Tashi Lhunpo is one of Tibet’s most important monasteries. Located in Shigatse, Tibet, It was founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama whose remains are interred at the site. The monastery serves as the seat of the Paṇchen Lamas, who rank second only to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism.
Tashi Lhunpo is the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet. It is now home to around 950 monks and the 26m golden statue of Jampa, the Future Buddha, is said to be the largest gilded statue in the world.
The regrettable part of the story is China’s interference in Tibet and its Buddhist culture. As background information, when a Dalai Lama dies, the Panchen Lamas helps to select the next Dalai Lama. Similarly, when a Panchen Lama passes, Dalai Lamas are very involved in the selection of a successor. A Panchen Lama must be recognized by the Dalai Lama to be considered legitimate.
Because of his opposition to Chinese control of Tibet, the current Dalai Lama (the 14th) fled Tibet after China forcefully defeated a Tibet rebellion in 1959. His continued popularity with the Tibetan people has been an obstacle to Tibet accepting rule by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Accordingly, China would very much like to control who eventually succeeds the 14th Dalai Lama. Having the Panchen Lama in their pocket would make it a lot easier to control the Dalai Lama selection process and have a Dalai Lama that went along with Beijing’s wishes.
After the 10th Panchen Lama passed in 1989, negotiations over the selection process for naming the 11th Panchen Lama broke down in 1995, China set up its own system. Controlling the outcome by controlling the process is CCP S.O.P. It is how Beijing has ensured that the leaders of Hong Kong will do its bidding while ostensibly being independent.
Before the CCP endorsed system produced a name, on May 14, 1995, the Dalai Lama thwarted the Chinese plan by publicly recognizing six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the official 11th Panchen Lama. For China, however, this problem was easily solved with a tried and true CCP tactic.
Three days after he was recognized by the Dalai Lama, China kidnapped Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family and later named a different boy, Gyaincain Norbu, as its 11th Panchen Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are held in an undisclosed location. No independent observer has seen any of them since the day they were abducted. China says he is leading a happy private life and wishes to be left alone. Yeah, sure.
Final Thoughts
The Beijing Winter Olympics begins in a few days. It will be a grand spectacle designed to show off to the world and distract from the fact that, in spite of its success with capitalism, China is a totalitarian society run by the Chinese Communist Party. There’s no protection for human rights, little regard for our environment, and no rule of law. I will enjoy some of the competition but won’t be glued to the tube.
For me, the games will be a reminder of Tibet, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family, Peng Shuai, the professional tennis player who disappeared in 2021 after accusing a CCP official of sexual assault, Uyghur concentration camps, the Hong Kong umbrella movement, and Tiananmen Square. Sadly, the International Olympic Committee and Western companies will have no trouble sponsoring the games because China is a place where they want to make money. Companies are generally willing to overlook human-rights abuses as long as it helps, or at least doesn’t hurt, profits.
I think China’s increasing crackdown on dissent in recent years, and the Russian invasion in Ukraine should be a sobering reminder to the IOC on where they want to take the Olympic values in the future. If they want to make the games relevant to future generations who I believe will be even more critical, they should probably consider including how democratic candidate nations are in their assessment. Speaking of the monastery, it looks stunning against the blue skies! I love my time in Nepal and Bhutan, and because of those trips I’m now even more curious about Tibet. Hopefully one day.
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I’ve heard great things about Bhutan and its scenery. I’d love to visit. Tibet is much more modernized compared to Nepal, but still has an incredibly unique feel. The Chinese have made many improvements in an attempt to pacify the Tibetan people. They don’t seem to be buying it. I agree that the IOC needs to rethink where it holds games and which countries are eligible to participate. Thanks for following!
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hi
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This my whislist 🙏
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I hope you experience this stunning monastery in the near future.
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i have to agree with your final thoughts John. I’m all about being open and accepting but it’s just hard to look past a number of things concerning the CCP right now. and the world and in particular the Olympic Committee have no issues bending to their will. we should have all boycotted these ones
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The US has much work to do in many areas. China makes us look good as far as individual freedom.
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I am saddened to hear of the Panchen Lama’s abduction, although it is not surprising. The might and control of the Chinese regime is dangerously ominipotent. I did enjoy though seeing the photographs of the wonderfully iconic Tibetan architecture. Hopefully the legacy of which cannot be taken by the Chinese.
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Thank you for visiting and sharing your perspective!
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Thank you for sharing this piece, and your thoughts. I, like you, am shocked by China’s human rights abuses….and the fact that so often in history other countries tolerate so long as there is money to be made. It was exactly the same in the Middle East where some dictatorships were effectively supported by Western governments for the oil. It’s so wrong on so many levels.
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The world has a long way to go as far as human rights. Property rights are well protected.
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Wow! Amazing, beautiful , interestng post and photos! Fascinating history, it was an special experience for you. Thanks for share John.
Have a wonderful time!
Elvira
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I appreciate the support. Have a great weekend Elvira.😊 John
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Thanks John. It is a pleassure. Great weekend too! 😊 Elvira
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This was a very interesting narrative, John. China should have never been selected as the hosting nation for the Olympics. Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Uighur camps – should have been reasons enough.
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As much as I’m excited to watch the athletes at the Olympics, it will be tainted by the tragedies going on in China.
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It is a shame that China will exploit the Olympics as kind of a Good Housekeeping seal of approval.
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Before we visited Tashi Lhunpo Gompa we only had a vague understanding of Panchen Lama. It really shows the length the Chinese will go. I love the Olympics and actually was on the Canadian staff for Beijing in 2008. It’s difficult to separate my feelings for China with the Olympics. Personally I don’t think they ever should be awarded the Games, but the athletes have no say over where they are held. Boycotting would hurt the athletes more than China. Better to ensure the IOC never choses China again than hurt the athletes this year. Good to bring up this topic. Maggie
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I agree. Not awarding the Olympics to China, Russia and similar regimes would be best. The IOC is not known for its profiles in courage. The games in Berlin in 1936 and its weak responses to PEDs being other examples that jump out. Its cool you were on Canada’s staff in 2008. That must have been a terrific experience.
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It would have more of an impact for people to stop buying Made in China items. Working at the Games was amazing. In total I went to 5 Olympic/Paralympics. Unbelievable experience!
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Money definitely talks which is part of the problem. I’m very disappointed in the NBA and its players who endorse shoes made with the assistance of forced labor. Is it ignorance, rank hypocrisy, or they just don’t care? If the forced labor was in Africa, I doubt the players would endorse and accept money from such companies. Sad. They should be called out.
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So true
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A very timely post. I will enjoy the sport in Beijing but it’s so important that we also remember the side of China that they would rather not show to the world, and that much of the world would rather not see or acknowledge.
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The CCP never forgets that the biggest threat to totalitarian regimes is nearly always their own people and access to information. Thanks for adding to the discussion, Sarah.
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I read the book: “The Search for the Panchen Lama” back in maybe 1995 or 1996. It describes the heartbreaking politicization of the Tibetan civilization by the PRC. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in Tibetan culture.
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Thanks much Swabby for the tip about this book. It is one I’d like to read.
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What a great story explaining this so well John, thank you.
You’re line at the end sums this up so well sadly:
💖
“Sadly, the International Olympic Committee and Western companies will have no trouble sponsoring the games because China is a place where they want to make money. Companies are generally willing to overlook human-rights abuses as long as it helps, or at least doesn’t hurt, profits.?\”
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The ignorance, greed and hypocrisy even extends to the NBA and Lebron James who are very careful not to offend the CCP as it could access to one of their biggest markets. Lebron seems to easily ignore the human rights issues in China while condemning human rights issues of Black people in the US. To me its kind of racist.
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Oh I am so in agreement with you and I didn’t know that about Lebron James… just that I’m not a fan with his bravado and throwing his bullying weight around. NOW I know why even more. Thanks for pointing this out and creating awareness. Wanna move to a desert island with me? 🤣💖
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I grudgingly admire James as a basketball player. He is a great talent who has been a thorn in the side of some of the teams I like. I’ll give him a bit of a break on China because he is human and subject to human shortcomings. I hope he wises up and his position changes.
Ha ha! Desert island here we come! 😎😍🧡
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Oh you’re right he’s good so I’ll give him that. Just tire of his being a baby at times. Plus I am a fan of Steph and the Warriors so there’s that!
Hopefully you can talk some sense into him or he’s reading your post! 😂👍🏼
😂I’ll meet you there! ❤️🥰
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Deal!😃💗
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On second thought… maybe you should pick me Up in one of first class planes ✈️ of yours 😂💃🏻
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I found your story about the Panchen Lama and Dalai Lama very interesting. Oh, the sick world of power-hungry people and nations … thank you for sharing your thoughts John.
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In the CCP controlled People’s Republic, people exist to serve the state. There is no such thing as human rights.
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that was a fascinating story about the Dalai Lama. I often wonder if communism will last forever, or at least through the rest of my lifetime. Capitalism and decmocracy, while they have their problems, seem to be where everything is headed…
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I wonder if democracy will outlast communisms and other totalitarian forms of government. I think many in the US care less about democracy. Jan. 6 being Exhibit A.
There are powerful forces against it – Russia and CHina and many other dictatorships around the world. China is interesting because it is a capitalistic communist country.
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I feel sorry for the athletes, but I think there should be a boycott. Thanks for the story John. Allan
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That would probably be the right thing to do. There is too much money at stake. The world looks the other way. Thanks for your comment.
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Greed, the root of all evil.
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No one has been able to solve that problem. It seems evil will be with us for a long time.
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