Gathering held in Xizang to mark 30th anniversary of Panchen Rinpoche enthronement

LHASA -- A gathering was held on Tuesday at Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the enthronement of Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, according to Xizang Daily.

Panchen Rinpoche is a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice president of the Buddhist Association of China. Tashilhunpo Monastery has been Panchen Rinpoche's traditional seat.

During the gathering, representatives of monks from the monastery, monastic representatives from other monasteries in Xigaze, representatives of Panchen Rinpoche's relatives, and representatives of the general public presented gifts to the Living Buddha.

The three-hour event also featured traditional religious dances and sutra chanting by monks, who later presented hada, a white silk scarf symbolizing respect and blessings, to the attendees.

Lin Rui, deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said at the gathering that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to Panchen Rinpoche's well-being, noting that General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has received visits from Panchen Rinpoche twice and expressed his earnest expectations.

The General Secretary's important speeches not only provide significant guidance for the healthy development of Panchen Rinpoche but also chart the course for the sound development of Tibetan Buddhism, Lin said, adding that since his enthronement, Panchen Rinpoche has made remarkable progress and earned widespread praise from various social sectors.

At the gathering, Panchen Rinpoche pointed out that in 1995, the central government approved and confirmed his enthronement as the reincarnation of the late 10th Panchen Erdeni. This process strictly followed religious rituals and historical conventions, fully demonstrating the firm resolve of the CPC in fully implementing policies on freedom of religious belief, and vigorously safeguarding the historical authority of the central government over the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism and its lawful management of the process.

The commemorative ceremony was also attended by representatives from Tibetan Buddhist circles in Xizang, as well as representatives from Tibetan Buddhist communities in Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces.

A day earlier, Panchen Rinpoche attended a seminar in Xigaze on the Living Buddha reincarnation.

Panchen Rinpoche said at the seminar that the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism must adhere to the principle of law-based management. He stated that the "Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas" provided a fundamental basis for advancing reincarnation affairs. Ensuring that reincarnation processes are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations is crucial for maintaining the validity and purity of the Living Buddhas' reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism.

The Living Buddha further stressed the principle of adhering to religious rituals, noting that only by following these established rites can the reincarnation process gain the support of the Tibetan Buddhist community and the faith of the broader religious followers.

The principle of following historical conventions was also underscored. Panchen Rinpoche said that China's successive central governments have implemented strict management of reincarnation, forming a comprehensive set of historical conventions. Upholding these conventions is essential for fully reflecting national sovereignty and governmental authority, safeguarding national unity and ethnic solidarity, maintaining social harmony and stability and promoting the sound development of Tibetan Buddhism, he stressed.

The search and confirmation of a Living Buddha's reincarnation must adhere to the key principles of "search within the Chinese territory, drawing lots from the golden urn, and approval by the central government." The process must remain free from interference or control by any organizations or individuals abroad. The sanctity and authority of the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism can be upheld only by fully leveraging the leading role of Buddhist associations and the exemplary role of eminent monks, he added.

Panchen Rinpoche emphasized that only by upholding the leadership of the CPC and continuously improving the rule of law in religious affairs governance can the sound development of Tibetan Buddhism be ensured, thereby earning the heartfelt support of religious followers.

Chang Zang, the resident vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, said that the promulgation and implementation of the "Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas" have played a vital role in maintaining the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism and promoting its sound development.

"We will remain committed to the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation and provide active guidance to Tibetan Buddhism so that it can adapt to socialist society, contributing to its sound development and the religious, social, and ethnic harmony," he said.