The Chinese government has appointed the 11th Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, to the country’s top legislative advisory body.
His appointment comes amid Beijing’s efforts to further legitimise its contested selection of the monk, who analysts say may have a crucial role to play in the appointment of the current Dalai Lama’s successor.
The 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu, is a controversial figure. The 20-year-old monk was appointed by Beijing in place of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, who was chosen as the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama in 1995. Nyima disappeared the same year and is believed to be under detention.
Norbu, whose parents are both members of the ruling Communist Party, has since been promoted by Beijing as the official face of Tibetan Buddhism in China — with the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s most important figure, in exile in India.
However, Norbu’s appointment has not been accepted by many Tibetans in China, who recognise Nyima as the Panchen Lama’s 11th reincarnation. The Panchen Lama, in Tibetan Buddhism, plays an advisory role to the Dalai Lama, and is the second-highest ranked Lama. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising, and is currently in exile in Dharamshala.
While the Dalai Lama has criticised the Communist Party for its policies in Tibet, blaming it for the erosion of Tibetan culture and for curtailing religious freedom, the Panchen Lama has been a strong supporter of the party’s polices. He has also begun to increasingly appear in public in Tibet, along with Communist Party leaders.
While his appointment to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a largely ceremonial political body, does not change his role or decision-making powers, it underscored the ruling Communist Party’s efforts to further legitimise his position, said analysts.
“This is a pro forma elevation for him, to a titular role that does not amount to much in terms of actual decision-making or policy,” said Srikanth Kondapalli, chairman of the Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. “This could also be a move to placate the views of Tibetans, both in China and outside.”
Dalai Lama issue
The Panchen Lama could yet have a role to play in the contentious issue of the 14th Dalai Lama’s succession. While Beijing maintains it has historically had a role in approving the appointment of the Dalai Lama, the current Dalai Lama says he may choose his successor, who could likely come from a Tibetan community outside China, including Dharamshala.
One possibility considered by Beijing is an “electoral college” type of selection involving monks from Tibet’s most important monasteries.
In this set-up, the current Panchen Lama, now a member of the CPPCC, would play a mediating role.
“Given the Chinese government’s decision to unilaterally appoint the current Panchen Lama, they could choose the Dalai Lama in a similar manner,” said Professor Kondapalli.
