Chinese appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu
Photo:Getty Images/Liu Jin
Tibetan activist groups have voiced their outrage at the fact that the Chinese appointed Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu delivered the Kalachakra initiation at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet. Additionally, the order that every Tibetan family in Shigatse must provide at least two participants for the event has been described as “no more than a show of political clout” from Beijing by activist and Chitue or Member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile Dorjee Tseten. Commonly referred to as the “fake Panchen”, this is Norbu’s biggest religious platform so far. It comes after years spent living in Beijing, being groomed by the Chinese for a greater religious and political role.
Photo of Gendun Choekyi Nyima at the age of six
Gyaltsen Norbu was handpicked by the Chinese government in 1995, despite the fact that Gendun Choekyi Nyima had already been recognised by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. Just three days after being recognised, six-year old Nyima was abducted by the Chinese, making him the world’s youngest political prisoner. He has not been seen since. Activists have campaigned for the release of Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, but the Chinese government has been uncooperative. His current condition and whereabouts continue to remain unknown.
On July 20, the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) released a statement strongly condemning the Chinese government for its involvement in orchestrating a Kalachakra teaching by the “fake” Panchen Lama. They asserted that “this calculated move is another one of Beijing’s strategies to claim their right over everything Tibetan despite the glaring contradiction that a communist government is heavily involved in conducting the affairs of Tibetan religious traditions”. TYC President Tenzing Jigme added “It is apparent from this move that China realises that despite 67 years of occupation it has not been able to control the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people and will go to great lengths to attempt to gain that control.”
TYC also suggests that this Kalachakra teaching is a “publicity stunt to try and win over the Tibetan people” after the Chinese government ordered the demolition of part of Tibet’s largest Buddhist centre Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Serthar Country, Kardze to reduce by half the number of monks and nuns in the monastery.
Tibetans in Dharamshala offering traditional white scraf (khatak) to protrait of Gendun Choekyi Nyima
Photo: Dharpo/Phayul
On July 21, Tibetan non government organisations protested against the Kalachakra teaching in Shigatse at the Tibetan National Martyrs’ memorial in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala. The demonstration was organised by Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), the Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, the Democratic Party for Tibet and the Tibetan Women’s Association; attendees offered khatags (traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarves) to a portrait of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the Panchen Lama recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.The National Director of SFT Tenzin Tselha said “let’s give a strong message to China that faith cannot be imposed upon or controlled by a gun”.
Despite having given head-touching blessings to 1.5 million Buddhists, the Chinese appointed Norbu has not been accepted by Tibetan Buddhists, who commonly refer to him as the “fake Panchen”. The Central Tibetan Administration believes him to be a puppet controlled by the Chinese government. Norbu currently serves as the Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body.
Kalachakra Mandala
Photo: dalailama.com
The Kalachakra, or Wheels of Time Empowerment, is a profound Buddhist initiation which dates back to Buddha Sakyamuni’s first teaching, and shows the way of actualising perfect enlightenment. It is regarded as the essence of all Buddhist teachings and given by a senior Lama to help Tibetan Buddhists through the cycle of life; it is considered to be the most important initiation in Buddhism. Last given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet in 1956, he has since delivered it 33 times in India, and also in the United States and other countries. His next Kalachakra teaching is scheduled to happen at Bodhgaya in north India in January 2017.
The current Kalachakra event is being held as the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, traditionally the summer residence of the Panchen Lamas. Large LED screens were installed for the event, along with an altar decorated in yellow cloth embossed with Tibetan designs. Updates about the ceremony are being announced over WeChat, a Chinese messaging service.
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