Qoigyijabu
Encyclopedia
Gyaincain Norbu is, according to the government of the People's Republic of China
, the eleventh Panchen Lama
of Tibetan Buddhism
. He is also the vice president of the Buddhist Association of China
and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Norbu was selected by the drawing of his name from a Golden Urn
. The People's Republic of China favored this method of selecting reincarnations, as opposed to the other traditional Tibetan method of recognition by senior lamas. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
, the boy selected by the 14th Dalai Lama
and members of the Tibetan government in exile, has been detained by the Chinese Government since the exile government selected him. Neither the Chinese nor the Tibetan exile governments recognize each other's selection for the Panchen Lama.
, Chos-kyi Rgyal-po. The Chinese equivalent is Quèjí Jiébù (确吉杰布).
The secular name, Gyaincain Norbu , can also be written Gyaencaen Norbu, Gyancain Norbu, or Gyaltsen Norbu.
in northern Tibet Autonomous Region
. He is the son of two Communist Party
members. He had been living in Beijing during his early childhood to be educated in a Chinese way, and moved back to Tashilhunpo Monastery for his enthronement, in Shigatse
, the official seat of the Panchen Lamas. He developed altitude sickness
when he first moved back, but overcame it quickly. Since his selection as Panchen Lama, he has studied Tibetan Buddhism
, to his studies he added Tibetan language
, sutra
, and logic
at ten; he is bilingual in both Tibetan and Chinese
. He spent most of his later childhood studying Buddhism in Beijing
. In a rare appearance for his adolescent age, Norbu delievered a speech in Tibetan for the opening ceremony of the 2006 World Buddhist Forum about Buddhism and national unity. Reportedly, it received a cold reception among delegates, with fellow Buddhists making no attempt to greet Gyaltsen Norbu during greeting ceremonies ahead of the conference on Wednesday Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama had not been invited, because he is viewed by China as "a long-time stubborn secessionist who has tried to split his Chinese motherland and break the unity among different ethnic groups."
Two years later, he denounced anti-Han riots in Lhasa
, saying "We resolutely oppose all activities to split the country and undermine ethnic unity". China promotes him as "the public face of Tibetan Buddhism".
On February 3, 2010 Norbu was elected vice president
of the Buddhist Association of China
. Later that month, Norbu became at 20 the youngest member of the advisory body National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region
Hao Peng
praised his appointment, in particular for Norbu's "demonstrating the role of the living Buddhas
in Tibetan Buddhism and encouraging more believers to participate in state affairs". He was not, however, made vice chairman of the CPPCC, as the 10th Panchen Lama was and was widely expected of Norbu. Still, the Tibetan government in exile
expressed concern that his appointment could prejudice his position on the next Dalai Lama
, who normally requires approval from the Panchen Lama.
On May 2010, he reported to the ethnically Tibetan
earthquake zone of the 2010 Yushu earthquake
and held prayer services for victims. In June, he gave speeches at Tibet University
and Tibet University of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa
promoting the value of education. In response to the 2010 Gansu mudslide
, in which Zhugqu County
, a 1/3 Tibetan area was hit, he donated ¥
50,000 to relief efforts and prayed for the victims. He pays visits the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama
, although he does not live there. The Asia Times
describes him as "A slight man who wears thick glasses and traditional crimson robes".
The head of the Chinese government's Panchen Lama search committee at the time, Chadrel Rinpoche, was able to secretly communicate with the Dalai Lama
. He planned to submit the Dalai Lama's favored choice to the government. When the government learned of this conspiracy, they arrested Chadrel. The Dalai Lama moved to pre-empt China's choice, and proclaimed his own preferred candidate, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
, as the 11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama. Four days later, Chinese security forces escorted him from his home in Lhari County, stating that he "was at risk of being kidnapped by Tibetan separatists". China rejects Nyima as being "arbitrarily" chosen, while the Tibetan government in exile similarly insists on its candidate's legitimacy. However, Tashi Wangdi
, an exile government figure and representative to the Dalai Lama said of Norbu, "I think if he wants to pursue religious leadership, in Tibetan customs we have more than one reincarnation. If he proves himself to be a good practitioner and religious leader, people will treat him as a reincarnation." This is disputed by Tashi Wangdi
, the Representative to the Dalai Lama
, who said that Gyaincain Norbu lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the Tibetan people, who are forced to attend his ceremonies. "They can’t keep their Panchen Lama in Tibet. They tried to bring him to his monastery many times but people would not see him. How can you have a religious leader like that?"
Chadrel was replaced on the search committee by Sengchen Lobsang Gyaltsen. The new committee decided to choose the Panchen Lama from a list of finalists by drawing lots from a Golden Urn
. The Chinese custom of using the Golden Urn had been introduced in the year 1792 by the Qianlong Emperor
and used to select the 10th
, 11th
, and 12th
Dalai Lama
s. Four days before his death, the China Tibet Information Center reports, the 10th Panchen Lama requested that the Golden Urn process be used to select his successor. According to Arjia Rinpoche
, an important lama who attended the ceremony, Ye Xiaowen
, the central government official in charge of the Panchen Lama issue, stated privately that the selection had been rigged in favor of Gyaincain Norbu.
Six-year old Gyaincain Norbu was selected on December 8, 1995 with the religious name Qoigyijabu. Exiled Tibetan abbot
Arjia Rinpoche
, alleges that an official told him that the ceremony, which he attended, was rigged in favor of Norbu. Gyaincain Norbu was enthroned at Tashilhunpo Monastery and has since assumed the full functions of Panchen Lama.
, George Yeo
, became the first foreign member of government to meet officially with Gyaincain Norbu, at the Xihuang Monastery in Beijing
.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, the eleventh Panchen Lama
Panchen Lama
The Panchen Lama , or Bainqên Erdê'ni , is the highest ranking Lama after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism...
of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
. He is also the vice president of the Buddhist Association of China
Buddhist Association of China
The Buddhist Association of China is a major organization of Chinese Buddhism, which serves as the official supervisory organ of Buddhism in the People's Republic of China...
and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Norbu was selected by the drawing of his name from a Golden Urn
Golden Urn
In Tibet, on several occasions, children believed to be the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama or the Panchen Lama have been identified by a lottery method, in which names of competing candidates are written on folded slips of paper placed in a golden urn....
. The People's Republic of China favored this method of selecting reincarnations, as opposed to the other traditional Tibetan method of recognition by senior lamas. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is, according to the 14th Dalai Lama, the eleventh Panchen Lama of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Lhari County, Tibet. On May 14, 1995, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was named the 11th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama...
, the boy selected by the 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
and members of the Tibetan government in exile, has been detained by the Chinese Government since the exile government selected him. Neither the Chinese nor the Tibetan exile governments recognize each other's selection for the Panchen Lama.
Names
Gyaincain Norbu's full religious name is Jizün Losang Qamba Lhünzhub Qoigyijabu Baisangbu, although he is generally called Qoigyijabu. Meaning "Dharma king", this name can also be written Chökyi Gyalpo, Choekyi Gyalpo, or, in Wylie transliterationWylie transliteration
The Wylie transliteration scheme is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959...
, Chos-kyi Rgyal-po. The Chinese equivalent is Quèjí Jiébù (确吉杰布).
The secular name, Gyaincain Norbu , can also be written Gyaencaen Norbu, Gyancain Norbu, or Gyaltsen Norbu.
Biography
Gyaincain Norbu was born on February 13, 1990 in Lhari CountyLhari County
Lhari County is a small county within the Nagchu Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region...
in northern Tibet Autonomous Region
Tibet Autonomous Region
The Tibet Autonomous Region , Tibet or Xizang for short, also called the Xizang Autonomous Region is a province-level autonomous region of the People's Republic of China , created in 1965....
. He is the son of two Communist Party
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
members. He had been living in Beijing during his early childhood to be educated in a Chinese way, and moved back to Tashilhunpo Monastery for his enthronement, in Shigatse
Shigatse
Shigatse is a county-level city and the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region , People's Republic of China, with a population of 92000, about southwest of Lhasa and northwest of Gyantse...
, the official seat of the Panchen Lamas. He developed altitude sickness
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness—also known as acute mountain sickness , altitude illness, hypobaropathy, or soroche—is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude...
when he first moved back, but overcame it quickly. Since his selection as Panchen Lama, he has studied Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
, to his studies he added Tibetan language
Tibetan language
The Tibetan languages are a cluster of mutually-unintelligible Tibeto-Burman languages spoken primarily by Tibetan peoples who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering the Indian subcontinent, including the Tibetan Plateau and the northern Indian subcontinent in Baltistan, Ladakh,...
, sutra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
, and logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
at ten; he is bilingual in both Tibetan and Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
. He spent most of his later childhood studying Buddhism in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. In a rare appearance for his adolescent age, Norbu delievered a speech in Tibetan for the opening ceremony of the 2006 World Buddhist Forum about Buddhism and national unity. Reportedly, it received a cold reception among delegates, with fellow Buddhists making no attempt to greet Gyaltsen Norbu during greeting ceremonies ahead of the conference on Wednesday Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama had not been invited, because he is viewed by China as "a long-time stubborn secessionist who has tried to split his Chinese motherland and break the unity among different ethnic groups."
Two years later, he denounced anti-Han riots in Lhasa
2008 Lhasa violence
The 2008 Lhasa violence was one of a number of violent protests that took place during the 2008 Tibetan unrest.-Events:An eyewitness stated that police cars, fire engines and other official vehicles were set on fire after anger erupted following the police's dispersal of a peaceful demonstration...
, saying "We resolutely oppose all activities to split the country and undermine ethnic unity". China promotes him as "the public face of Tibetan Buddhism".
On February 3, 2010 Norbu was elected vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of the Buddhist Association of China
Buddhist Association of China
The Buddhist Association of China is a major organization of Chinese Buddhism, which serves as the official supervisory organ of Buddhism in the People's Republic of China...
. Later that month, Norbu became at 20 the youngest member of the advisory body National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region
Tibet Autonomous Region
The Tibet Autonomous Region , Tibet or Xizang for short, also called the Xizang Autonomous Region is a province-level autonomous region of the People's Republic of China , created in 1965....
Hao Peng
Hao Peng
Hao Peng was a politician in the Republic of China. He belonged to the Beijing Government, later he became an important politician during the Wang Jingwei regime. His adult name was Yucang...
praised his appointment, in particular for Norbu's "demonstrating the role of the living Buddhas
Tulku
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
in Tibetan Buddhism and encouraging more believers to participate in state affairs". He was not, however, made vice chairman of the CPPCC, as the 10th Panchen Lama was and was widely expected of Norbu. Still, the Tibetan government in exile
Central Tibetan Administration
The Central Tibetan Administration , is an organisation based in India with the stated goals of "rehabilitating Tibetan refugees and restoring freedom and happiness in Tibet". It was established by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959 shortly after his exile from Tibet...
expressed concern that his appointment could prejudice his position on the next Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
, who normally requires approval from the Panchen Lama.
On May 2010, he reported to the ethnically Tibetan
Tibetan people
The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan...
earthquake zone of the 2010 Yushu earthquake
2010 Yushu earthquake
The 2010 Yushu earthquake struck on April 14, 2010, and registered a magnitude of 6.9Mw or 7.1Ms . It originated in Yushu, Qinghai, China, at local time. According to the Xinhua News Agency, 2,698 people have been confirmed dead, 270 missing, and 12,135 injured of which 1,434 are severely injured...
and held prayer services for victims. In June, he gave speeches at Tibet University
Tibet University
Tibet University is the largest university in Tibet, China. It has two campuses: one in Lhasa and one in Nyingchi. About 7500 students are enrolled at the university, and nearly 20% of the students are in the Department of Tibetan Studies, which is a draw for international students as well as locals...
and Tibet University of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
promoting the value of education. In response to the 2010 Gansu mudslide
2010 Gansu mudslide
The 2010 Gansu mudslide was a deadly mudslide in Zhugqu County in Gannan TAP in China that occurred at 12 midnight on 8 August 2010. It was caused by heavy rainfall and flooding in Gansu Province. It was the most deadly individual disaster among the 2010 China floods . The mudslides killed more...
, in which Zhugqu County
Zhugqu County
Zhougqu County is an administrative district in Gansu, the People's Republic of China. It is one of 58 counties of Gansu. It is part of the Gannan Prefecture...
, a 1/3 Tibetan area was hit, he donated ¥
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
50,000 to relief efforts and prayed for the victims. He pays visits the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama
Panchen Lama
The Panchen Lama , or Bainqên Erdê'ni , is the highest ranking Lama after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism...
, although he does not live there. The Asia Times
Asia Times
Asia Times was a newspaper launched in Thailand by Thai tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul in 1995. The newspaper hired talent from around the world to produce a regional English-language newspaper....
describes him as "A slight man who wears thick glasses and traditional crimson robes".
Selection
Following the death of the 10th Panchen Lama in 1989, both the Tibetan government in exile and the Chinese government started parallel processes in the six year long search for the 11th Panchen Lama.The head of the Chinese government's Panchen Lama search committee at the time, Chadrel Rinpoche, was able to secretly communicate with the Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
. He planned to submit the Dalai Lama's favored choice to the government. When the government learned of this conspiracy, they arrested Chadrel. The Dalai Lama moved to pre-empt China's choice, and proclaimed his own preferred candidate, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is, according to the 14th Dalai Lama, the eleventh Panchen Lama of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Lhari County, Tibet. On May 14, 1995, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was named the 11th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama...
, as the 11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama. Four days later, Chinese security forces escorted him from his home in Lhari County, stating that he "was at risk of being kidnapped by Tibetan separatists". China rejects Nyima as being "arbitrarily" chosen, while the Tibetan government in exile similarly insists on its candidate's legitimacy. However, Tashi Wangdi
Tashi Wangdi
Tashi Wangdi is the Representative to the Americas for the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. He has held that position since April 16, 2005. Since 1966 he has served the Central Tibetan Administration, Tibet's government-in-exile...
, an exile government figure and representative to the Dalai Lama said of Norbu, "I think if he wants to pursue religious leadership, in Tibetan customs we have more than one reincarnation. If he proves himself to be a good practitioner and religious leader, people will treat him as a reincarnation." This is disputed by Tashi Wangdi
Tashi Wangdi
Tashi Wangdi is the Representative to the Americas for the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. He has held that position since April 16, 2005. Since 1966 he has served the Central Tibetan Administration, Tibet's government-in-exile...
, the Representative to the Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
, who said that Gyaincain Norbu lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the Tibetan people, who are forced to attend his ceremonies. "They can’t keep their Panchen Lama in Tibet. They tried to bring him to his monastery many times but people would not see him. How can you have a religious leader like that?"
Chadrel was replaced on the search committee by Sengchen Lobsang Gyaltsen. The new committee decided to choose the Panchen Lama from a list of finalists by drawing lots from a Golden Urn
Golden Urn
In Tibet, on several occasions, children believed to be the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama or the Panchen Lama have been identified by a lottery method, in which names of competing candidates are written on folded slips of paper placed in a golden urn....
. The Chinese custom of using the Golden Urn had been introduced in the year 1792 by the Qianlong Emperor
Qianlong Emperor
The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
and used to select the 10th
Tsultrim Gyatso, 10th Dalai Lama
Tsultrim Gyatso was the 10th Dalai Lama of Tibet.Born to a modest family in Chamdo , he was recognised as the reincarnation of Lungtok Gyatso, the 9th Dalai Lama, in 1820...
, 11th
Khedrup Gyatso, 11th Dalai Lama
Khedrup Gyatso was the 11th Dalai Lama of Tibet.He was recognised as the Eleventh Dalai Lama in 1840, having come from the same village as Kelzang Gyatso, the seventh Dalai Lama, had in 1708...
, and 12th
Trinley Gyatso, 12th Dalai Lama
Trinley Gyatso , also spelled Trinle Gyatso and Thinle Gyatso, was the 12th Dalai Lama of Tibet.His short life coincided with a time of major political unrest and wars among Tibet's neighbours...
Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
s. Four days before his death, the China Tibet Information Center reports, the 10th Panchen Lama requested that the Golden Urn process be used to select his successor. According to Arjia Rinpoche
Arjia Rinpoche
8th Agya Hotogtu is one of the most prominent Buddhist teachers and lamas to have left Tibet. At age two, Arjia Rinpoche was recognized by the 10th Panchen Lama as the 20th Arjia Danpei Gyaltsen, the reincarnation of Lama Tsong Khapa's father, Lumbum Ghe, the throne holder and abbot of Kumbum...
, an important lama who attended the ceremony, Ye Xiaowen
Ye Xiaowen
Ye Xiaowen is a Chinese politician who held various top posts relating to state regulation of religion from 1995 to 2009.Born in 1950 in Ningxiang County in Hunan, Ye became one of the first students of sociology at the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences after a ban before China's reform and...
, the central government official in charge of the Panchen Lama issue, stated privately that the selection had been rigged in favor of Gyaincain Norbu.
Six-year old Gyaincain Norbu was selected on December 8, 1995 with the religious name Qoigyijabu. Exiled Tibetan abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
Arjia Rinpoche
Arjia Rinpoche
8th Agya Hotogtu is one of the most prominent Buddhist teachers and lamas to have left Tibet. At age two, Arjia Rinpoche was recognized by the 10th Panchen Lama as the 20th Arjia Danpei Gyaltsen, the reincarnation of Lama Tsong Khapa's father, Lumbum Ghe, the throne holder and abbot of Kumbum...
, alleges that an official told him that the ceremony, which he attended, was rigged in favor of Norbu. Gyaincain Norbu was enthroned at Tashilhunpo Monastery and has since assumed the full functions of Panchen Lama.
Diplomatic meetings
On September 14, 2010, the foreign minister of SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, George Yeo
George Yeo
George Yeo Yong-Boon is a former politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party , he served in the Cabinet from 1991 to 2011 as the Minister for Information and the Arts , Minister for Health , Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Foreign Affairs...
, became the first foreign member of government to meet officially with Gyaincain Norbu, at the Xihuang Monastery in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.