DHARAMSHALA, February, 23 : Chinese authorities in Pema County in Golok have arrested three Tibetan monks earlier this month, a Tibetan exile told Phayul. The three monks, all from Ghangshar Thubten Shedrupling monastery in Kyilkhar town, were accused of “illegal activities” of saving the lives of 300 livestocks destined to be killed for meat market in the region.
The three monks, Yudrug;51, Rinbo; 50 and Selshay; 43. have spent money on “Tsethar” which is the Buddhist act of saving and preserving animal lives.
Police arrested the three on Feb. 6 and presented before a court which sent them to a detention center in the county.
Rinbo, formerly the disciplinarian of the monastery for six years, is the main administrator of the monastery. Selshay is the treasurer of the monastery. The three command the respect of the local Tibetan populace for their works. The same source said that the Tibetans in the region would protest if the three were not released immediately.
Ghangshar Thubten Shedrupling monastery belongs to the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and houses around 100 monks.
