Who is Gyaltsen Norbu? China selected Panchen Lama and the controversy surrounding it

The 14th Dalai Lama has maintained his stance and said that his succession will be selected only by the institution of the Dalai Lama and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, based in India, has the sole authority to choose the successor. “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter”, said the Tibetan spiritual leader which is vehemently opposed by China’s Foreign Ministry, which said, “(They) must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as religious rituals and historical conventions”.

As the controversy grows, the Chinese government has announced the second highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism from Tibet as the Panchen Lama. Here’s what is known of the Gyaltsen Norbu. 

Who is the new Gyaltsen Norbu?

China has appointed Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995, ignoring the Dalai Lama’s choice of a ten year old boy – Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has not been seen in the past three decades. Norbu has promised to make the religion under China’s control and also supports the Chinese Communist Party and lacks the support of traditional Tibetans. 

Norbu is establishing himself to become a familiar figure in the religious scape and also in political circuits by attending high-profile events. Spotted in many political events after becoming an adult, Norbu recently met the Chinese President Xi Jinping and affirmed many decisions, all aligning with the beliefs of Xi Jinping’s party. 

While Gyaltsen Norbu aims to take control of the religion and make it come under the Chinese umbrella, the Dalai Lama’s huge following and established influence stands in the path. The Dalai Lama has also said that his successor will be born in a ‘free world’, referencing outside of China, a notion rejected and opposed constantly by Beijing.