High profile Buddhist monk sets himself alight in Tibet

In Tibet, a rash of self-immolations have captured world attention as Buddhist monks take their protest against Chinese rule to a heightened level. Fears are growing that the self-immolations will spread.

BEIJING, CHINA (Catholic Online) - Earlier this week, a high-profile Buddhist monk set himself alight in the northeastern province of Qinghai. The monk was identified as Sonam Wangyal, and he is the oldest monk to immolate himself in the recent wave of protests. Wangyal was reportedly in his early forties. 

His immolation is notable because he is the oldest and most well esteemed monk to protest in this way. Local Tibetans referred to him as the "Living Buddha Sopa." Buddhism frowns upon suicide, but there is a tradition of self-sacrifice in Buddhism, especially when it is for the benefit of others. 

According to witnesses, Wangyal handed out leaflets to the public and had wrote that he was acting "not for personal glory but for Tibet and the happiness of Tibetans." He then sat down in a hotel courtyard and drank kerosene before dousing himself. He then set himself alight. His body exploded and he died instantly. 

Following his death, a crowd of at least 2,000 Tibetans gathered to hold a candlelight vigil urging the police to release his body. According to police authorities, his body has since been handed over to relatives. 

Unfortunately, the situation does not appear to be improving. Just hours after the immolation, Chinese officials pledged to strengthen efforts to quell the monasteries and supporters of the Dali Lama. A report from Xinhua said that officials must "push forward the patriotic and legal education among monks and nuns. and dissuade them from being duped by separatist forces." 

For now, people are concerned that the self-immolations and the government's pledge to crack-down on pro-Tibetan protests will only increase the tensions and lead to yet more immolations. Certainly, the self-sacrifice of a spiritual leader will have a wide impact across the region. 

Ultimately, experts believe the situation will continue to worsen as each side tries to increase pressure on the other. It is almost certain that the self-immolation of Wangyal will not be the last.

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