By Phurbu Thinley
Dharamsala, April 25: One of Tibet’s most revered spiritual figures, the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, turned 19 today, but his whereabouts and well being are still unknown to the outside world since he and his parents were abducted by the Chinese authorities 13 years ago.
In Dharamsala, a day-long Save Panchen Lama campaign is being jointly organized by the Central Association for H. H. the Panchen Lama (Tashi Lhunpo), and the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA).
Prayer sessions and incense burning ceremony were conducted from early morning. TWA also conducted a public signature campaign in front of the ongoing solidarity relay hunger strike site for the unconditional release of the Panchen Lama and to seek freedom for him to pursue his traditional spiritual studies at his monastery in Tibet.
Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters took part in a candle light vigil here this evening before gathering at the Tsuglag-Khang (main Tibetan temple) here. Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-exile Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and the speaker of the house Mr Karma Choephel presided over the evening function where both of them addressed the public.
A brief presentation on the 11th Panchen Lama and his pass predecessors was also shown to a large public gathering at the main Tibetan temple here.
Born on April 25 1989, in Lhari County, Tibet, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was recongnised by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama on 14 May, 1995, at the age of six. Three days later, on 17 May, he along with his parents went missing, subsequently forcing rights bodies to call him “the “youngest Political prisoner in the world”. Others refer to him simply as “Tibet’s Stolen Child”.
On 15 May, 1996, the Chinese government admitted to holding the 11th Panchen Lama and his parents in their “Protective custody”.
Tibetan Government-in-Exile and Tibetan exiles claim that he and his family continue to be political prisoners.
“The Panchen Lama is a prisoner of conscience and 13 years is a far too harsh and inhumane punishment for an individual who committed no crime,” said a statement released by TWA in commemoration of his 19th birthday today. “This is a malicious attempt to destroy the spiritual sanctity and religious tradition that Tibet embodies,” the statement noted.
Over the years, there have been conflicting reports about the whereabouts and well being of the Panchen Lama, ranging from rumours of his death towards the late 1999 to a set of photos that Chinese officials displayed briefly, but did not hand over to European human rights officials. The photos reportedly showed the young Gedhun Choekyi Nyima playing table-tennis and writing Chinese characters on a blackboard.
In 2001, the International Campaign for Tibet obtained a new photo purporting to be of 12 year old Gendhun Choekyi Nyima. However, nothing is known of the photo’s authenticity. Critics believe that it could have been faked by the Chinese authorities as a way to address growing international pressure for information on the safety and condition of the Panchen Lama.
Chinese Government of lately claimed that he is attending school and leading a normal life somewhere in China, and that his whereabouts are kept undisclosed to protect him; but all requests for access to Gendhun Choekyi Nyima have been repeatedly refused so far.
As of now, there is no any reliable evidence of what has become of the Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and, only one photo taken when he was six years old remains the only proving clue available outside China.
Tashi Lhunpo, one of the most prominent monasteries in Tibet, is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the head of the monastery and the second highest ranking tulku lineage after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa tradition. Last year, the monastery, which now has its based in India, announced a whopping 32,490 US Dollar reward for anyone providing reliable information resulting to in and outside contact with the 11th Panchen Lama.
Facts about the 11th Panchen Lama
- In January 1989, the 10th Panchen Lama died under mysterious circumstance in .
- On 14 May 1995, His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the six-year old Gendhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama.
- On 17th May, 1995, three days after the announcement of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima along with his parents went missing.
- In November 1995, PRC put in its own puppet Gyaincain (tib. Gyaltsen) Norbu and claims him to be real 11th Panchen Lama.
- The Dalai Lama and the Government of Tibet in Exile, along with almost all of the Panchen Lama’s followers outside of mainland China, hold that Gendhun Choekyi Nyima is the 11th Panchen Lama.
