This Wednesday, His Holiness Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, will observe his 23th birthday. This assumes he is still alive, of course, and I think it likely he is not. Those who might know are not talking.
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is, of course, the tulku recognized as the reborn Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama back in 1995. Two days after this recognition, the boy and his family were taken into Chinese custody and have not been seen since. Beijing appointed another boy as Panchen Lama later that year.
In 2006 and 2009, China hosted World Buddhist Forums attended by Buddhist monks and scholars from around the world. A third will be held this week in Hong Kong, beginning April 25 -- Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's 23rd birthday. The Forum will be followed by an international peace conference in Lumbini, Nepal, April 28-30. Lumbini is thought to be the birthplace of the historical Buddha.
The purpose of these forums has been to promote peace and harmony in the world. They also have been opportunities for Beijing to showcase its puppet Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, and present him to the world as an important Buddhist leader.
If it surprises you that Beijing would present itself as a patron of Buddhism --
The issue of religion in China is a complex one. Most Americans know that the late Mao Zedong banned religion and considered it "poison." However, it is not nearly as well known here that China's policies toward religion have changed radically since. Beijing has taken the role of friend and protector of religion -- on its own terms, of course.
Some of you might remember a particularly ditzy Senate candidate from 2010 who claimed that Bibles are banned in China. Not only are they not banned, but millions of Bibles are printed every year by the Amity Printing Company in Nanjing. The Chinese government also has renovated and rebuilt Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian temples throughout China, many of which were torn apart during the Cultural Revolution.
Beijing wants you to know that today religion is honored and protected in China. On the other hand, Beijing brutally suppressed the Falun Gong movement. The oppression of Tibet Buddhism by Beijing is discussed frequently here. Very basically, Beijing is fine with religion when it supports the authority of Beijing. It does not tolerate challenges to that authority, however.
One of the traditional duties of a Panchen Lama is to help locate and recognize rebirths of the Dalai Lama. The day will come when a 15th Dalai Lama is to be found, and when that happens Gyaltsen Norbu will be trotted out to recognize some young man of Beijing's choosing. Beijing apparently thinks that if the world accepts Gyaltsen Norbu as the legitimate Panchen Lama, the world will accept his choice of Dalai Lama.
Someday we may see, although hopefully not for many more years.
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