A common space for harmonic peacemakers

Who is The Panchen Lama ?

The world's youngest political prisoner, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, The Panchen Lama, was born on April 25th, 1989. On May 17, 1995, The Panchen Rinpoche, His family, and Monks involved in His recognition were illegally aducted by Chinese officials. Since this time, no one has seen or talked to these individuals, including officials from the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and various governments from around the world.

Who is The Panchen Lama?

The Panchen Lama is responsible for protecting, liberating, and enlightening the Tibetan people. The Panchen Lama is thought to be one of the emanations of Amitabha Buddha (The Wisdom Buddha). Further, The Panchen Lama is the second most important Tibetan Buddhist leader.

What has happened to the Panchen Lama?

On May 14, 1995 The Dalai Lama, recognized Gendhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. This extremely important decision by His Holiness culminated a six year, difficult and thorough process of searching for the incarnation of The 10th Panchen Lama. Gendun Choekyi Nyima is from a semi-pastoralist family that, at one time, lived in the Lhari District in Kam, Tibet. Gendhun Choekyi Nyima is considered the youngest political prisoner in the world. Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was born on April 25th, 1989.
On May 17, 1995 Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, His family, and the Abbott, Chadrel Rinpoche (Cha Tsa Chagbazeling) and His Secretary, who both led the search party for this incarnate were taken by The People's Republic of China (PRC) to Beijing. Thus, these persons are now political prisoners of The PRC Government. As of today, all of these persons are still missing and there has been no indication that they are alive.

Since His disappearance, The PRC has changed its' position on the whereabouts of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima many times. At first, The PRC claimed that Gendhun was with His family in their home village. In March 1996, The PRC then reported that His Holiness The Panchen Lama was in their custody to protect Him from Tibetans. During the Summer of 1996, The PRC claimed that, as far as they knew, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was back in the Tibetan community. During September 1998, The PRC once again claimed that The Panchen Lama was in their care to protect Him from Tibetans. In fact, on a trip to Tibet in September 1998, Mary Robinson (High Commissioner of Human Rights) of the United Nations was denied access to Gendhun Choekyi Nyima. On a nusmber of occasions in 2004, The PRC claimed that He was still under their protection and attending school in a small village. To date, no one has seen The Panchen Lama.

In December 1995, The PRC illegally announced its' own Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu. The PRC has absolutely no authority to choose the next Panchen Lama. Only The Dalai Lama has the right to select The Panchen Lama. The PRC also has no legal justification to hold Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, His family, or members of the search party as hostages.

Why you should take action?

It is very critical for the survival of Tibet that the real Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, be released as well as others associated with His selection. We must all support His Holiness, The Dalai Lama's selection of this important spiritual leader and fight for His security. If The PRC does not want to recognize Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, then they should release this young boy to the Tibetan community-in-exile, along with everyone else connected with His selection.

The 11th Panchen Lama must have the right to visit Tibetans-in-exile around the world, particularly His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Such actions will increase the possibility that all Tibetans will have the opportunity to communicate and be blessed by this highly important spiritual leader.

What you can do?

We urgently request an investigation into this grave situation to determine if these individuals are political prisoners. More importantly, if this is found to be true, we strongly encourage you to pressure the Chinese Government to secure the immediate release of The Panchen Lama, His family, and all persons associated with the discovery of this significant Lama. You can write letters about this issue to:

President of The PRC
Hu Jintao
Guowuyuan
9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie
Beijingshi 100032
People's Republic of China

Director of the State Council Bureau of Religious Affairs
Zhang Shengzuo Juzhang
Guowuyuan Zongjiao Shiwuju
Guowuyuan
22 Xianmen Dajie
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China

Secretary of the Xizang Autonomous Regional People's Government
Xizang Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu
1 Kang'angdonglu
Lasashi 850000
Xizang Zizhiqu
People's Republic of China

Ambassador, Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Secretary Hillary Clinton
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Isabella Kelley
Amnesty International
304 PENN AVE SE
Washington, DC 20003

Sidney Jones & Mickey Spiegel
Human Rights Watch
485 5TH AVE
NYC, NY 10017

In your letters, please raise the following questions:
1. How is Gendhun Choekyi Nyima's health?
2. Where is the Panchen Lama being held?
3. Does Gendhun Choekyi Nyima have regular access to a private attorney?
4. Has Gendhun Choekyi Nyima been formally charged with a crime? If so, what are the charges?
5. What is the evidence against Gendhun Choekyi Nyima?
6. If Gendhun Choekyi Nyima has been formally charged, when will He be brought to trial, and how will the trial be conducted?
7. If Gendhun Choekyi Nyima has not been formally charged, when will He be released?
8. When will the world see Gendhun Choekyi Nyima?

PETITION TO RELEASE GENDHUN CHOEKYI NYIMA

Gendhun Choekyl Nyima has been recognized as The 11th Panchen Lama by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. I believe that as Tibet's spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama is the only person who has the authority to select The Panchen Lama and that it is highly inappropriate for the government of China to suppress religion for political gain. Out of concern for the welfare of Gendhun Choekyl Nyima (the youngest political prisoner in the world), His family, Chatrel Rinpoche, and the Tashi Lhunpo monks, I demand the immediate release of these people who disappeared on May 17, 1995.

Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Signature

Please gather names for this petition and mail to:

International Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 592 Fishers, Indiana 46038-0592 United States
e-mail: rangzen@aol.com

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