PANCHEN LAMA Gyaltsen Norbu, anointed while still a boy as a top religious figure by Beijing against the wishes of most Tibetan Buddhists, made his first trip outside mainland China yesterday to appear at a congress in Hong Kong.
Mr Norbu (22) was selected by officially atheist Beijing in 1995 as the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism in its drive to win the hearts and minds of Tibetans.
Over the last year or so, there has been a wave of self-immolations by Tibetans protesting against Beijing’s control over Tibetan areas of China. Activists say China violently stamps out religious freedom and culture in Tibet.
China rejects the criticism, saying its rule has ended serfdom and brought development to a backward region.
Many believe Mr Norbu is being groomed to become the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama dies.
China describes the Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, as a dangerous “splittist”. The Dalai Lama says he is merely seeking more autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.
“The virtuous Buddha compassionately and skillfully opened the door to the Dharma, pointing out for us the way to choose between wholesome and unwholesome acts,” he told over 1,000 monks and scholars at the Third World Buddhist Forum.
In 1995, he was chosen a reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, who died in 1989. However, the Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Communist rule, chose a rival reincarnation, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was also six years of age.
Beijing imposed their choice and Gedhun disappeared and is believed to be in Beijing under house arrest, although the Chinese say he and his family merely do not want to be disturbed by western media.
