Exiled Tibetans Offer Prayers for Missing Panchen Lama on His 35th Birthday

A group of Tibetan exiles gathered at the Jonang Monastery in Shimla’s Dingu to offer prayers on the 35th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama, who holds the second most important spiritual position in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama, was allegedly abducted by Chinese authorities at the age of six, according to the Tibetans.

Organized by the Shimla chapter of the Tibetan Women’s Association and Tibetan Youth Congress, the prayer session aimed to draw attention to the plight of the 11th Panchen Lama and urged the international community to pressure China for his release.

Tibetan activist Tenzin Namgyal expressed concern over the Panchen Lama’s whereabouts, stating, “It’s been almost 28 years since the young lama was captured by Chinese Authorities at the age of six. None of us know his whereabouts, we request the UNO and international supporters to find out and let us know if he is alive or not.”

Battur Lama, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, emphasized the significance of the 11th Panchen Lama, stating, “He is important for us and is the second highest monk for us after the Dalai Lama. He has been missing since 1995. Each year we offer prayers for his birthday and celebrate his birthday and are looking forward to knowing his whereabouts.”

Born in Lhari village in the Nagchu region of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) on April 25, 1989, the 11th Panchen Lama was recognized as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama at the age of six in May 1995. However, the Chinese government rejected this recognition and installed another Panchen Lama, Gyatsen Norbu.

Since then, the Tibetan community has been demanding the release of the 11th Panchen Lama and seeking information about his well-being. They allege that he has been imprisoned by Chinese authorities.