Ten years ago, five-year-old 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, was officially appointed through a ceremony known as sitting on the bed. A decade later, the 11th Panchen Lama allowed a glimpse into his life and studies. Recently, he sat for an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV), and a photographer with the Xinhua News Agency recorded a single day in the life of Panchen Lama. During the course of the interview, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu said: "As a Living Buddha, I feel that I am bearing a great historic mission."
"An historic mission falls upon me."
CCTV: What is your earliest memory of Buddhism?
Panchen: As far as I'm concerned, I was influenced by Buddhist sutras right after I was born, and even when I was still in my mother's womb. Later I heard my parents chant The Gatha (hymn) to Great Master Padmasambhava and Buddhist scriptures translated by eminent Tibetan monks. Additionally, I not only heard, but also memorized, the contents of the writings of particular eminent Tibetan monks, such as Great Master Tsongkhapa.
CCTV: So, you hold close at heart the chanting of Buddhist scriptures?
Panchen: Yes, as religious believers, we are happy to hear the chant of Buddhist sutras. Why? Because reciting mani generates in people a kind of affection. Such kindheartedness is the foundation of bodhi (awakening).
CCTV: Do you retain impressions on how the team seeking you out came into your home?
Panchen: I can roughly remember. That day, eminent monk Benba from the Tashilunpo Monastery came to my home.
CCTV: When they told you that you were the reincarnation of Living Buddha, after the drawing of slips from a golden urn, and that you were a reincarnation of the Great Master Panchen Lama, what did you think about this?
Panchen: I feel that a great historical mission has fallen upon my shoulders. This is my
primary thought.
"I am a Living Buddha, therefore I have to learn much of Buddhist knowledge."
CCTV: Now that you've switched over to a completely different lifestyle here in the lamasery, how have you adapted within a short time?
Panchen: Along with the change in my status, my clothing, food and drink, many other aspects of my life have also changed. For a person, it is necessary to have a certain period time to adapt. As one's age advances, one will become more sensible and more accustomed to a new lifestyle.
CCTV: We have watched you study and ruminate on the scriptures, for instance your way of scratching your head as you think at one time, and laugh at another time. Is that significant?
Panchen: Yes, debate on matters concerning scriptures is a very significant thing. Take philosophy, for example. Philosophy is very abstruse. After attending a lecture given by a master of the sutras, one has to recall and comprehend. During debate, one can air one's own views and engage in an exchange of opinions with others. The more one engages in debate, the more one knows and the deeper one comprehends. The more one knows about scriptures, the more one becomes fascinated by them.
CCTV: It should be said that your current status in Tibetan Buddhism is higher than that of your four sutra masters. But as you routinely visit them, do you look upon them as your elders, and do you feel dependent on them?
Panchen: Yes. The title Living Buddha is just that; merely a name. But a real understanding of Buddhism does not lie in whether or not one is a Living Buddha. I am a Living Buddha; therefore I study volumes of Buddhist knowledge. Were I not a Living Buddha, I would not necessarily enjoy such favorable conditions for study. They teach me and I owe them a debt of gratitude. Therefore I feel and show great respect for my learned elders.
"I pray for the living creatures in misery."
CCTV: You held the first open service in Tibet in 1999. It is said that more than 10,000 people lined up in a two-kilometer-long queue, beseeching you to touch them on the head and give to them your blessing. What were your feelings at that moment, with so many people expecting these favors from you?
Panchen: Some devout believers came for an initiation ceremony [empowerment by one's religious teacher allowing further studies] as an expression of their firm faith. To satisfy their demand, I conducted initiation ceremonies for them, taught them dharma, and prayed for them to be free from disease and disaster.
CCTV: As a matter of fact, mankind is faced with many disasters, such as the SARS epidemic in 2003 and the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004. What did you do when you learned of these catastrophes?
Panchen: I often pray for living creatures in misery. When these disasters occurred, I prayed for and donated money to the victims.
CCTV: Apart from holding the Buddhist service in Tibet, do you ever visit ordinary Tibetan families?
Panchen: Yes, I have. And when I do I ask them to pray, help others and create a happy life for themselves.
CCTV: In your eyes, is your father simply that, your father, or is he one of your followers?
Panchen: Of course, I regard him as my father; he who brought me into this world. I cannot forget my parents' benevolence; otherwise, I would be acting in a way not conforming to proper human nature.
"Watching TV is the main way to keep myself informed of major domestic and foreign events."
CCTV: Is watching TV every evening a matter of importance to you? Do you learn about the outside world by watching TV?
Panchen: I get the main news and learn about major international and domestic events through TV. This is the main channel through which I come to know the external and internal situation. Apart from that, I also like to watch historical TV plays.
CCTV: Do you follow the diplomatic situation with interest?
Panchen: Yes.
CCTV: What TV series have you watched recently?
Panchen: Young Emperor Kangxi.
CCTV: Do you see differences and similarities between you and young Emperor Kangxi?
Panchen: There are differences in many aspects. From an epochal perspective, I am living in a new age and in a New China practicing people's democracy, while Emperor Kangxi lived in a feudal age. In terms of identity and status, Kangxi was an emperor while I am a Buddhist monk and Living Buddha. I pray for happiness and equality for all living creatures, mainly through the reciting of scriptures.
"I will carry forward the glorious traditions of all Panchen Lamas, who loved the country and the religion of Buddhism."
CCTV: We've recorded how you study all day long today and it seems you are very
busy. True?
Panchen: That's true. From the perspective of a Living Buddha, I am entrusted with a great historical mission. If I did not study hard, I would not be able to fulfill this mission.
CCTV: When do you think this study will conclude... will the learning ever end?
Panchen: There will not be an end to study.
CCTV: Do you feel you are now a child or an adult?
Panchen: I am neither a child, nor an adult. I am a young man.
CCTV: As a Panchen Lama, how do you differ from the 10th, 9th and all previous Panchen Lamas?
Panchen: There are actually not so many differences. The most fundamental point is that I must carry forward the glorious traditions of all the previous Panchen Lamas who loved the country and the religion of Buddhism. The biggest difference is that we are of different times and I will work hard for the nation and her people. I will strive for the reunification of the motherland, the unity of various nationalities and the happiness of people. That is the mission I must fulfill.
Background Information:
Panchen:
Panchen means "great scholar" in Tibetan Buddhism. In the eyes of the Tibetan Buddhist faithful, Panchen is considered the reincarnation of Amitabha Buddha, and their supreme spiritual symbol.
Reincarnation of Living Buddha:
The Living Buddha reincarnation system is a secession practice unique to Tibetan Buddhism.
Sixteen year ago, on January 28, 1989, the 10th Panchen Lama passed away in Tibet. With the support of the central government, the quest for the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama was immediately commenced in strict accordance with Tibetan religious traditions. On November 29, 1995, after drawing lots from a golden urn before the statue of Sakyamuni in Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa, five-year-old Gyaencaen Norbu (the11th Panchen Lama's mortal name) was selected as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. Thus he assumed the seat of Panchen Lama.
On December 8, 1995, trumpets resounded in the Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse. Recognized by the central government, the 11th Panchen Lama was officially installed through a ceremony known as sitting on the bed.
"At the age of five or six," said his father, "Gyaencaen Norbu talked and behaved differently from other children. Even earlier, though, he showed great interest in things concerning religion... when he was just two years old."
(China Pictorial July 8, 2005)
