Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, April 1: Chinese authorities have imposed sweeping restrictions and intensified security measures around Lungngn Monastery in Gade County, Golog, during the ongoing memorial prayer ceremonies for the late Tibetan Buddhist leader, Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, according to the Dharamshala-based Tibetan media outlet, Tibet Times.
According to the report, from March 27 to 30, the monastery has been hosting four-day prayer services marking the completion of Rinpoche’s death rites. During this period, large contingents of Chinese police and military personnel surrounded the monastery, enforcing stringent surveillance and severely restricting the movement, assembly, and activities of local Tibetans and monastic residents.
On the first day of the ceremonies, Chinese authorities reportedly removed English-language signboards and inscriptions related to the memorial offerings displayed at the monastery’s entrance. They also issued strict orders prohibiting monks and laypeople from sharing or disseminating photographs, videos, or any information related to the ceremonies on online platforms or other channels. These measures have reportedly created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
A Tibetan source, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the prevailing situation as dire, stating, “At present, people are more afraid of staying alive than of dying. This time, the Chinese government has imposed extremely harsh measures.”
The crackdown has also involved the arbitrary detention and abuse of individuals. On March 27, a monk identified as Ugyen Jangchup was detained without explanation and taken to the Gade County police station, where he was reportedly subjected to severe beatings before being released around midnight. However, he was later ordered to report to a local detention center, raising concerns that he may face prolonged detention.
Further accounts indicate that authorities forcibly searched his living quarters, destroying personal belongings and confiscating electronic devices, including his phone and computer. During the search, officials reportedly discovered an image of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his possession. His residence was subjected to a thorough inspection. Sources suggest that he may be held in detention for over a month, or possibly longer, heightening anxiety among the local community.
The current tensions follow a pattern of sustained pressure on Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche prior to his mysterious death. In August 2024, when the Chinese government-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, visited Golog, Rinpoche reportedly did not extend the level of reception expected by Chinese authorities. Subsequently, he faced repeated harassment and political accusations, including claims that his establishment of monasteries and schools, as well as his advocacy for marginalized communities, had caused social unrest. He later went missing for a period under unclear circumstances.
On March 28, 2025, Chinese officials informed key members of Lungnon Monastery that Rinpoche had died at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, though no clear explanation was provided. A delegation of five monks traveled to Vietnam to verify the claims, but were only briefly allowed to view his face on April 10. Their movements and communications were tightly controlled, and no information was permitted to be shared publicly. His body was later cremated in secrecy on April 20.
Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche was a prominent religious figure and social benefactor in Tibet. The son of the esteemed Tulku Pema Thumpo, founder of Lungnon Monastery, he dedicated his life to education, cultural preservation, and community welfare. In 2004, he established the Gesar Philanthropic Foundation in the so-called Qinghai Province, promoting the preservation of the Gesar cultural heritage. Beginning in 2007, he founded the Hungkar Dorje National Vocational School, which serves around a thousand students, and established approximately 14 primary and secondary schools to provide free education to children from rural and nomadic Tibetan communities.
In addition to his educational initiatives, he founded numerous monasteries and monastic institutions, playing a vital role in preserving Tibetan religion, language, and cultural traditions. However, these efforts also drew scrutiny from Chinese authorities, who reportedly leveled various political accusations against him.
The situation in Lungnon Monastery remains tense, with limited information emerging due to ongoing restrictions and heightened surveillance.
