Reported by: Jampa Tsering
Edited by: Pema Tso
Translated by: Choegyal Kyab
On May 6, 2025, around 5 PM local time in Tibet, Dukkar Drolma, mother of late Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, passed away at her residence near Lung Ngon Monastery.
According to reliable information provided to Tibet Times by a trusted Tibetan source, Dukkar Drolma had been ill and emotionally distressed since the disappearance of her son, Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, She had been receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Xining for over three months. However, her condition worsened recently due to severe anxiety. About ten days ago, when medical treatment proved ineffective, she returned to her hometown, where she passed away.
Earlier this year in January, Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche had sent a cryptic message to his mother in the form of a parable. Using the metaphor of hunters and deer, he explained that he had to flee from his monastery, students, and followers, stating he was being pursued and nearly captured. Rinpoche’s overseas disciples are reportedly collecting the documents related to this message.
According to the source, on April 19, representatives from Lung Ngon Monastery who travelled to Vietnam had their phones confiscated as part of restrictions imposed upon them. On April 20, when Rinpoche’s body was transferred from the Vinmec Central Park International Hospital to a crematorium, the representatives were not allowed to view even his face. They were later handed what was claimed to be his cremains, though they expressed doubts about its authenticity. The Chinese embassy in Vietnam reportedly told the monastery’s representatives that the body could not be released, claiming this was a decision made by the Vietnamese government. However, when contacted separately, Vietnamese officials stated the cremation was performed at the request of the Chinese embassy, which claimed it was in accordance with the wishes of Rinpoche’s monastery and family.
Dukkar Drolma, aged 85, was married to Tulku Padma Tumdrak Rinpoche. They had two sons—Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche and his younger brother, who currently resides in Japan—as well as two daughters, one of whom passed away a year or two ago.
Background
In August 2024, during a visit by the Chinese government-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, to the Golok region, Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche reportedly declined to offer the reception expected by Chinese authorities. Following this, he was subjected to repeated harassment by the government, who accused him of defying higher authorities by establishing numerous monasteries and schools and for advocating for the rights of the poor and marginalized.
After a period of disappearance, Chinese authorities informed senior figures at Lung Ngon Monastery on March 28, 2025, that Rinpoche had died at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital in Vietnam. No detailed explanation was provided. On April 10, a delegation of five monks from Lung Ngon Monastery in Gade County, Golok, was allowed a brief viewing of Rinpoche’s face. On April 20, the body was cremated in Vietnam under unclear circumstances.
