25th May is the 18th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima - the 11th Panchen Lama. He has been imprisoned by the Chinese since he was 6 years old! All attempts to track him down have failed.
The Chinese authorities named their own Panchen Lama and he is now the 2nd highest lama of the Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect after the Dalai Lama. The significance is that the Panchen Lama will be instrumental in choosing the next Dalai Lama and the Chinese believe they now can influence this choice.
When I was in Tibet last year we visited Shigatse and the monastery of Tashilhunpo. There was much activity and we were suprised by the arrival of Gyaincain Norbu - the Chinese nominated Panchen. (This is my photo of his arrival - many yellow hats and ceremonial parasol).
My reaction to seeing this character was mixed but I was surprised and, indeed, impressed by the reaction of our guide. Pasang was a young Tibetan who spoke good English and was with us for all our time in Tibet. I asked him what the Tibetans thought of the Chinese Panchen. He said that they feel much sympathy for him and that his position was a difficult one. He added that the community 'go along' with the pretence because they feel sorry for the young Gyancain who is forced to act out this role.
I was most impressed by this attitude - not of resignation and resentment - but of true Buddhist compassion and tolerance in the face of a difficult situation.
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