Published by World Tibet Network News - Thursday - November 30, 1995

On January 28, 1989, when the Panchen Lama passed away in Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama proposed to send a ten-member Tibetan religious delegation to Tashi Lhunpo in Shigatse and other areas in Tibet, such as Lhasa, Kubum and Tashi-kyil, for the purpose of offering prayers and performing Kalachakra ceremony for the late Panchen Lama.

The Chinese authorities rejected this request On March 21, 1991, the Chinese Government was informed through its New Delhi Embassy, His Holiness the Dalai Lama wished to assist in the search for the authentic reincarnation of the late Panchen Lama. To facilitate this, His Holiness had wished to send a delegation of high lamas and abbots to Lhamo Latso, the sacred lake near Lhasa, to pray and observe prophetic visions in the lake which would guide the delegation to find the genuine reincarnation.

Three months later the Chinese Government responded that there was no need for outside interference in this matter.

On July 17, 1993, Chatral Rinpoche of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery sent to His Holiness, through Kalon Gyalo Thondup, a letter with offerings from Beijing concerning the search for the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama.

Chatral Rinpoche is the head of the committee constituted by the Chinese Government to search for the Panchen Lama's reincarnation.

On August 15, 1993, a reply had been forwarded to Chatral Rinpoche through the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi inviting a delegation from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, headed by Chatral Rinpoche, to visit India in order to discuss the search for the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama.

There has been no response to this.

On October 17 and 18, 1994 during a meeting with a private Chinese individual who has close ties with Chinese Government His Holiness the Dalai Lama conveyed to the Chinese Government that He is still awaiting a reply to the letter addressed to Chatral Rinpoche in August 1993. During this meeting His Holiness reiterated the importance of carrying out the search for the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama through strictly traditional religious procedures.

In January 1995 the same Chinese individual was reminded twice about the above discussions regarding the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama and requested to urge the Chinese authorities for an early response.

To date, there has been no response.

Tempa Tsering, Secretary

Department Of Information & International Relations

Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala, India