As the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, prepares to attend the Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable in Nepal this December, Beijing’s political motives behind this visit are becoming increasingly evident. The so-called Panchen Lama’s international appearances are part of a calculated effort by China to tighten its control over Tibetan Buddhism and extend its influence across global Buddhist communities.
The Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable, scheduled for December 12-15, 2024, will host government officials, monks, and scholars from around 20 countries. While marketed as a platform for interfaith dialogue and religious harmony, Norbu’s participation is a strategic move to legitimize Beijing’s narrative on Tibetan Buddhism. This event, held in Lumbini—the birthplace of Lord Buddha—underscores China’s attempt to challenge India’s spiritual centrality and assert its influence over Buddhism in South Asia.
A Proxy Lama for Political Control
Norbu’s role as Panchen Lama is entirely a fabrication of the CCP. Appointed in 1995 following the abduction of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the real Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Norbu has functioned as a political instrument to suppress Tibetan aspirations and dismantle the legitimacy of Tibetan Buddhist traditions. The CCP’s ongoing efforts to promote Norbu include domestic tours, such as his 2023 visit to Chamdo, where Tibetans were reportedly coerced into attending his blessings with monetary incentives.
Despite decades of propaganda, Tibetans have steadfastly rejected Norbu as their spiritual leader. His role as vice-chairman of the CCP-controlled Buddhist Association of China reflects his allegiance to the CCP’s political agenda rather than authentic spiritual principles. The disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, abducted at the age of six and missing for nearly three decades, casts a long shadow over Norbu’s legitimacy. International human rights groups continue to demand answers about Gedhun’s fate, but Beijing deflects inquiries with vague and unverifiable claims.
Timing and Strategic Importance
This visit comes at a critical juncture. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, now 89 years old, has reiterated that only he holds the authority to determine the circumstances of his reincarnation. However, the CCP seeks to manipulate the traditional Tibetan Buddhist process by positioning Norbu to play a pivotal role in selecting the next Dalai Lama. This move aims to legitimize Beijing’s control over Tibetan Buddhism while undermining the Dalai Lama’s authority.
Norbu’s presence in Nepal also signals China’s broader geopolitical ambitions. Nepal, which shares cultural and religious ties with India, has increasingly tilted towards Beijing under economic and political pressures. The secrecy surrounding Norbu’s visit—including reports of a chartered flight from Beijing last September—highlights Nepal’s role as a willing participant in China’s soft-power expansion. Analysts warn that hosting Norbu could compromise Nepal’s geopolitical neutrality and strain its relationships with India and other international stakeholders.
Undermining Tibetan Identity
Beijing’s use of Norbu is emblematic of its larger strategy to Sinicize Tibetan Buddhism and erase Tibetan identity. Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, has condemned Norbu’s international appearances as a facade, stating, “The real Panchen Lama remains a prisoner, while their puppet tours the world spreading lies.”
The Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable exemplifies China’s attempts to position itself as a leader in the global Buddhist community while whitewashing its brutal suppression of Tibetan culture. By leveraging Norbu, Beijing seeks to normalize its narrative and marginalize dissent, both within Tibet and abroad.
Nepal’s Role as a Puppet State
Nepal’s willingness to host Norbu underscores its increasing alignment with Beijing’s interests. While the event showcases Nepal’s Buddhist heritage, it also places the nation at the forefront of China’s geopolitical strategies. Critics argue that Nepal risks becoming a “puppet state” of the CCP, prioritizing economic ties over its cultural and political autonomy.
The Dalai Lama’s advancing age and the looming question of his succession have intensified Beijing’s efforts to entrench its influence. Norbu’s visit to Nepal is not about spiritual outreach but a calculated move to assert control over Tibetan Buddhism and the broader Buddhist world.
