Press Release on the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima
10 December 2003
On the occasion of the World Human Rights Day (December 10), we would like to draw attention to the plight of the 11th Pachen Lama (Gedun Choekyi Nyma).
The lineage of His Holiness The Panchen Lama had always held a vital role in the general and religious history of Tibet. His Holiness The 10th Panchen Lama who remained in Tibet under the brutal rule of the Chinese government always felt deeply for the Tibetan people, its nation and for the preservation of Tibetan culture. The Pachen Lama suffered the same harsh brutality the Tibetan endured under the Chinese occupation and he openly voiced his views before the Chinese leaders time and time again. This incident resulted in his imprisonment that lasted for nine years and 10 months, and then four years under house arrest. He suffered much during his life in prison but he always kept his deep feeling for the people of Tibet. So after his release, he presented the idea of Self Rule for Tibet and its people during one of the meetings held by the Chinese leaders. He opted for this idea based on the nature of the Tibetans and the changes, which were prevalent around the world. But very sadly the Chinese leaders accepted this idea of Self Rule in a suspicious manner and on January 28, 1989 His Holiness The 10th Panchen Lama suddenly passed away due to mysterious circumstances.
His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama has immense regard for the relationship between the Dalai Lamas and the Panchen Lamas and the importance of this relationship in Tibetan history. Therefore, on May 14th 1995 His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama recognized Gedun Choekyi Nyima who was born on April 25, 1989 as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. Two days after His Holiness The Dalai Lama recognized Geden Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama, the Chinese government abducted the six-year-old Panchen Lama and his family members. They even arrested Chadrel Rinpoche who was the Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet and the secretary of the monastery Jampa Chung. The whereabouts of the abducted young Panchen Lama and the family members with the arrested people have remained unknown even after eight long years. This act of Human Rights violation by the Chinese government brought strong opposition from the monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Tibetan people from every corner of the world and the supporters Human Rights. The powerfully charged opposed reaction against the Chinese government has remained alive even now and continues to grow strong.
Moreover, with the release of several long-term Tibetan political prisoners by the Chinese government in the last year, we at Tashi Lhunpo remain hopeful that the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima and others arrested with him will be released soon.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in exile has started campaign tours to the west with the first tour in 2002/2003 to Canada and United States. During this tour, the monastery released statements on the 11th Panchen Lama s birthday and on the day the Panchen Lama was abducted to appeal to the people of the free world for their support regarding the following five points.
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Confirm the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima.
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Immediate release of the young Panchen Lama, Gedun
Choekyi Nyima along with his parents and to allow him
to his religious training and spiritual education as per
Buddhist tradition.
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Extend all necessary co-cooperation to His Holiness The
Dalai Lama to enthrone the true Panchen Lama at this
traditional seat of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.
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Release Chadrel Rinpoche and Jampa Chung from imprisonment
and allow them to perform their duties.
- All NGO's, Human Rights Organizations, Journalists and Foreign Governments to visit the Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima.
Also, during the 2002/2003 tours, we collected over 14,000 signatures from North America and India in support of the five points above. These signatures will be presented to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, Switzerland.
We will continue with our Panchen Lama campaigns, including these tours abroad to secure speedy release of the young Panchen Lama, his family members, Chadrel Rinpoche and Jampa Chung.
We take this opportunity to thank all our supporters all over the world for their genuine acts of consideration shown towards the cause of His Holiness The 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima, and for their continued support for His speedy release from the Chinese government.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
PO Bylakuppe 571104
Distt Mysore
Karnataka State, South India
Phone: 08223-692601 / 694282
E-mail:
Website:
tashilhunpo.org