Tsang Monastery head dies after Chinese police raids and expulsions

Developing (Aug. 23, 2025): According to Tibet Times, all monks under 18 were expelled from Tsang Monastery in Ba County, Amdo, after Chinese police intensified controls around the Dalai Lama’s birthday. Officers searched monks’ quarters, seized photos of His Holiness, restricted movement, and from July 20 imposed daily political classes, halting religious activities and village rituals. Under this pressure, the monastery’s management head, Ven. Shersang Gyatso, 52, died by suicide on Aug. 18 on the second floor of the monastery shop in protest. He hailed from Arig Village, Malho Sogzong, and was respected within the monastery’s Gyupa College.