All translations by Bhuchung D.
Sonam except where mentioned
Tenzin Phuntsok
Age: 40
Date of
self-immolation: 1 December 2011
Place:
Chamdo, Kham, Tibet
Current
status: Deceased
Last message of Tenzn Phuntsok:
If
Khenpo Lodoe Rapsel, Namsey Sonam and all the monks and nuns of Karma Gon
Monastery, the true and un-mistakable practitioners of Buddhist dharma, have to
endure torture and imprisonment like this, then it is better for all of us at
Karma Gon Monastery to die. I, the despicable Tenzin Phuntsok, write this with
loyalty.
Brothers
and sisters, don't be sad and don't lose your courage. My Dharma friends, think
about our two khenpos and the monks and nuns who are holders of the Dharma
practice. How can we believe in these rules that restrict the freedom of
religion? I, Tenzin Phuntsok, wrote this.
Dharma
friends in Karma Gon Monastery, it is useless just to live thinking about our
beloved khenpos and the monks and nuns. Stand up! Clinging to taste of the
eight worldly concerns, beings run away from these as they would from their
enemies, I bow before the Buddha, who cannot be placated by small pleasures. I,
the sorrow-filled, loathsome man called Tenzin Phuntsok wrote this.
When
I think about the suffering throughout Tibet, and especially the pain at Karma
Gon Monastery, there is no way that I can go on living.
Sonam Wangdu aka Lama Soepa
Age: 40s
Occupation: Monk/Social worker
Date of self-immolation: 8 January 2012
Place: Darlag county town, Golog, Amdo,
Northeastern Tibet Current status: Deceased
The last
message of Lama Soepa:
To all the six
million Tibetans – including those living in exile – I am grateful to Pawo
Thupten Ngodup and all other Tibetan heroes who have sacrificed their lives for
Tibet and for the reunification of the Tibetan people. Though I am in my
forties, until now I have not had their courage. But I have tried my best to
teach all traditional fields of knowledge to others, including Buddhism.
This is the
twenty-first century, and this is the year in which so many Tibetan heroes have
died. I am sacrificing my body both to stand in solidarity with them in flesh
and blood, and to seek repentance through this highest tantric honour of
offering one’s body. This is not to seek personal fame or glory.
I am giving
away my body as an offering of light to chase away the darkness, to free all
beings from suffering, and to lead them – each of whom has been our mother in
the past and yet by ignorance has been led to commit immoral acts – to the
Amitabha, the Buddha of infinite light. My offering of light is for all living
beings, even as insignificant as lice and nits, to dispel their pain and to
guide them to the state of enlightenment. I offer this sacrifice as a token
long-life offering to our root guru, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and all other
spiritual teachers and lamas.
I am taking
this action neither for myself nor to fulfill a personal desire nor to earn
recognition. I am sacrificing my body with the firm conviction and a pure heart
just as the Buddha bravely gave his body to a hungry tigress [to prevent her
from eating her cubs]. All the Tibetan heroes too have sacrificed their lives
with similar principles. But in practical terms, their lives may have ended
with some sort of anger. Therefore, to guide their souls on the path to
enlightenment, I offer prayers that may lead all of them to Buddhahood.
May all
spiritual teachers and lamas inside Tibet and in exile live long. Especially, I
pray that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will return to Tibet and remain as
Tibet’s temporal and spiritual leader.
Nangdrol
Age: 18
Occupation: Layman
Date of self-immolation: 19 February 2012
Place:
Dzamthang, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet
Current status: Deceased
The last
message of Nangdrol:
Raise
your head high with courage and loyalty. I, Nangdrol, call with gratitude upon
my parents, siblings and relatives. The time has come for me to leave, For the
sake of the Tibetan people, by lighting my life on fire. My requests to the
Tibetans are -- Be united, Be Tibetan, Dress Tibetan and Speak Tibetan. Never
forget that you are a Tibetan, Be compassionate; Respect your parents; Most of
all be united; Treat animals with compassion, Do not slaughter them.
Long
live His Holiness the Dalai Lama! Long live all the lamas and tulkus of the
Land of Snow.
May
Tibetan people be free from China’s oppressive rule, There is immense suffering
under China’s rule, and this suffering is unbearable. There is no way to
further endure this Chinese occupation, its terrible rule, this torture without
trace. In the end the merciless Chinese will kill the Tibetans. Long live His
Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Jampel Yeshi
Age: 26
Occupation: Activist
Date of self-immolation: 26 March 2012
Place: Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, India
Current status: Decased
The last
message of Jampel Yeshi:
Long Live His Holiness
the Dalai Lama, who is the shining example of world peace. We must strive to
ensure the return of His Holiness to Tibet. I pray and believe that the Tibetan
people in and outside Tibet will be united and sing the Tibetan national anthem
in front of the Potala Palace.
My fellow Tibetans, when
we think about our future happiness and path, we need loyalty. It is the
life-soul of a people. It is the spirit to find truth. It is the guide leading
to happiness. My fellow Tibetans, if you want equality and happiness as in the
rest of the world, you must hold fast to this word 'LOYALTY' towards your
country. Loyalty is the wisdom to know truth from falsehood. You must work hard
in all your endeavours, big or small.
Freedom is the basis of
happiness for all living beings. Without freedom, six million Tibetans are like
a butter lamp in the wind, moving without direction. My fellow Tibetans from
the Three Provinces, it is clear to us all that if we unitedly combine our
strength, there will be results. So, don't be disheartened.
What I want to convey
here is the concern of the six million Tibetans. At a time when we are making
our final move toward our goal – if you have money, it is the time to spend it;
if you are educated it is the time to produce results; if you have control over
your life, I think the day has come to sacrifice your life. The fact that
Tibetan people are setting themselves on fire in this 21st century is to let
the world know about their suffering, and to tell the world about the denial of
basic human rights. If you have any empathy, stand up for the Tibetan people.
We demand freedom to
practice our religion and culture. We demand freedom to use our language. We
demand the same rights as other people living elsewhere in the world. People of
the world, stand up for Tibet. Tibet belongs to Tibetans. Victory to Tibet!
 |
| Choephak Kyab |
 |
| Sonam |
Age: 25
Occupation: Layperson
Date of self-immolation: 19 April 2012
Place: Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet
Current status: Deceased
Sonam
Age: 24
Occupation: Layperson
Date of self-immolation: 19 April 2012
Place: Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet
Current status: Deceased
Current status: Deceased
The last
message of Choephak
Kyab and Sonam:
Tibetans
are a people who have a unique culture and spiritual tradition. They are compassionate
and treat others with respect. However, after the Chinese occupation, Tibetans
suffer without basic human rights. It is for this reason, and in order for
peace to prevail on earth, we offer our lives by setting ourselves on fire. The
suffering of Tibetans without basic human rights is far worse than the
suffering that we endure when we set ourselves on fire.
Our
cherished parents, family members and relatives, it is not that we do not have
love and affection towards you. With equanimity we have taken this decision to
set ourselves on fire for Tibet's freedom, for the Buddha Dharma, for the
happiness of all living beings and for world peace.
You
must do as we have written – even if we are taken away by the Chinese. Do not
do anything; we will be happy if nobody gets harmed because of us. Do not be
sad for us; listen to scholars, lamas and khenpos. If you want to be scholars
then make sure to take the right path, have affection for your race and by
learning about our culture, you must remain united. If you do all this then our
wishes will be fulfilled. We earnestly hope that our wishes will be carried
out.
Rikyo
Age: 36
Occupation: housewife/nomad
Date of self-immolation: 30 May 2012
Place: Dzamthang Monastery, Amdo, Northeatern
Tibet
Current status: Deceased
The last
message of Rikyo:
Prayers
for world peace and happiness!
To
ensure His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet,
do
not indulge in slaughtering and trading of animals,
do
not steal, Speak Tibetan,
do
not fight.
Bearing
all sufferings of sentient beings on myself,
Do
not resist by fighting if I get into Chinese hands alive,
be
united, Study Tibetan culture.
On
fire I burn, my family, do not worry.
 |
| Tamdin Thar |
Tamding Thar
Age: 64
Occupation: nomad
Date of self-immolation: 15 June 2012
Place: Chentsa county town, Malho, Eastern Tibet
Current status: Deceased
The last
words of Tamding Thar:
'I take
refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
I am setting
myself on fire as an offering of light
with hope
that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will return to Tibet,
that peace
will prevail on earth and that
Tibet will be
ruled by Tibetans.
 |
| Ngawang Norphel |
 |
| Tenzin Khedrup |
Age: 22
Occupation: Layperson
Date of self-immolation: 20 June 2012
Place:
Yulshul, Kham, Eastern Tibet
Current status: Deceased
Tenzin Khedrup
Age: 24
Occupation: former monk
Date of self-immolation: 20 June 2012
Place: Yulshul, Kham, Eastern Tibet
Current status: Deceased
The last
message of Norphel
and Tenzin Khedrup:
Independence
for Tibet! His Holiness must return to Tibet!
The
two of us cannot contribute anything towards Tibetan culture and religion nor
can we do anything to benefit Tibetans in financial terms. Hence, the only
thing that we can do for Tibetans, the long life of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, and for his return to Tibet, is to set ourselves on fire. We would like
to urge other Tibetan youths like us to pledge that you will never engage in
such acts as fighting amongst yourselves; instead you must remain united. We
have hope and faith that you will maintain loyalty among all the Tibetans.
Gudrup
Gender: Male
Occupation: Writer/poet
Date: 29 September 2012
Place of self-immolation: Nagchu, Tibet
Current Status: Deceased
The
Last words of Gudrup:
‘My brothers and sisters of
the Land of Snows, although looking back at our past we have nothing but a
sense of loss, anger, sadness, and tears, I pray that the coming new year of
the Water Dragon brings you health, success, and the fulfillment of
aspirations.
We must identify and give
prominence to our pride in ourselves as a people and even in the face of loss
and suffering, must never lose our courage and spirit in our endeavour to
uphold our unity.’
(Translation by www.phayul.com)
Nyangkar Tashi
Age: 24
Occupation: nomad
Date of self-immolation: 12 November 2012
Place: near a school in Dorongpo in Rebkong, Amdo, Northeastern
Tibet
Current status: deceased
The
last message of Nyingkar Tashi:
We, the million
Tibetans led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, want independence
for Tibet. Freedom to learn our language, freedom to speak our language. Free
the imprisoned Panchen Lama. His Holiness the Dalai Lama must return home. I am
setting myself on fire to protest against the Chinese government. My father
Tashi Namgyal and other family members, there is no need to worry and feel sad.
Instead engage in spiritual activities and accumulate merits. My request is
that every Tibetan must learn and speak Tibetan, dress Tibetan and must remain
united and rise up.
signed Nyingkar
Tashi, 12 November 2012
Chagmo Kyi
Age: 26
Occupation: cab driver
Date of self-immolation: 17 November 2012
Place: Dolma Square, Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, Amdo,
Northeastern Tibet
Current status: deceased
The last
message of Chakmo
Kyi:
Return of His
Holiness to Tibet! Freedom of language!
Equality of
nationalities. China's new leader Xi Jinping must meet with His Holiness the
Dalai Lama.
Sangye Dolma
Age: 17
Occupation: nun
Date of self-immolation: 25 November 2012
Place: Bharkor Vilage in Dokarmo, Malho, Eastern Tibet
Current status: deceased
The last
message of Sangye Dolma:
look into the
deep blue sky above
my lama has
returned back
into the tent
with white rock steps
look, my
Tibetan brothers and sisters
look at the
peak of that snow mountain
the white
snow lion has returned back
look, my
Tibetan brothers and sisters
look at the
fortress in the forest
look at the
beauty of the turquoise plain
my tigress
has come back
look, my
Tibetan brothers and sisters
look at the
land of snow
our destiny
is on the rise
Tibet is an
independent country.
While His
Holiness the Dalai Lama
Has been away
for too long
Travelling
all over the world
Tibetans
suffer under oppression
let's pray
for this darkness to be over.
the Panchen
Lama is in prison
let's pray
for his release and happiness for the land of snow.
Children of
the snow lion
Do not forget
that you are Tibetan.
Tibet is an
independent country.
signed Sangye
Dolma
Kelsang Kyab
Age: 24
Occupation: semi-nomad
Date of self-immolation: 27 November 2012
Place: Outside the Peoples Government building in
Current status: deceased
The last message:
My dear parents, my sister, relatives and everyone
else, please take care. i setting myself on fire for the welfare of Tibet, the
land of snows. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live long! I earnestly hope that
the sun of happiness will shine for Tibet.
Phagmo
Dhondup
Age: 20s
Occupation: layman
Date of self-immolation: 24 February 2013
Place: Jhakhyung Monastery in Palung, Tshoshar, Eastern Tibet.
Current status: deceased
The
last message:
‘Over
one hundred Tibetans from all parts of Tibet set themselves on fire. They were
true heroes of the Tibetan people. If Tibet does not win independence and
freedom, it is certain that China will eliminate Tibet’s culture and
traditional ways of life. This year the authorities have banned the teaching of
Tibetan language in Bayan district. All the Tibetan teachers were expelled. It
is out of sheer sadness that today, on the evening of the fifteenth day of the
Tibetan New Year, I am setting myself on fire in front of the Jakhyung
Monastery. Today is Tibetan Independence Day.’
