The Panchen Lama, the boy identified as the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama comes of age today, his 18th birthday.
But it’s unlikely he will be having many celebrations as he has been held by the Chinese authorities since he was six years old. No-one knows where he is. You can read about it here.
Of course, the Chinese tell us that there is a Panchen Lama. They appointed their own candidate in 1995. They don’t recognise the real Panchen Lama.
As China prepares for the Beijing Olympics, we reflect on what it might mean politically, environmentally and in human rights and religious terms as China squares up to overtake the USA as the foremost world economic power. Please take some time to read and think about the plight of Tibet, under the boot of China. Please write to your political representative or contribute to one of the campaigns supporting Tibet.
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I don’t know why I didn’t see this before. I wrote just the other day to some Chinese embassies, hoping maybe since their not directly in China maybe they wouldn’t be so brainwashed. But I believe it was to no avail. The PRC is utterly disgusting for what they have done, not only to the Tibetans but the Uighur people as well. Anytime China notices anyone within “their” borders enjoying themselves and living life the way the people want, the “boot” as you call it comes down and squashes them. But the world is to scared of China, so I unfortunately believe nothing will ever happen. I am shocked (almost to the point that I feel sick) each and every day to think the Olympic Committee allowed them to host the games in Beijing.