Tashi Lhunpo Monastery appeals to Indian Government to pressurize China for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet
By SHRI RAM SHAW
New Delhi: Accusing China of destroying the historical basis of Tibet’s existence, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the president of Tibet’s government-in-exile has said, “It is really important that we create more awareness on what China is doing, not only to Tibet but also to the region, countries in the region and internationally.”
In his address at an awareness event on Panchen Lama, he said, “I have been telling the world that we are dying a slow death, we are being stricken by being squeezed out of our breath by the dragon. Democracies around the world should come together when it comes to China to put pressure on Beijing to reverse its aggressive approach. It’s important to fight against authoritarian regimes and their ideology and their ambitions. There is a need to create awareness on what Beijing’s machinations are. I ask governments, please don’t look at us from the perspective of victims of communism that you can just pity on.”
The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery based in South India in coordination with the India Tibet Coordination Office, New Delhi launched the “Panchen Lama Awareness Initiative” at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. This significant event was planned to bring about greater awareness of the humanitarian and cultural issues surrounding the enforced disappearance of the Panchen Lama and work towards a consensus on his release.
The event was attended by key dignitaries including Sikyong Penpa Tsering (President of the Central Tibetan Administration); MP Sujeet Kumar (Convener of All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum on Tibet); MP Sushil Kumar Modi (Former Deputy CM of Bihar); MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, MP Aneel Prasad Hegde, MP Chandeshwar Prasad and Rinchen Khando Khrimey (National Convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India). Zeekyab Rinpoche, Tenzin Thupten Rabgyal, Ven. Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The event was also attended by Tibetan MP Namgyal Dolkar Lhagyari and MP Ven Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General, International Buddhist Confederation and Tibetan representatives.
Tsering in his address highlighted the significance of the 11th Panchen Lama detailing the deeds of the 10th Panchen Lama and his sacrifices for Tibet and the Tibetan people. He encapsulated the significant relationship between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama regarding them as the Sun and Moon. He condemned the cowardly act of the CCP to kidnap a small child who is today known as the youngest political prisoner in the world and called for his immediate release by the Chinese government. He stressed the geo-strategic importance of Tibet for its neighbouring countries as well as for the world in current times.
He further said that even India can take inputs from Tibetans for its China strategy. On expectations from India on the issue of the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama, Tsering said that if the Indian Parliament or the government can come out with a statement, it would help the Tibetans, “because many people look at India’s leadership when it comes to Tibet.” The Tibetan leadership has been maintaining that China cannot decide the next Dalai Lama. He also referred to the US law on Tibet that said that the issue about the reincarnation will be decided by the Dalai Lama. In 2020, the US came out with legislation reaffirming the absolute right of Tibetan people to choose a successor to the Dalai Lama and the preservation of Tibet’s environment.
MPs in their address condemned the forceful occupation of Tibet by the Chinese Communist Regime and called for the immediate release of His Eminence the 11th Panchen Lama from the Chinese captivity.
On the occasion Zeekyab Rinpoche, Ven. Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery made a six-point-appeal to the members of the Indian Parliament and the Indian people for their support and help.
We appeal to the Indian Parliament members to exert every possible effort and pressure on the Chinese government to immediately release the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who is now 34 years old. We request Indian Parliament members to take legislative measures that would enable Indian government officials to have access to meet the 11th Panchen Lama and verify his safety and health condition.
We appeal to the Indian Parliament members to honour Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, with an award in recognition of his unimaginable suffering during his 28 years in the Chinese government’s captivity.
We request the members of the Indian Parliament to publish a joint statement expressing concern on the 11th Panchen Lama’s current situation of en forced disappearance (signed by all the MPs).
We urge the Indian Parliament to adopt a resolution condemning the inter conference of the People’s Republic of China’s government in identifying reincarnated Tibetan Buddhist leaders and installing them as part of its efforts to maintain control over Tibet, including the long-term enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, along with his entire family members.
We appeal to the Indian Parliament members to call for the immediate re lease of Jadrel Rinpoche, the head of the search committee for the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, and all political prisoners of Tibet. The dire situation in Tibet is evident by the self-immolation protests of over 158 Tibetans because of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The recent self-immolation of 25-year-old Tsewang Norbu on 25th February 2022 and 81-year-old Taphun on 27th March 2022, starkly illustrates this cry for justice.
We appeal to the Indian Government and its people to extend support for the realisation of His Holiness’s vision of visiting Tibet and His commitment to resolve the Tibet issue through dialogue and the Middle Way Approach.