Dharamshala — The well-known Tibetan spiritual leader, scholar, and humanitarian Tulku Hungkar Dorje, was murdered by the Chinese police, after he had been missing for six months. He was accused of not having formally acknowledge the Chinese government-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu and writing a poem of a long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibetans in exile call on the international community to investigate his wrongful death.
Tulku Hungkar Dorje was a Tibetan spiritual master, scholar, writer, translator, artist and humanitarian. He studied in Tibet, India, China and USA. He set up library, school and hospital in Tibet. He has also visited the United States, Canada, Vietnam, Russia, China and other countries. He is also the author of more than 20 books on Buddhist philosophy, including The Empty Session of the Middle Way and An Excellent Explanation of the Perfect Human Nature, among many others.
Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche disappeared in September 2024, after Chinese authorities from the Qinghai Provincial Police Department interrogated him about his composition of a long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and accused him of failing to implement Chinese government education policies in his Golok schools. At the end of September 2024 , he fled to Vietnam and lived there until March 25, 2025, under difficult circumstances. Sadly, Rinpoche died on March 29, 2025 in Vietnam, after being arrested by Vietnamese police and Chinese agents on March 25, 2025.
The Dhomay Cholkha Association and students of Tulku Hungkar Dorje held a press conference at Norbu House, hall, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, HP, India, on April 5, 2025, regarding the death of Ven Tulku Hungkar Dorje, who was wrongfully killed by the Chinese government.
During the press conference, Ju Tenkjong, director of the Amnye Machen Institute, said that Tulku Hungkar Dorje was murdered by the Chinese authorities, which is what the Chinese government uses against Tibetans, particularly those who have a high profile, when they no longer listen to the CCP authorities and are no longer used, like the 10th Panchen Lama.
Lhamo Tashi, President of the Dhomay Cholkha Association, said during the press conference, "We urge the Vietnamese government to investigate the unjust death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, in accordance with international legal standards, and with full access for neutral observers to Vietnam, where he is believed to have died. We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is done for Rinpoche."
They also released a statement regarding the sudden death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, it states, "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Venerable Tulku Hungkar Dorje, a revered Tibetan spiritual teacher, scholar, and humanitarian. His contributions to Tibetan Buddhism, culture, and society were immeasurable, and his loss is profoundly felt by all who knew him."
The statement explains, "As the abbot of Lungngon Thubten Choekhor Ling Monastery, he dedicated his life to guiding and educating thousands of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners. In 2007, with official approval from the Golok Prefecture authorities, he established the Hungkar Dorje Vocational Training Center, providing free education to over a thousand students. His humanitarian efforts included founding the Hungkar Compassion Medical Clinic and a library, as well as distributing food, clothing, and financial aid to the elderly and underprivileged."
"Beyond Tibet, he shared his wisdom and teachings with Buddhist communities across the world, visiting the United States, Canada, Vietnam, Russia, China, and other countries. He also authored numerous texts on Buddhist philosophy, including The Empty Session of the Middle Way and An Excellent Explanation of the Perfect Human Nature, among many others," they added.
They said, "Despite his lifelong dedication to the Dharma and public service, Tulku Hungkar Dorje faced growing pressure from Chinese authorities in recent years. This included his refusal to formally acknowledge Gyaltsen Norbu, the Chinese government-appointed Panchen Lama, during a state-imposed visit to his monastery. In August 2024, officials from the Qinghai Provincial Police Department interrogated him over his composition of a long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and accused him of failing to implement government education policies in his schools in Golok. Not long after, in late September, he disappeared, leaving his students and followers deeply alarmed."
"Recent reports indicate that between late September 2024 and March 25, 2025, he sought refuge in Vietnam under difficult circumstances. On March 25, he was arrested in Saigon in a joint operation involving Vietnamese police and Chinese agents. Just three days later, on March 28, he was reportedly transferred to Chinese custody and executed," they said.
"On April 1,2025, Chinese officials at Lungngon Monastery presented a death certificate but refused to allow anyone to keep or photograph it. On April 3,2025, a delegation of monks and Chinese officials traveled to Vietnam to retrieve his remains. At this time, it is unclear whether they were able to see or recover his body," they added.
The Dhomay Cholkha Association and Rinpoche's students said, "We call for an independent international investigation into the circumstances of Tulku Hungkar Dorje's death. Such an investigation must be conducted transparently, in accordance with international egal standards, and with full access for neutral observers in Vietnam, where he reportedly passed away. Right now, his body is in Vinmec Centre Park International hospital."
Tulku Hungkar Dorje born in 1969 in the Golok region to Terchen Lama Padma Tumtrag Dorjee (father) and Kaza Dugkar Dolma (Mother), he was recognized at a young age as the reincarnation of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje. He studied under the guidance of his father, Terchen Lama Padma Tumtrag Dorjee, and received teachings from many great masters. In 1989, he traveled to India, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama personally ordained him as a fully ordained monk and bestowed upon him numerous empowerments, including the Kalachakra initiation.
Tulku Hungkar Dorje pursued extensive studies at Drepung Gomang Monastery in South India, later continuing his education at Drepung Monastery in Tibet. His scholarship extended beyond the monastic tradition, as he studied at institutions such as the American International Language University (USA), the Chinese Tibetan Buddhist College (China), and Beijing University's Philosophy Department (China).
