In recent news, the United States has called on China to free Tibetan Buddhism’s 11th Panchen Lama, who was captured by Chinese authorities at the tender age of six. This article delves into the history and features of Tibetan Buddhism that are under threat due to the political implications surrounding the captivity of the Panchen Lama.
Key Points
In 1995, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, a young Tibetan boy was identified as the 11th Panchen Lama, making him the second highest religious figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. Shortly after his recognition, Nyima was detained by Chinese officials, becoming the world’s youngest political prisoner. Following this, China assigned its own Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, who is seen by exiles as a puppet of the atheist Chinese Communist Party government. This series of events has not only threatened the distinctive identity of Tibetan Buddhism, but also underlined religious freedom issues in Tibet. The Dalai Lama has repeatedly condemned China for interfering in the reincarnation system of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas.
The Backstory
Tibet is administered as an autonomous region of China. Beijing asserts longstanding sovereignty over the area, but many Tibetans insist that Tibet was colonised. In 1950, China dispatched thousands of troops to assert its claim on the region, incorporating some areas into the Tibetan Autonomous Region and others into neighboring Chinese provinces. In 1959, following a failed rebellion against China, the 14th Dalai Lama escaped Tibet and established a government in exile in India. China perceives the Dalai Lama as a separatist threat, despite his frequent assertions that he seeks Tibetan autonomy, not independence.
Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview
Buddhism became a prominent religion in Tibet towards the end of the 8th century CE when King Trisong Detsen of Tibet invited two Indian Buddhist masters, Shantarakshita and Padmasambhava, to Tibet. These masters assisted in translating important Buddhist texts into Tibetan. Tibetan Buddhism extends not just in Tibet but across the Himalayan region from Ladakh to Sikkim, as well as parts of Nepal. It is also the state religion of Bhutan and is practiced in Mongolia and parts of Russia.
Special Features of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism combines the fundamental teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and Shamanic practices, as well as aspects of an ancient Tibetan religion known as Bon. One key aspect of Tibetan Buddhism is its unique understanding of death and the afterlife, which impacts how life is lived. “Lama,” a term used in Tibetan Buddhism, refers to a teacher. The deities worshipped are not considered gods, but aspects of enlightened qualities such as wisdom and compassion. The patron deity is Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. Temple ceremonies are often elaborate and theatrical, featuring noisy brass instruments, cymbals, and gongs, along with chanting by formally dressed monks.