HH THE 11TH PANCHEN LAMA
25TH APRIL 2006
Today we wish a very Happy 17th Birthday to Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama.
Yet again, we are unable to celebrate the day with him, as he is still not with us.
The controversy surrounding the reincarnation of the 11th Panchen Lama has further damaged the relationship between the Tibetan community and the Chinese. It greatly saddens us that, in spite of constant requests from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Tibetans (both inside and outside Tibet) and governmental and non-governmental organisations from around the world, the Chinese Government has refused to allow independent access to the Panchen Lama, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
We are further saddened that the violation of the freedom of religion, human rights and the rights in particular of children continues inside Tibet, and regret the mistrust that the Chinese Government’s actions on this issue has aroused in the minds of Tibetans and the friends of Tibetan people from all around the world.
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama led a very simple life and remained strongly concerned about the rights of the Tibetan people, their culture, tradition, religion and language. He worked tirelessly until his death to remove the problems suffered by Tibetan people, and was a firm believer in regional autonomy. He raised his voice on many occasions in favour of reform and development in the Tibetan community, and often spoke openly about the need to keep alive the Tibetan spirit. As a result, he was imprisoned for nearly ten years, and underwent great hardship until his death in 1989.
The process of searching for a reincarnation was carried out in exact accordance with the traditional systems and aspirations of the Tibetan people, led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the Search Committee. However, the Chinese government forcibly disregarded the true reincarnation, and so politicized the issue, creating the most difficult problem between Tibet and China. The international community, in its concern for the welfare of a nation and its people, cannot ignore this situation.
The recognition of reincarnations is dependent on many aspects, including advice from the Oracles of the Deities, pre-indicative words from his predecessor as well as much meditation and prayer. The search for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas has always been carried out following the tradition of the two lineages, whereby each would take the responsibility of searching for the other’s reincarnation.
When, in 1995, the Chinese abducted the boy proclaimed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the true reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama and appointed their own candidate a new low point was reached in the relationship between the Chinese Government and Tibetans and their friends all over the world. Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet organised numerous public demonstrations to protest against the abduction of the true Panchen Lama, and the situation became extremely tense in Shigatse and in the region of Shol, the nearby village.
Chadrel Rinpoche, the Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet and leader of the Search Committee for the Panchen Lama, along with thirty people, both monks and lay, were imprisoned for protesting. Monks were expelled from the monastery for refusing to recognise the Chinese-imposed Panchen Lama, and the immense pressure imposed by the authorities even led to the suicide of two monks. The terror tactics used by the Chinese Government to quell the protests against the illegal captivity of Gendun Choekyi Nyima and to force Tibetans to respect their choice of Panchen Lama drew the attention of the world to their activities and many written and verbal statements of condemnation were issued by foreign governments and NGOs.
We feel that the way in which the Chinese Government has interfered with the process of the recognition of the Panchen Lama reveals very clearly the true state of the lack of religious freedom inside Tibet and the damage to Tibetan culture which is being inflicted.
In December 2005, representatives of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery attended the sessions of the United Nations Committee for the Rights of the Child in Geneva in which the Chinese delegation was interrogated and heard the Chairman repeatedly request access to Gedun Choekyi Nyima in order to establish his health and well-being. This permission was repeatedly refused by the Chinese Delegation. The Chinese Government has stated that Gedun Choekyi Nyima is at present studying in a secondary school and that he is “leading a normal, happy life and receiving a good cultural education”. However the Chinese Government also informed the United Nations that Gendun Choekyi Nyima is not the Panchen Lama but an ordinary Tibetan boy. No one has been permitted to meet Gedun Choekyi Nyima and concerns for his wellbeing still remain.
Earlier this month the Chinese Government organised the first religious forum since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaincain (Gyanzen) Norbu made a surprise appearance as a key speaker in an attempt to establish his legitimacy. However it was widely reported by the BBC and other media organisations that he was largely ignored by the Buddhist teachers present, indicating that Gendun Choekyi Nyima is recognised and accepted as the true Panchen Lama.
We are seeking justice with the help of the international community by bringing our appeal to the United Nations and other governmental bodies and by our on-going campaigns both inside India and in the rest of the world. We will continue to oppose and to condemn the use of force against the Tibetan people. Our demands to the Chinese Government remain the same:
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That they provide exact information about the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima;
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That they allow representatives of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery or independent observers from the United Nations to meet Gendun Choekyi Nyima and establish his condition;
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That they release Gendun Choekyi Nyima and his family from detention, and allow him to follow his traditional studies in freedom;
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That Gendun Choekyi Nyima should be officially enthroned at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery on the seat of His Holiness the Panchen Lama;
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That Chadrel Rinpoche and Jampa Chung la should be released and restored to their previous positions in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
We wish to resolve this issue as soon as possible through proper understanding of our demands.
On this special day we would like to thank all those who have supported us in our campaign to secure the freedom and ensure the safety of His Holiness the Panchen Lama. Throughout the world there are governments and NGOs, friends and supporters of Tibet, as well as organisations such as International Campaign for Tibet, Free Tibet and the Tibetan Women’s Association working to bring about a solution to the problem. We offer all who join us in our campaign our heartfelt thanks and assure you of our deep sense of appreciation for your support. We request you all to continue with this support and to work with us for this just cause.
Finally, we wish a very long life to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the leader and protector and the heart of Tibetans both within Tibet and outside, and pray that all his dreams are fulfilled. We pray that His Holiness the Panchen Lama be released from all the misfortunes of his present situation and that he be free in Tibet to bless all Tibetans. We wish His Holiness the Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, a long life and pray that a solution will be found to the problems between the Tibetan people and the Chinese Government. We pray for a Free Tibet which can be held up as an example to the whole world as a zone of peace.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
PO Bylakuppe
Mysore District
KS 571104
India
Telephone: 0091-8223 -254 282 Email: ctloffice@vsnl.net
Website: www.tashilhunpo.org www.tashi-lhunpo.org.uk
