Why Are Tibetan Monks Setting Themselves on Fire?

The rising practice of self-immolation follows severe government restrictions, an ebbing Tibetan identity, and reports of torture.

Namgyal’s treatment, not atypical for suspected Tibetan dissidents, is part of China’s response to the growing attention activists there have received in the past several years, especially after a campaign of self-immolations among the area’s monastics. As international media begins to cover the burnings — so far, Time reports 8 cases this year alone and the Washington Post says there have been 15 since March — the antecedents to this horrifying trend offer insight into a question that seems difficult to avoid: why would anyone choose to drink gasoline and then light him or herself on fire?