Buddhist monks pray for Tibetan cause in Gaya

Bodhgaya, Mar 31 : Scores of Buddhist monks here today offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple and held a peaceful protest to show solidarity with Tibetans in China.

An initiative of 'Stand up for Tibet on the international day of action', the monks, some of who were from Tibet, gathered at the temple holding posters and banners.

The monks said they were staging the demo to demand freedom of their homeland from China.

"We demand freedom for Tibet. We have been under Chinese rule since 1959. We want that peace prevails in Tibet," said Tenzin Kuntok, a monk from Tibet.

Supporters who are crusading for their cause also joined in the monks.

"We are praying that the conflict and oppression in Tibet will come to an end," said Christie, a supporter from Australia.

Earlier this month, hundreds of Buddhist monks, including Tibetans and others in Bodhgaya staged protests against china's violent suppression of Tibetans in Lhasa, condemning the killings of Tibetans by China's security forces.

ANI