Dharamasala, 15 June 1995

1. After the demise of Panchen Rinpoche in January 1989, over the years altogether around 30 names of potential candidates for the reincarnation of Panchen Rinpoche have been received both from within and outside Tibet.

The places from which the names of potential candidates have been received are:

Those located in Tibet are Lhasa, Damzhung, Danang (Lhokha), Lhari Zong (Nagchu), Gyalthang, Tawu, Toe Gegye, Chabdo, Lhamo, Duejung, Tso-ngon malho tsazong, Amdo in the Nagchu area, Gyazong (Lhokha), Tsethang (Lhokha), Lithang and Getse (Ngari). Those located in India are Dharamsala and Ladakh.

2. In 1991, on the third day of the Tibetan Iron-Sheep year, a divination was performed to find out whether Panchen Rinpoche's reincarnation had been born in Tibet or outside Tibet. The divination revealed that the reincarnation had been born in Tibet.

3. On 11th August 1991, the second day of the seventh month of the Tibetan Iron-Sheep year, a divination was performed to find out whether a certain child in Tibet who was widely thought of being the Panchen Rinpoche's reincarnation was authentic or not. The divination was negative.

4. In 1993, on the third day of the Tibetan Water-Bird year a divination was performed to establish whether it was the proper time to commence and finalize the recognition process. The divination indicated that it was not the right time.

5. A petition dated 17th July 1993 was received through official channel via Beijing from Chatral Rinpoche, head of the committee from Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet searching for the reincarnation. He explained that in connection with the reincarnation of Panchen Rinpoche two visits had been made to the sacred lake of Chokhor Gyal Latsho (Lhamoi Lhatso) and one to Rinpung Chamsring Yung Tsho in order to observe indications concerning the reincarnation. It was also explained that some other religious investigations had been carried out. These indicated that Panchen Rinpoche had already been born and the search for the reincarnation should be conducted in a direction east of the Tashilhunpo Monastery among the children born in the Tibetan years of the Snake, Horse and Sheep.

6. In 1994, on the third day of the Tibetan Wood-Dog year, a divination was performed to establish whether it was the proper time to commence and finalise the recognition process. The divination indicated that it was not the right time.

7. In 1994, on the tenth of the first month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, the Nechung Oracle proclaimed, "My teacher, the Meaningful to Behold, (referring to His Holiness the Dalai Lama) is continuing to seek the reincarnation. If all Tibetans are firmly united in solidarity an unmistaken reincarnation will definitely be found soon in Tibet." This prophecy was confirmed on the same day by the Tshangpa Oracle.

8. Again on 30th March 1994, at the request of the Tashilhunpo Monastery in India the Tshangpa Oracle prophesied, "The reincarnation was born in Tibet, and since His Holiness is investigating the matter there is no need for concern."

9. On 3rd December, 1994, a divination was performed to establish whether it was the right time to commence and finalise the recognition process. The divination revealed that it was the proper time.

10. In January 1995, during His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Kalachakra teaching at Mundgod, India, His Holiness commenced the recognition process. A divination was done which revealed that among the potential candidates, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, whose father is Konchok Phuntsog and whose mother is Dechen Chodon of Lhari district in Nagchu, Tibet, was an "extremely good" candidate for the reincarnation of Panchen Rinpoche.

11. On 23rd January 1995, at Dharamsala, after making elaborate offerings before such exalted objects as the Kyirong Jowo (a special image of the Buddha brought from Tibet), the Thangka of Palden Lhamo (a female protector of Tibet) etc., special prayers were performed invoking the names of the previous Panchen Lamas. A divination was then performed to determine whether the above- mentioned child, Gedhun Ghoekyi Nyima, was the unmistaken reincarnation of Panchen Rinpoche. The divination confirmed this.

12. To confirm the result of the previous divination a second divination was performed, this corroborated the first result. Therefore, no doubt remained that the child, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, is the true reincarnation of Panchen Rinpoche and his recognition was finalised.

13. Again in 1995, early on the 13th day of the third Tibetan month the Nechung Oracle proclaimed that, "there is no need for me, the formless to do or say anything more. My teacher, the Meaningful to Behold, has already investigated the matter through the mind of the three secrets."

14. On 13th May 1995, a final divination was performed to determine whether it was appropriate to declare the recognition of the reincarnation of Panchen Rinpoche on the fifteenth of the third month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar (which corresponded to 14th May 1995) or to postpone it for some time. The divination indicated that it would be better to declare it on the fifteenth as proposed.

The child named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was born on 25th April 1989, the nineteenth of the third Tibetan month in the Tibetan month in the Tibetan Earth-Snake year. His father is called Konchok Phuntsog and his mother Dechen Chodron. As soon as he was able to speak he said, "I am the Panchen, my monastery is Tashilhunpo. I sit on a high throne. My monasteries are in Tsang, in Lhasa and in China. "Bright and intelligent, he is gifted with a sharp mind. His demeanour is composed and serious, and his speech is frank and forthright.

Tempa Tsering
Secretary
Department of Information & International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Gangchen Kyishong
Dharamsala 176 215
INDIA

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