Tenzin Dorjee, a 25-year-old monk from Samye Monastery in Lhoka Drachi, served as a disciplinary leader and instructor within the monastery. During the Chinese government's "patriotic re-education" campaign launched at Samye Monastery in July–August 1996, he reportedly opposed efforts to compel monks to denounce the Dalai Lama and endorse official political ideology.

After resisting the campaign and objecting to politically charged questionnaires distributed to monks, Tenzin Dorjee disappeared in September 1996. Despite extensive efforts by fellow monks and his family to locate him, his whereabouts remained unknown. It was widely suspected that he had been targeted by Chinese authorities because of his refusal to comply with the re-education campaign and his outspoken opposition to government policies.