The young boy who was abducted as a 6-year-old turned 35 this week.
What he does, where he lives or even if he’s still alive isn’t known, thanks to the reticence of the Chinese government, which kidnapped him along with his family and his teacher 29 years ago.
Beijing leaders, ever wary of potential rivals for the Communist Party’s authority, viewed the boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as a possible threat.
Days earlier the Dalai Lama had named him the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest spiritual leader in the largest sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tibetan leaders marked his birthday this week with a celebration held in absentia, and reiterated long-standing requests to Beijing to reveal Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s fate.
Who is the Panchen Lama?
The word “Panchen” is based on a Sanskrit word for “Great Scholar.” Traditionally the Panchen Lama has played a leading role in Tibetan Buddhist scholarship as the leader of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, which has been controlled by China since 1951.
Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama is a physical representation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion, and the Panchen Lama of Amitabha, the Buddha of infinite light.
The two lamas share a special spiritual relationship, with each recognizing the other’s successive reincarnations and serving as the other’s teacher.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are revealed through a series of tests as judged by prominent religious leaders.
The Panchen Lama’s most important responsibility includes finding and recognizing the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in the event of his passing, one reason why China wants a Panchen Lama under its control.
What happened to the Panchen Lama?
On May 14, 1995, the exiled Dalai Lama recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the Panchen Lama, the 11th reincarnation of his predecessor.
This angered Chinese authorities, who rejected the choice.
Three days later the boy, his family and his teacher were abducted. They have remained missing ever since.
For over 29 years, Tibetans, global leaders, and rights groups have called on the Chinese government to reveal their whereabouts, to no avail.
Who is the Beijing-appointed Panchen Lama?
Shortly after the abduction of the Dalai Lama-appointed Panchen Lama, Beijing installed another boy, Gyaltsen (in Chinese, Gyaincain) Norbu, as their own candidate in his place.
However, the Chinese government-appointed Panchen Lama remains unpopular with Tibetans both in exile and at home and is perceived as a “political tool” for Beijing.
Ordinary Tibetans and monks in monasteries traditionally loyal to the Dalai Lama have been reluctant to acknowledge or receive him, and during his visits to Tibet, Beijing has in the past handed out small monetary incentives for people who receive his blessing.
Significance of the Panchen Lama’s role
China’s appointment of Gyaincain Norbu as Panchen Lama underscores Beijing’s attempts to interfere in the selection of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama when he passes, and gain control and legitimacy among Tibetans, both inside Tibet and in exile, say experts.
The move is also seen as China’s attempts to acquire more influence over Buddhism not only inside occasionally restive Tibet but throughout the Himalayan region. Beijing has increasingly looked to leverage religion as a soft power diplomacy tool across various Buddhist nations.
In 2007, the Chinese government decreed that China would begin overseeing the recognition of all reincarnate Tibetan lamas, or “Living Buddhas,” including the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama, for which China plans to use its own Beijing-appointed Panchen Lama to sign off on.
Edited by Kalden Lodoe and Jim Snyder.