This is an interesting article, where the Dalai Lama seems to be endorsing the Chinese-endorsed Panchen Lama, even though it is with a backslap at the Chinese leaders!
“If the Dalai Lama becomes 100 per cent pro-Chinese, then Tibetans will not respect the Dalai Lama. Like what happened with the Panchen Lama [Gendun Choekyi Nyima],” the Dalai Lama said in an interview with The Hindu last year. “I think the Panchen Lama himself now knows that. Recently during these crises, he has remained very silent. He is quite wise. It looks like the Chinese Panchen Lama is more wise than the Chinese leaders”.
Personally, I do not think the Panchen Lama should assume a political position, as i believe in the separation of church and state but i do recognise that the Dalai Lama had been the temporal leader of Tibet since the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama and that he has only relatively recently stepped down from being a political leader to being a purely spiritual leader. Also, i don't think that the Panchen Lama really has a choice if the Chinese leadership wishes him to take on this role.
However, I do know that whether he wants to or not, the Panchen Lama will gain more influence if he takes up a more political role. It will not be easy for the 23-year-old to be thrust into this position as well as continue to establish himself as a spiritual leader of China, including Tibet. Tibetans in general are still devoted to the Dalai Lama and are understandably skeptical of this Panchen Lama, due to the disappearance of the Dalai Lama-endorsed Panchen Lama.
I do believe though that the young Panchen Lama will be fine if he continues to rely on Dorje Shugden to clear his obstacles. See his magnificent Dorje Shugden chapel here:
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/places/magnificent-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-tashi-lunpo-monastery-tibet/Panchen Lama in top Chinese panelhttp://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/panchen-lama-in-top-chinese-panel/article4501574.eceANANTH KRISHNAN
In this March 3, 2013 photo, the 11th Panchen Lama, in red clothes, and delegates leave after attending the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
To “make greater political contributions”: state media
The Communist Party of China (CPC) has elevated the role of the 11th Panchen Lama on a top political advisory body, a move State media said would pave the way for the Chinese-appointed religious leader to “make greater political contributions”.
The Panchen Lama was chosen as member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a top political advisory body that is in charge of minority issues, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.
His appointment, Xinhua said, showed that he “has been entrusted with a more important role of advising China on state affairs”.
The 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu, was chosen as a member of the CPPCC in 2010, and has been seen by many Tibetans as a controversial figure.
The 23-year-old was chosen as the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama — the second most important figure for the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism after the Dalai Lama — in place of Gendun Choekyi Nyima. Nyima was first chosen as the reincarnation with the Dalai Lama’s backing, but subsequently disappeared.
The 11th Panchen Lama has faced a tough balancing act, trying to win the support of monks in China while at the same time conveying the government’s position in public appearances.
He remained largely silent in 2011 and early 2012 amid the series of self-immolations in Tibetan areas, where more than 100 people have set themselves on fire to protest policies.
‘SAFEGUARD STABILITY’
During a visit to Lhasa’s famous Jokhang temple in July last year, he broke his silence, saying “if a person does not protect social stability, he is not fit to be called a man of religion”.
He also “urged monks to appreciate what they have now and do more to safeguard social stability” and said “Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism are in their prime time of development”, according to State media reports.
The exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said last year the Panchen Lama’s silence reflected the difficulty he had faced in seeking the legitimacy of many Tibetans.
“If the Dalai Lama becomes 100 per cent pro-Chinese, then Tibetans will not respect the Dalai Lama. Like what happened with the Panchen Lama [Gendun Choekyi Nyima],” the Dalai Lama said in an interview with The Hindu last year. “I think the Panchen Lama himself now knows that. Recently during these crises, he has remained very silent. He is quite wise. It looks like the Chinese Panchen Lama is more wise than the Chinese leaders”.