Born: 1933 (Gonjo, Kham, eastern Tibet)
Died: 2002
Biography:
Ani Pachen (1933 – February 2, 2002) was a Tibetan freedom fighter and activist who played a significant role in the Tibetan resistance against the Chinese occupation. Born as Pachen Dolma around 1933 in Gonjo, Kham, eastern Tibet, she was the only child of Chieftain elder son Pomda Gonor of the Lemdha clan.
At the age of 8, Pachen took refuge in the Dharma and was initiated into the deity practice of Dorje Phurba, a Nyingma tradition. When she was 17, she discovered her father’s plans to arrange her marriage and attempted to run away to Gyalsay Rinpoche’s monastery at Tromkhog. However, she returned after a few days when her father promised to cancel the engagement.
In 1951, the 14th Dalai Lama and the People’s Republic of China officially signed the Seventeen Point Agreement, which increased tensions in the region. Pachen’s father, recognizing the need for resistance, trained her in the use of firearms and began organizing militant resistance. For the next few years, she sat in on her father’s administrative meetings with local chieftains.
In 1954, Pachen and her mother spent six months in Gyalsay Rinpoche’s monastery, where she completed Ngondro, the preliminary religious training. At the request of her father, she returned to Lemdha to officially learn the duties involved in being the heir to a chieftain.
By the end of 1956, tens of thousands of armed Khampas had taken to the surrounding hills in armed resistance. When her father passed away in 1958, Pachen assumed the role of chieftainess of the Lemdha clan. In 1959, she led her clan’s 600 resistance fighters into the nearby hills, joining forces with other clans from Derge and Lingkha Shipa.
As news of an imminent Chinese attack spread, Pachen returned to Lemdha to warn her family and gather their valuables. The group of refugees grew to thousands as families from towns like Derge, Lingkha Shipa, and Markham joined their plan of joining Chushi Gangdruk, the principal resistance group centered in Lhasa at the time.
During the migration, Pachen’s group received support from CIA paramilitary forces. However, their camp came under attack from overwhelming Chinese forces in the area around Pelbar village in Tingri County in late 1959, shortly after hearing about Chushi Gangdruk’s defeat. Pachen, along with her mother, aunt, and grandmother, sought refuge in a nearby forest. They traveled towards India for the next 25 days, successfully evading Chinese forces, until they were eventually captured along with approximately 300 other refugees.
Following their capture, Pachen and her family were held in nearby abandoned houses that served as temporary prisons. Despite the hardships of imprisonment, Pachen never lost her unwavering spirit and determination. She resisted Chinese attempts to break her spirit and remained a symbol of resilience and hope for the Tibetan people throughout the years of captivity.
Pachen was finally released in 1981 after spending over two decades in Chinese prisons. She became an important figure in the Tibetan community, advocating for the rights of Tibetans and raising awareness about the Tibetan struggle for freedom. Her experiences and leadership inspired many, serving as a reminder of the strength and courage of women in the face of oppression.
Ani Pachen passed away on February 2, 2002, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and resilience in the fight for Tibet’s independence. Her life and accomplishments continue to be celebrated as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Tibetan people.
Awards:
– The Light of Truth Award (1995) – Presented by the International Tibet Independence Movement for her exceptional courage and contribution to the Tibetan struggle for freedom and human rights.