Gyaye Phuntsok, a 68-year-old nomadic Tibetan and respected Buddhist philosopher, teacher, and community educator, was born in 1931 in Gyaye Village, Tonggom Township, Chone County, Qinghai Province. He endured severe physical and psychological torture during the 1950s and 1960s following his detention amid the Chinese invasion and later political campaigns, including the Cultural Revolution.

Despite his past persecution, he remained deeply committed to community development. He founded and ran a local school in Gyaye Village that offered instruction in Chinese, Tibetan, English, and German, and was widely respected for his educational and social contributions. He was even appointed by Chinese authorities to a position within the Political Consultative Conference of the Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

In March 1992, Gyaye Phuntsok traveled to India on pilgrimage using valid Chinese travel documents. After returning in June 1992, he was repeatedly interrogated and placed under close surveillance by state security officials. In August 1998, his home was raided, and booklets related to His Holiness the Dalai Lama were confiscated. He was subsequently arrested by the National Security Department and taken away by vehicle.