In May 1995, the Dalai Lama named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama. It was a remarkable event in the world of Tibetan Buddhism. At the age of six he became internationally famous as the reincarnation of a fabled saint. Little did he know that this announcement would immediately lay the groundwork for his enigmatic vanishing act. Only three days after his identity was revealed, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family went missing. Their abrupt disappearance drew widespread international attention and fueled long-standing controversies over religious liberty in China.
The Dalai Lama was highly involved in the process, consulting deeply with a council of advisors headed by Jadrel Rinpoche, abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. For that reason, they chose Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. The Dalai Lama personally vetted more than 20 of the candidates. Only then did divination affirm that Gedhun was the true choice among them. The Chinese government intervened and made clear that it would only tolerate the use of its own method for selecting leaders. This has led to a fractious relationship on the issue of recognizing spiritual leaders in Tibet.
Fifteen years later, Gedhun’s situation is still unclear. Chinese authorities maintain that he is not under detention and has returned to a regular life. Most Tibetan Buddhists believe that he is still subject to stringent restrictions. Activists and social media followers still persistently demand to know where he is and call for his release.
The Identification of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
The procedure used to determine Gedhun Choekyi Nyima to be Panchen Lama required careful consideration and spiritual consideration. By that time, the Dalai Lama had already developed his first short list of candidates, which was passed to Jadrel Rinpoche in December 1994.
“He and his search team considered one of these candidates, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, to be the true incarnation,” – The Dalai Lama.
Once elaborate divinations settled on this decision, the announcement came in May 1995. The political climate shifted dramatically. The Chinese government forced the use of a golden urn to randomly draw a name rather than accept that Gedhun was the legitimate successor.
“In March 1995, the Chinese government insisted that three to five names be placed in a golden urn for selection by lot,” – The Dalai Lama.
This move was seen as part of a larger effort to erode Tibetan cultural heritage and impose the Chinese government’s authority over religion in China.
Disappearance and Ongoing Concerns
Within just three days of his identification, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family vanished from public view. From reports, it seems like they could have been detained by the Chinese government. Continued military involvement. As the days, weeks, and now months have progressed, our concern for their wellbeing has only deepened.
The Chinese government continues to insist that Gedhun is leading a normal life and does not want public attention. In May 2020, this false narrative was repeated by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian.
“He is living a normal life,” – Zhao Lijian.
This assertion has been deeply contested by Tibetan communities and human rights activists alike. Tibet’s government-in-exile has characterized the Chinese government’s response as “half-hearted and nonchalant,” indicating a lack of genuine concern for Gedhun’s rights.
“I have been told by some Chinese … that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima has been living under a form of house arrest,” – The Dalai Lama.
The mystery surrounding his fate fuels intense passions among Tibetan Buddhists. They see him as a Guardian of the Patrilineage – his DNA may be their most direct link to their Sacred Ancestors.
Religious Implications and Political Tensions
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s disappearance casts an indelible shadow of personal tragedy. It arguably has even more profound effects on Tibetan Buddhism, including its fraught relationship with the Chinese state. The Chinese government has chosen its own Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, an individual considered an impostor by most Tibetan Buddhists.
Kyinzom Dhongdue, an advocate for Tibetan rights, articulated this sentiment clearly:
“He is a Tibetan, but he is a puppet for the Chinese government.”
Such restrictions are not only devastating for freedom of religious practice, but erode the cultural identity of Tibetans. Thousands of you have joined Amnesty International in calling for sustained pressure on the Chinese government until Gedhun and his family are released. Their plight stands in for the larger struggle for religious freedom in Tibet.
“The Dalai Lama is like the sun to us, and the Panchen Lama is like the moon,” – Kyinzom Dhongdue.
The political dynamics surrounding Gedhun’s case highlight ongoing tensions between Tibetan aspirations for autonomy and China’s stringent policies aimed at sinicizing religion.
