THE brother of a murdered co-founder of the first Buddhist monastery in the UK believes his killers were trying to steal funds from a charity set up to help the hungry, sick, orphaned and poor.
A Tibetan Buddhist monk is one of three Tibetan suspects apprehended after Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, his nephew and driver were killed in a residential area of Chengdu in China.
Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, abbot of the Kagyu Samye Ling monastery in Dumfries and Galloway, says he believes the killers' target was funds bound for Zurich-based Rokpa International, a charity co-founded by his 73-year-old brother providing aid and relief in Tibetan areas of China, Nepal, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
He said his brother was about to embark on his annual tour, visiting the projects of Rokpa - the charity he founded which provides education and healthcare to those living in the most remote areas - to distribute funds raised during the year.
"We believe that those arrested were trying to get hold of these funds. Rinpoche died protecting them and has sacrificed his life to safeguard the monies destined for the thousands of Tibetan people who depend on him," said Yeshe Rinpoche.
Followers were shocked by the development and registered their disgust in online messages to the Eskdalemuir monastery.
David Martin said: "It is truly sad that the greed of small men should destroy the greatness of one who's only mission was compassion to all men.
"He gave me refuge, I pray his rebirth is swift."
Swiss actress Lea Wyler, co-founder and vice president of Rokpa, said the death of Rinpoche left behind an "irreplaceable gap" but staff were determined to carry on the projects in his memory.
"His compassionate commitment to truly help wherever help is needed has given new hope, supported and saved literally hundreds of thousands of beings all over the world.
"We are overwhelmed with grief. But we also want you to know that we will not give up! We will mourn and we will cry together with all those whose lives depend on Rokpa's help."
"We have made a deep commitment to Rinpoche's memory. The Rokpa projects will be carried on!"
Meanwhile, the monastery is to start a Book of Remembrance as a tribute to Rinpoche's life.
After the murders, police in Chengdu suggested the stabbings may have been caused by a money dispute with other Tibetans.
The Dalai Lama and the Karmapa, head of one of the four branches of Tibetan Buddhism, were informed and were understood to be saying prayers for Rinpoche's soul.
Rinpoche left Tibet around the time the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, when China took over Tibet. He founded the Scots monastery, the first Buddhist monastery to be founded in Europe, in 1967.
He later developed good relationships with the Chinese government, visiting the country regularly to promote his charity work.
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