By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, April 25 – Tibetans in Nepal who have never seen the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama of Tibet, Gendun Choekyi Nyima recognized by the Dalai Lama celebrated his 19th birthday today at Samtenling Monastery in Boudha amidst a ceremony attended by over 500 Tibetans including office bearers, monks, nuns, school students and general public.
Monks from the Samtenling Monastery followed by other Tibetans took the only available photograph of the then 6 year old boy around the Boudhanath Stupa in a buddhist procession and back to the monastery courtyard. Many were holding placards that read ‘Where is the Panchen Lama?’ and ‘Release Penchen Lama’. The ceremony began with an offering of scarves by Tibetan officials and public wishing His Holiness a happy birthday. Tibetan MP Ven Yungdrung Gyaltsen addressed the gathering briefly and said, “It is a day of both happiness and sadness for us, happy because we had found the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama and sad because the Chinese took him soon afterwards.”
Shortly after His recognition by the Dalai Lama in May 1995, the six year old boy Gedun Choekyi Nyima and his family were taken away from their home to Beijing and have never been seen or heard from since. In November 1995, Chinese replaced Him with their version of a successor, a boy named Gyaltsen Norbu. Tibetans strongly recognize Gedun Choekyi Nyima as the legitimate throne holder of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the second most important Tibetan Buddhism figure of Tibet.
The Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum in a press statement have demanded Chinese authorities to release Him and his family unconditionally and to also release all political prisoners in Tibet.
The Forum organized 24 hour relay fasting protest at Swayambhu Hill entered its 13th day with participation from 66 girls of the XI grade from Namgyal Higher Secondary School.
One of the participants, eighteen year old Tenzin Chime while speaking to Phayul said, “We are very aware of the situation in Tibet at this moment, we are doing this in solidarity with our brethrens inside Tibet and to seek attention of the United Nations. I hope to see a peaceful Tibet in the future and that we all work united under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”.
