India trying to keep religious education in the Himalayas away from Chinese influence

India is preparing to roll out its first school curriculum for Buddhist monasteries this month, aiming to unify education programs and foster patriotism in Himalayan religious centers near its border with China, Reuters writes.

Home to many ancient monasteries as the birthplace of Buddhism, India received an influx of Tibetans in the 1950s that led to many new institutions being set up, but now it seeks to insulate religious learning from China’s influence.

“We are trying to inculcate Indian identity through education along with Buddhism to make sure China can never control our monasteries in the Himalayas,” Maling Gombu, a Buddhist worker of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said.