「Lobga Rangzen's Final Statement 」Do not mourn for me. Keep fight for the Tibet Cause!
「Do not mourn for me. What we should truly mourn is the loss of our country. And do not remain in grief. If you must grieve, then I ask each one of you to keep fight for the Tibet cause.」
Before carrying out his self-immolation, Lobga Rangzen left this final testament in his garage and also published it on his Facebook page. Rangzen is the name he chose for himself. In Tibetan, it means "independence" or "freedom."
The following is a translated transcript of his final message:
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Whenever we organize activities abroad, we do so to protest the Chinese Communist Party's repressive policies in Tibet and to resist China's rule over the Tibetan people. Today, I would like to say a few words.
To Tibetans inside Tibet, I have little to say. Thank you all! They have continued to risk their lives with extraordinary courage, doing everything they can to preserve Tibet's language, culture, and dignity. Because of that, I do not feel I have the standing to tell them what they should do.
Today, I want to speak mainly to Tibetans living in exile. I have four messages.
1. Tibetans in exile must not forget their responsibility.
We live in exile, enjoying freedom and democracy. This freedom and democracy were made possible by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness did not give us freedom so that we could fight among ourselves, nor so that we could use democracy and freedom as excuses for internal division. Every one of us should speak out for Tibet's freedom and work for Tibet's future.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama once said that Tibetans living abroad should not become content simply because they have a house, a car, or a comfortable life, while Tibetans inside Tibet continue to live under suffering.
2. We must understand that the suffering of the Tibetan people exists because we have lost our country.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a global teacher of peace. He dedicates himself to the peace and well-being of all beings, and therefore does not often speak in harsh or confrontational terms. But we ourselves must understand:
Why do Tibetans inside Tibet have no freedom?
Why does our nation face the danger of destruction?
Why are we denied even the right to display an image of His Holiness the Dalai Lama?
The answer is the same: because we have lost our country, and with it our freedom.
Many people say that we do not have a country. That is not true. We do have a country—it has simply been occupied by China.
3. Tibetans in exile must stop dividing themselves by region or religious tradition and unite as one people.
When the Chinese Communist Party represses Tibetans, it does not distinguish between Kham, Amdo, or Ü-Tsang. Nor does it distinguish between different Buddhist schools.
It suppresses all Tibetans and seeks to destroy all Tibetan religious traditions alike.
Therefore, those of us living in exile should no longer divide ourselves into Kham, Amdo, or Ü-Tsang, nor separate ourselves by sectarian affiliation. We must stand together and work harder to restore Tibetan freedom and secure Tibet's independence.
4. Do not let my action stop the work that must continue. The truest way to mourn me is to continue struggling for Tibet.
If today I undertake a major action—one that draws the world's attention—I join my hands in prayer and ask you this:
Please do not stop doing the work we are doing now because of what I have done. Everything we are doing today is for the preservation of our language and culture. Those who dance should continue to dance. Those who sing should continue to sing.
These things are essential so that the younger generation of Tibetans can inherit and carry forward our language and culture.
Especially now, as we prepare to celebrate the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I hope Tibetans everywhere will organize grand celebrations in his honor. These things are profoundly important.
Do not allow the action of one individual to leave you only with grief or silent mourning. What we should truly mourn is that we have lost our country. And each one of us should respond by taking even greater action.
I am taking this action today not because I lack food, clothing, or shelter, nor because I face personal hardships or problems in my own life. Everything I do is for Tibet's independence and for Tibet's struggle.
Therefore, with my hands folded in prayer, I ask you:
If you truly wish to mourn me, then fulfill the wishes I have expressed here. May everyone of you continue working and struggling for Tibet.
Finally, I want to say:
Long live the independence of the Tibetan nation!
Bhod Gyalo! Victory to Tibet!
July 2nd,2026
