A Tibetan monk, Tenzin Dorjee, tragically ended his life following his release from custody due to the mental anguish caused by his arrest and subsequent monitoring by Chinese authorities, reports Tibet Times. Dorjee, a learned Buddhist from Shelkar Monastery in Dingri County, Tibet, was known for sharing teachings from books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In May 2023, Chinese police detained Dorjee on charges related to his religious teachings, subjecting him to interrogation and physical abuse. Although he was released after a few days, the conditions of his release included a stern prohibition against continuing his religious activities and constant surveillance. The pressure led Dorjee to commit suicide in his residence on May 25.
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Relatives of Dorjee, speaking to Tibet Times from exile, disclosed that he was deeply committed to his Buddhist studies and often shared his knowledge with the local community. This commitment to his faith, they believe, was the reason behind his arrest and the restrictions placed upon him.
The impact of Dorjee’s death has profoundly affected his family, particularly his elderly mother, Lhamo, who is now suffering from a mental health disorder and undergoing treatment in Lhasa. Dorjee was the youngest of eight siblings and was particularly close to his mother, who is described as being deeply saddened by the loss of her son.
The source also highlighted that this incident is part of a broader pattern of repression by the Chinese government against the teachings of the Dalai Lama and the practice of Buddhism in Tibet, especially in areas close to the Indian border.
Tenzin Dorjee’s story is a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges and pressures faced by Tibetan monks under Chinese rule.
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