Portrait of Taphun
Photo: International Campaign for Tibet · Used with permission arranged by V-TAG, 2026-10-15
Record
SI-169
Date
Place
In front of the police station outside Kirti Monastery, Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County
Region
Amdo
Age
81
Outcome
Died ICT: believed deceased. CTA lists: Died. (unconfirmed)

What happened

According to ICT, Taphun, an 81-year-old Tibetan, carried out a self-immolation protest in front of the police station outside Kirti Monastery in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County on 27 March 2022 and is believed to have died. ICT described him as a socially conscious man and reported words of encouragement he had shared at his 80th birthday in 2021.

Reported words

On account of the blessings of the Gyalwa Rinpoche [“Victorious and Precious One” an epithet for the Dalai Lama], it is certain that the sun of happiness will shine in Tibet. The young children should not become discouraged.

ICT fact sheet (words spoken at his 80th birthday in 2021)

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

Sources & References

Primary records