Published by World Tibet Network News - Tuesday - November 28, 1995

BEIJING, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Scholars warned Monday selection of the reincarnation of Tibet second holiest monk, is critical for stability of the Himalayan region and expressed fears the search was being exploited "for foreign intervention."

In the latest attack on the Dalai Lama and defense of China's self-proclaimed role, academics and representatives of Beijing-based Tibetan Buddhist circles insisted ultimate approval of the central government is essential in confirming the "soul boy" reincarnation of the 10th panchen lama.

"I deeply hope the issue reaches a satisfactory conclusion," said Donzhu Wangbum, director of the Department of Tibetology of the Central University of Minority Nationalities in remarks published in the official China Daily.

"Confirmation of the soul boy plays a role in the stability of the Tibetan region (and) the internal unity of Tibetan Buddhism," he said. "His selection has become a core excuse for foreign intervention and sabotage in Tibet."

With senior lamas in Tibet still to announce a date for the drawing of lots identifying which of three boys is the reincarnation subject to Beijing's approval, China's official media has become increasingly strident in explaining Beijing's rejection of the 6-year-old boy chosen by the exiled Dalai Lama.

"He ignored the key link of confirmation by the Chinese central government," said Living Buddha Thub-tan, abbot of the Beijing-based Yonghe lamasery.

The Dalai Lama and panchen lama titles "may not be bestowed or accepted privately within religious circles," said Zhang Yuxin, director of the National Institute of Cultural Relics Studies. "They are illegitimate without" the government's approval."

A recent high-level meeting of lamas summoned to Beijing narrowed the search to the three finalists, without including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized in May by the Dalai Lama as the recipient of the spirit of the panchen lama who died in 1989.

Beijing regularly accuses the Dalai Lama of trying to split China and stir up an independence movement since he fled into exile in northern India following an abortive 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.

Supporters of the Dalai Lama and human rights groups charge selection by lots has never been used on a regular basis, only as a last resort, and that Dalai Lamas and panchen lamas have conferred official recognition upon each other since the 1600s.

"The Chinese government is inserting itself in this purely religious Tibetan tradition," said the Washington-based Campaign for Tibet. "They have taken any expression by the Tibetan people of a distinct religious identity as a direct challenge to their control over Tibet and Tibetan affairs."