Hundreds gathered Friday to pray for Nyima Dolma, a 28-year-old Toronto woman who died weeks after she was set on fire on a TTC bus.
Urgyen Badheytsang, who was among those who attended the service at the Canadian Tibetan Cultural Center, said it was important for the community to gather in prayer.
For Badheytsang, this meant praying for Dolma to have a better life, a quick rebirth, and for no one to have to experience this kind of violence again.
“His life is extinct. It’s very sad,” Badheytsang told CBC News.
“I think we’re still trying to understand what’s going on.”
Dolma was attacked by a stranger at Kipling station on June 17 and died at the hospital on July 5. Police have said they suspect the attack was motivated by hatred and was random.
The alleged attacker, Tenzin Norbu, has since been charged with multiple offenses, such as attempted murder and assault with a weapon, and is due to return to court on July 18.
Members of Toronto’s Tibetan community gathered Friday at the Canadian Tibetan Cultural Center to remember the life of Nyima Dolma, who died weeks after being set on fire aboard a TTC bus on June 17. (Pelin Sidki / CBC)
Tenzin Chime, who also passes by Tsomo, is the program coordinator for the Ontario Tibetan Women’s Association. He said Friday that since Dolma’s death, more victims of gender-based violence in the community have expressed concern about the lack of resources for victims and those struggling with mental health.
“We take this opportunity to call on all levels of government to create more accessible and culturally relevant resources for those seeking support.”
Thupten Nandol, a member of the Tibetan community, says he is praying for Nyima Dolma’s soul after her death. (Pelin Sidki / CBC)
Thupten Namdol, another member of the community, said he was “very sad” to see Dolma’s life taken from her. He said it is the first time he has seen something like this in the Tibetan community in Toronto.
“We have always been following the teachings of Buddha: we are supposed to be very kind, compassionate and should never think of hurting anyone,” Namdol said.
Namdol said he hopes to find more answers on how an act of violence could happen to a Tibetan compatriot, or anyone.
“That kind of thing should never happen in the future.”