11th Panchen Lama controversy

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Picture of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima before his abduction at 6 years of age (left), and a forensic image of him at 30 years of age (right), by Tim Widden Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, 6 yrs & 30 yrs.jpeg
Picture of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima before his abduction at 6 years of age (left), and a forensic image of him at 30 years of age (right), by Tim Widden

The 11th Panchen Lama controversy centers on the 28 year-long enforced disappearance [1] of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and on the recognition of the 11th Kunsik Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama is considered the second most important spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism [2] [3] [4] after the Dalai Lama. Following the death [2] [4] of the 10th Panchen Lama, the 14th Dalai Lama recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima in 1995. Three days later, the People's Republic of China (PRC) abducted the Panchen Lama and his family. Months later, the PRC chose Gyaincain Norbu as its proxy [5] Panchen Lama. During the traditional search process led by Chadrel Rinpoche, he indicated to the Dalai Lama that all signs pointed to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, while the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas recognize each other's incarnations. The PRC had established its own search committee, which included Chatral Rinpoche and other monks, and wanted to use a lottery system referred to as the Golden Urn. Neither Gedhun Choekyi Nyima nor his family have been seen since the abduction. Chatral Rinpoche was also arrested by Chinese authorities the day of the abduction.

Contents

Recognition and abduction

Before his death, the 10th Panchen Lama, Choekyi Gyaltsen, had been held for 15 years as a political prisoner of China, and after his release wrote the 70,000 Character Petition to Mao Zedong on 18 May 1962. The Petition assessed China's occupation of Tibet, expressed a list of grievances of Tibetans, and claimed that China's "use of routine propaganda regarding revolution, liberation, democratic reform and the so-called 'socialist paradise' was "pure deception"." [4] He again was critical of Chinese policies in Tibet five days before his death on 28 January 1989, and Tibetans intensified the ongoing protests afterwards.

As a Tibetan search process began, the Chinese state-run CCTV network states that three days after the death of the 10th Panchen Lama, [6] the Premier of the State Council published its decision on how the 11th Panchen Lama would be selected based on the feedback gathered from the committee of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and monks on 30 January 1989. [7] [8] [6] [9]

Many Tibetans would not consider the 11th Panchen Lama incarnation legitimate unless he were identified according to Tibetan traditional means, including a search by the 10th Panchen Lama's closest Khenpos based on dreams and omens, and a formal recognition by the Dalai Lama. [10] Often, the Nechung Oracle was also consulted. By 1994, five years after the death of the 10th Panchen Lama, ordinarily, the 11th Panchen Lama would have already been identified. [11] [ clarification needed ] The Nechung Oracle in Dharamsala had been consulted on the matter. [12]

The leaders of the Chinese government wanted a process under their authority. Beijing planned to use a group of monks to identify a group of candidates, not only one, and then to use the golden urn to randomly select one of them, and to exclude the Dalai Lama from the process altogether. [10]

Beijing later allowed Tashi Lhunpo Monastery's head Khenpo Chadrel Rinpoche, the head of the search team, to communicate with the Dalai Lama in hopes that a mutually acceptable process and candidate could be accomplished. [13] [ citation needed ]

In March 1995, Chinese government officials proposed drawing a name from three to five slips in the urn. On 14 May 1995, the Dalai Lama preempted the officials' drawing of names by publicly recognizing Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama. [14]

On 17 May, the Chinese government abducted the recognized Panchen Lama. Then in November 1995 they selected a different boy, Gyaincain Norbu, using the golden urn lottery system. This decision was immediately denounced by the Dalai Lama. China continues to detain Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family in a place whose location has not been divulged to the public. [15]

Chadrel Rinpoche, the Panchen Lama's senior Khenpo, was arrested at the Chamdo Airport while returning from Beijing, on 14 May 1995. [16] Two years later on 8 May 1997, Chadrel Rinpoche was sentenced to six years in prison for splittism and betraying state secrets. [17] [18] He was then incarcerated in China, re-incarcerated under house arrest in a Chinese military camp near Lhasa, and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization reports he died of poisoning in 2011. [19]

The Dalai Lama has denounced China by saying "the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognized.""It is a reality that no one else can force the person concerned, or manipulate him or her,""It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese communists, who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives, let alone the concept of reincarnate Tulkus, to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas." [20]

Recent developments


In April 2019, U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern said the Panchen Lama "will mark his 30th birthday as one of the world's longest-held prisoners of conscience", and referred to his enforced disappearance as a violation of the religious freedom of Tibetan Buddhists while also stating that the alternative Panchen Lama has been victimized by China as "a consequence of its policies to undermine and control the Tibetan people." [2]

Earlier on 26 April 2018, the U.S. State Department issued a statement, "On April 25, we marked the birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has not appeared in public since he was reportedly abducted two decades ago by the Chinese government at age six." The statement also called for the immediate release of the 11th Panchen Lama. [21]

As of 2020, the Panchen Lama has been held as a political prisoner for 25 years. Five United Nations committees have opened cases, [4] while numerous governments, including the European Parliament, Canada, U.K., and U.S. have called for China to release the 11th Panchen Lama. [22]

An April 2020 joint petition prepared by 159 organizations spanning 18 countries requests the United Nations to pressure China for the Panchen Lama's release, as well as the release of his family. [23]

In May 2020, CNN reports that the Central Tibetan Administration stated, "China's abduction of the Panchen Lama and forcible denial of his religious identity and the right to practice in his monastery is not only a violation of religious freedom but also a gross violation of human rights." [20]

Related Research Articles

Dalai Lama is a title given by the Tibetan people to the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest and most dominant of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th and incumbent Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who lives in exile as a refugee in India. The Dalai Lama is also considered to be the successor in a line of tulkus who are believed to be incarnations of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panchen Lama</span> Prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism

The Panchen Lama is a tulku of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Panchen Lama is one of the most important figures in the Gelug tradition, with its spiritual authority second only to the Dalai Lama. Along with the council of high lamas, he is in charge of seeking out the next Dalai Lama. Panchen is a portmanteau of Pandita and Chenpo, meaning "great scholar".

A tulku is a distinctive and significant aspect of Tibetan Buddhism, embodying the concept of enlightened beings taking corporeal forms to continue the lineage of specific teachings. The term "tulku" has its origins in the Tibetan word "sprul sku", which originally referred to an emperor or ruler taking human form on Earth, signifying a divine incarnation. Over time, this term evolved within Tibetan Buddhism to denote the corporeal existence of highly accomplished Buddhist masters whose purpose is to ensure the preservation and transmission of a particular lineage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyaincain Norbu</span> 11th Panchen Lama according to the Chinese government

Chökyi Gyalpo, also referred to by his secular name Gyaincain Norbu or Gyaltsen Norbu, is considered the 11th Panchen Lama by the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC). He is also the vice president of the Buddhist Association of China. Gyalpo is considered to be a proxy of the Chinese government.

Ngawang Lobzang Jampel Tsultrim Gyatso or Tsultrim Gyatso was the 10th Dalai Lama of Tibet, and born in Chamdo. He was fully ordained in the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, studied the sutras and tantras, had several students, and rebuilt the Potala Palace.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gedhun Choekyi Nyima</span> Tibetan spiritual leader, recognized as the 11th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is the 11th Panchen Lama belonging to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, as recognized and announced by the 14th Dalai Lama on 14 May 1995. Three days later on 17 May, the 6-year-old Panchen Lama was kidnapped and forcibly disappeared by the Chinese government, after the State Council of the People's Republic of China failed in its efforts to install a substitute. A Chinese substitute is seen as a political tool to undermine the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, which traditionally is recognized by the Panchen Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima remains forcibly detained by the Chinese government, along with his family, in an undisclosed location since 1995. His khenpo, Chadrel Rinpoche, and another Gelugpa monk, Jampa Chungla, were also arrested. The United Nations, with the support of numerous states, organizations, and private individuals continue to call for the 11th Panchen Lama's release.

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Nyima may refer to:

The Golden Urn is a method for selecting Tibetan reincarnations by drawing lots or tally sticks from a Golden Urn introduced by the Qing dynasty of China in 1793. After the Sino-Nepalese War, the Qianlong Emperor promulgated the 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet, which included regulations on the selection of lamas. The Golden Urn was introduced ostensibly to prevent cheating and corruption in the selection process but also to position the Qianlong Emperor as a religious authority capable of adducing incarnation candidates. A number of lamas, such as the 8th and 9th Panchen Lamas and the 10th Dalai Lama, were confirmed using the Golden Urn. In cases where the Golden Urn was not used, the amban was consulted. Golden Urn was exempted for Lhamo Dhondup to become the 14th Dalai Lama in 1940.

The present 14th Dalai Lama once suggested the different possibilities of reincarnation for the next (15th) Dalai Lama, but because of the feudal origin of the Dalai Lama reincarnation system, he suggested the reincarnation system should end. The selection process remains controversial, as the atheist Chinese government has declared ownership on the selection process using the Golden Urn for the next Dalai Lama. Article 1 of the 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet states that the purpose of Golden Urn is to ensure prosperity of Gelug, and to eliminate cheating and corruption in the selection process. In 1792, the Qianlong Emperor published an article known as The Discourse of Lama, in which he explained why he thought it would be a fair system of choosing the reincarnated lamas with Golden Urn, as opposed to choosing reincarnated lamas based on private designation, or based on one person's decision. Also, he stated that Golden Urn was invented to eliminate greedy family with multiple reincarnated rinpoches, or lamas. On 26 January 1940, the Regent Reting Rinpoche requested the Central Government to exempt Lhamo Dhondup from lot-drawing process using Golden Urn to become the 14th Dalai Lama. The request was approved by the Central Government of Republic of China in 1940. In 2004, the Religious Affairs Regulations was published by the Central Government of China after the Method of Reincarnation of Lamas was abolished by Republic of China. Article 36 of the Religious Affairs Regulations states that the reincarnation system must follow religious rituals and historical customs, and be approved by the government.

The 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet was supposed to be an imperial decree published in 1793 by the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China. Article 1 states that the purpose of Golden Urn is to ensure prosperity of Gelug, and to eliminate cheating and corruption in the selection process. Article 12 states that relatives of the Dalai Lama or Panchen Lama must not hold government positions, or participate in political affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chadrel Rinpoche</span> Tibetan lama and political prisoner

Chadrel Rinpoche was born in 1939 in Shigatse, Tibet. He was also known formally as Jadrel Jampa Thinley Rinpoche, and was a Gelug school Rinpoche of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1954, he joined the Tashilhunpo Monastery at the age of 15, and was forced to work in a labor camp during the Cultural Revolution in Tibet. He was a close student of Choekyi Gyaltsen, the 10th Panchen Lama. Later Chadrel Rinpoche became the head Khenpo of the Tashilhunpo Monastery. In 1989, Chadrel Rinpoche was appointed to lead the Chinese efforts to locate the reincarnated 11th Panchen Lama. In February 1995 while in Beijing, he refused plans to substitute the reincarnate Gedhun Choekyi Nyima with another boy. As a result, he was arrested after Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was formally recognized, then he was continually imprisoned and held under house arrest until his reported suspicious death from poisoning in 2011. He was also a Member of the 7th and 8th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

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References

Citations

  1. ↑ Tsering, Dawa (17 May 2023). "DIIR Statement on 28th Anniversary of Enforced Disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama". Central Tibetan Administration. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Ehrlich, Richard S. (8 May 2019). "Mystery surrounds kidnapped Panchen Lama". Asia Times. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "China urged to release Panchen Lama after 20 years". BBC News. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 yangchen (25 April 2019). "As Tibetans mark 30th birthday of Panchen Lama in Absentia, China is urged to release the 2nd highest Tibetan Spiritual Leader held captive for 24 years". Central Tibetan Administration. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "In Tibet, A Long-Banned Buddhist Rite Takes Place, But Not Everyone's Pleased". WAMU. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  6. 1 2 "第十世班禅大师的圆寂和遗言-搜狐新闻中心" [The death and last words of the 10th Panchen Lama]. CCTV International Network . 12 April 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2020– via Sohu.com.
  7. ↑ Goldstein 1997, p. 101
  8. ↑ "国务院关于第十世班禅大师治丧和转世问题的决定".
  9. ↑ "十世班禅转世灵童的寻访认定--党的各项工作--中国共产党新闻网" [The Search and Identification of the Reincarnated Soul Boy of the 10th Panchen Lama]. cpc.people.com.cn (in Chinese). Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 Goldstein 1997, pp. 100–1
  11. ↑ Hilton 2000, pg. 6
  12. ↑ Hilton 2000, pg. 9
  13. ↑ "Canada Tibet Committee | Library | WTN | Archive | Old". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  14. ↑ Goldstein 1997, pp. 102–6
  15. ↑ Goldstein, 1997, pp. 102-6
  16. ↑ "Senior Tibetan Monk Given Jail Term by China". The New York Times. Associated Press. 8 May 1997. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "Tashi Lhunpo Monastery". tashilhunpo.org. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  18. ↑ Goldstein 1997, pg. 107
  19. ↑ "UNPO: Tibet: Suspicious Death of Panchen Lama Search Leader". unpo.org. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  20. 1 2 Griffiths, James (20 May 2020). "A boy chosen as the Panchen Lama disappeared in 1995. China says he's now a college grad with a job". CNN. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  21. ↑ "US State Department Calls for the Immediate Release of Tibet's Panchen Lama". Central Tibetan Administration. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "25 years on, Tibetans still await release of 11th Panchen Lama". The Statesman. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  23. ↑ David Thomas, Tibet Post International,"159 Organizations Call on UN to Pressure China to Free 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet", 07 May 2020, http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/impact/politics/6763-159-organisations-call-on-un-to-pressure-china-to-free-11th-panchen-lama-of-tibet

Sources

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