Man Dies By Self-Immolation At Buddhist Monastery In Virginia

A Cambodian man died on December 26 after setting himself on fire at a temple in Lake Ridge, Virginia, according to local authorities and temple officials. The man, identified as Chi Nguonthe, 48, was discovered by a resident of the Watt Buddhacheya Mongkol Buddhist Temple, located less than 45 miles south of Washington, D.C. Initial reports described Nguonthe as a monk, but the temple’s Facebook page does not describe him as a monk and photos show Nguonthe in secular attire.

Temple president Sarath Oung said the incident happened around noon. A second monk at the temple reported seeing Nguonthe on fire outside the building. The monk alerted emergency services, who arrived minutes later. Lt. Jonathan Perok of the Prince William County Police Department confirmed that first responders found Nguonthe suffering from severe burns inside the temple. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 12:30 p.m.

Lt. Perok added that initial investigations had not revealed any signs of foul play. The department has ruled the incident a self-immolation, although the official cause of death is pending a formal autopsy. According to Ven. Oung, there was no prior indication that Nguonthe intended to harm himself or others.

Ven. Oung noted that the congregation, which typically numbers about 50 people per weekly service, was still in shock and searching for answers. He described Nguonthe as “a proud monk” who spent much of his time praying and offered translation services to Cambodian-speaking temple members.The Prince William era) Ven. Oung expressed uncertainty about any specific motivation or circumstances that may have led to the incident. Nguonthe is survived by his mother and family, including three sons.

Self-immolation has been documented in various Buddhist traditions, particularly during times of political or social unrest. It is, however, an extreme measure. Historical examples date back to at least the 20th century, when several monks in Southeast Asia used the act to protest political oppression.

Lake Ridge in Prince William County is part of a larger region where a small but active Buddhist population has grown in recent decades, including temples that serve Southeast Asian immigrants. Typically, local Buddhist centers focus on meditation classes, cultural preservation and religious services rather than political activism.

Buddhism remains a minority religion in the United States, with adherents from diverse ethnic backgrounds and lineages. Immigrants from countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam often establish temples that serve as spiritual and cultural centers. These places of worship host traditional ceremonies, language classes, and community events. Watt Buddhacheya Mongkol practices Theravada Buddhism, reflecting the Cambodian tradition of monastic life and daily devotion.

Temple members remained concerned about the emotional impact on worshipers and the public. They expressed their intention to hold discussion sessions on grief management and mental well-being in monastic settings, with the aim of preventing future tragedies. Investigations continued as local Buddhists considered the wider implications for their community, with an emphasis on compassion and mutual support.

A memorial service is planned at the temple on January 1, from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m., with a funeral service to be held the same day at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Fairfax, Virginia, from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m.

See more

Buddhist monk sets himself on fire in front of Lake Ridge temple (The Prince William era)
Badly burned man found dead at Buddhist temple in Lake Ridge (Inside Nova)
Man's gruesome death at Buddhist temple remains a mystery (AsAmNews)
Watt Buddhacheya Mongkol (Facebook)

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