Sir, – It is impossible to over-state the tragedy of self-immolation (“Ignoring Tibetan self-immolations”, November 30th).
If anyone doubts the desperation and tragedy of these acts, they need only seek out Internet footage of the self-immolation of Tibetan Buddhist nun Palden Choetso in November 2011. The footage is brief and profoundly disturbing.
Perhaps the most powerful comment on the present wave of self-immolations by Tibetans is provided by Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman in the Spring 2012 issue of Buddhadharma.
Prof Thurman watched the footage of Palden Choetso’s self-immolation and writes, very directly: “Oh my heart! Oh, my life! How can this happen! What can I do? I’m overwhelmed . . . I want to respond, to douse her flames.” So do I. – Yours, etc,