DHARAMSHALA: A highly revered Tibetan spiritual figure, Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche (also known as Pangri-na Rinpoche) has been found in a serious health condition at a Chinese prison near Chengdu city, according to a report by Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, a human rights group based in Dharamsala.

The information was confirmed to the group by a Tibetan who happened to see Rinpoche by chance while he was visiting another prisoner.  “At first I couldn’t recognize him as he had become so weak, almost emaciated. It looks like he is not being treated well in prison,” the source was quoted as saying by TCHRD.

Following information about Rinpoche’s condition, local Tibetans have expressed deep concern and anxiety over Rinpoche’s deteriorating health.

Rinpoche, 53, was arrested on 18 May 2008. The Chinese authorities have not given any specific reasons for his arrest.  However, local Tibetans believe that the arrest may have been due to Rinpoche’s unwavering faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“Chinese authorities accused Rinpoche of indulging in separatist activities, when he led the monks and nuns of Yatseg Nunnery and Pangri-na Nunnery organize a life-long prayer ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2002. The nuns moreover opposed the ‘patriotic education’ campaigns conducted in their nunnery, refusing to sign on the documents condemning His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” the source told TCHRD.

Rinpoche’s whereabout following his arrest was kept a secret by the Chinese police for several months. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities imposed severe crackdowns on Ya-tseg Nunnery and Pangri-na Nunnery. Rinpoche was the chief spiritual lama and the head of Pangri and Ya-tseg nunneries located in Karze (incorporated into China’s Sichuan Province).

Information about Rinpoche only became available on 23 December 2009, when an Intermediate People’s Court at Dartsedo county sentenced him to eight years and six months on the alleged charge of weapons possession.