Tamdin Dorje, the grandfather of a prominent young Tibetan reincarnate lama at Labrang Tashikyil monastery, died after setting fire to himself near a white stupa beside Tsoe Gaden Choeling monastery in Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province – the same place as mother of two Dolkar Tso, who self-immolated on 7 August. Tamdin Dorje was the father of the young lama’s mother.

Images received by Tibetans in exile from Tibet depict troops converging on the area, and Tibetans taking Tamdin Dorje’s body for cremation. Tamdin Dorje set fire to himself in the same place as mother of two Dolkar Tso, who self-immolated on August 7, near a white stupa beside Tsoe Gaden Choeling monastery in Kanlho .

The self-immolation was noted with concern by the authorities due to the connection to the young lama recognised as the 7th Gungthang Rinpoche, Lobsang Geleg Tenpe Khenchen, who was born in 2002 in the village of Dzoege, east of Tsoe city.