Rev. Danny Fisher

This from TibetCustom:

Joint Statement of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and ‘The Central Association of Panchen Lama’ on the 21st Birthday of His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama.

On this day when His Holiness the 11th Pachen Lama Jestun Gedun Yeshe Thrinley Phunstok – the emanation of the Lord of the Northern Pure Land of Buddha Amitabha who took this human form for the good of common subjects – turns 21, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery together with the whole of humans and celestial beings of Å’The Land of Snow‚ greet His Holiness with hearty wishes and innumerable prostrations.

Until now from the year 1385 when Khedrup Gelek Pelsang – one of the two principle spiritual sons of Tsongkhapa – appeared in the snow covered land of Tibet, eleven successive emanations had made their sublime presence. All the past reincarnations had greatly contributed to the political stability, economy, peace, and the preservation and enrichment of Tibet‚s culture. History remains testimony to this fact. Their divine activities had spread from Tibet to all Himalayan states, Mongolia, China, and Japan.

As all the successive reincarnations of Panchen Lamas had contributed outstandingly to the continuation and growth of Buddhism in Tibet, they were upheld with veneration as supreme protectors by all Tibetans.

The 10th Panchen Lama had braved all odds when Tibet was on the verge of complete annihilation and when history witnessed the most critical era with Tibetans having to face genocides and all sorts of brutalities from Communist China. The Panchen Lama stood up for the Tibetan Nation with least concern for his own life and displayed the heroic act of an exalted being.

Today, as Tibetans in Dharmsala and all around the world celebrate the birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, the esteem with which Tibetans hold him up with immense faith could be felt strongly.

Sadly ever since the abduction of the young Panchen Lama, the Chinese have not given any heed to genuine requests by The Exile Tibetan government, International Tibet support groups and Tibetans all over the world that the young reincarnation be given due freedom to carry on with his religious trainings like all his predecessors.  Until now, the Chinese have still not officially given any concrete explanation.

Recently, Mr. Pema Thinley, the chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region, said at a Press Conference that Gedun Choki Nyima – the child recognized by the Dalai Lama as the genuine reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama – is an ordinary person, and that he and his parents wanted to stay away from public attention for their own safety. The Chinese have only repeated their old stories; this has not convinced anyone and hasn‚t dispelled any doubt either. As such, we are highly concerned about whether the reincarnation is still alive or not.

With complete disregard to the wishes and aspirations of the Tibetans, the Chinese government has drawn a dark line on the history and the tradition of Tibet by choosing their own fake reincarnation of the late 10th Panchen Lama.

With the abduction of the true reincarnation, His Holiness Tenzin Gedun Yeshe Thrinley Phuntsok, the Chinese have had replaced him with Gyaltsen Norbu, a boy from Nagchu province of Tibet, and had him enthroned with the title of Panchen Lama. It is also learnt that Gyaltsen Norbu has no genuine freedom as all his moves and words are closely scrutinized. Recently, he had been uplifted to the status of the vice chairperson of World Buddhist Forum and was also made a member of The National Committee of the Chinese People‚s Political Consultative Conference. Though we welcome any post a Tibetan is offered, we are totally against all sorts of political plots by using their puppet reincarnation while taking advantage of the honor, esteem, and influence of all the past Panchen Lamas. The people of the world who stand up for truth will always stand up against such actions.

While commemorating today with both joy and sadness, we hereby clearly express our deep concern over the fate of the His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama Tenzin Gedun Yeshe Thrinley Phuntsok, his parents, close circle of retinues, Jadrel Rinpoche venerable Jampa Thrinley, and all the political prisoners of Tibet. We hereby want to state the aspirations and objectives of all the Tibetan in general and in particularly that of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, inside and outside Tibet. Our demands are:

1. The Chinese government must make it clear whether His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama Tenzin Gedun Yeshe Thrinley Phuntsok is still alive or not.
2. If His Holiness is alive, he must be allowed to meet with an international body on human rights. His Holiness must be enthroned at Tashi Lhunpo monastery and be given the freedom to continue the legacy of the previous Panchen Lamas.
3. Jadrel Rinpoche Jampa Thrinley and all the political prisoners of Tibet must be released at the earliest.
4. Stop all the killings and tortures during peaceful demonstrations in Tibet.
5. The Chinese Govt. must stop all their false allegations and depreciation directed towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
6. The Chinese must consider the proposal of a meaningful autonomy for Tibet as proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Exile Tibetan Government. This is also the late Panchen Lama’s aspiration for Tibet. We clearly send here our message that they accept this proposal that is beneficial for both Tibetans and Chinese, and the best means to resolve the differences between Tibet and China.

We take this opportunity to thank all governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals for your constant support and solidarity. While remaining grateful for all your kindness, we are confident that you will always support us so long as the fate of Tibet is not resolved.

With gratitude, we hereby remember and commend on the spirit of all the Tibetans in general- both inside and outside Tibet- and in particular, those connected with Tashi Lhunpo monastery, and for their continued stand for the cause of the 11th Panchen Lama. Their courageous determination without caring for their own personal well-being is a sign of lessons learnt from history to not to bow down to any form of pressures. We hereby express our genuine gratitude to all. Thank you all!

Finally, we pray that may His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama enjoy long lives, that may all their aspirations be fulfilled effortlessly, and that may they be able to come together in their homeland The Land of Snow.

With strong prayers,
Sincerely,
Tashi Lhunpo monastery