Latest news with #Norbu
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Gyaltsen Norbu and why is he trending?
credit: X Gyaltsen Norbu is the Panchen Lama appointed by the Chinese government in 1995, who refused to accept the Dalai Lama 's selected candidate, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. Born in 1990 in Tibet, Norbu was selected and groomed by Beijing to play the role of a representative of Tibetan Buddhism acceptable to Chinese state interests. While he holds official positions and graces state functions, his spiritual leadership is spurned by the majority of Tibetans, who view him as a political appointee (Wikipedia). His role is significant, as the Panchen Lama has always helped to determine the next Dalai Lama, so Norbu holds the key to China's bid to monopolize Tibetan religious succession. His appointment, as reported, is seen as part of China's broader strategy to influence Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the future selection of the next Dalai Lama. How is Zen Buddhism different from Tibetan Buddhism? Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana Buddhism), both stemming from the Mahayana tradition, diverge considerably in practice and philosophy. Zen centers on silent sitting (zazen), simplicity, and immediacy of insight. Tibetan Buddhism encompasses deep philosophical study along with ritual-saturated techniques like mantras, mandalas, and deity visualizations. While Zen is austere, Tibetan Buddhism is wealthy, symbolic, and mapped out via the sutra and tantra approaches. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo While both of them share a common origin, their practices are a bit different. Tibetan Buddhism practices the Mahayana traditions, especially in regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Himachal Pradesh (Dharamshala, Spiti Valley). While both traditions seek spiritual awakening, Chinese Buddhism often reflects cultural integration, whereas Indian Buddhism retains strong links to its historical and philosophical roots. Spiritual legacy at a political crossroad The story of Gyaltsen Norbu is not that of one monk, but of the future of Buddhism itself. Appointed by the Chinese state as the 11th Panchen Lama, this is a powerful attempt to redefine religious lineage through political control. As the Dalai Lama grows older, the outstanding issue of his successor has become a game of geopolitics. While China is trying to make Gyalsten Norbu a figurehead (potentially) in the choice of the next Dalai Lama, Tibetans in exile are not happy with this situation, holding on to centuries-old traditions. At stake is more than leadership—it's the heart and soul of people, their faith, and the right to decide their spiritual path unencumbered.
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Dalai Lama Succession: Who Is Gyaltsen Norbu? The Panchen Lama Chosen By China
The 14th Dalai Lama has confirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue, and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, based in India, has the sole authority to recognise his successor. The Tibetan spiritual leader said, "no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter". However, in response, China's Foreign Ministry has said that the succession "must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as religious rituals and historical conventions". Moreover, China has even appointed a young Tibetan as the second-highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism, who has pledged to make the religion more Chinese. So, who is the young Tibetan Buddhist monk installed by Beijing as the 11th Panchen Lama? Here's all we know about Gyaltsen Norbu According to CNN, China appointed Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995, replacing the Dalai Lama's choice, a six-year-old boy who hasn't been seen in the last 30 years. Norbu supports the Chinese Communist Party and lacks support among ethnic Tibetans. He is often quoted in China's state-run media, toeing the Communist Party's line and praising its policies in Tibet. While the Dalai Lama's pick, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, remains missing, Norbu has occupied an increasingly high-profile role since becoming an adult, joining a top Chinese political body, often appearing at important events in Beijing and meeting large crowds in the Tibetan regions of China. Recently, Norbu even attended a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where he vowed to make his own contributions to promoting ethnic unity and systematically advancing "the sinicisation of religion". Norbu reportedly also vowed to keep Xi Jinping's teachings firmly in mind, resolutely support the party's leadership, and firmly safeguard national unity and ethnic solidarity, as per the outlet. He was told by Xi to carry forward the "patriotic and religious traditions" of Tibetan Buddhism and contribute to fostering "a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation," CNN reported. Notably, the contested appointment of the Panchen Lama by Beijing is widely seen by experts and the Tibetan exile community as China's attempt to pave the way for the passing and reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. China considers the 14th Dalai Lama a separatist and wants to bring Tibetan Buddhism under its control, but the Dalai Lama and his huge following have been obstacles to that ambition. The Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born in the "free world," which he described as outside China. Beijing, however, has insisted it will choose his successor as well as the reincarnation of all Tibetan Buddhist lamas.
