published by: World Tibet Network News, November 30, 1995

Virtual Curfew in Tibet

In fact, fearing a open public support of the Dalai Lama's announcement, the Chinese authorities issued a ban on the gathering of more than three Tibetans and any discussion on the Panchen Lama reincarnation issue. In fact, China went so far as to impose a virtual curfew in Shegatse, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas.

48 Tibetans arrested, one committed suicide

The authorities rounded up all the monks of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery to pressure them into denouncing the Dalai Lama's choice. On the contrary, many of them voiced their open support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. One monk rather than denounce His Holiness committed suicide. The authorities arrested 48 monks, including Chadral Rinpoche, the head of the Chinese-appointed search committee for the Panchen Lama.

Beijing meeting on the Panchen Lama issue

On November 4, China summoned 75 hand-picked Tibetans cadres and lama to Beijing to decide on the issue of the Panchen Lama's reincarnation.

The 75 Tibetans were told that they could not feign illness as an excuse in not attending the Beijing meeting. They were told that to attend the meeting was "a test of your nationalism and your political stand.

At the meeting the discussion was tape-recorded by the authorities and the participants were given the names of three boys who were shortlist as the final candidates to the post of the Panchen Lama.

Heads of Tibetan Religions affirm Support for Dalai Lama's Panchen Lama

At a conference from 13 to 16 November held in Dharamsala, all the heads of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon, Tibet's original religion, supported and reaffirmed their faith in the Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 15, 1995. They pressed for the release of the true Panchen Lama and urged the Chinese leadership to give proper religious education which befits his status.

The Chinese authorities rejected this request.

On March 21, 1991, the Chinese Government was informed through its New Delhi Embassy, that 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 Chadral 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. Chadral Rinpoche is the head of the committee constituted by the Chinese Government to search for the Panchen Lama's reincarnation.

On August 5, 1993 a reply had been forwarded to Chadral Rinpoche through the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi inviting a delegation from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, headed by Chadrel 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 the Chinese Government, His Holiness the Dalai Lama conveyed to the Chinese Government that He is still awaiting a reply to the letter addressed to Chadrel 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.

Department of Informationa and International Relations

Dharamsala - India