Tibet celebrates 20th anniversary of Panchen Lama’s enthronement

World Today

The 11th Panchen Lama is the spiritual leader of Buddhism in Tibet. As the country celebrates the 20th anniversary of his enthronement, he has talked about some of the changes he wants to make.

The 25-year-old religious leader is one of the highest ranking Lamas in the most influential sect of Buddhism.

“I did not waste time studying over the past two decades. I have been to 23 provinces and cities, broadening my horizons. I tell myself to make buddhist sutra part of my values, code of behavior,” Qoigyi Gyaibo, the 11th Panchen Lama, said. “The scriptures are about life philosophy and goals. The reading process for every line in the scriptures is also a process of combining what is in the book and what is in my soul.”

As a post-90s leader, he believes that interpretation of Buddhist scriptures needs to catch up with modern times.

The Panchen Lama has also tried to be part of social life. He has touched the heads of over one million believers, blessing them. He made donations and prayers for victims of earthquakes. He believes what he did was in line with the Buddhist idea of mercy for all, which is also part of Tibetan values.

“Core values of socialism, such as harmony, honesty, and equality, have their corresponding contents in Sutra. Panchen of past generations have been known for patriotism,” he said. “I’m considering how to combine modern believers’ demand with the Scriptures, and carry out Buddhist ideas on harmony, which is also my responsibility for society.”

The 11th Panchen Lama was recognized 20 years ago in a five-year-old boy as the incarnated soul of his predecessor. The living Buddha was chosen by strict lot drawing, a ritual first set up two centuries ago.