Portrait of Sonam Wangyal
Photo: International Campaign for Tibet · Used with permission arranged by V-TAG, 2026-10-15
Record
SI-020
Date
Place
Darlag (Ch: Dari) county, Golog (Ch: Guoluo)
Region
Amdo
Age
Forties
Affiliation
Lama of Dungkyob Monastery (unconfirmed)
Outcome
Died Died on 8 January 2012 (ICT; CTA: died 08/01/2012).
Other spellings
Lama Sobha

What happened

According to ICT, citing the Central Tibetan Administration, Sonam Wangyal, also known as Lama Sobha, a respected religious figure, set fire to himself early on the morning of 8 January 2012 in Darlag, the first lama to do so. Radio Free Asia reported that he first burned incense and prayed on a local hill and distributed leaflets explaining his action. His protest was linked to the lack of religious freedom in the area.

Reported words

not for his personal glory but for Tibet and the happiness of Tibetans

Radio Free Asia, quoting his leaflets, cited in the ICT fact sheet

Labelled unconfirmed: affiliation. The sources differ or do not confirm these details; both versions are kept in the record.

Sources & References

Primary records