Lhasa academy aims to extend its influence

The Tibetan Buddhism Academy in Lhasa is set to open branches in the Nyingchi and Ngari prefectures of the Tibet autonomous region with the aim of further extending the range of its educational programs, according to religious leaders.

Sardzuk, a monk and teacher of dharma, which roughly translates as "the study of cosmic law and order", at the Khorchak monastery in Ngari, said the regional government will probably begin construction of a branch later this year.

"We have been proposing construction of a college of Buddhism in Ngari for five years, and our plan has finally been approved by the government," he said.