not just Buddhism is good for everyone,'' Tashi said. ``The foundation of all religion is to bring more peace or happiness to the general or individual. So I believe all religions are the same.''

For more information about the Tibetan Buddhists' plight, call the International Campaign for Tibet, in Washington, D.C., at (202) 785-1515.

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