Record
SI-039
Date
Place
His residence at Dzogchen Monastery, Dartsedo (Ch: Kangding) County, Kardze (unconfirmed)
Region
Kham
Age
45 (unconfirmed)
Affiliation
Reincarnate lama (tulku); former abbot of Dzamthang Monastery
Outcome
Died Died on 6 April 2012 (ICT, CTA). Whether the fire was a self-immolation is disputed (ICT).
Other spellings
Tulku Athup, Tulku Athub, Thubten Nyandak

What happened (unconfirmed)

Thubten Nyandak Rinpoche (Tulku Athup) and his niece Atse died in a fire at his residence at a monastery in Kardze on 6 April 2012. ICT records that the circumstances remain unclear: a monastery administrator described it as an accidental fire, but the Central Tibetan Administration reported in 2013 that the two had set themselves on fire, and Tibetan writer Woeser also regards it as a self-immolation. According to the CTA and RFA, he had told his family by phone that day that he was offering butter lamps for all Tibetans who had set themselves on fire for Tibet.

Reported words

Today I feel at ease and ending my life by offering butter lamps for all those Tibetans who have set themselves on fire for the cause of Tibet

Central Tibetan Administration (tibet.net, 27 March 2013), via ICT fact sheet

I have lighted many butter lamps for the benefit of those who have set themselves on fire for the cause of Tibet.

Radio Free Asia (6 April 2012), via ICT fact sheet

Aftermath

According to the CTA report quoted by ICT, Chinese security forces from Dartsedo came to Dzogchen Monastery; fearing its closure, monastery officials told them the deaths were an accidental fire, and the authorities afterwards imposed severe restrictions across the region and cracked down on local Tibetans.

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

Sources & References

Primary records

News reports and other sources