On Panchen Lama’s 29th birthday, the Dalai Lama says he is still alive, carrying normal education
DHARAMSALA, April 25: His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that the 11th Panchen Lama is still alive, citing a reliable source as Tibetans and Tibet supporters commemorated the 29th birth anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima.
“The Panchen Lama, which I recognised, sometime back [there were] no news, but then according to reliable information, he is still alive and carrying normal education. So we will see,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said while speaking to reporters on his arrival at Gaggal Airport from New Delhi.
The Tibetan spiritual leader also expressed his hope that the Panchen Lama recognised by the Chinese government will study well under the guidance of a good teacher.
“I hope, the official Panchen Lama also study quite well under the guidance of one good teacher,” the Dalai Lama said.
The Tibetan spiritual leader further stated that manifestation of the previous incarnation could be more than one and cited an instance of five incarnations (Body, Speech, Mind, Quality, and Activity) of Khyentse Wangpo, a very famous Buddhist master dating back to a century.
“Of course holding of the seat is just one, but something like the manifestation of the previous incarnation could be more,” the Dalai Lama concluded.
Even after 29 years, the 11th Panchen Lama’s whereabouts and condition still remain unknown. In his place, another child named Gyaltsen Norbu was appointed as the 11th Panchen Lama by the Chinese Government.
The Central and Regional Tibetan Women’s Association commemorated the 29th birth anniversary of His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama at the main square in Mcleod Ganj.
Commemorating the 11th Panchen Lama’s 29th birthday, the Tibetan NGO offered alms to the public, held a public cake cutting ceremony and released hundreds of balloons with messages in the air.
The Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration released a video titled ‘Panchen Lama’s 29th Birthday: Birthday Wishes in 29 languages’.
The birthday video message to the 11th Panchen Lama features 29 birthday wishes in 29 different languages; Tibetan, Burmese, Bengali, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Gujarati, Greek, Gurmukhi. Hindi, Hebrew, Indonesian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Kachin, Mongolian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Telugu, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Born on Apr 25, 1989 in Lhari County in Tibet, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognized as the 11th Panchen Lama by His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama at the tender age of 6 on May 14, 1995.
Three days after his enthronement, the 11th Panchen Lama was kidnapped by the Peoples Republic of China and held captive since May 17, 1995 along with his family members. Human Rights organizations have termed him the youngest political prisoner in the world.
Regardless of the concerns expressed and requests made by numerous organizations such as Human Rights Organizations, Committee on the Rights of child, United Nation’s Human Rights Council and the Tibetan Non-Governmental organizations, the Chinese authorities have disclosed no information at all about the well being and whereabouts of Tibet’s lost child.
