The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) held a celebration to mark the 35th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama in Dharamsala, India.
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was born on April 25, 1989 in Lhari Dzong in the Nagchu region of Tibet. He was recognized as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama on May 14, 1995.
The Chinese government denounced the selection and on May 17, 1995 forcibly abducted the six-year-old 11th Panchen Lama along with his parents, other family members, and Chadrel Rinpoche, who served as the Chairman of the committee tasked with searching for the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Rinpoche. The 11th Panchen Lama has been missing and has not been seen in public since his abduction 29 years ago.
“The Chinese government has brazenly violated fundamental human rights and freedoms of Panchen Rinpoche recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Moreover, it alleges that the appeals made by Tibetans in exile and the international community to restore his fundamental human rights and freedoms are disturbing him. Such tactics to hoodwink the international community is untenable. The underlying philosophy of the reincarnation system is that one must accept the concept of rebirth. The purpose of the appearance of a reincarnation is to continue the predecessor’s unfinished work. Therefore, respecting the international law, human dignity, aspirations of millions of followers of Tibetan Buddhism and their national laws, the Chinese authorities should immediately allow an independent fact-finding commission access to Panchen Rinpoche, who should be given his basic human rights,” said Penpa Tsering, President of the CTA.
“The Chinese Communist Party, which staunchly opposes and disregards any religious faith, installed another boy in place of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima solely to serve their deceitful political agenda. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the Tibetan people both inside and outside Tibet, along with Buddhists worldwide, steadfastly believe that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is the true reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Rinpoche. This conviction is unwavering—their faith in him remains unshakeable. We also reiterate our call to the Chinese Communist Party government that it must be fully transparent in clearing all doubts regarding the true situation of the Kunzig Panchen Rinpoche and the members of his family,” said Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile.
The Asia Freedom Institute produced and released a short film on the 11th Panchen Lama a year ago.
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Tibetans Celebrate the 35th Birthday of the 11the Panchen Lama
