"The belief that people who burn themselves to death will have their souls released from purgatory and attain bliss in the afterlife is never part of the Buddhist creed," explains 62-year-old Sodzamtsang Rinpoche from the Hezuo Monastery.
"Self-immolation is not a heroic act, but a stupid one that misinterprets Buddhist doctrine."
But Sangye Gyatso, a 26-year-old resident of Duohe Village, Nawu Township in the city of Hezuo, the seat of the prefectural government of Gannan, saw it differently.
After Trakhutso died, Sangye Gyatso told his friends over drinks, "[The city of] Hezuo has risen to fame because of a woman. For Duohuo [village], it will be because of me."
According to his confession to police, he and several friends used their cell phones to spread pictures of burning Trakhutso. He was also a regular viewer of the VOA's Tibetan-language programming.
Police have confirmed that Sangye Gyatso installed a satellite receiver in his house and used to watch VOA Tibetan-language programs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Broadcasts about "Tibet independence" and self-immolations had a great impact on him and his friends.
On Oct. 6, 2012, Sangye Gyatso died in the fire he ignited for himself.
Police investigations show that Sangye Gyatso was handled in accordance with the law in 2007 for repeated acts of theft, which were carried out with the help of others. He had been without a formal job for a long time.
【11】
High-profile divorce saga ends
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