By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, August 29: Tibetans and supporters joined the monastic community at the Theckchen Choeling Tsuglakhang here for a prayer session to mark the 49th day since the death of a prominent Tibetan Buddhist leader in a Chinese prison, Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Tibetan Buddhists carry out prayers and rituals for the dead on the 49th day from a person’s death.
The prayers session at the Tsuglakhang was organized by the Central Tibetan Women’s Association and its Dharamshala chapters.
Kirti Rinpoche, the head of Kirti monastery, led the the prayer that was attended by monks, nuns, representatives of various organizations and the public.
“We are here to pray for late Trulku Tenzin Delek on the 49th day since his passing. Even after pleading his innocence, he was arrested in 2002 and has been imprisoned for 13 years. There were clear indications of foul play in his death since his body was not handed over to his family,” said Dolma Yangchen, President, TWA.
All the 56 regional TWA were issued directives to hold prayers from the first week till today and more than 1,000 butter lamps were offered at Geden Choeling Nunnery. The prominent Tibetan religious leader and philanthropist died on July 12 in a Chinese prison under suspicious circumstances that prompted Tibetans and supporters to demand probe into the matter.
Meanwhile, the Regional TWA and the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress held a candle light vigil to mourn the death of Tashi Kyi, a 55 year old Tibetan woman who died early Friday after a self immolation protest.
Kyi, from Ngura village, Sankhog township, set herself ablaze on the night of August 27, before local Tibetans tried to extinguish the flames on her body. She passed away around 3 AM (local time) on Friday.
Since February 2009, 143 Tibetans have resorted to self immolation as a form of protest against the Chinese rule and to demand the return of the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.
