Hundreds gathered Friday to pray for Neema Dolma, a 28-year-old Torontonian who died weeks after being set on fire on a TTC bus.
Urgyen Badheytsang, who was among those attending the service at the Tibetan-Canadian Cultural Centre, said it was important for the community to come together in prayer.
For Badheitsang, this meant praying for Dolma to have a better next life, a speedy rebirth, and that no one would ever experience this kind of violence again.
“Her life is gone. It’s so sad,” Badheitsang told CBC News.
“I think we’re still trying to figure out what’s going on.
Dolma was attacked by a stranger at Kipling station on June 17 and died in hospital on July 5. Police said they suspect the attack was hate-motivated and random.
The alleged attacker, Tenzin Norbu, has since been charged with multiple offences, including attempted murder and assault with a weapon, and is due back in court on July 18.
Members of Toronto’s Tibetan community gathered Friday at the Tibetan-Canadian Cultural Center to remember the life of Nyima Dolma, who died weeks after she was set on fire on a TTC bus on June 17. (Pelin Sidki/CBC)
Tenzin Chime, who also goes by the name Tsomo, is the program coordinator for the Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario. She 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 are taking this opportunity to call on all levels of government to create more accessible, culturally appropriate resources for those seeking support.”
Tupten Nandol, a member of the Tibetan community, says he is praying for Neema Dolma’s soul after her death. (Peline Sidky/CBC)
Tupten Namdol, another community member, said he was “very sad” to see Dolma’s life taken from her. He said it’s the first time he’s seen anything like this in Toronto’s Tibetan community.
“We have always followed the Buddha’s teachings – we should be very kind, compassionate and should never think of hurting anyone,” Namdol said.
Namdol said he hopes to find more answers about how such an act of violence could happen to a fellow Tibetan, or anyone at all.
“Such things should never happen in the future.”
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