A day after the canceling of Gyaltsen Norbu, the China-recognized Panchen Lama visit to Nepal, the Chinese Communist Party’s official channel, CGTN, published an article entitled “Regulating Tibetan Buddhism Reincarnation Under the Rule of Law.” This article underscored that as far back as 2007, China began issuing the “Measures on the Management of Tulku Reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhism,” the first rule that regulates reincarnation cases. It declared, “The reincarnation process should not be interfered with or controlled by foreign organizations or individuals, and no group or individual is permitted to unilaterally search for or recognize reincarnations.”
This report reveals the real motive of Gyaltsen Norbu’s proposed visit to Lumbini, which is the birthplace of the Buddha. Rumors were circulating that he would be visiting Nepal, bordering India. As late as December 12, The South China Morning Post reported: “Panchen Lama to make rare visit to Nepal after Tibet trip.” The article noted that Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, had expressed that Kathmandu regarded Tibet and Taiwan as indistinguishable parts of China.
Nepal had planned to host Gyaltsen Norbu, marking his second foreign trip after a visit to Thailand in 2019. However, Nepal decided to block the visit, informing the Chinese Embassy that the Lama would not be allowed to visit due to Nepal’s stance on neutrality regarding religious matters.
The issue goes beyond a diplomatic defeat. It is part of an ongoing battle to determine who should control the next Dalai Lama. The Panchen Lama is a highly revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, especially within the Gelukpa tradition, second only to the Dalai Lama. Traditionally, Panchen Lamas have played a critical role in identifying new Dalai Lamas.
After the death of the 10th Panchen Lama in 1989, an argument arose over the identity of the next Panchen Lama. The Chinese government recognized him as Gyaltsen Norbu while the government of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala approved Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has been missing since 1995 when he was detained by the Chinese police.
An activist group, Tibetan Rights Collective (TRC), stated that Nepal’s refusal to host Gyaltsen Norbu reflects the contentious legitimacy of his claim as the Panchen Lama. “By taking this stance, Nepal may be signaling its reluctance to endorse China’s religious appointments,” they analyzed.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Chökyi Gyaltsen, was born in 1938, and Beijing enforced him as the real Panchen Lama after discarding the Tibetan candidate. In 1962, he, in a show of immense courage, drew up a letter containing several pressing issues confronting Tibet, for which Chinese leaders took notice of. He, thereafter, served a confinement for 17 years.
The choice of the next Dalai Lama could be in a similar way to that of the 11th Panchen Lama. After the mysterious death of Chökyi Gyaltsen, the Chinese government established a “search team” to determine who should succeed him. After communication by the team with the Dalai Lama’s office, Beijing hijacked the search process, choosing Gyaltsen Norbu, whose choice was marred by manipulation, including the use of a “Golden Urn” to select him.
It is likely that the same procedures will be applied for selecting the 15th Dalai Lama if the current leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, does not announce his return in the near future.
In this sense, the denial of hosting Gyaltsen Norbu on the part of Nepal can be well interpreted as a sign that Nepal was not willing to accept the religious appointments being endorsed by Beijing. After all, the government of Nepal had already agreed to term Tibet as “Xizang,” the China-preferred nomenclature, but it was not so for Gyaltsen Norbu’s visit.
The situation also raises questions about Gyaltsen Norbu’s potential role. He has a respected teacher, Geshe Jamyang Gyatso, from Labrang Tashikyil Monastery in Amdo, who plays a key role in his education and forming his worldviews. It remains to be seen whether Gyaltsen Norbu will remain docile under Beijing’s control or follow the footsteps of his predecessors.
In 2015, Gyaltsen Norbu was said to have been “briefed” on his role as a Communist leader when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Zhongnanhai. Recently, on February 10, 2024, Gyaltsen Norbu delivered a message for the Tibetan New Year, surprising many by not praising Xi Jinping, although he often supports the Communist Party’s policies.
These developments are especially relevant for the Indian Himalayan population, which is concerned about the future of the lineage of the Dalai Lama.
