In a significant move to draw global attention to the plight of Tibet, the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, in collaboration with the India Tibet Coordination Office, New Delhi, has initiated the “Panchen Lama Awareness Initiative”. Launched on December 5th, 2023, at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi, the campaign aims to increase awareness of the humanitarian and cultural issues surrounding the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama and to seek consensus on his release. The initiative was reported by Tibet.net, the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The event saw the presence of notable figures, including Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, and various members of the Indian Parliament, such as MP Sujeet Kumar, MP Sushil Kumar Modi, and MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. These dignitaries collectively condemned China’s forceful occupation of Tibet and called for the immediate release of the 11th Panchen Lama from Chinese captivity.
Zeekyab Rinpoche, the Ven. Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, was the Chief Guest at the event. He made a heartfelt appeal to the Indian Parliament members and the public, urging support to secure the release of the 11th Panchen Lama from the Chinese government’s grasp. This plea, as highlighted in his statement, reflects the severe oppression faced by the Tibetan people under Chinese rule and the broader implications for religious freedom and human rights.
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Sikyong Penpa Tsering, in his address, delved into the significant relationship between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, referring to them as the Sun and Moon of Tibetan spiritual life. He condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s act of kidnapping the Panchen Lama, calling for his immediate release and shedding light on the current critical situation inside Tibet. Tsering emphasized Tibet‘s geo-strategic importance for its neighboring countries and the world.
The Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Zeekyab Rinpoche, read out a statement that outlined a six-point appeal to the Indian Parliament. The appeal includes exerting pressure on the Chinese government for the Panchen Lama‘s release, recognizing his sufferings through an award, publishing a joint statement of concern, adopting a resolution condemning China’s interference in Tibetan Buddhist reincarnations, calling for the release of Jadrel Rinpoche and all Tibetan political prisoners, and supporting the Dalai Lama‘s vision to visit Tibet.
The Panchen Lama, recognized by the Dalai Lama in 1995, was abducted by the Chinese government when he was only six years old. For 28 years, his whereabouts and condition have remained unknown. The imposition of a false Panchen Lama by the Chinese government has been widely criticized as a political tool to control Tibetan Buddhism.
This initiative, as reported by Tibet.net, is not only a call for action on a specific case but also a broader appeal for global awareness and support for the Tibetan cause. The presence of Indian politicians and Tibetan representatives at the event indicates a growing recognition of Tibet‘s struggle and the need for international solidarity in addressing these human rights issues.
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