Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok

Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok (1933 - 2004) was a LAMA Nyingmapa of the South-eastern area of the Tibet, the Kham currently incorporated in the Chinese province of the Sichuan. It is resulting from a family of nomads. At the age of two it was identified like the reincarnation of the Tertön Lerdo Lingpa (1852 - 1926). He studied the Dzogchen with the monastery of Nubzor. It receipt the ordination of monk beginner at 14 years, and full ordination at 22 years (in 1955). In 1959, it made the crucial decision to remain in the Kham rather than to seek exiles it in India in spite of the difficulties related to the Chinese invasion of the Tibet. Between 1960 and 1980, it lived a wandering lifestyle in order to avoid becoming victim of the Cultural revolution. In 1980, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok founded the Buddhist institute of Serthar (also called the Buddhist institute of Larung Gar or Larong Gar , close to the town of Serthar (Chinese Seda ), apparently without permission of the Chinese authorities which seem to have to close the eye on its activities, as long as they were not political. The popularity of the institute developed until attracting 8500 students including approximately 1000 Chinese of continental China but also of students of Taiwan, HongKong, of Singapore, and Malaysia. Among the students, were a great number of nuns. In 1987, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok met and became the friend of the 10th Panchen LAMA. In 1989 it also met the 14th Dalaï Lama Tenzin Gyatso. Later, he will refuse to denounce it, as required it of him the Chinese authorities. Also, the Chinese government will refuse to grant any permission to him to travel, even for humane reason of health. In 1999, the “united front of the work of Sichuan” made pressure on him about the question of its support for Dalaï Lama, and required that it reduce the number of the students of the institute (to 150 or 1400, according to reports/ratios). Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok refused. In summer of 2001 several thousands of members of the Chinese armed police force are descended to the institute, shaving its structures and dispersing its students. The most 8000 students were expelled and approximately 2000 houses were destroyed under the supervision of military teams and police armies. Following these demolitions and, because of the traumatism inflicted to the nuns, some of them committed suicide. One remained a long time without news of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, and his niece Jetsunma Muntso.

Khenpo Jigmé Phuntsok would have been taken along by the authorities, imprisoned then placed under house arrest with Chengdu. It is deceased on January 7th, 2004 at 70 years in Tibet, following a cardiac disease for which it was to be operated in a military hospital.

External bonds

Thousands off Tibetan Monks and Nuns Ordered to Leave Remote Encampment, 20th June 2001
Destruction off Monasteries spreads in Tibet, 14th November 2001
Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok master keys away, 8th January 2004
The Destruction off Serthar Institute in 2001
Video documentary
When the Sky Fell to Earth: The New Crackdown one Buddhism in International Tibet Campaign for Tibet, 2004
Persecution off Buddhist Nuns in Tibet, April 17 2002
Persecution off Religion in Tibet, September 10 2001

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