Fake Panchen to visit Nepal, political gimmick says observers

Tenzin Nyidon 

DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 11: Gyalsten Norbu, widely known as the fake Panchen Lama, is scheduled to visit Nepal from December 14 to 17. His visit coincides with his participation in the 9th South China Sea Buddhism Roundtable Conference, which will take place in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, from December 12 to 17. 

Observers argue that Norbu serves as Beijing’s puppet in its campaign to control Tibetan Buddhism and weaken the authority of the Dalai Lama. His role is widely seen as part of China’s broader strategy to gain favour with Buddhist nations globally, while also attempting to whitewash its decades-long human rights abuses in Tibet.

The South China Sea Buddhism Roundtable, an initiative led by Chinese Buddhist leaders, is designed to foster cooperation among Buddhist communities while promoting China’s regional and diplomatic interests. This year’s event in Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is seen as another attempt by Beijing to assert itself as a leader within the global Buddhist community.

As Nepal prepares to host this high-profile event and welcome Norbu, the country faces growing scrutiny over its role in promoting Beijing’s propaganda. The visit places Nepal at the heart of China’s soft power strategy, raising questions about the implications for the nation’s diplomatic and cultural authority.

Earlier in 2022, when reports emerged that Gyaltsen Norbu was planning a visit to Nepal to coincide with the Buddha Purnima celebrations in Lumbini that year, Penpa Tsering, the President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), emphasised that Tibetans both inside Tibet and in exile do not recognise him as the legitimate Panchen Lama.

Gyaltsen Norbu’s appointment as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995 by the Chinese government remains highly controversial. His appointment is rejected by Tibetan exiles and international human rights organisations, particularly given the ongoing disappearance of the real 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was abducted by Chinese authorities in 1995 at the age of six.

In April 2022, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reiterated previous claims from 2020 regarding Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. Zhao stated that Gedhun received compulsory education as a child, successfully passed college entrance examinations, and is now employed. According to Zhao, Gedhun and his family desire privacy and wish to maintain their current lifestyle without disturbance. However, the Chinese government has not offered any additional statements or evidence concerning the whereabouts or well-being of the 11th Panchen Lama since then.