(Sandhya Jha, Intern Journalist) Tensions between the US and China continue to grow. Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo on Monday demanded that China immediately reveal the whereabouts of the Tibetan religious guru Panchen Lama. Their information should be made public. He said he was abducted by Chinese authorities 25 years ago. At that time, he was only six years old. Now he is 31 years old.
On 14 May 1995, the Tibetan Chief Religion Guru Dalai Lama announced the recognition of the Panchen Lama. Six-year-old Gezhun Choekyi Nyima was declared an incarnation of the Panchen Lama. He is considered the second eldest in the largest school of Buddhism in Tibet. Three days later, he was taken into custody. He has not been seen since. Human rights groups have called him the youngest political prisoner in the world.
‘China should not interfere in religious matters’
Pompeo said that China should not interfere in religious matters. Tibetan Buddhists, like people of all religions, should be allowed to choose their own traditions, religious leaders and adopt their beliefs without government intervention.
The Panchen Lama is also considered an avatar of Buddha
Like the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama is also considered an incarnation of a form of Buddha. The Panchen Lama is considered an incarnation of the divine form with infinite light. At the same time, the Dalai Lama is considered to be the incarnation of his Avalokitswara form. It is said that when the next Dalai Lama is discovered, Panchen Lama will do this work.
America warned earlier
Sam Brownback, the US State Department’s ambassador for international religious freedom, warned last week that China should not see the Panchen Lama as a model of choosing the Dalai Lama’s successor alone.
China does not want to be declared the successor of Dalai Lama
The Chinese government has appointed a successor of the Dalai Lama on its behalf. He has also appeared in public events many times. However, he is not considered by Tibetans. China does not want the Dalai Lama’s next successor announced. Doing so will weaken the freedom movement of Tibet around the world. The 14th religious leader of Tibetan Buddhists wants to announce the second Panchen Lama.
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