This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/09/british-monk-killed-china
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| British monk killed in China | British monk killed in China |
| (4 days later) | |
| A Tibetan monk who founded the first Buddhist monastery in the UK has been killed in China. | A Tibetan monk who founded the first Buddhist monastery in the UK has been killed in China. |
| Dr Choje Akong Rinpoche, a British citizen who fled Tibet in 1959, was stabbed to death along with his nephew and driver in a dispute over money in the south-west city of Chengdu, local police said. | Dr Choje Akong Rinpoche, a British citizen who fled Tibet in 1959, was stabbed to death along with his nephew and driver in a dispute over money in the south-west city of Chengdu, local police said. |
| Akong's brother said the three men had been "assassinated" [see footnote]. Chengdu police said the suspects, all of whom are Tibetan, have been arrested and confessed to the killings. | |
| Akong set up the Samye Ling Tibetan centre in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland in 1967, home to more than 60 monks and volunteers. It was not only the first Buddhist monastery in the UK but the first Tibetan Buddhist centre to be established in the west. | Akong set up the Samye Ling Tibetan centre in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland in 1967, home to more than 60 monks and volunteers. It was not only the first Buddhist monastery in the UK but the first Tibetan Buddhist centre to be established in the west. |
| He also wrote three books and, in 2011, was one of six refugees chosen to attend a tea with the home secretary, Theresa May, to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN refugee convention because of their inspiring and meaningful contributions to Britain. | He also wrote three books and, in 2011, was one of six refugees chosen to attend a tea with the home secretary, Theresa May, to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN refugee convention because of their inspiring and meaningful contributions to Britain. |
| At the ceremony, Akong recalled how he was welcomed by the UK government and the British people when he arrived as a refugee in 1963 and presented May with a long white scarf endorsed with messages of friendship. | At the ceremony, Akong recalled how he was welcomed by the UK government and the British people when he arrived as a refugee in 1963 and presented May with a long white scarf endorsed with messages of friendship. |
| In recent years, he worked for charities abroad, including at founding schools and hospitals in Tibet. | In recent years, he worked for charities abroad, including at founding schools and hospitals in Tibet. |
| His brother, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, said in a statement posted on the Samye Ling Monastery website: "To all dear friends of Samye Ling and Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. I am very, very sorry to inform you all that tragically, my brother Choje Akong Rinpoche, my nephew and one monk who was travelling with then, were all assassinated in Trengdu today. Rinpoche's body has been taken to hospital where a post mortem will be carried out. That is all the news I have so far. If I receive further news I will let you know." | His brother, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, said in a statement posted on the Samye Ling Monastery website: "To all dear friends of Samye Ling and Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. I am very, very sorry to inform you all that tragically, my brother Choje Akong Rinpoche, my nephew and one monk who was travelling with then, were all assassinated in Trengdu today. Rinpoche's body has been taken to hospital where a post mortem will be carried out. That is all the news I have so far. If I receive further news I will let you know." |
| He said the Dalai Lama had been informed of his death and was saying prayers for him. He urged others to "do whatever prayers you can". | He said the Dalai Lama had been informed of his death and was saying prayers for him. He urged others to "do whatever prayers you can". |
| The Tibetan Buddhist leader, the Karmapa Lama, said he was shocked by the death of Akong, having been friends with him since he was seven. "I would like to offer my condolences to his family members, everyone at Samye Ling monastery, the Rokpa Foundation, and all the persons involved in his projects in Tibet as well as to all of the students whose lives he touched," he said. | The Tibetan Buddhist leader, the Karmapa Lama, said he was shocked by the death of Akong, having been friends with him since he was seven. "I would like to offer my condolences to his family members, everyone at Samye Ling monastery, the Rokpa Foundation, and all the persons involved in his projects in Tibet as well as to all of the students whose lives he touched," he said. |
| "I hope that all of his visions and aspirations may continue to be fulfilled." | "I hope that all of his visions and aspirations may continue to be fulfilled." |
| • This article was amended on 11 October 2013. The earlier version referred to Dr Choje Akong Rinpoche a number of times as Rinpoche as if that was his surname. In fact it is an honorific title used in Tibetan Buddhism; his surname is Akong. | • This article was amended on 11 October 2013. The earlier version referred to Dr Choje Akong Rinpoche a number of times as Rinpoche as if that was his surname. In fact it is an honorific title used in Tibetan Buddhism; his surname is Akong. |
| • This footnote was added on 15 October 2013. The Abbot and Trust chairman, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, brother of Akong Rinpoche issued the following statement: "Unfortunately I used the word "assassination" in respect of the killing of my brother Akong Rinpoche. English is not my first language and I did not appreciate that the word means killing with a religious or political motive. I never intended to imply that there was such a motive and I regret the misunderstanding that has been caused." | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |