Tibetan Monk Takes Life Following Torture
Tenzin Dorjee’s death took place in 2023 but has only now come to light
Free Tibet has learned that a learned Tibetan Buddhist monk took his own life in southern Tibet last May following torture.
Tenzin Dorjee, aged 50, took his own life on May 25, 2023, in his residential quarters.
His death follows the torture he suffered, after he was detained for allegedly spreading the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the increasingly restrictive space to freely practice his religion even after his release.
Hailing from Shelkar Monastery in Shigatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Dorjee was known for his deep knowledge of Tibetan Buddhist studies and his dedication to sharing the teachings of the Dalai Lama with fellow practitioners. However, his commitment to his faith made him a target of persecution by Chinese authorities.
A source told Tibet Watch, Free Tibet’s research partner, that “Tenzin Dorjee is good in Tibetan Buddhist studies and often explained the Buddhist texts and teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Tibetan lay people. He was arrested for his alleged role in spreading the message and teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He was tortured, beaten inhumanely, and interrogated while in detention.”
The source added that, unable to bear this repression, Dorjee decided to end his life.
His untimely death has not only robbed the Tibetan community of a respected monk but has also left his family shattered, with his mother now grappling with profound psychological trauma. It is understood that Dorjee’s mother is currently recovering at a hospital in Lhasa.
Information supplied by Tibet Watch
