In early 1980, Lho Tsering undertook a pilgrimage to his hometown of Karze, where he sponsored religious ceremonies at a local monastery. Upon learning that the monks lacked certain prayer texts, he promised to obtain and bring copies from Lhasa. Chinese authorities later became aware of this plan, arrested two monks, and subsequently detained Lho Tsering on allegations of printing and distributing religious prayers that had been prohibited by the authorities.

In late October 1980, police raided Lho Tsering’s residence in Lhasa, ransacking the property and conducting an extensive search for religious literature, reportedly including a Tibetan-language copy of the Dalai Lama’s autobiography.