The Panchen Lama is mature enough to exercise his rights

Wednesday, 25 April 2007, 2:27 p.m.

An image of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, seen in a monastery in eastern Tibet near a photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.(Photo: ICT)

Dharamshala: The six-year-old boy recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama in May 1995, completes 12 years in Chinese custody, along with his parents at an unknown location.

Gedun Choekyi Nyima has legally reached adulthood today; by the prevailing global standards, he is now mature enough to decide how he wishes to exercise his constitutional rights, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche said.

Along with Speaker Karma Chophel, Kalon Tripa was addressing a function organised here by the Central Association for H. H. the Panchen Lama, the administrative head of Bylakuppe-based Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

Being the Panchen Lama recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it is but natural that Gedun Choekyi Nyima is destined for great service to both the land and inhabitants of the Land of Snows, Kalon Tripa further said.

“Whether the collective merits of the Tibetan people is sufficient enough to avail themselves of this service is of course entirely a different matter,” Kalon Tripa added.

Present at the function were (from left) Chief Justice Commissioner, Kalon Tripa, Speaker Karma Chophel and Kalon Thubten Lungrig. (Photo Sangey Kep)

We must firmly hold on to our beliefs, for a day will come when Gedun Choekyi Nyima will have his opportunity to serve the dharma and humanity, Kalon Tripa said.

Kalon Tripa further said that the mysterious circumstances leading to the passing away of the 10th Panchen Lama and the events leading to the recognition of the 11th Panchen Lama would be etched deep in the annals of political history as a puzzle.

China continues to claim that the boy is “merely an ordinary child”, who is “leading a normal, happy life and receiving a good cultural education.”

Despite repeated appeals, no international agency or human rights organisation has been granted access to the boy or his family to verify his well-being.

(Photo Sangey Kep)

Denouncing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s choice as illegitimate, China drew lots from a golden urn and selected six-year-old Gyaltsen Norbu as the “Panchen Lama” in November 1995.

In connection with the dispute over the selection of the Panchen Lama, the Chinese authorities detained some 56 Tibetans by January 1996, including Chadrel Rinpoche and Jampa Chung la.

Chadrel Rinpoche was the Chinese-appointed head of the search party for the 11th Panchen Lama.

Although both Chadrel Rinpoche and Jampa Chung has already served their respective prison sentences, they continued to remain in prison or some form of house arrest in an undisclosed location.

In a statement released this morning, the Central Association for H. H. the Panchen Lama reiterated the following demands: