Press Release from the Office of Tibet, New York City, USA

From: World Tibet Network News

For immediate release

NEW YORK, 14 May - His Holiness the Dalai Lama has formally recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, a six-year-old boy born in Tibet, as the true and authentic reincarnation of the Panchen Lama.

In his recognition letter, His Holiness said, "I have recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, born on April 25, 1989, whose father is Konchok Phuntsog, and mother Dechen Chodon, of Lhari in Nagchu, Tibet, as the true reincarnation of the Panchen Lama."

The late Panchen Lama passed away in January 1989 at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, his traditional spiritual seat in Shigatse, Tibet's second largest town. The Panchen Lama was the lama who stayed behind in Tibet after the March 1959 Tibetan national uprising was suppressed by the People's Liberation Army of China. In the early 1960's, the Panchen Lama in a memorandum submitted to the Chinese government made a scathing attack on the leftist policies pursued in Tibet. For this he was imprisoned for nine years and eight months, most of it in solitary confinement.

With the introduction of Deng Xiaoping's policy of "liberalization," the Panchen Lama was "rehabilitated" and some of his earlier official positions were restored to him. Till his passing away, the Panchen Lama remained very active as the spokesperson for the Tibetan people under Chinese rule, particularly for their cultural and religious rights. The Panchen Lama kept in constant touch with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and he was greatly admired and respected for his courageous and consistent efforts for expanding the Tibetan peoples cultural and religious rights.

While announcing the recognition of the Panchen Lama's new incarnation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama called upon the Chinese Government to "extend its understanding, cooperation and assistance to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in enabling Rinpoche to receive proper religious training and to assume his spiritual responsibility."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama chose 14 May because this day is Vaisaki, the day when the Buddha gave the Kalachakra teachings, which has special connections with the Panchen Lamas of Tibet.