Reported by Palden
Edited by Kelsang Jinpa
Translated by TenGyal
It has been announced that the Chinese state recognized Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu is set to confer the Kalachakra empowerments and teachings from October 9th to 12th.
In keeping with the Chinese authorities’ policy of employing the so-called Panchen Gyaltsen Norbu as both a religious and political instrument in attempts to exert influence on the Tibetan people and in their effort to elevate his power and position, it has been announced that Gyaltsen Norbu will confer the Kalachakra teachings and initiations in a four day program at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery from October 9th to 12th. At the same time,strict directives have also been issued to the effect that the public must comply with the so-called rules and regulations of the monastery and heed the directions of the so-called on-site staff.
Tibet Times procured a public notice issued by the Tashi Lhunpo monastery directly from a related Tibetan source in Tibet. In the notice, “This is to bring to the attention of all the faithful monastics, devoted laypeople, and all the spiritual followers in all four directions that His Holiness the Panchen Lama will bestow the Kalachakra initiation at the Joyful Meadow ( sKyisKyi Na Kha) of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse City, Tibet, for the sake of world peace, the prosperity of the Motherland, the benefit and well being of the people, and the increment of life, merit, virtuous activities and all other such accumulations of goodness of all sentient beings. All faithful devotees attending the teachings and empowerments must respect and adhere to the rules and customs the monastery and comply with the directs of the local on-site personnel. Weapons such as knives and easily inflammable objects, as well as alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the teaching compound. Attendees are requested to listen to the profound Kalachakra initiation in silence, keeping in mind the motivation and conduct required for listening to the Dharma.”
Regarding the issue, Phenthok, a research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute commented, “ The Chinese government directed the so-called Panchen Gyaltsen Norbu to give his initial Kalachakra teachings at Dechen Phodrang, near Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse from July 21 to 24, 2016. At that time, the Chinese authorities paid people to specifically to attend the teachings. Others were also forcefully made to attend. The Chinese authorities promoted the event strongly, saying that it was the first Great Kalachakra Initiation in Tibet after sixty years.”
She continued to observe, “ Although Gyaltsen Norbu is rarely found to engage in religious activities, he is currently set to give the supposed Kalachakra imitations again. So far, the Chinese authorities specifically scheduled Gyaltsen Norbu to visit many Tibetan areas to urge Tibetans to work towards ethnic harmony and the need to transform the Tibetan Buddhist traditions with Chinese characteristics, effectively directing him to disseminate extensive political propaganda. Furthermore, since it was heavily publicized that the Chinese president Xi Jinping met with Gyaltsen Norbu, this is an instance of the Chinese government’s continued attempts to justify their distortion and misrepresentation by turning religious activities into political tools.”
From July 21th to 24th, 2016, under the arrangement of the Shigatse Buddhist Association, Panchen Gyaltsen Norbu gave the Kalachakra Empowerment at Dechen Phodrang in Shigatse, Tibet. This was the first time that Gyaltsen Norbu had given the Kalachakra empowerment in Tibet, so it was heavily publicized. At that time, when Gyaltsen Norbu gave the Kalachakra empowerment, the Chinese government claimed that there were special thick clouds and five-colored rainbows, and the narrative that Panchen Gyaltsen Norbu was specially selected by the Chinese government through the Golden Urnwas promoted extensively.
