RELEASE THE PANCHEN LAMA!
Who Is The
Panchen Lama?
The Panchen Lama is the second most important Tibetan Buddhist
leader. Traditionally, The Panchen Lama is responsible for giving
instrumental Buddhist teachings to the Dalai Lama, as well as
being the leader of the search party should the Dalai Lama die
and a new one need to be recognized.
What has happened
to the Panchen Lama?
On May 14, 1995, the Dalai Lama recognized Gendhun Choekyi Nyima
as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. This extremely important
decision by His Holiness was the result of a difficult and
thorough search which lasted six years. Gendhun Choekyi Nyima is
a ten year old boy from a semi-pastoralist family that resides in
the Lhari District in Kham, Tibet.
Apparently, on May 17, 1995, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his family,
the Abbott Chadrel Rinpoche and his secretary, who both lead the
search party for this incarnate, were taken by the People's
Republic of China (PRC) to Beijing. Thus, these persons are now
political prisoners of the Chinese government. As of today, all
of these persons are still missing and there has been no
indication that they are alive.
In December 1995, the PRC illegally announced its own Panchen
Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu. The PRC has absolutely no authority to
choose the next Panchen Lama. Only the Dalai Lama has the right
to select the Panchen Lama. The PRC also has no legal
justification to hold Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his family, or
members of the search party as hostages.
Why should you
take action?
It is very critical for the survival of Tibet that the real
Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, be released as well as
others associated with his selection. We must all support His
Holiness The Dalai Lama's selection of this important spiritual
leader and fight for his security. If the PRC does not want to
recognize Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, then they should release this
ten year old boy to the Tibetan community in exile, along with
everyone else connected with his selection. The 11th Panchen Lama
must have the right to visit Tibetans in exile around the world,
particularly His Holiness the Dalai Lama.