In a recent development that has stirred controversy among Tibetan Buddhists, Gyaincain Norbu, recognized by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the 11th Panchen Lama, conducted his first ordination ceremony of 28 monks at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. This event, reported by Bitter Winter, a publication focused on religious freedom and human rights in China, has raised significant concerns within the Tibetan community.
The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, traditionally the seat of the Panchen Lamas, witnessed this ceremony on November 4, 2023, coinciding with the Lhabab Düchen festival – a sacred day commemorating Buddha’s return to Earth from heaven. However, the legitimacy of this ordination has been questioned by many, given the background of the Panchen Lama controversy.
The 10th Panchen Lama passed away in 1989, and his successor, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized by the Dalai Lama, was allegedly abducted by the CCP at age six in 1995. His current whereabouts remain a mystery. In his place, the CCP appointed Gyaincain Norbu, who has been raised and educated in Beijing, as reported by Bitter Winter.
During the ordination ceremony, Norbu, who also holds positions in the CCP-controlled China Buddhist Association and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, urged the newly ordained monks to express gratitude and allegiance to the CCP. According to Bitter Winter, his sermon emphasized the importance of being thankful to the Party, citing the peace and governance in the country amidst global conflicts.
ALSO READ: China Installed “Panchen Lama” Urges Tibetans to Embrace Xi Jinping’s Vision
This event has not been without criticism. Many in the Tibetan Buddhist community view these ceremonies as a tool for the CCP to exert control over religious practices in Tibet. The presence of the Chinese Army during such ceremonies, as noted by Bitter Winter, is seen as a means to compel attendance and feign religious legitimacy.
The China Buddhist Association, through a press release, claimed that this ordination signifies an improvement in the Panchen Lama’s Buddhist achievements and religious status. However, critics argue that these actions are far from a genuine religious practice and are instead a part of the CCP’s broader strategy to control and manipulate religious institutions in Tibet.
The significance of the Lhabab Düchen festival, a day believed to amplify the effects of actions, adds a layer of spiritual complexity to the event. As Bitter Winter points out, if Tibetan Buddhist beliefs hold true, the repercussions of such actions, especially on such a sacred day, could be profound.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and complexities surrounding religious freedom and CCP’s policies in Tibet. The Tibetan community, both within and outside China, continues to view the situation with apprehension, seeking genuine religious freedom and the preservation of their cultural and spiritual heritage.
About Post Author
