by Suzanne Goldenberg in New Delhi - Guardian Weekly, 10 December 1995

[This article has been excerpted.]

The Dalai Lama last week accused Beijing of trying to usurp his spiritual role after Chinese authorities put up a rival to the boy he recognized as the incarnation of the second holiest figure in Tibetan Buddhism.

In a statement from Dharamsala, the town in the Indian Himalayas that is his home in exile, the Dalai Lama said the Chinese did not have the authority to challenge his choice for Panchen Lama. The last Panchen Lama died in China in 1989.

"It is unfortunate...the Chinese government has chosen to politicize this issue and to appoint a rival Panchen Lama," the Dalai Lama said. "It saddens me that once again the religious sentiments of my people have been deeply hurt and offended."

[...]

The Dalai Lama concluded his own selection process in May, settling on a boy from a semi-nomadic family. "Because of the unique historic and traditional relations between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama I conducted all the necessary procedures with great care and...determined Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the last Panchen Lama. Therefore my recognition of the Panchen Lama reincarnation cannot be changed."

The Dalai Lama added...he had tried to co-operate with authorities in Tibet in the search for the reincarnation. ...China was unable to forget its fury at the Dalai Lama for short-circuiting the selection process and announcing his own candidate. Last week, authorities resumed their crusade against the original Panchen Lama, saying he was unfit for the role... The child has not been seen since July and is believed to be under house arrest in Beijing.

The furore is certain to cause consternation in Dharamsala, which is reeling after the discovery of three Chinese spies - one of whom was employed in the government-in-exile. Indian officials say infiltration has been a growing problem since 1992, when the Dalai Lama appealed to Tibetans to flee Chinese occupation and join him in exile.

Forwarded by Debra Guzman