Our last message
Tenzin Phuntsok
Date of self-immolation: 1 December 2011
Place: Chamdo, Kham, Tibet
Current status: Deceased
The last message of Tenzin 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
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 fulfil 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
Occupation: Layman
Date of self-immolation: 19 February 2012
Place: Dzamthang, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet
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 request to the Tibetans is – 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
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 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 practise 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!
Choepak Kyab
Occupation: Layperson
Date of self-immolation: 19 April 2012
Place: Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet
The last message of Choepak 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
Occupation: Housewife/Nomad
Date of self-immolation: 30 May 2012
Place:Dzamthang Monastery, Amdo, Northeatern Tibet
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.
In fire I burn, my family, do not worry.
Tamding Thar
Occupation: Nomad
Date of self-immolation: 15 June 2012
Place: Chentsa county town, Malho, Eastern Tibet
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
Place: Yulshul, Kham, Eastern Tibet
Tenzin Khedrup
Occupation: former monk
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, for 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 youth 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
Occupation: Writer/Poet
Place of self-immolation: Nagchu, Tibet
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)
Nyingkar Tashi
Date of self-immolation: 12 November 2012
Place: near a school in Dorongpo in Rebkong, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet
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.
Chagmo Kyi
Occupation: cab driver
Place: Dolma Square, Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet
The last message of Chagmo 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. Peace.
Sangye Dolma
Occupation: nun
Place: Bharkor Vilage in Dokarmo, Malho, Eastern Tibet
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.
fortress in the forest look at the beauty of the
turquoise plain my tigress has come back.
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.
Kelsang Kyab
Occupation: Semi-nomad
Place: Outside the Peoples Government building in Changtsa town, Dzorge, Ngaba, Amdo in NE Tibet.
The last message of Kelsang Kyab: 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.
* All translations by Bhuchung D. Sonam.